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[by which I mean, like, a bit afterward because he has been busy yeeting himself around! As evidenced by the fact that he's got a sleeve of his suit burnt off, some of his hair is singed off (now matching his canon style, unfortunately, and a smaller injury on his leg. He's gotten them bandaged, at least, there's that-- but it doesn't really look like this all would've happened in the initial explosion. It's fine.
Wherever Shinobu happens to be, he'll head over after spotting her, raising his good arm to flag her down.]
Hey. Holding up all right? Heard you were helping fix people up a bit, and I don't really want to worry Galo just yet, so if you don't mind taking another look at these... might be able to give you something in return.
[-because he still doesn't like asking for this kind of assistance for nothing.]
Wherever Shinobu happens to be, he'll head over after spotting her, raising his good arm to flag her down.]
Hey. Holding up all right? Heard you were helping fix people up a bit, and I don't really want to worry Galo just yet, so if you don't mind taking another look at these... might be able to give you something in return.
[-because he still doesn't like asking for this kind of assistance for nothing.]
[ As soon as she sees him waving her down, she pivots to meet him halfway. She's not injury-free herself, but there are only minor cuts from flying glass and random debris that have been already treated.
She sets the first aid kit that she's "borrowed" down, opening it up. ]
I'll be better once everything settles down, but I'll be glad to look at your wounds. I don't need anything in return for it. It eases my mind knowing people will get better, not worse.
Aren't you competing? How did this happen?
[ Because it's obviously not completely fine. ]
She sets the first aid kit that she's "borrowed" down, opening it up. ]
I'll be better once everything settles down, but I'll be glad to look at your wounds. I don't need anything in return for it. It eases my mind knowing people will get better, not worse.
Aren't you competing? How did this happen?
[ Because it's obviously not completely fine. ]
Edited 2019-12-25 02:35 (UTC)
[HELLO SHINOBU THERE'S A VISITOR to whatever medical facility she's working today. It's one (1) Wei Wuxian, who seems to be in one piece this time. Granted, he's shown up looking to be in one piece before when he's actually closer to collapsing into a puddle on the ground... But it's fine, he's fine.
Regardless of whether he's the only patient here right now or not, he starts off unobtrusively.]
Have room in your schedule for a surprise drop-in? I won't take much of your time.
Regardless of whether he's the only patient here right now or not, he starts off unobtrusively.]
Have room in your schedule for a surprise drop-in? I won't take much of your time.
[ Is he fine? Is it fine?
But he's in luck! A minuscule amount of luck. Shinobu finished up with her last patient mere minutes ago, and she's doing the last finishing touches cleaning up, putting away what can be cleaned and sterilized and tossing what can't.
There's a small furrow to her brow when she sees it's Wei Wuxian before it smooths out, and she smiles. ]
You're always welcome. I have time.
[ She gestures for him to take a seat, if he wishes. What trouble did he bring with him today? ]
But he's in luck! A minuscule amount of luck. Shinobu finished up with her last patient mere minutes ago, and she's doing the last finishing touches cleaning up, putting away what can be cleaned and sterilized and tossing what can't.
There's a small furrow to her brow when she sees it's Wei Wuxian before it smooths out, and she smiles. ]
You're always welcome. I have time.
[ She gestures for him to take a seat, if he wishes. What trouble did he bring with him today? ]
Edited 2020-01-29 02:42 (UTC)
[ it's rare for itaru to let someone assist him in his work, but he figured that checkups will be faster with shinobu around while making his round of house visits around town. it's also the perfect guise to ask his patients what they know about the recent happenings in middleton recently, and shinobu's that good at squeezing info out of somebody, patient be damned.
but even though they both have suspicions on the xian le for trying to spark something in this already chaotic town, there's a patient in mori that itaru needs to check up on first; a sweet old lady who has been having eye problems lately, and itaru feels a little sympathetic to her plight, given how he's already lost one in an accident. so here he is, shedding some light on her eye with a penlight while doublechecking her file on hand. ]
We're going to run more tests in the coming weeks, but it's looking like the early onset of hemianopsia. Thankfully there are ways to help cope with it, but for now...
[ he's just... going to pull out an black eyepatch and help put it over his patient's eye. it's silly, but the old lady is somehow taking this pretty well, and is even asking shinobu how it looks on her. please tell her she looks rad ]
but even though they both have suspicions on the xian le for trying to spark something in this already chaotic town, there's a patient in mori that itaru needs to check up on first; a sweet old lady who has been having eye problems lately, and itaru feels a little sympathetic to her plight, given how he's already lost one in an accident. so here he is, shedding some light on her eye with a penlight while doublechecking her file on hand. ]
We're going to run more tests in the coming weeks, but it's looking like the early onset of hemianopsia. Thankfully there are ways to help cope with it, but for now...
