un: absterge | video

[downswing]

( Two men and a xenomorph walk into a tavern —

...alternatively, stumble down a woodland road, breath staggered, seemingly drained — if not by the weight of the enormous forest creature they carry, bled and bound to a makeshift pallet of decayed logs, then by the constant, jittery effort to evade the strikes of its tail.

The Doctor drags the animal’s wooden bed by long, loosely woven strips of ripped cloth. Lan Wangji holds the pendant with one hand and his own cutting strings that fetter the beast with the other.

For their trouble, the creature’s tail lovingly smacks the Doctor on his flank, then thwaps Lan Wangji’s temple, on the swing back. It growls its thanks after, before settling into a... disturbing... purr... that seems to indicate the time to nap is nigh.

The Doctor, then: ) It's settling down a bit already! Just needed a proper looking after, really, like anything.

( Well said, Doctor. For your effort, have a nice, friendly, sleepy tail smack on the back. So Wangji doesn’t feel jealous, the snoring beast peers over his shoulder, drenching it in a sea of... drool. He sighs. )

We bear one of the Beastmaster’s creatures. Feral, wounded. Enemy of the Huntress in the woods.

( Who should have been long culled, but don’t let Lan Wangji’s long-suffering expression convince you of that. The enemy or their enemy, so on. )

It requires... healing to resume duties. We number those who know the care of animals?

( ooc: ...sorry, cave buddies, just going to park Fido in the back real quick! Any veterinarians in the house? )

Comments

[downswing]

The Huntress brings those chained to death into her service.

( Softer: ) The forests do not suit him.

[3point0]

But he's okay, right? Just somewhere in town?

[downswing]

You care for his welfare.

[3point0]

Yeah, of course I do. He's a solid guy. Is he okay? Are you okay?

[downswing]

We prevail. ( A pause. ) And you?

[3point0]

I'm fine. All right, I've found some rope, where are you two at?

[downswing]

North of the cave. Slow progress to avoid unsettling its injuries.

[3point0]

Cool, I'll be there asap. How strong is it?

[downswing]

Less than a nursemaid's ladle, more than three drunken men.

[3point0]

Well, there shouldn't be a problem, then.

[downswing]

I did not think you... familiar with such creatures.

[3point0]

Well I'm not, but the zoo did let out once.

[downswing]

This is no exercise for men without defences.

[3point0]

I just said a whole zoo let out once! I've got lots of defenses. Come on, Lan Wangji.

[downswing]

What... is a zoo?

[3point0]

Oh, uh, like a collection of animals.

[downswing]

For breeding?

[3point0]

Er, sometimes? For the endangered ones, mostly. But they live longer in captivity.

un: yiling laozu

[weifinder]

Such kind concern! Ah, Buckbuck, have you had any troubles with the, hm. Has the forest called to you at all?

[3point0]

Only a little bit, but I've been putting things in my ears to drown it out.

Wait, have you?

[weifinder]

No more than I've prepared for, don't worry, don't worry! She's being almost polite for the moment. Or perhaps subtle, while also unsubtle.

These creatures are her former husband's beasts.

[3point0]

Uh.

And how's her relationship to her former husband? Like are they still friends?

[weifinder]

Ah, no. No, he wants her dead. More permanently. In about five years, only we killed him collectively as a group, so in that sense it's less relevant.

He learned she sacrificed their son when they all originally lived. She's a woman of that level of chosen deeds.

[3point0]

...Wow.

Why would anyone choose to sacrifice their own kid? I don't get it.

[weifinder]

I don't either. I can't imagine wishing harm on those under my care.