Chapter Text
Xueyi opened her eyes and, if she weren't a being of ingenium, would have blinked the exhaustion out of her eyes. That was to say, she felt no exhaustion, unless you would count her wake span running out as "being sleepy". She shot up, not out of urgency, but because of efficiency; if she wasted even one second on unnecessary movements, it would mean less time she could spend with her sister.
She expected to see the repair bots and Shouling, but this time her vision was greeted by both Hanya and Huohuo.
"Sister," Hanya sighed, though the tension in her shoulders never loosened. "You're awake again."
"I am," Her reply didn't even try to emulate the same relief as her sister, on account of this being the nth time Xueyi "woke" up after a death. "And Huohuo, I'm surprised you're here. I thought you passed your duties onto Shouling."
"W-well, this is different!" The Foxian squeaked, causing the puppet to tilt her head. "I mean, I heard Hoolay hurt you really badly."
"You've seen me repeat this cycle countless times, even being a part of it at one point. Surely this isn't anything new."
"That's... I guess that's sort of true," Huohuo murmured, her tail twitching and her ears drooping. "B-but still! I don't want to just not get sad when you die, Madam Xueyi! Even if you can be brought back, that feels... Wrong."
"I apologize, but I still don't follow."
"Huohuo is saying," Hanya interjected, a hand on her chest, "She still wants to mourn your passing even if it's temporary. If we didn't, this process would be no different from a shattered sword being re-forged."
"Right! A-and look at it this way," The fox girl began, "Imagine if I was also a puppet, a-and you had to watch me be put back together every time I died. Even if I did come back, wouldn't that upset you?"
"No, why should it?" The painfully cold response sent Huohuo's eyes wide, and she stepped back in surprise. Xueyi's eyebrows creased at the reaction. Well, as much as they could with the limited facial movement her body allowed.
“Jeez, and I thought I was an asshole!” Tail perked up from behind Huohuo, prompting her to grip the furry extension tightly in an attempt to silence him.
Xueyi turned towards her sister, hoping she would explain what was making the young Judge so emotional.
"And what about me?" Instead, an uncharacteristic childishness came from Hanya, an almost imperceptible pout on her face. "If I could be brought back, would my death not upset you, sister?"
Xueyi blinked. She imagined her sister's death, her body splayed out, bits and pieces everywhere. She imagined having to endure this sight numerous times. But then she imagined Hanya's body to be just like hers. Metal, ingenium, wires, and cogs. It looked like her, but the real Hanya would be long gone. What lay before her was merely a fabrication.
"No. It wouldn't," Xueyi answered honestly. Hanya and Huohuo's reactions were drastically different. Huohuo's face fell, and Hanya's face hardened as if trying to hide her own disappointment.
"I see," The former replied, turning away from the puppet. "I'll be leaving now."
"Without me? My wake-span doesn't last long, we should make the most-"
"You can find something else to occupy your time with," Hanya motioned for Huohuo to come, causing the timid Foxian to drag her feet towards her. "I have work."
“Don’t boss her around, only I can do that!” Tail’s voice echoed through the halls of the workshop, and the idle chatter between the trio faded into silence, leaving Xueyi alone with an entire day's worth of time to fill up. That was… Bad. The two rarely, if ever, got into arguments. They simply did not have the luxury to do so. She must've said something wrong. But Hanya said she would remind her when she was being insensitive. So what triggered that reaction?
Either way, with her sister or even Huohuo around, there seemed to be little to do. She considered returning to her coffin without using her wake-span, but even she couldn’t stomach the idea of letting such precious time go to waste.
Perhaps the entertainer and the cloud knight who worked with Huohuo would be free. She already knew the Trailblazer was too busy with... Trailblazing, but those two seemed to have free time in spades. She pulled out her phone, which she realized was rarely ever used, before opening Guinaifen's contact.
Xueyi: Good evening, Guinaifen. I hope you're doing well.
It barely took a moment before the three dots indicating the other's typing showed up.
Lil Gui: HOLY SHIT XUEYI TEXTED ME
Lil Gui: i mean, uh
Lil Gui: To what do I owe the pleasure, Madam Xueyi?
Xueyi: I have some free time, but my sister is currently busy. Are you available to pass the time with me?
Lil Gui: YOOOO ofc! where we meeting?
It took her a few moments of deciphering to understand exactly what the text meant, but she eventually arrived at an understanding.
Xueyi: How does Aurum Alley sound? Is that to your liking?
Lil Gui: sure!! should i tell sushang?
