Who told you so, dilly dilly, Who told you so? ‘Twas my own heart, dilly dilly, That told me so.
ouch is one of the most intimate, romantic ways to be close to someone else. The Town knows this very well -- the Town wants everyone to be as close as possible.
Perhaps that's why this bonding is so...aggressive.
Because you're in for quite the shock on this otherwise peaceful day when you brush against the next person on your path.
Maybe you're going out of your way to touch people. Maybe you've got a terrible urge to just see what's lurking in someone's heart. Maybe you trip over a conveniently placed rock -- whatever the cause, you're getting an up close and personal look into someone else's heart.
Welcome to Awash's eighteenth event log, everyone! Further information on this event can be found here at the OOC post. You are welcome to make your own logs and posts for this event!
If there are any questions, please ask them here. Thank you!
[ ....W--w...wow, he was a little troublemaker, wasn't he? All of his antics-- yes, even drawing another disciple's picture with a flower in his hair, to getting kicked out of class, to bringing wine back... it just reminds her of how free-spirited he is. And he seems so proud of it, too.
[ She winces when the man shouts at him, but doesn't argue. ] Then, let's go...
[ Pyra's arm around Wei Wuxian adjusts to lift him a little bit more. If he can completely stand on his own by now, even better. If not, she's there to support him.
She looks down towards the other path. As terrible as it looks, looks like that's the only choice-- no. That's not right. They are consciously making this choice. ] This way...
[ He'd been about to argue with Pyra, when that voice makes his head jerk back around. The man standing in Lan QiRen's place is identically attired, with a similar bearing, but cleanshaven with light-colored eyes. Well... he would have been identically attired, if his white clothes weren't sopping wet, soiled, shredded, and bloody. Despite being in such a state, his face is serene and his voice is calm.
He's also, inexplicably, standing on top of an enormous tortoise. ]
[ --Oh, well, guess they'll linger at the crossroads a little more. She's fine with that, so long as Wei Wuxian is feeling well. Look at him, he's doesn't need her support anymore! ]
Lan Zhan...? [ She repeats, looking from Wei Wuxian to the other man now, smiling at him kindly. ] It's a pleasure to meet you, too. [ Oh, yes, this is probably just some figment-representation of the Lan Zhan within his mind, but still. She feels as if a greeting is warranted! Of course such a dignified and collected looking man would be the one to endure Wei Wuxian's teas...in..g..... ]
[ Lan Zhan only seems to notice Pyra when she speaks, and there's even a slight flicker in his eyes when she addresses him by his birth name. And then he seems to be at a loss, unable to answer her. He looks down. Of course he isn't all right, Wei Wuxian thinks. Back then, he was about as far from all right as I ever saw him.
But such a cold, proud person would never admit to that, so he immediately chimes in: ]
He'll be... fine. We were hunting... a tortoise... and it was difficult. Harder than we thought.
[ The words come out effortfully, but he's able to speak them. He's getting better at negotiating the borderland between partial truths and outright lies. Lan Wangji looks up again, with something like gratitude in his eyes. It makes Wei Wuxian feel a little strange, so he immediately cries: ]
Hey, hey, hey, why are there so many Lans in my heart? Shoo, shoo! Get lost!
[ He's joking. But Lan Wangji's face freezes; it's a subtle thing, as his features don't move very much normally. ]
[ The exchanges seems very surreal to her, and she doesn't know what to make of it. This Lan Zhan doesn't speak much, his expressions are subtle, but it seems that Wei Wuxian is able to read him as easily as if he were actually talking. She suspects nothing of Wei Wuxian, if he is withholding information.
His last expression, however, where he appears to freeze as Wei Wuxian tells him to leave, isn't lost to Pyra.
