[[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!]]

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[wickedwit]

It takes Claudius by surprise, but chaste affection is still new ground for him, like the testing touches of his first flirtations. Wryly, he feels like he cheated, relying on those touches and his assignations for all his oxytocin. Magnus is a comforting weight against his side.

The tone with which he said Galahad’s not going to like it still sticks with Claudius. “He will be glad to see thee,” Claudius says. “As will I, of course. And glad to see thy young mistress.”

[summerdude]

Magnus blinks. That's not -- what? Ugh, but Claudius has always been super perceptive. "I'm excited to see you and Alex go at it," he say, peaceably. "You two are gonna talk circles around me and Galahad." A content little sigh that shifts into something slightly apprehensive: "I usually see Luo Binghe in the mornings. I'll ask him first thing about getting you in to see the, um, thing. Plant-body thing."

[wickedwit]

“I’d appreciate it,” Claudius says smoothly. In the interest of openness, he says, “I was the first here, know’st thou, and I spent many sleepless nights wondering when this place would turn into a society, and what sort of society it would be. Being tortured early on with demon magic certainly did little for my sense of safety. It made me aware of the terrible potential the people have here to hurt each other, and how delicate a peace can be. How vulnerable some of us are, with no power to protect ourselves, no authority to promise protection. But this … this is a way we can help each other. Save each other. That changes the society we can become, the protections we can promise. When Shen Yuan died, I lost all hope, but this has restored it.”

[summerdude]

Magnus slings an arm around Claudius's shoulders in addition to just leaning on him. "It's already better than back home," he says, quietly. "For me, at least. Even with... even with all of this. I think we're doing okay?"

[wickedwit]

It's strange -- Claudius keeps thinking of this as the mansion's first death, even though it isn't. Crowley died long ago, and they were so small and so scattered that no one noticed. He was almost dragged back to Hell once, and Galahad killed the demon dragging him. And Claudius himself believed he was dying one long, painful day here, that first time anyone had ever used magic to harm him. It's still terrifying to think such things could happen at any time. At least when Claudius's brother was out of the room, he was gone. But then someone showed he could threaten Claudius with his own blood, from far away, and there was so much more to fear. Whoever attacked Magnus didn't even have to be present.

No, Claudius has always seen the mansion's peace as something fragile. In that sense, many things were the exact same as back home. But something is changing. This time someone died, and everyone noticed. There was no way they couldn't. Too many connections ran throughout the place.

Not long ago, at the Bacchanalia, Claudius told someone that the mansion had few common trials, few concerns that affected everyone alike. Even during Dark, there were several people present who didn't need to eat. If there was something they all cared about, it could unite them. Is thatwhy the mansion spirits allowed this to happen? Claudius has asked himself why he was spared so many times, when he deliberately courted death, yet Shen Yuan wasn't.

Who was he speaking to? He can't remember -- there's only the glimmering haze of wine, and a black, yawning void beneath it. A void in a gold dress.

Claudius shakes his head. Despite it all (but what is it all, what is he missing) he's hopeful. "I suppose we are," he says.

[summerdude]

"We have a nice little community here, even if there are, like. Some people who suck."

[wickedwit]

"Mn. I've decided to lighten up on Lancelot," Claudius says, with only a touch of shame for their lost alliance. "He at least apologized and made amends with Galahad, unlike a certain someone who swore he would never apologize or make amends with me. Good luck with him tomorrow."

[summerdude]

Magnus snorts, then says, "Lancelot is all right, I guess." Especially for a guy who's been secretly training Magnus four or five days a week. Magnus is actually starting to get the theory behind swordplay? It's not just about stabbing a giant in the nose and/or toes and trying not to die? "Dude, did I tell you he did the homework I gave him?"

[wickedwit]

"Homework is not a word I understand," Claudius says with a smile, feeling like he's on familiar ground now that Magnus is in a rush to tell him things and using unfamiliar words. "Needless to say, he didn't tell me about it. What is it?"

[summerdude]

"It's, like, you go to school, and you do work there, and then you go home and your teachers assign you more work to take with you. Homework. It's, like... extended lessons. Anyway, I was like, 'yikes, this guy is sexist and making his trauma other people's problems,' so I told him some books to read. And he actually read them?"

