pcs with psyche

[diabolizes]

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[diabolizes]

[ Ah... right. Psyche isn't the kind of person who would just push everything onto him in the way that he's so used to. ]

...Before coming here, I subscribed to the philosophy of walking a single-plank bridge on my own into the darkness over the crowded, broad road.

[ ... ]

This won't be easy for me, but I think you're up to the task.

[chrysaline]

[ She lets that sink in a little while she considers that with a slight pang; it's no wonder it's hard for her to ignore the similarities, sometimes. ]

Mm... I think I understand. But the right path is the right path, isn't it? I don't care if it's hard. I can still be there with you. Right behind you, if not beside you. I promise that I'm up to it. [ She pauses again, then shakes her head slightly. ] And if it's a path you wouldn't want me to follow... then, don't expect me to let you go down it without a fight.

[diabolizes]

[ He glances away, looking over at the other couches in the planetarium as he thinks over what she says. ]

…Alright.

[ Is what he’s doing now something he would want Psyche to join him in doing? No, but he can’t backtrack on his decisions either, which is where the problem lies. ]

I’ll believe in your ability to keep up. Where I’m at back home isn’t an easy place to be, so my first inclination is not to allow you to follow me, but I realize that isn’t fair.

[chrysaline]

[ She gives a little nod at that, watching his expression as he considers. ]

To be honest... I think the only times in my life that have been peaceful were because I was too ignorant to understand what was wrong. I'm not afraid of struggling. [ Just of him trying to shoulder all of that alone. ] I still want to hear everything about your home.

[diabolizes]

[ He squeezes her hand. ]

I'd like to hear everything about yours as well. I want this to be an even exchange between us in all ways.

[chrysaline]

[ She squeezes his hand back, her smile softening. "Even." That's all she's always wanted, isn't it? ]

Everything. I already don't have any secrets from you.

[diabolizes]

Then, anything you’d like to know about me… all you have to do is ask.

[ He’s an open person in general, but he has a tendency to leave things out. With Psyche, though? He won’t do that. ]

[chrysaline]

I don't know where to start, though. [ But she laughs, because that won't stop her in the least. ] What about at the beginning? If I made you tell me all of it from your earliest memories? You said your early childhood was happy.

[ He could talk for a few hours and she'd be pleased, honestly. ]

[diabolizes]

The beginning?

[ He grins, letting out a soft laugh. ]

My parents were good people, so from what I remember of them, I remember fondly. I had a good few years growing up, but they passed when I was five.

[chrysaline]

[ She gives his hand another squeeze for that and nods. It was a long time ago, but still. ]

I'm sorry. And I'm glad they're such warm memories. Is it alright if I ask what happened?

[diabolizes]

They were killed on a night-hunt. [ He pauses. ] Cultivators expel creatures with negative energy during night-hunts.

[ He figures she wouldn’t know. ]

After that, I lived on the streets for a few years and fended for myself. I was around nine years old when a family friend of my parents found me.

[chrysaline]

So they were cultivators like you.

[ Her brow furrows a little at that, but she nods, pressing herself closer. It's a familiar thwarted ache, knowing someone she loves was hurt and that she couldn't change that. ]

And that's when you met your brother and sister... [ Wait. ] And you tried to run away again a year later? Wei Wuxian!

[diabolizes]

Not quite like me, but yes.

[ But he laughs. Honestly, he deserves to be scolded. ]

I ran away because I know I made Jiang Cheng upset. He had several puppies that Uncle Jiang had to get rid of because I was too afraid of them. I already felt like I was imposing, so to know I made him so upset… I felt like I had to run away.

[chrysaline]

[ She cocks her head a little at that, but it gets filed away for later. The things she needs to ask about cultivation could fill a book. ]

You know... it's a little unfair to give me a reason like that. It makes it too hard to scold you. [ Her heart hurts a little, actually. ] I'm glad your sister was able to mend things for you both.

[ Can she even feel pleased about confirming her dog guess like this?? ]

[diabolizes]

[ And it would take a whole book to explain too… poor Psyche. ]

Haha! Well, don’t feel bad about it. Things were mended and we grew up together well despite all of it.

[chrysaline]

You love your siblings deeply, don't you? [ It's sweet. He gets a cheek kiss just for that. ] I hope you grew out of running away from the people who care about you, too.

[ Should she hold out hope for that? With a little laugh, she adds under her breath: ] I thought it was dogs.

[diabolizes]

[ He's gonna latch onto what she whispers so he doesn't have to think about running away from people. ]

You could tell?

[chrysaline]

You only named three animals, didn't you? Rabbits, cats, and dogs. You didn't mind Fou, and you were taking care of Chai's cat... I know they're not quite typical ones, but it was a guess.

[ Yeah!! Look at the deductive prowess she's gained over the last year. Hehe. ]

[diabolizes]

…Not bad.

[ Wow, she’s pretty good. ]

I used to fight with dogs for food scraps as a child.

[chrysaline]

[ Something like that, hm... She slides her hand up his arm, reflexively feeling for injuries that would have long-since healed. ]

I wonder if the things that scare us as children ever really stop being frightening.

[ Those years must have been so hard. But he's resisted her calling it that before, so she won't press. ]

[diabolizes]

[ Thankfully, she won’t find any old injuries. ]

I doubt it. Those are formative years. Sometimes, the things we experience will shape the rest of our lives.

[chrysaline]

[ Her hold on his arm tightens reflexively at that, but she gives a little nod of agreement. ]

I suppose so... I'm sorry. [ That it happened, or for stirring up those memories? Both, likely. ]

[diabolizes]

[ He shakes his head, bringing a hand up to rest over the one she has on his arm. ]

The past is the past and you bringing it up cannot hurt me. Don't be sorry for it.

[chrysaline]

[ She glances down at his hand, and then up at his face again before she gives a wry little smile. ]

Alright. But you'll tell me if I do, won't you? Just because you're used to being strong doesn't mean you should always have to be. Everyone has things that hurt them.

[diabolizes]

I will.

[ He smiles. While he may not do so every single time out of habit, he’ll try. ]

Can I ask you to do the same in return?