Once Healer Zhang finished speaking Lan XiChen sat still for a long moment, eyes looking at his uncle lying incapacitated on his own bed. At last, he broke the silence with a sigh before rising to his feet.

"Thank you, Healer Zhang. I appreciate that you are in need of more information, and we could all use a little more understanding of what is happening before we can decide what to do. How long will my uncle be unconscious, and what should we do to manage things in the immediate future?"

"He will be out for probably about four hours. Given the unusual properties of his energy and the inability of his Core to assist him in achieving stability I am going to have to recommend a drastic step. Until more is known, and we conduct some research, I think a three-needle acupuncture to place him in stasis is required. This should last for at least three days and cause him no harm. Hopefully we will be able to devise a plan of treatment before those days are up. If not, we will consider taking more risky measures."

The Healer turned sad eyes towards the Grandmaster, finding the current situation hard to believe despite his own involvement.

"I hope we won't reach that point."

"Very well, Healer Zhang. Would you recommend removing my uncle to the Healing Hall or can we accommodate him in his home? What do you recommend?"

Healer Zhang thought a moment and gave a brisk nod. "I think staying in his home is the best idea. We cannot guarantee with any certainty when he will awake and being in an unfamiliar environment may stimulate negative emotions too strongly should his stasis wear off prematurely. If you wish, I will go to the Healing Hall now and gather some necessities. I could remain with him myself, but I recommend having a few apprentice Healers on hand to assist and so that I can leave to conduct research or help others, should there be need. I am, of course, subject to your command."

A pause, both men contemplating a variety of implications.

"When news of this breaks, as you know it invariably will, we must have a plan already in place to prevent panic."

Lan XiChen nodded quietly, his mind racing and heart pounding. Gods, what I wouldn't give for that cranky pants man to wake up well and be his usual irritable self this very minute! Standing taller, he nodded again.

"Very well, Healer Zhang. You make excellent points. Would you please make the arrangements for care you have mentioned? On your way to the Healing Hall, I would appreciate if you would request several disciples to assist me. I have messages to be written and delivered and time is of the essence."

Healer Zhang bowed and left, closing the door quietly behind him.

Lan XiChen sat down at the table, numbly and automatically pouring and drinking a cup of the now stone-cold tea. Uncle QiRen incapacitated with a rare and possibly deadly deviation, WangJi's surprise announcement... WangJi! He had to tell his brother what happened!

Lan XiChen quickly pulled out his uncle's writing materials and began dashing off notes, his rigorous training ensuring his elegant calligraphy revealed nothing of his distress. He quickly wrote a note giving the bare bones of events and scanned it over, trying to be sure it would convey the information without unnecessarily alarming his brother. He grunted. As if. Lan WangJi would be every bit as alarmed as he was himself, he had no doubt, but he also didn't hide things from Lan WangJi. Despite Lan WangJi's declaration yesterday Cloud Recesses was still his home, and he was needed!

He'd convene with them in the Main Hall to discuss the developments. Had it really been only overnight? A matter of mere hours and the entire world was different?

A knock came at the entry and Lan XiChen arose, carrying the notes. He quickly stepped outside, closing the door behind him to save his uncle what little face he still possessed after his titanic outburst earlier. Quickly he handed the notes for the elders to the disciples, requesting that they be delivered with urgency. Drawing Lan SiZhui slightly aside he handed him the note for Lan WangJi.

"I believe he's probably staying in Gusu." Yes, he wouldn't have gone far or left yet before a response from Cloud Recesses, would he? thought Lan XiChen to himself. "Please check the inns and deliver this to him as quickly as possible. Return promptly. Events are unusual, and we may need everyone available at any time."

Lan SiZhui looked at his uncle with alarm visible on his young face, although his training prevented him from asking any questions.

Lan XiChen gave a rueful ghost of a smile and clasped his shoulder firmly in reassurance.

"It's alright for now, SiZhui. Just be swift about your task and return promptly."