[ he's just... going to pull out an black eyepatch and help put it over his patient's eye. it's silly, but the old lady is somehow taking this pretty well, and is even asking shinobu how it looks on her. please tell her she looks rad ]
Edited 2020-01-30 02:58 (UTC)
[ Is Shinobu here as a fellow doctor or as his nurse? It's hard to tell. What they want to do and what they want to investigate is serious, but she does her best to seem unassuming, especially when Itaru has to see someone from the Mori side of town. She hands him whatever medical tools he needs, if he asks for them. Despite how unsettling and chilling she can be, Shinobu's bedside manner is almost always warm during actual treatment.
Her smile to this elderly woman is genuine. That she can take this all in stride.... That kind of poise is admirable. ]
You make it striking, much better than a couple men I know. You'll be the start of a fashion trend.
Her smile to this elderly woman is genuine. That she can take this all in stride.... That kind of poise is admirable. ]
You make it striking, much better than a couple men I know. You'll be the start of a fashion trend.
[ hey shinobu. it's 4am or so, and there's someone knocking at the door.
when she opens it, she'll find kara leaning heavily against the frame of it, looking a mess. there's blood on his face, no small amount of cuts and bruises starting to form across his skin, and... oh, his right arm is definitely broken, and currently cradled against his chest. he's still holding a gun in his left, though.
he also looks fucking exhausted, but so does she, probably, at four in the morning. and he doesn't even offer a greeting, letting his appearance do the talking for him. ]
when she opens it, she'll find kara leaning heavily against the frame of it, looking a mess. there's blood on his face, no small amount of cuts and bruises starting to form across his skin, and... oh, his right arm is definitely broken, and currently cradled against his chest. he's still holding a gun in his left, though.
he also looks fucking exhausted, but so does she, probably, at four in the morning. and he doesn't even offer a greeting, letting his appearance do the talking for him. ]
[ Shinobu keeps a pretty regular sleep schedule, knowing that an alert mind with an acceptable amount of sleep is best when treating patients. It's what they deserve when they come see her, and she never knows what she has to do in this mafia town.
Right now is a prime example. Luckily, she's a light sleeper, and it won't be long at all until she opens the door for Ookurikara. She looks tired for all of 0.2 seconds. Her eyes widen before they narrow, as she assesses the damage she can see on the spot. She opens the door wider and ushers him in. ]
Ookurikara. [ Her concern makes her voice, already heavy with sleep, even heavier. ] What happened?
[ He can't say nothing did with how he looks and his gun still out. ]
Right now is a prime example. Luckily, she's a light sleeper, and it won't be long at all until she opens the door for Ookurikara. She looks tired for all of 0.2 seconds. Her eyes widen before they narrow, as she assesses the damage she can see on the spot. She opens the door wider and ushers him in. ]
Ookurikara. [ Her concern makes her voice, already heavy with sleep, even heavier. ] What happened?
[ He can't say nothing did with how he looks and his gun still out. ]
[THIS IS ALSO AFTER THE STUPID PARTY TOO!!! probably the night right after the party ends and Okuni returns back to Westside to go back to being "grounded", she instead takes a swift turn and heads to Shinobu's place. no one can yell at her for this, shinobu is absolutely the law of the land here.
It turns out that being yelled at a lot was just the thing to get Okuni's brain working at non-punk levels of capacity, and everything she's heard over the past few days has got her CONCERNED, as well as angry (along with a healthy dose of 'why did i get cursed and avoid human contact for a week'). But now she's here to rectify that, with the one person she knows she can rely on.]
Shinobu-chan?
[KNOCKING ON HER DOOR... im glad her doorknob is butter-free.]
It turns out that being yelled at a lot was just the thing to get Okuni's brain working at non-punk levels of capacity, and everything she's heard over the past few days has got her CONCERNED, as well as angry (along with a healthy dose of 'why did i get cursed and avoid human contact for a week'). But now she's here to rectify that, with the one person she knows she can rely on.]
Shinobu-chan?
[KNOCKING ON HER DOOR... im glad her doorknob is butter-free.]
[ If Shinobu catches someone buttering her doorknob, they're in for the scare of their life, but it won't take long until she opens her door for Okuni. Has she heard about the bad thing her best friend did? ]
Are you allowed to be here?
[ Maybe, if her too placid smile is any indication.
Even so, she opens the door to let Okuni all the way in. ]
Are you allowed to be here?
[ Maybe, if her too placid smile is any indication.
Even so, she opens the door to let Okuni all the way in. ]
[A few days after the auction, and even after Okuni and Baren's birthday party, Jiang Cheng shows up to Shinobu's door. Ha ha!
Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to be a social visit. When she opens the door, he's in about as bad of a shape as Kara had been in when he came. He doesn't look quite as rough, but there's a very dark, very large stain all over his left shoulder and chest. His face is pinched, and he's pale, though still standing.]
You can chastise me later.
Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to be a social visit. When she opens the door, he's in about as bad of a shape as Kara had been in when he came. He doesn't look quite as rough, but there's a very dark, very large stain all over his left shoulder and chest. His face is pinched, and he's pale, though still standing.]
