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[rootsforyou]

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[rootsforyou]

It was a frequent topic of conversation among them, yes.

[strikingchords]

Just so.

[watching his unmoving ingredients, voice still quiet and level]

After your death, he lost interest in control. The Seal was activated. Sect leaders escaped casualties, but they were heavy.

[rootsforyou]

I expected something like that. He mentioned he'd done something bad. But he made it out as well.

[strikingchords]

Mm. Few saw him when his strength was spent.

[rootsforyou]

Did he...not recover, after that?

[strikingchords]

[hesitates...]

Was able to escape, with assistance.

However, he chose to return to Burial Mounds alone. In preparation for reprisal.

[rootsforyou]

[takes the chicken out of the ice bath and starts cutting it up, slow and thoughtful]

Did you hear that from someone else, or witness it yourself?

[strikingchords]

Was present, until his return.

[reminded of his ingredients; gets back to chopping]

[rootsforyou]

. . .

[nods at the chicken. that's what she wanted to know]

He had also mentioned the siege on the Burial Mounds happened a few months later. And that you rescued Wen Yuan. Did you see...what happened?

[strikingchords]

[shakes his head, slightly jerkily]

I could not. Was informed after.

"Rescue" is an overstatement. Luck alone revealed him.

[rootsforyou]

Whether or not it was luck, you still brought him to safety.

[strikingchords]

[makes a tiny neutral sound, not agreement]

Regardless.

It was after.

[rootsforyou]

I see. He didn't tell me exactly what happened. But the method wasn't what I wanted to know. Who was there?

[strikingchords]

At the siege, the sect leaders. Their forces.

[there is something about the way he speaks that feels incredibly deliberate even for Lan Wangji: it's as if every word is a careful measurement against a limited amount of strength to get them out, betokening effort rather than reluctance.]

One rumor says Sandu Shengshou did the deed. Others say, backlash. I do not know.

...

After, only me.

[rootsforyou]

[lets her hands work as she takes this all in, cutting the chicken and settling it onto a plate before reaching for what Lan Wangji has put together]

...YunmengJiang was at the siege?

[strikingchords]

It was.

...

The four. GusuLan as well.

[rootsforyou]

[closes her eyes and takes a deep, steadying breath. it's easier to keep her composure when she sort of knew what to expect]

Thank you for telling me. I didn't want to bring up something painful for you.

[strikingchords]

It is fine.

[still steady]

Not my place.

[rootsforyou]

How is it not your place?

[sets their completed chicken dish aside and makes a motion towards the ingredients for the lotus and pork rib soup; they can start putting that together]

[strikingchords]

...

I am still alive.

[he starts putting them together and moves them over to her]

[rootsforyou]

[bringing a pot to boil for the soup, helping to chop up ingredients and add them to the pot as they finish]

I wouldn't say that means it's not your place.

[strikingchords]

[he's quiet... looking down at the water]

[rootsforyou]

[this soup simmers for 4 hours buddy, you can't stay quiet forever]

...You wished to remain here for the time being. Do you still feel the same way after seeing what the tokens can do?

[strikingchords]

[girl i can stay quiet for days tho]

...

More so.

[rootsforyou]

Are you interested in what they have to offer? More than going home?