video | november 12, 2016

[inkulcation]

[Right off, what will be remarkable is that China has enabled video; those familiar with her network habits will probably recall she doesn't usually.]

[The second remarkable thing is the small fluffball she's holding cradled to her chest. It's a rabbit. It's small, it's white, it's adorable, and it's got a collar around its neck with a soul gem. Which means yes, the small animal China is cuddling is none other than Erskine Ravel.]

[She's stroking the bunny very nicely.]

I wonder. Wasn't some fine gentleman giving us updates on the weather, occasionally?

I find I miss his gardening tips.

[She sounds and looks entirely earnest, blue eyes wide, face innocent, and she pauses only a moment to scratch behind the bunny's ears very delicately.]

And some sort of a forecast would be useful, I think, as things turn cooler.

[This is completely and totally the only reason she's made this post. Really.]

Comments

[backwordscompatible]

It was very personal.

[And she doesn't mind admitting that much. There was an old expression about never speaking ill of the dead, but China had asked, and this was nothing she wouldn't--or hadn't--said to the woman's face at some point.]

Jack once tried to express his concerns to her about something. She responded in a way that basically threatened to hurt other people on his behalf, and then display that pain right out in our front yard so he could see it first-hand. She was rude and sniped at us and never answered any questions we had, no matter how reasonable they were.

[inkulcation]

May I inquire about the specifics of that something?

[She sounds only thoughtful still, not judging either way.]

It hardly sounds becoming of a leader.

[But a tyrant, perhaps.]

[backwordscompatible]

[She sighed, rubbing at her forehead.]

It was...a long time ago, so I'm not sure I remember every last part. It was the threat that stuck out most.

All I know is that it was right after the issue with the zombies. Jack was being Jack, expressing his concerns. Eshai was crankier than usual and just wanted everyone to stay out of her way or something, even though we helped. So she threatened to hurt a bunch of innocent people...maybe even kill them...and make sure it all happened right outside out suite so that he would be forced to watch. Literally for no reason other than the fact that he wanted to help, and she didn't want him to help.

That was how she dealt with people she wanted to go away.

[inkulcation]

Heavy-handed.

[China does now sound faintly disapproving. That isn't at all a subtle way to make the nosy step back.]

Yes, I would question her suitability as well, if that was a typical thing.

[She's aware that some people still respect Eshai, but really. Subtlety.]

[backwordscompatible]

The attitude definitely was. I don't think she carried out very many of those threats in the long run, but now you know why there wasn't much love lost between us.

[Zatanna knew there were others who respected Eshai, too. She just didn't get why.]

[inkulcation]

So I do. Hm.

It's useful contextual information.

[It isn't thanks, since China doesn't really do those a great deal, but it's an approximation thereof.]

Do you know of any, that she carried out?

[backwordscompatible]

...not that comes to mind.

Granted, this was a few years ago. A lot's happened since then. Could be I blocked it out, like I did some things that happened in the Death Realm.

[inkulcation]

[Another quiet 'hm.']

How interesting.

[A beat, as she assimilates, and decides there's nothing more to focus on right now.]

This has been a fascinating diversion. I do appreciate it, my dear.

[backwordscompatible]

You're welcome. Anytime.

I'm always happy to help. Especially if it's something I can do that not many others could.

[inkulcation]

How generous of you.

[Give China an inch and she'll take the mile, but for now she just tilts her head and smiles.]

Another time, then.