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[silverneedles]

wen qing
missives | encounters

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[silverneedles]

Pardon me if I do not grant forgiveness before insult is offered.

[downswing]

( Pardoned — )


No insult. ( Or is it? His tongue, stung. ) Of feats that blaze glory, a lesser one.

[silverneedles]

What is it you request, then?

[downswing]

To sully your hands. ( Bide him the moment. )

We give wealth and the clothes of the dying to their successors. Do we not?

[silverneedles]

When there are no debts to be repaid, yes.

0.5

[downswing]

This debt will be repaid.

[downswing]

( And circling, wet-shark-like: ) Flesh surrenders before the core.

[silverneedles]

Speak straight, Lan Wangji.

[downswing]

( But this, a crooked thing to ask. )

Should the final hour breathe, take the core. Repurpose it. ( Hastier: ) You know his body. It was stitched once before.

[silverneedles]

How—

[ she breaks off before she can say anything further; a long moment of silence follows. ]

And if he asks?

[downswing]

My cause. Your hands. His burden.

What is there to ask?

[silverneedles]

Where the core comes from, where you are? Are you willing to burden him with that, Lan Wangji?

[downswing]

( The stronger for it: ) They swim long summers in Yunmeng. His back will bear.

[silverneedles]

You sound sure he would not raise you from the dead and kill you again. [ A pause, and then, as sweet as she can make her voice, still firm: ] I might attempt that myself, actually.

[downswing]

( A simple thing: )

I do not ask with a mouth unburdened.

[silverneedles]

What other burdens, then? Beyond your poisoning.

[downswing]

( Debt. Duty. )

Mistress. If you are justice, you will find me wanting.

[silverneedles]

My hands are too tarnished to be justice.

[downswing]

What use, then, innocence now?

Tatter my knees. I beg again.

[silverneedles]

Keep your strength, rest your knees.

1/2

[downswing]

I wonder if your bones house a trove.

That you should have your fortunes stolen at Nightless City.

Your ease in Yiling. Your blood in Lanling. Your trust, here.

[downswing]

I wonder when you will leak empty.

[silverneedles]

Ask not foolish questions. One of your thousands of rules, is it not?

[downswing]

I overstep.

[silverneedles]

Ask once we've figured out the cure.