inbox | eastbound

[downswing]

lan wangji
missives | encounters

Comments

[downswing]

Irrelevant. ( Says a man also swaddled in widower's whites. ) How old your wound?

[westviews]

A few years.

[All of her wounds just make one massive injury that never truly gets a chance to mend. She can ignore it, most days. She doesn't know what else to do about it.]

I'll do what I can to make sure the both of you don't endure any additional suffering.

[downswing]

Condolences. ( But then, what fortune can one widower bring another? ) I beg no concern for me. You assist enough.

[westviews]

Did you and Bucky get along?

[Because both of you say "don't worry" with some indication that worry is warranted.]

[downswing]

...'Bucky.'

( That moment when your saviour remains 'One-Armed Man.' )

[westviews]

James. [She's not sure how he introduces himself.] The guy that saved you.

[downswing]

He spared no name. ( A pause. ) A strong man.

[westviews]

[Of course he didn't.]

He is. Strong and stubborn. Remind you of anyone?

[downswing]

( The most emphatic nod no one will ever get to witness. )

You recognise yourself wisely.

[westviews]

[Is this the first genuine laugh she's had in a good while? Likely.]

Yeah, no. The two of you are much more alike.

[She'll add Anduin to the list, too. A list that is suspiciously of people that don't immediately listen to what Wanda wants to do.]

[downswing]

You tease me.

[westviews]

Me? I don't tease people.

[Definitely don't ask her brother about that.]

[downswing]

I wonder.

[westviews]

Absolute seriousness at all times.

[And since she's being serious,]

I'm doing this as a favor to Stephen, but if I'd known there was a concern, I would have wanted to help you anyway.

[downswing]

We are... creatures of solitude. ( Despite uniting as a group. )

The habit of reliance, slow learned.

[westviews]

I understand. Slow's better than not learning at all. Agreed?

[downswing]

You strike kinship easily?

[westviews]

Not at all.

[Maybe it's a twin thing.]

But I know it's important to try.

[downswing]

To what end?

[westviews]

To not be alone.

[downswing]

( A true widow, then. Perhaps, bereft of family. Of ties. )

You are not. ( Amputated. Unchained. Unwanted. ) Adrift alone.

[westviews]

I am, at home.

[But...]

Not so much here.

[downswing]

You are welcomed.

[westviews]

I know.

[By a few, at least, and that's more than she's had in a while.]

So are you.

[downswing]

On Wei Ying's behalf, be thanked.