[video]

[weiward]

[the video starts with a close-up of a pair of brown eyes, his entire face coming more into view once he pulls back. his fellow offworlders are surely used to seeing people using this technology for the first time.

he doesn't look wary, or confused, or frustrated by it. it's only a moment before wei wuxian's breaking into a wide smile.]

Can everyone really see me through this thing? I wish we had something like this where I'm from! It would be a lot quicker than butterfly talismans...but certain elders would probably make anyone kneel just for using them...

[no names mentioned.

lan qiren.]

Ah! I'm Wei Wuxian, newly arrived with a vow to help however I can! [he holds up his hand in a promise salute.] One question, not everyone here is as shiny and cold as the one who gave me this device, right?

Oh! Speaking of unpleasant, if anyone happens to run into a tall, rigid and uptight-looking guy who also looks like he's wearing mourning clothes, could you let me know? I'll buy you a drink at the nearest bar!

[for the first time, wei wuxian's smile slowly fades, his expression turning more worried.]

Eh...there are bars here, aren't there?

Comments

[weiward]

I could probably find it.

But it'll be more fun to go together, don't you think so?

[callmegladio]

I think so. Where are you know, do you know?

[Admittedly, Gladio wasn't completely familiar with the city yet, but he was sure he'd be able to find Wuxian.]

[weiward]

I heard there was free housing. I think I'm heading that way.

[callmegladio]

Great. I'll come out and meet you there!

[Since he was home. Which was in that area. It was a simple thing to go out and find the familiar face.]

[weiward]

I'll be looking for you!

[the guy with the long dark hair and dark robes shouldn't be too hard to spot.]

[Action]

[callmegladio]

[After getting some warmer clothes on, including a scarf, he heads out to find Wuxian

And of course it's pretty easy to do so. When the world around you is stark white from an over abundance of snow, the dark haired man stood out like a sore thumb.

Gladio lifted a hand in a wave as he approached.]

So like I said, no bars, but we can check out the cafe and see what kinda booze they have here.

... Dogs aren't your thing, right? What about cats?

[Action]

[weiward]

Gladio-xiong!

[wei wuxian smiles brightly as he waves back, before rushing to join him.]

The alcohol's important, but it's just as nice to see a friendly face. [his smile drops at just the mention of dogs, eyes wide and darting around as if expecting to suddenly spot a pack of them. he unconsciously draws closer to the other man.] Cats...cats are fine. At least I've never had to fight them.

[callmegladio]

Hey hey, no dogs. Not that I've seen. The cafe just has cats.

[He tried for a soothing tone and dropped warm hand onto the guys shoulder.]

And even if they are dogs, I'll protect ya.

[He laughed, gave the shoulder a gentle squeeze and released it with a gesture for Wuxian to follow him.]

Now lets find booze.

[weiward]

[wuxian exhales, visibly relieved. and the warmth and weight of gladio's hand on his shoulder, along with his promise, brings his smile back completely.]

I hope I was a good friend to you before...the way you're being one now.

[callmegladio]

Couldn't go off drinking like this, but I like to think we were friends.

[He grinned and matched his pace with Wuxian's. His long legs could eat up the distance pretty quick if he wasn't careful. Gladio shoved his hands in his pockets and tilted his head up to the sky. There were little flurries of snow falling but nothing that concerned him for now.]

Hope it's not too weird, knowing you from somewhere else?

[weiward]

I think it's interesting! I just don't understand why I can't remember it...

[he tilts his head, face scrunching up as if trying to remember. could his memory really be -that- bad.]

[callmegladio]

Because it wasn't you!

[He laughed and lightly clapped a hand upon Wuxian's shoulder.]

Think of it as a... a double. At some point in your life, you came here. And at another point, you went somewhere else. Same you, different times, different places.

I've friends here. They're from a point in my future. And they were in the same place I was before here, from different points in my future.

It gives me a headache. But it is what it is.