It's a relief to get that acceptance, and Zixuan smiles and leads her off in a direction he barely even notices. All that matters to him is she's with him again, willing to listen and speak to him. Considering how horribly he'd treated her in their youth...this will forever be a minor miracle to him.

And he listens to what she tells him, too. Only confirming what Kujaku has suggested. The end of the Sunshot Campaign. So long ago, his expression falls. When he lets his guard down, every last emotion splashes across his face. He knows what she doesn't say.

"I treated you...horribly," he whispers, regret etched in his voice in a way he'd never have allowed in his younger days. "You didn't deserve any of it. I...I was...too embarrassed," he can't bring himself to look at her for this, knowing he'd not be able to finish what he needs to say if he did. "Too aware of appearances and jumped to too many conclusions." As it is, anxiety nearly radiates from him.

She has every right to tell him never to approach her again.

Zixuan takes a breath and stops, turning to face her. "For me, that was over a year ago. I-" his jaw works as he fights with his shyness and the amount of what he wants to tell her. But should he? How best to say it? Kujaku huffs at him and nudges impatiently.

"Your questions!" He blurts out, then flushes, but doesn't let himself leave it at that. "You can ask me anything. I will answer, if I know it."