[pfsb]

[acrookedpath]

Lan Zhan, he writes, I'm swimming in the lake! I love you -- Wei Ying. After a moment's thought, Wei Wuxian adds a smiley face to the bottom like Madam Bar so often does with her napkin notes.

It's unseasonably warm today, more early summer than late fall. The trees have dropped enough of their leaves that Wei Wuxian knows such days will depart for good soon enough. And frankly, if he stares at his latest iteration of the energy-revealing array much longer, his eyes will cross and stick that way. He needs to clear his head.

After leaving one copy of the note in their room and another with Madam Bar, he requests some swimming attire; she provides a black short-sleeved shirt much like the one he wore to London Above, the fabric smooth as silk but much stretchier, and loose red trousers that end just above his knees. A little revealing for a lake shared by many, perhaps, but they'll do.

He changes in the public washroom and walks to the shoreline. Stepping onto one of the larger rocks, he eyes the water with a smile.

Then he backs up, sprints forward to spring off the rock, and cannonballs into the lake with a loud whoop.

Comments

[acrookedpath]

He exhales a small breath of laughter. "I would toast to that, if I had wine," he says. "Those who make the world less dire."

The cultivators like Lan Zhan. The ones who are not so convinced of their own righteousness that they forget what is truly right.

[jaskoleczka]

"I ought to have thought ahead and brought some out," she grins. "To laze about in the sun with good wine and good company and to drink to those who leave things better off than when they found them; what could be better?"

She'd include Geralt in that toast, though it's unlikely he'd agree.

[acrookedpath]

"We will have to save it for another time." He aims a smile her way. "Perhaps indoors around a fire, if winter is on its way, but I would still be glad to raise a glass with you."

[jaskoleczka]

"I'll look forward to it," she says, and huffs a small groan as she levers herself up off the rock. Her wound is healing nicely, but it'll take a while for her bruised ribs to feel less tender.

"For now, I'll leave you to the water...and the squid's care. It was very pleasant to meet you, Wei Wuxian."

[acrookedpath]

"And you, Ciri," he says, dipping his head in a small bow. "Ah, here, before you go -- "

He holds out the folded parchment containing the prophecy.

"Lan Zhan can give me another copy if I need it, I'm sure," he says with a wry smile.

[jaskoleczka]

She accepts the parchment with wryness matching his own, and nods as she tucks it away again into her wallet. "I'm sure," she agrees. "With any luck, it won't be needed."

She hoists Zireael into position on her back and buckles it across her chest, then lifts her hand in friendly salute. "Until another time. Go well, Wei Wuxian."