[wickedwit]

"That was a promising first step," Claudius observes. "I believe I assigned myself my own homework, because I picked up one of those trauma workbooks after we discussed the concept." It turns out even a single day of torture can be traumatizing. And the list of things that might have traumatized him felt far too long, but the symptoms fit, the numbers added up, and Claudius is foremost a scientist. So he accepted that his trauma could, possibility, be worth addressing in the space of a few written questions and long meditations with Lan Wangji. "I won't debate whether or not that puts me ahead of him. That's part of the magnanimity I'm showing Lancelot." And yes, this is an old, tired tactic to express a petty thought while saying he would never, but they're old enough habits to die hard. "Was he able to grasp the point of those books?"

[summerdude]

Magnus's arm is still around Claudius's shoulders; he squeezes lightly (well. It might feel firm to a regular human guy) when Claudius mentions he picked up some books, too "He definitely actually thought long and hard about the sexism books. And kind of made some good points? I was shocked, actually. And I think he was confused by the trauma books until I explained why I told him to read them. I don't know if he's gone back to them." Then Magnus snorts. "He agreed he has cop energy, too."

[wickedwit]

"No one should want to have cop energy," Claudius says with confidence. Some knights do, he supposes. On reflection, he wonders whether his fascinations with knights have to do with the lure of the forbidden, because men seeking a knighthood in Claudius's court would always mean avoiding him astringently. Kings hand out knighthoods, like this King Arthur, who seems to center in so many of these tales. "But this I will grant him. He made quite an impression on Susan, a woman in possession of a great deal of self-respect, and little patience for inadequate men. He didn't pressure her or judge her, the two extremes a man tends to go to when he's fixated on proving his own masculinity by demeaning femininity."

[summerdude]

"Really? Huh," says Magnus, chewing on this like it's a too-large, too-hot bite of Fadlan's Falafel's spicy lamb.

[wickedwit]

"Really," he laughs. "I speak from some experience with sexists. A useful term you taught me, by the way."

[summerdude]

"Wait, really?" This is, of course, a different 'really,' in reference to both teaching Claudius the word and to Magnus's interest in hearing about Claudius's experiences.

[wickedwit]

"You did, yes. I believe you mentioned something about drinking your respect women juice," he says lightly. "Respect for women was in short supply in the Danish court. Some courts are better than others, but Gertrude had not half the respect she deserved, and even I was mocked for the effeminacy of my manners." Something which he's chosen to lean more into, of late. Kade told him he could be a woman if he liked; Galahad called him a bride.

[summerdude]

"That sucks."

[wickedwit]

"It does suck a great deal," Claudius says with a sigh. Perhaps that's why Susan's opinion counted for so much, the sense of solidarity between about troublesome men they've met¹. He can't help but prod Magnus a little, still concerned for him and Galahad. He told himself long ago not to meddle in or manipulate Galahad's friendships, but there are connections to draw. "Thou and I art alike in how long it takes us to reassess someone who hurt those we love. So is Galahad. The hatred he bears Luo Binghe isn't some blind, unreasonable thing. Luo Binghe once accused and attacked me, and continued to tortured me after the conflict was done. When he stopped, he gave no reason and no assurance he would not again. When confronted, he refused to express even formal and insincere regrets. I am not safe, when Luo Binghe is near me, and Galahad is rightly protective. He may worry if I put myself in harm's way without consideration ... as I sometimes do. But he won't begrudge Luo Binghe for mourning a man that Galahad also loved, and still mourns. He also wouldn't begrudge someone for helping bring Shen Yuan back to life simply because Luo Binghe is present." To offer some deniability that he's talking only about himself and not Magnus, he says, "If I'm permitted to help, of course."

[summerdude]

"Yeah, I know," Magnus says, not ungently, still leaning against Claudius. He'd said Galahad wouldn't like it, not that Galahad would forbid it. Galahad would never. Galahad would want to help, if he could, even with Luo Binghe there. With a pang, Magnus pictures what that might be like: him and Galahad meditating together next to Shen Yuan's future body, talking with it together, making plans for once Shen Yuan is inside of it.

