Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Please understand; she’s a good girl, our Liebe… This isn’t like her at all…!”

“She is a young woman, is she not…? Perhaps she’s simply…”

“No, no — nothing like that…! Grand Master Jean, on my honor; she’s never wandered off before…”

“Indeed — never before…! Oh, I know something terrible has happened; I simply know it!”

Jean sighs heavily, shuffling the papers about her desk for wont of something to occupy the time as she awaits the Cavalry Captain’s arrival — and, at the same time, as she ponders his as-yet pending assignment. The couple from before — crestfallen parents, the pair of them in a right state; they caused such a stir at the gates of the Ordo that the Knights could only escort them to Jean herself to appease them in the slightest, and thenceforth they relayed their concerns to her personally. Their daughter, Liebe, a young woman apparently not keen to leave the nest as young women often are, has gone missing, they said — insisted foul play must be at work, they did. And while Jean could coax from them no apparent details to prove their suspicions, she had at last relented to looking into their plight — well, to send Kaeya to do so, in her stead. 

For if that young lady is out there, foul play or not, and finding her is the aim, Kaeya Alberich is the surest man for the job.

Still, something nags at her as she waits; primarily, Jean can say for certain those two parents were entirely unknown to her, by name and face. She does not recall them in the market, in the square, at any festival in Mond… Anywhere in Mond; no, she can safely say she had no idea who they were when the Knights escorted them into her office. And that smarts, it does, for Jean is a woman dedicated to her acting office; she prides herself on knowing each and every one of those under her protection — as she ought to do, for it is certainly no mean feat. To think an entire family could escape her eye… It is a most shameful thing for the Acting Grand Master; it is something she would be very reluctant to admit.

Thus she hopes not to; she hopes that when Kaeya hears the name, he will immediately recall this family, as his eye is perhaps even keener than hers, and he will remind her such that there is no longer any ignorance to admit.

She hopes.

Kaeya doesn’t keep her waiting long. Say what one will of the Cavalry Captain and his rather bizarre work habits, but the man is ever punctual when required — and ever immaculate when he does so punctually appear, despite Jean knowing full well that, at times, his appearance before her is on the tail end of one battle or another…be it with Treasure Hoarders, Hilichurls, or wine . But she’s no good reason to complain, least of all now, and so her second sigh of the hour is one of relief.

Which he notices. Again, a keener eye than she — than anyone she knows.

Apart from that family, of course, whom she apparently knows not .

“Master Jean,” he greets — formally in words alone, for his tone is of a more casual familiarity than the term of address would inherently suggest. “You seem troubled.” 

“Yes… Thank you for coming so quickly, Kaeya; I appreciate it in the utmost… And I’m afraid I have called you here on business; it’s been brought to my attention that something may have befallen one of our citizens.”

Jean relays the tale to Kaeya as exactly as she recalls it — from what the aggrieved parents told her not hours before. They two were parents to a young lady by the name of Liebe, who was, as reported, a dutiful young lady that did not once stray too far from home — and never without so much as a note. However she has apparently done the very thing, now, in that she’s simply vanished; her parents haven’t seen nor heard from her in a couple days, and they seem convinced that foul play is at work. Be that within or outside the city, they could not say for certain, but they had assured the Acting Grand Master most readily that they did indeed search for their daughter within the city limits, and thoroughly, before bringing this matter to the Knights; they found nothing. 

“To be honest, Kaeya,” she says, “I do not know what to make of it. I don’t intend to leap to the worst of conclusions before it’s warranted, but given recent events…I fear inaction more than I do undue caution.”

Kaeya listens to her words, and he thinks over the situation himself — all aspects, that is, and starting with this family. “I am not familiar with this name — with this household. Are you quite certain they are Mondstadtian?”

He realizes it’s most likely a foolish thing to ask, and he doesn’t assume Jean wouldn’t have asked herself beforehand, but it needed to be said; it is odd , he thinks, that he would have no mental image of this family as Jean described them. But Jean did mention “recent events,” and those may certainly account for it; Mondstadt has ever been welcoming to outsiders, thus a newly arrived family, who kept to themselves, could potential escape his purview. After all, he has been away from Mond from time to time — most recently, due to that party in Liyue that the Qixing organized…

…the party that was practically overrun with Fatui .

“Ah, I agree… And I admit I wondered that myself,” Jean tells him. “I do not know them either; I have only their assurance that they indeed live here in Mondstadt.”

Well, that settles that… But Kaeya supposes it doesn’t entirely matter; he supposes that Jean, with the state she appears to be in, would have him investigate the matter regardless of the family’s particular origin. It is Mondstadt, after all; Mondstadt, whose spirit of freedom, and the law to protect such, do not discriminate between citizen and non in terms of application. Citizen or non, the Knights have a duty to those within the realm; it is the way of things. Thus Jean, ever dutiful, will see that duty fulfilled. And Kaeya will assist her, for he has ever been in Jean’s corner. He could be nothing else, for she’s ever been in his.

Even at the most trying of times…

“Worry not, Master Jean,” he assures her. “I will look into it personally. Should my investigation take me outside the city, I may request additional resources from the Ordo — but within the walls or outside of them, I will see that this girl is found.”

Jean sighs, relieved. “You shall have any resources you may require. Thank you, Kaeya, for your close attention on this matter; please know that I consider myself, and the Ordo, to be fortunate that you are among us.” She pauses, offering him a small smile. “May the wind lead.”

He smiles in return, and then he is gone — and yet Jean is hopeful, at peace knowing he will surely resolve this unusual situation as deftly as he ever does.

And yet days later, in this same office, Jean is no longer at peace, and her hope is wavering. For it is days later, nearing a week, since Kaeya had turned and left this office in search of that girl…

…and Kaeya hasn’t returned.

Not only has the Captain not returned, but neither have the two Knights he took with him, when he had deduced the girl had indeed left the city and gone in pursuit; at present, all three of them have yet to be seen again, or heard from again. There has been no correspondence, no word of mouth — nothing . And nothing on that girl or her family, either; after Kaeya left the city, it’s like the whole thing suddenly disappeared along with him. With how concerned the couple was, Jean had expected they would be back — looking for updates, or trying to supply additional information… Something . But they haven’t been, and the Knights haven’t heard from them either — not just Jean herself. 

In fact, Jean had asked Huffman to pay the couple a visit…and Huffman couldn’t find them either.

That did nothing to allay her concerns — far from it.

Jean had steeled her resolve, and her nerves, for a few days out of habit and prior knowledge; she had instructed herself not to panic, nor to second-guess herself, and to trust in Kaeya to come through. Because he always has before. And Jean still does trust in Kaeya, even now, alas… Alas her nerves will no longer be quieted; her gut implores her to reconsider — to air aloud that something is wrong , and to not sit idly by and wait for that something to reveal itself in its own time. 

No. As surely as she has a duty to the citizens of Mond, and to the visitors of Mond, she too has a duty to Kaeya and the Knights alongside him. 

So Jean again waits for someone to reach her office — multiple someones, actually, for she’s sent for aid. 

Lisa is the first to arrive. It only makes sense, given she had the shortest distance to travel — what with being in the Favonius Headquarters already. Even before she speaks, and before Jean has (as such) time to begin to relay her concerns, the Librarian of the Knights seems to know something is seriously amiss. For her normally lighthearted aura is missing, and her expression mimics that; she has a look of sheer concern and sympathy in her eyes as she regards the Acting Grand Master, but it is a look that is also incredibly grave. Lisa was often one to speak first, and today is no exception, but this time she gets straight to the point.

“What’s happened?”

Jean sucks in a breath, and she shakes her head; the gravity of the situation is weighing on her, and she worries she will only be able to relay this tale once . Thus, she must not relay it just yet. “Lisa. It’s…” She clears her throat. “Let us await the others’ arrival; then , I will be able to say.”

The woman nods slowly, but her brow furrows — and she takes a few steps forward towards her friend. “Tell me this first, if you can. Are you all right, Jean…?”

She considers quickly affirming that indeed she is — for she is, Jean thinks…but as soon as she considered that, she reconsidered, and she does not say this. Because surely Lisa asked whilst knowing full-well the Acting Grand Master was not , in fact, all right; surely it is written all over her face, and what the librarian meant to ask was more so related to the first question — the one Jean did not yet answer. And Jean doesn’t fault Lisa for that; she knows the woman isn’t trying to goad her into saying something when she’s already refused. It’s more telling of her concern — if perhaps there is something Jean might wish to say in private before the others arrive.

There probably is something of the sort, but Jean doesn’t feel it’s appropriate.

“I…am very ill at ease,” she does admit. “About the situation as a whole. And I hope that I am unjustifiably so — and that it’ll turn out to be nothing. But because I’ve already sent for the others, I think it’s best to wait — and get everyone’s take… And if it is that I needn’t worry, then at least we’ll reach that conclusion together — unanimously.”

Lisa nods, and she doesn’t question further.

It isn’t too long before said others arrive; Amber files in with the Traveler (and him, with Paimon) alongside, and Jean thanks them for coming — then steadies herself with another breath. Aether, much as Lisa had been, seems to already know something terrible is amiss, but then again he always was astute; Paimon and Amber don’t seem as certain. Well, Paimon, at least; Amber wasn’t when she stepped through the door, but her countenance suggests she caught on sometime in between that and the quick glances she took at Jean and Lisa’s own expressions. She now looks positively grim, and on a normally so cheerful a face as the Outrider’s, that is especially telling.

Archons… Jean muses. I must look like the grave…

“Thank you again for your haste,” she says, “It is most appreciated. I realize you each have myriad other duties, and I assure you I would not ask you to postpone them lightly.” A pause. She half expects one of them, namely Paimon, to interrupt (and it would be welcome, in a way), but even the chatty sprite has gone quiet. She soldiers on. “This is regarding Cavalry Captain Kaeya — specifically, his whereabouts.”

“Kaeya…?” Ah, now the fairy speaks! And she looks puzzled. “Paimon thought he was around Mondstadt… Was he deployed somewhere?”

It is not a good start… “Recently, yes.” Jean clears her throat, the pressure of all four pairs of eyes on her a bit more than she’d anticipated…but Lisa’s gaze is gentle, encouraging, when she dares glance at her, and that’s enough reassurance to continue. “A week ago, a couple reported to me that their daughter had gone missing. After a preliminary search, the Ordo was not able to locate the young woman within the city. Captain Kaeya and several knights left to expand the search beyond the walls, and they have not made contact with me or with any other Knight of the Ordo since their departure.” Another pause — but this time, Jean does not look to any of them; she looks to her shoes for a moment, then shakes her head. “It is unusual. I worry something has happened.”

Paimon seems to wait her turn (for once), but when no other voice breaks the silence, she seizes the moment. “Ah, Paimon isn’t sure about protocol, but… Well, as for Kaeya, Paimon thought he could be incommunicado from time to time — when on assignment? He has his…uh… Methods. ” 

Methods…?

Jean isn’t too sure what that means, or that she’d necessarily like to know, but Amber and Aether seem to agree. Still, she shakes her head again; it’s true that Kaeya has gone to ground at times, but solely Kaeya . That’s what makes it unusual — what’s got her worried .

Thus, she clarifies. “That is perhaps true — but Captain Kaeya typically works alone. When he is not , it is more typical that at least one of the Knights reports in — or sends word. In this case, that hasn’t happened.” But that isn’t all. “…also, this case is peculiar in and of itself; the aggrieved couple that came to me have not once returned to ask for any updates — which, given their previous concerns, I had expected they would . I attempted to locate the couple themselves to see if perhaps their daughter had returned on her own accord, but they seem to have vanished as well — and as if they never were . No one I have spoken to seems to remember them at all.”

Lisa hums thoughtfully, but there is a note of similar concern in her voice as well; that is strange, for a relatively small city as Mondstadt. “Outsiders are not uncommon in these parts, but it is not the Mondstadtian way to take no notice of them; on the contrary, visitors are to be welcomed wholeheartedly — and they are, to my knowledge. Thus it is odd that no one recalls their arrival, especially if they spent as much time here as they suggested.” 

“Agreed — couldn’t have said it better myself!” Amber pipes up in support. “For myself, I can attest I’ve not seen any travelers matching the description of late — and while I have to speculate a bit here, I’m reasonably sure Eula hasn’t either in her patrols. She’d probably have mentioned it, if only in passing.”

Paimon hums, “So…we’ve crossed traveling family off the list… Was there anything else about them that seemed unusual, Jean?”

“Actually…yes,” the Acting Grand Master replies, and heavily. “This family… Well, their daughter; her name was Liebe. And while I can’t be certain — could be a coincidence, after all — I found that seemed…like they were local. Their voices, too; they didn’t have an accent. I admit I at least mistook them for locals of Mond when we met — which is why it confounds me that I can’t place them.” 

Aether follows the line of thinking, but he’s growing antsier by the minute; suffice it to say he’s determined they surely were not who they said, and that they have deceived the Acting Grand Master…but for what purpose ? — and to what end …? If it were any other situation, he might have been willing to consider it all some sort of distasteful practical joke, but with Kaeya and his number now missing , he doubts it.

No, something more sinister is afoot; he’s certain of it. 

Thus, he shakes his head — and he calls the others’ attention. “Whatever’s going on…it involves Kaeya.” He states that plainly, and when they look perturbed but do not disagree, he continues. “So I’d say…first order of business is to find him . Master Jean; when Kaeya left the city, did he give any indication as to where they were headed?”

Jean shakes her head, very much ill at ease. “No. They didn’t have a heading; they were trying to follow a trail that’d already gone cold.” She pauses. “ But , if Amber and Eula haven’t seen them, and none of the other Knights have either…they must have gone far into Mond — I should think. And somewhere the Knights do not often patrol…”

Amber nods, and Lisa hums again — thinks she can at least narrow it down. “Mondstadt is vaster than initially meets the eye, but… Well, Dornman Port is a bustling place; if they had passed through there, we’d have been able to get word from one of the Knights — so I reckon elsewhere. And that being said, there are only two other out-of-the-way areas that come to mind: Stormterror’s Lair and Dragonspine.”

Those places… The Librarian is correct; they are most certainly out of the way, and equally viable in that sense…

…still, Aether knows which he’d lay Mora on — and a substantial sum at that.

“Dragonspine,” he says. “I say Dragonspine.”

Paimon sputters, flitting about like he’s lost his mind. “D-Dragonspine…?! Uh, remember that they were supposed to be looking for a runaway girl, right…? Well… Paimon isn’t sure anyone would run away to Dragonspine … Err not that Stormterror’s Lair is a resort or anything, but…dontcha think it’s a little more…uh… accessible …?”

Amber agrees, a bit confused by Aether’s confidence in the alternative. “It’s true that I could see Kaeya in Dragonspine for sure — Cryo Vision and all, but… But he had the other Knights with him — and Paimon’s right; Dragonspine’s climate and terrain are incredibly challenging even for seasoned adventurers. It’d be very, very dangerous for a regular civilian, especially one without a Vision, to survive there.”

It’s true, but… “…I think that’d be the point .” 

“Huh? Point…? What point…?” Paimon shakes her head, brow furrowed. “You mean…the place she, Liebe, would be least likely to be found…? Okay, probably , but… But Paimon still thinks Amber’s right…! After all, what’s the point in not being found if only to succumb to the elements…?!” 

“I don’t think that was the plan.”

“Well obviously not , but…”

“ Hiding , I mean; I don’t think this is a runaway.” He pauses. “I think it’s a trap .”

Jean sucks in a breath, and Paimon’s eyes go wide. The Acting Grand Master clearly has something to say, but the fairy beats her to it — to fret, as could be expected. 

“A trap?! You think someone lured that girl to Dragonspine of all places…?! Why would anyone…”

Aether cuts her off. “No. I think that girl lured Kaeya to Dragonspine.” He grimaces. “As for why … I don’t know. But I do know that if someone were to do that…they would pick a location that’s difficult to trace — and Dragonspine is that , if nothing else.”

Jean looks, frankly, horrified by this suggestion — Lisa too, though Lisa is coming round to Aether’s rather grim supposition. “Speculative as it may be, Aether is right about at least one thing: tracking a Cryo Vision in Dragonspine is nearly impossible. There’s far too much residual elemental energy from the environment to pinpoint a single source of the same element; it’d be looking for a needle in a haystack.”

“Uwah… That’s true…,” Paimon groans — flummoxed, but willing to admit Aether has a point. “B-But why Captain Kaeya…? He’s a Knight of Favonius …! Not exactly low profile…”

Amber huffs, decidedly in agreement and then some. “That’s right , he’s a Knight …! If anyone were planning this kind of thing…they’d essentially be planning an attack on the Ordo Favonius itself…! Leaving aside who might want to , who would dare ?”

Jean frets. Lisa shakes her head and ponders aloud — says, “Indeed; this is beyond the audacity of most.”

Paimon wonders, “Captain Kaeya has crossed paths with the Treasure Hoarders and the Fatui plenty of times…and neither one is known for their morals…”

…but Lisa only shakes her head again. “They aren’t, but the Treasure Hoarders don’t have the backing to pull it off; they operate from the shadows as largely independent factions, from what I gather — wouldn’t be bold enough to take the Ordo head-on. As for the Fatui …” 

She pauses, so Amber adds, gravely, “They have the means; they have members all over the city, and they’ve proven themselves to be audacious in the past…”

“…but because of that, perhaps, I can’t see it.” Lisa pauses again, then sighs. “The Fatui are an audacious and dubious bunch, but they are also infuriatingly keen diplomats when it suits them. After the incident with the late Harbinger La Signora, here in Mond, I do not see a reason they would attempt another unsavory venture so soon… Oh!” She looks to Jean, clearly having remembered something. “Lady Ningguang’s party — she’d have invited all sorts.”

Paimon looks between the two women, unsure of this development. “Lady Ningguang, the Tianquan…? She had a party?”

Jean nods. “Yes. It was not too long ago… Actually, it was shortly before this business with that family emerged. The Tianquan invited the Ordo among others from across Teyvat to commemorate international trade — since the Sakoku Decree was lifted. I remained here to oversee Mondstadt, given Grand Master Varka’s continued absence and the approaching Weinlese Festival; Captain Kaeya went in my stead.” 

Hm…

“…but Captain Kaeya did not report anything concerning upon his return; he made it out to be a very civil affair…”

Amber shakes her head. “But you think…maybe something did happen? At the party?”

“I can’t say; as I said, Kaeya didn’t express anything to suggest it had…and I admit I didn’t question his version of events.” The poor woman is clearly taking this to heart — doubting herself, and cursing her foolishness for not distrusting her Knight’s word. Which is a shame; she should not have cause to…and likely wouldn’t , save for this situation. “Regardless, I believe we must take action; whether Fatui or not, related to that party or whatever may have transpired or not, our first priority must be to locate Captain Kaeya and his company.” She turns to Aether. “Traveler, you feel strongly that Dragonspine is the most viable place.”

It isn’t a question; thus, Aether does not treat it as such. “I will investigate the area.”

“I… I thank you — I do. I’m afraid, though, that I can’t spare any Knights to accompany you…” She sighs again, Jean, in distress. “And alone, Dragonspine is too dangerous a place for me to ask…”

“Don’t worry!” Paimon chimes in. “We’ve been there plenty of times! Rest assured, Master Jean; the Traveler and Paimon can handle Dragonspine — no problem!”

Amber jumps to attention, clearly keen to do her bit even before her words betray it. “I’ll come with you…! You’ll want a Pyro Vision where you’re going, and we should meet Eula’s patrol on the way for reinforcements…!”

“See! We’ll be…”

“Ah, actually…” Jean has to fight a bit to get a word in, but just as well; it would appear this was not quite how she envisioned the plan unfolding. “Amber, I appreciate your enthusiasm…and I don’t mean to waste it. But I would like to ask that you — and Captain Eula, if you do meet her en route — investigate Stormterror’s Lair, just to be certain…” She looks to Aether again. “Please, do not think I doubt your intuition; I don’t. But if there is any possibility that… Especially if it is related to the Tianquan’s fête… Ah, I just feel that I must address all possible routes.”

It does make sense; Aether himself can see that, and as such he doesn’t take offense to Jean’s alternative. She’s covering the bases; while he is relatively certain of Dragonspine’s role in this, were they to all venture there and discover he was misled, they would be at a loss — and, most likely, miles away from their quarry. Plus, he has to give the woman credit where it’s due, for she may have made additional considerations; if Dragonspine is perhaps the most obvious choice, then, and especially if it is the Fatui after all, the somewhat less practical but greatly less obvious Stormterror’s Lair would be a good option. 

He nods.

“I understand. We’ll cover more ground if we split up.”

“Yes, my thoughts exactly…” Jean turns to Amber, then, to get her side of things. It’s not strictly required, no, for Amber does report to her…but it is Jean’s way. “Amber, will you take Stormterror’s Lair while Aether sees to Dragonspine?”

The Outrider nods — a bit hesitantly at first, but with additional fervor shortly thereafter; it seems she quickly remembered the Traveler’s capabilities. “Roger that; I’ll leave at once!” She nods politely to the group and turns, keen on making good on her latest commitment. But she looks back and them just before leaving — one final word of what she hopes will be reassurance. “If I find anything at all, Master Jean, you’ll be the very first to know — I promise!”

“I believe it. Thank you, Amber…and please be careful… ”

Amber leaves, and Aether decides he ought to quickly follow suit; they’re already set on making up for lost time, and there isn’t a moment more to waste. So he echoes the young lady’s sentiment, and he nods to Paimon to indicate they’d best be off. 

“Likewise… As soon as we find anything, we’ll report back immediately.”

“Thank you…and especially you, Traveler and Paimon.” Jean pauses, sighing once again. “I realize we have come to rely on you a great deal…but you are in fact only an Honorary Knight; you are not beholden to the Ordo, or to me, to any extent… I only hope that I don’t convey otherwise — that you know I am truly grateful for your help, but that you are not obligated to provide it, if I ask too much.”

He shakes his head. “Don’t worry; you don’t …and regardless, we want to help.”

“That’s right!” Paimon seconds. “You and the Ordo are our friends — and Kaeya is our friend too! We want to get to the bottom of this as much as anyone…and we will! It’s a promise!”

Jean doesn’t immediately respond, but it would appear that is for how moved she is by the sprite’s words; she’s nothing to properly return them. Thus Lisa acts in her stead; she smiles fondly at the pair, and she echoes the Acting Grand Master’s earlier sentiment. 

“We are all grateful for your help, and we have the utmost confidence in you. Still, do be careful — in Dragonspine especially. We do not doubt your abilities in the slightest, but we also do not know what lies ahead.”

Aether thinks that’s practically par for the course, actually; he can’t say he’s ever known what lay ahead — not since he first set foot in Teyvat or fished Paimon out of that lake. Not since he lost Lumine. But that’s the crux of it; he never has known, but yet he’s soldiered on…and so he’ll soldier on again — this time, at least with a heading and a hope that things will become clearer once he gets there.

One thing he does know, though, is that they’ll find Kaeya, wherever he is. Because he made Jean a promise — and it’s a promise he intends to keep.

With their quarry named and their sights set on Dragonspine, Aether and Paimon make quick work of exiting the Ordo and scurrying down into Mondstadt, heading for the gate. Although Aether’s eyes are trained on the path ahead, he can’t help but set his mind’s eye on the periphery — and, namely, on the Fatui diplomats mulling about the area. They don’t look suspicious — not more than usual, at least…but to him, they seem more so; perhaps it’s his own suspicion that they must indeed be behind Kaeya’s disappearance, whatever business is afoot with that girl and her phantasmal family notwithstanding. Aye, Jean had a point that it seems implausible that the organization would try something so bold as targeting a Captain of the Ordo so soon after their previous unsavory dealings in Mondstadt (to say nothing of their dealings in other nations), but…

…well, it is the Fatui, after all; they never did strike him as overly cautious. The opposite, in fact; they instead seem to believe they’re nigh untouchable.

Tch, otherwise he doubts they’d have had the gall to steal Venti’s Gnosis outright. Again, to say nothing of their dealings in other nations…

Of course, this penchant for dubious behavior doesn’t mean each and every member of their ranks is in on the scheme — far from it. The peons posted in Mondstadt never seem to have much intel into the ways of the higher-ups; at the very least, the motley crew hanging about the plaza never did (and still don’t, he reckons). Hence he doesn’t even suggest they interrogate them to any extent — not even make eye contact; that’s why he and Paimon pass Mikhail and Lyudmila by without so much as a glance. Where they do stop, briefly, is the Adventurer’s Guild directory — where Mondstadt’s Katheryne stands dutifully behind the counter, sure to greet them with “Ad astra abyssosque!” as she always does.

And Aether will smile politely at her when she does, as he always does…even though her greeting is, now, a bit uncanny to him. Her greeting and her voice is exactly the same, after all, as that of Sumeru’s Katheryne — well, as Sumeru’s Katheryne used to be. Not that he’d ever mention it.

He wonders if Mondstadt’s Katheryne would even understand if he did. 

He hopes not.

“Ad astra abyssosque!” She says to them, right on cue.

Paimon, to her credit, doesn’t even flinch; Aether supposes he could learn more than he’d have thought from her. “Hi, Katheryne! Sorry we can’t stop for long, but we were wondering… Have you seen anything unusual in the city lately? — or heard of anything in the outskirts?”

Katheryne ponders a moment, but shakes her head. “Unusual…? No; the commissions have been very typical as of late — the occasional caravan escort, Timmy requesting wheat for the ducks… Nothing out of the ordinary as far as the Guild is concerned.”

“Ah, well, Paimon thought as much… Still, couldn’t hurt asking and hoping we’d get lucky for a change!” 

“I’m sorry to disappoint you,” she says. “Is there anything in particular you are looking for? It may be I did not perceive it as unusual at the time, but in context you may find it useful.” 

The fairy seems to mull this over a bit with, “Well… Eh, Traveler, how would you put it…?”

And Aether, he only then snaps to attention — after it occurs to him that he is indeed the Traveler in question; it is an embarrassing thing to be caught off guard, or would be were he not caught so off guard, but it is what it is. He doesn’t miss the way Paimon’s brow furrows a bit in concern, nor the way Katheryne’s brow stays firmly where it was — her expression unchanging. That’s uncanny, too — not the expression itself, no, but the way it unnerves him to a degree.

It never used to.

“Have you seen Captain Kaeya recently?” He finally gathered enough wits to ask, it seems; fate was kind to him for once. 

Not too kind, though; Katheryne only shakes her head. “No, actually; I cannot say that I have. But it isn’t unusual for the Cavalry Captain to spend time away from where I might. Is something the matter?”

Paimon looks just about to say something to that effect — confirm indeed something is amiss…but Aether cuts her off. “Ah, we were hoping to run into him is all — but no matter! Surely he’ll be back again soon…”

Katheryne nods, and smiles again — and wishes them well. “Indeed. If I do see the Captain, I will let him know you stopped by; I’m sure he would be happy to catch up.”

“Thanks, Katheryne…” Aether turns towards the gates again — and nods to Paimon to get her attention, to ensure she too is heading that way…and not attempting to further the conversation. Because she certainly looked like she was about to do the very thing. “Let’s head out.”

Paimon doesn’t question him further — not in front of the Guild post, or the automaton standing by it. But when they do pass through the gates and start along the path, Dragonspine far off in the distance, her curiosity gets the better of her.

Then , she asks; “Uh… Paimon isn’t sure but, you seemed a little…off around Katheryne back there… What’s up?”

Aether stops in his tracks for a moment, listening to see if there is anyone around…and, when he determines there indeed is not, he sighs. “It’s… What happened in Sumeru, it’s just… I can’t unsee it.”

“Huh…? Sumeru…?” The fairy looks quizzical for a minute, there, as she thinks back. But when she does remember, it’s very obvious — as to the timing and that she hit the nail on the head. “ Oh . You mean when those mercenaries…”

“Don’t say it — please ,” he interrupts, shaking his head. “It was a flash but…I remember all too well. I don’t want to think about it.”

“Okay…” That quiets her for a little while, Paimon, because she isn’t trying to bring up bad memories…but they don’t venture all too far further before she raises it again, despite the best of intentions. “She’s okay, you know? — Katheryne. We talked to her in Sumeru, after…that. She doesn’t remember.”

He shakes his head again — shaking the memory away, really, or trying to at least; it clings to his consciousness more than he’d like. “I know. And I’m glad she doesn’t…but I do .” He pauses. “I just…don’t want her involved — not if it can be helped. I know she probably didn’t feel a thing — she probably can’t. I know she’s ‘just’ a puppet, but… But regardless…”

Paimon looks sympathetically to him, having not realized he’d taken that rather terrible day to heart — in this way. But she does understand; her sympathy is genuine in that sense. She hadn’t looked at it quite the way Aether had — even at the time, is all. It surprises her, truth be told, that she hadn’t; consciously, Paimon had not really considered just how much she’d accepted the kind receptionist really wasn’t human until Aether’s perspective illuminated the very thing — because he has apparently accepted it more begrudgingly than Paimon herself.

He is a terribly kindhearted sort himself, Paimon thinks.

“Paimon understands.” 

Aether believes her when she says it.

“And…Paimon won’t talk about that anymore.”

He believes her when she says that, too. And he is equally grateful for both.

Chapter Text

Now, what Aether is not immediately grateful for is the sudden feeling of being watched, despite having carefully determined there was no one around save Paimon and himself. In fact, he is rather unhappy about the ordeal — to the extent that he looks around quickly in hopes it is simply his own nerves imagining things. Initially, that does seem to be the case; a few cranes flutter away in the distance, and Windrise’s namesake breeze casts a few blades of grass his way…but no actual blades, mind, and no person is immediately noticeable. Or noticeable at all; he holds his gaze steady for a few moments more just to be certain…

…and yet the feeling doesn’t wane; if anything, it waxes.

Paimon clearly hasn’t noticed anything untoward either; she cocks her head at him, inquiring, “Traveler…? Are you okay? Uwah, Paimon didn’t mean to upset you…”

Indeed — hasn’t noticed at all; she seems to think his sudden silence is a direct result of that bit of talk about Katheryne. And perhaps initially it was, but…no longer. He shushes her, motioning for her to hover a little closer such that he can whisper his concerns (all the while hoping she gets the hint to whisper any would-be reply rather than exclaim it). 

“There’s something… I don’t see it , but I feel like someone’s watching us .”

Initially, his hopes are dashed; Paimon does gasp rather loudly. But she then clears her throat and lowers her voice, frantically looking all around. “Watching…? P-Paimon doesn’t see anyone…”

“Me neither , but there definitely is someone…”

He’d likely have mulled further on the subject, Aether, and grown antsier by the minute, too. But such, he does not do — and not for his own savvy. Instead…

“Huh. Well, not quite there yet…but I’d say you have improved to a degree.” 

