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: 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?

[calmness]

My sect forbids lying. [there are ways around it but that is the big problem, really.]

[skelepun]

[ Well. Damn. There it is, isn't it? ]

... this is gonna sound pretty wild, considering what you just told me, but you gotta be pulling my leg here.

[ 'Cuz wha.... I mean, how. ]

[calmness]

I am... not near you so could not be pulling your leg at this time. [and he's being earnest here, that's not a saying he knows.]

[skelepun]

[ Oh man. This was powerful knowledge. One he was really gonna have to compel himself not to misuse. ]

Nevermind, not important. [ On to brass tax: ] So the not lying thing, is it just the factual stuff you gotta keep on the level or everything?

Like, white lies. They off the table too?

[calmness]

The precepts forbid lying, yes, in all cases but that does not mean that one always needs to give an answer to any questions they are asked. [a pause.] And interpretation of silences or vague statements is left to the listener. [technically, the rules state that one should be direct but xichen has learned that life is not as black and white as all of the lan clan's precepts.]

Anything that would put our disciples in danger needlessly is foolish. [another pause and a soft laugh. ] Though many would argue following so many precepts is also foolish.

[skelepun]

Yeesh. Now that's dedication.

[ It was fascinating, honestly. Listening to this guy talk was almost like hearing a fable -- Sans couldn't help but think on how the "moral" of Lan's story related back to himself. ]

How long have you been following these... uh, what'd you call 'em, "precepts"?

[calmness]

Since my birth. [which--- not quite. xichen chuckles and shakes his head.] Or at least since I was able to comprehend them.

Yes, precepts. Though they're merely rules of conduct for my Sect.