You can chastise me later.
[ara you can decide if this is before or after the Coffee Incident, but either way-- wen ning finds his way to the address listed on the letter that went out, hovering outside the door a bit hesitantly at first. he's not here for treatment; it's been a while since he spoke to shinobu, though, and especially after that message he feels as if he needs to.
so much has happened, recently. there's been no end of trouble-- and that was a very concerning thing to learn, much as he thinks it's good to help as many people as possible. it's best to check in on everyone when he can.]
M-miss Shinobu? I hope this isn't a bad time... I can come back if you're busy.
so much has happened, recently. there's been no end of trouble-- and that was a very concerning thing to learn, much as he thinks it's good to help as many people as possible. it's best to check in on everyone when he can.]
M-miss Shinobu? I hope this isn't a bad time... I can come back if you're busy.
[ Let's go with right before everyone has a really good reason to hate coffee.
She greets him with a smile, gesturing him inside her new office. It doesn't look quite complete yet in terms of equipment and interior design, but it's neat as she always is. ]
You're always welcome. I'm not expecting anyone for a while. How can I help you?
[ He may not have an injury to be treated, but she looks at him as if analyzing him for one. ]
She greets him with a smile, gesturing him inside her new office. It doesn't look quite complete yet in terms of equipment and interior design, but it's neat as she always is. ]
You're always welcome. I'm not expecting anyone for a while. How can I help you?
[ He may not have an injury to be treated, but she looks at him as if analyzing him for one. ]
[Because SO MUCH HAPPENED SINCE SHINOBU ANNOUNCED HER NEUTRALITY oh my god. He was planning on stopping by but then dead bodies were everywhere! Wen Ning lost a wholeass eye! He's tired. So many people are stealing cars and there are kidnappers just goddamn everywhere AND ALSO HE'S HEARD ABOUT OKUNI'S ADVENTURES.
So here he is, knocking at her door in a surprisingly subdued manner for once. Most of his energy just goes straight to fueling his perpetual rage fire these days, when he's not devoting the majority of it to his residents.]
Shinobu? It's me.
So here he is, knocking at her door in a surprisingly subdued manner for once. Most of his energy just goes straight to fueling his perpetual rage fire these days, when he's not devoting the majority of it to his residents.]
Shinobu? It's me.
[ did okuni throw her under the bus WOW
TOO MUCH HAS HAPPENED. Shinobu didn't want death on a doorstep after all the shitty things that have happened, but here it is. She takes notice of how subdued he is in comparison to his usual verve, but she lets him in with her patented smile. ]
Come in. How can I help you today?
[ She's mustering as much as her energy forward right now because if she lets any of it fade, it'll be obvious she's wounded. ]
TOO MUCH HAS HAPPENED. Shinobu didn't want death on a doorstep after all the shitty things that have happened, but here it is. She takes notice of how subdued he is in comparison to his usual verve, but she lets him in with her patented smile. ]
Come in. How can I help you today?
[ She's mustering as much as her energy forward right now because if she lets any of it fade, it'll be obvious she's wounded. ]
[ by which i mean: probably sometime in the day before the azalea lights festival really kicks off at night (hahaha) (haha) (ha).
He has her treats with him too, along with two lanterns that he's bought (one for him and one for her!!), and he idles outside of her door for a minute or so, exhaling slowly, before he draws himself up with a smile and knocks. ]
Shishi! I hope now's a good time...? If not, I can come back in a little while!
[ She'll notice right off the bat that his smile's a little forced, more tired than anything, even without having to pick apart his expression. He's not a stellar liar and she knows him better than anyone else, anyway. BUT IT'S BEEN A TIME, Y'KNOW... it has. ]
He has her treats with him too, along with two lanterns that he's bought (one for him and one for her!!), and he idles outside of her door for a minute or so, exhaling slowly, before he draws himself up with a smile and knocks. ]
Shishi! I hope now's a good time...? If not, I can come back in a little while!
[ She'll notice right off the bat that his smile's a little forced, more tired than anything, even without having to pick apart his expression. He's not a stellar liar and she knows him better than anyone else, anyway. BUT IT'S BEEN A TIME, Y'KNOW... it has. ]
[ Her smile when she greets him is just as tired. She's not trying to hide it with him, not like she did last week. The weight of everything going on is starting to get to her. ]
Any time you visit me is a good time, Tsukasa.
[ She waves him in and gestures for him to take a seat. ]
Should I make us tea?
Any time you visit me is a good time, Tsukasa.
[ She waves him in and gestures for him to take a seat. ]
Should I make us tea?
[It's been a few days since the festival incident, and that's when Wen Ning finally returns to Shinobu's clinic. She might already be aware of why he's been staying in at Yiling Ridge; his bangs are combed to cover the bandage over his right eye, but it peeks out regardless, the bruising on his face finally fading away.
He looks apologetic anyway as he enters, his head bowed slightly. His movement's cautious as he steps through the doorframe, watching it with the focus of someone who has definitely been bumping into them lately.]
