( They are one. And he questions, intrinsically, how they can be united in perfect harmony, when the signal is — made due with what we were given — that one half imposed upon the other. And could it be the man who stole the... entity's autonomy? Perhaps Lan Wangji presumes, and it was Benedict who inflicted himself, with the survival-driven selfishness of all men, upon his... companion.

Conflict sparks and storms his gaze, before he considers, wisely, the merits of turning away. The walls. Yes. Look there, where water has embedded deeply, to the wood's marrow. Find your truths in cracks and splinters. )

A felicitous union. ( Truly, it takes skill to be as awkward as Lan Wangji. Moving on. ) The vessel is too vast. Either dozens of passengers or cargo.

( He can nearly hear his voice, muttering back in echo. )