audio; un: lanxichen | post-palace attack

[calmness]

[ignore the long pause before this one realizes that he needs to talk to the device! there's a learning curve here.

when he speaks, xichen's voice is steady and soft but tinged with sadness he cannot hide.]

Greetings.

I have spent time with Lord Suk-Ju and have information that may be of use for our purposes. If it has already been shared, I apologize for the repetition.

During our discussion, he has shared his agitation that others around him, including Lady Jeung-Sun, -- were in his words -- too weak to do what it takes to ensure prosperity of Gyeongje and keep its reputation from tarnish. While I had not expected it, he is willing to do whatever is necessary to restore what has been lost. This includes the demolition of the outer district. It is clear there is already blood on his hands.

[a pause, the sound of a deep breath to reel in anger. toeing the lines here and spywork are not easy, especially for a man who leads a clan who forbid lying but there are lives at stake here.]

Additionally, I was able to communicate some of the spirits on the palace grounds. Only the guards responded to my inquiry. Some died in the attacks on the palace, others shortly following. Those that died in the attacks wished to assure me that their deaths were mistakes and those who died after affirm that their deaths served a purpose. That it had to be done.

I am unclear to what this means, unfortunately.

I do, however, have a request. Is anyone available to assist in helping settle the lingering spirits? A few have laid out requests that would help them pass to the other side but there are too many to handle alone.

Comments

audio; un: Sabriel.Abhorsen

[bindsthedead]

[There's palpable, restrained anger in Sabriel's tone.]

So Lord Suk-ju is a callous fool trafficking with forces he doesn't understand, and the people of Gyeonje are paying the price. I suppose this makes what So-yeon said about the plague being born of the ruler's greed make more sense.

[But her tone softens, as he moves onto the subject of the lingering spirits.]

My bells can call them to rest. But I will need to hurry- I don't know how much longer I'll be staying in the palace.

[calmness]

Yes, that seems to be the case. It is his greed and not that of his whole court.

[he frowns, sighing softly.] Some wish messages to be passed along but others simply wished to be left alone. For those who did not leave behind requests, your bell would be a relief.

[bindsthedead]

Then I'll do what I can for those without requests, and hope that granting those requests will lay the others to rest.

[Which... isn't how it works in the Old Kingdom, but apparently does in other places?]

[calmness]

I hope so as well. They deserve to rest. [Anything is worth a try.]

And thank you for telling me about the spirits in the palace when we crossed paths earlier. You are the reason I returned.

[bindsthedead]

Good. I'm glad someone else is trying to help them.

[Hopefully they will leave this place in a better state than how they found it.]

[calmness]

I will do my best to do so. [he's made so many mistakes in his own world, even if unwittingly, that have cost innocents their lives. he can do something to fix that here.]

audio; un: qishan

[silverneedles]

I can assist with settling the lingering spirits, Zewu-jun. What requests have you received so far?

[calmness]

I can share a list of names and messages they wished passed along. Many wished that their siblings and relatives knew they were alright.

[silverneedles]

Please. I can assist with that much.

[calmness]

It is greatly appreciated. Like many in the city who have suffered, they deserve their rest.

What's happened here must be remedied. [it's too similar, too familiar. his voice trembles as he speaks.] Have you managed to stay safe?

[silverneedles]

It is within our means to help them find their peace.

I have stayed quiet and safe, in the palace. No need for concern.

audio; un: ratchet

[neveroutwrenched]

Did he happen to say what, exactly, "whatever is necessary" entails? Should we be worried about him acting on anything soon?

[calmness]

He did not, unfortunately.

But I do not doubt he is willing to make his subjects the price of prosperity. Even his wife is not safe.

[neveroutwrenched]

[Ratchet perks up at that.]

His wife? You think she could be in danger too?

[There were many lives at stake, of course. She was hardly the only person that mattered, and to some, maybe one of the last people who did. But Ratchet hadn't been able to get her unsent letters of sympathy out his mind all week. Regardless of what anyone said, he had some kind of impossible to ignore feeling about it.

A feeling they were missing something.]

[calmness]

When he briefly spoke of her, Lord Suk-ju did not speak fondly and said giving her any control was a mistake. [a pause, a soft sigh.] I do not think he would hesitate in allowing something to happen to her, if it came to that.

video; un: newt

[groupiedrifter]

I knew that dude was a raging prick.

[Newton Geiszler is super elegant.]

You're able to communicate with the dead? Got any other particular tricks up your sleeve?

[calmness]

That is an apt description for him.

[a pause, as he considers.] I am a swordsman and am also able to calm both dead and the living with spiritual music if needed. If there is a frenzy, I am happy to play.

[groupiedrifter]

... Are you serious? You play spiritual music for dead people?

[WHY IS EVERYONE HERE SO COOL??? HE'S GONNA CRY-]

That's the awesomest, most intense thing I've ever heard. What is it with you guys having crazy-cool musical powers? How does it work? Do you have some kind of energy channeled through your instruments?

[calmness]

It is against the precepts of my sect to lie. [so he is not kidding, but there is amusement in his voice.] I can also play for the living, but the effect is different.

[he teaches students in his own world so appreciates the enthusiasm.] The energy, qi, comes from one's golden core and is truly the basis of a cultivator's power.

A golden core is formed and strengthened through various techniques. Every clan in my world has their own methods to do so and a unique style of cultivation. My sect chose to cultivate using music, so you will find that while I use a flute, my brother plays a guqin.

[groupiedrifter]

Well, you gotta play for me now, then!

But got it, qi, sure. I may be a scientist, but I can get behind any concept that involves energy and its use in any situation. [He pauses, considers something from distant memory.] A guqin is a 7-stringed instrument, right? The kind you put on your lap, or on a table? My kind of music doesn't really leave room for that kinda calmness; it's loud and rowdy, so it's crucial to wear your instrument around your neck and shoulder, on a strip.

... I mean. It's an electric guitar. I probably should've just said it's a guitar. You guys probably have those, too.

[Forget the mission, this is more important.]

audio; un: username

[skelepun]

[ Too weak, huh? There had been hints, clues from others about Suk-Ju's true nature, but to hear it from the man himself? It's a wonder what else he said behind closed doors.

Sans didn't really hate people, usually. It was too much energy. But there were exceptions to that rule, and Suk-Ju was getting on his bad side in record time. ]

Buddy, you oughta get a medal for putting up with that guy. How much do you think he trusts you at this point?

[calmness]

Enough to continue to reveal his secrets given opportunity. He was happy to have someone who understood his position listening to him, though I cannot truthfully say I understand him.

[learning what he now knows about the man, xichen would not state they are similar at all.

lord suk-ju is like m--- jin guangyao, the sort of man who will never be satisfied as he gains power and believes he is proving himself. ]

[skelepun]

[ People who will never be happy until they destroy everything they touch? Sans had come across that particular brand of unpleasant once or twice before.

He thumbs at his collar bone thoughtful, a phantom memory ghosting at the edges of his skull. ]

How long do you think you can keep up the ruse until he catches on?

[calmness]

I am uncertain but I will do my best to remain in his graces. [another soft sigh.]

I admit that spycraft is not my strength.

[skelepun]

[ Something about that gives Sans pause. It's not what he would've expected from the one man among them who managed to infiltrate that deep into the Lord's confidences. ]

Coulda fooled me. What's the problem?