un: starburst, toward the end of this arc.

[valeas]

( Emilia di Carlo has seen better days, by the look of her. Her battle leathers are torn, soot and cuts still on her face — but she doesn't give in to the exhaustion just yet, nor the bile in her throat. First, she addresses the people of Alem, dignified and resolute. )

Prince Haiva sacrificed himself and leaves his sister, the young Cle-Florens, spared.

I was witness.

( A pause, then, as she allows that to sink in. )

Hell is sealed.

You fought with valor so others might live. I'm glad to have fought beside you, and will remember your fallen just the same.

If you've yet to evacuate, the time is now. Hassir awaits.

Comments

private

[weifinder]

He's less certain than he seems.

( is all he says, where he will be patient, can be the one who waits, but also is the one who isn't as willing anymore to let either of them walk away. )

private

[valeas]

He'll come back to you, Wei Wuxian. We'll make sure of that.

( possibly, she is in no condition to make such a definitive statement, but she'll power through if only with sheer will. )

private

[weifinder]

As long as he wills it. I'm not leaving without him, that much I know.

a few days later, still private.

[valeas]

( her loyalty can run deep, at times to her own detriment. she tries to do right by the people she cares for, but it becomes evident to her — quickly — her silence may not be helping matters, especially when it was never explicitly requested of her.

he was in no state to do so, she knows. but the state of him now is no better. and so. )

It was his mother.

private

[weifinder]

Ah.

( quiet, this time extensive. )

I'll see what I can do. Her story was... not a kind one.

private

[valeas]

No, I did not get the sense that it was.

( her throat tightens again, but she pushes past that. )

I thought I was sparing him. But seeing me cut the shifter down only made him determined not to leave the corpse behind. I didn't know ... ( she didn't know it was still with him. )

private

[weifinder]

... So he's... carrying the corpse of that demon. Who took on the form of his mother, at the wall of flame.

( so he understands clearly what he's hearing, he repeats it back. )

private

[valeas]

That is correct.

private

[weifinder]

( he sighs. it's a soft, sad little affair. )

So he's hiding in silence with the form of what he knows isn't his mother, but can't let go, because it's one more person who disappeared on him with no word when she died.

Emilia, I hate to ask this, since he's avoiding me and he won't take kindly to me pointing out what I will. If you see him, will you see him, and sort of... clasp his shoulder? Reassuringly? He'll likely flinch away, Lan Zhan has difficulty with contact, but he needs it, and he won't let me near. Or pat his shoulder. Or pet his stunningly lovely hair, which is annoying because none of us have been bathing properly and it still looks good.

( the rambling of him trying to ask for someone else to provide a physical touchstone for his touch-starved, touch-avoidant husband. who is on strike. against him. )

private

[valeas]

( it's not a smile that touches her lips, not with the rue that joins the gesture, but it is perhaps fond in a sad way. she isn't unmoved by this desperation, by the strength with which he clearly loves lan wangji. the grief that, as ever, grabs hold. )

I make no promises, especially where his hair is concerned.

( quite fetching hair, it must be said. )

But I will see to him. You have my word.