Instead , the watcher puts him out of his mystery when they speak — out of bloody nowhere , he thinks…until suddenly they are nowhere no more and instead just there at his left. He bristles instinctively, reaching for his sword. Paimon jumps, in much the same way, and while she’s no sword (or any other weapon, for that matter) to her name, she waves her arms about as though she had …but only for a minute — the time it took to register that she does in fact know that voice. As does Aether, mind; he relaxes his hand and his demeanor, and Paimon…does the opposite, in a way. 

She proclaims her frustrations at being caught unawares quite loudly , and she makes a stomping motion in the air — bit of a tantrum, by all accounts. 

“Rosaria…!” She snaps accusingly, although the woman in question only rolls her eyes lazily towards the address, and is entirely without sympathy. “You scared Paimon…! What’re you doing sneaking around…?!”

The Sister hums idly, and dismissively at that; she hardly needs to shrug to convey the same, but she does so anyway. “Don’t know if I’d call it sneaking around … I was walking around after you; you didn’t notice.” She pauses, leveling her gaze on Aether’s own with mild approval. “Well, not entirely ; I did admit you’ve improved.”

“Thanks…I guess,” he returns a bit awkwardly. But that is Rosaria’s way, after all— to be blunt ; he can hardly fault her. “In any case, why were you following us?”

She hardly has time to answer; Paimon interjects. “Yeah! Why would you be… oh ! Did Master Jean ask you as well?”

Rosaria clicks her tongue and gives a light huff. “Acting Grand Master Jean? — ask me …? Tch, hardly; our paths rarely cross.” She crosses her arms. “You could say our interests are aligned — but I’m here of my own accord. I overheard you talking to Katheryne in town and thought wherever you’re going would be as good a lead as any.”

“Uh…sure… B-But wait! That means you’re also lookin’ for Kaeya?”

“I am. I’m sure you’ve ascertained as much yourself, but he hasn’t been around all week. Eh…” She waves a hand at them, presumably to stop them getting the wrong idea; Aether can’t say he had , but he also can’t speak for Paimon. “Don’t read into it; I do not keep tabs on Kaeya by any means. The man’s a free agent. But he’s also a drinking buddy — my preferred drinking buddy, as it happens, and he knows damn well. If he is taking a leave of absence from the tavern, it’s customary for him to give notice in advance.”

Paimon smiles a bit, thinking she’s understood. “So you won’t worry!”

Alas, she has not understood at all, or so Rosaria thinks; the Sister huffs again, and rolls her eyes. “Ugh, so I know not to waste my time waiting for him, is all. Honestly, sometimes it seems you hardly know me.”

“Bah, well sometimes Paimon thinks Paimon does, and then you go and say something like that!” the fairy cries, stomping her feet in the air again before looking to Aether in exasperation. “Sister Rosaria sure is a tough customer…”

As though said customer doesn’t know…? — and isn’t standing right there… ? Ah, Aether does appreciate Paimon…but he must admit she often drops him in it. Still, Rosaria doesn’t look even mildly offended, and so he lets it be. Besides, he wonders if this customer might not be quite as tough as she’d have them believe…

…and perhaps Paimon does know her better than she lets on.

“But you are worried.” He says it plainly enough, and while Rosaria does bristle at the distasteful sentiment…she doesn’t expressly deny it. That’s a start — matter of fact, it’s the sum total of all the confirmation he needs. “So are we — and Jean, and everyone else. By all accounts, the Captain has disappeared…and I suspect foul play.”

Rosaria sighs heavily, shaking her head. “I…thought as much. Kaeya has disappeared for spells before — but each time, it was never for what you’d call a good reason .” She takes a few steps forward, ahead of them, and crosses her arms once more. “Initially, given Angel’s Share is our usual spot, I thought maybe he and Diluc had another falling out — and Kaeya had made himself scarce in turn. But I pursued that line of inquiry already — long before I fell back on eavesdropping on you; Diluc was none the wiser himself.”

Paimon perks up at this, looking around as though the Darknight Hero will suddenly appear before them in much the same way as Rosaria had. She is, of course, disappointed when he does not, but it was perhaps a rather fantastical notion. “So Diluc also knows that Kaeya is missing…? Paimon wondered if Master Jean might have told him…”

“Jean? Hm, maybe; I wouldn’t be surprised. But I wouldn’t be surprised if she didn’t , either; navigating those two is an art unto itself. Tread too lightly and you’ll tread nothing but water until you give out — too heavily and you’ll scare ‘em both off. It’s a damn nuisance , really, and I can’t be bothered to partake; it suits me just fine to keep a level distance.” She pauses. “But…as a consequence, it’s equally annoying to be left in the dark. That’s where you come in.”

Aether isn’t fool enough to think Rosaria is giving them a real compliment ; it’s a backhanded compliment at best — likely implying that they two plod along with such brashness that they trample that nuisance along with everything else in their path. Still, it’s a demi-compliment as such, so he’ll meet her where she’s at; she’s at least admitted they have their uses. In this case, providing a heading — a lead , where she had failed to find herself — is the very utile thing, and he’ll capitalize on it. Besides, he similarly isn’t fool enough to think they couldn’t use the help — whatever help they can get, actually. There’s strength in numbers…

…which, if his suspicions are correct and the Fatui (or anyone else, come to think of it) are involved, will be practically invaluable.

“We don’t have much to go on,” he admits, “But what we do know is that wherever Kaeya and his company headed, it’s out of the way and rarely patrolled. Amber and Eula are looking into Stormterror’s Lair on the off chance that I’m wrong, but I have a strong hunch that they went to Dragonspine.” A pause. “That’s our heading.”

Rosaria nods; she already knew that, surely, but now she vocally agrees with it. “As good a heading as any. As to why they might’ve done…any thoughts?”

Ah, well she has him there; he can’t be certain, and there’s no use hiding it. “Nothing solid.” Still… “But my gut tells me it’s the Fatui.”

“Fatui, huh?” She raises a brow — not that he sees, what with her back to him, but it seems likely enough. “I can’t see why , but it’s not impossible; Kaeya does have some history with them — nothing extensive, or direct…but history nonetheless.” 

Paimon blinks, floating over to the Sister to press for intel. “History with the Fatui? Paimon thought Kaeya was more…uh, acquainted with Treasure Hoarders than them ?

“He is. Actually, it’s more Diluc that has history — Kaeya, only by extension.” She stops and turns back to the pair of them — to Aether, really, but Paimon too as the fairy swiftly made her retreat to his side. “It’s not something they talk about; I doubt I even know the extent of it, and I’m not one to speculate where it doesn’t concern me. But suffice it to say that Kaeya has met them — at least a couple of the higher-ups, that is.” 

Higher-ups… The Harbingers , Aether thinks, is more accurate. Not that he’s entirely out of the loop; he and Paimon have met several themselves — most of whom he’d be happy to never meet again, if he’s honest. Signora, he hardly needs mention — for how obvious his dislike of her, and for how he very well won’t be seeing the likes of her again. Not after Inazuma. Now, as to the others… He can’t speak for them all, having only met three if memory serves. The Balladeer is a hellion in his own right, and Aether would be happy if his wandering took him anywhere but where he himself stands; the Doctor was the very stuff of nightmares . Aye, he reckons he’d rather bunk with the Balladeer than clap eyes on that masked madman again; the thought of him alone sends all kinds of shivers down his spine.

Damn demon is what he was…

And as for the last of them — dead-last, by all accounts, including by the Harbinger’s own roster: the 11th, Tartaglia… Childe… Tch, Childe’s a madman , too, in every way that ought to count…

…

…but frankly, perhaps paradoxically, Aether thinks Childe’s all right.

Indeed. Though Aether wholeheartedly suspects the Fatui have a hand in this, that particular Fatuus, bloodthirsty and warmongering as he may very well be (and is), does not spring to mind.

Maybe he’s gone soft.

“Ah, that’s news to us…” While Aether is musing, Paimon seizes the opportunity to add her two-cents. And they are a valid two-cents, come to think of it — connecting some otherwise nebulous dots, they are. “But Jean mentioned that Kaeya probably saw them recently as well! Apparently there was a big party in Liyue that the Tianquan hosted to commemorate international trade — and Kaeya went as the Ordo Favonius’ representative. Jean didn’t have the full guest list, but she assumes the Snezhnayan bigwigs would have been invited.” She pauses to add a disclaimer. “Now, Kaeya didn’t say anything untoward happened at the party, but… Well, if the Fatui are up to something, the timing’s a bit of a coincidence…”

“It would be.” Rosaria clicks her tongue, shaking her head. “It’s hard to say with Kaeya; sometimes he plays it too close to the vest for his own good. Drinking buddy or not, I’m not opposed to calling him an idiot when the shoe fits.” Good to know… “Regardless, I have to give credit where it’s due; the Fatui, and especially their Harbingers, are known for hatching the most absurd schemes out of the tiniest of curiosities and motivations. It similarly would not surprise me if whatever did catch their eye seemed insignificant to Kaeya at the time — or at least harebrained , were they to act on it.” 

After that fair assessment, they continue the journey in relative silence — relative only because Paimon lets out the occasional “Eek!” and flits about rather demonstratively at every little rustle in the bushes or the grass; she’s decidedly on edge since Rosaria startled her earlier, and keen on not being caught unawares a second time that evening. And it is evening, now; the trek to Dragonspine is a long one, after all, but perhaps not for naught. Given the darkening sky, they can see a the fire of the adventurer’s camp burning brightly up ahead, and it does give Aether an idea: maybe the adventurers in the camp saw something. Can help them figure out the best mode of entry, or where they should look first. Dragonspine is a mountain more than a molehill, of course; they will have to start somewhere .

Indeed! Yes, that is good; the fire is very bright, and very strong… Surely that means the bulk of adventurers are in, and surely one of them must have seen something ! Things are looking up; there’s simply no way such an undoubtedly populous camp would be a dead end! And populous, yes! In fact, they may have acquired more adventurers than Aether recalls having been there before; he does not recall the fire ever burning that strongly…

…

…wait.

The fire never burned that strongly in any camp of any kind — not unless the camp itself was…

He quickens his gait into a run, and from the sound of it Rosaria does so to hers as well…and when they both reach the edges of the camp, they both freeze — and Aether’s eyes go wide. It takes Paimon a moment or two to catch up, and she’d likely had berated them both for leaving her so suddenly if she weren’t occupied with gaping at the scene, agog. And horrified — for reasons her next words make very clear.

“Th-The camp…! It’s been destroyed!”

Somehow, destroyed seems too kind a way to put it — go figure. The entire place is practically on its head: the tents have been torn to shreds and largely capsized, with only the occasional splintered tent pole standing here and there as a reminder of what used to be; Orben’s makeshift forge and Harris’ once-welcoming cookery setup are both rubble, now, and said rubble littered with embers and dull coals. Stevens’ table is in its entirety ablaze — perhaps one of his latest projects set alight in what much have been a devastating attack to do this kind of damage; in fact, that table’s fire looks to be spreading, not-so-subtly making its way back over towards the embers and the coals to reignite them…

Rosaria whisks it away with a flick of her spear, now drawn; the Cryo stops the burn in its tracks, and what remains of it soon smolders down to naught. But she eyes it warily, as she does the remainder of the ruins, as though it might be so emboldened to attack again. And Aether can’t fault her for that, for his own sword is now drawn and taught…and again he gets the feeling they’re being watched. Again , though, he doesn’t see anyone…

…but perhaps that isn’t quite true.

“T-Traveler, look…!” Paimon exclaims. Her voice is a tad scratchy from the smoke, but her hand motioning towards the ground is clear as day to follow. “Is that… Th-Those are Knights…!”

Indeed. Those are Knights — two Knights, in fact, motionless on the scorched earth. Aether would have approached cautiously, were it up to him, but Paimon surges forth and hovers over them — first over one, and then a few feet over to where the other Knight lies still — and he scurries forward to see for himself. He doesn’t exactly recognize them; their faces aren’t disfigured (a small blessing…but he will take it), but he vaguely recalls seeing them in Jean’s company that day Mika came to the Ordo — faces in the crowd. Youthful faces, but still battle-worn; that’s what he vaguely recalls. And yet now, the latter descriptor does not fit; they are but youthful faces, now — too youthful.

Too youthful faces, indeed…to be faces of death.

“What… Wh-What happened here…?!” Paimon exclaims hurriedly. “The camp has been…Eek!” She jolts back towards Aether, pointing towards a patch of smoke — where she heard a rusting that was not the wind. “S-Something’s over there!” 

“Too true,” Rosaria says gravely. “And they’re not wounded…” She brandishes her spear — pointing it at the source of the sound as Aether also assumes a battle stance behind her. And she does not mince words. “Show yourself. Now .”

At first, there is no reply — just more rustling, and the sound of rubble underneath a pair of boots. And Rosaria looks mighty irritated by that, and damn right she has to be…but then there is a reply, and the voice is oddly familiar.

The figure is, too, when he steps into view.

“Stand down. It’s me.”

Rosaria doesn’t exactly relax, but she does lower her spear. Aether blinks several times to be sure his eyes aren’t playing tricks, mistaking the smoke and flickering sparks in the air for equally fire-red hair. But when he does decide that indeed he is not mistaken, he lets out a breath. Relief, of a sort…yet he is still rather confused by his timing.

“Diluc…?” He starts with that, although he already knows full well it is in fact the young Lord Ragnvindr in the flesh, then clarifies his actual question. “What are you doing here?”

Paimon tacks her own question onto Aether’s, though, before said Lord Ragnvindr can answer — and her question seems to ruffle a bit more feathers. “Y-You… You didn’t…”

Diluc huffs, offended, and Aether doesn’t blame him; despite the camp having been obviously set alight, not for one second did he consider Diluc would have had a hand in it… “I didn’t burn the place to the ground, if that’s your question.”

“No, no — of course not! Paimon didn’t mean…”

“It was like this when I got here.”

“Yes — yes, of course it was, Master Diluc, Sir!” Poor Paimon is, for all intents and purposes, cowering behind Aether at the dangerous look in the redhead’s eyes — which has not as yet abated.

But is also hardly directed at the hapless sprite, and Diluc no doubt hasn’t even considered that; he never was one to realize just how intimidating he could be, when he wasn’t actively trying.

Still, Rosaria is not one to be intimidated, and she narrows her eyes — does not raise her spear, but watches him warily. “It was a fair question, for one who wields a Pyro Vision; be careful that you don’t protest too much .” He huffs again, and she clicks her tongue in turn. “Besides, you haven’t yet answered why you’re here at all. We’re a long way from your Winery.”

“ Why …?” he asks incredulously. “I imagined you of all people would know that, Sister .”

“Don’t imagine; just pretend I don’t, vintner .”

“Tch.” 

The tension is heavy, and thick enough about the air that even Diluc’s renowned claymore might struggle to so much as dent it. And it is terribly unnecessary in Aether’s humble opinion; surely Rosaria knows full well that he wouldn’t be here in pursuit of any dubious deeds — not deeds he would undertake, at the very least. He doubts she’s the least bit suspicious in reality; it’s a battle of wills and nothing more. But he supposes he ought to give the Sister credit on Paimon’s behalf, for Paimon surely doesn’t realize that Rosaria is actually standing up for her and not for herself. Aether is relatively certain of that, though he’s all the more certain Rosaria would never admit it.

She’s as stubborn as Diluc, after all; that’s why they’re locked in this unnecessary battle in the first place.

Impressively, though, it is Rosaria’s stubbornness that wins out — praise be to the Anemo Archon, for it is one for the Church, naught for the winery owner! He doubts either will see it fit to commemorate such a victory, but he will remember.

“After you dropped by the tavern,” Diluc says, nodding to Rosaria, “Asking about Kaeya — like he’d disappeared… Well, at first I thought Kaeya was just up to one of his old tricks — nothing doing, nothing to be done…”

She rolls her eyes. “You say that like you actually know — but Kaeya never was one for disappearing acts. That’s more your style, if memory serves.”

Diluc is clearly affected by the accusation, but he doesn’t rebuke her; she does have a point . “Regardless, I didn’t act immediately…but when Kaeya still did not reappear after a couple days, I decided to look into it.” 

“On your own?” Paimon asks, peeking over Aether’s shoulder in a rare display of bravery. “Master Jean was also really worried… You could’ve asked the Knights if…”

“The Knights …? What good would those layabouts do? — that I couldn’t myself ?” 

“N-Nevermind…!”

“ Plenty enough,” Rosaria snaps. “Could’ve saved us this tiresome exchange, for one.”

That stops his rant dead in his tracks — another indisputable fact put forth by the good Sister. It’s not that Diluc doesn’t wish he could dispute it, for he certainly looks as though he’d like nothing more than to do the very thing, but even he is not foolish or stubborn enough to try. He scoffs…but then sighs heavily, and he shakes his head.

“…you’re right.” It’s a small step, but in the right direction — and he’s keen to move past it (perhaps because it is). “I didn’t consider asking anyone — not the Knights, but not solely because they are the Knights; it didn’t occur to me that I should. I’m used to working alone…” A pause. “And…I hoped I was overreacting.” He scoffs, bitterly at that. “I didn’t realize I still…had it in me to be so naive .”

“It’s not that,” Aether encourages, pleased to see the man making progress on the interpersonal front.

Too bad Rosaria counters immediately with, “It is that.” Err, still, her gaze softens somewhat as she says it. “But there’s no point ruminating on it; our time is better spent figuring out where to go from here.”

“Here… Tch, here , I was too late …!” He curses, kicking at the ground — catching a glimpse of one of the fallen Knights and immediately tearing his eyes away with another oath. “By the time I got here , the place was already in ruins — deserted, save for those that were already dead.” Ah… “It wasn’t much before you arrived yourselves — and I do notice that not all adventurers normally posted here are among the deceased. I was just about to investigate that when I heard…”

There’s a rustling — another rustling — from behind the rubble, where one of the tents collapsed against some tattered crates. Paimon yelps and cowers behind Aether, pointing accusingly at the area and stammering “Th-That wasn’t the wind…!” As though it weren’t obvious … In truth, Aether had expected Diluc was going to say he was about to investigate until he heard them approach, but the way he snaps his head around to look at the same place suggests it was a sound very much like that one that originally caught his attention, and now they’re all equally interested. Well, except Paimon, perhaps; Paimon is white as a sheet, most likely at her limit for how many times she can afford to be startled in one day. Poor thing.

Interestingly enough, Rosaria does not draw her weapon at this sound the way she had at Diluc before — before they knew it was Diluc, that is. This sound, she instructs firmly, “Come out,” but without any real or implied threat. And at first, she is left waiting; there is no response. Yet still she stays her hand, and her spear, and instead approaches the source slowly and methodically — gingerly, even. Indeed, her movements are very deliberate when she takes a hold of the cloth that once was a tent, and very slowly she pulls the fabric back…

Perhaps that’s because she could hear the soft whimpering before she did so; perhaps she already surmised, from that, that there was no threat beneath the shroud.

Paimon, who dares peek out from her hiding place in Aether’s scarf, flies well into the air and forward at the sight — that sight unthreatening enough that even she is no longer afraid. 

“Joel?! What’re you doing here?”

Poor Joel, for it is Joel after all, looks up at the familiar voice…but it’s Rosaria and Diluc’s grim faces that he sees first when he does, and the pair of them frighten him to the point that he curls back up into his (now discovered) hideaway, fearing for the worst. Paimon gives those two a stern look, scoffing in disdain that they’d scare the boy half to death, and she floats over in an attempt to coax him back out. 

“H-Hey…! It’s okay, Joel! It’s Paimon, and the Traveler! You remember us, don’t you…?”

The boy sniffles, but he dares look up again…and this time, at having glimpses the fairy instead of the decidedly scary unfamiliar adults, he relaxes…slightly. “P-Paimon…and the Traveler…?” He hesitantly crawls out of hiding and dusts himself off, rubbing at his eyes (which are rather caked in soot, poor lad) to get a better look…

…and catches a good look at Diluc, unfortunately — nearly sends him cowering once more. Undoubtedly would have, if Paimon didn’t scold the Pyro wielder again with a rather miffed, “Hey! Don’t make such a scary face!”

Hm, no “Master Diluc, Sir” to go with this one…? Seems the fairy is feeling quite brave; Aether is proud. But he’s also concerned for Joel’s safety — after all, this is no place for a child to be on his own — and he steps forward.

“Joel, what happened…? Why are you here all alone? Where are…”

He doesn’t get all the way through his line of inquiry, though; once the boy recognizes it is indeed the noble Honorary Knight of Mondstadt before him, he practically launches himself at said Honorary Knight (who does catch him, it should be noted), and buries his head in his chest.

“M-Mister Aether…! I was… I was so scared , Mister…! I just…”

He starts sobbing then, Joel does, and it takes a few minutes before Aether even attempts to calm him down; what the lad needs first is a rock to cling onto, and with it the assurance that he is indeed quite safe. After those minutes pass, and the boy’s sobs turn to softer hiccups, Aether pays him on the back and shushes him, and nods over to Paimon. Who hovers closer, and offers the boy an encouraging smile when he looks up again, eyes watery, and asks him gently what happened .

The boy doesn’t disappoint.

“M-Mister Stevens hurt himself on one of his projects,” Joel explains. “Miss Iris took him back to Mondstadt to see the Sisters…and Mister Harris went with her— Mister Orben too, ‘cuz… Well, he was carrying Mr. Stevens. They wanted me to go too, but… Well, I have to stay here and wait for my dad.” 

Oh. Right… Still, it’s hard to believe they’d leave him alone …

“Then, just when they were leaving, these Knights showed up…”

Oh?

“They talked a little while; I didn’t catch most of it… But then they left — and the Knights were here.”

He pauses, catching an unfortunate glimpse of one of the deceased Knights and burying his head in Aether’s chest again. It’s another few minutes more before Paimon manages to get him talking once more. And she hates pressing him, but this is as good a start to figuring out what happened as anything.

“It’s okay, Joel — really…! Take your time…”

“It was fine, but… But then these other people showed up…” He shakes his head, clinging to Aether all the more tightly. “Th-They were scary — and w-wearin’ masks…”

Masks, huh…? Well, Aether knows what that means…and so do the others; Diluc’s hand tightens instinctively on his sword, and the look in Rosaria’s eyes is dangerous.

Paimon tries to keep Joel from looking at either of them; surely they’d scare him just as much. “What happened when the people in the masks showed up, Joel?”

“Th-They… They…started fighting.” He sniffles, and he looks up at Aether. “They didn’t see me… One of the Knights, I-I dunno his name… He told me to hide, and he told me not to come out — not till he came back.” He pauses, sniffling again. “Th-That’s why I didn’t come out when you got here, Mister… Ah, I’m sorry…!”

“It’s okay, Joel…! We’re just glad you’re…”

“…but that Knight, he never came back…” Joel pries himself off Aether’s chest to look around again, even though the sight of the fallen Knights unnerves him. He braves it, because he has more to say — something important. “And…he’s still not come back… ‘Cuz those people in the masks, they….”

Diluc’s eyes flash, and he rounds on the boy — scares him half to death, but doesn’t seem to notice. “They what ?”

“I-I dunno, Mister…! I-I swear! On the Anemo Archon…!”

Joel starts sobbing again, and Paimon angrily snaps at Diluc, “ Easy , will ya…?! Scaring him isn’t gonna help anybody…!” 

Diluc backs off, the sudden realization that he had startled the child weighing heavily upon him and his countenance; he looks positively ashamed. Even Rosaria is sympathetic, for she casts him a somewhat consoling look. (although keeps any audible assurance to herself), and Paimon sets about calming the boy down for the umpteenth time that evening. 

Once she has done, Aether makes his own approach — and much more carefully than Diluc has done. “This Knight — the one who told you to hide; what did he look like? Do you remember?”

Joel nods. “Uh huh. He was…really tan — a-and he only had one eye.” Well, that’s… “But he wasn’t scary at all… He spoke real softly…and he was really beautiful. I didn’t know there was a Knight like that.”

Tan, one-eyed, soft-spoken, and unnaturally beautiful… That’s Kaeya , all right — got it in one. Now, as to where Kaeya went , that’s yet to be determined. By what Joel has recounted thus far, the Fatui have a hand in it after all — and so wherever the Fatui have gone, it stands to reason Kaeya went with them…one way or another. With nothing else to go on, though, Aether regrettably has no choice but to look to Joel and wait for him to recall something further…

…and hope for the best.

“The Knight…” Diluc’s voice breaks the silence, but it is fortunately softened in tone to the point that Joel doesn’t immediately flinch away. “What happened to the Knight…?”

Joel braves looking up at him, apparently having decided (finally) that he is not a threat (or perhaps that Paimon will at least smite him if he were to become one, from her earlier shows of verbal force), and he shakes his head. “I…dunno, Mister; I was hiding, so…I didn’t see much. He told me not to look.” 

He pauses — probably would’ve stopped there, too. But Paimon shakes her head, then, and she sidles closer. “You did a good thing, Joel, listening to what the Knight said — hiding. He was keeping you safe.” But… “But if you did take a little peek …it’s okay.”

Aha, the fairy has sussed out something useful indeed. Joel blushes a little bit at having been caught out, but he doesn’t deny it. “I did take a little peek…” Indeed — useful . “The masked people, th-there were a lot of them…! They knocked him down, and he…wasn’t moving.”

Oh no…

“…but then, they left. They said somethin’ I didn’t understand — some…strange words… And they left — but he was gone too. I think they took him, even though I didn’t see.”

…okay. 

Aether isn’t sure what to make of that, to be honest. On the one hand, hearing Joel describe what could have easily been Kaeya’s demise chilled him to the bone — and he doesn’t have any concrete way of refuting that terrible possibility. It’s all too obvious that Diluc doesn’t either, nor Rosaria; Rosaria’s face is grim, and Diluc… Diluc’s face is unreadable — completely without affect, and yet stricken at the same time. It should be impossible for such two opposing things to coexist about one shared countenance, but is somehow not ; it is fact that he reveals nothing and everything at once. He is beyond pale, his face is frozen in time, and he stares straight ahead — not at anything, though, but at the darkness they can’t even see.

Nor can he see, surely; there is no light in those eyes. None whatsoever.

Still, Aether’s uncertainty makes him think there ought to be some kind of hope left — because it’s strange, Joel’s recollection. And not because he doubts Joel; simply because he can’t fathom why the Fatui would bother abducting a corpse .

Even the Doctor had no interest in corpses.

Thus, Aether thinks it’s highly likely that Kaeya is not dead, after all — unconscious, but alive .

At least, he hopes so.

“Oh! Th-There was something else!” Joel pushes away from Aether a little — in favor of looking around. It’s hard to tell what he’s looking for exactly, but he seems to find it; he points. “They took somethin’ away from him — from the Knight, I mean, before they left… I didn’t see what it was, but I saw it ‘cuz it was really shiny.” He nods fervently, then resumes pointing. “They threw it over there!”

Diluc is apparently too stricken with shock from the boy’s earlier words to move, so Aether follows Joel’s indication instead — doesn’t see anything, at first, so takes a few steps closer. Joel apparently has sussed that time is of the essence, so he abandons his passive pointing in favor of scurrying towards the very spot with an enthusiastic, “Over here! It was just over here!” 

Now, given some of the rubble the boy is about to rummage through it still smoldering by all accounts (albeit weakly), Paimon implores him not to touch it — instructs him, “W-Wait a minute, Joel…! Don’t touch around there with your hands; you might get burned!”

Joel doesn’t listen, unsurprisingly, but when he does turn back towards them after rummaging around, he doesn’t look worse for wear (except for his hands being a little sooty). And it’s very strange, that, although perhaps less so with his next words. “Huh…?” He looks, confused, at Aether, who’s finally caught up with him — and shakes his head. “I’m sorry, Mister… B-But I’m okay! — it’s not hot at all. Actually, it's really cold…”

Cold…?

“This is what they threw away, Mister. See?”

Aether looks down at Joel’s hands, and when he does he understands why it was cold, as the lad had described. In fact, he can feel a bit of the cold already — even before he takes the shining medallion from the boy to examine it more closely. He hardly needed to, to know what it was; what he really wanted to verify was that it was still shining as brightly as he hoped it would be. As it ought to be.

As it is . It’s Kaeya’s Vision, no doubt about it, and it hasn’t dulled in the least.

“The Vision!” Paimon exclaims, clapping her hands together. “And it’s still bright…!”

Joel is confused, although tentatively pleased that the fairy (and the Traveler beside her) look a bit relieved. “Uh, is that good?”

“That’s very good!” Paimon assures him. “See, Joel, when a Vision shines like that, it means it’s still connected to its owner — so that Knight who saved you, this means he’s okay!” She turns to Diluc and waves her hands to get his attention, hoping he will finally dare looking at the Vision so he can stop thinking what he’s been thinking since they heard tell of Kaeya’s abduction. “Right, Master Diluc, Sir?”

Thanks be to Barbatos, Diluc shakes off his horrified stupor, and his eyes regain a bit of hope — a sliver of a thing, really, but a vast improvement to be sure. He carefully takes the Vision from Aether, who offers it readily, and breathes a sigh of relief.

“…indeed. Yes , he’s alive .” He pauses, holding the Vision a bit closer — and shaking his head again. “Kaeya’s alive .”

“Kaeya? Is that his name?” Joel asks, cocking his head to the side. Diluc is…well, having a moment and doesn’t answer, but it’s obvious enough that the boy himself notices, thus doesn’t press him. “That’s a strange name, but I like it. It’s beautiful, ya know — suits him.” He pauses then, and he looks over to Aether. “Sir Kaeya, he saved my life, Mister. So… So, I wanna help save him, too. But I’m just a kid… and I gotta wait here — for my dad, ya know. So, do you think you could help him — for me, Mister?” 

Joel hardly need ask; Aether is certain they are all of a mind to find and return Kaeya to safety — doesn’t need saying. Although they are in a predicament, the Traveler notices as he looks around, and he’s not citing their lack of a definite heading per se… True, they could do with one of those, but the most immediate concern is…well, Joel himself, as he said it himself:

He’s just a kid; they can hardly leave him alone .

Rosaria hums, looking at the Vision, off towards Dragonspine…and then back at Joel. “Hn. Dragonspine’s not for children… And even though I doubt the Fatui that passed this way will be coming back, that’s not to say any other unsavory characters might stumble upon the place — human or otherwise…”

She has a point. The region isn’t short of monsters, nor Treasure Hoarders, and both are even more drawn to what look to be deserted campsites — dilapidated ones even more so. It’s true that Treasure Hoarders, undoubtedly unsavory as they are, don’t tend to harm children, but monsters…are a different story. It’s too risky.

