Uncling in times of chaos

[beitangmoran]

WHO: Beitang Moran, Sansa Stark aka Alayne Stone, Wen Qing
WHEN: During the Huntress's jaunt through the city
WHERE: mosty in the nright borhoof where the Huntress is pasisng and the piazza where Moran's mom will be
WHAT: Moran would have been happy staying in the Attaryl tower to coordinate rescue effort, but 'someone' had to go and try to be a hero, so it's time for Uncle Moran and Aunt Wen Qing to do their duty and pick up the errant child.
WARNINGS: Monsters, I guess



[Moran, really thought he was done parenting teenagers, so obviously, this world would have to throw one his way and make him responsible for her well-being.

And even more obviously, the young lady would manage to slip out to 'help' with the current chaos of the city.

Moran knows enough to not underestimate teenagers, some of them have powers and others have a good head on their shoulders. But they are, also, functionally, children. And this one child was sort of entrusted to him, and he would not like it if something happened to her.

Which is why he ends up venturing outside, staying as far away as he can from any of the chaos, whether the frozen over district, the tottering dead or the Huntress and her retinue.

But he does summon his best 'Royal Uncle' voice to call out.]

Alayne! Come back this instant, young lady!

Comments

[notsansa]

[ Despite drawing concern from the adults she'd interacted with, Alayne has been careful to avoid the danger as much as she can, staying up on the rooftops with the exotic spyglass she'd been allowed to take. It was the most her courage would allow her to accomplish, knowing she didn't have any skills for battle like nearly everybody else did. She hadn't even been here long enough to have any tactical suggestions, but at least she was able to spot frightening monsters for her new friends. Even from a distance, she had felt her heart nearly stop a few times.

Shoulders stiffening at the sound of her name in a most dissatisfied voice, she turns with the binoculars still up in her surprise, to see an incredibly zoomed version of her assigned 'uncle'. With a gasp she drops them by her feet, then quickly leans over to snatch them up from the cold snow to be sure they hadn't broken. They seemed expensive...

She glances at the fire nearby that Zuko had made for her. It was starting to dwindle, but she couldn't stop just yet... What if an ally ran by down below, chased by a monster, and she wasn't there to tell them? Still, she's conditioned to listen to her elders (at least outwardly), so with a sigh she dumps snow over what was left of the tiny fire. There were others, far better equipped than her, helping those down below. ]

Yes! I'm coming!

[ Cheeks flushed, partially from embarrassment at being caught and partially from the cold, she was careful as she headed for the steps nearby. Even if she hadn't run into a monster just yet, the fall alone could kill her. She's startled to see him out here, honestly, and hopes it wasn't only to fetch her. ]

I was only trying to see if anyone was stranded. There could still be survivors...

[beitangmoran]

[Well, of course he came only to fetch her, because it was important. And while he's relieved at having her respond immediately and obediently coming, he doesn't look too impressed with her either.]

And what would you have done if that was the case? There are enough people here with enough capabilities to take care of this. What could you possibly hope to accomplish that they cannot?

[That, and he's had the Bessis on his case about letting the child out of his sight, and he's not liking that at all either.]

... Next time, leave a note. Today is not the day to go traipsing about town for lost children.

[notsansa]

[ To be so suddenly dressed down in such a way leaves her shocked speechless at first, fingers clenching underneath her cloak while she ducks her head submissively and moves to follow after him. She shouldn't act like a child and argue with him. She knows she helped some people, no matter what he believes. She had even surprised herself with her bravery, but of course she didn't expect to be commended for it. She never was.

Still, there's a mutter under her breath: ]

And what if it were me who had been lost?

[beitangmoran]

[Having raised two teenage boys, Moran's ears are very attuned to grumblings under one's breath, and he gives a sharp look to the side.]

And who do you think I was speaking of, young miss? You were not where you were supposed to be, and no one knew where you were. That makes you lost and, last I checked, a child. Now bundle up, it is cold, and let us go back.

[But of course, once they move to one of the piazzas on the way to the palace, things turn out not to be so simple.

The woman enthroned in front of the fountain is wearing so much gold and bright colored silk brocade she is almost blinding against the white marble background. Enthralled soldiers seem to be dragging a poor soul towards her and she looks down her nose at him, before pronouncing a pithy sentence.]

'Off with his head.'

[Moran... stops dead. Then sighs, and pinches the bridge of his nose. Given what has been happening, he has to assume this is an illusion of sorts, but one that can do real damage. Just great.

He strides forward whie murmuring to Alayne.]

Stay close to me.

[Once facing the regal-looking woman, he cups his hands and bows his head.]

Mǔhòu.

[She looks absolutely delighted to see hhim.]

Moran! .... And who is that?

[She sounds... less enthused by his company.]

