inbox | eastbound

[downswing]

lan wangji
missives | encounters

Comments

voice | un: off scarlet

[westviews]

[She's not above doing favors for Strange. And it helps that she likes one of the parties involved.]

Hi. I believe Stephen said you'd be expecting a call.

a rare voice transmission...!

[downswing]

( Hesitant, slow: )

Kamala's magician. ( 'Stephen.' ) The slaughterer.

[westviews]

Very endearing.

[downswing]

I intend you no insult.

( By offending her... friend? )

[westviews]

[Not a friend. But she'll let that be.]

What can I do to help you?

[downswing]

He... intimated you may cull Rathakku's thrall.

[westviews]

I can try. At the very least I can keep people contained until it passes. No harm done.

[downswing]

Will it... exert you past bearing?

[westviews]

No.

[... probably.]

I'm little disappointed Stephen learned about this soulmate of yours before I did.

[Not that they've ever had such a conversation, because Wanda generally doesn't care to hear about anyone else's happily ever after when hers was taken away.]

[downswing]

A husband, a son.

As the Heavens blessed. This one bears no merit.

[westviews]

[A pair susceptible to the thrall. Wanda feels her gut churn.]

I'm happy for you.

[She almost sounds like she believes the words she's saying. Not quite.]

I can keep an eye on you and yours if it gives you peace of mind.

[downswing]

Unnecessary. Only Wei Ying.

( A pause, then: ) How may I repay you?

[westviews]

No debts.

[It's easier that way.]

[downswing]

It cannot be so simple here.

[westviews]

It can be if you let it.

[downswing]

( If. When. Veritable, cost-free kindness. Ah. )

Wei Ying may choose your reward.

[westviews]

Is he as stubborn as you are?

[downswing]

You will find he is possessed of his own specificity.


( 'Infuriating brilliant asshole.' )

[westviews]

That doesn't give me any amount of comfort.

[downswing]

He is the better man.

[westviews]

Everyone says that about their partner.

[downswing]

Do you?

[westviews]

I do.

[Fair's fair. She's not so guarded as to discount Vision for any reason.]

He was what most people could only hope to be.

[downswing]

( 'Was.' His silence draws too long. )

Forgive me. You stand widowed?

[westviews]

[There's a silence on her end. No one's referred to it as that to her before.]

It's okay. [Generally, no. But he hasn't overstepped.] We weren't married.