Xueyi: It wouldn't hurt to ask her. Though unlike you, I assume she's working.
Lil Gui: ow
Lil Gui: thats fair tho
Lil Gui: she did say shes busy today so itll probably just be the 2 of us
Xueyi: I see. Thank you, Guinaifen.
Lil Gui: np lol
Lil Gui: and u can just call me gui, everyone does
Xueyi: Sorry. Thank you, Gui.
Lil Gui: OwO
Xueyi didn't even bother asking what that meant.
Come to think of it, she and Gui couldn't be further apart in terms of personalities. She never had the fortune of speaking to her alone, so she wasn’t able to gauge how a typical conversation would play out, nor would she be able to prepare. Would she come off as too dull for the entertainer?
No, there was no point in mulling it over.
And so, without even changing her usual Judge attire, Xueyi set off for what felt like the first time away from both work and her sister.
***
By the time Gui arrived at Aurum Alley, Xueyi was already there. It was easy to spot the Judge from a distance, considering her white robes made her stick out like a sore thumb. Not to mention the overall aura of intimidation her presence seemed to carry. She stood off to the side, watching the crowds of players mill about.
"Xueyi, hey!" The streamer greeted with a smile, uncaring of the stares the two of them were getting from the nearby NPCs (had she said the thought out loud, Sushang would've reprimanded her for calling people she didn't know "NPCs"). "You, uh... Didn't have any other outfit to wear, did you?"
“Guinaifen,” Xueyi bowed lightly in response to Gui’s greeting before looking down at her clothes, as if suddenly aware of the fact that she was dressed like an assassin. "I do not. Is that a problem?"
"Not really, I just think you should have some more stuff to wear than this. Not sure if you've noticed, but you kinda stand out."
"I did notice a few dirty looks from the locals," Xueyi noted with a frown so subtle only her sister would’ve noticed. "However, acquiring new clothes seems a waste of time."
"Eh? Why's that?"
"As a Judge, my appearance doesn't matter. What's important is my work. Clothes are merely a distraction."
"I mean, when you're working sure, but don't you think you should at least have something else to wear for occasions like these? I mean, do you wear this when you hang out with your sister?"
"I do," She took a moment to process the look on Gui's face before sighing. "But it’s rather dishonest to wear anything other than this. As a Judge, it's my duty to be presentable and ready for work at all times. If I wear something else, I risk losing that sense of duty."
Gui wanted to tell her that was bullshit but instead opted for a slightly more tame answer. "Tell you what? How about we go shopping so you can see what other outfits there are, and when we're done, you can decide what you want."
Xueyi stared blankly as if the notion of wearing different outfits was unfathomable to her. "I accept your proposition." Without a second's hesitation, Gui gripped the Judge's wrist and began dragging her towards the nearest clothing shop. Well, more accurately, she attempted to drag her, only to realize that the Ingenium body was much heavier than she was used to.
"U-Uh, a little help?" Gui pleaded. Xueyi, who was looking at her with a puzzled expression, complied and allowed herself to be dragged. Once they arrived at the store, Gui immediately started searching through the racks. Xueyi didn't seem to share her enthusiasm, only giving the items on display a single glance.
"See anything you like?" The entertainer asked, holding a frilly dress close to the Judge. She tilted her head, trying to imagine how it would look on the girl, before shaking her head.
"I found a hat."
"Yeah?" Gui murmured a reply, more interested in playing dress-up in her mind than listening to Xueyi. "Good for you. Hey, do you think this dress would look good on you?" She shoved the frilly red thing into the puppet's arms, forcing her to hold it. Despite her disapproval of the dress, she had no issue with putting it on for Gui's sake.
Excusing herself, Xueyi slipped into one of the changing rooms and began the meticulous process of undressing herself. To rid herself of her usual attire felt strange, and as she gazed upon her naked form, it only accentuated that feeling. The smooth silicon, the joints connecting the parts together, the lack of any details, it all reminded her of one thing:
That this body was an imitation. A simulacrum. Mimicking the real thing. But the strangest thing happened. As she donned the dress and looked at herself in the mirror, the thought didn't seem to cross her mind. At that moment, she wasn't a puppet, a Judge, or a simulacrum.
She was simply a girl in a dress.
Xueyi exited the changing room, now clad in the red dress, and was greeted by Gui's stunned silence. The girl was looking at her up and down as if the sight of her in something else was impossible. "Does it look bad?"
