wizardmanor | Floor 1 Room 4

[ He'll simply just nod. ]

I'll consider it quite fortunate that you're still alive, and are not suffering any further repercussions; or ones we couldn't foresee.

[ Not only wounds, is the implication. Sometimes being near such kinds of spirits, even when they're possessing others can cause spillage of adverse effects. You know, other than the stabbing, wind magic, and shooting kind. ]

I haven't noticed any other effects, but I guess it's possible I missed something since I've been recovering since.

[And goodness knows the central wizards missed a pretty big Something while they were busy recovering.]

[ Yeah...one certainly can never be too careful, especially because of that now. ]

It's not entirely impossible. But, as long as you hadn't felt the effects Kiryu or Kurapika had spoken of experiencing, it is highly likely there won't be something off.

Though, it won't be wrong to be vigilant still, just in case.

No, nothing like that. Everything's been in line with recovery from blood loss.

[Ask him how he knows! ...Or don't.

But something does sluggishly occur to him, so don't mind the part where he not-so-gracefully changes the subject:]

...Ah, wait. You're a Western wizard, right?

Edited 2024-05-06 14:57 (UTC)

It seems you've had the chance to speak with them, then.

[ Not necessarily, but he is throwing that out there, due to a small thread of curiosity.

As for the graceless subject changing...well, there are certainly worse ways to go about it. Jing Yuan accepts it just fine. ]

I am. Why are you asking?

Got some info for you.

[Jerking his head back towards the rest of his room and moving aside so Jing Yuan can actually enter.]

[ Jing Yuan nods before he steps into the room proper, and looks to see if there are chairs to seat himself down temporarily. ]

What is it?

[There's a nice leather couch! Or the desk chair. Either or.

Ahito's taking a seat on one side of the couch, himself - and a bit heavily at that. Boy's fuckin tired.]

I talked to a Western representative at the ball who was pretty antsy. It sounds like he was mixed up in some pretty suspicious stuff.

Seeing as people keep disappearing to do work in their respective countries, I figured you guys could use a heads up, just in case they're related.

[ Jing Yuan will take to the desk chair, then! ]

Disappearances?

[ His expression turns grave when he hears this. This isn't exactly a sign of anything good for obvious reasons, even without knowing their fates. ]

Did he give any more details on his role in this, anything else related to them, or any other information in general?

No, no, you misunderstand. Wizards are doing tasks relating to their countries - I don't know for sure if this rep's work is going to cause you guys to have to fix some stuff, but it's possible based on how much of a disaster it sounded like.

[ Oh, yeah it seems he did.

But, anyway...he takes pause to digest what's being conveyed to him. But first, he thinks he might a little more information. ]

Can you tell me the details of this disaster?

He avoided going into any detail, but...

[Ahito will summarize this because I'm mobile and lazy. Key points: Western Magitek Army ran an expedition for research that the original Wizards got involved in, leading to an explosion that left everyone dead except for this guy who ended up with an injured arm. Apparently hidden labs were involved. The rep was frantically adamant about repeating that it wasn't his fault, it was the Wizards because Wizards are scary and bad.]

[ ...Oh really. ]

Did he now?

[ Sincerely, what is up with this guy, pinning the blame solely on the Wizards? That does seem rather suspicious.

To say nothing of the hidden labs themselves. ]

He seemed quick to constantly pin the blame on the wizards. Out of desperation? Or something else, I wonder. That kind of attitude against wizards likely didn't just appear out of nowhere.

Seemed like a guilty conscience to me. Not that I could say that to his face, of course.

[He worked SO hard to be polite about it.]

[ A vague look of amusement at that. ]

No, he likely would have clammed up, given his attitude.

Also, I appreciate you having told me this. It's not something that should slip through the cracks.

Though, have you informed the Sage and his assistant about it?

No. You can tell whoever you want, though. I'm not stopping you.

[He got and relayed the info, that's his part in all this done.]

[ Jing Yuan supposes he can go ahead and tell Tatara at some point, then. ]

Very well.

[ ... ]

There was something else I wanted to ask. How are you coping with the fact you were held hostage and nearly killed?

Pretty well, all considered. Bruno learned healing magic fast - though I can't say I envy him for it.

[Perfectly calm.]

[ Jing Yuan doesn't know Ahito all that well. In fact, he hardly knows anybody all that much, for that matter.

And he doesn't know if anyone would think to ask him, whether or not it's appreciated. So, assessing the response, it sounds level-headed. ]

You do seem rather put together, and not just because of Bruno's healing magic.

Most people wouldn't exactly handle an event like that very well. Are you accustomed to going through dangerous situations?

Edited 2024-05-06 23:53 (UTC)

My life isn't that exciting, no. But... I guess you could say I'm just not very scared of death anymore.

[ ... ]

...Given your response thus far, I won't disbelieve it.

Even rarer still is it for many to hardly fear death, however.

It's something I've learned to live with.

Any other questions?

Yes, I do have more.

[ Jing Yuan doesn't typically poke at things that get far too personal, but he is curious here. The problem is that Ahito is still very much recovering and tired.

He doesn't quite feel it is honorable to question someone so thoroughly on their personal life just a day after their brush with death. He will even rise to his feet, to clarify. ]

I'll save most of them for later.

So, if you could tell me what lead up to you being restrained by the ghost possessing Akira, that will be enough.

Edited 2024-05-07 22:35 (UTC)

[Yep, he is beaten down and exhausted and definitely should not be subjected to the horrors of Talking Feelings.]

Not much. I was on my way back to my room when he got the drop on me.

[ That can definitely wait for later. ]

Alright.

Rest well and take care, Ahito.

[ With that, Jing Yuan will leave the room, and close the door behind him. ]

(no subject)

dyingtohealyou - 2024-05-08 20:48 (UTC) - Expand