Miss Shinobu. I'm-- I'm sorry it took so long for me to make it back.
He looks apologetic anyway as he enters, his head bowed slightly. His movement's cautious as he steps through the doorframe, watching it with the focus of someone who has definitely been bumping into them lately.]
Miss Shinobu. I'm-- I'm sorry it took so long for me to make it back.
[ Shinobu turns from where she was putting away some supplies and walks briskly towards him to get a closer look at his face. ]
Wen Ning! [ Concern makes her voice sharp. It helps cover up how her throat and respiratory system are still suffering some effects from the all that smoke she inhaled on Friday. ] Please don't apologize. With a wound like that, taking a little more time wouldn't have hurt.
[ She holds out a hand to him, to help if he wants to accept it but also to show there isn't anything to forgive. ]
We'll take it easy today.
Wen Ning! [ Concern makes her voice sharp. It helps cover up how her throat and respiratory system are still suffering some effects from the all that smoke she inhaled on Friday. ] Please don't apologize. With a wound like that, taking a little more time wouldn't have hurt.
[ She holds out a hand to him, to help if he wants to accept it but also to show there isn't anything to forgive. ]
We'll take it easy today.
[THE DAY OR SO AFTER FIRE...
shigure's kind of put off seeing shinobu, since he figures she's already super busy with everything being a disaster, but a voice that sounds suspiciously like wei wuxian's echoes in the back of his mind, GO SEE A DOCTOR.
so he'll just hang around the clinic, trying to be unobtrusive (for once in his goddamn life) until she's free.]
shigure's kind of put off seeing shinobu, since he figures she's already super busy with everything being a disaster, but a voice that sounds suspiciously like wei wuxian's echoes in the back of his mind, GO SEE A DOCTOR.
so he'll just hang around the clinic, trying to be unobtrusive (for once in his goddamn life) until she's free.]
[ For once, Wei Wuxian's voice is wise. Shinobu is on her way back from checking on some burn victims . There is no hospital in this town, and it's killing her.
When she spots him, the lack of his usual chaotic energy causes immediate concern and she walks briskly towards him (because her lungs are still healing). ]
Shigure! Is something wrong?
When she spots him, the lack of his usual chaotic energy causes immediate concern and she walks briskly towards him (because her lungs are still healing). ]
Shigure! Is something wrong?
[ ...Things might be bad and tense and exhausting, but what kind of friend would Tsukasa be if he forgot the date?
Even if he can't spend the day with her, she's going to find she gets a lot of gifts today -- a bouquet of agrimony, white carnations, and red peonies. Gratitude, endearment, devotion. Along with that are three boxes and an envelope signed with her name!
Opening the boxes nets her the following: a necklace decorated with teardrop-shaped amethysts, a colorful hair clip, and a silver ring. As for the envelope -- it's a letter. ]
My dearest Shinobu Kocho,
Happy birthday! I feel a little bad for stealing Shigure's job like this, but I thought it'd be too impersonal to let him deliver my gifts... I'm glad that we've been able to share our lives together so far, and I hope we can continue to do so.
But that sounds pretty formal, huh? I'm just happy we've been friends this long!! And that you've always supported me... If it weren't for you, I don't think I would've been able to do the job I have now. You're why I joined - I wanted to make sure the smile you show everyone was your real one, not one you use to hide everything. I don't think I'm that off in saying that either... You didn't smile that often when we were kids either, but when you did, it was so much brighter and warmer than the one you've worn lately.
I want to see that smile more. Maybe for the rest of my life, if fate allows that.
I guess it'd be nice if everyone else got to see it too, but I always felt like it was a secret only a few people got to see, and I was happy to be one of those... But we've both grown up a little, right? I don't cry when I fall down and scrape my knees anymore (mostly), and you have so many more friends, so many more people you love, that are important to you, than you did when we were younger... They should be able to see how beautiful you really are.
This letter's getting really long and sappy, and also if I keep writing I think I'm going to cry. Your best friend's pathetic, but I'm sure you already know and accept that. Stay safe - let's go out to eat sometime, once all of this is settled. I know a nice place by the river I think you'd like - it's a little out of the way, so there's no chance of us being interrupted.
Happily yours,
Tsukasa Suou
Even if he can't spend the day with her, she's going to find she gets a lot of gifts today -- a bouquet of agrimony, white carnations, and red peonies. Gratitude, endearment, devotion. Along with that are three boxes and an envelope signed with her name!
Opening the boxes nets her the following: a necklace decorated with teardrop-shaped amethysts, a colorful hair clip, and a silver ring. As for the envelope -- it's a letter. ]
My dearest Shinobu Kocho,
Happy birthday! I feel a little bad for stealing Shigure's job like this, but I thought it'd be too impersonal to let him deliver my gifts... I'm glad that we've been able to share our lives together so far, and I hope we can continue to do so.
