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. )

Comments

[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.

[somebadnews]

[ Between the strange questions and this late revelation... ]

And that's suddenly changed?

[downswing]

( Absently, as if he might be... taking notes: ) It troubles you to answer.

[somebadnews]

[ Did he find out about him? That would explain the sudden focus, but it doesn't line up with what he's asking. So did he hear about the kidnapping...? Two people who were close to him knew. It's possible, but how big of a hypocrite can he be? So what then? -- Fuck. If this is some mind game. ]

You think I'm hiding something. [ He is, and that doesn't help. ] So why don't you go ahead and tell me what you'd like me to say.

[downswing]

I make no presumption.


( Demon child. )

[somebadnews]

Bullshit.

[downswing]

I shall say nothing to presume.

( Satan. )

[somebadnews]

[ There's still some heavy implication there. He's not an idiot. ]

Nothing you want everyone to hear?