[Xiao Xingchen hesitates for a moment, before his finger traces along his hair, sweeping it over the shoulder opposite from Wei Wuxian. If he were standing, his hair would now reach down to his feet. (That has a whole other story behind it.) There's no use in hiding, especially if this can help the man prepare for what's to come.

Upon the nape of his neck is the outline of a greyed spade mark.]

Their mark... draws forth feelings that shouldn't be there.

[Were they there before, and he just pushed them down? He tries to not entertain the thought, always finding some relief right away. Beings and places that can affect such things aren't unheard of in their own world, but no being he's come across before has ever been as successful in affecting his own.

He really doesn't want to reveal anything specific about what's happened so far, but if he can warn the man further:]

Even when it isn't darkened, those feelings can still linger. You may have to fight its influence every day.