"N-no, not at all! You look really cute, Xueyi! It's just... All I ever see you in is your work clothes, so without them, it's just, I dunno. Different," Cute. That wasn't something she ever expected to be called. Well, technically she has been called cute, but that was from The Trailblazer when she was inhabiting the cycrane, so did it really count?
"I see. I'm glad you like it."
"Same, but what about you? Do you like it?"
"It's not very functional," Xueyi noted. "I wouldn't be able to run effectively in this."
"That's the point. It's supposed to be relaxing."
"Relaxing," She repeated, trying to feel the same. Relaxing. "I wonder if Hanya would like it." An audible groan left Gui's mouth.
"No, you’re supposed to be wearing it because you want to! That's it, I'm buying it and you're gonna keep it on, whether you like it or not!" Her sudden bolster diminished in seconds upon receiving a glare from the puppet. Right, this was a Judge. She's not going to take her words lightly. "O-or, um, whatever you're fine with. Really, no biggy!"
"I am not opposed either way. Will this be all?"
"Eh? I mean, usually you buy several outfits. Though seeing as this is your first shopping trip, I guess we can stop here."
"I understand."
Gui was the one to purchase the dress for her since Xueyi never thought to bring any money with her. Once that was done, they exited the store, the Judge now adorned in the flowery dress.
"So, Xueyi! I'm not one to expect anything back from friends, buuuut, since I did buy that dress for you, I think it wouldn't be unfair to ask for a reward, wouldn't you say?"
"Rewards, you say? I suppose I wouldn't want to be indebted to you. Very well, who do you need me to capture?"
"Wha- no, no! No capturing people!" Xueyi tilted her head, eyes narrowing ever so slightly.
"Kill...?"
"Definitely not that!" She took a deep breath, trying to regain her composure. "I want you to be in a video with me! I'm gonna be trying out some spicy foods around Aurum Valley, and I'm hoping that a collab with a Judge would attract more viewers. Sushang’s been super busy and avoiding me lately, and my views are tanking quite a bit. Whaddaya say?"
"Very well, these conditions are acceptable. Although, I’m not sure what I should be doing."
"Don't worry about it, I'll walk you through everything!"
The two walked down Aurum Alley, Gui giving Xueyi instructions on how to act in front of a camera. She wasn't expecting her to become a natural. In fact, she was hoping Xueyi's odd mannerisms would only make her more entertaining.
"Alright, Xueyi! Now that you know the drill, I'm gonna set up the camera and then we'll get going. Sound good?"
"Affirmative," The Judge watched as Gui got everything prepared.
The two set up on a table near Du's Teahouse, Gui setting up her phone while Xueyi watched. Having already ordered the first item, a drink called Flaming Potent Tea, the entertainer set the phone up, hit the record button, and gave a quick introduction.
"What's up fam, Lil Gui here! Now, there's been talk about what is the spiciest thing you can find in Aurum Alley, and I decided to answer the old age question once and for all! But as you all know, I can't handle spicy very well, so joining me is none other than a Judge from the Ten-Lords Commission, Xueyi!"
Striking a painfully awkward peace sign, Xueyi introduced herself. "Greetings, 'fam'. I am Madam Xueyi of the Ten-Lords Judges. Let us get this show on the road," The delivery was... Less than perfect, but Gui was able to play it off with surprising finesse. Raising the glass of—quite literally—burning liquid up, she motioned for Xueyi to do the same.
"Cheers!"
Xueyi copied her and brought the drink up, letting it cling, before taking her first sip. Gui played up her reaction to the extreme, panting exasperatedly while fanning her face. Though, judging from how red her face was getting, perhaps it wasn't all acting. Through eyes clouded with tears, she looked up to the Judge, expecting her to retain her stoic expression. She was a robot, after all, surely she couldn’t-
"Th-this cannot legally be called tea," Xueyi murmured, her fingers gripping the edge of the table so hard splinters of wood erupted around them. "I should have the villain who concocted this poison arrested."
"Ehhh, might be going a little far. But I agree, this is wayyyyy too spicy. I don't even feel my tongue anymore, holy crap!" The video continued, repeating the process until all 7 dishes were finished. By the end of it, tears were trickling down the entertainer’s cheeks without stop, sweat accumulating on her forehead, Meanwhile, Xueyi's body hummed louder than usual, its internal fans trying to wade off the artificial heat produced by the spice.
"I-I'll see you guys next time! Stay fresh, fam!" Once the recording ended, she slumped against her seat, panting loudly. "I think I went too far this time... I'm probably not gonna live long enough to edit the video."
