Eastbound Contact

[weifinder]

Wei Wuxian
missives | encounters

Comments

[weifinder]

Lan Zhan, have I ever said that? We're operating on limited resources, ah? Taravast will help with that, I don't worry about it. I'll stay close. Now and later.

( He may still end up taking those because they're not favoured by the ghosts waiting for bone retrieval, but not to use, in that case. )

Together, right?

[downswing]

You take them, what is to say they come cleanly? Without curse.

( A pause, and yet: )

Your hand paid price already.

[weifinder]

With my name cursed already? Nothing to say they are or are not, though I'd appreciate someone else's input, to see what we see.

( .......... the hand was his own... not great thought. But still. )

A bit of an electric one, hah... ( he sighs. ) Poorly done, on my part. I know it, Lan Zhan.

[downswing]

...you wish a trophy.

[weifinder]

I considered leaving it at Hatisse's tomb, which... suspecting how her career went, may well be in Taravast.

[downswing]

You wish to reward a traitor?

[weifinder]

I don't think either one of them were particularly blameless, Lan Zhan, and the dead here want their rest away from remnants of their murderer. So if not delivering it to her, then yes. Fine. Trophy. Never had those before, but I suppose I can always learn to add to collections. They're popular with our contemporaries.

( Suibian, held in Jinlin Tai. Chenqing, held in Lotus Pier. Just what else lurks, contained, in each sect's secret library or treasure room, ah? He doesn't really feel he wants to know. )

[downswing]

...they were soulmates once.

( Spoken so, before. Now, stuttered between points of agony. )

Recall brother. Jin Guangyao. Those who see us may wound deepest.

( It took a woman who knew her lover's nature to manipulate him into coming. And he, willfully blind to her, persisted. )

[weifinder]

Do wound deepest. Even if the wounding isn't the intent.

( Softly said. He knows. He recalls. Not just Zewu-jun, but his own transgressions. )

I defend neither of their actions. At some point, both believed in each other. At some point, they both loved. At some point, that broke down, willingly and otherwise. What would you do?

[downswing]

( Stand beside in Nightless city. )

I would leave them to their fates, earned.

[weifinder]

Was Arha's release earned?

( Not an advocate. Simply looking at the aftermath, hearing the stories of one injured party, having no idea what it is that happened, where Arha passed in spiritual, physical form. )

[downswing]

The deed is done.

[weifinder]

It is. At the least, his effects, such as they are, could be sent back to his originating people.

[downswing]

Then, I shall carry them.

[weifinder]

You're... Lan Zhan, doesn't the same potential for cursing exist for you?

[downswing]

What is one is the other's. Millet. This.

[weifinder]

... Pickles. I'm pickling everything I can find once we're in Taravast.

( A positive spin on the salt, ah? But no. It's--gesture. Reaching out. )

Shared burdens, and all... we've been doing well, you know? Aiding. Helping? I don't know, Lan Zhan, trying to share this is still new. I don't mind it.

( "This" as in burdens, not resources. Attempting not to simply sacrifice himself at all times has been a checked impulse and he's fighting to keep it that way. )

[downswing]

Is your life the currency of others?

[weifinder]

For a very long time, I believed it to be so.

[downswing]

Wei Ying. ( How to... not sound menacing. An ongoing struggle. ) Do not give away so much of yourself to every hand that you leave Sizhui's bare.

[weifinder]

Lan Zhan... am I? Even now?

( He sighs, and he sounds so tired, for a moment; tired and close eyed, on his side of things. )

The bones have limits. Whatever was on the one tomb, it doesn't linger. There are two sets of hands I need to be able to hold onto, no matter what comes. Sizhui's, and yours. I won't let go again.

[downswing]

You speak as if you are fettered. Instructed as a child.

[weifinder]

Who do you feel like that's the case? It's not how I feel. Just reminded, there are people I have to care for, fight for, return to. Ones who want me around, ah?

[downswing]

( Guilt. But perhaps also: )

'Need to.' 'Have to.'

[weifinder]

Saying want makes it feel like at any moment, it'll disappear.