Family letters are worth ten thousand pieces: An Opening

[aroberuka]

Title: An Opening
Author: aroberuka
Word Count/Drabble Type: 100
Character(s)/Ship(s): Qin Su
Rating/Warnings: G; implied/referenced canonical character death
Summary: One letter, one evening, and a life cut short.
Author's Notes: /

***

The letter sits on Qin Su’s desk, unopened. As long as it stays unopened there’s no telling what threat it poses. As long as it stays unopened, Qin Su doesn't know.

Watch as she goes through her routine, unaware of the danger. It doesn’t look like much, this letter. It didn’t cost much either. The going rate of loyalty: honeyed words, a hope for closure, a few pieces of jewelry. So cheaply was her life sold—for when she opens the letter, she’ll know, and when she knows, she’ll die.

Watch:

Qin Su doesn’t know, she doesn’t know—
 

 

She knows.

Comments

[ranalore]

I love how the omniscient narrator creates a distance that heightens the menace, and allows for the observation and connection of details that limited third-person wouldn't. In particular, I love the focus on the connection Wei Wuxian spoke of between Bicao's revelation and Qin Su's death. I think Bicao's like Sect Leader Yao; she doesn't actually care what damage she does, as long as she feels she's playing a key role in a grand drama. And like Sect Leader Yao, she's cheaply bought. Qin Su and her mother deserved so much better.

[aroberuka]

Aaah thank you for leaving such a thoughtful comment!!! The POV was a very experimental thing so I’m glad to know it hit the mark.

Of all the tragedies in CQL/MDZS, Qin Su’s story is the one that hit me the hardest when looking back on it, I think mostly bc of how little agency she had on… anything. Her entire life was destroyed as collateral in other people’s plans, and she’ll never even know why any of it happened. That’s rough.

[hhimring]

You manage to create so much tension, although we already know how it will end!

[aroberuka]

Thank you! Like I said above, this was a very experimental drabble for me so I'm glad it's been well-received <3