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

[downswing]

You would abandon him.

[beitangmoran]

You like to jump to conclusions, Master Lan, and to make accusations with no substance. You should work on that.

[downswing]

Then speak plainly.

[beitangmoran]

Looking at the situation as it is, rushing in is all but impossible, and the dangers far outweigh the benefits at this moment in time. It would be a lot more efficient to regroup and assess calmly.

The child, if real, is not in immediate danger. Putting ourselves in harm's way now will not help him.

[downswing]

Perhaps your companion may find him. His animals.

[beitangmoran]

They are not his animals, and he cannot make them jump between dimensions, just talk to them and understand their speech. They could only help if the boy was here with us now in the city.

And that's if there are any living animals left in this city. There's no guarantee any are alive.

[downswing]

There were three animals. As if rabbits, horned.

[beitangmoran]

Inside the potential illusion. They likewise cannot be reached now.

[downswing]

...gratitude.

( For, presumably, making attempt. )

[beitangmoran]

[He absolutely did not make the attempt, because expanding effort for something futile and useless is not something he does, but if it makes Lan Wangji feel better to think that he did, he's fine with letting him believe that.]

I haven't really done much deserving of it.

[downswing]

Gentlemanly, to accept.