( And what does he know, what has he learned? The burden of snow crushed beneath his knees, the ever-kneeling, the bend of his bowed back, the stupor of hard, steeled weight — of wonder. Of knowing his mother's doors will not creak open, of breathing the air of those who, were they a different sect given to perversions, might have danced on her grave. )
Against my elders, I do not presume reproaches.
( Once upon a time, his betters — now, seniority has substituted eroded virtue, and he does not ask if the well of his patience with his sect's veterans will one day dry and leave him stranded, adrift and unmoored, seeking sympathies. Prepared for abandon.
Now, filial, he turns a baleful, lead-heavy gaze and lands it on Anduin's strained face. )
You have the gift of men. ( Better, at least, than Lan Wangji. ) You may attend our visitors hereafter.
no subject
Against my elders, I do not presume reproaches.
( Once upon a time, his betters — now, seniority has substituted eroded virtue, and he does not ask if the well of his patience with his sect's veterans will one day dry and leave him stranded, adrift and unmoored, seeking sympathies. Prepared for abandon.
Now, filial, he turns a baleful, lead-heavy gaze and lands it on Anduin's strained face. )
You have the gift of men. ( Better, at least, than Lan Wangji. ) You may attend our visitors hereafter.
( Sir, you are welcome. )