#dreadfulcry

(this is for the ask meme i reblogged a decade ago where i am supposed to give my honest opinion on someone)

If he had thought the surface of the city morbid, then its underbelly is a nightmare. Winding narrow pathways filled with the scent of sewage wind back and forth, radiating outward like crooked, branching spokes on a wheel that lead to who-knows-where---it’s lucky that he has a good sense of direction, always has, so he hasn’t gotten lost yet. Rather, Wei Wuxian knows exactly what he’s here for this evening.

Word has reached his ear of a rather unsavory sort, a fighting ring that meets each night in the Sea of Crises in order to do what such rings do best. He’s never been interested in showing off by brawling, himself, but it’s a telling glimpse into what the city is really like---and he’s not about to give up a chance to see it.

Is it morbid interest? Almost definitely. A part of him says that he probably shouldn’t even look into it; there’s nothing to be gained from watching a troupe of denizens curb-stomp one another. Another part, though, a part that sounds like a year spent in Yiling, says that that’s precisely the sort of thing that he should be attending, watching over like it’s something he can nurture.

He shrugs to himself. There’s no use ruminating about these things now---although, he does allow himself to think rather lightheartedly, Lan Zhan would probably flip out if he saw something like a rat fighting ring. The Gusu Lan sect is just too upright for this sort of stuff!

With the soft echoing of his steps against stone, he finally emerges into the warehouse; it’s dim inside, lit like sight was an afterthought. There’s the musty scent of sweat and the iron of blood---must be something built up from the nightly activities, something that sinks in and can’t be scrubbed off or hosed away. A quirk of the mouth, whether satirical or not, makes its way into Wei Wuxian’s expression. 

He stands about, blending more-or-less into the shadows at the edge of the room, waiting. As he does, he catches someone’s eye: a woman, stern-faced, observant but unobtrusive like him in the gloom. She might well be seeking to be left to her own devices---she doesn’t seem like the overly-sociable type, anyway---but Wei Wuxian has never been one for liking to read the mood, and so he makes his way over, weaving around a couple of the denizens gearing up for the night’s events.

Hello, Meagan, it’s great to hear from you!

Thank you for your request, Meagan!

You have been promoted to RANK 3.

Based on your stated preference, you are awarded:

1 Buyback Voucher

You are also awarded 50MP as a reward for completing the September challenge.

You may redeem your rewards at the Commerce Protocol.

Welcome to the Ark, Meagan! You will be housed in Bi Xiu Flats, floor ten.

You are assigned the rank New Moon. You also receive a holophone, train pass, and 50 Moon Points.

Your sword and many knives will be taken away for safekeeping.