[[open post and announcement: no mourners, no funerals]]

[ravkanwitch]

[cw: discussion of death!]

Nina knows that word of Shen Yuan's death has been slowly spreading. She tried to put out a general warning of danger right after it happened... but she's not sure how many people were warned by it. She wasn't in the right mind at the time, after all. This time, she's more careful and collected. With SecUnit's help, she's alerted and gathered everyone who's interested for an important announcement in the lobby of the mansion. Despite all appearances of bossiness and stubbornness - all quite true - Nina has never been in charge of anything so serious. Kaz, Zoya, and the King himself; she followed their lead. As people slowly begin to gather and she attempts to compose herself, she wonders why she decided to put herself up to this.

Deep breath, Zenik. Pretend that - well, that this is pretend. She's back in the orphanage as the official greeter, making an important announcement to all the other children. She's the governor of a small town, making sure that all the citizens are aware and prepared. It does have to be her, after all. She's playing a crucial role in everything. She also doesn't want anyone else to carry the emotional load.

"Hi," she tells everyone gathered, trying to paste on a somber but not-too-morose expression. "Thanks for coming. I'm sure some of you have heard part of this announcement already and I'm sorry that it took so long to pass this information onto everyone else... but there was an incident not too long ago. We're not sure what caused it, whether it was the house or whether it was an individual, but... Shen Yuan is dead." There's most likely a reaction at this point and Nina forges onwards as confidently as she can, pitching her voice above the hubbub.

"But there is a way that he can return. We're sure of it. We're just trying to figure out the details, which might take a while. If you want to know more about that, you can ask Magnus, but I'm not sure how much he can tell you. Also, if you encounter any signs of Shen Yuan's spirit, you can talk to--" Here she meets Aleksander's eyes almost instinctively; this line of conversation is something she's purposefully kept from him. "You can talk to myself. Or... to Lan Wangji. ...That's all. Thank you."

A confident start but slightly deflated by her last few sentences, Nina steps back and allows for conversation to happen. If anyone would like to speak to her, she's looking much less strained and grim than she has in a while.

[[Feel free to post a single comment reaction and/or start a thread with Nina in the comments!]]

Comments

[vineleaves]

If Magnus looks closely he will see the little flower he gave Dionysus the other day, still intertwined with the rest of his usual vine leaves. Dionysus goes over and gives Magnus a hug as well. “Do you need anything, and is there anything I can help with?”

[summerdude]

"Nah, Uncle D, I'm good," Magnus says, exhaustion written all over his face.

[vineleaves]

"You've been eating? Drinking plenty of water? Resting?"

[summerdude]

"Yes, yes, and yes."

[vineleaves]

“You better be,” he tries to say it almost in the tone of a parent telling their kid to do a chore, joking in a way to bring some levity, but it comes out softer than he wanted. “Seriously kid, if you end up needing anything, or if I can help out with anything, let me know. Okay?”

[summerdude]

Magnus blinks, and then does something that probably surprises them both:

He hugs a god.

"Thanks, Uncle D," he mumbles.

[vineleaves]

Dionysus lets the hug last until Magnus decides to pull away.

"Any time, kid. Any time."

[summerdude]

Magnus isn't letting go! "You're alright," he mumbles.

[vineleaves]

In that case, he starts rubbing Magnus's back with one of his hands. "Thank you."

[summerdude]

"You know. For a god."

[vineleaves]

"Ah, yes, of course." He'll take it though.

[summerdude]

"And for, like, most people. I guess."

[vineleaves]

"Means a lot, kid. It really does."

[summerdude]

Magnus scuffs his toe along the ground.