Not that Joel notices. “It’s okay, Miss. I’m really good at hiding; I’ll just go back where Sir Kaeya told me to stay.” 

“Uh, Paimon doesn’t think that’s a good idea…” The fairy mimics Rosaria’s earlier motion, looking back and forth between Dragonspine and the kid, and huffs in frustration. “Ooh, Paimon really wants to go after those nasty Fatui!” She stomps her feet, dangerously close to cursing, but withholding it for Joel’s sake. “…but we can’t leave him here by himself…”

“I’ll go,” Diluc says suddenly, tucking the Cryo Vision into his coat. “You stay here with the boy; I’ll take care of the Fatui.” 

“Uwah, Mister Diluc, Sir, Paimon doesn’t…”

“Tch, on your own…? Think you’ll fare better?” Rosaria rolls her eyes, then narrows them critically at the redhead. “By all accounts, this was a targeted abduction; the Fatui came and went in force .”

“I’ll be fine . I…”

“Look, if this were solely a revenge fantasy of yours, I’d let you have it out,” she snaps. “Suicide mission or not, it’d be no concern of mine — if you’d decided not to care. But this isn’t about revenge — not yet , anyway; it’s a search and rescue. Even if you did manage to dispatch the Fatui, it doesn’t do Kaeya any good if you’re injured in the process — and can’t actually make it back .” She scoffs again. “That’ll just get you both killed — if not by the Fatui, then by the elements.”

Diluc grumbles, and frankly it doesn’t look as though he’s remotely entertaining the idea of actually heeding the Sister’s words. Aether is concerned they may as yet come to blows over it, given Rosaria too is not one to back down, and least of all when she knows she’s in the right. It’s a terrible impasse they’ve reached, truly; both Rosaria and Diluc do want to continue the search, to say nothing of how Aether and Paimon too want to, but Joel complicated things (through no fault of his own, mind); there doesn’t appear to be an easy resolution…

“He-Hello…?! Huh…? Traveler? Is that you?”

…until suddenly there is , when a very familiar voice greets them from just outside the camp — and scurrying footsteps approach. Rosaria whips around — doesn’t draw her spear, but narrows her eyes, and apparently that alone was enough to startle the speaker. Not that Aether exactly sees that, mind, for the speaker…drops out of sight. As it were; a more accurate description, judging by the loud thump and subsequent groan, would perhaps be that the speaker tripped over his own feet (or the slightest of uneven ground) and fell flat on his face (the groan was muffled , indeed…). Which is unfortunate, but not unusual; to be honest, Aether thought something like that might happen.

The poor guy does have awful luck…

“Bennett!” Paimon greets, not even commenting on his unfortunate tumble as he leaps up and dusts himself off. “What brings you out this way?”

“Aha, well, ya see…”

“Bennett! Be careful , would you? You’ll trip…oh, you’ve already done that, I see…” The second voice is deeper, and delayed —likely because its owner took a bit more care so as to not end up face-first in the dirt. And just as well; if Cyrus had fallen, the whole mountain might’ve come down with him. “Traveler! Didn’t expect to see… I say …! What’s happened here…?!”

Cyrus catches sight of the place, and the rest of them, and the Knights…and he blinks a few times before shaking his head in shock. Bennett seems to catch on, too, now that his head’s stopped spinning from the earlier impact, and he expresses his concern forthwith.

“Wha… This… This isn’t at all what it was like a few days ago…!”

“No. It is a recent development.” Diluc looks them both over, giving a bit of the background without too many details, and asks again why they’ve come at all.

Bennett is still processing, so Cyrus takes the lead. “Iris told me about the accident — poor Stevens and all… She mentioned Joel,” he nods to the boy, “Was here by himself, save for the Knights. So I told her I’d come an’ keep a watch on the place, an’ on the lad — let the Knights get on. But…” He shakes his head again. “But this… Something got to them first , I see.” 

“Some one ,” Diluc corrects. “And we’ve only just missed them; we’re keen to get after them as well.” He pauses. “Mister Cyrus, would you be able to look after the boy? — while we continue our investigation?”

Cyrus waves his hand agreeably, striding over to Joel and giving him a reassuring clap on the shoulder. “Don’t mind a thing, Master Diluc; I’ll keep an eye on Joel — and on my sister’s camp here, lest anyone else tries anything.” 

“Thank you.” 

“I’ll go with you!” Bennett pipes up from the sidelines, hands clenched into fists and his eyes avid. “If you’re headin’ to Dragonspine, you’ll need all the Fire you can get!”

“Uh…” 

“Ah…”

“Hm…”

Paimon, Diluc, and Rosaria seem hesitant; none of them have elaborated this far, but the apprehension is painfully obvious on all three faces. Not that Bennett notices, for his fervor. Fortunately, Cyrus shakes his head — and he assigns the boy another task…less dangerous.

“Bennett, lad, I need you to do somethin’ for me instead… These Knights here, they’ll be needing a proper burial — and we can’t give them that out here… Go back to Mondstadt — and straight to the Ordo, you hear? Tell them what’s happened, and then go see who’s around the Guild to help bring these boys home.”

“Oh… Right! — yes, absolutely! I can do that, right away!” Bennett starts running from whence he came, but he stops just at the edge of the camp first — calls back to them. “Traveler! I’ll see you later… Best of luck! — and go get ‘em!”

He takes off again, ignoring Cyrus’ rather ineffective, “Aye! Slow down, lest you do yourself in before you make it back…!” (As he always does, poor sod). But after he’s gone, Cyrus sighs — and looks sadly at Diluc. “I hope you do find what you’re looking for, Master Diluc…an’ I won’t insult you by saying to be careful. But I mean it.”

“…thanks.”

They set off after that, towards the mountain — although why the Fatui would head up the mountain is beyond them. Aether doesn’t think it makes any sense, and he stops them before they go too far — thinks he’ll at least try to use elemental sight to get a clearer heading. It’s not easy; Dragonspine is, as Jean and Lisa had mentioned, riddled with Cryo energy; between that, the ley lines, and whatever else is lurking in the snow, there are conflicting elemental traces everywhere in sight. He very nearly gives up.

But then, there is one trace that is… brighter than the rest, and his time in Sumeru, assessing the canned knowledge capsules among Dori’s wares, has taught him this; the brighter the trace, the stronger the element. And that trace is not up the mountain, but around it — to the side, along the coast..

Hm…?

“Wait.” The group looks at him, puzzled — and more puzzled when he points off towards the jagged coastline, struggling to see why he’d be so intent. “There. There’s a strong Cryo trace around the bend, where the coastline runs by the mountainside.”

“The coast?” Paimon wonders aloud. “But why… Uwah, also!” She shakes her head. “Kaeya doesn’t have his Vision on him anymore… Would he really have that much Cryo still hanging around him…?”

“Indeed,” Rosaria agrees. “If anything, what’s left should pale in comparison to the Vision itself — which is now safely in Diluc’s pocket.”

“I know, but somehow…” Aether doesn’t actually know, but he feels …strongly enough to pretend he’s certain. Because in a way he is — just not in a way he can explain . “Somehow, it’s him — he’s over there. I can’t describe it, but I just know .”

“Ok.” Rosaria and Paimon may doubt, but Diluc does not — or he is at least willing to risk it. Perhaps he simply has no alternative. “We’ll go that way.”

So they go. Along the way, Aether tries to think of why the coast would be preferable, and comes up with nothing — not like they can sail out from there… If that were their goal, the Falcon Coast would be preferable, he should think; the waters here are treacherous to say the very least — even too treacherous for Captain Beidou, honestly (not that he’d put it to her face so bluntly). Although, the Fatui do hail from the most frigid landscape of all… He doesn’t know if Snezhnaya’s waters are all that more navigable for the average sailor — maybe they do intend to take their chances…?

Time will tell — or, actually, won’t, if things go to plan.

If things go well, the Fatui won’t have a chance to take. 

Speaking of which…!

“ Look !” Paimon says, her voice a fortunate whisper so as to not give away their location. “Up ahead! It’s the Fatui! And…Abyss Mages…?!”

Sure enough, the fairy is correct; there is a group (a large group, at that) of Fatui up ahead…and there is a trio of rather irate-looking Abyss Mages beside them. In fact, they appear to be…squaring off — a host of Fatui Skirmishers and a Cicin Mage (Electro? Hard to see…), locked in battle with the Hydro, Cryo, and Pyro Abyss Mages that, if memory serves, used to haunt a small island around these parts. And they brought friends; Aether can see, as their smaller group inches closer, that there are hilichurls rallying to the Abyss’ cause, brandishing clubs and Cryo shields and shouting unintelligibly at the Fatui horde. 

Tch, bad luck the Fatui weren’t as stealthy as they ought to have been… 

On any other day, all four of them would’ve been keen to turn their backs and let the two groups have it out; it wouldn’t have been any concern at all who emerged victorious. And to that extent, it still isn’t — but they can’t leave them to it. Because that strong Cryo trace is not from the Cryo Abyss Mage, and amongst the Fatui there is no Cryo unit in sight. Aether is even more certain now than he was before; that elemental trace must be from…

!!

“There’s Kaeya…!”

He contains himself just enough not to shout , but there is Kaeya indeed. He doesn’t appear to be conscious, given he’s not moving…but it’s honestly hard to tell; he’s…floating a bit above the ground, and within the golden shield cast by the Geochanter Fatuus beside him. The Skirmisher is concentrating intently — no doubt trying to keep the shield intact while the rest of the group dukes it out with their newfound enemies…but that just suggests Aether might have been right about his other thought, too. That they do intend to sail out — that some sort of vessel is on its way…and thus the group, at present, is doing their level best to stall for time.

But they don’t have time, he knows, and Diluc knows it too; he draws his sword. 

Rosaria huffs, cursing in a manner unbefitting of a Sister, and snaps at him. “Steady on. We can’t just barge in there ; we’ll be caught in the crossfire immediately — and that’s before both of them attack us for real. It’s three of us against all of them ; we won’t make it.” She curses again. “Ugh, we need a distraction — keep them busy just long enough to grab Kaeya and book it back to Mondstadt.” 

Diluc grimaces, but he doesn’t disagree; even he can see the odds are stacked against them. “…if I distract them, will you grab him?”

She barks out a humorless laugh. “If you’ve had your fill of this life, Diluc, do take it up with the Church — but I’m off-duty. In the meantime, keep your suicidal ideations to yourself; they’re becoming tiresome.” She studies their enemies again, reassessing…and curses. Again. “Neither one of us would even get close before they set in… Tch, we need someone faster …and harder to hit.”

“Well, we are all we’ve got …!” He snaps. “So we will have to do…!”

“Bah, Rosaria’s right , Diluc…Sir!” Paimon exclaims, stomping her feet. “There’s way too many of them…! Argh, maybe if one of us could fly , and was small enough to dodge , but…!”

…

Rosaria looks at Paimon, reassessing.

Diluc stops his grumbling, looking at her, too.

And when Aether then turns his eyes to her, Paimon catches on and nearly faints , waving her hands in front of her and flitting all about in the most emphatically implied “ No way in all the Realms are you thinking that …!” Well, what would’ve been implied — if she didn’t exclaim the very thing thereafter. But all six eyes remain fixed on her, and Paimon sees that not only are they thinking it, they are awaiting her response.

“B-But Paimon can’t…”

“You’re the only one who can , Paimon,” Aether says — gently, but firmly. There’s no question about it; she is the only one meeting the “small,” “flying,” and “agile” criteria set forth.

“T-Traveler…! P-Paimon isn’t… Paimon’s not a fighter…!”

“You don’t have to fight,” Rosaria adds. “Just distract them. Make a scene. You’re good at that.”

“R-Rosaria…!”

“ Please, Paimon?” Aether tries again, feeling hopeful when the fairy braves meeting his gaze. “For Kaeya ?”

Paimon is terribly unsure of this… Well, that’s not quite right; Paimon is 100% sure that she wants to help — for Kaeya’s own sake, the others’ pleading looks notwithstanding. But Paimon is terribly afraid ; she’s never done this kind of thing before — and… What if she can’t…? What if…?

No .

No; when the Traveler thought like that, Paimon would always be the one to remind him it wasn’t worth it. Paimon would encourage him. Thus, Paimon would be naught but a hypocrite not to apply the same to herself, now that the situation is reversed. It’s not ideal, but it is , and she’ll rise to the occasion — she has to, just like Aether’s had to before. 

“…Paimon understands.” She narrows her wide eyes, and she flies up higher in the air — and restates her resolve. “Oooh, Paimon’s gonna give them a stern talking to …!”

That’s…an odd battle cry if they’ve ever heard one, but it’s a battle cry nonetheless and the little fairy surges towards the fray. At first, she goes unnoticed, given…the fray, actually, but as Rosaria mentioned, she’s good at making a scene. And what a scene she does make. 

It’s a sight to behold.

“ HEY !” That gets their attention; both groups look around in confusion as to where the high-pitched rebuke came from, but given Paimon keeps yelling at them, it doesn’t take long for all their eyes to find her. She stomps her feet in the air and hollers down at them. “Paimon’s so mad you’ve hurt Paimon’s friend that Paimon can’t even think of an ugly nickname…! Ooh…you… You dirty scoundrel Fatui!”

“What the…hey!”

“ And you…! You…bah, unruly hilichurls… !”

“Dala! Beru nya…!”

Paimon scoffs, waving her hands at them and then ceasing so as to put said hands on her hips — but her expression is very cross…and it’s not long before her emotions get the better of her, and she boils over again. “Don’t you play dumb… or ‘Beru nya’ Paimon! Uwah, whatever that means… Paimon doesn’t like it!” 

It’s safe to say neither the hilichurls nor the Fatui like Paimon much, either, but unfortunately they seem to realize she’s hardly a threat. The hilichurls shout at her a bit more, but they soon enough turn a cold shoulder — and resume shouting unintelligibly at the Fatui (who, not to be outdone, shout back). But Paimon herself is not to be ignored, and this would-be slight has her all sorts of irritated (not to mention, it’s hardly the plan), thus she takes action. She huffs, frustrated…and then swoops down. The first object she encounters when she does so is a Fatuus — a Pyro Gunner, to be exact — and while she’s no real force or prowess to her name, she does give his cheek her best right hook.

It’s, ah…hardly a smiting blow , but it does get his attention. 

“Huh? — ow! Damn gnat …!” 

A poor choice of words. “Ooh, now you’ve done it ! Paimon’s not a gnat , you…  You oversized party-sparkler!”

Having already progressed (or regressed?) to doling out ugly nicknames, Paimon sees no reason to stop there; she dodges the skirmisher’s attempt to swat her away, takes up a handful of snow from the ground, and tosses it in his face. He sputters, cursing angrily, and fires in her general direction. Or…what he thinks is her general direction — but, as it turns out, isn’t , for Paimon herself has already flitted away to annoy another hapless Fatuus. Instead, the gunner actually fires at a spectator hilichurl, which survives — but solely because its Cryo shield took the hit on its behalf. And promptly melted, much to said hilichurl’s ire. 

Thus, the hilichurl and its contemporaries seek to avenge the insult, and the fray starts up again.

But away from the Geochanter and Kaeya, it must be noted; Paimon’s distraction actually worked .

With the vast majority of both groups occupied (be it with each other or with the rather tireless fairy hurling insults at them), the three remaining would-be rescuers seize the opportunity — and they hurry forth. They still exercise caution, hanging close to the mountainside to keep as well out of view as they can, just in case they’re unlucky enough that a Fatuus or hilichurl looks their way, but they make haste as they do so. It should be a quick in-and-out affair; rush the Geochanter, knock him on his rump, grab Kaeya, and make tracks — easy as one, two, three! 

It should be …but when they do come face-to-face with said Geochanter, they encounter…a problem. 

And quite literally do they encounter it; Aether runs into the golden-hued shield, as he’s done many times before…but this time, it pushes back. 

What the…?!

“It’s…solid?!” He can’t help the exclamation, cursing himself afterwards for how the Geochanter’s head snaps up at the sound. And, given he’s already been discovered, throws caution to the wind and strikes the damn shield with his sword.

But it doesn’t give way.

He curses again. “What is this…?! Geochanter Jade Domes aren’t this sturdy… !”

Diluc’s voice calls from over his shoulder — damn good thing Aether catches his words in time, too, because… “It’s augmented — upgrade from that damned Doctor , no doubt…! Get back !”

He strikes, the claymore not quite shattering the shield (curses!), but at least leaving a mark ; the Jade is still intact, but a crack has formed! It would be a beacon of hope, that crack, if it didn’t immediately start to disappear . 

“Tch, guess repairs were part of the upgrade…!” Rosaria scoffs. “What a nuisance…! ”

A nuisance indeed, for it’s slowed them down…and while the Geochanter Bracer is too occupied with bracing to pose any threat to them, the same can’t be said for his allies. Who, as it happens, have noticed their comrade’s plight, and have turned from the hilichurls in favor of coming right at them. Aether dodges a hammer aimed straight for his head, and he catches the Vanguard’s helmet with the blunt edge of his blade — knocks him back a pace or two, but the man’s hardly down for the count. He braces for another attempted assault, but he’s unfortunately caught off guard by a tuft of white careening into him — poor Paimon , as it happens, who narrowly dodged the trio of cicins on her tail, but who didn’t escape strictly unscathed. She does not appear injured, but her hair’s standing on end from the static.

“Uwah… Th-Those bats sure are fast… S-Sorry, Traveler…!”

He’d tell her it’s okay — that she did her best…and he intends to. But not now; now, he settles for holding onto her so as not to let her slip away as he leaps out of range as that damn gavel of a hammer bangs again. However, it isn’t quite for naught; Diluc notices the remnants of Electro left behind in the wake of the Vanguard’s strike, and he capitalizes on it. Calling Pyro into the claymore, he strikes again at the Jade Dome that’s still attempting to repair itself — and, to his delight, a flurry of explosions from the reaction blossom all about the area — and they together blast an access point through the shield. 

“ Finally !”

The Lord Ragnvindr wastes no time in following it up; he strikes again, and the dome shatters. It upsets the Bracer inside the dome, too; he grunts as though he’d taken the hit himself, and he falls to his knees — leaning haphazardly on his staff for support and panting heavily. It’s the Electrohammer’s turn to curse, and he does so in rough Snezhnayan as he tries to get to his comrade to hold the line, but he’s waylaid by an eerie laugh and a spate of icicles slamming into him from behind.

The Cryo Abyss Mage…! Must’ve broken through the Fatui line at the front; in truth, Aether nearly forgot about them.

Though Aether may have forgotten, the Fatui themselves have not; one of them calls out — the Cicin Mage, given the voice is female — and says the strangest thing. She does not warn her peer of danger, nor does she offer encouragement. Instead, she says…

“Keep that Cryo devil away from the target, you idiot…! The Lord Doctor told us it’s unstable…!”

Unstable…? What is?

There’ll be time for that later. Rosaria huffs, appearing like a bolt from the blue and knocking the Geochanter out cold before he can recover from the earlier shock.

“No Cryo , huh…? So, how about this ?!”

She throws down her spear just where the Bracer had been crouching, and a flurry of Cryo energy bursts forth from the point of impact. In truth, she has no idea what to expect. None of them do — maybe not even the Fatui, despite having enough information to know it won’t be pleasant; although Aether (Paimon still dizzy in his arms), Rosaria, and Diluc are effectively backed into a corner within the Sister’s Rite, and they are surrounded by Fatui (and the Abyss, who are surely behind them), their adversaries are not advancing. The Fatui look…terribly apprehensive, as though they want to rush them and get this sorry stand over with, but they fear drawing too close. 

But fear… what , exactly…?

“Damn. Well I gotta admit, I was hoping it’d be more impressive…” Rosaria grimaces, studying just how dire the situation has become. “Carrying Kaeya… Shit, we’ll never make it.”

Aether grits his teeth, hating to admit the woman is right …and he looks over at Diluc to see his expression — surely as grave as his own. But Diluc…is not grave; actually, Diluc is staring down at his hand in some kind of confused wonder. And Aether doesn’t realize why until the man whispers, “It’s…cold.”

That’s when he sees the Vision — Kaeya’s Vision, glowing brighter than before, and the force behind it all the more strongly making itself known. For it is terribly cold — frigid , and while it is Dragonspine after all, this is not the work of the weather alone, nor is it Rosaria’s circle of protection (as it were). For the circle is starting to fade, but the temperature keeps dropping — drops enough that Paimon finally sees straight, the cold having jolted her back to the here and now, and she gives a shiver. 

“S-So cold…!” She looks all around, reluctant to leave Aether’s embrace for the trace amount of warmth it offers, but then she looks over his shoulder…and sees something that makes her jump . “UWAH…! K-Kaeya’s eye…! I-It’s open…!”

Aether would turn and look, but he’s simply too bloody cold — and it seems hardly noteworthy… Well, it is noteworthy that Kaeya’s apparently awake — must be, if he’s opened his eye, but… Ugh, it’s terrible timing , really, that he’s regained consciousness just to see them all killed . Still, one thing does pique his curiosity; while Paimon is fretting and babbling unintelligibly, waving her arms to try and goad Aether into tearing his eyes away from the Fatui and looking behind him , said Fatui are looking at the lot of them like they’ve seen a ghost. There is undeniable dread in all their expressions, and while a couple had dared a few steps forward throughout all this…they are now collectively backing off. He catches a glimpse of the Electrohammer Vanguard, in fact, and can hardly believe his own two eyes; the man is still holding onto that blasted hammer for all he’s worth…

…but his hands are shaking uncontrollably.

“W-What… is that…?!”

The Cicin Mage swears angrily in Snezhnayan, but even her voice is quivering. “D-Damn it…! It’s awake …!”

… what’s awake?

“T-Traveler, Traveler! Look! Kaeya’s eye is…!”

“ I know , Paimon; it’s open — he’s awake ! It’s just… I’m a little busy with the — ow …! Hey!”

Paimon huffs, actually frazzled enough to start pulling on his ear in a last-ditch effort to get him to turn around. She won’t let up, and vaguely Aether hears Rosaria let out a short gasp from beside him — not Diluc, but he’s oddly silent. Still, he’s only puzzled (and irritated) until the fairy shouts at him again — this time , with all the more pertinent clarification .

“Bah, his other eye…!”

“ What?! ” At that , Aether whips around — and stares . He actually starts , too, because of all the things he was expecting to see, an ice-blue, blindingly bright beacon of an eye where Kaeya’s eyepatch used to be is decidedly not it . In fact, it…doesn’t really look like an eye at all, and he finds himself echoing the Fatui Skirmisher’s earlier exclamation. “Wh-What is that…?!”

“P-Paimon has no idea! But it’s… It’s r-really c-c-cold…!”

While that initially struck Aether as a non sequitur, the bit about the temperature, he suddenly realizes that the fairy is absolutely on point with it; it is cold, colder than it was a few minutes back when he first noticed, and now that he’s turned around, Aether can say with utmost confidence that the frigidity is indeed coming from Kaeya’s right eye. Or whatever it is — whatever that thing is, in place of his right eye; it’s shining like a Cryo Vision, but brighter in color and colder in aura…and all the more terrifying , to be honest. Aether certainly thinks so…and the Fatui seem to agree. He can’t fault them; the temperature continues to drop, and not only that.

The wind is picking up.

“ Shit …!” 

The Cicin Mage cries out in alarm, scurrying backwards as the Electrohammer Fatuus also scrambles away from them — takes up a position in front of her. He’s surely noticed the wind too. It’s hard not to notice, after all; it’s becoming violent, and the frost about it is cutting like shards of glass. Even the hilichurls notice; they are shouting in a frenzied array, unintelligible to onlookers as always, but unmistakably afraid . The Cryo Abyss Mage seems to have more insight, for it is clamoring as well — has teleported itself back over to its comrades and seems to be motioning for them to scatter. And they listen; the Abyss is on the retreat, making tracks in the snow.

The Fatui aren’t right behind them, per se; they’re more along the lines of torn between fleeing for their lives and standing their ground lest they lose those same lines as punishment for failing to hold the line. But they certainly wish they weren’t amidst the deliberation; they’ve retreated a good several paces each, but they seem to already know that won’t be enough.

The Mage calls out to them again, the Vanguards flanking her already bracing for impact. Perhaps they can’t hear her at all; the storm is beginning to drown out her voice.

“Get back…! Get …!”

Suddenly, there is a tremendous burst of Cryo — a merciless bite of frost carried by a shrill, screeching gale of wind, and the Electro Cicin Mage’s voice disappears mid-sentence in an instant. Paimon shrieks, clinging to Aether’s scarf to ground her as Aether himself digs his heels into the frozen ground and focuses with all he’s worth on not losing his footing — because there’s no telling where in Teyvat he might wind up if he does. Forcing one eye open, he sees Rosaria is similarly struggling against the wind herself, holding fast to her spear that she’s driving through the surface of the tundra like a stake, and Diluc opposite her appears to have adopted a similar strategy with his claymore. But he, the madman, isn’t content to do that for long — can’t simply wait it out, not when he knows Kaeya is just there and within reach. He pushes himself up, and he does reach for him…but then gives a quick shout of pain and withdraws his hand before it even connected with the Cavalry Captain’s.

The tips of his fingers are covered in frost — and, were they not gloved, he just might have lost them.

“D-Damn…!”

“Are you c-crazy…?!” Rosaria’s reproachful voice scolds, miraculously breaking through the howling of the wind. “Don’t touch him , you… You idiot…!”

Rosaria does have a point, but on the other hand, the situation is dire indeed; Aether can’t see the Fatui anymore for the damn blizzard all around them, but it stands to reason they have to do something lest they all freeze to death . Aether does move, but only to reach back and grab a hold of Paimon, who’s near-frostbitten hands were losing their grip on his scarf, and the poor thing is sobbing most uncontrollably in terror. And discomfort. And a vivid sense of impending doom — a sentiment they no doubt all share, save Diluc (apparently).

“T-Traveler… It’s… It’s too cold…”

“P-Paimon…! Stay awake…!”

“P-Paimon’s…awake, but… Paimon’s also…really…sleepy…”

Aether curses, wishing he could offer something more than body heat (especially given his is in short supply as of late), and curses again when a particularly frigid updraft catches his cheek. There’s a bit of warmth in its wake, but it’s cold comfort — no pun intended; he knows without looking that was the ice drawing blood. “K-Kaeya…s-stop!”

Kaeya can’t hear him; that much is obvious. That being said, Diluc realizes he must try again — and deciding that whatever reproach Rosaria might offer him will be well worth it, he does try. He summons all the Pyro he can muster, taxing the Vision no doubt, and he reaches towards the Captain before he can think better of it — even prays silently to Barbatos, to the soul of his deceased father, and to any and every god and spirit that might deign to take pity on him.

Because Archons above, he just might need all of them on side.

“ Kaeya …!”

His hand closes around Kaeya’s wrist, and a gasp is heard within the wind — and all around, as though it was the voice of the wind itself. But it is not; it is a familiar voice, and not that of the young Lord Ragnvindr…

…but of one who knows him very well.

Diluc…?

The wind gives one last violent surge, and this one knocks Aether for six; he still manages to cradle Paimon to him as he tumbles over, but just barely. But it was, as stated, one last surge — for after it, the gale disperses entirely, as does the subzero temperature that had assaulted them. Now, it is over; the storm has passed, the typical freezing climate befitting the region is restored and, by comparison, feels bloody balmy , and it is very, very quiet .

For a few moments.

“Ugh… P-Paimon’s…dizzy…” Dizzy though she may well be, the little sprite extracts herself from Aether’s arms and flies up into the air again, putting a hand to her head to collect herself. “What…happened…? Huh?! Traveler!”

“…I’m fine,” he manages, pulling himself to his feet and wincing at the sharp pang in his hip as he does so; he hadn’t noticed the rough landing when it happened, but it appears he’ll have plenty of time to recollect. “Are you okay, Paimon? Is everyone okay?”

“Never…better,” Rosaria grinds out, also a bit unsteady but otherwise no worse for wear. “Damn, that was brutal.” She shakes off some residual dizziness and looks over at Diluc. “You? And…”

She doesn’t say it, but the intent is obvious; she’s looking straight at Kaeya, who’s currently slumped over and onto Diluc. Who has yet to say anything himself, but also looks unharmed, save for a bit of redness on his nose and cheeks — from the frost, surely. Kaeya isn’t moving a muscle, and initially Aether fears the worst…but then he catches the subtlest of rises and falls in his chest — breath — and relaxes slightly. Diluc no doubt felt the same breath long before the Traveler witnessed it, which explains his composure, and he sighs.

Poor man must be exhausted.

“He passed out again,” he says — stating the obvious, sure, but it’s inoffensive enough. “But he’s okay.” He pauses, shaking his head. “Which is…more than I can say for our adversaries.”

Aether admittedly forgot about them (again), but now that Diluc’s mentioned it, he turns back towards the Fatui…and blinks. That’s all he can do, frankly; he hasn’t any words .

Paimon does — but she states the obvious as well…inoffensively, as well. “They’re…frozen solid…?!” 

Sure enough, they are ; the Fatui are encased in ice, every last one of them — them and a couple hilichurls that must not have retreated fast enough. It is incredibly eerie, like a copse of corpses bound in everlasting rime, and it is nonsensical as well; there was no Hydro in the air at all, so to be so entirely frozen … Ugh, but that is for another time — and another place, more importantly; right now, they need to get out of here.

Diluc doesn’t disagree; he slings Kaeya’s unconscious form over his shoulder, and he takes the executive decision upon himself. “We’ll discuss it back in the city; okay for now or not, Kaeya needs a healer…and Dragonspine is too cold for conversation any day.”

Couldn’t have said it better himself. Actually, Aether thinks they could all do with a trip to the Deaconess for a once over, but he’ll cross that bridge when he comes to it — fight that battle, more like, given Rosaria and Diluc will probably be opposed. And he is terribly eager to start processing what in all the Realms just happened , it is true, but he is still not eager enough to do so before they’ve returned to some kind of safe haven. Besides, it can surely wait…

Because he doubts this will be the last of it — whatever is going on, whatever that thing was in Kaeya’s eye. 

Aether doubts that very highly .

Chapter Text

After the harrowing ordeal on Dragonspine, from which they escaped far too narrowly for comfort, the party makes haste in returning to Mondstadt — such haste, in fact, that they don’t even stop over at the adventurer’s camp on the outskirts of the tundra. Such could be described as negligent on their part, perhaps — to not check in and make sure Cyrus and Joel are okay, that is…but if they were so challenged, they could easily dismiss the allegations as unfounded. Cyrus is a highly competent adventurer and in no way requires their protection, and certainly not if those scoundrel Fatui (as Paimon had so eloquently put it) remain as frozen as they had appeared to be on the coast. And there’s nothing to suggest they won’t, those Fatui; when they passed them by, they showed no signs whatsoever of any impending thaw — and if they do thaw ever and to any degree, it will surely be only when their supposed reinforcements arrive by boat — and only if said reinforcements include a hefty supply of firepower.

