inbox | eastbound

[downswing]

lan wangji
missives | encounters

Comments

[downswing]

My visit to Yiling.

[weifinder]

( there's still a sting, a bite, even after the time and distance between. when he'd been so horribly happy that lan zhan had visited; when he'd realised there was nothing for him to offer but water. no tea. tea cost far too much, and they weren't growing anything in excess to be able to use as a tincture instead. )

... I still wished I had anything else to offer. When you'd come so far.

( in retrospect, from a distance, an act wei wuxian knows he was not lauded for doing; not when the lan clan had been aligned as it was at the time. as it was for many, many years later.

breaking rules. how many ways had that been a choice, step by step? the later ones... )

Lan Zhan. I've something else for you, when you're here.

[downswing]

( Ah, but to be a man learned in the way of the Patriarch and therefore Suspicious. )

What is it?

[weifinder]

Useful!

[downswing]

But... what is it?

[weifinder]

Salve.

( For easing. )

[downswing]

( .................??????? )

I do not follow.

[weifinder]

Very nice salve! For easing.

[downswing]

...of course. The swords. We duel.

[weifinder]

( his amused exhalation, and the unseen shake of his head. )

While I appreciate the innuendo, I don't think this works for that? I mean more... aches... from old pains. Easing those? Maybe it would work for both!

[downswing]

...you wish to see my back?

[weifinder]

I wish to know all of you. And to tend, if you'll let me. As you've done for me.

[downswing]

Why now? ( A pause. ) It is your right. You have it. But why now?

[weifinder]

For two years I've offered. I didn't know that it'd changed.

[downswing]

You may.

[weifinder]

Mm. Thank you.

( a different sort of pause: )

Are you required back in camp tonight?

[downswing]

Yes. ( But: ) It need not matter.

[weifinder]

Mm. Then consider yourself absconded for the evening.

[downswing]

Brother will be appeased.

[weifinder]

He wished you wooed and indulged and tended? A good brother! A very good brother!

[downswing]

He wishes us well.

[weifinder]

As we wish him.

[downswing]

It is no easy feat, a marriage.

I had thought its challenges ended with bows.

[weifinder]

Paths wind, yet the stars and the sun stay constant, however hidden by the clouds.

The things we cherish most we don't cherish for being easy. At least I've never found that to be so, who knows?

[downswing]

You are as changelings.

Each day, I think I know your face, but find one new.