Inbox: Eastbound

[paperbutterflies]

Lan Sizhui

missives | encounters

Comments

RIGHT

[paperbutterflies]

Yes, Hanguang-jun.

Have I given cause to think otherwise?

[downswing]

No. Accepted as family.

[paperbutterflies]

As long as I can remember.

[downswing]

You name him your

( ...ah, the things one says to keep the peace. )

birth mother?

[paperbutterflies]

[ That... gives him a moment's pause. ]

I think... he named himself so. I know it unlikely.

[ He knows now. Whether he knew that back then? Possibly not. ]

[downswing]

As a parent?

[paperbutterflies]

Yes. Not a birth one because that would be wrong to say or think.

[ Senior Wei tries. Always.

Well. Usually. ]

1/2

[downswing]

Unfilial to your mother of the Wen.

Her shadow be thanked.

[downswing]

( Now for the... delicate... part of this announcement. )

If, now and then, your senior Wei makes attempt against my ribbon. Perhaps your own.

Lend him patience.

[paperbutterflies]

I will, Hanguang-jun. He is family.

Have you lost patience?

[ This at least is more specific ... hmm. ]

[downswing]

With my failings before you and him.

[paperbutterflies]

Failings, Hanguang-jun?

[downswing]

You were both deprived.

[paperbutterflies]

[ ... dad, no. ]

I cannot speak for Senior Wei, but I have never considered myself deprived, nor do I do so now.

[downswing]

You were owed a parent unmourned.

He was owed a defender.

Both were failed.

[paperbutterflies]

[ Sizhui takes a deep, deep breath.

He did not know to mourn parents, other than as a vague concept. But Hanguang-jun know that, so pointing it out - what good will it do. But also. ]

May Hanguang-jun forgive Sizhui, but if I have been failed, it has not been done by Hanguang-jun, for he cannot possibly have control over the traps set out by others, or the cruelty of others.

[downswing]

Sizhui. Some truths yet sleep.

[paperbutterflies]

Even so. They will not change the fact that my father has taken good care of me and raised me well. If there are any failings, they are mine alone.

[downswing]

You are as first snow. Pure on fingertips.

Sizhui. I have wounded senior Wei's dignity. Hear me.

[paperbutterflies]

Hanguang-jun, do you wish me to know what happened? Or to check on Senior Wei?

1/3

[downswing]

Apologies. In speech, I am wanting.

I do not intend it.

[downswing]

( Ah, but to be such a tragically slowly-articulating soul that even your son despairs of you.

This is a trickled, cloying defeat — a surrender of his own nature before understandable expectations. )

[downswing]

Senior Wei had yet to bear your age when he was first hand-fasted.

[paperbutterflies]

[ He absolutely hadn't despaired! He just wanted to know if his father wanted to tell him or apprise him of the fact and not explain, Sizhui is fine with either!

This makes him blink slightly.

Wounded... senior Wei's dignity... and hand-fasting is related? ]

He did not wish it?

makes this worse

[downswing]

He did not agree the deed done.