downswing: (Default)
ʟᴀɴ ᴡᴀɴɢᴊɪ | 蓝忘机 ([personal profile] downswing) wrote2021-06-20 12:15 am

inbox | eastbound




lan wangji
missives | encounters

chosenbylight: do not take (065)

action; before the rigarda plot goes down...

[personal profile] chosenbylight 2021-12-31 12:24 am (UTC)(link)
((ooc: i am SORRY this is so late, holidays happened & i got sick, but now i have enough brainspace to throw this together so LMK IF you want me to change/add anything!!!))

Anduin recognizes that he will need allies, in this. Wrathion seems willing to have his back regardless as to whether he believes his plan is foolish or not (he hasn't been able to glean Wrathion's honest opinion of the matter, though that fact in and of itself would lead him to believe that it wouldn't exactly be his first choice...). Given the potential scope of the fall-out, however, Anduin really would prefer to have at least one more on his side should this get hairy. He doubts that infiltrating the palace and getting past the guards will be all that difficult for the three of them, especially when one of them is a dragon. That having been said --

He's got to make certain that Wangji is actually on board with this.

They have arranged to meet in person to have a more candid discussion. Anduin does not trust the network for this conversation, and he hopes that Wangji will at least understand that sentiment. He has only met the man once, spoken to him twice, and he cannot say for certain whether he will agree to this himself, from their brief conversation earlier that day. He seems a man with a solid head on his shoulders though, so if he will not aid in Anduin's plight perhaps he may at least guide him in the right direction...?

That is the hope, anyway. Anduin really hopes this isn't about to blow up spectacularly in his face.
chosenbylight: do not take (045)

[personal profile] chosenbylight 2021-12-31 10:43 pm (UTC)(link)
Anduin appreciates that Lan Wangji had suggested this place. Being still new in this city, and given its current state, he is finding it difficult to familiarize himself with the place. Perhaps if it were not in quite so much upheaval, he would feel more comfortable exploring and seeking out little places like this for himself. As it is...

He watches the other man settle himself across the table and allows himself to order drinks for them. Raising an eyebrow slightly at the wine for himself, though he makes no comment. He is rather partial to a good Dalaran red back home, now and again.

Offering the other man a polite smile, Anduin folds his hands on the table before himself.

"Thank you," he says. "For agreeing to meet with me. I apologize for all of the smoke and mirrors earlier. Perhaps I am being overly cautious, but I have always been told it is better to be so than the alternative."
chosenbylight: do not take (063)

[personal profile] chosenbylight 2022-01-03 08:48 pm (UTC)(link)
Anduin takes in a breath, expression pinching slightly at Lan Wangji's blunt way of calling him out. But he supposes that the other man is right. He is dragging this out longer than he should, for his own sake more than anything else.

His gaze lingers on the table before them for a moment longer before he gathers himself, nodding once before raising his eyes to meet the other man's once more.

"The day before last, the Merchant came to me with a very specific assignment," Anduin explains, his voice very low and very serious. This specific conversation he does not want to be overheard. "The task is simple: he would like for me to see the noblewoman known as donna Rigarda slain. He did not give me a specific timeline, but I am certain he would see it done sooner rather than later."

Anduin hesitates for a moment, before continuing, "I have... Reservations." To put it bluntly.
chosenbylight: do not take (068)

[personal profile] chosenbylight 2022-01-05 05:26 pm (UTC)(link)
Anduin forces himself to breathe again, to nod. This is why, of course, he decided to meet with Lan Wangji here. The sentiments that he had heard from the other man before, he can now discuss more freely with him now.

"We are not," he agrees, softly. "I do not know of the Merchant's reasoning for wishing such a fate upon Rigarda, but I am no assassin. And if this city stands any chance of standing upon its own two feet when we are gone... Then we must allow its leaders to make such decisions, as difficult as they may be."

He glances up to Lan Wangji across the table at last, summoning his courage as he continues, "Which is where I would ask for your assistance. If -- you are willing."
chosenbylight: do not take (Default)

[personal profile] chosenbylight 2022-01-07 10:21 pm (UTC)(link)
Anduin would likely resent the conclusions that Lan Wangji is drawing about him. Not that he would be the first, nor the last by any means, to question whether he really has it in him. Anduin himself has questioned it, in some of his darker, more shameful moments.

Heavy is the head that wears the crown.

But this is not his Kingdom, and he does believe that these people should have a right to make their judgments upon their own people. Who is the Merchant to swoop in and demand he execute this woman? Would it be an act of vigilantism? Or revenge?

Anduin sits straight in his chair, meeting Lan Wangji's gaze levelly as he responds.

"I am willing to do what I must to see her fate handled by the city itself," Anduin replies. "If that is what you are asking."
chosenbylight: do not take (102)

[personal profile] chosenbylight 2022-01-08 03:49 pm (UTC)(link)
Anduin's eyes fall once more to the table before them. To the wine that Lan Wangji has poured for him. He is right, of course. There is a chance that this is a terrible mistake. If he lets Rigarda live, if he hands her over to Macaluso. The cycle could continue to repeat itself. Taravast might continue its deal with the undead brotherhood, and while the citizens of this city will be saved, countless others may suffer in their stead.

He has considered this. He has considered so many possibilities. He has had several near-sleepless nights, and the question of whether he will survive the decision without regret has been on his mind for some time now, for the answer is... No. He will regret his decision either way. Short of doing nothing. And then surely the Merchant will find someone else in his stead more willing to follow through and step up to answer to his cause.

Anduin gazes into the wine for several long moments, before he answers, "I cannot know how the new leaders of the city will choose to act. They have thus far abhorred the actions of Bonaccorso, but I do not know their minds. I cannot understand where they will draw the line, for the sake of their city and their people. I can only have hope that they will do what is right and just, but."

He hesitates.

"In truth, I cannot know they will. But if I slay the woman, not only do I deprive them of the opportunity to make the decision for themselves, but I fear I will lose a part of myself as well. For a long time, I have prayed for peace and that is not the way that it is achieved."
chosenbylight: do not take (093)

[personal profile] chosenbylight 2022-01-12 11:54 pm (UTC)(link)
Anduin flicks his eyes up to meet Lan Wangji's, studying his expression for a long moment at his reply. Lan Wangji's thoughts are difficult to interpret -- the man does not give much away, on his face, in his mannerisms. Yet here he is, offering support. Anduin cannot begin to understand the reasoning behind it, but he is grateful nevertheless.

He offers his companion a soft, tired smile, nodding across the table at him in return.

"You have my thanks," he says, simply. "I know that I could not do this on my own."

Well. Perhaps he could, practically speaking. He had it described to him that the men guarding Rigarda were not skilled in the ways of magic. And Wrathion has already assured him that he will have his support, no matter what. But it is the principle of the thing. It is good to know that he is not alone, that he does have at least some support here in this strange city, far from home...