She glances at Wei Wuxian, smiling gently. ] H-hey, don't be rude. [ She chides lightly. ] Look at him, he looks like he could use a cup of tea and a hug. [ Okay, that last part is said sort of jokingly, but she's also not joking about the tea and the hug. ]
You... don't wish to speak with him more? [ He must be important to him, if he's in his heart. And unlike the last man who shouted at them, she's fine with staying here so long as this one remains civil. ]
[ Lan Wangji’s frozen expression thaws at Pyra’s suggestion of “a cup of tea and a hug,” and his eyes widen. A moment later, his features compose themselves and he stares straight ahead without speaking. Wei Wuxian is full of laughter in his heart—which means he can’t help giggling. ]
Oh no! He thinks you’re teasing him, Pyra! He can’t stand being teased! He doesn’t approve of people like that.
[ He glances at Pyra; not noticing that Lan Wangji is looking at him just then. Then he turns back to Lan Wangji, who averts his gaze. ]
Pyra isn’t teasing you, though! She really will give you tea and a hug....
[ Something still bothers her about this interaction, although he cannot yet put her finger on it. It's probably because Lan Zhan looks like a mess... yes, that's probably it. That, and how he doesn't seem to make eye contact with Wei Wuxian.
[ She outstretches her hand towards Lan Zhan. ] Come. [ She beckons, smile welcoming and soft. ]
After all, it's probably been a while since the two of you have seen each other, [ She looks back down to Wei Wuxian. ] hasn't it, Wei Ying?
[ Her own heart that Chroma has shown others thus far hasn't shown any people... But she thinks, if it had... she would have liked to see them, after all these centuries. It's a strange feeling, to be glad that Wei Wuxian's heart allows him to see those important to him, but also jealous that Chroma has not afforded the same to her. Ah, well... she hopes that Wei Wuxian will take this opportunity to, well, heart. ]
[ And then he turns with interest, to see how Lan Wangji will react. This, of course, isn't the real Lan Wangli, so his reaction is exactly what Wei Wuxian expects when Pyra approaches him with her soft smile and gentle words: his expression doesn't flicker, as he stands there upon that giant tortoise, as if he were a statue carved from white jade. But there is the slightest tell: a dusting of faintest rose upon his snow-white cheeks. ]
Hahaha! Pyra my dear, you must understand. The GusuLan sect forbids contact between female and male cultivators. Probably in his whole life he hasn't spoken to a girl—
Stop talking nonsense.
[ So funny! Wei Wuxian can't help giggling. The poor man can't deal with Pyra at all, he's so— ]
[ And then Lan Wangji leaps down from the tortoise—the movement is more like flying than jumping. Wei Wuxian is actually a little surprised by this, that he would come towards them. But he isn't unhappy about that, either. ]
You're right! It has been a while. Ah, let me see... when was it? I think it was... it was...
[ He leaps back, because Lan Wangji is coming after him with his sword, its bright blue glare illuminating the dark world. The immovable, expressionless face of carved jade is alive now, his eyes red-rimmed with... fury, probably. Wei Wuxian dodges easily, putting himself in between the man and Pyra, backing up while trying to shield her. ]
See? I told you! Someone like him will never approve of someone like me!
[ So much for the people in his heart not being hostile!
Pyra finds herself stumbling back, the attack from the man surprising enough to catch her off guard. She doesn’t recognize the energy that makes his sword glow, but she doesn’t need to in order to know that he’s experienced with a weapon.
All the same, it helps that Wei Wuxian is experienced with dodging. ] Wh—
[ And now he’s between Lan Zhan and Pyra, which immediately makes her worry. Wei Wuxian has no sword; he’s unarmed. What’s more is that Lan Zhan has clearly been swinging his blade at Wei Wuxian, not her, which negates the necessity to defend her from him. ] Why is he attacking?
[ Pyra looks between the two men. Although Wei Wuxian comes off as awfully casual in his comment— tone very much I told you so— it seems also self-deprecating. Like he would want exactly the opposite of what he’s just said, that he would want this man’s approval. And as for Lan Zhan.... to say that he looks upset is an understatement. But murderous? She cannot be sure, as his stoic expression makes it difficult for her to read. Regardless her stance remains defensive.