Which they may, or they may not; needless to say, our noble heroes did not deign to stick around to see for themselves.

However, while Mondstadt’s sturdy walls were the heading in chief, they only make it to the great tree of Windrise before their pace slackens — and not solely because the smallest of their number gives an exasperated “Uwah…! S-Slow down…! P-Paimon…needs a break…!”

Aether is the first to bring his hurried footsteps to a grinding halt as his companion suggested he ought to do, and it’s just as well; when he initially looks around, he doesn’t see the fairy at all. And it’s no wonder; he does at least locate her, but the poor thing’s a fair ways behind him, struggling to keep up. To his shame, Aether realizes that if Paimon hadn’t aired her grievance, he, along with Diluc and Rosaria (who have slowed, yes, but not stopped), would’ve left her in the dust.

A terribly improper thing to do, certainly, given Paimon’s ability to distract their enemies back on the mountain is what got them this far.

“Paimon…! Sorry…” He shakes his head, cheeks flushed with embarrassment and exertion, and he calls out to the other two to be mindful as well. “Diluc! Rosaria! We’ve covered a lot of ground already… Let’s take a minute to catch our breath.”

Rosaria is the first to reply, and her reply is first a scoff of indignation. “Catch it…? Mine’s yet to escape me.” Still, she doesn’t actually argue — and she changes direction, walking back towards Aether instead of continuing on towards the city. “But you’re right; we’ve put more than enough distance between us and the Fatui to be out of immediate harm’s way — and the little one looks exhausted… Hn, though I admit; I’d have thought flying was relatively easy .”

Paimon is exhausted, but not exhausted enough not to pout, nor stomp her feet, nor plead her case — and insist the Sister’s got it all wrong. On multiple counts. “Hey! F-First off, Paimon’s just Paimon — not ‘the little one’…! And second , don’t tell Paimon how easy flying is until you try it!”

“Hmph. Well, you have me there.”

Too true! Paimon crosses her arms, her expression just a tad smug, but Aether can only roll his eyes. And then notices that Diluc has yet to join in, and promptly fears the man’s ignored the lot of them and soldiered on off into the distance. Which he hasn’t, the Traveler notes upon further assessment; the Lord Ragnvindr has indeed stopped, and he’s taken a couple steps towards them…but he’s hardly relaxed. His eyes are stern, intently focused and darting all around them as he assesses the surroundings for any possible threat, or indication that they’ve been pursued. Which there isn’t and they haven’t, and Aether wishes he’d allow himself a moment of solace in knowing and believing that. Perhaps that’s too much to ask.

But he certainly could use it; after all, he’s carrying substantially more weight than the rest of them — in the form of the still-unconscious Kaeya slung over his shoulder.

Come to think of it, it’s rather impressive he’s been able to keep ahead of them this whole time.

A feat not unnoticed by Rosaria either, it seems; she addresses it point-blank. “How’s he doing?”

“…he’s fine. He’s still asleep.”

“Good. Surely he’ll be just as content to keep sleeping after you put him down, too.” He scoffs at her, but she rolls her eyes unsympathetically — before he can claim her concerns are misplaced. “Don’t bother; you’ve already proven you’re more than capable of carrying him all the way to the gates in a single sprint. But we’ve already stopped  — might as well take a load off.”

The Pyro wielder grumbles a bit, but he does at long last yield to Rosaria’s pointed suggestion. He carefully lets Kaeya down from his shoulder, propping him comfortably against the tree roots, and takes his place standing guard beside him. With his arms crossed — defiant to the bitter end. Rosaria rolls her eyes again, scoffing that he’s being ridiculous, but otherwise takes the small patch of ground she’s won in stride. Aether thinks they’re actually both ridiculous, but he keeps his opinion to himself.

Paimon just thinks she’s bloody tired , but now that they’ve stopped…she also acknowledges she’s still bloody confused as Hell about everything, and this seems a perfect time to broach the subject. So she does. 

“Okay, so… Now that we’ve got a minute…” It all comes out, then, like a dam bursting; she waves her arms around, shakes her head, and asks (of anyone and anything that might deign to answer her), “ What the heck just happened ?!” She points at Kaeya, her hand shaking. “What was that?! — th-that thing in his eye?! Paimon thought he didn’t have an eye…!”

“I don’t…”

“And then!” Poor Diluc is cut off rather unceremoniously; the fairy’s curiosity takes no prisoners. “And then, not only was there something where his eye should’ve been, but it summoned up a massive blizzard that froze everything solid — and nearly killed us…?!”

“I really don’t…”

“Was that Kaeya …?! W-Was Kaeya… Was Kaeya trying to kill us…?!”

“ No !”

Diluc may not know much of anything as to the specifics; he’s admitted that already — err, or would have, if Paimon had let him get a word in (well, a full sentence). But he refuses to believe her last question might be at all correct — and he will protest it, forcefully if needed. He gives an exasperated grunt, putting a hand to his head as a tension headache begins to needle its way through his skull, but he soon enough shakes it off enough to refocus his gaze on the sprite — and to address her earlier remarks in order.

“I… I don’t know what that was. I thought he didn’t have an eye; he’s worn a patch for as long as I’ve known him — since we were kids. He’s come up with various and all equally ridiculous stories about it, but he’s never talked about what actually happened to his eye…and I’ve never tried to look for myself.” 

It’s true; Aether and Paimon both have heard at least one such story — an inherited eyepatch from a pirate grandfather. Aether didn’t believe it; Paimon might have (he doesn’t know, but wouldn’t put it past her). But suffice it to say neither ever attempted to look; it honestly never occurred to them.

“As for what it did … It was Kaeya; I heard his voice, at the end. But he seemed like…he didn’t know what was going on — what it was doing; I don’t think he could control it. Whatever it was, I think it was on the defensive — and acting on its own accord.” He pauses. “Kaeya wouldn’t try to harm any of us. He wouldn’t . I’m sure of that , if nothing else.”

Paimon, now having calmed down, blushes — realizes what she just suggested, and is rightly embarrassed. She hangs her head. “Paimon’s sorry… P-Paimon didn’t really think Kaeya would! — uwah, of course Kaeya wouldn’t…!”

“Steady on,” Rosaria chides with a little shake of her head. “I’ll admit I wouldn’t immediately suspect Kaeya either — but it wasn’t unjust that you might’ve; whatever the Hell that thing was, it’s lodged in his eye after all. So, don’t beat yourself up. Still…” She pauses, shaking her head again — and then nods over at Diluc. “I do agree with Diluc on all counts; I heard Kaeya’s voice too, but he sounded as surprised as we were. It didn’t sound like he was in control — but I think he was, in the end; at least, it seemed like he was the one that finally stopped it.”

Whatever it was; that goes unsaid.

Speaking of which…

“That Fatui Mage,” Aether muses, “She mentioned ‘it was unstable’ — that the ‘Lord Doctor’ had said as much. So… Whatever it was, they knew all about it — and it was probably why they targeted Kaeya in the first place.”

“Ooh, that’s right!” Paimon puts a hand to her chin, contemplating…and recalling the familiar name. “Lord Doctor… That’s gotta be the 2nd Harbinger, right? — the Doctor …” She shakes her head, the title leaving a bad taste in her mouth. “Ugh, Paimon remembers him from Sumeru…! He’s a real bad guy!”

Honestly, that description could probably fit any number of Fatui, the (male) Harbingers not least among them. Still, Diluc scoffs, and he agrees with the fairy’s assessment. “ Il Dottore …”

Rosaria hums, feeling a bit out of the loop; seems she’s the only one who hasn’t had the pleasure of making the man’s acquaintance. “Can’t say the name rings a bell — but you all seem to be decently acquainted.”

“It’s not an honor ; make no mistake,” Diluc says quickly, and perhaps a bit more brusquely than necessary. But the memory of the man sends a distasteful shiver up his spine, and if Rosaria had been unfortunate enough to also know him, she’d surely feel the same; it’s clear that Aether and Paimon do. “I‘ve met him — once or twice. Years ago …but still, that’s not long enough for me. I never really imagined he’d have died in the meantime, but suffice it to say I wish he had.” 

The Sister whistles, impressed by just how terrible a name this Doctor has made for himself — enough that Diluc is still thoroughly disgusted with him despite the passage of time. “I see you don’t mince words.”

“It’s a courtesy he doesn’t deserve; the man is toxic .”

“Y-Yeah!” Paimon seconds. “N-Not to mention terrifying …! He caused a lot of trouble in Sumeru!”

“It’s true — and the worst part is that he’s smart .” Aether looks briefly at Kaeya, then returns his gaze to the Sister, who seems deep in thought. “We’ve met a couple Harbingers on our travels, and heard of a few others along the way…but the Doctor is in a class all his own; he’s ruthless , and bold in a way the others aren’t. If Kaeya did pique his interest, nothing would stand in his way — certainly not propriety .”

Rosaria seems to believe him — hard not to, with how utterly convinced Aether himself purports to be (Paimon’s emphatic agreement notwithstanding). She glances at Diluc for his take, and he does not respond. However, his eyes are burning, and that in itself is enough to convey that he too agrees with Aether’s assessment; something is not right with that Doctor indeed — and the unfortunate thing is, it doesn’t appear to be madness . Insanity in an adversary poses its own challenges, sure enough, but conscious and intentional cruelty is a bigger threat. Such foes are unpredictable in a different way than the mad; the mad are scattered and impulsive , but the wicked are neither. The wicked are incredibly calculating and adaptable.

Thus, the wicked are not easily overcome.

But that’s a matter for another day.

“We should get going,” Diluc suddenly says, already picking Kaeya up again as he says it…and, once again, slinging his as yet still unconscious form over his shoulder. “We can discuss it in more detail back in the city. I…want to get him to a healer.”

Rosaria shrugs, pushing herself off the tree root she’d found to lean against and falling into step beside the Pyro user. “Might as well — and a healer couldn’t hurt, especially since you’ve been lugging him around like a sack of potatoes.”

“I-I…!” Diluc scoffs at her, shaking off the criticism and grumbling.

Which is in no way helped by Paimon, who (having regained her energy enough to join in), notes, “Yeah… Paimon’s gotta admit; it’s not the most…uh, chivalric method. It doesn’t look very comfortable.”

“W-Well, I don’t hear him complaining …” He pauses. “Unless you’re offering to…?”

“O-Oh! — no, no, Master Diluc, Sir! Paimon couldn’t possible… Uh, forget Paimon said anything!”

“Hm…”

Aether rolls his eyes…but not too visibly, mind; he doesn’t intent to offer to carry Kaeya either . Now, Kaeya is slender if nothing else — make no mistake. But he is still plenty tall enough that it would be awkward to say the least, and to be frank it’s impressive Diluc has fared this well thus far. Impressive, and fortunate; he himself probably would have had to resort to dragging him (which would be rather unsightly, and definitely earn him a scolding from Barbara back at the Church), and if Rosaria had to step in… Aha, she probably would do, but that would be even less chivalric (to quote Paimon) than letting Diluc continue on as he is wont to do.

Aye, sack of potatoes it is!

They make good timing, too; it’s not yet dawn when they reach the walls — and frighten the two Knights at the gate, to boot. Swan looks bloody aghast , and before they can assure him all is as well as can be expected (for toting one of their number in such a fashion), he sounds the alarm — rallies Huffman to his cause, for he was otherwise unoccupied, to continue sounding the alarm in his stead. Or would, if Diluc’s withering gaze didn’t stop the poor man in his tracks. Diluc may very well not be a Knight anymore, but it would appear his former service record is well-ingrained; Huffman’s back is straight as an arrow, and he standing taut to attention and in salute, as he awaits his orders.

Much to Diluc’s annoyance. “ Stand down , Huffman, before you hurt yourself; I’m a civilian , remember?”

“Yes, Sir! Ah, Master Diluc…” Huffman is visibly anxious , but it’s hard to fault the poor man; Diluc is plenty intimidating on his own, but the Knight is also looking intently at the Cavalry Captain — and no doubt fearing the worst. “C-Captain Kaeya, is he…”

“In need of a lie down , yes,” the young Lord Ragnvindr interrupts. “And a healer wouldn’t hurt… I’ll bring him to the Ordo. Will you run ahead and let the Acting Grand Master know we’re coming?”

“Yes Sir! Right away, Sir!”

Poor Huffman; he doesn’t catch himself there, for his haste. And he’s halfway mid-stride in beginning to dart away from them — in the same haste, no doubt — when Diluc huffs, and adds an additional request.

“And Huffman…”

“Ah…”

“Please ask the Acting Grand Master to send for Sir Albedo, too, if he is at all available.”

“Sir Albedo…?” Huffman looks perplexed by this…but, catching a look at Diluc’s serious expression again, he surely thinks better of possibly questioning him. He nods affirmatively and then salutes once more out of habit — and poor Diluc just can’t be bothered to chastise him again. “Yes Sir! — Sir Albedo, Sir!”

And then he’s off — carried away on Barbatos’ divine wind, seems like; Aether must admit the man is unexpectedly quick when he puts his mind to it! Or feels he and the very ground he trods will otherwise become scorched earth by the hand of an inpatient (not to mention irritated) Ragnvindr — either way.

It’s only after Huffman disappears and they leave the gates, en route to the Ordo, that two things occur to Aether; the first, that he might want to consider feeling a bit guilty for waking Jean at this hour (this, he readily dismisses — knowing full well she won’t mind, and would probably be more disturbed if they didn’t rouse her immediately), and the second… The second thing he wonders won’t be so easily dismissed; he wonders why they’re heading to the Ordo at all — as in, not to the Church and its healers straightaway. Now, he reckons the Knights do not lack the means of procuring a healer to any extent, and Jean herself is probably more than capable (of procuring and healing, come to think of it), but… It still strikes him as a tad unusual, and certainly in light of how ardent Diluc was about the healers getting to work as he seemed before. 

This irregularity is not lost on Paimon, either; and Paimon, as is not irregular, is the one to air it. “So… Not that Paimon’s questioning you, Master Diluc, Sir, but… Is there a reason we’re not bringing Kaeya to the Church?”

Diluc doesn’t stop walking, but he does reply — at first, to note, “Strictly speaking, you are questioning me,” and giving the fairy a moment to let it sink in (and stammer, at which Rosaria only groans). But he follows it up with a bit more detail. “But there is a reason — and nothing against the Sisters. It’s… Whatever it is, we’ve already seen firsthand how dangerous it can be. It’s calmed, now, but we don’t know for certain it won’t start up again — when Kaeya wakes up, especially.” He pauses. “Knowing that — not knowing , more like — I can’t in good conscience leave him amongst civilians. Not until we have more to go on.”

“Oh, that makes sense! Master Diluc is very clever…” Paimon thinks it over a bit more, and snaps her fingers. “Ah — and that’s why you asked Huffman to try and get a hold of Albedo, right? Albedo might be able to tell us more about whatever that was back in Dragonspine — about Kaeya’s eye!”

“…”

“Hn, I think it’s safe to say it isn’t an eye ,” Rosaria muses, probably stating what Diluc himself was thinking (but hadn’t uttered). “And hopefully, he can. Even though it’s calmed, it’s not completely dormant ; I can still sense it.” She groans, shaking her head. “Yeah, I know — probably sound like a lunatic… But it’s not imagination on my part; something is still giving off a Cryo aura.”

Diluc hums, seemingly in contemplation, but he sighs thereafter — unsuccessful contemplation, apparently. “I don’t sense anything.”

“Paimon doesn’t either,” the fairy adds, unhelpfully.

“Ugh, great …” the Sister mutters, and then curses. “Maybe it’s my Vision…or… Tch, it better be my Vision…”

“No, Rosaria’s right; I can sense it, too.” Aether speaks up — having sensed something for a while, but also having previously ascribed it — erroneously, perhaps — to Kaeya’s discarded Cryo Vision (which is still safely tucked away in Diluc’s coat). “It’s…similar to the aura from a Vision, but distinct ; I can’t really describe it.”

It’s true; Aether can’t put it into words — and it seems Rosaria can’t either, because all she does is grumble a bit and doesn’t miss a step in her stride. Suffice it to say she thinks it’s a curiosity that can wait for after they reach the Ordo, and no doubt also thinks it might be one for Albedo to figure out more so than them. Aether’s all for it, and that’s why he lets the subject drop as they continue on, but it does puzzle him. He’s hoping Albedo will have some insight, because while they’re all at a terrible loss…

…it’s very apparent that their enemies, the Doctor not least among them, are not .

Huffman must have booked it to the Ordo indeed, because not only is Jean standing there at the door waiting for them but she shows no signs whatsoever at having been unceremoniously roused in the middle of the night. Although, now that Aether gets a better look, it doesn’t exactly seem Huffman did wake her after all; there are dark circles under her eyes, and the weariness in her countenance suggests she’s actually been awake the whole time. The poor woman needs a rest herself, sure as salt, but then again, she does have a lot on her mind…ah, and of course he forgot, Aether, in his haste; they were not the first to have sent word.

Bennett made good timing as well.

Jean regards them (well, Kaeya in particular) with utter alarm, and she nearly misses a step in descending the stairs towards them, “K-Kaeya…?!”

But Diluc shakes his head — and Paimon waves her hands, attempting to calm her down. “D-Don’t worry, Master Jean…! Captain Kaeya’s gonna be just fine! — he’s uh, a little tired is all…”

Jean probably doesn’t believe her; she doesn’t look the least bit consoled. But she does put a brave face on, and she ushers them into the Ordo. “This way. We’ve prepared a room, and Albedo is already standing by.” She leads them into the Headquarters and to the designated room without further comment…until they near the door; then, she quietly notes, “…and I’ve sent a party to the campsite — for…Sirs Ældan and Stein.”

Initially, Aether isn’t sure to whom she’s referring, the names hardly ringing a bell…but then, they do ring a mighty bell indeed (in context), and the sound (albeit inaudible to others) nearly knocks the wind out of him. Those Knights — the ones who fell at the camp… Those must be their names — tch, and at once he is ashamed he didn’t realize straightaway. It was a discourteous thing, for those who gave their lives so… So unnecessarily . So nobly , no doubt, but for something that never should’ve happened at all. That is the crux of it — a cruel waste of good men.

Such men ought to be remembered; Aether promises himself not to forget again.

Inside, the Ordo is expectedly quiet; there are a few Knights about standing guard, but no more than usual for the hour. Of course, Aether realizes this may not be entirely to do with Jean keeping things strictly business-as-usual to the extent she can; it may also be that other Knights have already been dispatched — to the adventurers’ camp or otherwise (Stormterror’s Lair, for instance… He does wonder how Amber and Eula are getting on…). Once they reach the prepared room, Albedo is indeed standing by at the ready — and he doesn’t comment when Diluc sets Kaeya down on the bed and steps back, but the Alchemist’s brow is furrowed; whatever Aether and Rosaria themselves had sensed, it seems he too is aware. If vaguely; he’s still pondering. 

“Thank goodness you’ve made it back… We’ve heard your journey was arduous.” 

Apparently Aether was pondering, too, because he didn’t even notice Lisa until she she spoke just then — and he nearly jumped. Actually…he did jump — but it was more of a small hop (and one he hopes he quickly disguised). 

“Oh! Lisa’s here too!” Paimon notes, and audibly, and hopefully loudly enough to draw attention from Aether’s own start. “Were you already awake?”

The Librarian nods. “Of course. I couldn’t very well sleep knowing you might be in danger…and Jean was extremely worried.” She pauses, taking a few steps forward to assess Kaeya’s condition…and then turns back to Aether — leaves Albedo to it, really, but cocks her head at the Knight. “Oh no, Honorary Knight… What’s happened here…?”

Said Honorary Knight flinches when her hand grazes his cheek, but not for surprise alone; her touch simply reminds him that his cheek smarts , and vaguely he recalls it getting cut. By…ice — that ice , from the…not-eye, whatever it was. He forgot all about it, what with everything else, and he’d readily assure her that it’s only a scratch…if a jolt didn’t strike him at the very moment he opened his mouth. Lisa withdraws her hand in a flash, her eyes apologetic but terribly confused — and frankly, Aether’s at sea along with her in this regard. She didn’t do anything; she just barely touched him — just brushed against the wound…

…but that jolt was a superconduct if ever he’s felt one.

“I-I… I’m so sorry…!” Lisa stammers, clearly flustered — and it’s a novel thing, that, because Aether can’t say he’s ever seen the Librarian lose her composure. It clearly took her by surprise. “Your wound… How did you come by it…?”

“Ah, well…”

This isn’t exactly how Aether wanted to segue into the discussion of what happened on Dragonspine, and so he looks to Rosaria (who offers no escape) and then to Diluc (who similarly can’t advise him) in an attempt to redirect. Thankfully, the charge caught Albedo’s eye — and the Alchemist briefly steps away from Kaeya’s bedside to look over the supposed scratch…and hums. He looks a little longer for good measure, but he’s already sussed it from the get-go — to be expected of a genius, the Traveler supposes… Or, perhaps to be expected of one well-acquainted with the odd and the arcane; Lisa is a genius in her own right, after all — even the Akademiya said so.

Questionable as they are, they certainly don’t award such a term lightly.

“There are traces of Cryo embedded in the wound,” Albedo says, curiosity evident. “And they, these traces, are still active enough to react with Lisa’s own — from her Vision. That is…unusual, to say the least; wounds inflicted by elemental forces do not retain their initial elemental reactivity for very long after they’ve been inflicted — which, judging from the evident preliminary healing, was several hours ago.” He pauses. “Thus, I must echo Lisa’s earlier question; how did you come by this wound?”

Ugh, that’s…difficult to explain — so difficult that Aether shirks the opportunity to try and explain it. He falters, to his shame. “Ah, a…blizzard — back on Dragonspine.”

Paimon looks at him, a bit disappointed (but mostly confused), and Albedo only hums. He may very well be confused himself, and perhaps disappointed, too — because he’s clearly not buying it.

He says as much. “Dragonspine has its fair share of blizzards; I know them well. They do not result in this. The traces here are different.” Damn — and again, because Albedo hums again…and glances back at Kaeya out of the corner of his eye. “But they are…very similar to the traces around Sir Kaeya.”

Jean blinks, quickly stepping forward with a hand to her chest. “What…? What does that mean…?”

“I wouldn’t want to postulate…but I believe the Traveler may be able to explain.”

Aether knew he wouldn’t be off the hook that easily… Curses! Explain…? Well, he can’t very well explain everything that happened, but he can at least tell them about his own cheek…

…so he does.

He describes what he recalls as best he can, the details hazier now that he tries to present them to others than he initially remembered them. It sounds bloody ridiculous to hear it said aloud, and in his own voice to boot; he wishes it could at least have been someone else having to relay the confusing (and rather fantastical) tale! Alas, it is his onus, it seems. Although he does catch Diluc grimacing and Rosaria nodding every so often as he runs through it — encouragement, of a sort, at least to imply his characterization of events is in line with their own recollections. Albedo’s stoic countenance doesn’t change a bit as the story progresses, and Lisa is holding her own as well…but Jean’s expression is a bloody mirror of Aether’s own confusion throughout.

Her brows raise, and she gasps when he describes the campsite — and again, when they reach the subject of the Fatui, and the Abyss… She looks positively faint when he expresses just how outnumbered they were, and just how hopeless a corner they’d been backed into; in hindsight, it does seem even graver than it was at the time, when adrenaline took the edge off of despair. 

Funny thing, that.

In any case, when he finally circles back to his cheek, a scratch bestowed upon him by the blizzard Kaeya summoned (albeit unconsciously), and by the same blizzard that froze the Fatui where they stood and almost did the same to them (at which point he received the scratch in question)…Jean’s eyes go wide. Lisa’s composure falters again, too, a second later — and even Albedo blinks. Because that second later was when Aether first mentioned that thing — that thing that called forth the ice storm in the first place, and left reactive traces in his cheek.

That eye …that wasn’t an eye .

But that’s where he stops himself — leaves them hanging, maybe, but it’s all he can do. He has no more details to offer; that’s as far as they got.

“That…” Jean shakes her head. “That sounds…”

“Crazy? I know…” Aether sighs heavily, grimacing when he touches the scratch, idly. If only to see if it was still cold…and it is. Vaguely. “But that’s what happened. We didn’t have much time to try and figure it out — just retreated here once we had Kaeya back. But…” He pauses, glancing at Albedo. “Well, we were hoping you might have some insight.”

“I see.” The Alchemist is clearly trying to think of something, but he at long last shakes his head. “Immediately, I’m afraid I can’t say; I’ve never heard of anything like what you’ve described.”

“That is what happened,” Paimon says quickly, misinterpreting the man’s words as doubt. “Paimon saw it, too!”

“Simmer down; he believes you.” Rosaria is blunt and to the point as ever — exceptionally so. “He’s just saying he’s never heard of it, that’s all. And it’s only fair; he’s not had a chance to examine him… or that ‘eye,’ in particular.”

Albedo nods, though he makes no motion to act on the latter — the implication that he ought so examine the eye. “Indeed. However, I do not think any haste on our part would be rewarded in that respect. The Captain is still asleep; I advise we wait until he wakes.”

Rosaria accepts this, but Paimon doesn’t — perhaps out of fear of the unknown…or for the sake of good ol’ curiosity. One never knows. “Y-You think so…?! Paimon thought maybe we should look…”

“You described the phenomenon as hostile, did you not?” 

“Uwah, not… Uh, Paimon doesn’t think hostile is the right word…”

“ Defensive , perhaps…? Regardless, it seems to be able to identify a perceived threat, and subsequently responds — with potentially lethal force.”

Rosaria scoffs. “Well, that’s true.”

“Indeed. Given that, I advise caution. We may not intend to do harm, but we don’t know what we’re dealing with — not enough to gauge what it might deem threatening behavior. We simply cannot say that prying it open would be well-received; if anything, it might interpret our intrusion as an attack...and attempt to fend us off.” A pause. “For now, whatever it is has calmed. Let’s not disturb it.

Aether must admit he is as curious as anyone, but similarly knows Albedo is right. Even speaking as a layman, with no potentially deadly and somewhat uncontrollable phenomenon to his name, he certainly wouldn’t take kindly to having his eye pried open whilst peacefully sleeping. Paimon ought to know that, really, given how flustered he’s been when she’s practically done the very thing to him (although he’s since adapted to sleeping lightly since the first couple occurrences…). Maybe she does know that, and that’s why she only gives a small huff of disappointment — but doesn’t challenge the Alchemist further.  

Diluc doesn’t either…and in fact, he looks pleased (well, for him anyway)  to change the subject in a sense; seeing as they’ve hit a wall investigating the thing in question, they might as well discuss the circumstances surrounding it instead. Namely…those that are seeking that thing — and by “those,” he means one man in particular. After all, the Fatui are hardly worth mentioning on their own — what with all they get up to on a regular basis. But if the Doctor has chosen to take a personal interest…

…that’s different.

And much worse.

“The Fatui were intent on taking whatever that is with them — Kaeya and all,” he notes grimly. “Actually, they seemed to know it was dangerous — probably why they opted for an abduction in lieu of an…ugh, an extraction …”  Ugh indeed — perish the thought of the Fatui gouging out … No, that doesn’t need to be thought at all; Aether’s feeling queasy enough as is. “The foot soldiers knew enough to try to avoid triggering it, but only because the Doctor told them as much — and I reckon he himself knows more than he deigned to share.”

Jean grimaces, the epithet unpleasantly familiar. “The Doctor… I recall the title from several years ago, but I haven’t heard anything solid since then. Although… There were rumors that he’d appeared in Sumeru.”

“C-Consider those rumors substantiated !” Paimon exclaims. “That guy was definitely there — and up to no good…! He was involved in some crazy scheme with the Akademiya to replace the Dendro Archon with a new God — uwah, and a God he crafted, at that…!”

“My word…!” Lisa shakes her head in disbelief. “The Akademiya was never particularly fond of their Archon; I remember that much from my time there, but to think they’d stoop to such a level…”

“Yeah! The Traveler and Paimon helped calm things down, although the Gnosis was still…oh!” Paimon seems to remember something, and she puts a hand to her chin as she looks at Lisa — wonders if she might… “We didn’t learn a whole lot about the Doctor — slippery fellow, he was! But it seemed like he used to be a researcher at the Akademiya — one that was expelled, and left under a cloud… Lisa, since you were also a student there, do you know him?”

“An…expelled researcher? Hm, let me think…” Lisa deliberates, humming to herself as she tries to recall…but shakes her head. “Not in my year, but… I do recall hearing about a student that was ousted — a trainee Dastur, so not quite a researcher as such. I don’t recall the name, or many details; it was well before my time — and one of those things no one dared talk about, at least not within earshot of the matra.” She sighs. “I’m not even privy to why this student was expelled, other than that they must have broken protocol — and egregiously, to warrant expulsion. It is not a sentence the Akademiya often levies.”

Well, it was worth a shot… Actually, it gives Aether an idea… “Around Sumeru, in various ruins… We found old records from researchers gone by — left by someone named Sohreh.”

There’s a light of recognition in Lisa’s eyes — a good sign, if any. “Oh! I remember that name! Not from personal acquaintance, mind you; Sohreh was also before my time — but was said to be a capable Dastur amongst the Amurta. I understand however that there was some sort of accident in the wilds, and Sohreh died from injuries sustained — from wild animals, if memory serves… The jungle is a very dangerous place, even for the well-acquainted.”

That’s true, but… “Yeah — and Paimon and I have seen that for ourselves.” But… “Whatever caused Sohreh’s death, it seemed like that got the other student expelled — for endangering the group with terrible consequences. But it also seemed like the death might not have been an accident ; the records we found noted a fractured hyoid bone as the likely cause of death, even though the autopsy was ultimately inconclusive.”

Albedo now hums, and Jean looks a bit green. “An injury like that is not usually accidental; it typically occurs with hanging or manual strangulation.”

Indeed — and somehow…Aether is fairly certain Sohreh didn’t swing . Especially if Il Dottore and this trainee are one and the same; if they are , well…

…he can certainly see the Doctor wringing someone’s neck .

He can see it clearly enough that it makes him about as green as the Acting Grand Master is looking; it’s a nauseating prospect.

“Zandik!” Paimon suddenly interjects. “That was his name, that weird student! Paimon remembers!”

