A plume in the hadal zone

maomao is really good at lying to herself meanwhile jinshi is incapable of lying to himself and the dichotomy is intriguing. jinshi spent years as a eunuch and doesnt know nor care that he is the imperial son. maomao represents a place where he can truly drop all pretenses and not have to use his looks to get what he wants. maomao realizes jinshi is someone she can depend on, someone who is a source of warmth and constantness in her life. maomao especially values those who show up for her, more than people who just happen to be in her life.

huh. i am both wound and blade. neat.

yeah i just love it when a character is in an escapable torment nexus for a huge portion of their life and it defines every aspect of their existence forever. also whats cptsd