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[rootsforyou]

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[rootsforyou]

[covers the soup with a lid and shifts her body more to face him head-on, hands folded in front of her]

Feel free to speak your mind, Hanguang-Jun.

[strikingchords]

[steadily, after another moment]

We are in sympathy.

[rootsforyou]

[exhales]

I don't want to pressure him to do something he doesn't wish to do. So I'll accept whatever he decides. Since there's time, there's no rush to make a decision about the future. But...I'm worried he'll pick something that will make him unhappy.

[strikingchords]

It seems he wants something you do not wish, as well.

[rootsforyou]

I don't wish to go back on my agreement to help on Echidna. So, as I said, at this time I have no ability to gain tokens for myself. That means whatever is done with those tokens, in the end, isn't up to me.

I also don't take my agreement with the Warden to mean that I will remain here forever. Her intent appears to be to "rehabilitate" everyone. There will come a point when there are no more people left here, or a point where I feel like there's nothing more that I can do to help. But that is a point off in the future, and I don't know what will change between now and then. There's much that I still don't understand. Before saying whether or not there's something I wish for, I want to understand what the cost would be for that wish.

[strikingchords]

[...exhales...]

That is not unreasonable.

[rootsforyou]

Hanguang-Jun. Forgive me if this is too forward. But within the last few days I've seen how much you care for A-Xian. Though you won't say it directly, I've also heard how much you did for him prior to your arrival here. Would I be correct in thinking that, given the opportunity, you would wish for him to return to our world once more?

[strikingchords]

...

It is so.

Why do you ask?

[obviously she's interested in what happens to Wei Wuxian, since she cares about him. but it feels like there's something she's thinking about, that she wanted that response to confirm]

[rootsforyou]

You don't seem like the kind of person who would do so against his wishes. I wondered if you had an idea of how to persuade him. And what you intended to do if he couldn't be persuaded.

[strikingchords]

I do not know.

...

Your presence would assist. He would not return for me.

[as cool and remote and matter of fact as ever. releases the cutting board as an afterthought and mechanically starts cleaning up]

[rootsforyou]

[watches his face while he cleans up]

Did you ask him?

[strikingchords]

[it's... his face. carved-jade and grave, eyes closed for a moment and then open again, mouth neutral]

After Nightless City.

Unlikely to have changed.

[rootsforyou]

[it's an answer to her question, and also another question she didn't ask??? reflexively places a hand flat on the counter to steady herself]

...I fear I've misunderstood you. You asked after the Nightless City? After he used the Stygian Tiger Seal?

[strikingchords]

[puts the cutting board in the sink and starts washing the horrible pepper juice off of it.]

Every day since is after.

[rootsforyou]

. . .

[moves to help rinse and dry]

You said he didn't remember.

[strikingchords]

Mm.

[passes it to her; sure]

[rootsforyou]

[doesn't continue that train of thought; rinses and dries all of the dishes in silence]

[strikingchords]

[the soup is still simmering...

Lan Wangji nods to her, when they're done]

Young Madame Jin. You are greatly missed. You spoke of the cost of wishing.

How have you priced your regrets?

[rootsforyou]

How should I price something like that? I don't regret the actions I took. Only what's left undone.

[strikingchords]

...

...

[breathes out... softer again, repeating it:]

We are in sympathy.

[rootsforyou]

We are.

[reaches for his hand, slow and with care, giving him the room to refuse if he doesn't want the contact]

It's presumptuous to say. But I understand your situation, a bit. I'm sorry.

[she does know exactly what it's like to be in love with someone who has rejected you]

[strikingchords]

[he doesn't refuse it! they are holding hands again.]

No need.

...

Young Madame Jin. I am not unaware of costs.

[rootsforyou]

[gives his hand a squeeze! it is meant to be a comfort]

You are determined in this. Tell me what it is you wish to achieve.

[strikingchords]

"What is left undone." Impossible not to attempt.

[quiet for a moment...]

At that time. Would ask only your willing consideration.

[rootsforyou]

[inclines her head]

Of course. I will give everything its due consideration. I would prefer it if we found a solution that everyone is pleased with.