“Zandik…? Huh, well it’s a fitting name, I suppose…” The fairy gives Lisa an odd look, so she explains, “In a regional language of old, ‘Zandik’ referred to a sort of heretic. If he is the same Doctor you met, and he was trying to usurp the Archon, then he was living up to his namesake.” 

“ Regardless of who he was ,” Diluc says sternly. “It’s what Il Dottore is now that matters more — chiefly, what he’s plotting.” He pauses, then shakes his head — shakes off a bad memory, more like. “The Doctor never cared much for human life — any life, really; he concerned himself solely with his research, and he was not above experimenting on people. While the Fatui may have had orders not to remove the…tch, whatever it is, from Kaeya’s person for sake of caution, that does not mean the Doctor didn’t intend to do so himself — or worse .”

Aether nods. “That’s true. We’ve already met one person he’d experimented on; I’m sure he’d do it again, if he had the chance.” He scoffs, in what he wish was disbelief but sadly knows it’s all too true. “And she was only a kid .”

“Charming…” Rosaria states this flatly, but her lip is curled in disgust; she no doubt finds the man as abhorrent as do those that have met him. “The question I have is: why , though…? This Doctor of yours is clearly well off the beaten path but, if he’s been plotting and scheming as much as you say, he’s obviously not stark, raving mad .”

“Paimon’s not so sure about that…”

“Well, I am. I’ve met a few lunatics in my time, and they couldn’t find a tree in a forest. This guy could point ‘em out by age, species, and draw you a map straight outta the thicket. He’s savvy .” She pauses. “So he must be motivated by something , else he wouldn’t bother — a sentiment I know well, mind, so I’m pretty confident. And since he’s not mad, whatever his motivation is must be similarly rational.”

…rational , eh? Archons above, Aether was afraid she might just say sane .

But rational does work — serves them better; rational means they at least have a hope of figuring it out. Now, granted they’d have to apply the same sort of logic that Dottore might for best results, and that’s a tall order; sane or not, he’s still … unorthodox , to put it kindly, and he’s proven himself capable of thinking several steps ahead. Aether can’t really imagine what he endgame is, or what he’s up to. But he’s willing to try.

And so is Paimon; in fact, she’s the one who kicks off the discussion. “Well… We don’t really know why the Fatui are after the Gnoses. Do you think it could be related?”

“Related? I don’t see how .” Diluc shakes his head, apparently convinced that idea ought to be dead in the water (not that it got far offshore). “I’ll concede the Gnosis situation is novel — at least it didn’t seem the Doctor was terribly interested in them when last I saw him. But the Gnoses are all over Teyvat, and I think we can safely say it’s not a Gnosis in Kaeya’s eye. Seems like something else.”

Aether has to admit the man has a point. Besides, if the Doctor had been interested in that back when La Signora was in town, it stands to reason she’d have tried to take Kaeya along as well as Venti’s Gnosis. Tch, not that the Harbingers necessarily see eye to eye; if memory serves, Signora didn’t mix particularly well with anyone, her own supposed peers included (well, so Childe had heavily implied). It could be they didn’t communicate, but even so.. The timing is most irregular.

“Eh, actually Paimon agrees with Diluc.” Oh? That’s a surprise; the fairy isn’t normally one to admit her mistakes (wild guesses as they may be). “Paimon’s no expert, but it seemed like the thing with the Gnoses was the Cryo Archon’s project more so than any one Harbinger’s. And Paimon’s relatively sure most of the Harbingers are happy to assist, but they have their own projects too.”

Rosaria nods. “That’s true — guess the Tsaritsa gives them a fair bit of leeway in how they spend their personal time. In that case, this is probably how the Doctor’s decided to spend his.” 

Aether mulls it over a bit more; it’s odd to him that for how terrible an impression Dottore made in Sumeru, he can’t actually say he gleaned anything useful about him. Then again, there is one thing that comes to mind… “The Doctor…is the one that modified Scaramouche, right? — and their resident expert in Delusions. It stands to reason he’s interested in any unusual power sources? — which this could be.” He pauses. “Also, if he is Zandik, well… Zandik was fixated on Khaenri’ahn technology — ruin machines and the like. And Dottore himself at least used to be; there were defunct ruin guards all over one of his old labs in Liyue. So…”

Diluc’s eyes flash ; it catches Aether off guard, and he stops short — just in time for the man to hiss at him, “So what ?”

Archons above…! He’s angry — can’t say why he’s angry, but angry indeed . Aether resists the urge to shrivel up under the glare. “…Kaeya is from Khaenri’ah…isn’t he?”

That does little to abate Diluc’s ire; in fact, it only seems to fan the flames. “ Kaeya is not a ruin machine .”

“I-I’m not saying…”

“You think the Doctor is going around experimenting on people from Khaenri’ah …for what ? For kicks …?!”

“I don’t know any people from Khaenri’ah other than Kaeya to say if the Doctor is ‘going around experimenting’ on them or not — or know enough about him to guess why , if he were!” Aether pinches the bridge of his nose, a tension headache having come to full bloom under such an interrogation. He really didn’t intend to offend the Lord Ragnvindr — and certainly not by maligning Kaeya either. “Forget it; it was just a thought…”

Diluc huffs, but Lisa clicks her tongue — and she rises to the Traveler’s defense. Her voice is gentle as ever, which he appreciates, but it is unquestionably stern when she addresses Diluc; she is clearly displeased with his reaction.

“Don’t apologize, Traveler; it was not an entirely baseless supposition. Master Diluc is surely thinking of less noble individuals who have, in the past, referred to Khaenri denizens as though they were less than human. But surely, too, does he know that was not your intention.”

A scolding if he’s ever heard one; Aether wonders if Diluc may have heard something like it before — perhaps from that savvy head housemaid of his… The man grimaces, but he also looks down at his shoes, the faintest of red on the tips of his ears. He does not initially apologize, no; first, he looks back over at Kaeya (who still hasn’t stirred)…

…and then he sighs and admits he is in the wrong. “…quite right. Forgive me; my frustration is not with you, and it was improper for me to act on it.”

“…it’s okay.” Aether sounds rather meek to his own ears when he hears himself say that, but he means it — and wants to ensure the man understands that. So he says it again for good measure. “Really — it’s okay . We all just want to figure out what’s going on… But I also didn’t realize that history — what Lisa said; I might’ve put it better if I had…”

“We’ve all learned, then — and can move past it,” the Librarian assures him, and offers a small smile to Diluc as well. “It is possible that the Captain’s heritage plays a role — but I do think it’s a stretch. The timing is too coincidental.”

Jean nods and agrees (to his shame, Aether nearly forgot she was there). “I agree. Given the Tianquan’s party was just prior to the incident, I have a feeling it was the catalyst — or, that something that happened during the event prompted the Doctor to take action now . Kaeya doesn’t deal directly with the Fatui generals on a regular basis, but the organization keeps their own internal lines of communication open — and I assume they relay just about all there is to relay to their command. It seems unlikely they weren’t aware of his origins before the party.” 

“Kaeya doesn’t talk about Khaenri’ah much, though,” Paimon points out. “He’s obviously not from Mondstadt, but… Well, Khaenri’ah wouldn’t be Paimon’s first guess if Paimon didn’t already know better.” That’s true — a land lost to time and Celestia wouldn’t be high in any Fatui peon’s list of contenders for nationality. “Besides, Candace from Aaru village, and other Eremites we’ve met in Sumeru, have a similar appearance — enough that maybe they’d think he was from the desert. Err, well… Might be — enough not to be sure .”

“The Fatui surely have branches in the desert,” Albedo notes, “And could have investigated already — to rule it out. But that’s not to say I don’t agree with Master Jean; the timing alone suggests it is more to do with the party than simply coincidence.”

“Tch, the party …” Diluc scoffs, shaking his head roughly such that they all know at once he’s cursing himself. “I should have gone. If I had , I might…”

“You might…or you might not,” Albedo interjects. “What caught the Doctor’s eye might not be visible to the naked one.”

“Agreed,” Jean seconds, “Kaeya didn’t mention anything to me — maybe because he didn’t notice either.” She pauses. “Please don’t blame yourself , Diluc. You weren’t to know, and there is nothing to suggest your appearance would have made a difference.”

Aether nods. “That’s right. You said it yourself, Master Diluc; the past is the past, but it’s what is now that matters.” 

Diluc nods slowly, and the matter is closed — but although Aether wholeheartedly agrees it’s pointless to speculate if things would’ve been different were he at the party, the party itself gives him an idea. Surely the Doctor (assuming he was present) wasn’t the only Harbinger invited — and if he wasn’t, they might just have an avenue of investigation open to them. The Harbingers play it close to the vest, in terms of the Tsaritsa’s grand designs; that much is certain (he doubts all of them even know the ins and outs). But this isn’t necessarily the Tsaritsa’s plan, and that might work out to their advantage. As Childe had noted, the Harbingers have their own pet projects, out of scope of their Archon’s own plans…

…thus, perhaps, also out of scope when it comes to sworn secrecy amongst the ranks…

“Master Jean, did Kaeya mention any other Harbingers that were at the Tianquan’s party?”

Jean blinks at him — and, actually, so too do the rest of them. Even Rosaria; the question caught them off guard.

“I…don’t believe he did, no,” she replies tentatively. “Not by name. He did mention there were Harbingers in the crowd, but he didn’t specify which. I wager at least two, one of which was presumably the Doctor; the other — or others, if more than one — I can’t say.”

Rosaria hums, curious. “Why do you ask?”

“Well, the Harbingers have enough agency to operate independently to further their own ends — but those ends aren’t always aligned . It seems like so long as they don’t interfere with the Cryo Archon’s command, they’re free to do what they like — and the Archon stays out of it.” He pauses. “Just my take.”

“Hm… Go on.”

“Right, so… What if, instead of trying to figure it out by ourselves, we were…more direct ?”

Diluc scoffs. “You can’t be suggesting we ask Dottore directly?”

“M-Master Diluc’s right! — no way can we ask him …!” Paimon shakes her head emphatically, waving her arms around in additional veto of a gesture. “Paimon kinda thinks he might tell us…to gloat , b-but he’d probably kill us straightaway afterwards. And even if he wouldn’t — kill us , that is — it’s not like we know how to get in touch…” She shivers. “Which, uh… Paimon prefers…”

“Not Dottore ,” Aether clarifies, also queasy at the prospect of seeking the man out, let alone trying to have a conversation. “A different Harbinger — someone we know .”

“Interesting idea.” Albedo is decidedly more on board than Diluc (who looks green in the gills) or Rosaria (who rolls her eyes — and looks might hesitant). “Pantalone has a presence in Mondstadt; those under his command first took up residence in the Goth Grand Hotel quite a long time ago.” But he too pauses, and puts a hand to his chin. “Although I can’t say I’ve ever encountered the man himself; I don’t believe he’s in town.”

“Even if he were, I doubt he’d be on side.” Rosaria crosses her arms, looking expectantly at Aether for a rebuttal. “Given Pantalone has forces already in Mondstadt, and the Doctor, by all accounts, does not, it’s just as likely the party we encountered were Pantalone’s men — on loan to his fellow Harbinger. That would make logistical sense.”

“I’m not suggesting Pantalone. I’m…”

“B-But we don’t know all that many…oh!” Aether would be a bit irked that Paimon cut him off, but it seems she’s cottoned on to his pitch — so he’s willing to pardon the interjection (an understanding sort, he is). “You mean we should ask Childe !”

Jean’s brow furrows, the moniker unfamiliar. “Childe…?”

“Ah, that’s Tartaglia! He’s the 11th Harbinger. ‘Childe’ is…some sort of nickname,” Paimon explains, nodding affirmatively. “Actually…that might work! Paimon doesn’t think he and Dottore are close… He might be willing to talk to us.”

“Close or not…they’re still peers ,” Lisa points out. “Whereas we are not; we’re outside the fold.”

“Well, yeah , but…” Paimon looks to Aether for support. “The Traveler and Paimon have met Childe a few times; he seemed pretty laid-back. And he did tell us about the…uh, issue with one of their Harbingers making off with the Inazuman Archon’s Gnosis…”

Aha, that’s true; Aether almost forgot…although he does wonder why Childe was out and about looking for Scaramouche all over Teyvat. Based on what happened in Sumeru, seems Dottore was able to track down the wayward Wanderer without much difficulty… Perhaps they can ask Childe that , too.

Still, back to the situation at hand! “Yes. Like Paimon said, we have something of a rapport with Childe.” Aether pauses, not missing the hard set of Diluc’s eyes…and the glare rising within them. “I won’t go so far as to say we can trust him , but he might shed a bit of light on things — more than we can alone. Especially if he was at the same party — and might’ve…”

“So, let me be sure I understand this…” Diluc interrupts him; that’s not a good sign, all on its own. The fact that he does so with a withering look and in a hiss of a voice is just reassurance; he surely does understand, and he doesn’t like it. “You’re proposing we ask a Fatuus , who may or may not have been personally involved in Kaeya’s attempted abduction, to dish the dirt on another Harbinger …regarding the very same attempted abduction? Tch …” He scoffs distastefully, and with distaste, “All the while hoping he will …based on what ? Something of a rapport… ?”

“Well…”

“Correct me if I’m mistaken, but the 11th Harbinger is best known for unpredictability and bouts of insatiable bloodlust ; in layman’s terms, Tartaglia is a loose cannon — and the most violent of the bunch.” He narrows his eyes further. “ This is the Harbinger you suggest we ask?”

Gee, when he puts it like that … It’s hardly a glowing character reference, though Aether can’t quite call it an assassination; Diluc’s summary of Childe’s temperament is largely accurate. At least, as far as reputation goes… Now, Aether would contest that Childe isn’t bloodthirsty so much as sorely in need of a challenge, and perhaps even to the extent as to be death-seeking , on any given day; he is a warmongering sort, but solely for sake of…well, the war — the opportunity to test his prowess in battle, more like.

Alas, it’s true that when such opportunities dangle before him, Childe always swallows them hook, line, and sinker — collateral damage be damned. It is a risk…

…but one Aether personally feels is worth taking. So he steels himself beneath Diluc’s smoldering gaze, and he nods. “That is what I suggest.”

Diluc must not have been expecting him to actually assent; he looks rather gobsmacked — at an utter loss for words, for a moment, before scoffing again. “Unbelievable…”

“We don’t have any other options that are necessarily better ,” Rosaria chimes in. Then sighs. “Look, I may be well out of the loop, here — seems you know a whole host of these guys better than I do. I’ll readily admit that I wouldn’t know the Doctor or Tartaglia from Barsibatos.” Err, or Barsibatos from Barbatos, it seems… “But the Traveler’s a decent judge in my book. If he thinks the Tartaglia angle is worth pursuing, I say might as well give it a shot.”

Diluc redirects his ire towards her, then, for her dissent. “And what if Tartaglia is a dead end — or worse ? What if he’s in on the scheme — and turns on us instead?”

“Hm? I’m sorry, are you afraid of Tartaglia too , Master Diluc? I thought it was just Dottore.”

“…!”

Paimon looks aghast , and she hurriedly flies in between their two (now) feuding allies, waving her hands in hopes of stopping them coming to blows. “Wh-Whoa, whoa, whoa — w-wait a minute, now! There’s no need for us to start fighting…!”

Rosaria looks as though she hardly cares either way — shrugs nonchalantly and idly picks at her nails. Diluc’s entire aura is afire with rage , but to his credit he does not move to act on it — even with words. Lucky thing, that, for Paimon’s sake, else she might just find herself reduced to ashes (which would make for nigh inedible emergency food, as it happens). Jean, who’s been watching them back and forth without intervening thus far, decides it’s time she take advantage of her status as Acting Grand Master and at least steps forward to calm things — and make an executive decision, as it were.

And not a moment too soon; they’re in desperate need of a final, fiat of a verdict.

“Enough! I have heard both sides, and I understand the arguments from each.” She sighs, shaking her head…but then resumes her role — and she hardens her eyes and tone such that she speaks decisively. “Neither the Ordo nor Master Diluc is in a position to approach the Lord Tartaglia privately on this matter; Master Diluc is not personally acquainted with him, and it would be improper for the Ordo, or any representative thereof, to invite a foreign diplomat to divulge state secrets without the blessing of their respective Head of State — which could constitute treason in that diplomat’s nation. It would be a breach of international protocol.”

“B-But surely the Fatui abducting a Knight of Favonius is also a breach of protocol…!” Oh, Paimon’s decided to cease her arbitration and opine, has she? Well, she does have a point…

“Please; I am not finished.” Ah, Aether suspected as much. Jean’s gaze softens slightly, and she nods. “As Acting Grand Master, I will submit a formal report of the incident to Snezhnaya and demand a response explaining why this occurred — through the proper channels. This is an avenue sanctioned by the accord between nations, and an appropriate means of documenting our grievance. Admittedly, I do not expect Snezhnaya will provide us a suitable explanation, but we will be able to prove good faith on our part.”

“Uwah, sounds…complicated…”

“In the meantime…” Jean’s gaze softens still, and she offers Aether a bit of a pleading smile. “Traveler, you are an Honorary Knight of Mondstadt…but not strictly a member of the Ordo as such; international convention does not bind you to the extent it binds us. If you do have a rapport with the 11th Harbinger, and do believe him worth pursuing…and are willing to pursue him yourself , then I… I do not forbid it.”

That’s all she can say. Aether realizes that a second after she says it, because initially it didn’t sound like Jean was entirely in favor. But once he catches on, it is perfectly clear that she is; she is in favor, and she is imploring him to please do try to get whatever information he can out of Childe. She can’t ask him directly, and she probably can’t blatantly sanction it either; if she did, it would be a breach of protocol in the same way asking Childe herself would be. But that’s all right; he won’t demand she put herself in such a position — even though he has a sense that, if push came to shove, she just might . For Kaeya — for any of her charges, knowing Jean, but perhaps especially…

Indeed, she would — but she won’t have to. Aether will see to that. So he only smiles back at her, and then nods. Resolute. And he doesn’t miss the little bit of relief wash over her as he does so, proving he was right after all.

In fact, it only adds to his resolve. “Understood…and thank you.”

Chapter Text

Even though Aether and Paimon have a plan of action to their names — that is, to seek out the 11th Harbinger, with whom they’ve such a rapport (that they stated it multiple times…) — and they leave Kaeya’s room to descend upon the city…they still have a small problem. The action plan is well known, but it seems it…needs an adjunct — a pre- action plan, indeed! — in order to actually begin …and that’s where they both turn to each other and say, in unison…

“So…where is Childe these days…?” 

To his shame, Aether admittedly forgot that tracking Childe down was an ordeal in its own right; it escaped his notice before, but each time they encountered Childe, it was actually more Childe that encountered them . They just happened to be wherever in Teyvat they were, and Childe was the one to appear on the scene — sometimes actively seeking them, and sometimes not (or so the man himself said). Fortune is not in their favor to the extent that the very man is mulling about the plaza (well, it was worth a shot) or in the deserted city streets (struck out there too, curses!). For the streets are entirely devoid of life, save for a few tipsy patrons wandering home (or trying to) after a good night out; Childe is not among them, tipsy or otherwise.

And Aether thinks it would be otherwise if he were; given the average Snezhnayan’s fondness for a tipple (and an exceptionally strong ripple at that), he can’t really envision the Harbinger going beyond his limits in that regard.

In that regard if none other; Childe always did like a challenge… Perhaps he would deliberately over-imbibe just to prove a point. 

Paimon groans, frustrated. “Uwah, nowhere to be seen! Ya know, Paimon realizes it’d be one heck of a coincidence to suddenly run into the one guy in the world we’re looking for, but… Well, Paimon was kinda hoping we might — ‘cuz it seems like that happens to us a lot…”

She has a point; they two do always seem to wind up smack-dab in the middle of things…although Aether thinks this case isn’t all that different. They are in the middle of it; they wouldn’t be seeking Childe at all if they weren’t. And while they’re on the subject of astounding luck (or lack thereof, some might say), Aether would also note that in each of the situations to which Paimon alluded, they weren’t really looking for anything when they found it — or it found them. He does hope that’s not their lot in life, because that could make this rather tricky.

Unfortunately, Paimon gets the same idea — and groans again. “The last time we saw Childe…ugh, he was looking for us ! Paimon hopes this isn’t gonna be one of those things where you can’t find it till you stop looking…” She shakes her head. “We don’t have time for that!”

He doesn’t disagree. “No, we don’t. Kaeya is stable for now, but we don’t know how long that’ll last — or if that thing will act up again once he’s awake.” A pause. “Or once Albedo gets a look at it…”

It’s true; Albedo will exercise caution, Aether is sure, but that can only go so far when they have no idea what they’re dealing with . For all he knows, that thing might crystallize Albedo and onlookers both if and when the Alchemist gets too close — just like that superconduct zapped Aether when his wound reacted to Lisa’s Vision. They can handle a small reaction like that — if it stays small; that was only leftover Cryo from the original surge, after all. No one can say it wouldn’t be much worse if it reacted real-time while awake — like on Dragonspine.

Went bloody berserk, then… Aether will have to make a mental note to avoid mentioning that to Childe if at all possible; Childe would probably be intrigued for all the wrong reasons. The man does have one Celestial and two arcane founts of power to his name already; what’s one more for good measure? Obviously Childe can’t hear the inaudible (and quite rhetorical) question, given it was inaudible and the Harbinger is nowhere to be seen (which they’ve established), but Aether can imagine his reaction vividly enough that he need not see it in person. Childe would get that telltale glimmer in his eye, a glint of depraved curiosity, and Childe would then ask…

“So! Is he up for a spar?”

Ugh. Damn lunatic …

Still, this is the man that Aether and Paimon both suggested they ask , so…they have to ask — pure and simple. Thus Aether tries to banish the unpleasant characterization; it’s not at all untrue, but it’s hardly helpful.

Now, what would be helpful is if they could narrow their search — eve narrowing it down from “Anywhere in Teyvat” to “Anywhere in Teyvat except for …” would do. Unfortunately, Aether can think of only one person they could ask at this hour…and it’s one person he’d rather not. Paimon can think of the same one, actually, and though she’s hesitant to suggest it, she still does in the end — precisely because it seems the only option.

“Um, Paimon knows you don’t want to involve Katheryne,” she prefaces, “But… Well, Paimon doesn’t think anyone else wandering around would be lucid enough to be an option right now… A-And surely if we just ask if she’s heard anything about Childe, it wouldn’t go any further?”

He sighs. The fairy does make a good case; Childe’s whereabouts are hardly confidential (more so just happen to be unknown to many), and Katheryne isn’t one to pry. Aether doubts she’d ask why they’re looking — and, on the off chance that she does, she certainly won’t be offended if they decline to furnish her with the exact details. Katheryne will also certainly be stone-cold sober , which is far more than can be said for the rest of the people about — a good number of whom are Fatui themselves, but…well, inebriated to say the least. 

Fine then.

“Okay. Let’s ask Katheryne.” He pauses. “Just…keep it light. We’re just curious to see where he might be headed — no particular reason.”

“Got it!” Paimon affirms. “Don’t worry, Traveler! Paimon can pull off curiosity, no problem!” 

While Aether does think that Paimon could “pull off” curiosity in the same way she could similarly pull off “interested in good food and shiny things” — that is to say, not “pull off” an act at all and rather be entirely genuine …he keeps it to himself; it’s the same in the end. And perhaps more so, for that, does he have a good degree of faith in her; it’s really the prospect of an accidental slip of the tongue that’s got him worried, because that is as genuinely Paimon as all the aforementioned characteristics. But it’s not always a given , he supposes, so if she really is determined to keep a lid on it…well, here’s hoping.

…

Alas, he’s not being fair; Aether does appreciate Paimon’s candor — can say that truthfully, even when her candor has landed them in hot water on several occasions. Because Barbatos (and all his peers, surely) knows Aether wouldn’t have the nerve to say some of that out loud himself . But Aether knows too that sometimes it does need saying.

Thus, he really ought to be more charitable; Paimon is, in that way, braver than him. And he doesn’t think she knows. 

One day, I ought to tell her …

But that’ll be another day; at present, they make their way to the guild kiosk — where Katheryne is, as always, standing in dutiful attendance. She offers them a pleasant smile when they approach, and the obligatory “Ad astra abyssosque!” of the Guild, and Paimon waves. Aether waves too, and he would get straight to the point — but the automaton goes further instead, and asks about their last quarry.

“Hello, Traveler and Paimon! You are out very late this evening — but I see you were able to locate Captain Kaeya!”

Ah… He’s a bit lost for words for a moment, then recalls they did come back through the main gate; Katheryne must have spotted them then.

While Aether is deliberating, Paimon takes the lead. “Yep! — mission accomplished! And now moving onto the next one…” She pauses, and fortunately seems to be considering how she might put it in as innocuous a way as possible; she decides on such a way before resuming. “Say, Katheryne, since you spotted us the other night, Paimon thinks it’s safe to say not much gets past you! So… Paimon was wondering if you might have heard anything on Tartaglia — the 11th Harbinger.”

Katheryne doesn’t blink, but she does hum thoughtfully. “Ah, I am familiar with the name — although I am not aware of his particular role. He is no less a public figure than any of his peers, however he appears to work alone.”

That fits; unlike Signora, Dottore, and Pantalone (and Capitano, by reputation), Aether can’t say he recalls any Fatui working directly for Childe — and the times their paths have crossed, Childe always had been on his own. That being said, it makes perfect sense Katheryne isn’t certain of any real assignment he may have — which may not bode well for future prying, but…well, they’ll cross that bridge when they come to it. Aether’s just only realized for himself, after all; looking back on things, Childe does act more like an Agent than a Harbinger…

…and, well…doesn’t really seem all that suited to leadership . Not that he seems a man to follow , either — Archons, no ; between the two, Aether would lean heavily on the former. It’s just that he…leads by example rather than instruction — and while that in itself is complimentary, it is not complementary as such. An adept leader, Aether thinks, is one that can hold their own when needs must, but at least lets their charges get some hands-on experience.

At least as far as battle experience is concerned, Childe is far too selfish for such a thing.

Paimon’s not deterred in the least, though; she presses on (and good on her, too; Aether was a bit distracted). “He, uh…marches to the best of his own drum, so to speak…” Fair enough. “A-Anyway… You haven’t heard where he might be, have you? Paimon hasn’t seen him much around Mondstadt…”

The android nods. “Indeed; from what I’ve seen, and overheard, Tartaglia hasn’t been to Mondstadt in some time. But I may still be able to assist; he was most recently in Liyue Harbor.”

“Ah, Liyue…!”

Liyue indeed ; Aether wonders if perhaps that means…

Katheryne saves him the trouble of asking. “Yes. Lady Ningguang of the Qixing held a commemorative gala to announce the restoration of trade with Inazuma after the Sakoku Decree was abolished; the Lord Tartaglia was among the foreign dignitaries invited — and, as I understand it, among those that were in attendance as well.” She pauses. “I understand that Tartaglia did not return to Snezhnaya by boat along with the other diplomats after the gala concluded, though I cannot say he necessarily remained in Liyue Harbor itself. He may have had other business to attend to in the area or its surrounding nations.”

Well, that’s true, too — although he certainly wouldn’t be looking into the same business he was when last they saw him, in Inazuma. Surely, that matter , that of the missing Scaramouche (and the Gnosis on his person) resolved itself as evidenced by everything that happened in Sumeru, so if Childe did have other business, it’s anyone’s guess as to what. And where, too; even if he’s in Liyue, it’s a big place — an entire nation , after all. Aether doesn’t discount the intel Katheryne has been able to provide this far, but it’s not quite as narrowed-down as he’d have liked…

…yet; it isn’t to say they can’t narrow the field a little further. After all, now that they’ve confirmed Childe indeed was in Liyue, and at the same party, not only is their hunch seeming all the more reasonable, but there is another resource that comes to mind — one that might have a better idea of Childe’s next steps.

“Thanks, Katheryne,” he says — and nods to Paimon that they’d best be off; they have a bit of a walk ahead of them. “That helps a lot — really .”

“I’m glad to have been of assistance!” she replies with a smile. “I apologize that I do not have further information than what I’ve already said. I was afraid it may not have been very useful.”

He shakes his head. “It is very useful — again, thank you!” A pause, and then another nod to Paimon — who, having apparently not sussed what he’s planning, has yet to move. “We’ll see you later!”

“Ad astra abyssosque!”

“Ad astra… Hey! Traveler! Don’t leave Paimon behind…!”

The fairy leaves the tail end of her farewell unsaid as she scurries to catch up to Aether, who’s already turned from the Guild secretary’s post and started towards the gates. A man on a mission, he is, too; he’s actually halfway out of the gate by the time Paimon catches up, and while he acknowledges that she’s done so with a glance over his shoulder, he doesn’t actually address her until they’ve started a ways down the path towards Stone Gate. Paimon is rather miffed, he suspects, given her little huffs and puffs of discord more so than exhaustion, but it can’t be helped; they may have a heading (well, he does — and will eventually share), but that doesn’t mean they too have time on their side.

They can catch Childe, he thinks. He hopes . But they’ll have to be quick about it. Not so quick, though, that half their number is left in the dust; Aether eventually concedes to stop for a moment, and when his companion catches up, she confirms his earlier suspicions. She is rather miffed, and he gets a bit of an earful as a result.

“Phew! — finally , you slowed down…! What’s gotten into you, huh…?!” She stomps her feet, shaking her head. “Lady Ningguang’s party was over a week ago! What makes you so sure we’ll catch Childe in Liyue now …?!— that you almost left Paimon in Mondstadt!”

“Sorry…” He sighs, resuming his course towards Liyue Harbor but at a slower pace than before — such that Paimon has no trouble keeping up. “Nothing, really — in Liyue itself… Like Katheryne said, we don’t know where Childe might’ve been headed; he may have already left, but…”

“Uh, yeah — but… ?!”

“Well, there’s someone else in Liyue who might know — more likely than anyone else, at least.” He pauses. “I mean, even with everything that happened… I can’t really see Childe going all the way to Liyue and not checking up on Zhongli .”

Paimon is quiet for a moment — but out of enlightenment; her eyes bug out a bit in realization, and she nods fervently. “ Oh , that’s right! — good thinking, Traveler…! Err, wait…” Alas, it appears she’s starting to doubt her earlier conviction; the spark goes out as quickly as it’d come, and it is replaced by an apprehensive sort of confusion. “Uh, actually… Paimon’s not so sure they parted on the best of terms… Zhongli did kinda pull the wool over his eyes.”

“To be fair, Zhongli might’ve spun the wool, but Childe pulled it down himself…” Aether is sympathetic to Childe’s plight, in a sense, but he stands by his characterization of events; Zhongli wasn’t so impeccably crafty as Childe himself was ostensibly ignorant — although blissfully unaware may be a kinder phrase. Equally accurate, though, are both expressions; the poor Harbinger was regardless caught entirely off-guard. Still… “Either way, Childe doesn’t seem like the kind of guy to hold much of a grudge — and, even if he did, I’m pretty sure it’d be La Signora in the crosshairs, not Zhongli.”

