riegan | ➵ xie lian

(It's a perfectly normal Wednesday if we just handwave whatever the event is going to be ok

But Claude can be found at the top of the fort, looking up at the sky. Whether it be stars at night or clouds during the day, he's loves skygazing.

And he seems to be in a good mood? )

[ what event

i mean. xie lian cannot climb as well as he normally can, but that has not stopped him today, and it probably won't stop him the rest of the week, so! when he spots a familiar face - after a strange day - xie lian's glad to join him, coming up and announcing his presence by clearing his throat. ]

Good evening, Claude. [ with a little smile. ] Do you mind some company?

(He turns to see who it is! Ah, it's Xie Lian, someone he owes a debt to after last week! And so he smiles, warmly.)

Ah, Xie Lian. Good evening. Did you make it up here all by yourself? You should have called... I would have come down.

(But actually low key did you get up here all by yourself? Did someone help him up? If so, is it that guy?)

Of course I did - I'm hardly an invalid, you know! [ he says with a smile, waving a hand - despite the fact that he was, in fact, trampled by a horse man last week, xie lian's not really seeming to react to it all that much. he's had worse. ]

Besides, the view up here is quite wonderful - I think it would be a shame to miss out on it.

[ that...and... it's been kind of a weird day, and he has something he wants to be a little nosy about with claude, so. ] How are you this evening?

Right, right, how could I doubt you?

(Just going to prop himself on the ledge now. Is it dangerous? Yes. Knock him over and get the kill, xl.)

It's nice, isn't it? I'd rather see the sky out here than in the planetarium. Maybe it's not as clear as those lights but it feels more impressive.

(His little dreamer heart...)

I'm well. And you?

[ (sparta kicks him over the edge) no he would never.

xie lian shifts, leaning forward to rest his weight on his elbows, looking up at the sky above. ] I feel the same. There's something very comforting about looking up at a familiar sky.

[ even though it's not that familiar, at least it's open. for xie lian, who has spent most of his nights sleeping underneath the stars like this, it feels good.

there's a pause, and he glances sidelong at claude. ] ...well, I'm fine, but... are you ...

[ ... ] ...There's not anything bothering you, in particular? At all?

[ smooth ]

(Tilting his head curiously to one side. That wasn't very smooth at all and he wonders what exactly he's getting at,)

... No.

(Guess who probably hasn't really seen SOMEONE around today? Therefore, it's been a good day??)

What's wrong? If something's on your mind, you can tell me. No one else is around but you can whisper it in my ear if you want.

(He's fine, he's fine.)

Are you sure...?

[ xie lian's brow furrows, and he dances around it a little bit more, trying to avoid saying san lang's name, just in case that's what really is setting him off? he knows hua cheng can be... well, to most people, he's not exactly polite, but last week he and claude seemed to be getting on so well, so...

he's worried :( talk about being fussy. ]

You didn't get in an argument with anyone, or anything, right...? Nothing particularly strange? No one said anything that was, um... maybe harsh? On accident?

(They were even getting along earlier in the week! Monday and Tuesday were fine? So everything is obviously fine today now, too.)

Not that I recall? Of course, I tend to naturally aggravate people with my sharp wit and dashing charm.

(Deflecting with humor? Don't ever doubt that Claude von Riegan is anything but confident. Which, btw, I forgot about the effect so Claude is!! Confident and actually very calm! Star viewing does that to him-- slows his thoughts and lets him relax a bit.

But now he's probably just growing increasingly confused and concerned,)

What? Is someone saying I did something?

(A beat and then he frowns,)

... Is it Hua Cheng?

No -- well... kind of.

San Lang didn't say anything, exactly, but... [ BUT, he's worried!! xie lian can feel the relaxed, confident nature to claude, but... he can also feel it shifting, and winces a little internally at his own awkwardness. how do you approach this?? he's bad at talking to people, when was the last time he had to resolve a conflict quite like this...???

anyway. xie lian deflates a little. claude will feel his worry; it's very genuine. ]

He was just...acting a bit strange, is all, so I was wondering if the two of you talked about something earlier today...?

(And there it goes. That calm and confident air seems to switch, turning annoyed and cold in an instant. As for Claude himself, he doesn't even try to hide how he's feeling

(Strange, for someone who usually keeps so much hidden)

Ugh, that guy. )

Why would I talk to him? Why don't you ask him for yourself, then? (This isn't like him. Claude who is usually so cordial, even if he isn't the most honest person. Surely, if he didn't like someone, he would keep it to himself and at least try to act civil but he can't seem to contain himself now,) ... Did he send you? If he's saying I did something then he can tell me himself instead of sending a messenger.

