un: hatisse | video

[aprescoup]

( The party's second, more elusive, revived witch appears on everyone's devices — enjoying a steaming, bubbling bath, in a sign that comfort is only unattainable for the unattractive. )

...now, aren't you beautiful, my sweets? And so many more than before, and lively, your flesh teeming with... youth.

This one is only an honoured and unworthy servant, so spare a moment, won't you? There's nothing to fear, I hardly bite, unless... have we still... virgins, each way the eye sees? ( Short, knowing laughter. ) We must relish in innocence.

( If her smile were thinner, it would be the ghost of the party's coin purse. )

Of course, this isn't why I would presume to take up your time, no, not your Hatisse. I only wish, with utmost respect, if I may. A humble warning.

( Her voice briefly ices, while she picks up a diminutive sponge to slowly, sloooooowly rinse her right arm. )

Here, in this gods-forsaken quaint little pedestrian village, where husband is uncle and brother and of the same blood as goats, you do not cross paths with... true witches, no matter what they name themselves. 'Ladies' of... 'lakes.' Remember, the clumsiest, easiest sorcery is the elements, and if they rule water, in a land of waters, don't be impressed.

( Briefly disgusted, as if she prepares to spit out a soured thing: ) They're hedge witches. Primitive, barely trained, and of course, your Hatisse is the daughter of a school, and so perhaps there is the lightest... prejudice, but may I say. Time is not the work of witches who, if rumour is to be believed, can do no better than play in puddles. There must be more. Something or someone.

( And now for an interlude where Hatisse raises herself from the bath, and much of the more risque parts of her body are strategically covered in foam. )

Now... we are friends here, all friends, friends of convenience, but friends. And Hatisse has shared what little was hers to give. But this is a land of the dead, and she cannot do more for you, if she is unknowing. Tell me, my sweets: how many of you are mired in death? How did you come to it?

( ooc: threadjack away! Hatisse will be regrettably available. )

Comments

[aprescoup]

Of course my new beauty, my heart and true, my lovely lord. ( Here, have a few glimpses of her blowing bubbles ahead. )

The dead are drawn to this power. Even... those dead among you might be so. But the dead, especially. At the next sighting, see where they are strongest, or perhaps where they emerge. Either the dead thing or the dead liege will be there.

...has your Hatisse assisted?

[lanclan]

[ Hua Cheng would be very useful when it comes to ferreting out special objects of such nature and as a Ghost King he would have (theoretically?) more of a right to approach a dead liegelord. Xichen's smile deepens with genuine gratitude, as a sliver of help is more than he expected. ]

Yes, my lady has been most generous. This humble one gives thanks.

[aprescoup]

Oh, does he? And to what end?

[lanclan]

[ Thought that might be coming, showing thanks to ghosts always ends in sounding like you owed them and she's much smarter than those. ]

To act in the best interests of Lady Hatisse, should she require it.

[ Quid pro quo. ]

[aprescoup]

...would you? Will you?

[lanclan]

In exchange, yes.

[ Once, he will aid her. ]

[aprescoup]

...I do have. A few... small requirements? Only so small, you will hardly notice.

[lanclan]

Please name them so I may judge whether I am capable of completing such tasks.

[aprescoup]

Hatisse would only wish for, time permitting, if you may... a few spare limbs, perhaps some... organs? A kidney, no more. It has been challenging, this unpleasant matter of revival.

[lanclan]

[ In the same pleasant tone: ]

Alas, I am in need of all my parts and my cultivation method requires me to do no harm undeservedly. I cannot assist in this particular request, my lady, please understand.

[aprescoup]

Oh, of course! Only if you find one along the way. There's no dearth of... freshly dead things. But, please. Nothing sickened or decaying. It will only want exchange soon after.

[lanclan]

[ There is a pause, a silence in which he weighs his options. He cannot desecrate the dead with such intentions, no, and would not. Yet, if there is some way to appease her ... ]

I regret Lady Hatisse has suffered. If I may ease her pain someday without breaking my own code, I will keep such a request in mind.

[ That is as fair as he can be; not agreeing, but not denying. ]

[aprescoup]

I am humbly in your debt. Please, if I may ease you. Do let me know.

audio | un: water you docking aboat

[ghastleye]

Take. Care.

Won't you?

[lanclan]

[ The concern Hua Cheng shows in contacting him has Xichen smiling more fondly, unseen as they use the audio function. ]

Please, trust me.

[ He is no junior disciple unused to the trickery of spirits or (more sadly as of late) people. ]

[ghastleye]

What you do with a warning is your choice.

[ he'd felt obliged to offer one, but he expects lan xichen is rightfully wary of requests. ]

[lanclan]

I consider myself warned.

[ What a good friend the Ghost King is! ]

[ghastleye]

[ good boy. ]

We'll speak later.

[lanclan]

[ !!! ]

[aprescoup]

But there is nothing to fear, my lord. My king Wrath has bound me to eternal service to your group. Until... such a time that the last member dies.

[ghastleye]

How particular.

[aprescoup]

Every covenant must have terms, must it not? Else is it slavery.

[ghastleye]

It may yet be, when the terms ill-balance. One might look for.. gaps. Between words.

[aprescoup]

King Wrath would not cheat me. I have no need.

[ghastleye]

As you say.