un: absterge | video
( 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?
voice, un: strange
Voice, partly because he's late to the party and busy, partly so they can't see his face when he says: ]
I'm sure you've been flooded with veterinary practitioners specialising in that exact brand of totally ordinary livestock.
[ You're killing him, men. But still... ]
Getting it back okay?
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If you wanted to spend more time with me, you could've forgone the horrifying casualty and just asked.
[ Alas, it's a weak comeback and he knows it. ]
Do you need more hands?
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The creature may be unleashed once the healed. But may... forget its fleeting allegiance until then.
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[ Not taking this 'your third eye looks like a dead fish eye' abuse!!! ]
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un: headless ragdoll | audio
[ She sounds neither irritated nor welcoming.
But seriously Wangji, stop inviting people. If this cave turns into a zoo she's moving out. ]
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I do, if you don't mind another houseguest.
[ 'House' is generous, but he ought to be generous if he's imposing. ]
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Is this breaking some kind of girl code? Sorry Wanda, she didn't invite him. ]
Not at all.
[ An Emmy, an Oscar, and a Nickelodeon Kid's Choice Award. ]
How could I be anything other than charmed and intrigued by the prospect of witnessing you conduct your work?
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But he can let it go. Never one to look an ego boost in the mouth. ]
Well, alright then. Looking like it'll be quite a party.
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[ A perfect time for jokes. ]
How do you plan to proceed?
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I'm on containment. If there's an unused area of the cave with adequate space, I can set up a ward to separate it from the rest of the living quarters.
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Sir, I can calm the beast if you can ward it. I am on my way.
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Their entire current standing is far from ideal, but there's just something about this particular scenario that's put a little zest into a less than zesty day, so the answer comes light with barely concealed humor. ]
Oh, we're in a hurry? Guess I'd better get moving.
[ His breathing does not seem to be troubled in the least. ]
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[ Any who are headed to take some of the strain off Wangji are most welcome, as a literal monster tries to smack Xichen's brother around the head. ]
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Clan. As in kin?
[ Somebody hasn't been paying much attention to his fellow travellers of late. ]
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[ Albeit hurriedly. ]
Perhaps formalities could be postponed to a later date?
[ MONSTA. ]
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Of course. Until later, then.
[ And he'll cut it off there, and save his own return introduction for the aforementioned Later. ]