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

[silverneedles]

Assistance cleaning, then.

[ luckily she's no stranger to hard work. ]

[downswing]

Sizhui will not want his aunt's hands stained.

( Take the polite 'no.' )

[silverneedles]

And I would not want his hands so stained.

[downswing]

He is of the Lan. We do not hunt for gentry sport alone.

[silverneedles]

Do the Lans hunt anything?

[downswing]

You have a nephew to ask. Relish opportunity.

[silverneedles]

I will not disturb his current work. But after.

[downswing]

Must you be taught the man he has become?

[silverneedles]

I will discover that when I talk to him. After the work is done.

1/2

[downswing]

( The longest of pauses: )

He is bright. Kind. Measured. Skilled to satisfaction. ( A moment. ) Brittle.

[downswing]

Forgive arrogance.


( Shameful, for a father to praise his own son before others, no matter the bond. )

[silverneedles]

[ a long pause and then, softly: ]

Forgiven. Thank you.

[downswing]

False cure. Learn the strength he will require.

Quickly.