[pfsb]

[acrookedpath]

The latest idea that struck Wei Wuxian mid-lunch: if he combined one of the theoretical energy talismans with a paper doll, would that allow him to search the grounds for resentful energy without having to blanket the whole inn with talismans?

It seems like a sound idea! It won't replace the planned night hunt with Lan Zhan -- nor would he want it to -- but if he succeeds, it will be a fun experiment.

First, though: combining a paper doll with a simpler talisman. Which brings us to Wei Wuxian at a table underneath the Observation Window, not an inch left uncovered by his notes, scribbling onto a tiny cutout with a ballpoint pen Bar gave him. (What an invention!) He completes the last character with a flourish and waves his hand over the doll; it springs to its "feet," and, grinning, he directs it toward the empty cup perched precariously on a corner of the table.

Comments

[acrookedpath]

He almost loses his grip on the talisman altogether.

The thanergy shoots through him like ice water. Gasping from the shock, he clutches his hands tight in his lap as a shiver runs down his back. Resentful energy feels cold, but it has a solidity to it, the shape of an enraged spirit at its core. This is... nothing. It is an absence, a void, and yet he can still grab hold and channel it forward to the talisman. He feels ill. It feels wrong.

But it is a tool freely offered, and Wei Wuxian will not turn it down.

He swallows hard. Wisps of black smoke swirl upward from his hands, pallid and sickly. In Canaan House, the doll tiptoes forward, slipping behind the girl at the door, and continues on to turn left at the corridor's end.

[we_bring_hell]

"And another turn here, and that should be our wing. I don't believe your talisman will trigger my wards." Something to worry about another day.

Sitting in front of the door cross-legged is another young woman, this one olive-skinned with short dark hair. She wears casual leather armor and blades strapped across her hips. There is a metal shackle in her lap, and she is looking up the hallway with keen dark eyes.

[acrookedpath]

"There is another woman."

Wei Wuxian lets the doll drift flat against the ground, the better to escape her searching gaze. The smoke curls further up his arms; his hands are trembling minutely.

(She is pouring energy into him. He wonders: how easy would it be to reach backward through the link she has forged and tug at the resentful energy of her heart, something warmer, something that is not so empty? As soon as he thinks it he shies away from the thought, horrified.

He will not let himself become so desperate. Ever.)

"That is not your room, is it? I don't know if I can..."

[we_bring_hell]

She frowns. "Yes, it is. What does she look like?"

[acrookedpath]

"Short hair. Her skin is dark. Leather armor."

He breathes: in. Out.

"Is it your cavalier?"

[we_bring_hell]

"No, it's Camilla Hect," she says grimly.

"Can you go a little longer?"

[acrookedpath]

"I don't know," he answers honestly. "I..."

The smoke climbs up to his elbows. Higher.

"I can get inside. That is easy. But if she is guarding your door, I do not know if I can get out with the box."

[we_bring_hell]

"Yes, that is out of reach now," she agrees. "I just wonder what is happening in the quarters of the Sixth right now."

"But if you are unwell we must not go on."

[acrookedpath]

He nods, short and sharp.

It would be safest to bring the entire doll back to the inn, rather than deactivate the talisman from such a distance and risk losing his sight or hearing for good. Swiftly, the doll retraces its steps, guided half by sight and half by Wei Wuxian pulling hard on his link to the talisman. It feels like an eternity with the Ninth's cold thanergy coursing through him.

But finally, the doll slips between the crack in the front door.

As it collapses, the talisman spent, so does Wei Wuxian, bracing himself on the table as he opens his eyes. The smoke unwinds from his arms and slips away.

[we_bring_hell]

She stops channeling the false life energy into him as soon as he stops. "Are you all right? You did't have the usual signs of necromantic exertion, but there was black smoke. I am not sure how your construct operates."

[acrookedpath]

He presses a shaking hand to his forehead, wiping the sweat away. "That's normal," he manages.

Nothing about her thanergy felt normal. But if she is worried about how resentful -- and now thanergetic, apparently -- energy looks as he gathers it to himself, Wei Wuxian can reassure her of that much, at least.

"I apologize, Ninth. That I could not go further."

[we_bring_hell]

"Hm," she says. "I usually just have blood sweats and nosebleeds."

"You need not apologize. It was experimental from the beginning. I will just have to find out what the Sixth wants when I return."

[acrookedpath]

He croaks a weak laugh. "Smoke causes far less mess, at least."

Carefully, he straightens up. He looks much too pale, and he's shivering, slightly, as if he caught a chill. But -- as he has always done -- Wei Wuxian smiles.

"And I hope the Sixth does not cause you trouble. I should -- rest. I think."

[we_bring_hell]

"True," she says mildly. "By all means. Thank you for making the attempt."

[acrookedpath]

He inclines his head in a bow, and begins to gather his papers.

"Until we meet again, Ninth."

He's going to haul his notes upstairs, ask a waitrat if they might bring some soup and tea to his door, and huddle under a warm blanket for a few hours. Hopefully that will be enough to shake the sudden cold.

[we_bring_hell]

She frowns after him thoughtfully, but doesn't have a plan of action to help.

Neither does she have one for Camilla the Sixth. Hmm.