“Hm… You've got a point.” Paimon hums again, thoughtfully, and sounds a bit more hopeful. “There’s no love lost between him and the Fair Lady, that’s for sure; he admitted they didn’t get along.” That settles that , then. “So, you think Childe might’ve told Zhongli where he was headed? — or about the party?”

He shrugs. “About the party, I doubt it; unless a fight broke out, and he either started or finished it, he probably wouldn’t have found it very interesting…” Truth be told, Aether is surprised Childe went to the Qixing’s fête at all; he’s hardly one for diplomatic affairs. “Which I’m sure Kaeya would’ve mentioned, too, so I think we can rule it out. But where he was headed is another matter; if there was any potential at all for that to turn violent, I doubt he could keep it to himself. He lives for that kind of thing.”

Paimon agrees. It’s hard not to — no denying that Childe gets positively giddy at the slightest prospect of battle , and when he does… Well, he tends to take it upon himself to wax poetic about the thrill of it, occasionally to the listener’s dismay, and given Zhongli himself tends to capitalize on the offer of a free lunch (the likes of which do not truly exist), the ex-Archon would be a captive audience indeed. Aether can picture it now, in fact; the Geo Archon-turned-consultant elegantly sipping his tea as Childe regales him of his exploits, both past and future and all presumably bloody, while the hapless waiters struggle to get to and from their table as quickly as humanly possible — for sake of what innocence they have left.

Ah, Childe… A troublemaker in more ways than one!

Still, it does also serve them — Childe leaving such a stark impression, that is, albeit a negative one; between that and his rather strikingly orange hair, he’s hardly a man to be easily forgotten. Again, to some folks’ dismay, surely.

Liyue Harbor is a long ways away, and Aether is cognizant of Paimon’s tendency to tire more easily than one might expect a flying individual, but they make decent time. That is in part due to failing to encounter any monsters on the way; Aether must give the Millelith credit in having apparently added more rounds to their patrols, for despite Liyue never being as perilous as the likes of, say, Inazuma, he recalls their first trip here was far more eventful. Now, it is true that they’ve chosen a more direct route along the main road this time, but even so; they’ve not encountered a single band of treasure hoarders or an errant Slime Balloon. Nor have they encountered a non-Slime balloon vying for their protection; even the merchants must’ve caught on that the Millelith are the go-to for such things. 

If only the Millelith expanded to Sumeru, he thinks; the oft-waylaid Le Goff could certainly use them. He ought to introduce that man to Pallad someday; they might get on — like a house on fire, and perhaps literally at that! But at the very least Aether would be able to rescue the pair of them in one go. It would be terribly convenient…

Still, it’s even more convenient that they encounter neither hapless adventurer nor ill-prepared merchant; Aether doesn’t discount that. It’s late when they reach Liyue Harbor, the sky having turned to black ages ago, but in Liyue Harbor itself it’s hardly noticeable. The city is abuzz as always, and the glittering gold of the street lamps easily make up for what the stars above do not provide in terms of light; compared to such hustle and bustle, Mondstadt, even by day, is practically sleepy . Aye, Liyue Harbor does not sleep, though; Liyue Harbor has far too many things to do. Which is good, really, and just as well; Aether isn’t entirely sure that Archons, even ex-Archons, require sleep at all.

Err, except for one Archon, perhaps… Though perhaps he too does not require it — or would not, in the absence of wine . Not that they’ll ever know; wine never has been, and most likely never will be, absent from that Archon’s possession for any substantial amount of time.

“Ooh, there he is…! What luck!”

Paimon’s voice takes Aether out of his head, and he follows her hand when she points towards an open-air dining area off the high street. What luck indeed, though predictable as well; if Aether isn’t mistaken, that is Third-Round Knockout, and Zhongli always did have a soft spot for the place. Maybe he found it’s a good place to have a meal on a budget — certainly more so than Liuli Pavilion or Xinyue Kiosk, which he could surely afford only when Childe is footing the bill. Or…maybe he simply likes listening to that storyteller — and chuckling to himself when the man errs in his accounts (not that he’d say anything, mind). He must know correcting him would be unreasonable; after all, that man doesn’t have the benefit of having lived through all that. Zhongli has quite the unfair advantage.

“Mister Zhongli!”

Oh, look at that! Paimon’s unexpectedly energetic after all that traveling — has even taken it upon herself to float over to the man ahead of her companion. He looks surprised for a moment, having not anticipated their arrival, but he soon smiles back at her in greeting. He smiles at Aether, too, when he catches up — and is kind enough to wait until the blond has done so before actually replying with words.

“Ah, Traveler and Paimon. This is a pleasant surprise. Please, do join me. “Iron Tongue Tian was just concluding a most interesting tale — one in which a small Geo Slime protected Liyue against a great tidal surge of the sea, and for which its heroic devotion ought to never be forgotten.”

Paimon blinks. “W-Wow…! A Geo Slime could do that…?!”

“Well, it was bestowed a great power by Rex Lapis himself, which allowed it to overcome its humble beginnings. Although….” He pauses…and then chuckles. “Ah, I can’t say I recall doing any such thing… But it’s a fascinating story.”

Paimon looks disappointed, admittedly intrigued by the prospect of the noble Slime, and crosses her arms with a huff. “Ooh, that Tian! He’s started making things up as he goes along…!”

But Zhongli chides her with a gentle smile and a wave of his hand; he is clearly not offended in the least — and, if he isn’t, she ought not to be on his behalf. “I don’t mind. On the contrary, it’s a refreshing thing to see the people capitalize on their own imaginations after so many years of tradition. Liyue as a nation certainly is beginning to change — and, while I at one time could scarcely imagine myself saying this, I am glad for it.” He pauses. “But surely you haven’t come to listen to me talk about that, so tell me; what brings you to the harbor?”

Zhongli could be a paradox in this way; on the one hand, he is often given to waxing about times long since gone to such an extent that even the most grandfatherly of sorts would have trouble matching him in nostalgia. On the other, he can be as shrewd as any savvy businessman, getting straight to the point and eschewing all else, nostalgia included — and with grace, such that he never seems curt. It’s impressive. It’d be even more impressive if that would-be business savvy translated into financial planning, but Aether supposes everyone has their limit — even the former Rex Lapis. But, speaking of his want for mora…

“Actually, we were hoping to find Childe,” the Traveler admits. “We heard he was in town recently — though that’s the sum total of what we do know thus far.”

“ Childe …? I see…and I suppose you thought he and I might have connected — and that I, as such, might have an idea of where he’s gone.” He studies Aether’s expression to confirm his suspicions and, when he does, smiles. “It’s a fair assumption on your part — and an accurate one. Indeed, Childe did call on me after arriving in Liyue Harbor. I admit that I was a bit surprised when he did; he actually solicited my company.”

“Uwah, Childe did what …?!” 

Paimon is starting to turn a little green. Aether just puts a hand to his head, incredulous, as she’s clearly taken that the wrong way. Zhongli doesn’t seem to notice in the slightest — and, in fact, thinks that she and him are on the same wavelength; he nods. 

“Indeed — a very odd thing, I thought. I told him he was being improperly bold…”

“Ugh, Paimon can’t believe that guy…! Of all the harebrained things…!”

“Quite. But perhaps I expected too much, thinking he ought to know better; he is young and inexperienced in such affairs. But I still had to correct him regardless; it’s hardly polite to extend an invitation from the Tianquan to others without express permission — which Childe did not have.”

“ Bah, the Tianquan too …?!” But then it starts to click for Paimon; she blinks, and the unflattering green hue starts to fade…to pink. “W-Wait a minute… You’re saying he tried to invite you to Lady Ningguang’s party!”

Zhongli blinks, obviously unaware that the fairy had thought different. His ignorance is so obvious that it’s almost painful (Aether himself is suffering, at the very least…). “Yes — the commemorative gala. That is what I meant.” He pauses, still unaware but having sussed his words were somehow misunderstood, and then invites her to explain, seeing as he can’t quite suss out how they were misunderstood. “Was there something else?”

But Paimon, with absolutely no desire to admit what she was thinking, waves her hands with an awkward denial. “N-No, no — not at all! Paimon’s just surprised he asked… Ehehe…” She gives a nervous chuckle, the pink in her cheeks having turned a bright valberry red, and promptly moves on. “So… Paimon guesses you weren’t at the party yourself, then.”

Aether doesn’t blame her for the question, as it’s fair enough; thus, he himself is a little surprised when Zhongli raises a curious brow and answers to the opposite extent. “Oh, no — I was there. As I explained to Childe, I had my own invitation to see me through; I didn’t need him to break convention in extended his to me.” He pauses. “Technically, Hu Tao received the invitation as owner of the prestigious Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, but she deemed me a worthy substitute to attend on her behalf.”

That’s…probably for the best; in fact, Aether’s relatively sure Ningguang was hoping Hu Tao would do designate her esteemed consultant. Maybe propriety dictated she couldn’t invite him directly instead; regardless, Zhongli is less likely to offend the Lady or other guests than his employer, given he at the very least has sense enough to know it’s highly improper to market funeral services to the living…and particularly offensive to market such services regarding those that are in perfect health… Now, Hu Tao, in her enthusiasm, tends not to remember that — by choice, he has no doubt.

Eh, hopefully she didn’t use the free time awarded her by her delegating Zhongli to try and bury Qiqi again… Baizhu would not be pleased with that; he has enough to contend with as is, what with her already encouraging his patients to “Look on the bright side! Death, and a fabulous funeral, is only just around the corner!” (as she so cheerfully puts it). 

Alas, he’s off topic.

“Since you were at the party…” He starts off, and tentatively at that; he can see the ex-Archon’s brow already starting to rise again. “Did you notice anything…unusual?”

The man’s brow completes its ascension, and he narrows his eyes in curiosity. “Hm, given your question… Is it Childe you seek, or what information he might provide , I wonder…?” He doesn’t appear to expect an answer either way, Zhongli; he continues quickly enough. Seems he was only musing. “ Unusual , though… No, I don’t believe anything I witnessed could be described as such — in context, of course. It is unusual in itself to have such an event at all, in a sense; rarely do so many diplomats from across Teyvat come together like that, and least of all without any animosity.”

That’s something, though; Paimon thinks so as well. “So…there wasn’t a fight or anything? — even a civil one, Paimon means.”

“I can’t truly speak to any underlying tensions, but I can say that there was nothing of note — to the casual observer. And I was that; I didn’t intend to make myself discourteous by prying.” He pauses. “Lady Ningguang herself, and her company, were less demonstratively welcoming of the Snezhnayan representatives than they were representatives of other nations, but that is hardly surprising given recent events — and they were still cordial. The Snezhnayans in attendance were not offended that I could see — and Childe, to return to him, appeared to be in good spirits.” 

“Huh. Paimon would’ve thought he’d have been really bored…”

“As would I. But he seemed content — beyond that, even. He was very sociable; I didn’t see much of him, for how he circulated.” Zhongli stops then, though, and puts a hand to his chin. At first, it seems he’s just decided that Childe working the room is something notably unusual in and of itself — but then , he reveals that is not strictly the case. That was unusual, but not why he paused. “Actually, when I did catch a glimpse of him, I believe he was conversing with a Knight of Mondstadt.”

A Knight…? That must’ve been Kaeya , given he was the only Knight in attendance! But Kaeya…didn’t mention that to Jean — that he’d been chatting with a Harbinger. Now, to give Kaeya the benefit of the doubt, it could simply be they were only chatting — making small talk, shooting the breeze, chewing the fat… What have you — could simply be it was nothing important .

It could be, but it also couldn’t be all the same…

“Did you…hear what they were talking about?” Aether knows it’s a long shot, but he figures he might as well ask.

Zhongli seems to disagree with that, though. “I am not one to eavesdrop … And in the aftermath, I didn’t ask.”

“Ah well…”

“But if you’re curious, you might ask Childe.”

“W-Well, we were hoping to!” Paimon chirps. “Err, well, not originally about that, but uh… could be related, so…”

“Oh? So you are looking for him for a specific reason, then? I apologize; I did not quite realize…” He studies them, and then his brow furrows; it seems he has sensed the reason for their quarry is unpleasant. “Is something the matter?”

“It, uh… S-Strictly speaking…” Paimon is tripping over her words a bit — no doubt torn between exclaiming just exactly is the matter with all the fervor she feels it deserves, and not doing the very thing, lest she reveal too much. She must be thinking of Katheryne again — and Aether’s warning to not go into great detail.

And Aether appreciates her caution; it is almost uncharacteristic of her. But he himself isn’t sure it’s warranted, here, and so he sets himself to speaking out against it — and clarifies. “There was an incident in Mondstadt involving the Ordo — the Knight that was talking to Childe, actually — and the Fatui. We were hoping Childe might be able to shed a bit of light on the situation.”

Zhongli’s eyes flash with alarm — mild, but only because they haven’t elaborated. “An incident… ?”

Aether debates not elaborating, but… He decides against it; frankly, he doesn’t think it could hurt — so long as the consultant can manage discretion. Which, given he did already manage to slip away from Celestia unbeknownst to the people of Liyue, seems pretty likely. “It…is confidential ,” he warns, “But if you can keep this between us, then…”

“Certainly.”

“…okay.” He pauses, and looks to Paimon for reassurance. She nods — encourages him. Good on her. “Okay, well… The incident was an attempted abduction — and, technically, an actual abduction that we foiled after the fact. The Fatui ambushed Sir Kaeya and his party — and were attempting to take him back to Snezhnaya.” A pause. “Well, so we assume, anyway; like I said, they didn’t make it out of Mondstadt.”

The man is doubly alarmed, now; his affect hasn’t changed all that much, but by the intensity of his stare he is quite surprised indeed… and disapproving. “My…!” He huffs, shaking his head in reproach. “This goes no further, of course…however it unnerves me to think the Fatui would be so bold . Their methods are unscrupulous to say the least, however I have not known them to disregard international conventions in such a brazen manner… This suggests they no longer feel beholden to such accords.” He pauses then, though, and shakes his head again. “I cannot speak for their Archon, nor any particular member of their ranks…save one — and Childe , though he himself is as brazen as they come, I would not have anticipated his participation in such a dishonorable thing.”

“Well, neither would we ,” Aether clarifies. “That’s partly why we’re trying to talk to him. I don’t think he’s involved — not directly , if anything…” He sighs. “I hope he isn’t.”

Zhongli’s gaze softens slightly, and he nods; perhaps it is a relief to know the Traveler too would not readily suspect the 11th Harbinger. “Yes, I agree… Regardless, Childe is not a man well-versed in trickery; deception does not come naturally to him. If he is involved, he will tell you — whether he intends to or not. Therefore,” He crosses his arms, “I strongly encourage you ask him.”

“We’ve been trying to!” Paimon exclaims, a bit exasperated. “But he’s so difficult to track down…! Uwah, that’s why we were hoping you might know where he went!”

Zhongli responds strangely to that. He blinks, several times, and his brow creases in confusion — but why he’s so apparently confused is an utter mystery. “Oh…? Did I not say…? I thought I had mentioned…”

“Wha… You do know…?! So where’s…”

“Childe? He’s…”

“H-Hey! Is that my name I hear? — don’t tell me your maligning me already…” 

That voice. That…awfully familiar, awfully welcome and un welcome all the same (for the timing), boyish voice…

No way. No way in all Seven Realms (or Eight, if you count Khaenri’ah) is that …

“I’m not that late , am I…? Argh, Zhongli, you wouldn’t believe the line at…oh! Traveler! This is a surprise! How’ve you been?”

That is Childe, sure as that’s Childe’s lopsided red mask and equally lopsided grin, sure as that’s Childe waving cheerfully at them in that obnoxiously affable manner of his — sure as bloody salt , that’s Childe all right. The man they have been trying to locate for days , he is here , bloody grinning , and greeting them like old friends…entirely irrespective of not only their toil, but for what reason they did so…! The nerve…!

Maybe it’s not quite fair, but Aether can’t help but groan, and set a very flat gaze on both Childe and Zhongli (who at least has the decency to look embarrassed). Childe manages no such decency, however, and in fact doesn’t seem to do much as notice he ought to.

And it proves too great a slight for Paimon to ignore. She stomps her feet, exclaiming all manner of frustrations (which confuses him at once), and then decides such did not abate her ire. Thus she takes additional measures; she resorts to flying straight into the Harbinger’s face and shouting at him, all the while prodding at his head.

“BAH! Childe… ! ‘How’ve we been ?’ Really …?! We’ve been looking for you all over Teyvat, and you actually ask us that?!”

“Ow! Ow, h-hey…!”

“You have some nerve , Mister 11th Harbinger…! Do you have any idea how difficult it is to track down the likes of you?!”

“I-I didn’t know you were — ow! ”

“Well, now you do — so what do you have to say for yourself now , eh?!”

“I-I’m sorry…? Err…okay, uh, why were you… Ow ! Why are you attacking me ?!”

“Ooh, Paimon doesn’t even know! Paimon’s just so frustrated …!” 

The poor man. Aether is frustrated too, but…eh, he still sympathizes. It would seem that Paimon has perhaps gotten a taste for battle after her experience on Dragonspine; she is poking and prodding and tugging at Childe’s hair most mercilessly. Which is amusing in a way, to see the mighty Abyss-scorned Harbinger reduced to cowering by a little fairy, but at the same time…he does look to be in need of deliverance. And Paimon’s made her point as far as can be made, after all; it’s high time she relax, lest they never get a word in. 

So Aether takes pity on the man — or would. But Paimon soon ceases on her own accord, huffing and puffing from exertion. That’ll do.

Childe looks up, then, after the onslaught grinds to a halt. And he straightens himself, rubbing at the back of his neck (which is surely sore from all that cowering), and looks from Aether to Zhongli and back again in hopes of an explanation. He glances at Paimon too, once…but tentatively. Heh, met his match with that one; who’d have thought?

“Okay, so uh… You were looking for me…and here I am.” He breathes a sigh of relief when those choice words do not earn him another assault. “So, what’s…uh… What’s…up?”

Paimon glares at him, and Childe flinches, but Zhongli steps in before the sprite can work herself up again. “There’s been a terrible incident in Mondstadt, Childe, involving the Ordo and your Fatui. The Traveler requests your input.”

“An incident? My input? I haven’t been in Mondstadt since…”

“Thank you,” Aether interrupts, but breathes a sigh of relief afterwards. Childe isn’t a deceptive sort, just as Zhongli mentioned; the only way he could appear this clueless is if he really is at a loss. “Childe, do you remember that Knight you were talking to at the Tianquan’s party?”

“The Tianquan’s party…oh! Captain Kaeya?” He puts a hand to his chin, inaudible double-checking he is remembering correctly. Then nods fervently. “Sure, I remember! Heh, the Captain’s not an easy man to forget… We chatted about Mondstadt for a bit.” His expression soon contorts to one of concern, though, because he sees that although he correctly recalled that interaction, it seems to have only added to the tension in the air. “Wait, why?”

Aether would readily answer him that; he would. He’s about to, in fact — but ex-Archon’s authoritative baritone beats him to it, and Aether is not brave enough to cut him off. Perhaps it is the breach of international accords, contracts in their own right, that’s gotten to Zhongli — upset him, and spurred him on. Old habits evidently die hard — even those belonging to one who’s supposed to be dead.

“Per the Traveler’s account, a party of Fatui ambushed and abducted the very Captain within Mondstadt’s own borders.” He narrows his eyes. “Your input would be, thus, much appreciated.”

Childe’s eyes are practically bulging out of his skull in shock — greatly similar to that time Teucer happened upon him attempting to settle a debt, if not even more agog than they were then. And his eyes are far from the blighted part of his skull affected; his jaw goes completely slack, hanging open in a most unbecoming manner — before he attempts to speak and, failing miserably, snaps his mouth shut to prevent further embarrassment. But Childe is not a man to be kept down, no sir, thus he tries again; he opens his mouth once more…and yet the only sound that manages to escape through it is an audible choke. Escape was too generous; the strangled sound catches in his throat and is completely unintelligible. He promptly closes his mouth again.

But Zhongli won’t let him off the hook that easy (a fitting expression, seeing as Childe is starting to resemble a simple-minded, aquatic life form at this point…). He narrows his eyes further, and straightens to his full height to glare down at him — which certainly does little to calm him, but does get the urgency across. Even Aether finds himself shrinking away; Archon or not, the man is imposing as ever.

“Your input …?”

“I… Wha… W-Wait a minute! I don’t… Uh, here, let’s…” Childe’s eyes dart in every direction except that which leads to Zhongli, and he shakes his head to be rid of enough nervousness — such that he can hope to string a sentence together. “L-Let’s find somewhere more private …”

On any other day, or perhaps involving any other person, Aether would not have sympathized; he’d have suspected this was a stalking tactic. But this is Childe, who’s visibly stricken — and utter rubbish at deception; as such, his request can be, and is, taken as genuine. As such and thanks to the blond’s own assessment; people aren’t quite staring at them yet, but a few other patrons have started to glance their way — and this truly isn’t something that needs to be shared with the sum total of Liyue Harbor’s population. Which…it just might be, given Iron Tongue Tian is just a little ways away; as luck (or lack thereof) might have it, they might end up the main characters in the next of his embellished tales.

That won’t do at all.

Childe isn’t much for finding a suitable place, so Zhongli is gracious enough to do it for him; they follow the ex-Archon to a private room in Wangsheng Funeral Parlor — a rather…dusty and dimly-lit room at that, which Aether supposes is as good an indication as any that they won’t be disturbed. There are a few lamps lit, but they seem to want for oil; bright is a descriptor long since lost to them. But the gold in Zhongli’s eyes, intensified by his ire , is all the light they need to notice Childe is squirming beneath the withering look, so it suits them just fine. It serves them, actually; for his association with those bastards , the Fatui, he deserves the spotlight — the hot seat.

And, what with all that fidgeting, it does seem like he’s a colony of fire ants in his trousers…

“O-Okay, so… S-So back up — start at the beginning!” He demands nervously. “You’re saying… You’re saying Captain Kaeya’s been abducted …by the Fatui?!”

Zhongli glares, unsympathetic. “I am.”

Aether is slightly more charitable. “He was …but he’s safely back in Mondstadt, now; we intercepted them before they could make it out.”

“Uh… Okay, uh… Why ?”

Paimon scoffs, stomping her feet and waving her arms around with a decidedly infuriated look in her face. “Whaddya mean, why …?! Kaeya’s our friend ! You think we would just stand there waving goodbye?!”

The Harbinger flinches from the shrill tone of her voice, and from half-expecting her to start attacking him again (which she doesn’t, but it’s not too far-fetched), and then, after establishing he’s safe for the time being, sets about clarifying his earlier question. “N-No! That’s not what I…! I…! Ahem, why would the Fatui want to abduct the Captain?”

Unfortunately for Childe, that does little to quell the fairy’s frustration; she only hollers at him again. “How the heck should we know?! That’s what we’re asking you , you… You big dummy!”

“W-Well, I don’t know…!” The fairy raises a hand, and he flinches — flinches again, too, and with a little hop backwards, when Zhongli’s eyes darken. “R-Really, I don’t …! I have no idea !” He clasps his hands together — looks just about ready to crumble to his knees, pleading for his life. It’s not a thing Aether would’ve expected from him, but he can’t say he doubts the sincerity. “Mister Zhongli, you’ve gotta believe me…!”

The consultant scoffs. “Frankly speaking, Childe, no , I do not.” A pause. “But I would like to . Now, you yourself suggested we start at the beginning; I encourage you to do just that.”

“Okay, well… I…”

“And you may begin with the night of the Tianquan’s party, if you wish; I believe that will suffice.” 

Good on Zhongli, clarifying ; if he hadn’t, Childe just might have started with “One day in Morepesok, a boy…” was either born or fell into a hole, depending on just how far back he decided to go. And while all that might be entertaining at some other juncture, it would hardly be relevant to the situation at hand — thus Childe (and the rest of them) would be better served if the redhead could hold onto that particular tale for another day. Childe himself breathes a sigh of relief, no doubt realizing he doesn’t have to start at the very beginning after all, and does his best to straighten. For appearance’s sake, of course — but also to collect his thoughts. He’s presumably realized that any variation from the whole truth and nothing but the very thing will incur the wrath of the gods — err, so to speak.

“Okay, the party… Yeah…” He puts a hand to his temple, concentrating. Fact-checking. “The Tianquan invited diplomats from all over — Snezhnaya included. A-As you know, I was one of those on the list of invitees — and I went.”

“Did any other Harbingers go with you?” Aether asks.

“No, I… Err, well yes , but…”

Zhongli glowers at him. “Which is it, Childe?”

Childe tenses, then waves his hands. “ Yes , other Harbingers were invited! — th-though most of them declined… But I wasn’t with them at the time, so I went by myself…”

Aether nods. “But there were other Harbingers there when you arrived?”

“Well, I’m not sure when , but…” He clams up after catching a glimpse of Zhongli’s impatient glare. “Il Dottore was there. I didn’t see any of the others.”

Okay, well… That’s one question answered; the Doctor was, as they suspected, at the party after all. Good — can cross that one off the list. Now…

“Did Dottore say anything about Kaeya?” Childe blinks when Aether asks that, so he clarifies — broadens the scope. “ Anything at all — even something insignificant?”

“No.” Hm… “Err, well…” Oh? “Eh… Sort of…”

Poor Zhongli must feel a headache coming on from all that glaring; the crease in his brow just might become permanent at this rate. “Which is it, Childe?” He is growing exasperated indeed. “I believe the Traveler told you that any mention of Captain Kaeya is worth reporting .”

Childe flinches yet again, and waves his hands again — looks pleadingly at the lot of them. The poor man feels he’s been maligned. “Yes, yes — I know…! I-It wasn’t at the party, is all…! It was after !” He sobers up, then — straightens, and his mouth turns to a frown of distaste as he recalls. “We had words.”

“Yourself and the Doctor?”

“Yes.” He grimaces, then scoffs — like what he really wants to do is spit and be rid of the memory altogether. “At the party, Dottore was impolite to the Captain. I didn’t like it. So, afterwards, I went to Dottore and I told him so.” He scoffs again. “Not that he cared . That guy is a real…”

“How was he impolite?” Aether almost doesn’t cut Childe off from whatever oath he was about to swear, but his curiosity gets the better of him; he can’t help but oblige. “Did he do something to Kaeya?”

Paimon huffs angrily. “Ooh, you better say he didn’t, else Paimon’s gonna-…!”

“Let him finish…”

“He… He wasn’t really doing anything, but…” Childe grimaces, then shakes his head with a reproachful sigh. “It looked like they were just talking, but Dottore was looming . I couldn’t hear what they were saying, but the Captain looked uncomfortable. Then…” A pause. “Ugh, then he did do something. It looked like… I don’t know; it looked like Dottore was…trying to touch his face — the Captain’s face, I mean. I can’t imagine why he would, but the Captain slapped his hand away — and told him no .” He huffs audibly this time — some Snezhnayan curse, by all accounts. “I heard that , so when Dottore didn’t back off, I stepped in.” 

A chivalrous thing indeed! Even Zhongli thinks so; his eyes soften most notably. “You did?”

“Well, yeah , I… I felt I had to.” He rubs awkwardly at the back of his neck. “I mean, I pretended to just be making conversation…but I’m sure they both saw right through me. Dottore was pissed, I could tell — but he didn’t make trouble. He just left. After that, Captain Kaeya and I talked a little bit about Mondstadt — actually, uh… About my mission — you know, Traveler, the one I was on in Inazuma.”

Huh? Aether blinks. “The Balladeer…?”

“Right! Ah, not in so much detail, but in general. Admittedly, I was trying to see if he might’ve been spotted in Mondstadt…” 

What? — Really? Doesn’t he know that…

“But anyway, that was it. Later on, I confronted the Doctor about his behavior — told him he wasn’t casting us Harbingers in a good light, acting like that… But like I said, he didn’t care — just dismissed me.” He stops then, having reached the end of his intel, and looks to the trio for validation. “That’s it.” One final pause, though, suggests otherwise… “Actually, he called me an idiot, albeit in fancier terms. Then he dismissed me — and that’s it.”

Ah, that does sound more believable… Well then, that settles that matter; Aether is certain, now, that Childe hasn’t left anything out (important or otherwise). Aggravatingly, it doesn’t exactly answer the majority of their questions; he confirmed Dottore was at the party and interested in Kaeya, but they essentially already knew that . It’s why he’s interested that they don’t know, and unfortunate that Childe doesn’t seem to either . Still, they can be reasonably sure it is that thing in Kaeya’s eye after all — that Dottore not only knows about but by which is intrigued; why else would he have been trying to touch his face, if not the “eye” itself…? 

Alas, yet another question Childe surely couldn’t answer. 

“But anyway ,” the redhead says, and with more fervor. “He certainly didn’t say anything that remotely suggested he’d try and pull off something like that — abducting a Knight …! He didn’t seem that interested — no more than usual. I thought he was just being intrusive, and for no particular reason. As ever.” 

“Ugh, well Paimon can understand that…” The fairy hums thoughtfully, then in more so a confused manner, and decides to amend her response; something’s nagging at her. “Hold on, you said you were asking Kaeya…about the Balladeer?”

He blinks, shrugging. “Uh, yeah…? I mean, I didn’t really expect him to divulge state secrets or anything, but I figured I might as well ask — since I was already there. Worst he could do was deny me — which he did , but that’s no skin off my back.” His brow furrows, though, because Paimon looks even more perplexed by this, and he has no idea why. So he asks. “Why?”

“Well… Why would you ask him that ?”

“Like I said, I…”

“No, no — Paimon means, surely you already knew the Balladeer wasn’t in Mondstadt …?” She shakes her head. “And…if you didn’t, why wouldn’t you just ask Dottore?” Hm, actually… “A-Actually, why were you looking for the Balladeer at all?”

Childe blinks again, his mouth twisted in confusion. “Huh? What do you mean? I told you; I was assigned to… Hold on . What’s Dottore got to do with this?”

It’s Paimon’s turn to blink now, and her eyes are set in an incredulous stare — like she can’t believe he just asked that. But he did, thus she obliges, “Dottore already found the Balladeer — and the Gnosis! The Traveler and Paimon saw them both in Sumeru a couple weeks ago — before Lady Ningguang’s party!” She shakes her head, missing how Childe’s affect goes flat , and huffs. “Ugh, Paimon doesn’t really know what happened to the Balladeer, but the Doctor definitely took both the Electro and Dendro Gnoses with him when he left. They’re probably all back in Snezhnaya by now!”

