[UN: philanthropist | Text → Audio]

[ghostlord]

[Kexing is in the mood for poetry and so he shares!]

Tides of the spring river washes into the levelled ocean,

And with the tide, a luminous moon is born above sea surface.

Shimmering with the waves for thousands of li,

Where is there no moonlight gracing this spring river!?

–

The river snakes around the lush green fields,

Moon shining upon the flower filled forest, making all appear like sleet.

Flowing frost from the sky appears not to be drifting,

The white sand of river banks cannot be seen.

–

River and sky becomes one, with not the finest of dust,

Shining brightly in the sky is that lone wheel of a moon.

By this riverside, what person was first to see the moon?

This river’s moon, what year did it first shine upon the people?

–

Generations after generations of human life, not at all does it depletes,

The river’s moon is still the same year after year.

It is unknown for who this river’s moon awaits for,

Only seeing this long river sending off its flowing water.

–

A spread of white clouds vaguely fades far into the distance,

Such unbearable sorrows of parting by Qing Feng Riverside.

Which family’s little boat is drifting along the rivers tonight? (Referring to a man out journeying)

Where is the yearning love in the moonlit tower? (Referring to his wife’s longing for him at home)

–

Pitiful it is, the lingering moonlight illuminating the tower,

It should be reflecting the one who left in the dresser table mirror.

Unable to roll it away from the jade-like chamber with the closing of blinds,

Brushed away on the clothes pounding stone it is, but still comes back.

(The moon shines in as though it understands the pain of longing, but should the moon really understand her sorrows then it should let the lady see her lover in the mirror to ease her longing, instead its lingering presence only adds to her yearnings)

–

In this moment, both gazes at the moon, but unable they are to hear each other,

Only wishing the brilliance of the moon is shining upon the dear husband.

Swans and geese flies long distances but cannot fly beyond the light,

Fishes and [marine] reptiles dives and jumps but only forms ripples in the water.

(Swans and geese and fly far but cannot fly to him, fishes and marine reptiles can swim deep into the water but cannot swim to him)

–

Dreaming of flowers descending upon the tranquil pool last night,

Pitiful it is, half of spring has past yet there is still no return.

The running river water flowing by, along with spring,

Into the river pool, the descending moon goes, tilting west again.

–

The setting moon hiding deeply into the ocean mist,

Jie Shi and Xiao Xiang, the distance between is infinite. (One place south, one place north, rendering a reunion hopeless)

It is unknown how many people managed to return home riding the moonlight,

Only knowing the descending moon stirs immense emotions amongst the trees by the riverbank.


I am homesick. I left a daughter behind and a whole valley. Can you believe it? I'm much too young for the burden of single parenthood! Not to mention the plague of lordship.

However I know I'm not alone and so I'm here to offer you some art. Take a moment to rest your mind and body. The problems that face us will remain the same whether you worry about them now or later.

[And thus he performs on his flute. The song is sad, full of longing and yet hopeful nonetheless, mirroring his stubborn resolve that somehow, some way, things will work out for them. Or, at least, for him and A-Xu.]

Comments

[nottheboss]

You're kidding. How long have you been here?

[ghostlord]

I meant the Ghost Valley kidnapped me when I was a child. I've been here for about ten months.

[nottheboss]

Ten months sounds like a fucking eternity with all the shit they have us do.

Are you the only living person in Ghost Valley?

[ghostlord]

Life is a dream walking. Death is going home.

Yet my ghosts haven't found their homes, so I supply them with one.

Did you know a person can be a ghost and still live?

[nottheboss]

I've seen the dead walk. But I haven't seen a living ghost, no. How does that work?

[ghostlord]

How blessed! Have you never been tortured to a point where your mind broke and your spirit shattered? Rejoining the living is impossible then.

[nottheboss]

I don't break.

[He very much has.]

You take care of people who've been tortured?

[ghostlord]

You just haven't been pushed far enough.

[Everyone has a breaking point.]

I give them what they want most.

[nottheboss]

You sound like you want to test that.

[ghostlord]

No, but someone or something will.

[nottheboss]

And then what? How would I get to Ghost Valley?

[ghostlord]

If you're from my world, I'll find you.

[nottheboss]

Guess I'm fucked, then.

[ghostlord]

Maybe not. Your world might have a valley of its own!

[nottheboss]

I don't think so. I've broken a lot of people. They just go batshit crazy and die.

...what would you do for a ghost here?

[ghostlord]

What if they don't.

What if they live.

Teach them, guide them.

[nottheboss]

Test them?

[ghostlord]

Of course!

[nottheboss]

[Ah now this he knows!]

What kind of tests?

[ghostlord]

That depends on their weaknesses.

[nottheboss]

I like how you think.

How do you know when someone's too fucked up to live?

[ghostlord]

When they are only a burden, unwilling to listen, unwilling to set their sights even on revenge. It might come as a surprise, but I don't support senseless cruelty.

[nottheboss]

...I just don't see how those people could be helped.

When you get stuck in your head how can anyone dig you out again?

[ghostlord]

There are ways. The Water of Lethe is useful in those cases.

[nottheboss]

Is forgetting really better?