[notsansa]

[ She had not been lost, nor in danger, at least she had thought. Those brash feelings are soon stifled by the increased chill in the air and a grand scene of horror greets them in the piazza. The fashion is foreign to her, but grand enough that anyone would understand it's someone noble, perhaps even royal. And that someone seems to be working with the undead

Before she can gain control of her senses, a low whisper of a whine escapes with her next breath, and both hands grab for Moran's cloak in a vice grip, trying to shift completely behind him and become invisible. She has no words. Sansa's fears have bubbled up to flood Alayne's mind, drowning any proper response she might have had.

Off with his head. It echoes inside of her in several voices.

What is this?! A monster? A spirit? Just an evil woman who knows magic? All equally terrifying. She wants to turn and run away, pointedly tugging on Moran as she tries to step backwards. Why is he moving forward? ... Why is he bowing?!

Suddenly she's exposed, and without even thinking she follows his cue and drops into a curtsy so low that she'll have trouble standing back up gracefully, especially in such frigid snow and ice. ]

[beitangmoran]

[There has been talk of monsters appearing, some of them bearing familiar faces.

It takes Moran less than a second to decide this is one of them. Not because he could not believe his mother would be here - this world is strange enough for that, and he pities any undead warlord who would think it a good idea to summon her, to be quite honest. But mostly, his mother doe snot, in fact, have the power to command men that are not hers, or to enthrall them to do their will, and the vacant eyes of the soldiers speak enough of an enchantment he knows her incapable of producing.

Hence, a monster, bearing her face. Logical conclusion. Maybe it can be reasoned to in the same way as her, which is not at all unless you give her the runaround, which he knows how to do. As for elimination... Whatever this thing is, it feels like flesh and blood, and he has a sharp pin in his hair. It should not be too difficult unless the thing has powers he cannot see at the moment.]

No one you need to concern yourself with, Mother. A charge of mine. She won't trouble you.

[The Dowager Empress of Huangdao still looks unimpresse,d and she gives a gasp when Alayne's cowl slips to reveal her hair.]

What is this! A witch? Abother one to tempt you and lead you astray? Moran, have you learned nothing?

Mother, she is but a child, put in my care for now. She is no threat to anyone.

That's what you said about the other one! You! Bring her to me!

[One of the enthralled soldiers starts to toddle towards Alayne... and quickly finds Moran in his way.]

I would rather not have to do this, but...

[A sharp blow to the side of the head and the man crumbles to the ground, knocked out. At least he won't have to kill them.]

[notsansa]

[ Other one? ...Mother?! The pit in Alayne's stomach grows everywhere with every uneasy revelation, but it's not the time to ask questions when suffering accusations of a clearly unhinged woman. To be called a witch might normally upset her, but she's just hoping it doesn't get her killed as she tries to tug her hood back over her head, knowing that the red is beginning to peek through the dark brown of her hair dye. It's been too long, and it always draws the wrong attention.

Her gasp comes out as a half-scream when she catches movement behind her, her foothold slipping when she tries to stumble away from the attempt to grab for her. Moran's movements are so quick that she barely sees him move from one side of her to the other, and she jerks to remain behind him. While it's comforting to see how swift he is in protecting her, the comfort is small, for they are surely outnumbered.

Desperate, her wide eyes land again on the intimidating woman he calls mother, and Alayne drops to her knees and bows her head, her hood hiding her face. She doesn't want to die, and she doesn't want Moran to die in what would surely be a fruitless defense before long.

Alayne only has one defense, and she is far too accustomed to drawing upon it. How many times has this happened now, in some form or another? They have all been monsters, too...in some form or another. ]

I am no one! Nothing. I am worthless; lowborn. A lady as grand as you honors me by paying any notice, but I do not deserve such attentions. Surely my blood would only dirty the ground you walk upon.

[beitangmoran]

[Moran watches Alayne prostrate herself and... well, to be honest, it probably would annoy his actual mother, as a matter of fact, but it's certain not to have an effect on this one, given that she is not the real one.

He bends slightly to pull Alayne back up and push her behind himself once more.]

Enough with the theatrics. Stay behind me.

[At least this way he can shield her. The soldiers aren't much to write home about, even if there's a few of them. He's enough of a trained fighter to deal with them, even if he doesn't look the part, and especially since they are enthralled and mostly stumbling.

For now, he turns back to the enthroned woman, head cocked to the side.]

Mǔhòu, you should not be here. I think it's time for you to go back.

'Moran... Once again you have to go against me?'

You're being unreasonable again, Mǔhòu. Please, don't make this more difficult.

[The Empress Dowager is almost suffocating with fury, and she points an accusatory finger towards him.]

Detain him!

