Inbox: Ximilia

[singlelogbridge]

// Wei Wuxian

TEXT • AUDIO • VIDEO

XIMILIA

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[singlelogbridge]

[He takes the cup with a grateful nod, taking a drink before he answers. It's a more pleasant tasting alcohol than several others he's tried before, lighter and smoother; not something just for getting drunk. Nothing like Emperor's Smile, but enjoyable enough that it takes him back to moments that echo this one, sitting in a tavern across from Jiang Cheng or some friend, and passing the time with drink or talk.

He might not know who Athena is or understand McCoy's reference, but he understands the implication enough from context.]

I don't know about that. [He says finally. He'd been starting to think he really could fill that role for Sizhui, but recent conversations have only proven how much he doesn't really know him.]

I was only with him for those couple of years. After that, his situation changed for the better. [He smiles up at Bones and lets out a soft snort.] You didn't come here to hear me talk about all of this though.

[homeostatic]

( It's a good complement to the watermelon, sweet and a little tart, and deceptively alcoholic. Something to share, definitely. )

No, ( McCoy acknowledges quite easily, and plucks a wedge of watermelon from the plate, adding before taking a nibble: ) I came to scold you, and I did.

I wasn't very patient with that kid – ( at least, he's pretty sure they're a kid, the childish argument was a large tell, but then again the station has seen its fair share of juvenile adults ) – And I appreciate you going to bat for me, but it was unnecessary.

[singlelogbridge]

[Wei Wuxian huffs and rolls his eyes but it's all very theatrical without any real irritation or upset behind it.]

How is it I always pick friends who won't let me bully people for them? Did it ever occur to you that maybe I enjoy it? Maybe I'm just a terrible horrible bully. [Pause.] Okay maybe not that, but maybe I do like running circles around people being needlessly rude. [He grins up at McCoy.]

And I wasn't too hard on him. He did sound like someone new and with a bone to pick with you for some reason or another. [He rolls his eyes.]

Who has issues with healers anyway? [He pouts and reaches for a piece of watermelon, carefully biting into it over the plate so he doesn't drip everywhere.]

[homeostatic]

( Said 'terrible horrible bully' gets the biggest Eyebrow™, but he smiles in return.

The full-on pout from Wei Wuxian nearly makes McCoy choke on his watermelon. Putting it down on his plate, he clears his throat with a sip of his wine. )

Folks who've never known a decent healer. Or just asshats itchin' to start a fight. ( Grin or grimace? Why not both! )

About the last thing we need more of.

[singlelogbridge]

And you don't even use acupuncture. [He points out, repressing a shudder. He can't say he misses being a pin cushion as much as the treatments had helped. Anyway, they couldn't even use that as an excuse!

He sighs and wipes at his mouth with the back of his hand, setting his watermelon rind down and going silent for a moment before he speaks again.]

I know the nature of our deals mean that the people who come to the Ximilia often come burdened with a great deal of pain or anger. Even so, it's strange to me how so few seem to appreciate the wonder of it all.

I never could have imagined any of this in my wildest dreams. Even if you don't include exploring different worlds, just meeting people from different times and places, some who are thousands of years ahead of me and others who come from worlds nothing like mine at all. It's amazing.

You'd think people would want to dive into that. [Pause.] Not be moody teenagers about it.

[homeostatic]

We were all moody teenagers, once. Easier to believe with some of us, perhaps...

( Hi, one Leonard "Grouchypants" McCoy right here. Leaning aside on his hip, bracing his free hand on the floor, he swirls a little of the pinkish wine in his glass, considering Wei Wuxian's statement.

There's something so much like Jim in him, that warmth and optimism, the way he looked forward through even the worst adversity– not with fragile naïveté but steely determination, that the worst things out there in the galaxy couldn't snuff the light of such a kind, sunny soul.

McCoy looks down into his glass, and huffs. )

I was afraid when I first came aboard. Left my world in a hurry, at a bad time. ( Getting jettisoned into space via turbolift and knocking your head does that to a guy. ) I was a bit too ecstatic to get started in the infirmary, in something I recognized.

[singlelogbridge]

[That gets a laugh and a—] Speak for yourself, I have always been delightful! [Which is a lie, but not because he was a moody teenager.

He quiets though as he senses the change of mood, giving McCoy his uninterrupted attention. When he'd first arrived he wouldn't have even understood the idea of McCoy "leaving his world," but he has the context for it now and it means he pauses to consider the fear in such a situation. Who wouldn't be afraid at a time like that? Who wouldn't be wary?]

Mmm. It helps to find something familiar. It's grounding. [He quiets again and considers his own arrival. He doesn't think it mirrors most of the other Orbers on board, but then the circumstances under which he'd left his world are probably unique aboard the Ximilia.] When I arrived I was...lost. Too lost to be afraid. Too lost to take in the wonder. I didn't care about anything. I barely cared about my regret but it was...it was worth a shot.

Meeting people here changed that. It helped me care again.