Then I will make sure to remember it. [both name and gesture] I suspect we are from very different planes, you and I, unless you're from further west in Orthanzia, or located in Wildemount?
[ Perhaps those names will ring a bell, or perhaps they won't. She's certain that his clan doesn't reside in Tal'dorei, in the very least. ]
That's entirely possible. In which case, it's a good thing I got a good deal on them, wouldn't you agree? [As for bonding partners:] Given I apparently didn't arrive through the correct sort of mirror [whatever that's about] they were a little concerned about whether a bond would even--
[wait
The question earns a blink, and Vex. Freezes. She's never heard of anyone calling him 'young master' (she recalls all too well his reaction to "grand sire"), but just hearing Percival's name seems to make her lock up, lips closing, then parting, then closing again.]
[ He seems pretty proud of himself for being right, taking Vex's reaction as a positive sign. One can never really be sure with so many people coming in and going out and all of the worlds and times being unpredictable, but when Vex stops suddenly, Xichen assumes that means she does recognize his name. Ah, he'll be so delighted! ]
Then is it true? I could not be certain, but if you are his friend, then he shall be greatly relieved, I think. Young Master Percival has been instructing me recently in the forge and on personal matters, and I am very grateful to him. I would be blessed to be able to see him reunite with a friend.
[ He doesn't realize that maybe this is a weird way to present a coincidence--just happy to be here, Lan Xichen all around. ]
Ah, and even if you have not arrived through a conventional mirror, I am sure that between people of the same world there must already be a connection. It must be a sign of good fortune.
[ The unintentional upset he had been so concerned about causing has arrived, well intended words causing a myriad of emotions. That such pride comes after a reveal that Vex is still reeling from, back straighter and lips pressed into a thin line as she listens to this man.
She had thought him kind, if naive. Now she is the one who feels like a fool. ]
Fortune? [her voice doesn't crack, but the note is a touch sharp] If this is a joke, it's decidedly unfunny.
[She is quite the opposite of happy; but what sounds like anger cannot mask the emotion visible not on her face, but in her eyes: grief, from some painful and still fresh wound.] I don't know what "truth" you seem to think you've uncovered. But I think you've have me confused for someone else.
Excuse me.
[and she turns, reshouldering her bag with haste.]
[ The change is so abrupt that Lan Xichen stays frozen for a moment, confused and slightly panicked by the way Vex'ahlia's mood changes and becomes decidedly cold. He certainly assumed she would be glad to know Percy was there, but he can't even begin to guess what the reason for her response is, even if they were fighting. Wouldn't Percy have mentioned that? Maybe not. ]
Ah, please, don't leave! [ He can't just let her go like that. ]
I don't understand. Why would I be joking about a companion?
[ Naive is pretty accurate, because he doesn't know what he did wrong to defend himself. ]
Lady Vex'ahlia, I may indeed have confused you with someone. My familiarity is only in passing, but if you wish, we can go to the young master and talk to him about it. That way there will be no misunderstandings.
[ That's the worst of it, really: he hasn't done anything wrong. In the very least, he's speaking the truth as he knows it.
But it is a truth that runs counter to what Vex'ahlia knows, what she has lived through, and the thought that Percival could be here, that he's still.. No. That's too much to bear.
She does not stop moving, meaning Lan Xichen will have to stay on his toes to keep up with her. And the crowd is thin enough at this time that she can't simply lose him, particularly when he is far more familiar with the place than she is. ]
Why should I believe you? [she doesn't look at him] I don't know you. And you certainly don't know me. And I am not talking to anyone else here. [oh no, she's not falling for that old trap]
[ Luckily for Lan Xichen, he is actually quite athletic despite his refined aesthetic. He does give chase, walking quickly alongside her with an ever-growing expression of concern. This is not a fight. This is something worse. ]
Please, Lady Vex'ahlia, I promise that what I say is true. It is forbidden for me to speak falsehoods, and I would not make light of anything involving one's connection to their home! As you say, I do not know you, so what reason would I have to mislead you? Surely that would not serve a purpose.
[ Forbidden to speak falsehoods? That gets the most incredulous side-eye. How can anyone live like that? That's absurd. (Scanlan would die.) He's annoyingly persistent (takes one to know one, really), and she begins to scoff at his insistence that misleading her would serve no purpose.
Save that something gives her pause, amidst the turmoil within.
The problem with being perceptive, with having learned how to read people from the earliest of ages (at your mother's knee; in your father's stifling court; in bustling towns where no one but your brother is on your side), is that you can see to the heart of things - even when you really don't want to give that heart a chance.
Lan Xichen is being truthful, in this moment. In the very least, he is genuine in his confusion and genuine in his concern. She has no reason to doubt him.
But if she's honest with herself, she's not ready to hear what he has to say. ]
Fine. I believe you aren't lying. [said, tightly wound] Now, please excuse me.
[She says she believes him, which of course he also accepts without question, but she sounds angry, and upset, and Lan Xichen is no closer to understanding how he has managed to offend her by mentioning someone he thought she would want to see. Could they have had some terrible falling out? It did not seem so when Percy spoke to him. He had looked rather fond in that dream... But then, wouldn't Wei Wuxian have looked fond of his younger brother if he had managed to accidentally wound Lan Wangji somehow? He would have smiled just as much, loved him just as much, even if Wangji wouldn't forgive him.
