No! [ she shouts, and this time it's the type of anger that comes from fright. her hair sets alight, and she starts to glow, cracking like an erupting volcano. the heat is searing, and it immediately starts to melt everything in her vicinity, including the body in her lap. ]
Get away! [ and that's a shriek, as there's an explosion - and the dream very, very abruptly ends. ]
Lan Wangji isn't the sort of person to show up at someone's door in the middle of the night. But he naturally wakes early, and dawn finds him waiting patiently outside the winery, as if he's been there for a while and could stay right there all day. There's very little reason to rush when you're immortal.]
[ he's there before literally anybody, because the winery doesn't open officially until like, midday. but beau comes to unlock the front doors anyway, which means he gets to see an exhausted and mussy-haired beau just shoving them open haphazardly before she realizes who it is exactly that's waiting.
Oh well, good thing Lan Wangji is stubborn and also bad at social interactions, which means he has no qualms with following her inside. He, does, at least, close the door behind him, locking it to prevent anyone from wandering inside too early. He's careful of his tail as he enters, though he doesn't travel too far in, stopping to bow at her.]
is it too early to start drinking? beau's really considering it. she's also considering just continuing to leave and like, crawl out a window through the back, but then lan wangji speaks. and she knows she shouldn't run from this. ]
No, don't - fucking apologize, it's whatever. [ beau says in a rush, turning around to face him. the circles under her eyes are really dark. ] Why are you here?
[He's always trying his best, which is sometimes the problem...
But Lan Wangji's nothing if not straightforward to a fault, so he doesn't try to beat around the bush.]
I saw-- a dream of yours, I believe. [He'd startled awake in his own bed, after all, and the first thing he'd done was check on Shinobu, who'd been safe and sound. Still, he's hesitant to make assumptions.]
It was unpleasant. [Understatement, but, y'know.] I wished to make sure you were alright.
[ aw, but this is very nice of him - beau looks like she's not expecting that answer, surprised. she pauses, and then very heavily leans against the counter. ]
... I'm. [ she starts, with a hard swallow. ] I'm okay, right now. Shit. Sorry you had to see any of that. That's not fucking fair to you.
[ she wrinkles her nose at that question. that's a fair assessment, she does look like shit. feels like it too. ]
Yeah, like every night. It's either that or you know, the winery explodes, or everybody decides I did something horrible and kicks me out, or other fucking delightful dreams. [ she rubs at her arm, looking away. ] I'm tired, man. They're really vivid. I mean, you saw, I guess.
[He did see. He doesn't have to imagine how awful it must be, because he's been suffering nightmares of his own--but this isn't about him, so he won't mention it unless she asks.]
I do not know if it will help, but I can ask Shinobu to make a tea for you, if you'd like.
He's also looking extremely dubious at that?? He may or may not agree, it has yet to be decided. First, though, he nods, and it's his turn to look rather weary.]
Yes. I am aware. [They don't keep too many secrets, unless it's about his rendezvous with Wei Wuxian, but that's different.] I believe she has recovered. But we do not yet know what happened. [A pause, and a quiet sigh.] She is still quite stressed. It will take time.
[After all, who would trust themselves after something like that?]
if lan wangji tells shinobu beau will suplex him. shinobu doesn't need to know beau dreamed about killing everybody in town including her, god. anyway. she pulls herself up to sit on the counter, scrubbing at her face. ]
Yeah. I don't blame her, you know, like I know it wasn't her. I'm all healed up, so she has nothing to worry about with me. [ sigh. ] I'm glad she's got you on her side. Hopefully between the two of us we can make sure she doesn't take that shit too hard for too long. She doesn't deserve that.
[SHINOBU MIGHT FIND OUT ON HER OWN and then what will Beau do!! Huh!!! Honesty is the best policy, says Lan Wangji, who lies through omission all the time. Shut up.]
Mm. She will be glad to know you are healing. [Not "doing well", since... if Beau was doing well, he wouldn't be here at ass o'clock.] I will do all I can for her. But I know she will appreciate your support.
[A pause; when he speaks again, his expression hasn't changed, but there's something softer about his tone.]
[ beau glances at him, shoulders coming down from around her ears just a bit. she's a tough girl, but - there's something about the softer tone that makes her feel like maybe it's okay to not have to swagger her way through. it's kind of nice. ]
... Thanks. Really. [ she says, genuinely. she swallows hard. give her like two seconds, and then: ] What about you? I'm not the only one having these stupid nightmares, right?
[She can swagger if she wants, that's fine too. He doesn't need his Seer powers to tell she's got a good heart--if his dearest people are both fond of her, then that's reason enough for him to be quietly, stubbornly supportive.
But, ah. As she's likely already gathered, Lan Wangji's expression doesn't change all that much, but there's no mistaking the unhappy way his mouth tightens.]