The young disciple paused just a moment longer, looking questions into his uncle's eyes. At his small head shake the teenager drew himself up taller and bowed.

"With all due haste, Sect Leader." He turned and did not look back as he quickly made his way towards the Gate. Once outside the Gate, Lan SiZhui allowed himself a solitary, apologetic look at the Wall of Discipline and took to his heels, fleet legs sending his robes flying about him as he ran toward the town of Gusu.

Meanwhile, Healer Zhang had returned to Lan QiRen's home, several apprentices with him carrying mysterious boxes and bundles. Directing the younger men where to place various items, rearranging furniture to best care for an invalid and provide a clear working space for records and the research he knew would be required, took little time and soon the home began to resemble a hospital more than a private residence.

Cloud Recesses was bustling, brimming over with tightly contained energy. White-clad disciples moved with customary briskness - never running - as they passed message after message between the Healing Hall, the Library Pavilion, the residences. Gradually the Main Hall began to brim with solemn-faced elders in quiet converse.

Lan XiChen exited his uncle's home, headed directly to the Main Hall. A solitary petal, whisked on the wind, crossed his vision and he looked up to the Spring sky, surprised to see that it was well into the day, clearly nearing midday. It felt as if things had happened only moments ago, yet it had been hours. Multiple shocks ricocheted about in his mind and nearly overwhelmed the man. He stopped where he was.

Closing his eyes, he turned to the sun and took a few moments to draw in cleansing breaths and release some of the toxic stress he was under. He steadied himself, breathing deeply of the clean air, smelling the warm Spring day that woke the earth and coaxed the plants back to life. Life. So many varieties, so many types, so much vibrant, positive energy... his thoughts were interrupted by an ill-timed breeze carrying a whiff of manure from recent garden work. Yes. Many varieties of life and some negative aspects also. Gods, please don't let this end in negatives only, he prayed silently. With a small shake he turned to his duty and made his way inside the Main Hall.

When Lan SiZhui reached Gusu, he entered the first inn he saw. Describing who he sought, the innkeeper was unable to help, as the gentleman was not staying with him, and directed the boy to a guesthouse a short distance away. Waiting impatiently for the owner was hard for Lan SiZhui, worrying about what was happening back home.

When the owner finally came to see Lan SiZhui, he, too, was unable to help. He did, however, say he had seen two men, one in white and one in black, on the paths outside the far end of the town and suggested they may have found rooms at the last inn, at the very far edge of the village road, just before the countryside began. Bowing his thanks, Lan SiZhui made with haste to this next destination, praying it would be right. The day was advancing and it was at least noon already.

A bubbly, friendly innkeeper was on hand when Lan SiZhui arrived and gave him great comfort as he confirmed that men matching his description were indeed staying with him. Yes, yes, one was HanGuang-Jun. Unfortunately, Lan SiZhui's relief on hearing the news was swiftly countered as the innkeeper stated they had left for the day, no, he did not know when they would return and no, they hadn't mentioned any destination. His face brightened as the innkeeper remembered and offered the information that they had left with a picnic and Lan SiZhui's heart dropped.

They could be anywhere. Should he wait? How could he wait? Lan XiChen had asked for his immediate return. He struggled with himself a moment, unaccustomed to warring duties but at last made his decision. He handed the note to the innkeeper with an admonishment regarding the urgency and how it must be delivered the moment HanGuang-Jun returned and left to make his way back to Cloud Recesses. He had no choice. He could only be in one place at one time and must trust the innkeeper to do his duty.

The innkeeper studied the fine parchment, noting the elegant calligraphy addressing the note on fine sky blue parchment with the Lan seal and put it on his desk to hand over. The day became busy, customers came and went, and he never noticed the trays piling up, concealing the note. By the time Lan WangJi and Wei WuXian returned it had entirely fled the busy innkeeper's mind and so the men were undisturbed that evening.