un: absterge

[downswing]

( 'lo, from the depths of the Mouse House, post-Unwinding: )

If... this were no dream. The child of the rains, bearing a vulpine mask. 'Hyang-Won' and his pale protector.

He is remembered? He did not appear as the other manifestations.

Though we have retrieves ourselves, we cannot abandon a child to nightmares.


( Guilt is strong among exorcists. )

Comments

texty text

[reparo]

I worry about who his protector is, as well. It feels as though the man appeared a few times in the whole...shared dream.

He berated me when I refused to hand over my umbrella, and I woke up in the bathtub again. I know it doesn't win me any favours, but I thought maybe it would be a good thing to know what the results for both choices were.

[downswing]

If he is captor, why allow our presence?

If he is protector, why not intercede before us?

[reparo]

What if he is the man in white? Or what if he is a guide, like a wisp meant to guide us out of the Unwinding? Or maybe Karsa...

[downswing]

The man in white has been harbinger of disaster.

[reparo]

Has he been? He gave a cure for Ke-Waihu's fields, he seems to have been around every ruin and wrecked city we've been in, and now the Merchant's cryptic message, before all this went down...

What if it's the Beastmaster in the dream world?

1/2

[downswing]

...you speak wisdom.

[downswing]

I can no more answer than abandon him.

Forgive me. Such is the path.

1/2

[reparo]

[ okay, framing that for posterity ]

[reparo]

If you are looking to be reckless, at least share the plan with others. It seems a poor idea to return on your own - do you even know how to?

[downswing]

I had hoped, abilities past my own.

1/2

[reparo]

So with allies, then. Good.

2/4

[reparo]

You've a weakness for them, don't you? Children in apparent distress?

[reparo]

I worry.

[reparo]

I worry others share this feeling, and that this is a trap.

[downswing]

Not all weaknesses disarm.

1/2

[reparo]

Don't get me wrong, it's not bad of you to care so much! I applaud it - I really do.

[ Who doesn't like a mentor or adult or professor or carer who cares so much he'll put the child's wellbeing above everything? ]

But you have to listen to reason. Just because we've gone through the Unwinding does not mean we know how to get in it again, nor does it guarantee we would get out of it. That child

[reparo]

Wait
Quickly
Did you wake up in the bathtub with two notes in your pocket, yes or no?

[downswing]

Affirmative.

[reparo]

So which child lies? It was bothering me, that note specifically. Children lie - it's why I didn't give away my umbrella at first.

Well - that and it felt
bad
wrong
to be without one.

But I don't remember why.

[downswing]

Children lie for fear, not gain.

[traaaaaash]

could be a trap, could be a clue

we just don't know

[reparo]

So if it's a clue, then maybe we've gotten it already: his name is Hyang-Won.

Beastmaster or his son, regardless of which, under the care or the attention of the man in white.

And if it's a trap, you die trying to get him out.

[traaaaaash]

hey you don't know that

[reparo]

Miss Eda.

[traaaaaash]

what

also drop the "miss" for the love of the titan