ximilian | reach the residents

Miss Viveca? [He's not entirely sure how to do this, though he supposes it makes sense that contacting her works in much the same way as contacting anyone else on the station. He pauses for a moment and then continues. If she doesn't answer then he can always try asking someone for help.]

Do you have a few minutes?

[ the voice that answers him sounds just as it always has, on those messages to them — bright and human. ]

Yes, of course. [ one might argue that's one of her primary functions here, to be there for the crew when they need her. ] What do you want to talk about?

[Oh, there she is! He grins even though she can't see him, and settles comfortably onto the edge of his bed.]

I realized recently that I haven't really talked much to you. I know we've spoken, but we haven't talked-talked. I suppose you know a lot about me and I know a little bit about you now, but that's not quite the same, is it?

So, it's a pleasure to finally really meet you. How are you doing these days Miss Viveca?

There are many in the team who don't talk to me much. [ and many who only do when they have a request to make; and that is fair, as that's her job here. to make sure everything runs smoothly. as much as she likes getting to know the people on the team, sometimes no news is good news. ]

I'm doing well, thanks. [ said a bit wryly — ] But I'm sure you're not talking to me just for idle chit-chat.

[Jokes on you, Viveca, that is exactly what he's here for.]

Who says I can't just want to know how you're doing? I've been neglectful and I mean to fix that. You're an important part of the crew!

[He grins as he falls back onto his bed, arms crossed behind his neck to support his head.] I know so little about you. [He knows of course, what they'd all learned from E23-b, but that isn't what he means. He won't ask her about her past anymore than he'd want her to ask about his.]

What do you like to do on the station? I know you have plenty of duties, but you must have hobbies as well?

... thanks?

[ it's a half-baffled question of sorts, a rising inflection that betrays she can't quite decide whether he's serious or just — well, speaking in the manner typical to him. ]

You know little about me, so you want to know about my hobbies. [ said somewhat flatly, like the logic doesn't quite work for her. but she does follow it up with: ]

Well, I do like strategy games. And I used to do sharpshooting, but obviously I've had a slight break in practicing. [ what with not having arms and all that. ]

Strategy games and sharpshooting! [He's delighted by the former, and he pauses at the latter, quiet for a moment before asking] What's sharpshooting?

[He continues immediately, before she can answer.] I'm sure it has to do with shooting a gun, is that right?

It does, yes. Think of the archery contests you have in your world, and apply that to shooting a gun.

[ so it is all about high accuracy and distance — a contest of skill more than anything. she always viewed it as a combination of self-defense and strengthening her hand-eye coordination. ]

I used to compete back home, before... well, everything. [ somewhat wryly, ] Luckily, my hobby ended up quite useful in the years that followed.

[It stalls him for a moment, how casually she references things she shouldn't know about his world—but he's not unaware of the fact that she knows all about him. He blinks for a moment, and then shakes it off, continuing in an easy tone.]

You'll be starting again now, won't you? That sounds like something I have to see.

I haven't done much shooting with guns, but I can shoot my bow and we can take turns. Or, I can be your very ardent supporter and cheer you on as you shoot. Either sounds equally appealing to me.

I'd like that.

[ the first option, but she supposes he can guess which she means. ]

It'll be nice to test my skill against someone of a decent level. Another suggestion I have is that you show me how the bow works, and I'll teach you how to use a gun. I'm sure with your marksmanship, you'll have no trouble.

[He perks up at the offer, interest absolutely piqued. Itachi had made the same offer months ago and he'd turned him down, not sure how much he cared for learning how to use a gun, but now that he's been here longer, he feels more open to it. And if it means getting to spend time with Viveca, then he definitely isn't going to turn it down.]

Miss Viveca, You have yourself a deal. I used to teach students how to shoot, you know. [A pause and then.]...do you know? Ah, I have to admit, I'm not entirely sure how much of our lives you're familiar with. [At the admittance, his voice becomes tentative and softer than usual, something that given what she knows about his past, she'll likely understand the cause for.]

... quite a lot.

[ her tone is soft; she knows it's something that unnerves many, the way she has shifted through the main events of their lives and committed them to memory. ]

It's part of my job description. I have to know who we're bringing in. But I don't judge anyone for what they've done. Everyone here deserves a second chance. [ what she doesn't say is that ultimately, what matters most is that the members of the team are useful, efficient, and able to get the orbs. she's practical, above all else. ]

[He snorts, shaking his head, and promptly ignores that "everyone here deserves a second chance" bit for his own sanity.]

