001. Video. Hi Ghosts, it’s me, ya boi

[inheritedpain]

[ Hi Prisma, have a frowning seventeen year old with way too much gold in his hair show up on your feed.

Now, Jin Ling has never bothered to introduce himself on the network. At first because the tech was completely foreign to him and then because it seemed like a hassle and let’s be real the boy has no manners.

But he’s on a Quest, now, so he’ll deign to speak to the common folk, for once.

.. ... ... it’s not like he’s desperate, or anything. ]

Alright, listen. I’m looking for a ghost. Any ghost. Or general undead, if we have to be picky, here. So if you or someone you know fits this description then you better tell me!! I’m going to help you get rid of some of your resentful energy!!

[ Jin Ling seems to think everything he just said is totally reasonable and makes sense. So he doesn’t even bother to explain before moving on. ]

If you aren’t a ghost but you’re in trouble you can tell me, too!! I need to help someone so that I— Look, it’s not important!! So don’t ask questions just let me help already!!

I’m good at helping, especially if it involves swords, archery, or dogs.

[ A pause, a deeper frown: ]

How do I turn this off any—-

Comments

[Private Video]

[tobrushawaysnow]

[ This boy looks familiar. Not even just because of the Jin Sect robes, and the words spoken.

The signs of his own Fierce Corpse state are small these days, thanks to Xue Yang's use of his returned Amulet just for such a purpose, but still there for those who know what to look for. But Song Lan is also clearly conscious as he bows his head slightly, polite. ]

If I may, what is the urgency of this offer? Are you well?

Private

[inheritedpain]

[ Jin Ling, on the other hand, knows exactly who this is, having seen him very recently. His face pales a little, and then: ]

Daozhang! I didn’t know you were here!

[ He does a bow but considering that his camera is on his wrist, it mostly just gives a shot of the top of his head. ]

Video

[noenvy]

No.

Video

[inheritedpain]

No what!

Since when do you get to tell me what to do!

Video;

[firstkissofsteel]

You have a dog?

[Ignoring everything else here to focus on the important thing]

[inheritedpain]

[ He doesn’t recognize her. She’s familiar, and maybe in person he’d pick up on it, but he has no idea who she is at the moment.

So he just puffs up at the question. ]

Yes! Fairy! She’s not just any dog, she’s a spirit dog!

[mingyues]

Would you consider helping the Moon Knights out?

[inheritedpain]

Ah! Daozhang Xiao! Of course!

I’d be happy to help. What do I need to do?

text; un: kishibe

[penpoint]

But why?

text; un: thejinling

[inheritedpain]

the why isn’t important!!

i was assigned tasks by one of my elders so i’m going to do it!

why do I have to have another reason!!

[ Jin Ling, literally no one was suggesting that you did.... ]

text | username: absterge

[downswing]

( ................ah. )




Do not intimidate others into accepting help.

[inheritedpain]

who’s intimidating anyone

i’m just offering!

[ That’s clearly what “you better tell me” implies ]

un: undyingsoul | video

[necroyalty]

[ This would be ten times more awkward if Ambrosine was in her adult, undying lich form, but there's a 7 year old girl just staring at you with the most unimpressed face. ]

What's wrong with ghosts?

[inheritedpain]

[ Jin Ling, whole not looking unimpressed, does at least look very confused. Someone may as well have asked him “what’s wrong with dying.” ]

Well it - it keeps you from going on to your next life??

Who wants to be stuck as a ghost??

Text | un: chalice

[chalicejoker]

I can provide an Undead but I'm pretty sure it's not the particular type you're looking for.

[inheritedpain]

can i do anything to help it?

because that's what i'm looking for

text | un: archer

[anti_altruisms]

[ He's not sure whether to be offended by this or amused. ]

And what makes you think all ghosts and undead need deliverance from "resentful energy"?

[inheritedpain]

well, because they wouldn't be a ghost otherwise
if they've got no lingering resentments or regrets then they'd just move on, right?

undead i guess might not have any but most do

there's a reason they're called ferocious corpses??

video;

[goodboyplaydead]

[ Wen Ning still doesn't use the network that much. But he's been taught a few things. And a request from Jin Ling is something he feels he should respond to. Even if it is somewhat unusual. At least he should meet Jin Ling's odd requirements. And it might repair some of the damage from their last encounter.

So his face, complete with twitching deer ears appears on the screen, probably much to close, as this is the first time he's dealt with the moving picture mode. ]

What do you need... young Master Jin?

video;

[inheritedpain]

[ A lot has happened, since he lost saw Wen Ning. A lot. So instead of instant anger, a very different expression crosses his face - a deep shame.

He looks away, frowning off screen. ]

That’s—

That’s not the point. I’m trying to help other people.

So what do you need?

un: nike

[purifyings]

[The post sparked her attention from the way he describes in helping ghosts. Or just spiritual beings. No matter how forceful, and almost desperate, it may sound, she considers it to be in the right place. So.]

Your heart is in the right place. But you can never force someone to release their resentful energy or ask for help especially when they're uncertain. Unless you have the power to force it out of them without their consent or understanding their pain.

[And even then, there will be backlash. The world does not accept souls that were forced to move on when the spirit hasn't. She would know.]

How are you going to help? Do you use some kind of ritual?

text; un: music2myears

[afoolshope]

Do you have a dog? Can I see?

[ Look he was just going to ignore this until he saw the mention of dogs. Please let him meet more good doges. ]

8 million years later I’m so sorry; video

[inheritedpain]

Yeah!

Fairy! Come here!

[ A second later a very good girl bounds into view. ]

This is Fairy! She’s a spirit dog and the best that ever was!

(Video; UN: motherofdragons)

[decisiveconquest]

I'm sure you are good at helping others, but -

Why the sudden need? (She keeps her demeanor (and voice) soft, unassuming.) We all want to be heroes. Most of us have to wait for the opportune moment.

video; un: jiang.yanli

[infiniteheart]

[Of course, Yanli recognizes the name. A-Cheng had informed her of her son's existence even if she's been keeping her distance somewhat, simply trying to process the news and everything else that's happened since her arrival on top of planning a wedding. Being told that she has a child with a man she hasn't married is overwhelming. Being told that child is a currently a teenager living in the same city as is even more overwhelming.

And then there's two of them.

Yanli hasn't known how to respond to either of them so she just... hasn't. But it's a situation she's going to have to face sooner or later. So she takes a deep breath before turning on her video feed.

Meet your sort-of mom, Jin Ling. She's currently sitting on what appears to be a sofa in a lavender dress and light sweater. A silver lotus bell can be just barely seen dangling from her person.

She speaks slowly and hesitantly, opting to simply respond to his words than announce herself in any sort of dramatic fashion. The username already does that for her.]

I have not seen any spirits in these parts and I've yet to meet a walking corpse that's been hostile here.

[A beat before she continues, this time a little more animated and encouraging.]

Do you like those things? Swordplay, archery, and dogs?

[She knows next to nothing about her son besides his name. She can't even tell which Jin Ling is the one she gives birth to in the future.]

[inheritedpain]

[ Unfortunately for Jiang Yanli, her son from another universe is... kind of stupid. He doesn’t even read the user name when she appears on the screen, too invested in what he’s doing and not very observant. ]

Well it’s fine if they aren’t hostile!! I just need to find them.

[ He looks a little smug at the second question. ]

Of course I do. But I’m also really good at them. Why wouldn’t I like them?