text — un: starburst.

[valeas]

Not long after Yancai went back in time, I became convinced the two moons that steward the village were not real. I couldn't tell you where this feeling came from, beyond a connection I have to the celestial. 

I know I was not alone in my conviction.

It led Lan Wangji and myself to Storm's Sage — specifically, to a room that was filled with runes. It looked to me like it was once an observatory, except now it has a gaping hole in its ceiling that allows moonlight to shine down into a large bowl of water directly underneath it.

The magic exuding from the bowl did not register malicious to me, but it did seem constant, as though it could not and must not be interrupted. It also came with some fragments of memories, though they were disjointed and incoherent.

( To the best of her abilities, Emilia describes every fragment she was privy to. )

I realise how absurd this may sound, but it truly did feel as though the moon was in the room. In the water.

Comments

[downswing]

The weather.

[valeas]

( This bastard. )

So he does have a sense of humor.

[downswing]

Call your witnesses.

[valeas]

I'm all right with keeping it our secret.

[downswing]

Apologies. Wei Ying knows.

[valeas]

As your soulmate, I would imagine he sees you in a way the rest of us cannot.

[downswing]

What is a soulmate to your people?

[valeas]

There is no one consensus, really.

It can mean different things to different people. I suppose it is balance. Peace. Someone who enhances your life, as opposed to stealing from it.

[downswing]

You speak as if it is someone but can be breathed without.

[valeas]

We've already had to, Lan Wangji.

[downswing]

It is no life. Only existence.

[valeas]

And now?

( How are him and Wei Wuxian doing now? )

[downswing]

Nosy.

[valeas]

Hypocritical.

But noted.

[downswing]

Not secrecy.

Greed. To keep a beautiful thing my own.

[valeas]

I was not inquiring over the intimate details of your marriage. I merely wished to know if you were both all right.

But I understand, and will not ask again.

[downswing]

We are... content.

Gratitude.