Eastbound Contact

[weifinder]

Wei Wuxian
missives | encounters

Comments

[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.

[downswing]

You know where in the turnip patch to rescue him from, should he disappear.

[weifinder]

The hole I dug him, ah?

[downswing]

Mmmm. ( But approvingly. ) What then to fear?

[weifinder]

( He laughs, short but genuine. )

Nothing, nothing. Nothing to fear.

( nothing that isn't manageable, he means. )

[downswing]

If you have nothing, you have him. If all backs turn to you, his stays strong. Believe that.

[weifinder]

I do.

( once, he did not know. and once, for good reason, he would not have put the weight of that world on a four year old's shoulders. now, he's met a young man; there's a lifetime to not reclaim, but a lifetime to build, together. with... those who had survived. he wasn't supposed to be one of them, but he was, and he wasn't ungrateful. not these days. )

I believe in him, and I believe in you.

[downswing]

I believe in Wei Ying's promise.


( If not, at times, in Wei Ying's judgement. )

[weifinder]

( A not unwise distinction to make. )

I'm glad there's at least two of you who do.