Seeing as Lan Zhan is a part of his heart, she says hurriedly: ] Is it possible— we should be careful not to hurt him! [ But restraining him, maybe? ]
We should worry about ourselves—aaah, that was close! Don't swing your sword around like that, it's dangerous!
[ He bobs and weaves and ducks away from the sword, dancing along the narrow pathway. ]
Lan Zhan, Lan Zhan, you really are too much! There's a lady here, you don't know her, you don't want to hurt her! That wouldn't be righteous! Just let her pass, okay? Down the broad, shining path! You can do what you want with me, just let Pyra go! I know you hate me—
Wei Ying!
[ Lan Wangji's sword thrust brushes past him, nearly slicing his cheek open as he leans backwards, dodging....... and then that backwards dodge becomes a backflip into the water. The man is so furious, surely he'll chase him into the lake, which means Pyra will be free to walk the broad path and escape this place.
What is on the other end of that single-plank path, he doesn't want her to know. ]
[ ..........Except, if he truly thinks that Pyra will just up and leave him just because he asks her to, he has another thing coming. Wei Wuxian find that no one follows him into the water.
It's a purely instinctual reaction to leap at the one who is attacking someone she deeply cares about. Pyra takes this Lan Zhan figure by the back of his collar and throws him down to the wooden path, the wood splintering and cracking wickedly beneath the impact. The sword tosses up with the fall, and she catches and slams it right beside the man's ear, slicing off a lock of hair, and as her hand trails down the blade it leaves the metal buckling as it melts. To think that a moment ago she had offered this man tea and a hug--
And, actually, more than anything Pyra simply wants to understand what's going on. Because this man must be important to Wei Wuxian. They clearly have known each other since they were students-- and if anyone can put up with that bright-eyed and energetic youth she had seen in Wei Wuxian's mirror when they first met for an entire month, he must also mean something a lot more here!
--So she doesn't do more than that. She doesn't try to burn him, to turn him to ashes. She doesn't try to harm him any more than she has to with how she's over him, pinning him with her weight. She doesn't try to throw more punches. All she is doing is trying to disable him, to get him to stop--
She whips her head up as she struggles with Lan Zhan, looking towards the water. ] Wei Ying--! Wei Ying.... where--...?
[ He's an extremely good swimmer, having grown up around lakes and rivers, and he was paddling for his life into the dark water, expecting the blue sword glare of Bichen to catch up with him any moment now.
...
aaaaaany moment now.
...
What's going on? He's curious, so he pops up again (he's quite certain Lan Wangji wouldn't be lying in wait for him to do just that, he's not that sort of person who'd use trickery or guile). ]
[ ..........Oh. Oh heavens. Pyra is sitting on him. Poor Lan Wangji, that noble cultivator, now red-faced and struggling, pushed down by a girl. What an image! He can't help himself and starts laughing uncontrollably, as he hoists himself up to the walkway. He bends down, sweeping up the cut lock of hair. ]
Wh-- [ Oi, oi, stop struggling!! She almost wants to just knock the poor man out... also he's a lot stronger than he appears.... she actually is having a difficult time!
She looks up at him, breathless and in disbelief. One would think he'd be able to take at least this situation a little more seriously, having had a sword pointed at him, but no. ]
What... should we do with him? [ If anything at all. ] He's...-- he almost tried to kill you. What's going on?
[ That's not the reason.... that's what Lan Zhan had said. But what does it mean? Pyra looks from Wei Wuxian back to the man she has pinned beneath her. She really doesn't want to ask more, but she's really, really worried that Wei Wuxian might be injured (or killed?) by his own heart!
Also-- ] And... what day? What are you talking about? [ Focus, here! She's worried, she's really worried! She doesn't want to get off of Lan Zhan until she knows that he won't hurt Wei Wuxian!! ]
[ He sighs. Then he squats down, near the two of them. ]
Lan Zhan, courtesy name Lan Wangji, title Hanguang-Jun, second young master of the Lan Sect. He's someone I met, when we were boys. I... I tried to be friends with him, I really did try. But we clashed. We'd run into each other occasionally, over the years. Every single time, we'd part on worse terms.