For a minute or two, there is nothing but silence . Paimon, having expected otherwise, hesitantly looks to Childe to see why he hasn’t replied yet, and it’s when she does that she finally notices how the color has drained from his face. His eyes are unbelievably dark — blank, at first, along with his expression, but slowly but surely changing to something else. His pallor is, too; the color is not returning equally to his face, however it is instead appearing in patches of red on the tips of his ears and in his cheeks. 

“… what ?”

The voice is low and rough, and almost inaudible. But menacing still, and Paimon backs away a bit — and laughs awkwardly, rubbing at her head. “Eh… P-Paimon guesses you, uh… didn’t know after all…”

There’s another moment of silence, but it doesn’t last as long as the first — not by a long shot. Because Childe can’t contain himself now that he’s heard of this particular development, and the poor man practically explodes . The hue in his cheeks is a fiery red, burning down his neck and surely the rest of him, too, and he clenched his hands into fists. And then breaks the silence himself — by way of hollering all manner of curses in a mix of Snezhnayan and the common tongue. And most emphatically; even Zhongli takes a step in reverse.

“ARGH! That Archons-be-damned , svolach’ Doctor…! Zhizn’ ebet meya! How dare that asshole go and…! And …! I’ve been all over Teyvat looking for…! Tch, mudak …!” 

He continues on for several minutes more, and the trio of onlookers (now quite grateful they’re not in public) kindly allows him all the time he needs without comment. Eventually, Childe’s tirade of hoots and hollers and oaths strong enough to fluster the Balladeer in question himself simmers down to huffs and puffs — and then to one last groan of frustration before it appears the man has at long last worn himself out. And not a moment too soon; he’s still heaving , but now from exhaustion and in an attempt to recoup his lost breath. Aether actually thinks he’s looking pale again — a bit faint…

“Uh…” Paimon peeks out from over Zhongli’s shoulder, having hidden behind him during the outburst (as reliable a shield as any, he is). “Are you…okay?”

“I… I’m…” 

Still breathless, that’s what. But Zhongli is not terribly sympathetic; crosses his arms, rolls his eyes, and then settles a disapproving gaze on the redhead. “I do hope you’re finished.”

Childe blushes, but he nods anyway — with a defeated sigh. “Ugh, yeah … Yeah, I’m done.” He glances at the consultant and sighs again, looking towards his shoes like a chastised, well, child . “Sorry…”

“Very good. I believe we can all safely conclude there is a great deal of information that this Doctor has not shared with you — including that which pertains to the Captain’s attempted abduction.” Zhongli puts a hand to his chin, musing for a moment, then looking to Aether. “As such…I do not believe we are in a position to readily answer why that may have occurred. For myself, I apologize that I cannot speculate; no explanation comes readily to mind.”

“That’s okay; we at least asked.” Aether is a little bit awkward seeing how much, err, tension doing even that brought about — certainly didn’t expect Childe would be utterly in the dark (which he evidently is). “We’ll report back to the Ordo — share what we do know… It’s not much , but still; we at least ruled him out.”

Paimon nods, and offers Childe a bright smile. “That’s right! Childe’s off the hook! Ehehe, not that Paimon really suspected him in the first place…”

Childe doesn’t thank her for her consideration — doesn’t say much of anything, actually; the silence is eerie enough that Zhongli pointedly asks him, “And what are your plans, Childe? It would appear your assignment has been completed — albeit without your knowledge ”

That gets a rise out of him. He scoffs, and probably curses again (though thankfully keeps it to himself this time around), and then shakes his head. “It’s as you say…but I don’t like it . And ,” he balls his hands into fists again. “Traveler, what you said — about what happened in Mondstadt… I don’t like that , either.”

Paimon inches closer to Aether, worried the redhead’s ire will boil over once more — but not worried enough that she doesn’t question him. “Eh… Wh-What’re you gonna do , though?” 

“Tch, that’s a good question. I don’t know.” And Childe would say he also doesn’t like that — not knowing, being left in the dark… But he doesn’t say it; it doesn’t need to be said. “I don’t know…but I do know where to start .” He narrows his eyes, and he straightens — solidifies his resolve. “I’m going back to Snezhnaya, where I’m gonna start with that Doctor .”

He hardly gives any of them time to protest, although Paimon tries to ; she waves her hands to try and get his attention, but he just stalks past her without a word. Which would annoy her on any other occasion, given she’s attempting to give him good advice — imploring him to perhaps reconsider, warning him, “W-Wait a minute…! You can’t just…!” and insisting, “That’s way too reckless…!” and the like.

Aether tries, too, to dissuade him — echoes the fairy’s sentiments, reminds him that, “The Doctor isn’t someone to be taken lightly; he’s the number 2 Harbinger for a reason . And if he has the Tsaritsa on side, then…”

But he is ignored just as Paimon was — damn Childe and his thick-headedness…! There’s no getting through to him — nothing at all…! 

Except…maybe Zhongli. Because Zhongli then speaks, and Childe still does not respond…but he pauses. That’s something.

“Do not curse the darkness, Childe, for it may yet prove to be to your advantage ; I advise you to remember that, and to not let your frustrations detract from what cards you hold. Confront this Doctor if you must, but take care not to reveal too much to him.”

That’s…a strange bit of advice; Aether doesn’t follow. But maybe he doesn’t have to; maybe Childe does, because he hasn’t scoffed or rebuked the man. He listened . Now, Aether can’t be sure that means all that much, but he’d like to believe it does.

“…I’ll bear it in mind.”

He’s gone then, and Aether still doesn’t know what any of it meant. But he hopes it proves to have meant something to Childe yet — hopes that somehow, somewhere in that thick skull of his, Childe actually has a plan . Admittedly, it would be most unusual …

…but surely there’s a first time for everything.

Chapter Text

Stalking off towards Snezhnaya might sound like a nice, decisive way to end things (or begin them, depending), but in reality it’s a bigger hassle than the short sentence suggests. Of course, Childe knew that when he so declared his intentions, but now that he’s actually doing it…it sinks in — and he curses Dottore, because it’s his bloody fault after all! As to why it’s a hassle, well… Anyone who’s ever so much as glimpsed a world map could answer that with relative ease; Snezhnaya is almost as far from Liyue as one could possibly get , and the terrain itself is utterly unforgiving for those traveling on foot.

Which Childe was well-prepared to do, if push came to shove — make tracks in the snow with his extreme irritation spurring him on (Archons know that wouldn’t abate no matter how long the journey). He was prepared to hoof it, no holds barred…but that doesn’t mean he wasn’t equally prepared to take an easier way out if one presented itself. Which it did, Celestia be praised; as he strode angrily through the Harbor, he happened to catch the eye of a particularly nervous harbor master who, no doubt wanting to be rid of him as quickly as possible, helpfully pointed towards a ship soon to depart and said:

“A-Are you in a hurry, M-Master Tartaglia…? Th-That ship there is leaving for Snezhnaya…”

Childe admittedly didn’t thank the man to the extent he ought to have, but he won’t lose sleep over it; for one, he doubts there will be any sleep for him to lose at this rate, and for another… The man looked so relieved to see him board that ship that an additional profession of gratitude seems hardly necessary. Not that he isn’t rather grateful, mind; it certainly saves him time, traveling by sea.

He wonders if the Traveler will make it back to Mondstadt before he himself reaches his own destination — claps eyes on that asshole of a Harbinger. Ugh, just thinking about him makes his blood boil — the utter cheek of the man, letting him roam all over the Archons-be-damned world looking for that bratty Balladeer when the hellion and the pilfered Gnosis had already been located…! And what was it Aether (or was it Paimon?) had said…? That he was in Sumeru before the party?! Tch, Dottore might as well have lied to his face! The nerve …! 

He shakes his head with a frustrated sigh. Now that he’s here on this bloody boat, contemplating, it occurs to him that he’s curious why they were all in Sumeru — and that he missed the opportunity to ask. Any one of them — Aether, Paimon, or Zhongli, that is — probably could’ve told him; they seemed to know. Heh, once again he’s the odd one out, though this time it’s his own rashness to blame. 

This one time , that is; all the other times, it was that damn Doctor!

And all that’s to say nothing about whatever the hell happened in Mondstadt of late — with that Knight. Childe remembers the party full-well; Childe remembers the Doctor pestering him, trying to prod at him like another experiment… But once again, no idea why — didn’t ask Kaeya (doubts he would share, though), and didn’t ask Dottore (well, not after the man waved him off the first time). It frustrates him that he didn’t — that he let Dottore get away, and largely because the man makes his skin crawl. 

A thicker skin, then; that’s what he needs…

At least he’s making good time; the boat (it is in fact a ship , but he’s not feeling generous) will reach port long before he’s a chance to grow that thick skin, but that’s all right. He still had his ire, after all; that emboldens a man in its own right, and he thinks bold is what he needs. Albeit not too bold; Zhongli was right to advise him of that. He’s not exactly sure how right, but right nonetheless; Zhongli has hardly ever been wrong .

Just as well; he does have millennia of experience to his name.

The port is frigid but bustling, same as ever. Normally, Childe would offer a cheerful smile and greet those that he passes, as they all do show him kind deference when they notice him. He’s a Harbinger, after all — a regular celebrity in these parts. But he’s not feeling up to the part; he manages not to glower (lest he frighten the lot of them), but he does make his way swiftly through the crowd. And he does have an excuse; it’s still a ways to Zapolyarny. 

And when he gets there, oho… The Doctor better be in .

Unfortunately, when he does arrive, something else occurs to him… He’s never actually sought out the Doctor — not for anything ; the man has an uncanny ability to simply materialize out of thin air (and, more often than not, only when one wishes he wouldn’t ), thus… Thus Childe finds he has no idea where in Zapolyarny he is — where lies his evil lair, as it were. And that’s annoying; it bolsters his ire, sure, but unless he finds him before said ire is at its limit, it won’t be the Doctor on the receiving end. Which would serve no one except the Doctor — not Childe, and certainly not whomever did get caught in the crosshairs. 

He wanders around aimlessly for a bit, then curses as he concedes defeat. “Ugh, for the love of… Tch, I’ll just ask someone…”

Good plan, he thinks! Now, err, let’s see… There’s no one around — no one he can ask , at least. Of course there are a few Fatui mulling about, but they seem rather timid at the moment; he wonders if they would faint if he approached. He’ll bear them in mind as a last resort, but optimally there would be another Harbinger… Even more optimally, Pulcinella; Pulcinella could surely point him in the right direction!

Ah, even though he would probably be loathe to; the poor man discourages conflict…and surely could see that’s precisely what Childe is after.

But there! There is someone! It’s…not Pulcinella, no, but it is a Harbinger, and Childe scurries over before he has the sense to think twice. Not that he fails to after he gets there, mind, because it’s Sandrone that had the misfortune of being in the wrong place at the wrong time (though right on both counts in Childe’s mind), and she gives him a withering look. Admittedly, in his haste, he forgot that she despises him for unspecified reasons…

Eh, no matter.

“Hey! Sandrone!”

She mutters something under her breath, but she doesn’t flee — doesn’t ease up on her glare of a gaze either , but…he supposes that’s good practice for when he faces Dottore. 

“Sandrone! I gotta…”

“Stop shouting ,” she snaps, “is first . Then , and only if you have just cause, there might be something else.”

Yikes, frigid woman…! Almost as if she’s taken on a bit of Signora now that the Fair Lady is dead and buried… “Sorry, uh… Anyway, listen!”

“Do not attempt to command me. I outrank you.” 

“Bah, please listen…?!”

She rolls her eyes, but seems content enough to hear him out — if only because she thinks it might get rid of him faster than arguing. “If you insist. What is it?”

“I need to see the Doctor. Do you…”

“Correct me if I am mistaken, but I believe you are quite familiar with the infirmary — for your carelessness…” She pauses, studying him, but continues before he can stop gawking and correct her. “However, I concede that you are behaving more erratically than usual… A head injury, perhaps? — and perhaps due to it, you have forgotten…”

“N-Not a doctor, the Doctor!” He cuts her off, waving his hands for emphasis — and possibly in prospective self-defense should she not take kindly to being interrupted. She does, as she said, outrank him after all…and is apparently keen to remind him of that fact. “I’m looking for Il Dottore . Do you know where he is?”

She scoffs at him, offended…but perhaps not by him. It would appear she has her own misgivings about Dottore himself as well. “Il Dottore is presumably in his laboratory — and, presumably, therein wasting what mora has been allotted to him and his ventures as opposed to me and mine. As per usual.” 

Uh…okay, then… Well, at least he, Childe, is not the only peer Sandrone despises (though he must admit her reasoning as to Dottore seems much more, err, reasonable). Regardless, he nods…and sheepishly clarifies that he’ll need a wee bit more information than that. If she’s willing to oblige, of course…! Never let it be said that he would command her — Celestia forfend!

“Right… So, uh… Where might that be…?”

“Really , Childe , you ought to know that…” He doesn’t, though — just as he doesn’t really know if the “e” was there on the end of his name at all when she said it; it just might not have been a formal address so much as an insult. “Unbelievable.” She rolls her eyes again. “It’s in the annex. He has several floors — tch, though for what I cannot begin to fathom — but he tends to be on at least one of them.”

At least …? It takes him a minute to register, but then it clicks. Oh, right ; he forgot about the segments… Actually, on a wholly unrelated note, he wonders if…

“Thanks!” He begins to head out, setting his curiosity aside…but then finds it won’t be set aside, so stops for a moment more (presumably to Sandrone’s dismay). “Hey, have you ever seen Dottore?”

She blinks at him, utterly incredulous. “What kind of question is that? Of course I have.”

“I mean, not the segments — like…the real Dottore?” He puts a hand to his chin. “‘Cuz I don’t think I have…or at least, I don’t know if I have…”

It really is a curious thing… Unfortunately for him, Sandrone doesn’t seem to agree; she just narrows her eyes with a rather flat affect and tells him “No” without delay. And then adds, “And I don’t intend to.”

Ah well, was worth asking… She may not be as curious (which may be why she has a smaller budget — not a very scientific mindset, blissful ignorance!), but it doesn’t much matter. Maybe he’ll find out himself — figure out something she hasn’t! He’d love to see the look on her face then …! 

Or…on further reflection, maybe not; he’d hate for her face to be the last thing he sees…

Thus, without further ado, he leaves the irked Sandrone in the hallway and sets a course for the annex, which he fortunately has seen before. Not strictly up close, though, so he does wander around a bit more…but he gets there in the end. There are a lot of floors to the place, and each one equally eerie, but somehow he knows Dottore isn’t behind door numbers one through four as he passes them by. He has no basis for this in fact or logic, but his gut tells him that it will know when he’s in the right place. 

It will recognize the aura.

And it does. Childe comes to yet another door, but this one is the door; he just knows it! As such, he wastes no further time; he steels his nerve as though preparing for battle, albeit not nearly as eagerly anticipated as an actual battle, and gives the unsuspecting door a great shove to open it, pleaded when it yields and allows him access. Unlocked — good! He strides in, seeing the tuft of blue hair up ahead that reassures him of his chosen door, and stokes the flames of his vexation.

“ Dottore ! You…!”

“Wait.”

“Don’t you tell me to wait ! I- Woah… !”

Alas, there is a flash of light — a rather astounding explosion , actually, that ignites right in front of him and nearly knocks him for six. Childe, lightning reflexes that he has, manages to save both his hide and hair by calling forth a screen of Hydro to douse the flames before they encroached upon his eyebrows, but it was a rather close call; the sting in his cheek suggests it wasn’t quite so lucky. But that’s hardly important; he would first like to know what in the Realms that was that attacked him, and so he tears his mildly blurry vision away from the Doctor (Doctors? Can’t tell…) in favor of scanning the room.

Which, at first, yields little. But then his vision continues to focus, and it then rewards him with the sight of a dilapidated ruin machine of some sort — a very small one, and a very wet one…but a ruin machine nonetheless. Err, and very dilapidated too, though he suspects it…might not have been that way before he entered. Seems that when he summoned Hydro to defend himself, that hapless thing found itself a bit too close to the action. It’s still letting off a few sparks, but not of life; no, it’s quite dead, he thinks. 

As does Dottore, evidently, for he turns to Childe, then to the damaged device, and then clicks his tongue. And sighs. “Well. That will certainly be of no further use…”

“ Further use…?! And what, pray tell, use was it before ?!” Childe storms over to the Doctor, who has since looked back towards his workbench and is scribbling down some notes. But he will not be ignored after such a rude welcome, thus he snaps at him again once they’re toe-to-toe. “Or do you always set traps for visitors?!”

“Hn, not always.” Dottore sets down his pen, then turns back to Childe — and, before the redhead knows what’s happening, starts dabbing at his injured cheek with a cloth. “Although I would say that I do not have visitors as such. I did advise you to wait.”

“Don’t touch me, you… You…!” Childe can’t think of a fitting term — or, rather, can’t narrow down to one from myriad unpleasant things — but he does swat his hand away. 

“Relax. I’m only dabbing your wound.”

“Well don’t ! Tch, you’re not even a real doctor…!”

“So? I’m not attempting to treat it; I’m merely collecting a sample.” He hums to himself, the not -doctor does, and turns away to tuck the bloodstained cloth safely away in a jar on the bench. “It will interest me to see if any residual energy persists, or if it has been completely obscured…”

“Ugh, leave me out of your experiments! I’m not…”

“If you insist on barging into my laboratory, you mustn’t assume I won’t mistake you for a test subject. The resemblance is uncannily similar.” He smirks, and Childe smolders, and then the Doctor glances over at the defunct machine again. “Particularly since you have made a right mess of my original experiment… I thought perhaps you were dissatisfied with waiting your turn.”

“Well, you thought wrong, then!” Childe snaps, already feeling a headache blossoming in his skull. “I’m not here to be a test subject. I’m here because I have a bone to pick with you!”

Dottore doesn’t seem fazed in the slightest — matter of fact, he doesn’t even grant Childe his undivided attention. He replies “Oh? Do tell…” in a nonchalant voice, not even looking at him as he instead starts shuffling things around on the bench, tidying up. It is positively infuriating …

Indeed! The sheer nerve of this man…!

“Why don’t you tell,” he hisses, crossing his arms and glaring intently, in a largely unsuccessful attempt to catch the Doctor’s eye. “Tell me about the Balladeer.”

“Hm? Scaramouche? I’m not opposed, but I admit it surprises me; I had thought you two to be quite uninterested in each other.” He pauses, finally done tidying and thus able to actually look at the man opposite him. “Regardless. I’m hardly opposed. What would you like to know?”

His casual manner irks Childe even more than a standoffish one would, and for a brief moment that is exactly why Childe almost wishes he would be opposed. But he tried to bear Zhongli’s advice in mind and collect himself — not reveal entirely too much… Sure, Zhongli was probably referring to Kaeya and less so Childe’s own tendency to become annoyed, but that’s just coincidence; the consultant has criticized the latter on other occasions as is — nothing to suggest he wouldn’t so criticize him at this juncture.  So he clears his throat, and a smidgen of that ire along with it…

…but is still plenty irate .

“For starters , you might have told me you already found him.” He really should leave it at that, but when Dottore only raises a finely arched eyebrow in response, he finds he just can’t . He grits his teeth, and balls his hands at his sides; they’re fidgeting with an intense desire to tear his own hair out. It’s a struggle to keep such a thing at bay. “ I was assigned to return him. I , as such, have been looking for him in all of the Realms — and all along, I needn’t have done…?!”

“I see…” The Doctor doesn’t seem sympathetic, though; the most he offers is a shrug. “Frankly, Childe, I hadn’t considered your mission at all. We Harbingers all have our own assignments; yours, or how it may have overlapped with mine, was not my concern.” He pauses, perhaps seeing a vein grow close to bursting in the younger man’s forehead, and hums lightly. “It was no conscious consideration on my part, but I suppose I also assumed you knew — knew enough to stop your pointless wandering.”

“Why, you…!” Childe swears, snapping at the man not to feign ignorance; it’s not a façade to which he’s well-suited. “Don’t play dumb with me; you knew full-well that I had no idea. You heard me ask the Favonius Captain about the Balladeer — if he was in Mondstadt!” He crosses his arms. “I know you did. Don’t even try to deny it.”

The redhead allows himself a bit of smugness, believing he has for once out-reasoned the Doctor; surely, there’s no way Dottore can dodge that accusation. It’s practically set in stone! Heh, Zhongli would be proud…!

“I don’t deny it. I heard you very clearly.” 

Aha! Proud indeed !

“But Childe, I did not for a moment imagine you were being genuine .” Say what…? “Yes, I had assumed you found the tale of the Balladeer to be a convenient excuse for making conversation — which is why I thought nothing of it.”

Ah… Wait… Huh…?!

“My goodness, it seems I do owe you an apology after all… The fault is entirely mine; I erroneously ascribed a most clever ploy to you — the likes of which you have never proven yourself capable of concocting, let alone executing…” 

He smirks, then, Dottore — as if Childe wasn’t already reeling from the insult his faux-apology dealt him. The bloody gall of this man — this complete and utter asshole …!

“H-Hey…!”

“But know this; if I had at all suspected you were genuinely misinformed, I would have happily corrected you.” His smirk broadens slightly — enough that Childe catches a glimmer of a sharp canine peeking out from beneath his lip, before the Doctor obscures it by putting a hand to his chin. “I quite like you, after all.”

Ugh, gross …! Childe nearly turns green, but he manages not to — for several reasons. For starters, it would be a sign of defeat in a sense; after all, if Dottore has somehow not figured out that his scathing remark (nonchalant tone notwithstanding) hit a nerve, reacting in such a colorful way will only elucidate the fact. And Childe would hate to give up more ground than he already has; yes, this is the primary motivation for eschewing the green. This is what he decides. Err, secondly, though, one could say that turning literally green is a feat beyond his capabilities at the moment — and not for biology’s sake. At the same moment, Childe was already well into the process of turning red (and seeing it, though that’s hardly the point…). As such, dabbing on a bit of green would actually turn him a very unflattering shade of mud , and…

Well, surely that needs no further explanation.

Just as well, too; Childe hasn’t the headspace to dwell on it. He’s too busy reeling. If he weren’t, he might stop to wonder if Dottore was just messing with him, as far as that last remark is concerned; alas, he does not. But after a moment of tense silence passes, he does collect himself just enough to think doubting said last remark might just be a waste; it nauseates him to think it, but…he’s actually inclined to believe the man. He’d rather not, because he’d rather not know why Dottore would feel that way, but he must, if he’s honest, believe it nonetheless.

Good grief. He doesn’t dislike being a Harbinger, nor does he discount the honor of being appointed (thanks be to Pulcinella), but sometimes… Tch, sometimes he does wish his fellows weren’t all such bloody weirdos .

Ah, save for Pulcinella — thoroughly decent man that he is! Oh, and Capitano too — what an inspiration! Unless of course saying otherwise would put Childe on the short list of those in line to do battle with the masked man, in which case he’d readily deem him as weird as the rest.

“Oh, but I’ve cut you off, haven’t I? Pardon me. I believe you were about to offer some retort?”

Say what? Oh! That’s right! Childe frowns, shaking his head and simultaneously willing the bile in his throat to sink back down into his stomach; with an obstruction like that, it’s hard to get out a single word. Childe is successful to that end; the bile slowly does as he hopes and goes about its descent — which the burn at each step readily confirms, as does the sourness in his stomach — and his words are thus unobstructed, ready to spring forth! As to which words those might be… He’s admittedly less successful; he has several choice words kicking about, all equally appealing, but for some reason, to his dismay, the one that manages to edge out its competitors is a rather unimpressive “Wha…?”

Tch, not even a real word — damn it!

That won’t do; it won’t do at all! Especially since the bastard Dottore is bloody smirking at him again. Childe clicks his tongue and tries again. “Y-Yes! I was , before I was so rudely interrupted…! Now you listen here…” He actually trails off, half-expecting the Doctor to try and get in another word of his own. But the Doctor does not; he simply regards him calmly — and, when the silence begins to become more eerie than not, Childe casts him a suspicious glance. “Eh, Doctor…?”

“Hm? I’m listening , Childe, as requested.” 

“Right! See that you are…” 

Bah, this is humiliating — not at all like Childe had hoped; it’ll be a Herculean feat to get the upper hand, or even break even. Dottore’s smirk fades to a different sort of smile as he awaits the redhead’s continued response, and while said redhead ought to know better (and does), it gets his back up — sets him on edge. For that smile is uncannily sweet — disarmingly so. And for that, it is also alarming in the same instance, because something like that should not seem so genuine. Dottore himself should not seem so charming.

Because the man is poison , Childe knows, and the most lethal of poison at that.

As such, he ought to choose his words carefully… “So, the Balladeer… All this time, he was in Sumeru ?”

“I’m not entirely sure what you mean by ‘all this time,’” Dottore prefaces — and, despite that being rather annoying, Childe must concede it’s a fair point, “But for a decent amount of time, after the incident in Inazuma in which he absconded with the Electro Gnosis, yes.”

“And in Sumeru, he was doing…what, exactly? Assisting you?”

“Heh, in a manner of speaking.” 

“Somehow, I don’t buy it.” He knows how, actually — and Dottore ought to as well. “Scaramouche isn’t what I would call a team player, else he wouldn’t have absconded in the first place.” Dottore doesn’t appear to disagree, thus Childe narrows his eyes. “What really happened in Sumeru?”

Unfortunately for Childe, the Doctor also doesn’t appear to be the least bit caught out; he hums to himself, as though musing on where to begin, but bloody smiles all the while doing so. “Several things, as it happens; I won’t bore you with the details.”

“Don’t pretend to be considerate — least of all on my behalf. It isn’t like you.”

“Isn’t it…? Well, if you must know…” He muses again for a moment, which (much to Childe’s annoyance) the redhead just knows is because the man is deciding just how to put it to him in simple terms (the pompous ass), but does eventually acquiesce. “I was conducting an experiment to see what might be involved in creating a god — an Archon, to be precise. And with the Akademiya’s blessing in full, should you wonder; they were all too eager to replace their rather disappointing Archon, and I was happy to oblige.” He pauses, putting a hand to his chin. “Well, attempt to oblige , to be fair; their aspirations did not quite come to fruition — unrelated to my efforts, understand. They’d not set their own house in order to the extent required.”

That’s…already a lot to take in; to be honest, Childe is only half-aware of what the Akademiya even is , how they apparently feel about their Archon, who that Archon even is , and… Bah, suffice it to say none of it rings a bell — and, as such, Dottore’s account seems all the more nebulous. But no less utterly ridiculous all the same; the one thing Childe did glean from said account was that the daft Doctor was attempting to create — no, he did not mishear; he really did say create! — a new bloody god himself, and that is… That nearly short-circuited the redhead’s brain, and is what caused his mouth to hang open and his eyes to bulge out in sheer bewilderment. 

Yes, bewilderment! That’s it entirely; never let it be said that Childe was ever once in awe — not in relation to the Doctor . The man’s ego hardly needs inflating, and as for Childe himself… Tch, Childe shudders to think he might, to any extent, admire such a person — because “ person ” is not as accurate as “ demon ”, or so Childe thinks. And also because… He does not admire him — no way . But creating an actual god … It does intrigue him — in a horrifying sort of sense.

But that hardly needs stating. “W-Wait, you… You tried to create a god ?!”

Dottore hums. “Hn, not quite. I did create a god.”

Childe can’t even chastise him for his arrogance; he’s too bloody stunned. “What?! — you… Did her Majesty know this?! I can’t imagine…wait! Hold that thought! — this is the experiment Scaramouche assisted…?!”

“It was.” He hums again. “Although, strictly speaking…”

“But the Balladeer would hardly lend a hand to…”

“Heh, he leant me far more than his hand .”

“He…” Wait, what …? What in the world is that supposed to mean?! Childe knows he’s not going to like it, even before he asks, but…somehow can’t help himself; he’s come this far already. He takes a breath to steady himself, cursing inaudibly when he notices he’s already taken an unconscious step back, and resolves not to lose additional ground. And to keep his composure; this bastard can surely smell fear. “…what do you mean by that, Doctor?”

Dottore looks terribly smug, no doubt noticing how he’s caught Childe’s interest (and how Childe is rather irked at being on the hook). At least he doesn’t keep him dangling for long. Small mercies. “Come now, surely you don’t imagine I conjured a god out of thin air? I am quite talented, but even I have my limits.” It should be a rare show of humility, admitting such a thing, but Childe doesn’t find him to be humble in the least. “For a god to be the output of my experiment, I required a suitable input . The Balladeer was kind enough to provide one — in the form of himself .”

Wait… That means…

No. No, no, no ; Dottore is not telling him that… “You’re not saying that you…” Childe can barely get the words out, his stunned expression beginning to shift — beginning to darken . “You made a god …out of the Balladeer ?!”

Dottore surely sees him glower; he surely feels it, too. But it doesn’t faze him. In fact, he looks even more smug than he did before. Beyond that, even; he looks positively amused . “Correct.”

!!

Impossible …!

That’s the first thing that comes to mind, and it’s with a fierce anger that it does; Childe can hardly think it so much as he feels it in every fiber of his being, from the very tips of his fingers to the innermost pulse of his beating heart — which has begun to beat most rapidly, he does somehow notice. Of all the mad things the Doctor could possibly dream up — and of all the insults that could be dealt, that , the idea of Scaramouche becoming a god … That is an insult too great, too horrifying, for mere words to encapsulate just how furious it makes him. And not for its inanity per se, no, but for the waste . For the likes of the Balladeer — the contrary, the ungrateful, the utterly undeserving traitor that is Scaramouche — to have bestowed upon him the power of a god …! It is a sick joke — an outrage …!

It should have been me …!

“ Why?! ” He is seething — a short step from frothing at the mouth. “Why him ?!” Why not me ?! He doesn’t say that last bit, but he’s sure Dottore knows it’s waiting in the wings; he must know.

Thus, it is altogether more infuriating when he ignores it entirely. “As I said, I required a suitable input. The Balladeer was crafted to serve as a vessel for a Gnosis — which, in a sense, offered additional assurance that he would be capable of surviving the experiment. And he was not opposed; it was rather convenient.”

“Convenient?! Is that all…?!”

“Mostly.” The Doctor hums, continuing to pay Childe’s increasingly erratic state no mind. “He is an unpopular sort; the likes of him would not be missed, should the experiment fail; this, I also considered — not for doubt, but for a scholar’s prudence to acknowledge all possible outcomes.” He smirks. “Even those that are highly improbable.”