[ WHAT IS GOING ON

xie lian just seems. even more confused. ]

-- What? [ it's especially weird because... well, you know, san lang doesn't have a lot of people he really gets along with? and he seemed to really enjoy claude's company, especially last week. xie lian can see why; they're both similar, very clever and very cheeky!

but now this? that confusion and worry blends together, and xie lian looks a little lost. and maybe a teeny bit hurt, too. ]

Claude, I came to check with you on my own-- I'm not San Lang's servant, or anything like that. I just noticed things were a little... um, strained, is all. Did something happen between you two...?

Right.

(He says, more harshly than he ever meant to say. He can feel the emotions in the air and it's not Xie Lian's fault that Hua Cheng is he most aggravating person in the world.)

Ugh... (He closes his eyes and tries. He really, really tries to count down from ten or something. He dislikes being worked up like this. It takes so much to get him like this!!

And just, a little more softly, though, it takes some effort,) Look, I'm sorry. I'm not mad at you or anything.

I just don't get why you're asking me. I didn't do anything.

[ this is so... this is so weird. when claude apologizes to him, xie lian looks a little surprised - his brow's still furrowed, like he was trying to figure his way through the timeline of events that could've led to this.

he's quiet for a second, that cloud of worry hanging over them both from this distance. ] ...it's not that I think anyone did anything one way or another, really...

...I just know a different San Lang than everyone else does, I think. [ he knows, actually - when it comes to his own realm, hua cheng has quite the reputation. ] I know that he can be... to other people, sometimes he can come off as capricious, and even as downright rude. There are many people in my realm who are terrified of him, for some reason or another, and some of the remarks he makes can be cutting, I think because he just doesn't really try to get along with others much at all. [ besides him, anyway.

there's a beat. ] ...but, I'm sorry, if he upset you. I'm sure he didn't mean it.

[ xie lian's nose wrinkles as he frowns, looking away from claude and the stars and down at the ground below them, instead, soft and a little sad. ] San Lang doesn't have a lot of friends, and... you two seemed to really get along...

[ HE'S SO SAD? as soon as he figures out this is an effect it's going to get annoying but right now he's just worried for them both. ] I hope that you'll be able to give him another chance, eventually. He really is a good person.

(It's definitely weird, not that Claude realizes anything about that which is also strange. As far as he feels, this all feels perfectly normal! And the feeling in the air is just agitated and frustrated, increasing more and more as Xie Lian speaks. He's not an angry person, it takes a lot to really make him mad, but right now, he's just! So! Angry!!)

I don't care.

(He interjects as soon as he's given the chance,)

No one has to forgive him for being arrogant (confident) and dishonest (cunning). If he isn't going to try to get along with others then there's no reason for me to try to talk to him.

(But they were literally talking earlier this week. They were fine. THey were having fun, even?)

Xie Lian, I get it. You like him. I don't know why but you do. (Why is he so sad? Why is he trying to make Claude like this guy? He's not going to. He can't.) But I don't have to give him anything.

(Me, eski, closing my eyes as I type this,)

He isn't.

(A good person.)

Claude...

[ that's all xie lian really has to say, at first, letting him say every piece that he wants to say. arrogant, dishonest, unlikable, cruel; a calamity. the descriptors that claude has assigned to hua cheng are just the ones that the heavens have given him, too.

...so, he won't be dissuaded, really. this is what they usually might have to deal with, and the worry doesn't really fade away in response to claude's emotions pressed outwards, but rather, starts to shift. it feels a little more like... like he's disappointed, more than anything else. he's not mad. he's just disappointed in your actions, young man. ]

...Alright. [ he says, quietly. ] I know that I won't be able to convince you otherwise, will I? [ because... something about this just feels so off. it seems more like some kind of plan, or something, and if they're trying to be convincing by not including xie lian on it, it's certainly working.

...but, he's pretty sure san lang wouldn't do that. (after all, nothing will convince him that hua cheng is cruel... unless, of course, someone decides to curse him next week but hey). ]

I'll... do my best to mediate so you two are kept apart. [ until xie lian can figure out this mess and fix it himself. ] Okay?

(What the heck, what's with this feeling? It's heavy in the air and pricks at him, making him stand taller in response, holding his head up higher and looking directly at Xie Lian.

He doesn't need to feel this.

Because something like this makes him want to step up
(There's a no good boy in a palace)

Prove himself
(An unworthy prince)

And this is all because of that guy?

The air is calm but there's a tension, underneath it all is a bright desire mixed with a hot anger. He could scream. He could fight. But he won't because his problem isn't with Xie Lian,)

Just tell him to stay away. I'm not the type of person that goes looking for a fight so if he just stays away, there won't be any problems.