But Galahad has more important things to do, and Magnus would never, ever take advantage of his willingness to help by putting him in so uncomfortable a situation. (His mental image shifts: Luo Binghe and Galahad pointedly trying to ignore each other so strongly that neither can meditate. Galahad's words caught in his throat, a flush of anger on his cheeks.)

Anyway, Claudius isn't talking about Galahad helping, Claudius is talking about Claudius helping. And Claudius has been the one most hurt by Luo Binghe. "Galahad told me about everything. That's why I'm going to be there with you."

[wickedwit]

"I'm grateful," Claudius says, letting himself be vulnerable. It's still a struggle, to admit fear and expect it to be taken seriously. To not expect he'll be told be reasonable, he was under a great deal of pressure, and I'm sure he didn't hurt you that badly. That's why Claudius did away with vulnerability when he was ... Magnus's age, most likely. There's really no use in telling anyone how hurt you are if nothing will change because of it.

Privately, he thinks they may have that in common, too -- Magnus believes he can run from his feelings, and keep running, the way Claudius tried to so many times when he was younger. Not much younger, honestly. Hasn't Claudius been running this whole long year?

But, Claudius reminds himself, it never, ever works to tell a young man to learn from your mistakes at his age. He just hopes Magnus and Galahad speak soon, able to share their secrets and understand each other.

[summerdude]

"It's no problem," says Magnus. "I know he did some fucked-up stuff to you. He won't, now, but like. I'll be there the whole time you're there, anytime you're there." This will be partially to reassure Luo Binghe as well, naturally.

[wickedwit]

It's an unusual turn, to be honest. Claudius has laid out three clear reasons why Luo Binghe would harm him -- Luo Binghe attacked him once already, made no assurance to him he would not again, and refused to express the regrets that would indicate he'd changed. Claudius has no capacity to harm Luo Binghe. Any harm he could do would provoke Luo Binghe to lash out at him. Even Magnus, he thinks, could only do so much. So why say he won't, now? "Have you spoken to him about it, then?" That's an unexpected hope -- that Magnus, in his time with Luo Binghe, called him to account the way he had with Lancelot, not relenting until he was sure Luo Binghe had changed. Hopeful enough for wry humor, he clarifies, "Luo Binghe. About the fucked-up stuff."

[summerdude]

Magnus thinks about what Sagramore said, about how Luo Binghe needs friends who will hold him accountable for what he's done but not abandon him because of his past deeds. He's been holding on tight to that information during their countless mornings together under the pavilion.

He also thinks about the day he met Claudius and had his first lesson in diplomacy. Finding common ground and compromise, when possible, and making sure a disagreement doesn't erupt into further violence, when necessary

"Not explicitly," he admits. "Yet. I've been, like. Building common ground. You know? He's not my friend," also yet, "but we're, you know, allied right now." He squints at Claudius. From what he's heard from Galahad and, to a lesser extent, Hanguang-jun, Claudius is probably too traumatized by the blood stuff to be satisfied with Magnus's extremely objective vibes-based assessment protocol, which suggests that Luo Binghe is better now but even if he wasn't, he's too sad to hurt anyone, but luckily Magnus has other guarantees up his short sleeves. "So it'll be a condition. When I talk to him tomorrow. And I'll be there the whole time in case there's any disagreement." He pauses. "They don't call me the Middle Ground Guy of the pagan afterlife for nothing." Who calls him that? Mostly himself and his dad and, to a lesser extent, Alex. Still counts.

[wickedwit]

Claudius smiles at that confidence -- it's not a naive boast. The provisions that protect Shen Yuan's friends always excluded Claudius, because his friendship with Shen Yuan had been so awkward and unnamed. (It was friendship, he admits to himself now. Otherwise, Claudius wouldn't have been crushed at losing the chance to share the uncomplicated delight of dancing with him.) Magnus is not only a friend of Shen Yuan's, but necessary for Shen Yuan's resurrection. If Claudius felt he was sending Magnus into a lion's den, he would dissuade him -- but as it is, he can only be touched. "Thou hast attended to thy lessons, and outgrown them," he says with fondness. "Galahad will be assured by thy diplomacy, too. I'll leave it to thee, to boast of thy success to him, and then I'll spread word thou art the Middle Ground Guy of the Mansion."