diabolizes | pcs with psyche

[ He doesn't seem to mind the contact as such, so she lets it linger a moment longer while she thinks. It's restraint, to her way of thinking; considering how many strategy discussions Medea's had to exasperatedly detach Psyche's arms from around her... ]

It's... complicated. The politics of Vasilios go a little over my head still. But, um... my disappearing could be a little bit of a mess. It's only for a few more weeks, but I'm the crown-princess-to-be. [ She sneaks a quick glance over at him to see if that was too abrupt. ] I'm worried Eros will use this as an excuse to say I've been kidnapped. If he makes me into a justification to go after -- after a political rival, or reopen hostilities with Othilei...

[ He raises his eyebrows. A princess, huh…? That explains the big, frilly outfit she had on when they first met. But he doesn’t seem too perturbed by the admission otherwise. ]

Ah, so your absence will be an excuse to cause conflict and invade somewhere else? Those are quite the consequences…

[ Damn, and he thought his own absence was bad. ]

[ She lets out a sigh of relief that's a little more audible than she realizes. There's no reason her position would make a difference, even if it weren't very temporary. But it feels better to be open with it. ]

It could be. I... really can't understand him, but that's why I'm worried. I'm hoping he'll decide he needs to act cautiously until he knows where I am. All I can really do is trust Medea to manage the situation somehow.

Your friend, right? You seem to have a lot of faith in her, and I doubt that it’s been placed incorrectly.

[ He smiles. ]

But prepare yourself to walk back into a mess. Don’t stress much now, but give it enough thought so you’ll have a clear head when you go back.

[ And honestly, Wei Wuxian should take his own advice here. ]

It's impossible not to believe in her. She's strong and brilliant. Talented at everything she touches.

[ But his advice is good - and not just for her, she thinks. She shoots him a knowing glance and takes another sip of the drink he made her. He mixed it light, but it's still a soothing amount of burn to it. ]

That's why I worry about her. She thinks she needs to do everything herself. She shines like a beacon, and you can't help but want to follow her. But she'll use herself as the kindling for that flame, too.

[ Sometimes, vexingly, fairly literally. Psyche tips her head a little to the side as she watches him. ]

I'll try not to dwell on it now if you'll promise the same? And I hope when you go home, you won't do anything that makes the people there who love you worry too much.

[ Wow sounds familiar! Anyway… ]

You have my word, Psyche. I’ll do my best to keep myself calm and collected when I return.

[ While he can’t promise anything, he can at least say he’ll try. He owes Psyche that much. ]

Your friend, Medea… you have quite a high opinion of her. You make me want to meet her.

I trust you. ...And if it's you, I believe you can. You've kept your head through everything so far.

[ But the next comment makes her breath catch briefly. Unthinking, her hand drifts to touch her pocket. ]

I think she'd like you. I did warn you that she can be a little stern, right? But she really is kind.

[ Although as she's saying that, she starts picking a little at the seam of her pocket with a nail in indecision. ]

[ Wei Wuxian isn’t sure if he really has kept his head, but he’d like to believe it. ]

Ah, but I’m used to stern. I’m sure I could match her energy just fine.

[ He grins, but his gas travels to her hand. Is that nervousness? Or something else?

He isn’t sure. ]

But you don’t need to worry about me getting in the way of your friendship.

You mean, if you two didn't get along? I'm not worried. For a while... she deeply, truly hated me. I don't think anything could get in the way of our friendship now.

[ And honestly, Psyche has every confidence Medea would humor her on this even if she didn't like Wei Wuxian. Which she would! She has every reason to!

Maybe there's a little nervousness in her gesture. Psyche finally stills her fidgeting by force, reaching for her drink again with her other hand. ]

[ Hated Psyche? That seems like a difficult task, but perhaps someone like Medea would view her kindness as a weakness until she realized how much of a strength it is.

But the way Psyche suddenly stops fidgeting and reaches for her drink instead is telling enough to pull Wei Wuxian out of his thoughts. ]

Is something wrong?

[ Psyche likes to think she's gotten better at lying when she has to. But if she'd committed to lying to him, she wouldn't have been so restless in the first place. She gives him a sheepish sidelong smile. ]

Not exactly. It's just a little hard to explain... do you actually want to meet Medea?

[ He furrows his brows before eventually giving her a shrug. ]

I wouldn’t mind. I like meeting people, and it’s a nice thought.

