eastbound | video; un: glow is me

[ It's the first time he's addressed the network since arriving. Well. Arriving again< apparently. But what happened in the bathing halls needs to be known. Should be known. Even if to recount it now still brings a small shiver of discomfort.

He's spoken through worse. And his face is a resolute one when he addresses the network at large. ]

The bathing halls should be avoided if at all possible, at present. There appear to be figures forming themselves out of the dark water, made to resemble us. And it isn't just our faces they appear to be taking...

[ There's a momentary pause as his gaze goes distant, before steeling himself once more. ]

They know us. Our fears, our doubts. Wrathion and I were able to dispatch one of the creatures, but many more began to appear from the water's depths. Most were misshapen, half-formed...but all spoke with one voice. One mind, one will if that is possible.

They reached out to us, spoke from memories and dreams, offering to keep us and ours safe. They would do whatever we wanted or asked, just to be born. To exist. To be given form. They wanted us to wish them into existing. Then they were gone again, all at once, and the water had gone still once more.

[ Is there a trace of sympathy in his eyes? Perhaps. Am I worthy of existence? That question still rings in his mind, even now. ]

I would expect their desire has not ended so readily. Be cautious, should you come near large bodies of that dark water. I would not recommend doing so alone.

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I'm not sure even my power could cleanse the halls entirely, but I could certainly try.

Better than leaving it for someone else to run across.

Anduin. Purify your person.

[ Right, that probably should have been his first inclination. ]

Ah. No, it's alright.

I'm fine.

Dubious.

It didn't wound me, thankfully. I don't want to know if that would have assisted its efforts to take my form or not.

It stole from you. Your likeness.

It tried to.

Why flee, once their desire known?

It felt like whatever force compelled it was exhausted. Perhaps by the fight, perhaps by something yet unseen.

Recalled, or their energies depleted.

I'm sure they wanted to stay.

They were...desperate. The things they offered, the impossible things they promised.

...you were tempted.

I know a fantasy when I hear one.

But were you tempted?

For a moment?

Yes. I was.

Then it can know us so intimately.

There were echoes of memories. Dreams.

Things I've never told a soul.

Any connection between desires?

Whatever I want most. Loved ones returning, confirmation of worthiness. Reciprocation of...

Things it cannot give. Impossible things, as I said.

...rest.

I appreciate the concern, but there's more yet to do.

...I'll rest when we've seen it done.

Wars never end. Evil is never done.

[ He is, in fact, starting to suspect that may be the case. He'll never stop trying to end the fighting, to see peace won. That's one kernel of hope he refuses to loosen in his grip on.

But...he may have a point. ]

I will be alright. And I'll rest, when I'm able. I just don't want anything to slip past that we might have been able to prevent.

Wrathion would say so.

( See, then. Rest, to spite Wrathion. Lan Wangji has learned the way. )

[ Oh that's rude. That's so rude. ]

Yes. He would.

I see your point.

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downswing - 2023-11-08 20:34 (UTC) - Expand