[sidereal - the dreaming]

[laughitoff]

[for MDZS AU plot-related shenanigans]

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[laughitoff]

[he can feel pain, now, that dull all-through ache he was picking up from Wei Wuxian earlier gone sharp as knives. Wei Wuxian is mostly ignoring it]

I'm fine, I'm fine.

[strikingchords]

...

[he imagines that using demonic cultivation isn't pleasant, but doesn't think Wei Wuxian has been in this much pain for the last few years. the realization dawns on him slowly but fully formed in his moment of detachment: oh. Wei Wuxian's meridians must still be damaged from his death.

...doesn't... push back against this... he just turns to walk up the tunnel again instead. Wei Wuxian doesn't pick up any fresh distress from him, just quiet acceptance.]

[laughitoff]

[the ache and pushing it down has been enough of a constant that Wei Wuxian doesn't think much of it, actually; doesn't even quite realize he betrayed that to someone else.

it's not long before they're both a bit distracted by the ghoulbaby's enraged wailing up ahead]

[strikingchords]

[he can taste the familiarity after a bit. what would even soothe that... spiritual energy? maybe his other self would know?

the weary speculation is stopped by the first wail, yeah. his internal attention shifts back to Wei Wuxian as he analyzes the sound.

Ahead, not above.]

[laughitoff]

Aha, our dear child didn't want to be left alone in his room, hmm?

[strikingchords]

[...he takes his guqin down from his back...]

[laughitoff]

[it's sitting in the cage pit, a monstrous ghost infant crying and trying to gather the cores to itself

see what i did there]

[strikingchords]

[...

...

...

kneels with his guqin at the edge of the pit

Wei Ying.]

[laughitoff]

What?

[strikingchords]

[Rest should work. Will you help?]

[laughitoff]

[I can try.]

[strikingchords]

[Mm.

he half closes his eyes. Wei Wuxian feels him steady further, spin some still place inside himself up around them like a cloak as he begins to play...]

[laughitoff]

[Wei Wuxian just...feeds his energy and intent into Lan Wangji's playing this time, to see if it can be done...

improbably, a second tune starts to spin out from the strings of the guqin, quick and urgent but jaggedly complementary to Lan Wangji's]

[strikingchords]

[interesting. he waits to see if it integrates a little better with time, shifting his own playing a bit to wind around Wei Wuxian's better; Wei Ying can feel out what harmony will work best as well as he can.]

[laughitoff]

[the spirit in the pit wails and struggles. Wei Wuxian is good at adapting his technique, as always, yes; he adjusts his tempo and his notes. the powerful sound rings out, waves of suppression and coercion: go to sleep, go to sleep, we'll carry you to your mother and father; rest, little one]

[strikingchords]

[Lan Wangji is focusing on the restful part of Rest himself, sympathetic to the spirit in his distant way. hush. we will make it right.

the duet starts to sink in, eventually]

[laughitoff]

[it starts to quiet and struggle less, folding its bloated and distorted limbs inwards...]

[strikingchords]

[it's not common to have the leisure to use Rest properly in the Burial Mounds.]

[laughitoff]

[no...

Wei Wuxian feels relieved when the baby (babies?) gives way fully to the suppression, dwindling into a little spirit-light like its parents]

[strikingchords]

[lets out a long, slow breath, relaxing slightly. he bows his head in respect for a moment and goes to gather them up with their parents.]

[laughitoff]

[they mingle together into a single brighter flame.]

[strikingchords]

[aloud, since it doesn't seem like any other ghouls have wandered into the tomb to follow the ghoulbaby through the hole it dug]

Well done.

[laughitoff]

Ehh, are you really praising a baby for being peacefully suppressed? I guess that's a rare occurrence here...

[strikingchords]

[that

causes a glimmer of amusement for some reason? it's like the flicker of light deep below water when viewed from the surface, but still present; the first time it's happened in this horrible dream while they've been close enough for Wei Wuxian to feel it.]

[laughitoff]

[emotional pikachu face]

Wow, Lan Zhan has a sense of humor!