un: xianxian of yunmeng jiang | video

[weifinder]

( The recording shows a small toad, black and red and gold, sitting in the palm of one hand. In another hand a brilliant emerald green toad is held, pointed in the direction of the smaller toad.

The smaller toad shifts to look "toward" the display, lifting up on front legs to address the one recording by pendant. )

I don't want to kiss the toad, Lan Zhan! Hnnngh.

( The toad, who spoke in Wei Wuxian's voice, shifts his legs and tiny bulk back around to stare down the larger toad. Who inflates its throat and offers a long, wheezing croak. )

Ugh. Fine. For the sake of proving this works before anyone else suffers through this —

( He abruptly leaps forward, smashing his small toad face into the larger toad's face. How does one kiss a toad when one has no notably amount of lip? Both Wei Toadxian's front feet plaster against the larger toad's face, attempting to keep the other toad respectable. Holding the awkward position for excruciating seconds. He falls backward, kicking off the other toad, to flop back into Lan Wangji's open palm. )

Was that long enough? I don't —

( Abruptly the image shakes with a yelp of Wei Wuxian's surprise as the screen is filled with pale flesh, mud, and the sudden forward falling scramble of a man who has now found himself with a palm filled with the weight of an adult human male. Welcome to the darkness, shifting, squelching sounds of mud and an irate toad expressing its displeasure even as Lan Wangji's equally excruciatingly dry voice ends the video with a: )

... efficient.

Comments

[silverneedles]

Oh, that one. [ she knows who he means, and that's troublesome. she's quiet for a moment, contemplating his words and what she remembers of the young woman. she'd had no questions for her, and wen qing has carefully avoided any of the girls, as she serves as a witch hunter. ]

They say she has turned back to the righteous path, and yet she still curses people. I do not trust this mayor.

[weifinder]

I trust in his fear, his need for answers, not his method or belief. Much as the young woman, assuming her path to be one way or another, when we haven't spoken with the witches to understand their grievances.

( trusting anyone in these places is a matter of understanding different narratives; they're still so new here he doesn't trust any of them. but he listens! he observes. he gets turned into a toad. )

As minstrel, I can start asking more, to see what confused tales are around this village. Think I can manage a visit out to the ladies of the lakes?

[silverneedles]

I am a witch hunter, they would not allow me close. But you should be able to get out there.

[ the role she's been given is a frustrating one; the girls turn from her, she can't help like she normally would ]

There are certain to be some truth to the grievances of both.

[weifinder]

Meanwhile I'm a minstrel, so they'll listen if not necessarily believe a word I say!

( this sounds like home, forgive him the air of amusement. )

As is often the case. Understanding both sides, and any other ones unearthed, will only help.

[silverneedles]

What a pair we make.

[ it is reminiscent of home. ]

You talk to the ladies of the lake. I can talk to the village elders, if we need.

[weifinder]

Fine, fine, though since it's not as easily direct as communing with women sitting in water, I'll see what I can find in areas they're supposed to frequent, ah?

[silverneedles]

Figure out what appeals to them, and try to summon them.

[weifinder]

My guess is not going to be lectures! I'll see what the woods and shoreline have to say.

[silverneedles]

One should hope it's not lectures.

I will investigate elsewhere.

[weifinder]

Wonderful, we can reconvene over tea later?

[silverneedles]

Yes. That will be ideal.

[weifinder]

Wrathion was not alone leaving the train with acceptable leaves, I'll bring those for you!

[silverneedles]

Thank you, Wei Wuxian.

[weifinder]

( a pause, and then: )

Of course, Qing-jie.

WEEPS

[silverneedles]