inbox | eastbound

[downswing]

lan wangji
missives | encounters

Comments

[downswing]

And then?

[weifinder]

Consult with the group when we have breathing room after leaving this place.

[downswing]

Because they oft heed me.

[weifinder]

Lan Zhan. ( a pause. ) Heart of my heart. They don't really heed anyone, but if it makes the most sense, I'll speak along with you. You should know that.

[downswing]

You will prevail over Five and Beitang Moran?


( Liar. )

[weifinder]

It's called understanding what it is they value most, and how to approach them. How to showcase what makes more sense than flying Irenia like a kite. It's the exact thing neither of us really enjoys.

( a pause. )

Politics.

[downswing]

( Nearly hissing in the background. )

Muddied waters.

[weifinder]

Soul of my soul, these waters have been silty since Master Scorpion first took us in hand.

[downswing]

You have noticed? You ever resort to loving names when you want something.

[weifinder]

Or when indulging, ah? Credit to all sources of inspiration.

We're heading back now. See you in the night?

[downswing]

Do not ride the dragon.

[weifinder]

... Lan Zhaaaaan!

[downswing]

No.

[weifinder]

You wouldn't come with me? Not even once? For sunrise?

[downswing]

She is not as your mount of Serthica.


( .............this is not a 'no.' )

[weifinder]

Lethe is sweet and in all her current health also very lively!

Irenia requires much more respect and negotiation to approach.

( they're going DRAGON RIDING at an especially beautiful time of day he figures appeals to his husband )

[downswing]

She will consume ten of your bones, twenty of your meat.

[weifinder]

I'm not to her taste, don't worry, don't worry! And this is why we approach with sweet words, and true platitudes.

[downswing]

...a dragon. ( TO BE CLEAR HERE. )

Are the grounds bereft of riding alternative?


( With these two hands, he will locate a donkey. )

[weifinder]

There's always you, I suppose.

( so dry. so dry and teasing. )

A ride, not to be riding or ridden.

[downswing]

( A rare occasion of hesitancy: )

I did not anticipate you would consider sword flight again.

[weifinder]

As long as you aren't holding me by my collar.

( he wouldn't have, for a long time. now, he hesitates in turn. )

And don't drop me. The only reason I survived last time was because the burial grounds caught me. Lowered me down, ah.

( said softly, studiously light, as if it doesn't matter. as if he didn't clearly remember. as if sheer resentment hadn't been the only thing to keep him alive. sheer tortured resentment from those countless souls left murdered and worse in that land.

no, between that and the arrogance of every person telling him he was less to not practise the arts he no longer had the internal forces for, for his own aching awareness, for the lack of true regret in why... no. for a long time, he never would have wanted someone else's gift, someone's pity, in sword flight. )

[downswing]

It need not... be as it was. We need not attempt.

[weifinder]

Nothing is as it was, Lan Zhan. Make new memories. I'd like to. Would you?

[downswing]

...perhaps. After your dragon.