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

[downswing]

We claimed them. They suffered.

We took responsibility.

[weifinder]

You hardly claimed them alone, and I'd already spoken on this with Archeval—if things were not possible to change, if the end conclusion was like this. Why did you and Miss Alina feel so compelled?

( He didn't have to. It wasn't a sole responsibility, and he said nothing. )

[downswing]

...enough.

( Called to account, like a child. )

You. Them. Myself. What difference?

[weifinder]

Apparently, and this one is odd, less blood.

( He sighs, deflating. )

Have you sent them off?

[downswing]

( Ah. He is found... lacking. Negligent. And biting: )

According to the precepts.

[weifinder]

( Then the telling is more delayed than it might sound at first, and he rubs at his nose, contemplating. )

Is there going to be a point where you let me help share your burdens?

[downswing]

You said nothing of your intentions. I did the same.

( How are they not both to blame? )

Do not begrudge me efficiency.

[weifinder]

( They definitely both are, and Wei Wuxian even knows it, but: )

As you wish.

( He's bothered, and it's hard for him to pin down exactly why. )

[downswing]

...and if you had struck first?

[weifinder]

Word. On this. A warning, if nothing else.

[downswing]

( Disbelieving: ) The Patriarch would have been slow.


( Efficiency diminished enough to give warning. )

[weifinder]

Have you not heard, Hanguang-jun? The Patriarch has always been known for his mouth.

( It takes no effort, and he didn't say he'd have lingered to argue: as he wouldn't. )

[downswing]

You wish warning each time I kill?


( ...are you quite sure? )

[weifinder]

( ... okay, now. Now he's curious. )

Sure. I'll give you warning, too!

( There's no way they can regret this. Or make everyone else regret this. )

[downswing]

( No... way.

This is still Archeval's fault. )


Agreed.


( But he did not specify how, so it must be warning in hand-written letters, abandoned in Wei Ying's quarters. For discretion's sake. )

[weifinder]

( Meaning Lan Wangji is getting crystal called over it.

Surely.

Surely going to go well. )

Agreed!