pcs with psyche

[diabolizes]

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[diabolizes]

[ Ah, so she figured out that he’s a troublemaker. Oops. Must be impossible to hide. ]

Younger, actually! We aren’t related by blood, but by bond. We grew up together.

[ He smiles, and it’s obvious he loves talking about his family. ]

But the sternness of your friend is really reminiscent of him. Have the two of you been friends for a long time?

[chrysaline]

[ Maybe it was the smiling at being chided that tipped her off... or maybe it was the network crimes against Little Xiao. Who can say. ]

You sound very close.

[ By blood or not, the connection is what's important, isn't it? She grins back in return, and it's just as obvious that she's happy to talk about her friends. ]

Yes! She's my oldest friend. I've known her four years now. Not nearly as long as growing up together with someone... that must be wonderful.

[diabolizes]

It has its ups and downs, actually. Knowing someone so well means it hurts more when something bad happens.

[ Such as injuries, amongst a myriad of other things. ]

Although… the length of time you know someone might not matter in that case, as feelings trumps all of that.

[chrysaline]

[ Aha... her expression turns introspective for a moment at that, a little wry. ]

That's true. The longer you've known each other, the more difficult times you've been through with each other. It always hurts to see someone you care about in pain.

[diabolizes]

[ Ah... he looks down at the pastry in his hand, his expression pensive. ]

It does. And often, you'll do whatever you can to make that pain stop.

[chrysaline]

Yes. But I think caring about people is still worthwhile.

[ He's worrying again... she leans in a little, tilting her head as she studies his expression. ]

Was your brother in some kind of trouble?

[diabolizes]

[ Oh no, are they about to be in a little worry cycle? Because now Wei Wuxian is worried about her worrying over him. He smiles, trying to ease the mood. ]

He was, but I got him out of it! He's doing quite well now.

[chrysaline]

[ They absolutely are. She gives his smile a searching little look. But it would probably waste the effort he's putting in to smooth things over if she presses... ]

...I'm glad, then. You know, you sound terribly responsible for a troublemaker. You have a lot of people you take care of, don't you?

[diabolizes]

I do, but I'm sure some would say they're taking care of me instead!

[ He laughs. ]

For all that the people on the Burial Mounds consider me a leader, they do plenty on their own. I think everyone's just happy to have some semblance of peace.

[chrysaline]

Then you're all taking care of each other. That's always better.

[ She startles a tiny bit at "Burial Mounds." It sounds spooky. But then, he works with ghosts, doesn't he? Perhaps it's ordinary for him. ]

Because of that war you mentioned before? I hope the peace lasts.

[diabolizes]

[ He's slightly relieved she doesn't ask about the Burial Mounds, even if he'd tell her. It's just a lot to handle on top of the whole ghost thing. ]

As do I.

[ He has his doubt, though, but he'll enjoy it as it lasts. ]

But that's enough about me. What's your home like, Psyche?

[chrysaline]

I like hearing about you.

[ But it's only fair, she supposes. Her home, hm... ]

Vasilios is a large and prosperous empire. They've had a lot of conflicts in recent years to expand territory or secure trade routes... but the capital is isolated from most of that.

[ If it sounds like she's rattling off a history book, well. Maybe a bit. ]

[diabolizes]

[ It does, but he doesn't pay that too much mind. Maybe she hasn't travelled enough to know the ins and outs of the empire. ]

Do you live in the capital?

[chrysaline]

That's right. I've really only left there once. Actually... before a few years ago, I'd never even been outside. It's kind of embarrassing, but there's a lot I don't know about my own country.

[ So he's more than a little right in his guess. She gives a sheepish laugh. ]

[diabolizes]

It isn't embarrassing.

[ Just saying!! ]

There must have been a reason why.

[chrysaline]

You think so? Even if there's a reason, it's so important.

[ But it's nice of him... she can't help but smile. She tears her last bits of muffin absentmindedly between her fingers as she weighs how to phrase it. ]

It's nothing much. People in Vasilios don't have things like... um, cultivation. So my parents wanted to keep me close until I was old enough to hide my ability.

[diabolizes]

Important or not, it’s a testament to how difficult things were for you. So, it’s not embarrassing.

[ And he’ll be adamant about that! He played outside so much as a kid that he can’t imagine not being able to, which makes her upbringing difficult. ]

It makes sense, though, that they wanted to keep you hidden. But even so… do you wish they let you take the risk of going out?

[ Sorry for the difficult question, Psyche… ]

[chrysaline]

I wonder...

[ Ah... definitely a difficult question, judging by the way her nails briefly dig into her palms. ]

Yes. Even if it was the wrong choice. There are so many things I would have done differently... But if I was only able to meet the friends I have now because of it, then I think I wouldn't trade that for anything.

[diabolizes]

[ Oops. ]

I understand that. Sometimes the bonds you forge are worth keeping in lieu of everything else.

[ He smiles a little bit. ]

Now it's your turn to ask me a difficult question.

[ Hopefully that makes up for it, right? ]

[chrysaline]

[ Well, she's the one who went and got serious. She laughs and shakes her head to lighten the mood. ]

That's a little tricky. I don't know what's difficult for you.

[ And she doesn't want to get them in another worry loop! She swirls her fingers idly in the sand as she thinks. ]

Then... who's the first person you want to see when you get home?

[diabolizes]

Ah... that is a hard question!

[ He actually takes some time to think about that one, before finally coming to his conclusion. ]

My nephew. I had been on my way to pick up a gift for his one month celebration before arriving here.

[chrysaline]

Oh, congratulations! Is that your brother's son?

[ She picked a safe choice after all, good. She brightens quickly at the subject. ]

[diabolizes]

My sister’s, actually. I don’t think my brother will ever find a good match for him.

[ He grins, clearly amused by the idea of anyone wanting to marry him. ]

[chrysaline]

[ His poor brother... Psyche can't help but laugh. ]

You never know. That kind of stern personality can really be unexpectedly gallant! [ Or she's projecting. ] Do you have a lot of siblings?

[diabolizes]

Just two.

[ He answers quickly so he can latch onto what she just said. Sorry not sorry, Psyche. ]

So you like stern men, is that it?