But that sounds pretty formal, huh? I'm just happy we've been friends this long!! And that you've always supported me... If it weren't for you, I don't think I would've been able to do the job I have now. You're why I joined - I wanted to make sure the smile you show everyone was your real one, not one you use to hide everything. I don't think I'm that off in saying that either... You didn't smile that often when we were kids either, but when you did, it was so much brighter and warmer than the one you've worn lately.
I want to see that smile more. Maybe for the rest of my life, if fate allows that.
I guess it'd be nice if everyone else got to see it too, but I always felt like it was a secret only a few people got to see, and I was happy to be one of those... But we've both grown up a little, right? I don't cry when I fall down and scrape my knees anymore (mostly), and you have so many more friends, so many more people you love, that are important to you, than you did when we were younger... They should be able to see how beautiful you really are.
This letter's getting really long and sappy, and also if I keep writing I think I'm going to cry. Your best friend's pathetic, but I'm sure you already know and accept that. Stay safe - let's go out to eat sometime, once all of this is settled. I know a nice place by the river I think you'd like - it's a little out of the way, so there's no chance of us being interrupted.
Happily yours,
Tsukasa Suou
Edited 2020-02-25 03:35 (UTC)
[ hello. sometime today, a small package will be found at the doorstep. no one knocked or rang the bell, but it bears shinobu's name in slightly messy handwriting. open it, and she'll find a number of carefully wrapped washagi and mochi in her favorite flavors. underneath that, a small, wooden box holds this. a small note is tucked to the side, almost as if the sender didn't want her to find it, with a short message written in that same messy script:
i'm not angry. not at you. ]
i'm not angry. not at you. ]
[There's another box left on her porch today! HAPPY BAPPY. Inside she'll find:
- A tiny homemade vanilla and lavender cake decorated with fondant roses that look hand-crafted
- A palm-sized origami butterfly made with gossamer silk paper
And a letter that says: Thank you for everything you've done for this town, and everything you will continue to do.
- Wei Wuxian & Lan Wangji]
- A tiny homemade vanilla and lavender cake decorated with fondant roses that look hand-crafted
- A palm-sized origami butterfly made with gossamer silk paper
And a letter that says: Thank you for everything you've done for this town, and everything you will continue to do.
- Wei Wuxian & Lan Wangji]
[ Shut up I'm not late and also here's 9S showing up at Shinobu's makeshift clinic! He comes bearing a tiny, slightly janky cake. It's not the best cake in the world, but it's here and it exists and that's the greatest miracle of all. ]
Ms. Shinobu? Do you have a moment?
Ms. Shinobu? Do you have a moment?
[ Time is a construct man made up. This is on time whether it was yesterday, today, or a week from now.
Shinobu's eyes widen slightly, seeing him. She can't mistake the cake for what it is, and she's not unaware of what day it is. She smiles. ]
Of course. What a surprise.
[ It's genuinely unexpected for her. She gestures for him to come further inside. ]
Shinobu's eyes widen slightly, seeing him. She can't mistake the cake for what it is, and she's not unaware of what day it is. She smiles. ]
Of course. What a surprise.
[ It's genuinely unexpected for her. She gestures for him to come further inside. ]
[ xie lian's package is small enough to fit in her mailbox. inside of an envelope is a photograph: it's of xie lian and shinobu, shinobu patching up a cut of his on his arm, from when she first came to xian le, a candid shot snapped by a family photographer.
there's a note written on the back in lovely handwriting.
thank you for having always taken care of me.
happy birthday.
it's signed with 'xie lian', and a small butterfly drawn next to his name. ]
there's a note written on the back in lovely handwriting.
thank you for having always taken care of me.
happy birthday.
it's signed with 'xie lian', and a small butterfly drawn next to his name. ]
[everyone is sending shinobu gifts but you know what... okuni IS the gift, so she's sending HERSELF!!
along with actual gifts of course, HEH. she's already BETTER(?) THAN THE REST OF Y'ALL (except for Nines). She'll set her little tower of boxes down as soon as Shinobu opens her door, that way her arms are free to immediately embrace her]
Shinobu-chan! Happy Birthday!
along with actual gifts of course, HEH. she's already BETTER(?) THAN THE REST OF Y'ALL (except for Nines). She'll set her little tower of boxes down as soon as Shinobu opens her door, that way her arms are free to immediately embrace her]
Shinobu-chan! Happy Birthday!
Oh!
[ Shinobu isn't expecting a tower even if she is expecting Okuni. She immediately returns the hug with a smile. ]
Thank you, Okuni. I'm so happy to see you today. You could have brought only yourself, and it would have been enough.
[ Did anyone tell Shinobu that Okuni took a trip out of town I DON'T REMEMBER ]
[ Shinobu isn't expecting a tower even if she is expecting Okuni. She immediately returns the hug with a smile. ]
Thank you, Okuni. I'm so happy to see you today. You could have brought only yourself, and it would have been enough.