[ He pauses, gazing out into the dark horizon. Lan Wangji stops struggling, his face composing itself back into a look of utmost, expressionless restraint, with dull eyes, as if the light had gone out of them. ]
Sometimes people are just too different.
[ He glances at Pyra, standing up again. ]
That day...
[ The heart world shifts and rotates suddenly around the three of them. They're on a platform in the mountains, before a ruined castle. Thousands upon thousands of cultivators are massed there, surrounding them. They appear in black and white (Chroma having worn off a bit on Wei Wuxian's psyche). They all have their backs to them. To him. Two cultivators however show some color, and are facing them: a man in a topknot, clad in purple with a lotus flower design on the front. He is surrounded by a golden glow and glaring angrily. The other.... Pyra might recognize. She was the quest demon's bait. She is gazing at Wei Wuxian with tears running down her cheeks. ]
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ouch is one of the most intimate, romantic ways to be close to someone else. The Town knows this very well -- the Town wants everyone to be as close as possible.
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THAT'S WHY THIS PATH IS CLOSED TO YOU!
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That's probably why Mythra likes him, too. ]
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........Wait. ]
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...Yet as he continues to speak, maybe they don't actually need this man's help, and they shouldn't bother if he's just going to bar them. ]
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[ Pyra's arm around Wei Wuxian adjusts to lift him a little bit more. If he can completely stand on his own by now, even better. If not, she's there to support him.
She looks down towards the other path. As terrible as it looks, looks like that's the only choice-- no. That's not right. They are consciously making this choice. ] This way...
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[ He'd been about to argue with Pyra, when that voice makes his head jerk back around. The man standing in Lan QiRen's place is identically attired, with a similar bearing, but cleanshaven with light-colored eyes. Well... he would have been identically attired, if his white clothes weren't sopping wet, soiled, shredded, and bloody. Despite being in such a state, his face is serene and his voice is calm.
He's also, inexplicably, standing on top of an enormous tortoise. ]
That's not the reason.
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Lan Zhan!
[ And then, tilting his head to Pyra, he loudly whispers: ]
That's Mister Perfect Disciple there. Looking a bit worse for wear, but that's him. He's the one I used to tease. Pffft!
[ "Lan Zhan" can obviously hear such a loud whisper, but he doesn't respond at all. ]
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Lan Zhan...? [ She repeats, looking from Wei Wuxian to the other man now, smiling at him kindly. ] It's a pleasure to meet you, too. [ Oh, yes, this is probably just some figment-representation of the Lan Zhan within his mind, but still. She feels as if a greeting is warranted! Of course such a dignified and collected looking man would be the one to endure Wei Wuxian's teas...in..g..... ]
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W-wait, oh no, [ Now her tone is concerned, and she's looking at Lan Zhan directly. ] ....Are you alright?
[ Also That's not the reason.-- sure, that's on the back of her mind. But first! Concern! About someone being injured! ]
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But such a cold, proud person would never admit to that, so he immediately chimes in: ]
He'll be... fine. We were hunting... a tortoise... and it was difficult. Harder than we thought.
[ The words come out effortfully, but he's able to speak them. He's getting better at negotiating the borderland between partial truths and outright lies. Lan Wangji looks up again, with something like gratitude in his eyes. It makes Wei Wuxian feel a little strange, so he immediately cries: ]
Hey, hey, hey, why are there so many Lans in my heart? Shoo, shoo! Get lost!
[ He's joking. But Lan Wangji's face freezes; it's a subtle thing, as his features don't move very much normally. ]
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His last expression, however, where he appears to freeze as Wei Wuxian tells him to leave, isn't lost to Pyra.