It's more of a relief than anything else. I never hid my mistakes—I guess you know that—not that I could have. It's just different here. Announcing them wouldn't exactly be helpful. [He lifts his eyes to offer her a wry smile.]

Is it...is it something you read? Or closer to Empathy? [It occurs to him that unlike most people here, Viveca will have at least a basic understanding of his world then. That part is nice, he thinks.]

No, I suppose it wouldn't.

[ all that speaking of his wrongdoings would accomplish is a deluge of others forgiving him for them — she knows how this team works, now — and he seems to want everything but being forgiven.

then again, when you can't forgive yourself, all others' forgiveness does is hurt you. ]

Something in between those. When you're brought in, everything you know becomes known to me, as well. But I don't experience it like Empathy... I don't even look at it all. I try to preserve your privacy the best I can. [ so mostly she goes through what she thinks is relevant, what she hasn't been able to find through general knowledge in the world like she does for the mission files; things that the person being brought in has hidden that she might need to know. ]

[He flinches just a little and then covers it with a laugh.]

Ah, well. In that case, I'm sorry. [He knows his life and experiences and the idea that she endured them in some capacity even if not as Empathy is, well. It's not something he'd wish on anyone. It should probably be stranger and certainly more upsetting that she's seen so much, but he can't find it in himself to be upset about it. It's part of her job and the reason he's here, and honestly, it really is a relief to get to talk to someone who just knows.]

And thank you, for doing what you can. I'm sure it's difficult for you to see the worst of all of us.

Shouldn't I apologise instead, bringing you here instead of letting you rest?

[ it's not a question she expects an answer to; more it is something to make him think, to show him that he shouldn't apologise for everything he had to go through when it was her and degar who chose to try and contact him in the first place. ]

It's what I'm here for. And it's not all bad... I also see the best of all of you. Funny how most seem to forget that.

[He shakes his head, amused more than denying. He could have said no, and even if he couldn't have, it was a small chance to make things a little bit right. He'll never be upset with either of them for that.]

The best of me, hmm? [His heart aches at the thought so he grins, flipping his hair over one shoulder and winking.]

I'm glad someone saw me at my most handsome. [He lets out a wistful sigh.] The other Orbers really don't know what they're missing out on. You're very lucky Miss Viveca.

Very handsome, [ she confirms with a grin. ]

What was your rating again, on the list of most eligible men? [ then, under her breath, ] I can't believe there even is a rating list like that.

[His eyes grow wide and he lets out a loud laugh, practically falling over himself with it.]

Fourth! I was fourth! A very respectable ranking, especially when you consider who was first and second. [Pause.] And the peacock was only third because of the Jin wealth, so that barely counts. [It's the first time he's been able to bring himself to make fun of Jin Zixuan like he used to, and it doesn't have the bitterness that used to come attached to any words spoken about the man.]

You'd rank me third, wouldn't you?

Of course. [ she shrugs, as if the conclusion is obvious. ] I might even rank you second.

[ accompanied by a sweet smile. is she joking? quite possibly. but also possibly not. ]

[He gasps and laughs again, grinning in earnest.]

Which Lan brother have you demoted then?

Well, I really think it's unfair for sect leaders to participate in a ranking like that, isn't it?

[ meaning she's kept lan wangji where he is, and demoted xichen... and if some of her reasons come from the viveca who led a revolution for nearly six years and who abhors inaction above everything else —

well. that's neither here nor there. a part of her job description now isn't to judge people for what they've done or not done. ]

[He snorts loudly and shakes his head with great amusement.]

It is rather unfair, isn't it? Clearly you should have been in charge of the lists. [Who even is in charge of those lists? Is it a vote? Do people actually get together to vote on this?]

Alright, alright, so when do you want to start these lessons together? I'm free now if you'd like.

Making lists has always been my superpower.

[ she says it so matter-of-factly it's incredibly hard to determine if it's a joke just by the tone of her voice... but there's a tilt to her mouth, a sparkle in her eyes. ]

Now seems like a good time. I have missed shooting. I'll see you in the training room shortly.

[Greatly amused and still grinning, he nods.]

I'll meet you there.

reach the residents

● ● ● REACH THE RESIDENTS

Audio | UN: Wei Wuxian // Viveca

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apologies for the long delay!

No worries! <3

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So we're gonna pretend this was video and I didn't forget this was audio, right...

absolutely

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