audio | un: yiling patriarch

[weifinder]

We've just heard from our friend Haltham about the fighting between Unhalad and Anurr forces nearby, so here's a question for everyone, brought up originally by our companions who got themselves drugged and fight-happy against the second living: what actions do you think we should or shouldn't take?

In Haltham's encouraging words, think wisely. Whatever we're doing or not doing has an effect by merit of choice. Also, a reminder that we still need to not end up in either's hands or revealing our location, given the reason we were summoned here has not changed, and our deaths can be a benefit to either side. Our lives benefit ourselves and our rescuers and the peoples here, by keeping us out of warlord hands.

( He's not opening up with his thoughts because he doesn't want it as a discussion against his take, but as people offering their thoughts after he asks the question. )

Comments

[weifinder]

If we don't question and assess what we're doing, how, and why, then what did I learn between our youth and now?

[downswing]

How to stand with righteousness.

[weifinder]

( Said softly: )

And how to fall alone.

( With a sigh, sounding tired. )

Lan Zhan, I've lived through what it is to rush in and do the just thing without a plan, backup, or a way forward. If nothing else, we need to be wise enough to pause to think how to do these things.

[downswing]

Apologies. I push Wei Ying to discipline me, as if I were a child.

[weifinder]

You're a just and righteous man, Lan Zhan.

( They have no positive reputation, have an assumed negative, and their backing is only trying to get them out of the way, not support them in anything beyond not allowing them to die. They're at many disadvantages. He's even more specifically seen how that goes, and he's not going to lose everyone again. He refuses. )

What worries me is what isn't here, for anyone. No clans, no standing, no backing.

[downswing]

Your flute. My sword.

[weifinder]

Two bulwarks against an unfamiliar world. I couldn't ask for better.

...a shi after Jiang Cheng's contribution

[downswing]

...Wei Ying. A matter I neglected.

( A pause. )

Jiang Wanyin is among us.




( No shi — )

LAN WANGJI

[weifinder]

... Lan Zhan, how long have you known?

: )

[downswing]

( Teeth, gritting: ) Days.

[weifinder]

Lan Zhan. ( He sighs again. ) Is there anything else you should tell me that you've neglected to for days, or more, or less?

[downswing]

...the matter of Wen Qing.

[weifinder]

... What?! Lan Zhan, explain! What about Wen Qing?!

[downswing]

( How to speak the words discreetly: ) She walks among us.

[weifinder]

( A catch in his voice, a breath taken in too harshly. He's not a wreck, but he's instantly offkilter. That would take something even more impossible; that would take his shijie. )

Where is she, Lan Zhan!?

[downswing]

...I did not banish her, or cut her path.


( You fool. )

[weifinder]

( Of course not, but did he see her, Wei Wuxian's been trekking back to the city and he's managed to miss her in their ragtag group, has Lan Zhan seen her )

Of course not, what does that have to do with anything? I was asking if you knew where she was right now, if you'd seen her!

( Sounds like he's picked up to a snow crunching job now, at least. )

[downswing]

She joined the faction. ( Lived, despite the odds or his hesitations. ) No doubt, wanders freely.

[weifinder]

I'll talk with you later, Lan Zhan, I've got to go—

( this is the least logical way of going about trying to find Wen Qing, but so it is. maybe they're thankful he didn't think to shout WEN QING into the device itself? )

[downswing]

Wei Ying —


( But he cannot curtail a desperate man from his endeavours, not from a distance. Will not broker attempt. )

later, because while he's looking for Wen Qing he's getting yelled at about gods kissing people

[weifinder]

Lan Zhan!

( Here he sounds outright flustered; )

Can you, I don't know, teach a god how to take in power from others in a way that doesn't involve kissing them?!

i need a pikachu icon

[downswing]

( He... requires a moment. And another. Then: )

'Do not associate with evil.'

put pikachu in lan robes and with a headband, it'll be perfect

[weifinder]

He's a martial god! Who collects scraps, he says! How is that an indication of evil!

will this do

[downswing]

He bargains intimacy.

it is accepted /serene nod

[weifinder]

He says he doesn't know other efficient ways! It's ignorance! He's not a scholar god, ah?!

( This is roundaboutly going, "he might not be creative enough to think of alternate solutions when he has one that works, please help" )