[ Did anyone tell Shinobu that Okuni took a trip out of town I DON'T REMEMBER ]
[i don't even know if this letter will get to shinobu before she gets got but HERE IT IS ANYWAY, left in her office:]
Shinobu,
I wouldn't blame you if you never trusted another thing I said, but I hope you'll still read this letter through anyway. I'll try to keep it short - I know my rambling got on your nerves sometimes!
Or rather, I have to keep it short because I don't really know what to say. I don't regret killing the people involved with that kidnapping ring. I'd do it again if I had to - I would kill more if I could. It wasn't my goal to throw Xian Le into chaos or put so much on your shoulders, but that's still what happened. I'm still responsible for all of that damage, and I don't intend to run from the things I've done. If it didn't put my residents at risk, I wouldn't have had to be so quiet in the first place, but I didn't exactly want to give the surviving kidnappers my address, you know? Besides, if they wanted to find me and hang my insides up like wall art, I wasn't going to make it easy for them.
I just made things hard for you at the same time.
Back then, when I said I wanted to do anything I could to help you, I really meant it. I just couldn't help in the ways you were asking me to. If I were you, I'd be furious. What a joke, right? You ask someone for help finding a traitor and he's the traitor all along. You know, it's kind of funny - I didn't even get why you were looking for a traitor at first. "Who's being betrayed here? The kidnappers? So?" I heard a lot of ridiculous rumors, too. Maybe there is someone out there outside of the ring trying to take power from Xie Lian, but I hope I don't even have to say that was never my ambition.
Can't say I wasn't too single-minded, though. I wanted to wipe that ring out no matter what. I still do. Maybe I will.
Looks like this got kind of long after all, huh? I guess I have a lot to say even when I don't. I'll stop rambling. Let me thank you instead, alright? One last time.
Thank you for watching over my residents and children with so much love and care. Thank you for being so worried about me. Hardly anyone else ever fussed over my health as much as you did, you know? Thank you. You're strict when it's needed, kind when it's needed. I really admired you a lot. I wish I hadn't brought you so many bad things. I'm sorry.
I know you'll recover and come back stronger than ever, because that's the kind of person you are. You're the exact kind of person this world needs more of.
If you would be willing to accept well-wishes from me, then I'll leave you with as many as I can from wherever I am, to wherever you are.
Take care. Be well. Thank you.
Yours,
Wei Ying
Shinobu,
I wouldn't blame you if you never trusted another thing I said, but I hope you'll still read this letter through anyway. I'll try to keep it short - I know my rambling got on your nerves sometimes!
Or rather, I have to keep it short because I don't really know what to say. I don't regret killing the people involved with that kidnapping ring. I'd do it again if I had to - I would kill more if I could. It wasn't my goal to throw Xian Le into chaos or put so much on your shoulders, but that's still what happened. I'm still responsible for all of that damage, and I don't intend to run from the things I've done. If it didn't put my residents at risk, I wouldn't have had to be so quiet in the first place, but I didn't exactly want to give the surviving kidnappers my address, you know? Besides, if they wanted to find me and hang my insides up like wall art, I wasn't going to make it easy for them.
I just made things hard for you at the same time.
Back then, when I said I wanted to do anything I could to help you, I really meant it. I just couldn't help in the ways you were asking me to. If I were you, I'd be furious. What a joke, right? You ask someone for help finding a traitor and he's the traitor all along. You know, it's kind of funny - I didn't even get why you were looking for a traitor at first. "Who's being betrayed here? The kidnappers? So?" I heard a lot of ridiculous rumors, too. Maybe there is someone out there outside of the ring trying to take power from Xie Lian, but I hope I don't even have to say that was never my ambition.
Can't say I wasn't too single-minded, though. I wanted to wipe that ring out no matter what. I still do. Maybe I will.
Looks like this got kind of long after all, huh? I guess I have a lot to say even when I don't. I'll stop rambling. Let me thank you instead, alright? One last time.
Thank you for watching over my residents and children with so much love and care. Thank you for being so worried about me. Hardly anyone else ever fussed over my health as much as you did, you know? Thank you. You're strict when it's needed, kind when it's needed. I really admired you a lot. I wish I hadn't brought you so many bad things. I'm sorry.
I know you'll recover and come back stronger than ever, because that's the kind of person you are. You're the exact kind of person this world needs more of.
If you would be willing to accept well-wishes from me, then I'll leave you with as many as I can from wherever I am, to wherever you are.
Take care. Be well. Thank you.
Yours,
Wei Ying
[Lan Wangji probably comes to find her pretty quickly after they get back, honestly. He wasn't the one to track her down, but he definitely had a heavy hand in the decisions that were made about her. He doesn't regret it, but he isn't upset about her breaking out, either--if he was even still in town when that happened?? WHO KNOWS.
But more importantly, he now remembers her from that first world, too. In every life, it seems, she is dedicated to saving people, and to justice. They are strong ideals, and he has seen her working hard, more than once, to uphold him.
