IC Inbox

[narrowpath]

Comments

[downswing]

( An unnatural disposition, to stare in a polished surface and bide his time, as if he were an emperor, a performer, or a... peacock.

All the same, then, without preamble: )

The flower.

( Greetings, master Wei, how are you this fine morning, in the wake of a finer feast? )

[narrowpath]

[He had turned the mirror away, only occasionally going to look at it. It left him feeling weary since he couldn't control what showed up on it. However, at hearing the familiar voice he went over to look.]

Not even a hello? So rude.

What flower?

[Wei Wuxian had not been awake for long, and it showed. His robes were disheveled and his hair still needed to be combed. He gave no care to sharing this appearance casually.]

[downswing]

( Should he point out the classical morning chaos of Wei Ying's hair first, or rip out his own? Ah, so many choices, all leading to a deep drawn breath of hollowed resignation. )

I entrusted a red tea flower.

[narrowpath]

Hmm?

[he paused a moment and then recollection dawned on him.]

Ah! You did. Did Lan Zhan want to take it back? And here I thought you gave me a gift like I have done before.

[downswing]

( Must... tame his breathing. Must remember the point of an hour's meditation before this was precisely to combat the frustration of this moment. )

It flowered on a girl tainted by the feast.

[narrowpath]

[Was it the same girl he had met that night?]

Oh, so a gift from a girl? Such a precious thing!

Was it love at first sight? Is this your memento?

[downswing]

( ...perhaps he should aim for two hours' morning meditation, moving forward. )

Wei Ying. Return it.

[narrowpath]

So it really is your memento!

All you had to do was say. How can I keep you from your first love!

Second love? Ah! You are becoming a real man!

I have to find it first though.

[downswing]

( If blame sits between them, it lies with Lan Wangji. He knew better than to entrust Wei Ying with any one thing. )


By midday. Name your quarters.


( For... science and no ulterior motives. )

[narrowpath]

Don't be so serious. It's somewhere. Don't worry. I put it away, I'm sure of it.

[He gives some sort of directions or indicator of where his room is located. and starts shuffling through his sleeve.]

Your memento will be returned.

Did you tell her how you feel? Will you see her later?

[downswing]

Said she would not perish.

( ...a true romantic.

And then, a differently charged hesitation: he has the room to spoil and intrude with his visits, but Wei Ying must still battle his nightmares each night inside it. )

You sleep the night whole?

[narrowpath]

I sleep when I sleep and I wake up when I wake up.

[His sleeping was more erratic now than it ever was. And sometimes he didn't sleep at all, and others he slept for days. It really all depended on his mood and how distracted he was by something.]

[downswing]

...Wei Ying.

( Stop. )

[narrowpath]

What?

If you're worried I sleep the same as I do in the burial mounds. But there's a bed here instead of a rock.

[downswing]

My quarters are by where the ravens meet.

[narrowpath]

[He was not expecting to be given such a thing and it left him a bit suprised.]

You want me to visit?

[downswing]

When you come in harm's way.

( When, a wiser alternative to if. )

[narrowpath]

You have so little faith in me.

[downswing]

All the same.

[narrowpath]

Fine, if I'm in such deep need I will come to you. But only if you wont police me.

[downswing]

( ...this, again then. )

You distrust me.

[narrowpath]

It’s not that....

[Though... did being in a different world with only a few of them make things different?]

...

Maybe it can be different for now, and less complicated.

Though, complicated in another way. Your brother claims to be from over a decade in the future.

[downswing]

Brother will rest.

( It startles him, to think the day has come already when he must weigh out Zewu-Jun's behaviours and find them, for the first time, wanting.

But this is no fault for Wei Wuxian — of no claim, no sect — to hear of. Not a matter that requires his judgement. )

There are spirits here. Restless. Perhaps you may trust me to seek them out.

( And maybe there's an edge of bitterness to that conclusion: of all the things to be denied, Wei Ying's trust, once all has been said and done — ah, no. )

[narrowpath]

I have no doubts of your ability, there are few who are more capable after all.

[He didn’t quite understand why the matter was being pushed in this way. It felt like something was expected that he wasn’t reaching. That there was something he was lacking context for.]

Lan Zhan... I have a question.

[He had a growing suspicion something was just not quite right.]

Are there things you are aware of that I am not? The way Zewu Jun is?

[downswing]

( He is — agitated. Sickened. Deluded. Disappointed.

...fine. Zewu-jun is fine.

Clipped, for the first time: )

He will rest.