周子舒｜周絮 （Zhou Zishu | Zhou Xu） (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
lonelydream) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
eastbound2024-01-03 10:12 am
lonelydream) wrote in eastbound2024-01-03 10:12 am
un: seasonailed | audio
How long has it been since we've been allowed to see the night sky? Has anyone managed to pry their windows open? Where I'm from, peaceful nights are often spent drinking beneath the moonlight.
[ There's the sound of clinking ceramic--clearly, he isn't letting anything stop him from drinking, at least.
It's frustrating that he hasn't been able to explore to his heart's content, that he's cut off from investigating the mysteries of this place. How much longer does he have, here in this place of relative peace? What sort of place will they go to next? Is it worth the risk to wait? (No. He knows it's not.)
A brief pause, and then he continues, though his breathing sounds...not ideal. ]
My apologies for the late introduction. My name is Zhou Xu; I arrived not long before we left the last city.
It's been brought to my attention that we have a number of healers among us. I seek, at your convenience, Wen Qing, Anduin, Nynaeve, and Hermione. Any others with an understanding of medicine, healing, or magic would be appreciated as well.
[ Far more open and blatant than he'd ever been before, but he's running out of time. He simply can't afford to be discrete any longer. Just before he ends the transmission, something occurs to him: ]
--Ah. I've heard that I've been here before. If you once knew me, I'd also like to meet. Thank you.
[ There's the sound of clinking ceramic--clearly, he isn't letting anything stop him from drinking, at least.
It's frustrating that he hasn't been able to explore to his heart's content, that he's cut off from investigating the mysteries of this place. How much longer does he have, here in this place of relative peace? What sort of place will they go to next? Is it worth the risk to wait? (No. He knows it's not.)
A brief pause, and then he continues, though his breathing sounds...not ideal. ]
My apologies for the late introduction. My name is Zhou Xu; I arrived not long before we left the last city.
It's been brought to my attention that we have a number of healers among us. I seek, at your convenience, Wen Qing, Anduin, Nynaeve, and Hermione. Any others with an understanding of medicine, healing, or magic would be appreciated as well.
[ Far more open and blatant than he'd ever been before, but he's running out of time. He simply can't afford to be discrete any longer. Just before he ends the transmission, something occurs to him: ]
--Ah. I've heard that I've been here before. If you once knew me, I'd also like to meet. Thank you.
no subject
[ It's warm, soothing and relaxing muscles he'd unconsciously been holding tense. His qi moves as its urged to, sluggish, but it isn't long before Zishu's brow furrows, his lips parting as he lets out a slow, carefully measured exhale. It's not pain, but it's an odd, sore ache. ]
no subject
That's it. Just breathe deeply, and try to relax if you can.
[ Again his eyelids lower, focus returning to where he can feel the flow of energy in his body. Where it should be. Again, that warmth blossoms through him, under his skin, trying to follow that course and bring his qi along with it.
It may not be a permanent solution, but it may offer relief. Buy time. ]
no subject
[ He does as he's told, inhaling--holding it--and then exhaling in a slow, meditative pattern. He won't fully fall into meditation like this, but it does help ease the strange, unusual sensation. It'll feel better for all this, he knows, but it's still frustratingly difficult to remember that when his body doesn't seem to want to do anything he wants it to do. ]
no subject
That is...worrying. To say the least.
At last his eyes open, expression pinched in concern. ]
I hope that's of some relief, though I think we'd need to work more extensively for a permanent solution. How did this come about, if I might ask?
no subject
[ He slumps as soon as the connection is withdrawn, panting as he presses a hand to his chest. Zishu's covered in a thin layer of sweat, but he doesn't hurt, and he's almost forgotten how that feels. ]
Ah... The organization I once led had very strict rules about how one might leave its service. I couldn't very well enforce it on my subordinates and not myself when I chose to retire.
no subject
[ Self-inflicted, and eventually fatal? He can't quite stop the flicker of horror that crosses his face at that, scarcely able to fathom what might bear the need for such a horrific price to be paid. ]
no subject
Of a sort. It was meant to be a punishment and a deterrent. For myself, I consider it more... [ He pauses briefly, searching for the right word. ] Repentance.
no subject
[ He doesn't know the context, of course, but that seems...extreme, to say the least. Even as someone who understands all too well the burdens of duty. ]
I'm sorry, it's not my place to remark on it. I'm sure you had your reasons. But this is something you'd still like to be treated, yes?
no subject
How could I demand my subordinates follow such strict and cruel rules--and not follow through with it myself? But, yes. I've found a reason to live.
[ He didn't have one, before. ]
no subject
[ A death sentence, carried out through slow agony like this? It just seems pointlessly cruel. But perhaps that's a discussion for another day.
He straightens where he sits, gaze shifting intently over the other man. ]
Have you tried any other treatments, before now?
no subject
It's designed to be incurable. [ He smiles, small and mirthless. ] There might have been a way, once. I had hope for it, at least. But due to extenuating circumstances, I had to take certain measures which sped up timeline. Significantly.
Which is to say, not exactly. Because I know it's incurable without the use of things beyond what my home world is capable of.
no subject
[ Well. Better not to get hopes too high. ]
If not curing it, then at least relieving the symptoms. Making things more comfortable.
no subject
[ A brief pause, and then he sighs. It isn't as though holding back will do him any good. Especially not here. ]
I drove nails through my meridians at the seven critical points. And then I expelled them all by force.
no subject
[ This time, he manages to mask his horror at the brutality of the measures taken. The healer cannot afford time for shock, only the pragmatic view of what can and should be done, now that they are here.
Perhaps later, if he wishes to talk of it more, they can. Anduin would certainly not turn him away. ]
no subject
Do you wish to see? [ He gestures at his chest, a quick, controlled movement of his hand. ] It may be clearer than trying to describe a system you are unfamiliar familiar with.
no subject
If you are comfortable doing so, then yes. I think that might be helpful.
no subject
[ He isn't exactly comfortable with it, but he doesn't mind too much. As long as Wen Kexing doesn't come back at the wrong time and get the entirely wrong impression, at least. Zishu shrugs his layers off his shoulders one at a time without undoing the belt wrapped tightly around his waist. Eventually, he's down to his last inner robe, which he undoes the ties of, and slides them down as well to bare his chest and the seven holes that are poorly scabbing and growing over in it (plus one at the base of his sternum). There are also two large, jagged scars on his shoulders--the result of having been speared through with two meathooks--as well as a number of other scars, but those are thinner and cleaner, from blades. ]