I know. [ xie lian says, with a little nod of his head. he's picking up on that, the proud set to claude's shoulders, the air about him. it reminds him of the headstrong nature of himself, many, many years ago. ]

Even just by knowing you in this short of time, I can see that. I'll do what I can.

[ but. xie lian knows when to push, so. time to change the subject! he'll feel that xie lian's emotions are genuine - the praise that comes out of his mouth is his honest opinion. ] ...you know, you really are a very levelheaded person, Claude. To be so young and so clever is certainly a boon.

[ which is why this is so WEIRD. ]

Can I ask you a question? Not relating to San Lang, or anything, just - something I'm a bit curious about.

(It's going to take a little more than some praise to get him to wind down!! He was already in a sensitive state of mind and then Xie Lian had to strike him in a particularly sensitive spot,)

...

(He raises a hand to his hair, pushing it back and closes his eyes for a moment. Breathe. Refocus. The stars in the sky, the salty air from the sea, the sound of waves. If he thinks about the world, everything else feels smaller.

THERE'S A SPIKE when he mentions Hua Cheng again but he pushes it down, trying to move on the topic,)

Sure.

(He's still tense. It'll take a little for him to truly regain himself, ugh.

(He hates this))

Depending on what it is, I can't promise I'll answer but I can try.

(Already, some of his cheekiness is coming back.)

[ wow, it really is only related to san lang... he puts that in his pocket for later.

anyway. it's a bit of an odd question, but he's wondering it for a bit now, so! xie lian gives him a smile at the cheekiness, letting the familiarity of it all soak back into the conversation. ]

It may seem a bit out of nowhere, so bear with me, but - do you like to travel?

(Huh. It's an easy enough question and he doesn't mind answering,)

I mostly travel within Fodlan, but yes. (Mostly, not not always.) Some day, I'd like to visit the other nations outside of Fodlan and see what they're like for myself.

Until then, I'll just have to settle with what's in books.

(It's a good shift in the conversation and the air seems to deflate, giving way to a sense of bubbling curiosity,)

But you're right, it does seem like it's from no where. Why do you ask?

[ xie lian smiles a little, fondness pulling at the edge of his mouth, and at his shared emotions, too. it reflects like a teacher, listening to the ponderings of a particularly clever student. ]

...It was just a hunch, but. You're very well educated, beyond being clever, especially for someone so young - but at the same time, the way you were talking about the stars, and even just the way you answered the question... it speaks to someone with a wider sense for the world.

I get the sense that you must be from an upper class upbringing, but to have that sort of attitude is... it's just nice to see, is all. [ xie lian turns his head, and rests his cheek against his hand so he can put his elbow on the railing. ] Kids like you are the sort of hope that any realm really needs.

Ah, I see.

(Yes, he can certainly see where that might come from and he rolls back his shoulders some, standing straight,)

You wouldn't be wrong. (Raising an arm to his chest, he bends at the hip slightly, giving a short, casual sort of bow. His posture is entirely too relaxed for this to be a proper, formal one. He's just playing around,) Claude von Riegan, heir to House Riegan, leading house of the Leicester Alliance.

That probably doesn't mean much to you, does it?

(Just a bunch of foreign names strung together in a certain sentence,)

I'm not really like most other nobles, though. In fact, everyone is always telling me how I'm not very noble at all! ... I kind of get on everyone's nerves.

(And he doesn't sound bothered by it one bit. If anything, he sounds... very pleased?)

[ xie lian can't help himself - he laughs, and returns the casual bow with a more formal one of his own, pressing his fist to his hand.

when he straightens, his eyes are twinkling, a little amused. ]

...You really are quite cheeky. [ and a bit shameless, too. xie lian feels a little flicker of fond warmth to it, but he keeps his emotions mostly muted - because a part of him twinges with worry over what they discussed before, too. hopefully...hopefully it's just temporary. ] You are correct, that that means nothing to me, so I suppose I'll continue to treat you as I have been, if that's alright.

[ hee hee. that warmth stays on his face though, pleasant as their conversation carries on. ] I understand that feeling. Nobility certainly does require a lot of propriety, does it not? There are so many things that you're "supposed to do" or "not supposed to do".

[ and a young xie lian also once found that very silly. ]

I prefer "charming" or "endearing." (Hardheaded. Difficult. Stubborn. Impossible. He'll also accept those.) Please, my title means nothing here and I don't expect to be treated any differently because of it.

(Ah, this is nice. The air feels so good, it's hard to not just thrive in it for the moment even if it does feel weighted down,)

If I didn't know any better... I would say you're speaking from experience. Will you tell me who you are? It's only fair to do the same in return.

➵ xie lian

Week 2, Wednesday

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