He has made a terrible mistake. Somehow, without meaning to, Xichen has hit a nerve he never knew existed.]
Yes, I- I apologize. I should not keep you from your business.
[He lowers his head in respect and to hide his expression, voice going quiet as he steps back out of the way. He's going to have to apologize to Percy as well for this transgression.]
[ That's going to be an interesting conversation, one that Vex won't likely be privy to - though one she'll certainly be embarrassed about later.
But this one is at an end, and her head inclines in a nod of acknowledgement of the apology. She's already been incredibly rude; she doesn't trust herself to speak further, so she sidesteps away, then forward on, soon disappearing into the market crowds.
But surely the magical nonsense with the mirrors won't prevent a chance for an apology. Right? ]
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no subject
Then I will make sure to remember it. [both name and gesture] I suspect we are from very different planes, you and I, unless you're from further west in Orthanzia, or located in Wildemount?
[ Perhaps those names will ring a bell, or perhaps they won't. She's certain that his clan doesn't reside in Tal'dorei, in the very least. ]
That's entirely possible. In which case, it's a good thing I got a good deal on them, wouldn't you agree? [As for bonding partners:] Given I apparently didn't arrive through the correct sort of mirror [whatever that's about] they were a little concerned about whether a bond would even--
[wait
The question earns a blink, and Vex. Freezes. She's never heard of anyone calling him 'young master' (she recalls all too well his reaction to "grand sire"), but just hearing Percival's name seems to make her lock up, lips closing, then parting, then closing again.]
I beg your pardon?
no subject
Then is it true? I could not be certain, but if you are his friend, then he shall be greatly relieved, I think. Young Master Percival has been instructing me recently in the forge and on personal matters, and I am very grateful to him. I would be blessed to be able to see him reunite with a friend.
[ He doesn't realize that maybe this is a weird way to present a coincidence--just happy to be here, Lan Xichen all around. ]
Ah, and even if you have not arrived through a conventional mirror, I am sure that between people of the same world there must already be a connection. It must be a sign of good fortune.
no subject
She had thought him kind, if naive. Now she is the one who feels like a fool. ]
Fortune? [her voice doesn't crack, but the note is a touch sharp] If this is a joke, it's decidedly unfunny.
[She is quite the opposite of happy; but what sounds like anger cannot mask the emotion visible not on her face, but in her eyes: grief, from some painful and still fresh wound.] I don't know what "truth" you seem to think you've uncovered. But I think you've have me confused for someone else.
Excuse me.
[and she turns, reshouldering her bag with haste.]
no subject
Ah, please, don't leave! [ He can't just let her go like that. ]
I don't understand. Why would I be joking about a companion?
[ Naive is pretty accurate, because he doesn't know what he did wrong to defend himself. ]
Lady Vex'ahlia, I may indeed have confused you with someone. My familiarity is only in passing, but if you wish, we can go to the young master and talk to him about it. That way there will be no misunderstandings.
no subject
But it is a truth that runs counter to what Vex'ahlia knows, what she has lived through, and the thought that Percival could be here, that he's still.. No. That's too much to bear.
She does not stop moving, meaning Lan Xichen will have to stay on his toes to keep up with her. And the crowd is thin enough at this time that she can't simply lose him, particularly when he is far more familiar with the place than she is. ]
Why should I believe you? [she doesn't look at him] I don't know you. And you certainly don't know me. And I am not talking to anyone else here. [oh no, she's not falling for that old trap]
no subject
Please, Lady Vex'ahlia, I promise that what I say is true. It is forbidden for me to speak falsehoods, and I would not make light of anything involving one's connection to their home! As you say, I do not know you, so what reason would I have to mislead you? Surely that would not serve a purpose.
no subject
Save that something gives her pause, amidst the turmoil within.
The problem with being perceptive, with having learned how to read people from the earliest of ages (at your mother's knee; in your father's stifling court; in bustling towns where no one but your brother is on your side), is that you can see to the heart of things - even when you really don't want to give that heart a chance.
Lan Xichen is being truthful, in this moment. In the very least, he is genuine in his confusion and genuine in his concern. She has no reason to doubt him.
But if she's honest with herself, she's not ready to hear what he has to say. ]
Fine. I believe you aren't lying. [said, tightly wound] Now, please excuse me.
no subject
He has made a terrible mistake. Somehow, without meaning to, Xichen has hit a nerve he never knew existed.]
Yes, I- I apologize. I should not keep you from your business.
[He lowers his head in respect and to hide his expression, voice going quiet as he steps back out of the way. He's going to have to apologize to Percy as well for this transgression.]
no subject
But this one is at an end, and her head inclines in a nod of acknowledgement of the apology. She's already been incredibly rude; she doesn't trust herself to speak further, so she sidesteps away, then forward on, soon disappearing into the market crowds.
But surely the magical nonsense with the mirrors won't prevent a chance for an apology. Right? ]