un: a civil serpent | video

[inferus]

( Emilia di Carlo's hair has seen better days.

It looks suspiciously nest-like, and one of her sleeves singed and torn. The further she and Wrath walk back into the village, the more she feels it: the mark of hollowed things. The withered trees and the dying river beds. ... To say they have missed out on recent developments is an understatement.

But they do not come without news of their own. )

We were able to go very deep into the volcano and discovered something in the process.

( For this rare moment, Wrath appears to be somewhat disheveled as well. His hair is out of place. There's light scratch marks upon his cheek. His suit is singed. His sleeve on the right sight has been entirely burned away, revealing a muscular arm. In his pocket, he carries with him a piece of what they found though he has little interest in mentioning that out loud just yet. He wants to understand what it is first, and so he glances at Emilia with a grim nod and then supplies further: )

At the center of the volcano, an apparent naturally made mirror is being used as a cork to hold back a mounting level of lava, a potent flow of magic, and an unimaginable number of spirits. The pressure appears to be mounting.

( ooc: vi and i had a hiatus in april, and this help explains the absence of emilia and wrath during that time. EDITED the following day when i realized i missed a detail about the volcano. it was naturally made from a large pool of dark water. )

Comments

[valeas]

( it is right about now emilia is reminded of her current state. instinctively, she reaches out to smooth some of her untamed hair back, the torn sleeve of her uplifted arm revealing the bandage a healer secured over one of her minor burns. )

Well enough.

We went deep enough into the volcano we were not able to send word out sooner, though. Nor where we able to keep up with the ongoings outside of it. I'm only just now learning about the keys and — when it rains, it does pour, doesn't it?

( she looks somewhat weary, too. )

[weifinder]

The keys, the two ways in to that third village, the sacrifices being forcibly applied and freed out here, the purifying of fields and spirits... oh, we've been busy! Though be glad, you missed the nonsense of the Beastmaster's hunt. Truly, we didn't need that madness, but it is as we should ever expect here: endlessly surprising even when we're resolved to no longer be surprised.

( though this is in a way all further asides. he studies her further, and offers a smile. )

We're in the practice of standing with our mouths closed while we gaze upward into the storm. I'm glad you're both returned, and whole, such as it is.

What's your next?

[valeas]

( the smile she offers him in turn is wan, but sincere. )

In no certain order, I intend to look into a potential sealing spell if only to buy us some time. Aid in collecting what crops remain, as it both pertains to my ancestral curse and I've a green thumb, if nothing else. And...

( her resolve doesn't fade, but she does sober further. )

I mean to search for Lily.

( even if it's futile. even if everyone already did, several times over. she would not forgive herself if she didn't, just in case. )

[weifinder]

( a spasm of a smile, and half lidded eyes, at Lily's name. )

May you have better luck, though I suspect it's much the case as the mysterious nature of our coming, however summoned. At least I've yet to find evidence of any of our number going missing in a way that left a trail saying it was related to this world.

( no seized vessels, no lingering soul energy, no resentful spirits, no sudden blooms of death.

no answers, either, but a lack of certain evidences and the Merchant not throwing fits over them is indication of some possibilities. )

Assisting with the fields has been the task I've applied myself to likewise, and come this sealing spell, if what I know can assist, I offer.

[valeas]

( She blinks through a sting that threatens to scald her eyes, and nods in resolve. )

Thank you, Wei Wuxian. I shall endeavor to do the same. Don't hesitate to let me know.

( that she may assist him where it is possible. that she may acknowledge her limitations where it is not. Wrath once told her it is a sign of strength to know one's limits, and though she tends to agree, she struggles with hers. Lily may not be of her world, but they were bonded, and Emilia does not achieve closeness with others easily.

she made a vow if only to herself, besides: she would see no other witch harmed. she failed most grievously in Taravast, and would not want to fail her. even if Wei Wuxian is right and the outcome remains the same. she will have done everything she could, as Lily would (did) for them. )