Mm. [...] Mine have not been dissimilar to yours.
[Lan Wangji could not care less about his general reputation. The safety of his loved ones, on the other hand--he'll do anything for that, and his nightmares know it.]
[Does he? ...Honestly, no, not particularly. But he saw her dream, lived it with her, and it's only right to offer her the same insight.
He's never been very good at opening up, often overwhelmed by the strength of his own emotions. But he's getting better at it, so after a thoughtful silence, he speaks.]
...Different instances. Some happened, some did not. [He thinks of a mountain ablaze (his imagination) and the dark lair of a monster (a reality). His people are all alive and well right now, but in the dream...] I am always unable to save them.
[ she nods a bit, kicking her heels against the counter. ]
Yeah. Me too. [ sigh. ] That's - not even the first time I've had that dream, either. It was the first one I had. They suck, they're disorienting, and I mostly just wanna fucking sleep. But that doesn't even stop them, you know? Hunter doesn't sleep and he still has them too.
[ deep breath. ] ... That's the scariest thing, right? Being unable to save them.
Mm. [Another silence, as he tries to figure out how to phrase what he wants to say.] ...They want us to be safe, too. It is important that we try. [Just like they don't want their loved ones throwing themselves into danger for them, the reverse is true as well. It would be the height of disrespect, not to acknowledge that.
Of course, they'd still gladly die protecting the people important to them. Not even getting the chance to try... that hurts far too much.] But it is... difficult, to imagine losing that choice.
Yeah. I try, but honestly, I could give a shit if I get hurt if it means my people are good.
[ which she knows her friends know. they all get super pissed about it, but she's stubborn. she reaches to start pulling her hair back, haphazardly putting it in a ponytail. she hasn't shaved the sides of her hair in a while - it's a fuzzy mess. ]
[ i was gonna ask but i thought it was funnier to leave them there forever for posterity ]
We're getting all these omens and dreams, all this bad shit happening. People getting cursed, the meteorites, all that. And we're supposed to be looking for the Maou. [ she glances at him, solemn. ] You think the Maou are the cause of all of this? What are we gonna do when we find them?
[Hm. That's a complicated question--especially for Lan Wangji, with his ~divine task~ and all. Though, honestly, he wouldn't have needed the incentive.]
I believe the dreams meant to imply the Maou would cause great harm. [He himself had gotten pretty mixed messages, but he still doesn't know how to explain that, so he doesn't.] But I find it difficult to believe they asked for this.
[So... no, he doesn't really think they're the cause. There's a relation, probably, but he hasn't seen any reason to pin the blame on them yet. And even if they had prayed to the gods for extra powers, or something--unless it was with the specific intent of destroying the country, Lan Wangji's reluctant to judge them.
As for what to do with them, well--it's the same thing he's been telling everyone else.] I would like to ask them for help. Koun is their home. They must have something worth saving here.
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Get away! [ and that's a shriek, as there's an explosion - and the dream very, very abruptly ends. ]
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...
Lan Wangji isn't the sort of person to show up at someone's door in the middle of the night. But he naturally wakes early, and dawn finds him waiting patiently outside the winery, as if he's been there for a while and could stay right there all day. There's very little reason to rush when you're immortal.]
1/2
she freezes, staring at him. ]
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Oh well, good thing Lan Wangji is stubborn and also bad at social interactions, which means he has no qualms with following her inside. He, does, at least, close the door behind him, locking it to prevent anyone from wandering inside too early. He's careful of his tail as he enters, though he doesn't travel too far in, stopping to bow at her.]
My apologies for imposing.
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is it too early to start drinking? beau's really considering it. she's also considering just continuing to leave and like, crawl out a window through the back, but then lan wangji speaks. and she knows she shouldn't run from this. ]
No, don't - fucking apologize, it's whatever. [ beau says in a rush, turning around to face him. the circles under her eyes are really dark. ] Why are you here?
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But Lan Wangji's nothing if not straightforward to a fault, so he doesn't try to beat around the bush.]
I saw-- a dream of yours, I believe. [He'd startled awake in his own bed, after all, and the first thing he'd done was check on Shinobu, who'd been safe and sound. Still, he's hesitant to make assumptions.]
It was unpleasant. [Understatement, but, y'know.] I wished to make sure you were alright.
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... I'm. [ she starts, with a hard swallow. ] I'm okay, right now. Shit. Sorry you had to see any of that. That's not fucking fair to you.
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No need. It was out of your control. [He'd figured as much anyway, but the way she's reacting is confirmation enough.
He hesitates, since they don't really know each other that well, but--] Have they been happening frequently?
[That's Lan Wangji talk for "Beau you look like shit, no offense."]