She glances at Wei Wuxian, smiling gently. ] H-hey, don't be rude. [ She chides lightly. ] Look at him, he looks like he could use a cup of tea and a hug. [ Okay, that last part is said sort of jokingly, but she's also not joking about the tea and the hug. ]
You... don't wish to speak with him more? [ He must be important to him, if he's in his heart. And unlike the last man who shouted at them, she's fine with staying here so long as this one remains civil. ]
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Oh no! He thinks you’re teasing him, Pyra! He can’t stand being teased! He doesn’t approve of people like that.
[ He glances at Pyra; not noticing that Lan Wangji is looking at him just then. Then he turns back to Lan Wangji, who averts his gaze. ]
Pyra isn’t teasing you, though! She really will give you tea and a hug....
[ A beat ]
Heeeeey, why can’t I get tea and a hug?
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...Hm. It's like something is being left unsaid.
Well, she's curious now.
Ah! ]
Why not the both of you.
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[ She outstretches her hand towards Lan Zhan. ] Come. [ She beckons, smile welcoming and soft. ]
After all, it's probably been a while since the two of you have seen each other, [ She looks back down to Wei Wuxian. ] hasn't it, Wei Ying?
[ Her own heart that Chroma has shown others thus far hasn't shown any people... But she thinks, if it had... she would have liked to see them, after all these centuries. It's a strange feeling, to be glad that Wei Wuxian's heart allows him to see those important to him, but also jealous that Chroma has not afforded the same to her. Ah, well... she hopes that Wei Wuxian will take this opportunity to, well, heart. ]
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Tea and a hug! I'll hold you to it!
[ And then he turns with interest, to see how Lan Wangji will react. This, of course, isn't the real Lan Wangli, so his reaction is exactly what Wei Wuxian expects when Pyra approaches him with her soft smile and gentle words: his expression doesn't flicker, as he stands there upon that giant tortoise, as if he were a statue carved from white jade. But there is the slightest tell: a dusting of faintest rose upon his snow-white cheeks. ]
Hahaha! Pyra my dear, you must understand. The GusuLan sect forbids contact between female and male cultivators. Probably in his whole life he hasn't spoken to a girl—
Stop talking nonsense.
[ So funny! Wei Wuxian can't help giggling. The poor man can't deal with Pyra at all, he's so— ]
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You're right! It has been a while. Ah, let me see... when was it? I think it was... it was...
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[ He leaps back, because Lan Wangji is coming after him with his sword, its bright blue glare illuminating the dark world. The immovable, expressionless face of carved jade is alive now, his eyes red-rimmed with... fury, probably. Wei Wuxian dodges easily, putting himself in between the man and Pyra, backing up while trying to shield her. ]
See? I told you! Someone like him will never approve of someone like me!
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Pyra finds herself stumbling back, the attack from the man surprising enough to catch her off guard. She doesn’t recognize the energy that makes his sword glow, but she doesn’t need to in order to know that he’s experienced with a weapon.
All the same, it helps that Wei Wuxian is experienced with dodging. ] Wh—
[ And now he’s between Lan Zhan and Pyra, which immediately makes her worry. Wei Wuxian has no sword; he’s unarmed. What’s more is that Lan Zhan has clearly been swinging his blade at Wei Wuxian, not her, which negates the necessity to defend her from him. ] Why is he attacking?
[ Pyra looks between the two men. Although Wei Wuxian comes off as awfully casual in his comment— tone very much I told you so— it seems also self-deprecating. Like he would want exactly the opposite of what he’s just said, that he would want this man’s approval. And as for Lan Zhan.... to say that he looks upset is an understatement. But murderous? She cannot be sure, as his stoic expression makes it difficult for her to read. Regardless her stance remains defensive.
Seeing as Lan Zhan is a part of his heart, she says hurriedly: ] Is it possible— we should be careful not to hurt him! [ But restraining him, maybe? ]
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[ He bobs and weaves and ducks away from the sword, dancing along the narrow pathway. ]
Lan Zhan, Lan Zhan, you really are too much! There's a lady here, you don't know her, you don't want to hurt her! That wouldn't be righteous! Just let her pass, okay? Down the broad, shining path! You can do what you want with me, just let Pyra go! I know you hate me—
Wei Ying!
