un: heart-fluttering hummingbird | audio (forward-dated: 24 May)

[downswing]

( A silence to his mouth, begrudging. The words, when he does speak them, gravel between teeth: )

...apologies. The blood in the northern halls will want more hands for the washing.

We made insufficient attempt.


( ooc: posted today for ooc ease, but assume this comes up after Sizhui/Eleven/Mingyu speak with the miners, around 24 May. Alina and Lan Wangji have given the miners their mercy kill, before they could fully transition, and removed the bodies from where they were kept... but clean-up. )

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[downswing]

...no. And you?

[somebadnews]

[ Sees that hesitance. ]

Of course not.

[downswing]

Do you hear voices?

[somebadnews]

[ This is getting uncomfortable, because yes, he still sometimes has conversations with Dolores when he forgets she's not really here. That's not strange, they were together for so long of course he'd still imagine what she'd say.

But he still thinks he's talking about the voices in the woods. ]

Is there a point you're getting to? [ Because if it's not that -- ] I'm not crazy, if that's what you're worried about. I can't speak for anyone else.

[downswing]

You shy from questions.

[somebadnews]

I could say the same to you. [ Seriously, like he’s the only one... ]

Do your study on someone else.

[downswing]

You are always agitated?

[somebadnews]

I can't imagine why I'd have a reason to be.

[ He shouldn't have said anything in response, but the nerve of this guy. Can't even stay focused on the two people he killed. ]

Are you listing symptoms now?

[downswing]

( What a thought. )

Of what condition?

[somebadnews]

You tell me. You're the one fixated on whatever this is.

[downswing]

I only ask your welfare.

[somebadnews]

Why do you care? [ Honest question. He was weirdly personal the last time too, asking how he slept. ]

I'm fine, but thanks so much for asking.

[downswing]

Men care for children and comrades.

[somebadnews]

[ This again. ]

Is that the lesson of the day?

[downswing]

The lesson of a lifetime.

( Learned, by some, late. )

[somebadnews]

[ That's what he thought. Still trying to impart wisdom on a man at least twice his age. ]

I could think of better ways to direct your attention.

[downswing]

Why?

( Strain himself, afford the trouble. Why bother? )

[somebadnews]

Because some don't need it. Focus on the ones that do.

[downswing]

Name them.

[somebadnews]

[ For a (very) brief second he thinks about naming his sister. But sending another stalker her way feels like asking for trouble. He needs more family here that he can trust to keep an eye on each other, and until then, it's down to him. ]

I'm sure you can find someone who hasn't already turned you down.

[downswing]

( Unlike a demon, prone to refusal, to the isolation of his target, to stripping it bare of any one man's defences. So be it, for now. )

You are no mere child.

lsmfa I saw that poor bro

[somebadnews]

[ Wow. He'd almost given up hope that he'd put that together, even if the phrasing gives him pause.

He did just kill two people and all. Should probably tread lightly. ]

I don't remember ever claiming to be.

[downswing]

( Still, dry: )

You have sorcery.

( That day, in the marketplace, he remembers. The speed of the child's disappearance. )

[somebadnews]

That's not really uncommon around here, is it? -- I don't call it that, but you've seen it before.

[ Unless he really wasn't paying attention and he's just finally piecing it together. He did still follow him home like he needed protection. ]

[downswing]

Failed to understand it.