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]

Your kindness may assist the startled of Ke-Waihu.

[soulsrob]

[She perks up a little] Oh, that's true! I could always do that.

And, Wangji... [She trails off, looking concerned] You'll return safely as well, won't you? I do worry.

[downswing]

I am not for the blade.

[soulsrob]

Not on the receiving end of it, at least. [She smiles again, feeling a little better.]

Then I shall keep a candle burning for you. You can blow it out once you safely return, but until then I'll keep it going.

[downswing]

A custom of blessing? Of fortunes?

[soulsrob]

Something like that! I've really only heard about it in stories. Typically a sailor's wife will keep a candle burning in an upstairs window so that her sailor can find his way home again.

I suppose it's like...Helping to give incentive to return, a goal--blowing out the candle--that goes hand in hand with seeing a loved one again.

[downswing]

A... loved one.

[soulsrob]

Yes, a loved one! [Winnie nods as if confirming this]

You're practically like family to me, Wangji! I care about you very much. That's why I want to make sure you return home safe and sound!

[downswing]

( And softened, inevitably: )

You honour me.

[soulsrob]

[Gently:] You honor me, Wangji.

[Cheerily:] Now get out there and find that key and return to us, okay?

[downswing]

Agreed.

( Name. The. Deed. Done. )