un: absterge | video

[downswing]

( Dark and damp and Lan Wangji's pallor strained under moonlight. Behind him, flickers of broad, long temple columns — and the smoke smears of... ghosts, gathered. He seems short of breath, the silvered sheen of his sword half drawn from her scabbard, a spate of parchment papers littering the walls: active talismans. )

They have crowded their halls of the dead, to excess.

Here, the key withholds itself. Who hunts the other locations?

( And a pause, hesitant — whether to find his words or, absently, slap another talisman on the spirit that looms with a gaping maw behind him. ) Ke-Waihu stands safe?

( ooc: forwarded dated to the group's incursions in Ke-Waicai. Feel free to run into him in person, if you're also chasing the haunted temple key! )

Comments

[downswing]

( Already let down. )

We prize human sacrifice above books.

[reparo]

We absolutely prize human sacrifice - although let's not call it prize, because it isn't - which isn't the point.

We need the keys, yes, and we need more facts about this place, this world, its history. An opportunity to have both presented itself.

[downswing]

You endanger yourselves. Infiltrate, depart. One heartbeat.

[reparo]

You've seen me Apparate - I can get out of a pickle if I have to. I can take others with me, too. But yes, yes, we'll be careful.

[downswing]

And efficient.



( WITH GETTING THE KEY. )

[reparo]

We will get the key. Focus on yours.

[downswing]

The dead do not favour us.

[reparo]

Some of the living are quite rude, too.

[side burn @ jiang cheng]

[downswing]

He is a brother.

[reparo]

Family can be taught better manners.

[downswing]

The Yunmeng speak in quarrel.

He... ( The deepest sigh. ) Expresses familiarity.

( This is possibly like explaining a foreign species. )

[reparo]

I wish I didn't know families who speak like that to each other, but it makes sense.

[SIGH.]

[downswing]

He is a blade, knowing violence.

[reparo]

Bah - everyone's either a blade or a knob here.

[leaving that one to the device translators to handle, bye]

[downswing]

Sizhui names the exception.



( He doesn't need to know what this means, to know Sizhui is too pure. )

[reparo]

[somber] That's true.

[downswing]

The library. You require assistance?

[reparo]

No, we're good.

[please don't send the rude purple man]

[downswing]

Jiang Cheng is able.

[reparo]

No, thank you. We are fine.

[downswing]

A thorn, but able.

[reparo]

Honestly, with all due respect, we're trying to pass unnoticed, as you said. Infiltrate, take the key, get out? The arrival of such individuals might put us in danger of being seen or heard, considering how he can't stop yapping about your handsome suffering.

[downswing]

( THE ONLY HANDSOME ATTRIBUTE HERE IS HIS DILIGENCE TO LOCATE THE KEY. )

He will prevail upon his instincts.

[reparo]

My prevalent instinct is to doubt that.

[downswing]

I vouch.