[This time, soldiers toddle on from both sides, but they're so slow it takes no time at all for Moran to hit one unconscious, and then whirl around to catch the second one and throw him backwards.]

I suppose there's no easy way to do this.

Alayne, I am going to need you to let go of my robes for just a moment. Don't worry, it won't be long.

[notsansa]

[ Catering to the ego of nobles and royals is such a tried and true method that Alayne is shocked it doesn't seem to matter here, trying not to stumble when she's pulled away by Moran. Although there's a small knife hidden on her person, she still feels reluctant to retrieve it in fear it will only enrage the frightening woman further, and knows in her heart it would likely do little against these men...if they can even still be called that.

Staying behind him is easier said than done. She's no stranger at all to moving in the snow, but she still isn't the most dexterous of her Northern family, and clutches at her skirts with her free hand to keep her footing while also ready to move should he turn. And turn he does, with Alayne darting to again stick to his back, lest he knock her out instead. He may be in complete control, but in the chaos she has no real way to know. For a few moments she feels as afraid of Moran as she does the soldiers, heart clenching tight whenever she holds her breath and hopes she gets the chance to take another one.

Afraid of getting in his way during such close combat, she needs little urging to release his robes, backing up towards the only opening she can spot but careful not to stray too far. She would wonder at his battle prowess if fear wasn't rattling her bones, and out of instinct she finds herself ducking should any weapons get flung, though not so low that she can't immediately straighten and run should the need arise. ]

[beitangmoran]

[Well, she is about to be more afraid, at least for a little while.

Because Moran's reasoning is that since the monster bearing his mother's appearance is controlling the soldiers, then taking care of the monster should undo the thrall on them. And even if it doesn't, they are a lesser threat that can be taken care of, but that.... thing needs to be gone so that it won't be able to bring more men to do its bidding.

Moran didn't think to take a sword before he left the palace, because he wasn't planning on fighting. He has his fan, but it's not one of Xunxian's reinforced war fans and he doesn't want blood on it.

He does, however, have a quite sharp silver hairpin.

He strides forward, towards the spluttering image of his mother. It should be difficult. It is not. She is already dead, where he is from, and in fact she probably died much earlier than anyone knew given what happened there. He wasn't the one who killed her then, but it doesn't matter, because for Huangdao, he wouldn't have done it with no hesitation.

So once again, there is no hesitation in his movements when he bows, one last time, and then swiftly removes the hairpin from his topknot and plunges it deep into the creature's neck.

It tries to shriek, but it can't, it's airwards flooded with blood through the puncture wound. It tries to get up, and stumbles and he catches it as it falls, cradling the familiar form almost tenderly. It barely takes a minute before it stops moving. He aimed right and punctured through the artery.

Once it is done, he lies the creature down on the steps of the fountain where she was sitting earlier. And as predicted, the soldiers seem to be shaking the enchantment, but they are dazed and weak.

Moran wipes the hairpin free of blood on the creature's clothing, and then puts it back in place.

And then turns around, face mostly composed. He's tired, really. On a normal day, any interaction with his mother would be tiring, but this is just ...]

Let's go back to the palace before we stumble on any more of these.

[notsansa]

[ Alayne is slack-jawed by the time Moran is through, one hand hovering over her mouth as if she might be sick. It is not her first time witnessing a murder, but for one to so casually end the life of their supposed mother leaves her in quite a momentary daze. When he speaks, she needs to blink herself back into the reality. The chill is beginning to seep into her bones now that she no longer has the fire at her side, and this cold is deeper and more dangerous than anything she has experienced before. Any longer and the two of them might freeze to death, so she lifts her skirts to rush to his side in compliance.

Any moment and the stunned soldiers may again come after them, and if so she doesn't want to be too far away from her 'uncle'. She's still shocked that he killed his own mother, but likewise surprised that a creature of magic was so easily undone. Is it a magic hairpin, she wonders, like the hairnet of poisoned black amethysts she wore to Joff's wedding?

She doesn't know if she is shaking from fear or from the unforgiving cold, but she shakes nonetheless while tentatively moving to follow after him while cautiously speaking up. He is dangerous, but he is on her side for now. ]

Are you...all right?

[ Did that not also wound his heart in some way? Even if it looks like she was cruel, did it not still...hurt? ]

[beitangmoran]

[he spares her a side glance, and a smile that once again makes his features settle, looking beautiful and regal. It's mostly a mask right now, because he doesn't want her to bolt and he's learned over the years not to show too much in public, but the truth is... It wasn't really all that hard to do.

But of course, she is a child, and she had a rather big fright, and she lacks any of the backstory that would explain his actions in a sensible way.

But she is brave too, and caring. He can admire that.]

This was not my mother. Just a monster who borrowed her face and mannerisms. I'm fine.

[He does notice the shaking, though.]

Are you scared?