Lan Wangji doesn't know much about having friends, but he knows he respects her, and she deserves to be greeted, if nothing else.]
Lady Kocho. [An honorific, now, because he's BACK IN HIS SAME OLD YE OLDE CLOTHES and thus he is back to being his polite cultivator self. He's got his forehead ribbon and everything, though that probably doesn't count as a style change.] Are you hurt?
[Asking "are you well" seems foolish, so he's going for the next best thing--although asking a doctor if she's injured is probably equally dumb. Listen he's still kind of reeling from everything that happened HE'S DOING HIS BEST.]
But more importantly, he now remembers her from that first world, too. In every life, it seems, she is dedicated to saving people, and to justice. They are strong ideals, and he has seen her working hard, more than once, to uphold him.
Lan Wangji doesn't know much about having friends, but he knows he respects her, and she deserves to be greeted, if nothing else.]
Lady Kocho. [An honorific, now, because he's BACK IN HIS SAME OLD YE OLDE CLOTHES and thus he is back to being his polite cultivator self. He's got his forehead ribbon and everything, though that probably doesn't count as a style change.] Are you hurt?
[Asking "are you well" seems foolish, so he's going for the next best thing--although asking a doctor if she's injured is probably equally dumb. Listen he's still kind of reeling from everything that happened HE'S DOING HIS BEST.]
[ He's doing his best even if it's a questionable best. Being back returns the memories of her growing respect and fondness for him, something that had been mirrored in Montevallo but at a slower pace. It'd be a lie to say she appreciated being someone with a different set of circumstances in another world before being jolted back, but the past is something that can't be changed.
She smiles at him. ]
I will be fine.
[ Her last conversation with Wei Wuxian still has her reeling. ]
I wasn't expecting what occurred.
She smiles at him. ]
I will be fine.
[ Her last conversation with Wei Wuxian still has her reeling. ]
I wasn't expecting what occurred.
[HERE COMES LAN WANGJI though whether he's actively sought her out or just happened to see her is a mystery. Either way, wherever they are, he'll make his way over to her with a polite nod of greeting.]
Shinobu. [HELLO THERE. Is she busy. He can come back later if she is.] Congratulations.
Shinobu. [HELLO THERE. Is she busy. He can come back later if she is.] Congratulations.
[ It's fine. She can make time for a Lan Wangji in these unexpected times. It's not a complete and total surprise she was elected, but her hopes were places elsewhere. ]
Thank you. I'll do my best to keep things in order, but I had hoped someone else would win.
[ And not because it's responsibilities she'd rather not have. ]
Thank you. I'll do my best to keep things in order, but I had hoped someone else would win.
[ And not because it's responsibilities she'd rather not have. ]
['teej what about endgame' maybe i also want cute shit. NO PRESSURE THO ARA i'm just yeeting this at you.
anyway! wen ning likely texted her earlier, asked for some of her time if she wasn't too busy studying or carrying out her duties; he'd promised he was done with his own, offered his help if she needed it. but the thing is that he needs her help with something-- it shows in how fidgety he's been despite the fact that he barely feels his hands most of the time, how he's no more quiet than usual but always seems just on the verge of saying something.
and, finally, once they have time alone and he's worked up to it:]
Shi... Shinobu? How do you ask someone o-on... on a- an actual date.
[he's not looking at her. he knows she knows, but still. prom is Coming and he is so unprepared for this.]
I don't... know if he would even want to come with me.
anyway! wen ning likely texted her earlier, asked for some of her time if she wasn't too busy studying or carrying out her duties; he'd promised he was done with his own, offered his help if she needed it. but the thing is that he needs her help with something-- it shows in how fidgety he's been despite the fact that he barely feels his hands most of the time, how he's no more quiet than usual but always seems just on the verge of saying something.
and, finally, once they have time alone and he's worked up to it:]
Shi... Shinobu? How do you ask someone o-on... on a- an actual date.
[he's not looking at her. he knows she knows, but still. prom is Coming and he is so unprepared for this.]
I don't... know if he would even want to come with me.
[ we can be cute sibs and potentially get vored by a house at the same time!
Shinobu is responsible and does her allotted duties, but she will always carve out time for Wen Ning if he asks. There's no ands or buts about it. She will make time for him.
This isn't quite the question she thought he'd ask (not that she had any question in mind), but she smiles, not unkind. ]
He will. [ Royce is transparent. Wen Ning is transparent. They're both fools. ] You ask him plainly, so you can't be confused asking him for something else. [ Since, you know, they're both fools. ] Unless you'd like it to be more romantic?
Shinobu is responsible and does her allotted duties, but she will always carve out time for Wen Ning if he asks. There's no ands or buts about it. She will make time for him.
This isn't quite the question she thought he'd ask (not that she had any question in mind), but she smiles, not unkind. ]
He will. [ Royce is transparent. Wen Ning is transparent. They're both fools. ] You ask him plainly, so you can't be confused asking him for something else. [ Since, you know, they're both fools. ] Unless you'd like it to be more romantic?