"I too fear that my Deities of the Five Organ Senses have been damaged. Perhaps this is the last time we'll ever see each other," From anyone else, Gui would have laughed it off, but coming from the monotonous tone of the judge, those words sent shivers down her spine. "...That was an attempt at humour. I apologize if it crossed the line."
"I-it's okay! You're pretty funny, actually!" She chuckled, rubbing the tear stains off her cheeks. "I just wasn't expecting it from you, of all people. Gosh, seeing this other side of you is so fun, Xueyi! We should hang out again sometime!"
"Perhaps," The Judge replied, staring down at the table, where the food had once been.
"Say, how are you able to feel spices? Does it have to do with those 'Five God Organs' or whatever you were talking about?"
"Deities of the Five Organ Senses," Xueyi corrected. "But you would be correct. These 'organs' aid in helping me feel things that my Ingenium body otherwise wouldn't be able to, such as sympathy, anger, happiness, among other things." She hoped that would close the curtains on a topic she frankly didn't want to get into, but Gui persisted.
"So without them, you wouldn't be able to feel emotions? But I thought you were a soul inside of a robot body. Shouldn't feelings come, like, built-in?" Should Sushang have been here, she would've given her friend a slap across the head for being so insensitive. But since she wasn't, and Gui's mouth moved faster than her brain could, the words had already left her lips.
"I'm not sure. Truthfully, there's always been a part of me that didn't believe I have a soul, that it was simply advanced coding and machinery," She paused, articulating her words in the best possible way that didn't offend the Ten-Lords Commission. "But that matters not. What does is results. Whether there is truly a soul inside of me or not, I cannot allow myself to dwell on such topics. As long as I continue to perform my duties, nothing else matters."
"Well... I do agree that it doesn't matter, but not for the reasons you're thinking. For me at least, whether you really do have a soul or not doesn't change the fact you're Xueyi. So, even if you don't have a 'soul' soul, you still have a soul. Know what I'm saying?"
"I'm afraid I don't follow," Gui blew out a sigh.
"That's fair. Uh, okay, so I'm obviously not good with philosophical stuff or engineering or what makes some human or not, but still. You care about your sister and Huohuo a whole lot, you're willing to humour my stupid shenanigans, you hate spicy food, and... I dunno. At that point, why does it matter if you have a soul or not?"
"Because it differentiates a living being and a machine," Xueyi explained, not bothering to sugarcoat her words, prompting Gui to let out a sigh.
"Listen, I don't want to barge in on your business. Aeons know what you're dealing with, but even I can tell you treat yourself really poorly. I've heard about the times you've been destroyed because of your recklessness, and today alone you've only considered what other people want, what the Ten-Lords Commission or Hanya or even I would want from you. At some point, you have to stop treating yourself like a tool."
But I am, Xueyi wanted to reply. The Judge couldn't bring herself to speak, however. Perhaps it was because those few seconds of bliss allowed her to believe that, for a moment, there was more to her life than hunting the Mara-Struck and spending the rare few moments watching her sister live the life she could not.
"A-are you upset? Ugh, I shouldn't have said anything. Please just forget what I-"
"You didn't," Xueyi finally replied. She turned towards the redhead, and though the ends of her lips didn't raise and her lifeless, unblinking eyes stayed as glossy as before, the softness of her tone was more than enough. "Thank you, Gui. You've given me a lot to think about." Gui blinked a few times, shocked by the reaction before her face lit up.
a few times, shocked by the reaction before her face lit up.
"You're welcome!" Gui let out a hearty laugh, nearly dropping the boba tea she got to ease the pain in her throat. "And hey, you used my nickname. Does this mean we're friends?"
"If that is what you-" She caught herself, taking a moment to reflect on her next choice of words. "Yes. Yes, we are friends."
"Heck yeah!" She spread her arms out for a hug, only for the puppet to stare back at her. Settling for something less, Gui stuck out a hand, which Xueyi graciously took. "This was really fun, Xueyi. I know you're like the busiest person ever, but let's do this again sometime, 'kay? I've got a few ideas for outfits in mind, and I really wanna see you try them on!"
"I concur. My time was well spent, and I've gained valuable insight only you could offer. So, I suppose I can continue to act as your mannequin," Gui laughed, and a relieved Xueyi noted that her humour was finally received well.
"Awesome! Well, I've gotta head back. Gotta edit before I post to my account," She jumped to her feet, taking a few steps forward before waving back at her new friend. "Stay fresh, fam!"
Xueyi returned the wave, with noticeably less enthusiasm. "Stay fresh, fam.”