un: wide open-winged queen of butterflies | audio

[binghua]

[So. Xingchen has been out of the House of Dew for the past two or three days. He hadn't told anyone where he was going. In hindsight, this was probably not the greatest idea. And when he makes his graceless appearance over the network, it's accompanied by the ever-present dubious background noise of the House. Also, to anyone who has spoken with him before, he sounds tired. Tired, and a little...unsettled.

Mostly tired, though. He's probably fine.]

If I may offer my unsolicited opinion, I would suggest no one of our number attends any meetings regarding Anurr, or if you must, please stay vigilant or go with a companion. While none of Anurr's followers who spoke with me seemed to wish any ill-intent upon my person, they still follow a man who kills people.

[...Okay, maybe that's not the best way to start things. Or maybe it's perfect, as much as Xingchen doesn't want to use fear-mongering to influence others, as long as it keeps them safe and out of trouble.]

What I should say is that this conflict between Unhalad and Anurr is not our own. However, I can understand if anyone feels it is personal as Unhalad wished to consume us when we arrived. I know I prefer to remain among the living. But if we do end up dragged into the struggle - and I hope we can leave the city without that coming to pass - I will tell you what I've been told by some of Anurr's followers. Of course, this is just one side of the story. It could be, and probably is, extremely biased and I have no way of verifying it. But they seem to follow Anurr because of his, ah, restraint to kill just anyone. He will ask for a willing sacrifice, and a small one, at that, unlike Unhalad. It is easy to compare these two lords and fall into step with Anurr's side, but the lesser of two evils is still evil to some extent.

[He pauses here, not quite wanting to bring up this next point, but this doesn't seem like a secret that should be kept.]

During their meetings, Anurr's followers drink some concoction. It almost feels like if you were to get drunk impossibly fast, but with the side effects of added strength and heightened senses. I cannot stress enough how much I think we should all avoid this drink unless we have no other choice.

[His voice softens here, shame coloring his words.]

If you have heard news of some of Unhalad's corpses showing up within the past few nights with an arm missing...I'm afraid I am to blame. Please avoid this drink.

[Well. This is a pleasant message. Xingchen clears his throat and tries to brighten up.]

I think we have been joined by some new comrades. Those who arrived on the ship? This is not my best introduction, but I am Xiao Xingchen. I hope you are all safe and staying warm. If we stick together, I believe we will make it through.

Comments

[binghua]

[Xingchen doesn't answer immediately, mulling over that question.]

...You know, I suppose it does boil down to that. But I drank by my own choice, so I am partially to blame. And then we all got swept up in the experience.

[somebadnews]

[ That's one way to put it. Must have been some party. ]

Did they say anything about a next meeting?

[binghua]

[He hums, thinking this over.]

I don't remember any specific times mentioned, but I was given a pin of some kind and told to ask for a miner named...Grim?

[...That doesn't sound right. He whispers a few more variations of that name under his breath, but then finally arrives at - ]

No, it was Gorm. Gorm the miner. I don't know if he's the leader, but he clearly holds some importance among the group.

[somebadnews]

[ Gorm the miner. That strikes him as odd enough that he almost doesn't need to write it down to remember. ]

What, do they treat it like a secret society or something? [ Where you have to flash a pin. Whatever it is, apparently this guy got a free membership. Or maybe what he went through was some sort of initiation.

And apparently Five is going to keep asking questions as long as he keeps answering them. He's found most people are surprisingly willing to share. ]

Do you plan on going?

[binghua]

I've been informed that there are posters around the city advertising such meetings, but I can't see them.

[For reasons that are obvious to him and maybe to this other person, but there's no need to go into specifics right now.]

So it isn't so secret that only a select few and their trusted confidants know of it, but it is possible there are certain...tiers within. Perhaps this Gorm is a powerful officer within the movement, above those who come in because they've heard whispers in the streets or have seen those posters.

I have no intention of finding Gorm the miner in the future, nor do I intend to go to another meeting.

[somebadnews]

[ It takes him a minute. Five has been around long enough to recognize most in their group, even if he hasn't spoken to them directly, so he places him after going through his list. -- Does he feel any differently that this happened to a blind person? Well, he feels something anyway. How does that even work?

He doesn't have as good of an excuse for missing the posters. Now he'll be looking for them. ]

I guess I don't blame you. [ He actually want to get his hands on that pin, but... refrains from asking where other people can hear. Sighing. ] Well, it wasn't a terrible idea. Spying on the enemy. They obviously weren't threatened enough to be cautious.