[ Lan Wangji's sword thrust brushes past him, nearly slicing his cheek open as he leans backwards, dodging....... and then that backwards dodge becomes a backflip into the water. The man is so furious, surely he'll chase him into the lake, which means Pyra will be free to walk the broad path and escape this place.
What is on the other end of that single-plank path, he doesn't want her to know. ]
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It's a purely instinctual reaction to leap at the one who is attacking someone she deeply cares about. Pyra takes this Lan Zhan figure by the back of his collar and throws him down to the wooden path, the wood splintering and cracking wickedly beneath the impact. The sword tosses up with the fall, and she catches and slams it right beside the man's ear, slicing off a lock of hair, and as her hand trails down the blade it leaves the metal buckling as it melts. To think that a moment ago she had offered this man tea and a hug--
And, actually, more than anything Pyra simply wants to understand what's going on. Because this man must be important to Wei Wuxian. They clearly have known each other since they were students-- and if anyone can put up with that bright-eyed and energetic youth she had seen in Wei Wuxian's mirror when they first met for an entire month, he must also mean something a lot more here!
--So she doesn't do more than that. She doesn't try to burn him, to turn him to ashes. She doesn't try to harm him any more than she has to with how she's over him, pinning him with her weight. She doesn't try to throw more punches. All she is doing is trying to disable him, to get him to stop--
She whips her head up as she struggles with Lan Zhan, looking towards the water. ] Wei Ying--! Wei Ying.... where--...?
[ Actually does he know how to swim.... ]
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...
aaaaaany moment now.
...
What's going on? He's curious, so he pops up again (he's quite certain Lan Wangji wouldn't be lying in wait for him to do just that, he's not that sort of person who'd use trickery or guile). ]
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I'm keeping this. Battle trophy. Hahahaha!
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I wish it had been you with me, that day.
[ The "Lan Zhan" under her struggles even more violently, at that. ]
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She looks up at him, breathless and in disbelief. One would think he'd be able to take at least this situation a little more seriously, having had a sword pointed at him, but no. ]
What... should we do with him? [ If anything at all. ] He's...-- he almost tried to kill you. What's going on?
[ That's not the reason.... that's what Lan Zhan had said. But what does it mean? Pyra looks from Wei Wuxian back to the man she has pinned beneath her. She really doesn't want to ask more, but she's really, really worried that Wei Wuxian might be injured (or killed?) by his own heart!
Also-- ] And... what day? What are you talking about? [ Focus, here! She's worried, she's really worried! She doesn't want to get off of Lan Zhan until she knows that he won't hurt Wei Wuxian!! ]
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[ He sighs. Then he squats down, near the two of them. ]
Lan Zhan, courtesy name Lan Wangji, title Hanguang-Jun, second young master of the Lan Sect. He's someone I met, when we were boys. I... I tried to be friends with him, I really did try. But we clashed. We'd run into each other occasionally, over the years. Every single time, we'd part on worse terms.
[ He pauses, gazing out into the dark horizon. Lan Wangji stops struggling, his face composing itself back into a look of utmost, expressionless restraint, with dull eyes, as if the light had gone out of them. ]
Sometimes people are just too different.
[ He glances at Pyra, standing up again. ]
That day...
[ The heart world shifts and rotates suddenly around the three of them. They're on a platform in the mountains, before a ruined castle. Thousands upon thousands of cultivators are massed there, surrounding them. They appear in black and white (Chroma having worn off a bit on Wei Wuxian's psyche). They all have their backs to them. To him. Two cultivators however show some color, and are facing them: a man in a topknot, clad in purple with a lotus flower design on the front. He is surrounded by a golden glow and glaring angrily. The other.... Pyra might recognize. She was the quest demon's bait. She is gazing at Wei Wuxian with tears running down her cheeks. ]
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