[ After all, he’s a very social person—something that Psyche might have noticed. ]

Though I wouldn’t do everything in the world for a chance at it, I would take the opportunity should it arise.

[ She lets out a little exhalation of self-directed laughter and stifles her nerves in a very stiff drink. ]

I think I could do that, with my power. Or rather... if I don't, there still might not be any avoiding it.

[ Oh, this is strange to explain. She kicks her legs a little restlessly on the bar stool and looks down. ]

...It's part of my blessing, I think. The guardian deity's protection. When my life is in danger... our souls trade places. Mine and Medea's. I'm doing everything I can to avoid that happening. But...

[ Well. They're in a place where their lives are kind of all in danger, a lot. ]

…I see.

[ A very take-charge person taking over Psyche’s body if she were in danger. Hm. ]

You don’t need to do that for my sake.

[ Because part of him doesn’t want her to feel like she’s in danger around him. But there’s something else that bothers him above all else— ]

Would she kill on your behalf?

[ Maybe it’s an abrupt question, but it’s the first one on his mind. How could it not be, what with his history and experiences? ]

[ It's probably telling that there's not even a moment of hesitation before Psyche nods. It's far from just a hypothetical. ]

That's what I'm worried about. Sometimes, when we trade places, it's because I've already been attacked.

[ Psyche lifts a hand absentmindedly to press to her chest. Her healing doesn't leave any scars, but she remembers. ]

If she finds herself in my body with no warning, she'll assume the worst. That's why I went to the beach last night. I thought if I wrote her a letter and traded places when no one was around, at least she could be prepared if it happened again... she wouldn't do anything too impulsive.

[ He drums his fingers on the bar top. ]

…But you weren’t able to, both because we were all there and then we fell unconscious.

[ But would it have gotten to Medea? It’s hard to say.

Wei Wuxian frowns. ]

Is it only when you genuinely fear for your life? We could spar and try to trigger it now.

[ He's so quick to offer to help... her whole body relaxes, all the nerves of trying to tell him dissipating into pure relief. ]

It's not about fear... I just have to be about to die.

[ And a good thing it isn't fear-based, because right now, she's pretty certain he could have a sword drawn on her and she'd still feel perfectly safe with him. ]

Thank you, Wei Wuxian. You don't have to worry. I can trigger it myself easily. All I have to do is stop my own heart.

[ Well then! He sighs, resting his chin in his hand. ]

You sound confident, so go ahead.

[ Wei Wuxian isn’t going to underestimate her. ]

[ She nods and digs the letter out of her pocket to hand over to him. ]

Here. It's probably best if you give this to her. You can read it, if you want.

[ What else... Psyche unbelts her sword and then passes that over to him too, then looks around the counter briefly. Maybe she'll just push any small and sharp objects, like the cocktail umbrellas, further out of reach... that should about do it. ]

[ He takes it, but makes no move to open it or read it. Not right now, at least. ]

If you forget anything, I’ll be able to defend myself, so don’t worry. I can take a stab to the gut or two.

[ Wei Wuxian!! She thwaps him lightly on the shoulder for that. ]

Don't you dare! She can't heal you. I'll be really angry if you get yourself stabbed.

[ But he's right that he can defend himself... There's really no reason to dither. With a little sigh, Psyche closes her eyes and focuses. Energy like red lightning swirls up around her, nothing like the golden glow of her healing energy.

It's not exactly instant. Her brow furrows in pain and her breath hitches. And then everything simply comes to a halt. ]

[ And then she blinks her eyes open again. She gives a quick flick of a glance at her surroundings, taking in the bar and the drink in front of her and most intently, Wei Wuxian. ]

I'm so sorry! Ahaha... my mind must have been wandering. What did you just say?

[ That little smack has him in a good mood as he expects her to swap with Medea, but…

Nothing.

And then it seems like she’s completely lost her train of thought to boot. With a wave of concern rushing over him, Wei Wuxian reaches out to take her wrist in his hand so he can feel for her pulse. ]

[ She lifts one eyebrow very slightly, offering her wrist into his hand as if bestowing a gift. Her pulse is slow and steady, but the arm under his fingertips is completely tense. ]

Goodness. What are you looking for...?

[ Although the quick glance she casts the drink again says she thinks she knows. ]

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1/2

2/3 i lied

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