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Yeah, like every night. It's either that or you know, the winery explodes, or everybody decides I did something horrible and kicks me out, or other fucking delightful dreams. [ she rubs at her arm, looking away. ] I'm tired, man. They're really vivid. I mean, you saw, I guess.
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[He did see. He doesn't have to imagine how awful it must be, because he's been suffering nightmares of his own--but this isn't about him, so he won't mention it unless she asks.]
I do not know if it will help, but I can ask Shinobu to make a tea for you, if you'd like.
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I - don't fucking tell anybody. [ beau says, first, fiercely. ] Don't tell anybody what you saw, not even Shinobu. Definitely not her.
... Tea might be nice, though. Hey, is she doing okay? Last time I saw her, some shit happened, and it was a whole mess.
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He's also looking extremely dubious at that?? He may or may not agree, it has yet to be decided. First, though, he nods, and it's his turn to look rather weary.]
Yes. I am aware. [They don't keep too many secrets, unless it's about his rendezvous with Wei Wuxian, but that's different.] I believe she has recovered. But we do not yet know what happened. [A pause, and a quiet sigh.] She is still quite stressed. It will take time.
[After all, who would trust themselves after something like that?]
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if lan wangji tells shinobu beau will suplex him. shinobu doesn't need to know beau dreamed about killing everybody in town including her, god. anyway. she pulls herself up to sit on the counter, scrubbing at her face. ]
Yeah. I don't blame her, you know, like I know it wasn't her. I'm all healed up, so she has nothing to worry about with me. [ sigh. ] I'm glad she's got you on her side. Hopefully between the two of us we can make sure she doesn't take that shit too hard for too long. She doesn't deserve that.
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Mm. She will be glad to know you are healing. [Not "doing well", since... if Beau was doing well, he wouldn't be here at ass o'clock.] I will do all I can for her. But I know she will appreciate your support.
[A pause; when he speaks again, his expression hasn't changed, but there's something softer about his tone.]
You have ours as well.
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... Thanks. Really. [ she says, genuinely. she swallows hard. give her like two seconds, and then: ] What about you? I'm not the only one having these stupid nightmares, right?
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But, ah. As she's likely already gathered, Lan Wangji's expression doesn't change all that much, but there's no mistaking the unhappy way his mouth tightens.]
Mm. [...] Mine have not been dissimilar to yours.
[Lan Wangji could not care less about his general reputation. The safety of his loved ones, on the other hand--he'll do anything for that, and his nightmares know it.]
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You okay? Do you wanna talk about it? [ at least she's asking and not demanding... ]
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He's never been very good at opening up, often overwhelmed by the strength of his own emotions. But he's getting better at it, so after a thoughtful silence, he speaks.]
...Different instances. Some happened, some did not. [He thinks of a mountain ablaze (his imagination) and the dark lair of a monster (a reality). His people are all alive and well right now, but in the dream...] I am always unable to save them.
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Yeah. Me too. [ sigh. ] That's - not even the first time I've had that dream, either. It was the first one I had. They suck, they're disorienting, and I mostly just wanna fucking sleep. But that doesn't even stop them, you know? Hunter doesn't sleep and he still has them too.
[ deep breath. ] ... That's the scariest thing, right? Being unable to save them.
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Mm. [Another silence, as he tries to figure out how to phrase what he wants to say.] ...They want us to be safe, too. It is important that we try. [Just like they don't want their loved ones throwing themselves into danger for them, the reverse is true as well. It would be the height of disrespect, not to acknowledge that.
Of course, they'd still gladly die protecting the people important to them. Not even getting the chance to try... that hurts far too much.] But it is... difficult, to imagine losing that choice.
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[ which she knows her friends know. they all get super pissed about it, but she's stubborn. she reaches to start pulling her hair back, haphazardly putting it in a ponytail. she hasn't shaved the sides of her hair in a while - it's a fuzzy mess. ]
Hey, question for you.
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Mm.
[They know, he thinks. But he doesn't know her relationships well enough to say that out loud, so he keeps it to himself.
Instead, he tilts his head, curious. What question?]
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We're getting all these omens and dreams, all this bad shit happening. People getting cursed, the meteorites, all that. And we're supposed to be looking for the Maou. [ she glances at him, solemn. ] You think the Maou are the cause of all of this? What are we gonna do when we find them?
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I believe the dreams meant to imply the Maou would cause great harm. [He himself had gotten pretty mixed messages, but he still doesn't know how to explain that, so he doesn't.] But I find it difficult to believe they asked for this.
[So... no, he doesn't really think they're the cause. There's a relation, probably, but he hasn't seen any reason to pin the blame on them yet. And even if they had prayed to the gods for extra powers, or something--unless it was with the specific intent of destroying the country, Lan Wangji's reluctant to judge them.
As for what to do with them, well--it's the same thing he's been telling everyone else.] I would like to ask them for help. Koun is their home. They must have something worth saving here.
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