Runyu is not quite bold enough to clamber back into a near stranger's lap, is surprised at himself for chasing something he would not dare to even humor the notion of were this back home or even any of the adjacent realms. Even knowing this place is so far removed from his own domain that thus far no one has recognized or even heard of him, he can't help an instinctive anxiety that rumors will come of this night.

And yet still, his arms loop around Xichen's own, drawing the young cultivator in.

"...I have found that immortals are more similar to those in the mortal realm than we care to admit. Though we claim the mortal realm is a place unique for its suffering, all that is different is the passage of time, the swift brutality of it, the scale," he murmurs, idly stroking Xichen's arm as he speaks.

"Regardless of realm, people are fundamentally people. Those in Heaven conspire, they covet, they lie, cheat, and steal. There is... more loss than you would think, and danger. My brother was nearly killed recently, and I..."

After a moment's hesitation, he rolls up his sleeve to show Xichen the burn scar on his forearm, expression mild and grieved.

"...Xufeng has it far worse. As our primary peacekeeper, head of our military, his body is covered in far worse scars."