un: wei laozu | audio | day after the summit

[weifinder]

Passing along a few highlights of my conversation with Asgeirr, our resident scholar ghost possessing a cloak from, oh, Sa-Hareth, that may be worth noting.

The citadel has raised and lowered itself, by a mechanism he believed connected to its central clock, for ages. However, it was largely for defense in the past, and the dragons were their primary form of offense in that defending. The civilians were kept safe. At that time, there was also no blurred lines between the dead and living—you could determine who and what was dead, and who and what lived.

( a pause, and he adds: )

He suggested it might be a thrall to the territories, or a freezing of the person at moment of death. Or that it might be something affecting us, but while that's clearly true, I don't think it's that specifically targeted.

Comments

[downswing]

Wei Ying is cherished.

[weifinder]

So too is Lan Zhan.

[downswing]

You suit companions.

[weifinder]

You don't?

[downswing]

As even brother knew.

[weifinder]

You do too, Lan Zhan. I think if you look around you now, away from the expectations of our home, you can see a truer reflection of what affection and regard others freely give you.

[downswing]

I do not number your capacity for friendship.

[weifinder]

Would you like me to number yours?

[downswing]

I enjoy you cherished.


( And so, 'do not lie' perishes a hard death. )

[weifinder]

( when your husband is an Influence on you. such an Influence. )

Yeah, I like you being cherished too! Makes me happy, seeing people see you.

[downswing]

( Soft, attempting to spell out the troubles of social interaction: )

Silence qualms them.

[weifinder]

Silence isn't indifference. Though I can see why it may be easier for you with children at times... but I'd be hard pressed to say all those of our group are uncomfortable with your quiet.

[downswing]

Lying is forbidden.

[weifinder]

You, husband, lie with me all the time, it's fine!

[downswing]

I do not lie —


( O h . )

...you play at words.

[weifinder]

( Good natured laughter for a moment. It's nice, because it means he's still not back to hyperfocussed on everything he can't properly feel. )

Like you've learned to, yes. Husband, have faith. You might feel a lie and still be unaware of the truth, but that doesn't make the truth a lie. It makes how we feel a barrier to what is real.

[downswing]

Spoken as liars do.

[weifinder]

Now you're being stubborn. Should I start calling you Xiao Zhan?

[downswing]

Shall I retaliate?

[weifinder]

You may, but it leaves the truth unchanged, and your own disinclination to hear it preserved.

[downswing]

The truth of me is known for decades.

[weifinder]

No, Lan Zhan. The truth of you was decided by you, and changed by the nature of our changes in this place. Here, you're not Hanguang-jun to more than a few. Here, you're Lan Wangji, he to be known, he trusted for his merits shown, he who argues cleansing and ablution and is argued with in turn. He who has made connections, binds that tie, and glosses over them now to satisfy what?

[downswing]

You name me stubborn.

[weifinder]

You deny it? It's one of our shared traits, if not in perfect mirror.

[downswing]

I concede.