un : dappled pearls of the parted seas (voice)

[beitangmoran]

[No, he still hasn't changed his user name on the network, and no, he is not going to. he's actually grown weirdly fond of it.]

Greetings to all. I come to you with some tidings of the Beastmaster. The information I managed to get is fragmentary at best, but I think will be of interest at some point.

I met with the lady Hyang-tai, the leader of the blind fetters who live outside the village. She was here giving food to the poor, and spoke with me for a little while. I happened to learn a little bit about them through our conversation.

The blind fetters appeared only after there was a big eruption from the volcano. Soon after this, children started being born with the gift of prophecy and they were soon... set aside. She says they chose not to burden their families, but it is quite obvious they were cast out. People spit on them in town, and hide if they go to ask them for readings. In any case, their power appears linked to the volcano in some way. She said she carries a 'Great Ancestor' and the villagers are afraid of him, and by extension of her.

I asked her when the Beastmaster appeared, and her answers were most interesting. Just like Anurr was from Sa-Hareth, the Beastmaster was born here. His name was Hyang-won. He is from the same clan as Hyang-tai, as you might have guessed from their names. He is a distant cousin of hers. 'Distant enough we could have married' she said. I could not parse her age well, but that would make him rather younger than Anurr, at least, although I cannot tell if this says anything in terms of his power.

I could not get her to tell me more how he became what he currently is, but she calls him a gift, and their 'good master'.

[Well, there you go with his info dump, and he is about to switch the communication off when he seems to suddenly remember something.]

Oh, she also mentioned she had a vision about our presence here and that we are going to ruin them. I cannot claim to be very surprised by this. And she hasn't told anyone in the village that because, I quote 'they haven't asked'.

[And honestly, as someone who also sees the future, he thinks that's pretty valid.]

Hopefully, we can make something of this.

Comments

[beitangmoran]

Birds, not friendly with you of all people? Now that is concerning.

[topoiran]

Well, there are temperamental creatures everywhere and anywhere.

[beitangmoran]

Still, I don't veer remember you not being able to get along with birds. Related to what Mistress Hermione mentioned before, perhaps?

[topoiran]

Very likely related, yes. I will keep trying to find out what is the matter, of course.

[beitangmoran]

... Be careful not to get pecked.

[topoiran]

With all due diligence, Moran.

... aside from the hunger, are you all right?

[beitangmoran]

I could do with seeing your face more often.

[It does feel like you're avoiding him, Xunxian.]

[topoiran]

[ Oh, Moran. If only you could know how hard he is trying not to - and, yet, knowing would make Moran feel worse for it, so Xunxian is not likely to tell him. ]

Now?

[beitangmoran]

If you can spare the time.

[Since, apparently, you're really busy with things that do not involve taking care of him, pout.]

[topoiran]

[ That is not--

Xunxian stifles a sigh, his heart twisting at the implication, even though he knows neither of them is at their best right now, and moves to wrap the cuts as well as he can and bring food to his love. ]

Yes, my lord.

[beitangmoran]

Xunxian, stop calling me that.

[topoiran]

[ And now there is so much less oddness in his voice, instead it is filled with sweetness and mirth. ]

But you are - along with so much more that you are to me, Moran.

[beitangmoran]

Does it really matter here? I don't rule over anyone here.

[topoiran]

Not quite true, as long as I am here.

[ Knock, knock, though. And when they are face to face, he'll complete that with, ]

And you rule over me not because thrones or negotiations, or politics - but because the greatness of your heart and the brilliance of your mind will ever make me wish to follow your lead.

[ He is also here now, which puts truth to 'your wish is my commmand - does it not? ]

[beitangmoran]

Xunxian...

[Sigh. What is he going to do with you? Well, first, catch your hand and drag you inside.

But yes, it is good to see Xunxian's face, finally. It feels like forever.]

What of your curse then? have you had any unpleasant side effects?

[topoiran]

[ Xunxian's breath definitely catches at the way Moran pulls him inside, a small part reluctance from the curse but mostly pure joy, because oh how he has dreamed for Moran to wish for him this much, in his way that was not exactly allowing himself to dream...

Once the questions are there, his mouth twists slightly and he lifts and drops a shoulder... gingerly. ]

Some... mine is akin to Chu Wanning's, though - [ he holds up his free hand, clearly not blemished by any cuts ] - not exactly the same.

[beitangmoran]

[He knows when Xunxian is hiding something... or not being completely forthcoming.

He also knows usually, Xunxian does it because he believes it's for the best, or to protect Moran. But this is not the way to do it. Especially not with that kind of information.]

... You're bleeding? Where?

[topoiran]

[ In all fairness, he wasn't exactly hiding it - he did give the information in its completeness, just not in a way that brought the alarming part into focus. At the question, his mouth twists again, but his eyes are too soft - if unhappy, to burden Moran with this - to come even close to those crooked smiles that were so familiar. ]

Thighs, mostly. A little on my back. It's all bandaged up properly.

[beitangmoran]

... How long has this been going on? Why didn't you say anything?

[How long are you still going to act like you can be a burden, Xunxian?]

[topoiran]

[ ... isn't he? One that Moran takes on willingly, eagerly even, but a burden all the same. ]

A little after you first sought me out for food. And it did not start bad - and then there was the message over the network about Chu Wanning's hands bleeding, so I knew there was little to do but bandage and try to stop the cause - the curse.

[beitangmoran]

You still should have told me.

[Why doe she have to find you hurt after the fact again, Xunxian? Sure it's not hurt and dying this time, but still.]

You need to find a way fast.

[topoiran]

[ Well he couldn't tell him beforehand, since he couldn't know it would happen; and at first it seemed small enough and unimportant.

And then there was the measure of shame that he has not fixed this for himself, especially as it is not something Moran can fix for him, either.

He breathes out a soft sigh, and gently inclines his head, trying to lean closer because he wants to, as much as he is reluctant to do so, and it works. For now, he suspects. ]

I will. Perhaps I can ask the local domestic animals if households now have similar problems and try to help those in trouble.

[ Awkward as trying to talk to victims of such situations might turn out to be... it would be better than leaving them alone to their pain and grief, after all. ]

[beitangmoran]

Whatever is needed.

[And then of course his stomach interrupts rudely by growling loudly and he makes a face. Truly, feeling hunger is sort of an alien feeling since he tends to forget meals.]

Why do these people keep living like this?

[topoiran]

Oh, dear. Let us go so I can make something nice and filling for you.

[ He motions for them to go towards the kitchen, then his mind catches up to Moran's question, and he blinks. Still moves towards making that food, but... ]

Why did we ostracize and demean our best and most dedicated healers, before we were reminded they were no worse than anyone? [ So, so softly. ] A series of historical events that leads to circumstances that are not... rational.

[beitangmoran]

[Moran blinks, and stares, and then gives a small, mirthless huff. not often Xunxian schools him like that, but he us usually right when he does it.]

You're right. It's easy enough to judge when coming from the outside, isn't it?

But I think we can agree their leader are profiteering at least.