[Good afternoon! It's a fresh new week in this changing country. Are you ready to face it? Hopefully so, because starting Monday, 4/27 and lasting until the evening of Friday, 5/1, Shinobu will be dealing with a pesky little problem...
What a fine reputation Shinobu has as a medic! Plenty of people from Umite to Yamate depend on her deft hands when they're in need of healing. But it seems like her hands have a mind of their own this week. Whenever she picks up medicine or medical tools and supplies, from cough syrup to acupuncture needles, she'll find her hands moving of their own accord to harm whoever is near her. The dearer they are to her, the more violent the attempt to harm them will be. It's possible for her to resist the treacherous actions her hands want to carry out, and the mysterious force driving them will vanish after she puts the item(s) down. But no matter what charms or talismans she may try, it seems she won't be able to touch her supplies with ease until the week is up. How strange!
You're free to play with this effect as you please. Have fun! :)]
What a fine reputation Shinobu has as a medic! Plenty of people from Umite to Yamate depend on her deft hands when they're in need of healing. But it seems like her hands have a mind of their own this week. Whenever she picks up medicine or medical tools and supplies, from cough syrup to acupuncture needles, she'll find her hands moving of their own accord to harm whoever is near her. The dearer they are to her, the more violent the attempt to harm them will be. It's possible for her to resist the treacherous actions her hands want to carry out, and the mysterious force driving them will vanish after she puts the item(s) down. But no matter what charms or talismans she may try, it seems she won't be able to touch her supplies with ease until the week is up. How strange!
You're free to play with this effect as you please. Have fun! :)]
[SO. In the days following the meteor shower, Lan Wangji's been off the mountain a lot more than usual. It's not odd, exactly--for as bad as he is at personal social interactions, he's never made a secret of wanting to do good and help people. But while he has been going around and helping out with repairs here and there, by and large, his presence has just been... generally scarce.
Weird.
Today, though, he's home. Whenever she wakes and emerges into their dining area, the table will already be set with food and tea. It's clear he's been awake for a while, waiting patiently for her to rise. It's difficult to tell if he slept at all.
When he looks at her, his eyes are glowing a soft gold, the way they only do when he's used his Seer abilities on someone--but it's faint, like it's been fading for a little while. His hands are folded in his lap, and his guqin is nowhere in sight. Even more unusual, he's obviously alone, and there is no trace that anyone else was present. Something's clearly changed; his power shouldn't work while he's alone.]
Do you have a moment?
[Whatever it is he wants to discuss is obviously important. But he can be patient; she has her own important work, and he doesn't want to delay her if she's off to treat someone.]
Weird.
Today, though, he's home. Whenever she wakes and emerges into their dining area, the table will already be set with food and tea. It's clear he's been awake for a while, waiting patiently for her to rise. It's difficult to tell if he slept at all.
When he looks at her, his eyes are glowing a soft gold, the way they only do when he's used his Seer abilities on someone--but it's faint, like it's been fading for a little while. His hands are folded in his lap, and his guqin is nowhere in sight. Even more unusual, he's obviously alone, and there is no trace that anyone else was present. Something's clearly changed; his power shouldn't work while he's alone.]
Do you have a moment?
[Whatever it is he wants to discuss is obviously important. But he can be patient; she has her own important work, and he doesn't want to delay her if she's off to treat someone.]
[ Shinobu doesn't wake long after the sun does. Daylight hours are the best hours to see the world, and she's a light sleeper anyway. All she needs is a couple hours here and there.
She notices what's odd and different immediately, and whatever plans she had for the day shift. They can be pushed back, as her first plan was collecting the medicines she made last night to take to her Butterfly Estate. ]
For you, I always do.
[ She takes a seat at the table. ]
Did... Is it because of the meteor shower?
[ That's the only thing she can think that would make his abilities grow or change so suddenly. ]
She notices what's odd and different immediately, and whatever plans she had for the day shift. They can be pushed back, as her first plan was collecting the medicines she made last night to take to her Butterfly Estate. ]
For you, I always do.
[ She takes a seat at the table. ]
Did... Is it because of the meteor shower?
[ That's the only thing she can think that would make his abilities grow or change so suddenly. ]
[It's towards Monday evening that Shinobu is going to be getting a rather frantic knock on her door with no preamble! And through that door, she'll hear a young man's voice calling out, just as frantic:]
Shinobu, are you in there? Somebody's hurt, we need your help.
[Cutting right to the chase, hm.]
Shinobu, are you in there? Somebody's hurt, we need your help.
[Cutting right to the chase, hm.]
Edited 2020-04-29 21:32 (UTC)
[ beau is just. here. she's being carried by the young man in question, head resting against his shoulder. she's very woozy and flushed. and bleeding a bit, from a long rake of claws down her back. it's fine. ]
It's me, Shinobu. [ which is apologetic, but. ]
It's me, Shinobu. [ which is apologetic, but. ]
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