Audience: Gu Yun

[probe]

Comments

[liuli]

[ lol. with a careful hand, he plucks the flower itself, making sure not to damage any of the plant around it. despair's right, gu yun's not dumb. ]

She's lost enough. [ he says in response, simply. from what he saw, from what he's learned. ] I know.

[ gu yun's definitely also smart enough to have seen how rattled wrath was last week, and - it was definitely his fault. he'd been worried, tried to help pull her back down, and it had taken the passing of time and a special present to make progress. he's quiet, for a moment longer, looking at the flower in his hand. ]

You all... weren't originally like this, were you?

[probe]

Perhaps we weren't. Perhaps we always have been what we are, at our cores.

[they don't appear inclined to give a straight answer, on that one, or perhaps they'd just prefer not to speak of it.]

But, knowing that about her, just what do you intend to do here?

[liuli]

[ well.

that's an easy answer. one given with no hesitation. ]

Survive. [ period. ]

[probe]

I did mean a bit more specifically.

[they will wait.]

[liuli]

[ oops im stupid.

anyway, he frowns, brows furrowing a bit. ]

If I'm the one awake on a Thursday evening, I will be the one to wake up the next morning, and I don't intend on getting caught, either. I have a trick up my sleeve in that regard. [ his own cleverness and skills aside, the peach blossom pin in his hair won't be going anywhere anytime soon. ] And if I am somehow caught, then it'll be in self-defense. Nothing personal. Admittedly, the boon I received this week isn't as helpful, and I was more public about it than anything else I've been gifted so far, but that's alright - I'll make do.

[ a pause. ] Unless you're asking if I have plans of making a preemptive strike of some kind.

[probe]

[...they reach up to rub at their face.]

All well and good, yes, though I fail to understand why so many of you willingly volunteer what is at your disposal-- but none of this is what I intended to ask.

What do you intend to do regarding the relations between the two of you, Marquis.

[liuli]

[ you know he'd normally defend himself because he didn't say what he was going to have! thank you! but also ]

...Ah. What?

[ he

he wasn't even thinking about that. this is a comedy of errors. ]

[probe]

You and Wrath, do try to keep up.

[liuli]

[ wow, the so far completely unflappable gu yun's ears turn pink. ]

I - that's what you've trying to get at? I - this is that talk that parents are supposed to give, is that what you're giving me right now. [ who is he, shen yi, ] I. [ fLUSTERED ] - I greatly enjoy Wrath's company and wouldn't do anything such as die to ruin that, or - ruin it in other ways?

[ ?? ???? ??? hes so bad at this its actually comical THIS IS THE LAST THING HE WAS EXPECTING!!!!! at least he's bad at it which is how you instantly know he's sincere, because despair has probably noticed that gu yun would rather die than be wrong about or bad at almost anything. ]

[probe]

That parents give-- just what impression do you have of our ties, Marquis?

[they sound a little incredulous, frankly.

....the fact that he's so flustered helps, though, they are enjoying that part.]

[liuli]

Do you think I know anything about having competent parents?

[ JUST SAYING ]

[probe]

You do not truly think my relationship to her is parental, do you?

[liuli]

[ laughs pathetically in sha po lang ]

No! Is that really the point here. [ stop doing this ]

[probe]

It most certainly is the point.

[they will not stop. he can't see their face, but. big raised eyebrow energy.]

[liuli]

[ he deserves this for teasing them actually

anyway. gu yun clears his throat. yes. very cool. he's fine. ANYWAY. ] You two are obviously affectionate with each other, and she's fond of you, even if she doesn't say so.

[probe]

I suppose neither of us is particularly vocal about it, no.

[their fingers tap on their forearm once more, quiet a few moments.]

Nor am I particularly surprised she hasn't yet mentioned we are involved, but given the attachment she clearly has to you, then I do feel you ought to have some awareness.

1/2

[liuli]

[


i see ]

[liuli]

[ ............... ]


Well! I suppose we'll be seeing a lot of each other, Despair! Are you immune to charm effects, too?




[ i have no idea what to do with this situation so i'm going to talk.png ]

[probe]

[entirely deadpan:]

Quite immune, yes, although she would certainly object to my saying so.

[liuli]

Well, she told me she was immune to Charm effects, too, and that definitely wasn't the case, so, I'll take it with a grain of salt.

[ wehehehe

he's internally dying a little rn its fine ]

[probe]

If you expect it to work the same way with me, I will warn you now not to make assumptions.

[but they sound... halfway amused, maybe. suffer.]

[liuli]

Are you implying I'm not a flexible strategist?

[ please!!! he's the marquis of order! ]