inbox | eastbound

[downswing]

lan wangji
missives | encounters

Comments

[reparo]

I should genuflect in apologies to at least your husband and son.

[ oh god, and also his brother too. ]

[downswing]

I beg you do not concern them.


( #Secrecy. )

[reparo]

[ Oh, thank god. ] Okay. Not a word to them then.

[downswing]

It... would startle unnecessarily.

[reparo]

... and they may want to hold you back to protect you?

[downswing]

I am not so fragile.

[reparo]

No, far from it. You're formidable.

[downswing]

False.

[reparo]

Why would you say that?

[ He was an incredible opponent. ]

[downswing]

You have not encountered my brother in battle.

[reparo]

And I do not plan to - but you can be formidable in more ways than battle.

[downswing]

He performs adequately in all arts.


( ...which is as far as a member of Gusu Lan will ever go to flaunt the skills of one of their own clan. )

[reparo]

... is there a precept against accepting a compliment to yourself?

[downswing]

Boastful. Arrogant.

[reparo]

Boastful would be if you told me that you're the best fighter in our group. Arrogant would be if you told me that of course you are formidable, how dare I forget it.

[ so like, think of Jiang Cheng. ]

It's different. I'm telling you, to me you are incredible.

[downswing]

( He hears her, does. Waits, as if the pause will dwindle her enthusiasm. )

...not so, in Gusu Lan.

[reparo]

[ deeeeeeeeflates ]

Well, then. I'm going to say, instead, that I appreciate you?

[downswing]

That honours me. ( A heartbeat, then, carefully: ) You are in health? After.

[reparo]

Ah, yes. I'm [ pauuuuuse ] in possession of a talisman.

[downswing]

Elaborate.

[reparo]

Wrathion enchanted a bracelet for me. It should stave off her influence, maybe. At the moment I am staying back from heading her way directly.

[downswing]

Should she approach?

[reparo]

I've been asking people to knock me out.

[downswing]

...violent. But functional.

[reparo]

Most importantly, effective. I'm bad at physical combat so the best thing to do it make sure I can't wield my wand at all.

[ take.notes. ]