Palace Game 6/5

[fujimaru]

The Dreamer In The Grand Temple
Humanity Foundation Value: ????

What has been will be again,
what has been done will be done again;
there is nothing new under the sun.

Comments

[rootsforyou]

[clocks Da Vinci once again, to make sure she's still there; she definitely recognizes her, and knows it isn't the same as the one they were with...probably]

The King of Men is...

[gestures to her own antlers, for comparison]

The one who currently has her body, yes? He didn't seem like he was opposed to her taking it back...just that he had it while she was gone.

[fujimaru]

"We... go a long way back, he and I." He grimaces, like he's embarrassed. "You could say that... before he was Ritsuka's, he was mine."

[strikingchords]

Then, would he help us?

[rootsforyou]

...

[looks between Olgamarie, and Da Vinci, and back to this man]

I suspect that the King of Men is a neutral party to all of this. If you're here now, then perhaps you didn't part ways amicably.

[fujimaru]

"Oh, he really is calling himself that?" For some reason, this appears to make the man oddly happy. "He's--well, I suppose a lot of his attitude is sort of my fault, yes. We didn't exactly have a falling out, but he was quite angry with me for a long time. But I don't think he'd hurt Ritsuka. Not like this, at least. In a fight, surely, but if he was in her body, I doubt that's what happened."

[strikingchords]

...

[nods]

We were told she had faded.

[rootsforyou]

[nods as well, inclining her head towards Lan Wangji; they're a little concerned! about Ritsuka fading!]

We expected this to be an urgent endeavor, so seeking out allies is the best course of action. If he isn't an ally, but also isn't one to go out of his way to pick a fight with us...we should be alright.

Might I ask your name, young master?

[fujimaru]

"Romani Archaman." He bobs his head a little, looking abashed. "Just Roman is fine. We don't know much of what happened--ah, like I said, we're stuck here. But Leonardo has a connection to the part of her that's alive, so... well, we heard a little bit about it here.

"What I can say about him is that... while he will make his schemes and plans, if he's calling himself the 'King of Men,' then... he might understand more than he acts like he does."

[strikingchords]

Do you know where he might be found?

[rootsforyou]

[that seems like a safe question to ask. waits for the answer]

[fujimaru]

"Well. He's not really supposed to be here at all, so--well, I don't really know how it works, but... he has a temple. The door location is usually hidden, but if you find the key, it'll lead you there."

[strikingchords]

[...nods, this is the second time a key has been mentioned]

Then, we must.

[rootsforyou]

[gives him a bow]

Thank you for your patience with us, Romani Archaman. If we're able to find him...should we bring him to see you?

[fujimaru]

"Ah... no."

He smiles as he says it, though, gentle; however upset Olgamarie had been (and clearly still is) about her fate, he actually appears to be at peace.

"We've said what we needed to. I don't think seeing me again will do him much good."

[strikingchords]

Would he agree?

[rootsforyou]

If he doesn't, we can just ask him to join us. There's no harm in at least asking.

Ah, Roman, which way is it to Ritsuka's room, then?

[fujimaru]

"I think he would!" But his laugh is nervous, and he does not really meet Lan Wangji's eyes.

But at the question, he points to the far end of the hallway.

"Take the stairs up," he says. "And... never mind the rest of it, but... thank you for the offer, anyway."

[strikingchords]

[Lan Wangji now believes with no particular justification past this conversation that the King of Men has legit beef.

bows in a way that somehow implies judgment and turns that way]

[rootsforyou]

[bows with no judgement at all, because she is convinced this is a case full of compounding misunderstandings, and turns to head up the stairs]

[fujimaru]

Up you go.