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

[thedreamer]

[ Absolutely. Nothing to worry about or doubt here. A madman. An everything Doctor, that's him. ]

Spirited, yes, I agree. [ And, perfectly timed, another tail smack on the back, followed by the Doctor very lightly patting its flank to settle it? As if? ] If you're joining us regardless, be careful on your way! Please and thank you. No injuries on my watch.

[lanclan]

Kindly ensure my brother is not further injured, thank you.

[ All that matters to Xichen is Wangji handling a giant monster and getting smacked around the head by it. ]

[thedreamer]

Brother! His brother. Oh, this is a good day! On a scale of good days in the whole of the universe, this shoots us straight to the top. I'm honoured. Delighted actually! Counting down the minutes until we meet in person now, in fact.

[ Ah, yes, but there's the matter at hand and the beast they carry. ]

He'll be safe, I promise. I always keep my promises.

[ — Well. He tries. But this is one he can keep. ]

[lanclan]

[ Concerned as he is while swiftly making his way to Wangji's home, he can't help the quirk of a small smile and soft snort. ]

If you keep your promise, Doctor, I will have faith in each that comes after it.

[thedreamer]

On my honour.

[ A little salute and a smile back, but sorry to say this one is quite big and broad and possibly ill-matched for the circumstances. Because. Yes. But no thumbs up, he resists. Not the moment. His time will come. ]

See you soon! We'll be here. Waiting. Not with bells on, sorry. And not technically waiting. You understand me, though.

[ — does he though...does anyone... ]

[lanclan]

[ He really does not know how Wangji keeps attracting the same type of intelligent, spirited men as companions, but he's glad he does. ]

I believe I do. Hold fast, I am nearly with you.

[thedreamer]

Just for transparency, the moment you get here, I'll be promising your safety to him. Between the three of us, we'll manage it.

[ With their...powers combined. Or something — ]

[lanclan]

He is my younger brother, Doctor. I expect his safety to take prominence.

[thedreamer]

But you're both equally important to me, the outsider, non-brother with a great bowtie. I have two hands for the saving bits, if it comes to it. But it won't, obviously!

Still — two brothers, two hands, one Doctor.

— That's a band waiting to happen.

[lanclan]

Could you perhaps speak to the creature with such a golden tongue? It may lull it into letting down its defences.

[downswing]

He is why the creature graces us.

[thedreamer]

I tried actually! I normally can. I talk to and understand creatures of all sorts, generally, except here. Here, some of my abilities are a bit more...unpredictable. But I've attempted and will continue to talk to it soothingly, like an old friend I haven't seen in a while who's not very glad to see me.

[ Perish the thought. Anyone not glad to see him? ]

[lanclan]

A change in plan. I will attempt to subdue it when I arrive, please take the opportunity to truss it securely.

[thedreamer]

Follow your lead! I'll make quick work of it.