[”Zewu-jun, are you home? Could you meet me outside?” That’s the text message he’ll receive from Miu, worded as politely and semi-formally as she can despite that she she’s trying to do is not, in any way, a formal thing.
[She follows obediently, but her curiosity—her Fatal Flaw—keeps her from just hanging back politely. She immediately moves to examine the painting with interest, even if she can’t recognize what it might become.
Miu makes a small noise of disbelief, resting one hand on her hip and raising an eyebrow at Xichen, her expression and her tone accusing (albeit jokingly so)]
And you paint. Zewu-jun is there anything you can’t do well? How unfair!
There are... some things. I may not be particularly good at household chores, for example. But I was raised with the expectation of becoming a sect leader, so I could not be worse at much than those I was going to lead - whether it be the Six Arts, or cultivation...
[Miu watches him with that careful, eagle-eyes gaze as if she’s trying to peel back the layers of his response—or his very soul—with each word. In the end she gives a soft hum of acknowledgement and understanding before looking away.]
Being perfect and polished and poised, because a single crack isn’t acceptable. Something like that? [Her tone is dry, disinterested, but she feels like she knows a little something about that. She clasps her hands behind her back, careful with her gift, and nods.]
Sure, I guess. I don’t plan on staying too long, but... [But tea is nice. She holds her gift out.]
And this is for you.
[Whenever he decides to open it he’ll find a chocolate bunny roughly able to fit in his palm (well in Miu’s palm, so likely it’s a bit smaller than his own). It’s clearly not professionally made and the features crude, but it’s recognizably a rabbit.]
It’s a holiday today. Though I’m pretty sure they didn’t have it in your world. Or time period, at least.
[Miu grins at him, seemingly pleased at having caught him off guard, then waves a dismissive hand at the apology] It’s fine, it’s fine. Different countries celebrate it differently, but where I’m from it’s really for girls to give the presents. In a month—on March 14th- is when the boys are supposed to give gifts back to the girls who age them presents first. That one’s called White’s Day, and your gift is supposed to be something white, or near enough.
[You know, like diamonds... Or white lingerie, but she won’t tell him that..]
It’s called Valentine’s and it’s supposed to be a holiday celebrating love. Generally it’s a pretty big day for couples and love confessions, engagements and marriages and all. But you can celebrate the love between family and friends too.
[She nods in acceptance, and then:] You guys— [And then she stops and frowns, looking down at her hands, clearly having not expected to speak up at all.
But now it feels like she can’t just backdown and she can’t think of anything quickly to lie with. She glances at Xichen and then away again, continuing to frown before she sighs and speaks quietly. ]
You...and Hangaung-jun... have been really... [She trails off and wrings her hands together, shrugging like she’s not sure how to say it.] You’ve done a lot for me. More than most people would. You both... You’ve made me feel like I. Actually belong somewhere. I guess.
2/14 delivery
Whatever!!]
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[ But if she doesn't, then he'll come down - shortly, but still. ]
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Ink?
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Yes, he's painting. She can look if she wants, though the work is far from finished and probably not yet recognizable. ]
I was fortunate that I could find proper ink and brushes, here.
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Miu makes a small noise of disbelief, resting one hand on her hip and raising an eyebrow at Xichen, her expression and her tone accusing (albeit jokingly so)]
And you paint. Zewu-jun is there anything you can’t do well? How unfair!
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There are... some things. I may not be particularly good at household chores, for example. But I was raised with the expectation of becoming a sect leader, so I could not be worse at much than those I was going to lead - whether it be the Six Arts, or cultivation...
[ Or much at all. ]
Would you like tea?
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Being perfect and polished and poised, because a single crack isn’t acceptable. Something like that? [Her tone is dry, disinterested, but she feels like she knows a little something about that. She clasps her hands behind her back, careful with her gift, and nods.]
Sure, I guess. I don’t plan on staying too long, but... [But tea is nice. She holds her gift out.]
And this is for you.
[Whenever he decides to open it he’ll find a chocolate bunny roughly able to fit in his palm (well in Miu’s palm, so likely it’s a bit smaller than his own). It’s clearly not professionally made and the features crude, but it’s recognizably a rabbit.]
It’s a holiday today. Though I’m pretty sure they didn’t have it in your world. Or time period, at least.
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Mmm... something like that.
[ He blinks for a moment, at the change of direction, then reaches up to take the gift, cupping his hands to bow at her. ]
Thank you. I... forgive my rudeness for lacking a present to return to you. If I had been aware, I would have avoided it.
If I may ask... what is the holiday in celebration of?
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[You know, like diamonds... Or white lingerie, but she won’t tell him that..]
It’s called Valentine’s and it’s supposed to be a holiday celebrating love. Generally it’s a pretty big day for couples and love confessions, engagements and marriages and all. But you can celebrate the love between family and friends too.
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Before his face softens, and he inclines his head. Family. He does know how Wangji feels about her. ]
In a month, something white, then. I will remember. Thank you.
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But now it feels like she can’t just backdown and she can’t think of anything quickly to lie with. She glances at Xichen and then away again, continuing to frown before she sighs and speaks quietly. ]
You...and Hangaung-jun... have been really... [She trails off and wrings her hands together, shrugging like she’s not sure how to say it.] You’ve done a lot for me. More than most people would. You both... You’ve made me feel like I. Actually belong somewhere. I guess.