Childe growls at him, and he thrusts his arm out in defiance. And in anger — can’t be forgetting that; maybe Dottore will finally deign to notice. “ Suitable … Tch, hardly …! The Balladeer is no Archon that I see; your experiment did fail.”

“I’ll ask you to not conflate the Balladeer’s own failure with my endeavor,” he states coldly. Still, the Doctor does not actually snap at him — and that eerie smirk has yet to abate. “ He failed. He was defeated by the Traveler and the God of Wisdom, despite the latter lacking in the sort of wisdom such an epithet ought to require. It was a sorry sight, I grant you that, and no doubt humiliating for him.” There’s a brief pause, but Childe hardly notices. “But as for me, I was successful; I set out to create a god, and it was a god that I created.”

“But what kind of god is it that’s defeated so easily?” 

“A sorry one, as I said…but a god nonetheless.” 

Tch, well that might be true in the strictest sense, but Childe is hardly a man to be strict; as such, he isn’t the least bit willing to let the argument rest there. And, frankly speaking, his decision to growl again has very little to do with Dottore’s hair-splitting assessment and much more to do with his own ire — and the sheer waste of an opportunity that’s roused it. Turning to Scaramouche of all possible people, and then Scaramouche making such a piss-poor go of it, letting his newfound power (that ought not to have been his in the first place!) fall by the wayside to the likes of the Traveler…?! Makes his skin crawl, does that, and Childe would very much like to tell that wretched Wanderer to his face! 

Which actually begs the question: where is that damn Wanderer anyway?

Now, Childe is irritated as any man in his position might be, after being played for a fool (and blown up — that too!), but he can’t quite shake that terribly important question, so he stifles another growl in favor of demanding, “And where is he, then? — your barely passable god?”

Dottore cocks his head to the side as though puzzled by the very reasonable question, and he answers as nonchalantly as ever, “I didn’t pay close attention; his fate was of no great interest. I assume he is still in Sumeru, where he suffered his untimely defeat — but, again, I did not take particular note. It is only an assumption.” 

The redhead narrows his eyes. “You mean to tell me you just left him there?”

If he could see Dottore’s own eyes, Childe imagines he’d have seen him blink; the man does eventually shrug, but the complete and utter lack of interest is striking. “Yes — naturally.” Scratch that; even though the subject is Scaramouche, Childe finds it is the apathy that is most striking. And that only becomes increasing apparent as the man continues. “You seem puzzled by this. Why?”

He really…doesn’t know ?

Childe has never been characterized as an especially empathetic sort, but even so… Now, Childe is sure Dottore would never understand empathy to any degree; only a fool would be surprised that he didn’t (or one that didn’t know him well at all), thus, being neither of those things, Childe himself is neither surprised nor confused by the callous question. But what does surprise him is the lack of industry; surely Dottore does understand resources , surely he wouldn’t be so wasteful as to easily abandon those he’s come by (undeserving as they might have been). That is what he questions. 

“You… You had the foresight to bring back the Gnoses ,” he states flatly. “It didn’t occur to you to bring back the Balladeer along with them?”

But Dottore’s affect doesn’t change. He probably blinks again, but Childe still can’t really tell. “No. Not at all.” He pauses, putting a hand to his chin…but a smirk works its way onto his lips, and the redhead’s blood runs cold. “The Gnoses belong to Her Excellency; I was obliged to make an effort as far as they were concerned. But the Balladeer… Heh, hardly . He served his purpose; I had no further use for him.”

“No further… Tch, you can put it as tactfully as you like, Doctor, but you don’t fool me.” Childe clicks his tongue in distaste. However Dottore characterizes it, it doesn’t change anything; the ugly truth is that he cast off the wayward Wanderer — chewed him up and then spat him out. It’s a shame Childe can’t so easily spit out his own bitterness. “You left him there to die.”

But the Doctor only hums — and affably, at that. He disagrees, it seems, but only to a point. “Not quite; as far as I was concerned, he was already dead by the time I left — to me , at least.” He pauses for a moment, though is still bloody humming, and seems frankly amused by Childe’s no-doubt visible disdain. “I must also say that it was not my intent to deceive you; I hardly need try with careful words if it were…” 

“Hmph! Rude .”

“If you say so; I won’t deny it. I similarly won’t deny abandoning him, and to whatever fate, without a second thought. For you see, he had served his purpose; he was of no further use…” He nods over to the ruin prototype — the one Childe had destroyed (ahem, after it attacked him ) to prove his point. “He, Scaramouche, was defunct — much like that machine over there. Not but scrap , albeit flesh rather than metal. If you wish to accuse me of failing to pick up after myself, do so; that is undeniable. But I never was one to be fastidious in that sense; I am far too busy tending to far more important and intriguing matters to waste my time collecting dross .”

Dross .

The way Dottore says it, affably but dripping with acid … It is almost enough to make Childe’s ears burn. It isn’t even that Dottore speaks with evident disgust; he does , in the sense that so much as touching the “defunct” vessel would dirty his hands, but that alone isn’t what gnaws at Childe. That alone is unsurprising; the man is correct that he never was much for housekeeping — never one to tidy up the pieces of whatever experiment he cooked up in his lab (or in Sumeru, apparently). Matter of fact, he tends to let said remnants run rampant all over bloody Teyvat more than anything. With all that said, Childe supposes the tone shouldn’t get to him; he should shrug it off as yet another tic of yet another weirdo colleague.

But…he can’t. He can’t set aside the fact that Dottore is so damn callous to the point of being careless — carelessly discarding his completed work, disappointing or not. Scaramouche or not. Childe is hardly Scaramouche’s friend; he hardly likes him — barely tolerates him, really, much as all the others do. But even so — even though he is one of the most self-important, obnoxious, bratty people Childe has ever in his young life encountered…

…he is still a person . And people ought never be reduced to dross . Childe may not quite live up to many of his parents’ words of wisdom, and frankly he’s probably forgotten most…but he does remember that . Maybe that’s why Dottore was so puzzled by his visceral reaction earlier; surely such common decency is well beyond the likes of him. 

Eh, thus there really is no reason to argue the point. Childe lets it go, then, and boots the Balladeer out of the spotlight; he still has his own score to settle, anyway. “Fine, then. If it’s a more important matter you’re after, let me ask you this; you care if I toss my own hat in the ring?”

“You? — my! Pardon me if I misunderstood, but I recall you quite clearly stated your opposition to being a test subject.” 

Childe crossed his arms, but he dares give the man a smug look; it wasn’t a categorical denial earlier —more that… “For target practice , yes; I am opposed. But if becoming a god is on the table, that’s different.” His smirk broadens. “ Very different.”

Dottore smiles, and Childe thinks he’s won. “I see. I will bear it in mind.” 

Yes! — yes, he will ! Childe is starting to feel positively giddy at the prospect; he can feel it in the tips of his fingers, the pulse echoing up his arms and then back down his spine. A god — a bona fide god … Ah, the thought of it banishes that bitter taste from earlier from his tongue. It bitter turns to sweet — potent enough that it’s got him damn near salivating. Dottore reaches out to him, and while Childe would normally swat and hiss at his extended hand like an angry cat, he doesn’t move — doesn’t even think to. What he thinks about is the prospect — the ascension, the power …

The wonder …!

But Dottore’s hand bestows none of that when it finally reaches him; when it finally lands, it does so only briefly — brushes a bit of hair from his cheek, to which it had stuck after the encounter with that ruin machine. Then, the hand withdraws — and Dottore hums, and Dottore turns away to look over his workbench again. As though Childe weren’t stood there expectantly waiting for something of note to happen — as though Childe weren’t there at all.

Wh-What…?

“Your offer is most appreciated, Childe. Unfortunately, I cannot make use of it at this time.”

W-Wait a minute…!

“Your availability is not as easily won as that of the Balladeer, despite your enthusiasm… Regardless, that is beside the point; the more pressing matter is that I have another experiment already underway at the moment — and I am afraid it must take precedence…”

S-Stop! That’s not…

“But once that has concluded, and should your circumstances change, then I will certainly remember your generosity.” He pauses…and glances back at the redhead with a smirk. “I will remember it fondly .”

Said redhead is at a complete and utter loss , his thoughts racing and his brain damn near overloaded with each, as each short-circuited before it could come to fruition. Had he the headspace to think clearly about this in particular, Childe would imagine he looks bloody ridiculous right about now — his mouth hanging ajar and his brow furrowed in confusion. Again, if he had the headspace; as it happens, he does not, thus all of that escapes his notice. But that may not be any great loss; it may actually be an asset in the current situation.

Because he, at the very least, isn’t aware enough to be embarrassed , which would’ve surely stopped him from exclaiming, “Wh-what…?! Wait a minute…! S-Stop…! That’s…” Indeed — exclaiming everything that just so happened to be kicking around in his muddled mind; he lucked out on that one. “A-A different… A different experiment…?! You can’t have…!”

Dottore chuckles at him. He doesn’t turn away from the workbench, but the amused sort of pity is evident even so; it’s radiating from his form. “Can’t I? Why ever not?”

“W-Well…!” Admittedly, Childe didn’t quite prepare himself for that retort — even though he ought to have expected that would be the retort. He really ought to have expected plenty more things, truth be told, but it’s behind him now; now, he’s busy scrambling to make a comeback. “ Well ! What could possibly be of greater interest than creating a god …?!”

Aha! That’ll do nicely! He hopes he’ll have the Doctor there!

“Considering I’ve already successfully created a god, I dare say the list of less interesting ventures is more succinct.” Damn it — looks like Childe’s counter didn’t do at all; Dottore waves it off like it’s just shy of ridiculous. “While I was intrigued by the prospect of godliness for sake of the experiment, I am not interested in gods any more than I am other creations; to me, a god is simply a being like any other, albeit with greater power than its peers. This was a long-held hypothesis of mine; my experiment has simply proven it.”

Childe glares, frustrated. “Correct me if I’m wrong, layman that I am, but don’t hypotheses need to be proven repeatedly to graduate to theory ?”

“Oh! So you have gleaned some scientific rationale after all… I’m impressed.” Dottore smiles at him, such that the would-be praise feels far more predatory than anything. “You are correct of course, however I confess I have little interest in promoting my works — much more in undertaking them, and for my own sake. Thus, while I do not oppose repeating the experiment at a future date, I am not compelled to do so immediately.” 

“Because of your… other experiment?”

“Indeed.” 

This is frustrating — being sidelined by some nebulous other… Childe resolves not to stand for it. “And what experiment is that, then?”

But Dottore won’t give it up that easily, it seems; he only laughs. Shame. “I’m afraid that’s top secret — strictly need-to-know. You understand.”

Does he? Hardly . “I don’t,” the redhead snaps. “Top secret…? We’re both Harbingers, so don’t give me that. You simply decided I don’t need to know; that’s all there is to it!” He can’t help but grumble, a headache coming on. “Though why you have, I don’t…”

“I haven’t.” 

“I don’t…wait, what?” He hasn’t? That doesn’t make sense. Childe is appropriately bewildered, though there’s an unease in his gut that tells him he really ought not to ask… He ignores it. “What do you mean?”

“I mean exactly what I said; I haven’t decided to keep you at arm’s length; that decision was wrested from me.” He turns fully to Childe, then leans back against the workbench, crossing his arms. But he is not defiant; he shrugs shortly thereafter. “I would be delighted to share, but Her Excellency has implored me not to. I don’t expect you not to protest, but do direct your frustrations where it might actually serve a purpose.”

Childe blinks again, despite himself. The Tsaritsa herself actually demanded secrecy…? This doesn’t bode well at all — and it makes him all the more curious. “Wh-Wha- Her Excellency?! Her Excellency, the Tsaritsa, ordered you not to speak of it?! What kind of…”

“You’ll appreciate that I can’t possibly tell you that, I’m sure.” Dottore hums to himself, apparently amused by his peer’s utter lack of the very thing, amusement . “Strictly speaking, Her Excellency did not require categorical secrecy — just secrecy so far as you are concerned.”

What…?! Why him ?! Actually, that’s a better question for the Doctor rather than Childe himself; he makes good use of that realization. “ Me ?! The Hell did I do?!”

The man only laughs again, shaking his head dismissively. “A crueler man might say it’s more what you didn’t do — that you have yet to accomplish a single mission assigned to you…and that Her Excellency has taken notice of this fact.” Well, that’s… “A crueler man than me, that is; I don’t dare say such a thing.”

Childe’s gaze turns flat. “You just did .”

“Only as a hypothetical. Really, Childe, I am aware that you are quite self-absorbed, but do try not to be so…heh, childish.” Oh, he’s got jokes now, does he? — the pompous prick . “I don’t believe your terrible track record has anything to do with it. Instead, I believe Her Excellency’s reluctance is a testament to her favor.” He hums again, no doubt seeing how Childe doesn’t connect those dots at all. “She favors you , Childe. She always has. If she didn’t, I dare say your aforementioned track record would have bitten you by now — and we wouldn’t be having this conversation.”

That…doesn’t make sense. Does it…? Childe doesn’t know; he can’t figure it out — can’t see how those two things, the favor and the secrecy regarding this experiment, could be related. The favor itself, based on Dottore’s most recent speculation, he could see; it’s true that failure is not tolerated in the Fatui, and strictly speaking… Ugh, strictly speaking, he, Childe, has failed on numerous occasions. He failed to retrieve the Geo Gnosis; La Signora did it for him — she and that deal she made with Zhongli, right under his nose. He failed to locate Scaramouche and the Electro Gnosis; Il Dottore (as he’s recently established) did that . Having only been a Harbinger for a short time, those two black spots on his record are quite striking — so, could it really be that…

…she’s given up on me?

But no! No, because as Dottore so astutely surmised, the Tsaritsa hasn’t subjected Childe to any sort of punishment for his failures — not even a reprimand, or a light scolding. She’s said nothing at all — no one has, prior to the Doctor (just now). Indeed, that’s why he can accept the possibility that he still has her favor; he has enough for her to spare him a demotion…and whatever else might await  a decidedly less fortunate failure of a man. But the second piece — how that favor equates to being kept in the dark…

That’s the piece he can’t fit in the puzzle, and it doesn’t appear Dottore will help him.

Eh, he’s gotten this far — can’t hurt to ask. “Is there anything you can tell me?”

Maybe it can hurt; Dottore’s patronizing smirk deals a hefty blow all on its own. “Only that I can’t . Apart from that, not a peep.” He puts a finger to his lips so as to drive the point home — though that point being the sworn secrecy itself or simply to further rile him, Childe can’t say. “If you are aggrieved, I advise you to plead your case to Her Excellency.”

Plead his case… Well, Childe supposes he could …but he also supposes it won’t do him any good; if the Tsaritsa has made up her mind, far be it for him to dare argue with her. She must have her reasons — and will undoubtedly stand by them, should be be so bold. Thus, getting in on the scheme is off the table — at the very least, from that angle. Aye, the Tsaritsa would be a dead end…but only one .

Only one dead end, Childe decides, and one that doesn’t inherently preclude other ends that might yield similar results. Now, he’s sure that if Dottore won’t tell him, the other Harbingers will keep similarly schtum (if they know at all; it’s hardly a given…). But never let it be said that industry is entirely lost on the 11th Harbinger, for industrious he intends to be, and so he manages to collect himself — straightens his back, tamps down his irritation, and nods to the Doctor.

“Very well. In that case, I’ll leave you to your experiment .” 

He turns abruptly, which he supposes might’ve come as a surprise as far as Dottore is concerned; Childe wasn’t really expecting him to comment, but he does. “Oho, that’s quite gentlemanly of you. I must say, you never cease to surprise me — heh, and pleasantly.”

Tch. Whatever… Childe is keen to ignore him entirely, but he can’t help himself; just before he leaves, he pauses — doesn’t look back, but does have one last question. “Once this experiment is over…you will remember my offer, won’t you?”

He still doesn’t turn, but Childe feels the smirk — the eyes staring straight through him, and the stifling malice about the air. “Of course I will. Fondly .” The tone is light, airy, and affable, but the malice hangs heavily still — and it is unsurprising, for the deadliest of creatures are often the fairest. Dottore is no exception. “Do mind the door on your way out.”

No exception — but an unmistakable asshole , nonetheless.

It’s not that Childe necessarily intends to take Dottore’s advice, but he does close the door with some care (lest he be beset by another bloody ruin machine). After he’s safely outside, though, he sets to work — thinking over what the Doctor did tell him, and over his next steps. Whatever they will be, they must result in edging out that mystery experiment from the queue, and that can be accomplished one of two ways: the first option is to help Dottore complete it sooner than later, and that might be the most logical…but it gives him pause. Knowing what he does, what the Traveler and Zhongli said…it’s probably to do with Captain Kaeya — and he’s willing to bet the Captain is, thus, next in line to be experimented on. Despite his protests, surely; surely he’s not interested…

…and as such, Childe must confess he isn’t fond of option number one; whatever Dottore is planning to do with the Captain, he already knows he isn’t going to like it. Maybe that’s foolhardy , but it can’t be helped. It’s just like he was thinking earlier; people aren’t dross…and they’re certainly not mere materials either. No, he won’t be assisting Dottore on that one — matter of fact, it only pushes him further towards option two:

Stop the experiment.

“Ugh…”

Ugh indeed; that’s easier said than done. The Doctor already let on that the Tsaritsa is in full support of this terribly improper venture; Childe isn’t naïve enough to think he could possibly convince her to reconsider — even if he does have her favor. She’s keeping it from him as it is, this mission; even though he’s relatively sure he’s sussed exactly what that mission is, he’s similarly sure she won’t take kindly to him revealing that (which he’d have to do, if he wanted to appeal to her softer side…). Bah, but then what good is this favor if he can’t even…!

Wait.

Appeal to her softer side…

That’s it …!

His eyes light up as the thought comes to him, a newfound pride swelling in his chest — at his ability to concoct such a clever thing! Yes, yes, very clever…! So clever that not even Dottore will see it coming — and oh , what Childe would give to see the look on his face when he figures it out! That’ll earn him the foremost slot in the queue for certain, and if that damn Doctor grumbles how he ought to have selected Childe instead of Scaramouche for that first experiment, his ploy the stuff of the God of Wisdom’s own imagination… Tch, well that’ll be sweet, sweet icing on the cake, and the young Harbinger won’t waste a morsel of it.

A cheeky grin stretches across his mouth, and he balls his hand into a fist. He finally has a plan, and if all goes according to it, he’ll spare the Captain from a would-be plight, he’ll smite that bloody smirk right off Dottore’s face, and he will be the next new god to grace Teyvat! And all in one fell swoop — one glorious descent. Heh, and Dottore said he’s never proved capable of scheming …!

Ha! This’ll teach him!

Chapter Text

“…already — and you found him…? What did he…”

Huh? Is that…Jean?

“…oh, he didn’t…? That’s a shame…”

Albedo…? But what’s he on about — and who didn’t what…?

“…Snezhnaya? Just like that…?”

Snezhnaya…? Who’s… Ugh, wait a minute…! That sounds like Rosaria…! Where…

“Where…am I?”

Ah, yes — finally… ! Kaeya feels a pounding in his skull, the mother of all headaches that puts any predecessor to utter shame; because of that, groggy as he may be, he does have the sense to deem it not a parting gift of a late night out. That, and the fact that he’s hearing voices — babbling nonsense, it seems at first, though he’s sure that’s more to do with him not catching quite all they’re muttering. Now, auditory hallucinations are not typical of a hangover either (and Kaeya would know, well-versed as he is), thus he believes there are voices that others can hear as well; he believes it even more so for the fact that he can recognize them. That first one, that was definitely Jean; the second was Albedo, and the third was almost certainly Rosaria.

No, make that certainly ; he’d know that raspy monotone anywhere.

But as to why it’s here alongside the others… That’s the part that confuses him; he can’t say he recalls them being in one place before… Well, that and whatever they were discussing; that boggles his mind even further, listening to them mutter about “him” and “he” and “Snezhnaya” all in the same conversation. Kaeya can barely string two thoughts together at the moment, but never let it be said that the Cavalry Captain would be thoughtless . He is no such thing; he has many thoughts, even now! Err, just…in a spot of bother airing them, that’s all…

Okay… If Snezhnaya’s on the table, then “he” could refer to Mika — or even Varka. Yes, must be one of them; they two are posted in Snezhnaya currently, and Mika was recently in town… Kaeya decides he’ll go with that — settles that, as it were, and moves on to the next bit. Now, what was it Mika or Varka was doing that’s brought those aforementioned three together…? Hm

Two new thoughts suddenly strike Kaeya, then; the first is that there are no longer any voices — have all gone silent much more quickly than they’d crept into view (ah, auditorily speaking, that is). The second is that it is very dark — black as pitch, in fact…and on the back of that realization comes a third thought:

He hasn’t opened his eyes.

Ah, silly me…

And yet just before he prepares to right that embarrassing wrong, a fourth and final sort of awareness comes to him — in the form of a tickle on his cheek, and it nearly gives him a start. It’s his own hair, he’s sure; that isn’t what startled him. It’s that he feels it so clearly — feels it because it is unobstructed, because something else is missing that usually isn’t. The eyepatch , he notices at once; the eyepatch isn’t there. It’s gone, sure as salt — must’ve fallen off. But why did it…?

Oh …

It all comes flooding back, then — memories too numerous, and too unpleasant, to even try deeming them thought numbers four, five, six, and so on. That missing girl — the ruse that she was… The camp, that little kid, those Fatui soldiers — the Knights that were with him…! They…! Ugh, suddenly he wishes he didn’t remember, or come-to at all; suddenly, Kaeya wonders if maybe he won’t open his eyes after all — if maybe, if he doesn’t, he’ll be spared the reality. Maybe it’ll just be a dream, and praise be to the Archons for having mercy on him…

Tch, as if the gods would ever be so charitable…

Besides, he’s already done himself in; he’s already bloody spoken , damn him, thus the jig is up. Time to face the bloody music… It’s a damn shame, that; music may soothe the savage breast, but it’s a piss-poor remedy for a headache. If Kaeya didn’t already ascertain that Jean was present, his first word would be a curse…but, since she is, he’s decent enough to censor himself. 

That too is another damn shame… He opens his eye, taking care not to jostle his hair away from the other one , and repeats his earlier utterance. “Where am I…?” But he amends it; after daring to look, the walls he sees are as familiar as the faces gathered ‘round — a small mercy. “The Ordo?”

“Captain Kaeya…! You’re awake…!”

Barbatos’ bounty , that is a shrill , shriek of a voice of Kaeya’s ever heard one — and he has heard, actually, because that voice is unmistakably of the Traveler’s flying companion. Who is still flying, he notes; the fairy is hovering not three inches from his face, as it happens. And he must have started, and visibly, from the proximity; it’s not long before she blushes and falls back a bit — which perhaps she might have done on her own, for common decency…but perhaps more so because the ever-present Traveler lightly admonishes her.

“E-Easy, Paimon…! Give him some room…”

“P-Paimon’s sorry, Sir Kaeya…!” She puts a hand to her head, clearly feeling guilty…but justified , took because she does have a go at defending herself. “Paimon is just really, really relieved that you finally woke up…! The Traveler and Paimon went all the way to Liyue and back, and you were still out like a light!”

Liyue and back…? Good grief, how long has he been unconscious? This troubles him, not knowing, but Kaeya manages to flash her a small smile — even chuckles a bit for good measure. “Well, it seems I certainly haven’t been displaying the best work ethic as of late… Ah, although… How late would that be…?”

Jean’s voice is next, and it chastises him for making light of things — tch, unappreciative, he thinks…but not uncharacteristic of the Acting Grand Master. “Don’t downplay it, Kaeya; we were all extremely worried…! You were in a terrible state when they brought you back — and Sirs Ældan and Stein were…”

She trails off. He knows what that means. He’d have known even if he hadn’t been there to see it, what with the grave look on the woman’s face, but because he did see it…it only twists the knife. A more naïve man, or a hopeful one (to be kind), might have thought there was a chance for them — that if he, Kaeya, was obviously recovered, they two may have met with good fortune. They two may have survived… It is a pretty thought, but a thought utterly wasted; they did not survive, he knows. They could not, for they were dead as dead could be even before he passed out. After all, he distinctly remembers failing them ; he doubts he’ll ever forget.

…I’m sorry — both of you. But do me one last favor, yeah? Do rest in peace.

“We were taken by surprise,” he says solemnly, carefully sitting up in his bed so as to attain the space required to hang his head. It’s then, when he does look down, that Kaeya notices his hands are shaking where they clutch at the blanket. He wills them to stop, but they ignore him. “It was a trap, and we walked right into it. I…”

“There will be time for that,” Albedo interjects, shuffling over to him and peering at something — his face, maybe…but probably not. Probably… “The first thing I would like to ask is how you are feeling.”

Feeling? Like a bloody failure , Kaeya wishes he could say — but won’t, because that’s pretty damn obvious , and also not what Albedo meant. “I feel…fine.” Okay, maybe that’s too nonchalant; Albedo’s stare doesn’t waver, thus he clearly isn’t fooled. Well, the best told lies have an element of truth in them…! Kaeya tries again. “I mean, physically I am a bit disoriented , but otherwise fine.”

“You don’t feel any pain? Any injury?”

Truth be told, Kaeya wishes he did . Alas, it’s a truth that won’t be told, if he has a choice. “No — no , I don’t think so.”

“Huh, well Bartobas be praised.” Ah Rosaria, as unabashedly heretical as ever… It actually stills his shaking hands a bit, her casual tone; he’s grateful for that. She scoffs lightly, and he knows instinctively that she’s rolling her eyes. “Really, I’m surprised; given how Master Diluc hauled ass from Dragonspine to the Ordo with you slung over his shoulder like a vagrant’s rucksack, I’d have expected you to be worse for wear.” 

Diluc…? Kaeya almost wouldn’t believe it, and can’t at all picture it (though that might be by choice…), but he doesn’t doubt the Sister’s account. For starters, he does recall hearing the Ragnvindr’s voice back there beside the mountain; it’s a hazy memory, and the voice want clear …but it was Diluc. He knows that, thus he knows he was there — and (unrelated to all that) he also knows Diluc is more than capable of hauling any ass of his choosing (err, not excluding Kaeya’s own) from a purely physical perspective. But he also did not miss the huff from over Rosaria’s shoulder — a tacit reproach of the woman having characterized him as a sort of ruffian. That huff was clearly Diluc as well, and, because he did so huff, he clearly doesn’t deny the version of events.

Although he may feel he’s been cast in an undeservingly unfavorable light…

“Let the poor man alone,” comes a voice that had not yet spoken — but one Kaeya recognizes as Lisa’s. “Time was of the essence…and besides, Master Diluc was very worried.” The man himself huffs again, but the Librarian doesn’t let him off that easy; she hums, and she gives him a bit of a verbal nudge. “Oh, at least let him see that , Master Diluc — and yourself, that he’s all right. You may very well be the strong, silent type, but here you have done a most noble thing. Do see it through.”

Diluc looks mighty uncomfortable, but Kaeya’s only able to see that because the man does in fact step forward to the foot of the bed — so, in that sense, seems he took Lisa’s admonishment to heart after all. At first, he doesn’t make eye contact, nor does he even attempt to; his eyes are glued to the hem of the blanket instead. But…to be fair, Kaeya himself had looked away — back down at his hands; it wouldn’t have been easy to catch his eye as such. And Kaeya can’t say for certain why he did that; in truth, he’d done it mechanically and is only just realizing it now, after the fact. Aye, he doesn’t know exactly why…but he has a sneaking suspicion; this thing they witnessed on Dragonspine, it is…another secret of his — and another cat out of the bag.

And when the last one escaped, it…wasn’t the most pleasant.

Still, he can feel Lisa’s eyes on him, and he knows he’ll surely be in for a scolding if he lets his fears hang onto him any longer than they already have (and she’s a terrifying sort in her own right, lest anyone forget). Thus he braves looking up, though still keeps his hair hanging about his right eye (err, or what once was…) — and, as coincidence would have it, it is the same moment that Diluc also dares look up. Their gazes become shared, then — meet in the middle.

And absolutely nothing happens. Thanks be to the Anemo Archon.

“You…” Diluc sounds unsure of what he wants to say, but also sounds resolute — such that Kaeya would bet money he’s going to soldier on regardless. “You really…are okay.”

Kaeya should have bet money; he’d be rolling in it if he had — alas, hindsight is 20/20… He can only nod and confirm, even though Diluc hadn’t asked so much as observed . That could be interpreted as rude, and Lisa’s mild scoff suggests it was (at least by her), but Kaeya doesn’t think much of it. Actually, he wonders if Diluc simply couldn’t bear to ask— because if he did, he’d have opened the door to a possible response in the negative. 

Perhaps that’s what he couldn’t bear. 

“I am.” It’s true, and Diluc doesn’t question it, and Kaeya thinks he really should leave it at that. But there’s an awkwardness in his chest, growing the more his memories return, and he finds he has something else to add — knows full well he’ll curse the very thing once it’s been said, but… Eh, he recalls some have deemed him a glutton for punishment; he might as well make the most of it. “And… you are, as well…?” Diluc’s brow furrows in confusion, and Kaeya sighs — the strong, silent type indeed; he probably hasn’t even considered his own plight. “I don’t quite recall everything that happened out there, but what I do remember… Ugh, I think it’s fair to say I nearly killed you.”

Diluc scoffs, but the flush in his cheeks doesn’t look particularly angry — more so…abashed. Interesting. “Tch, hardly …! It was…”

“Hn, yeah… no , you definitely did.” Rosaria cuts the man off before he could finish his thought — nonchalant but painfully sincere. Always could rely on her for that, good ol’ Rosaria. “And not just him; that blizzard you whipped up would’ve cut us all to ribbons in ten seconds flat — if Master Diluc here hadn’t managed to calm you down.” 

Good ol’ Rosaria indeed, but… The truth is still unpleasant when put to him so bluntly; Kaeya hangs his head. “Yeah, I… I really am sorry about that…”

It seems hardly adequate, his pathetic excuse for an apology, but the Sister doesn’t appear to mind. She waves off his concern with a quick flip of her hand. And a shrug. “Eh, don’t worry about it — could’ve been worse. We all made it back relatively unscathed in the end.”

“And I’m glad. Still…” He trails off, shaking his head a bit. “I guess, given that…I wish the blizzard could’ve had better timing; if it had, it might have spared my men as well.”

Indeed — utterly shit timing on his part; a little bit earlier and those two Knights might have made it — same as Rosaria and Diluc (and the Traveler, presumably; he’s never far behind a crisis). At least, Kaeya thinks so; that’s why he hangs his head. But Rosaria clicks her tongue in clear disagreement, and she chides him too, in case the implication weren’t enough. 

“It’s your business if you want to wallow, but at least be fair about it; you didn’t seem to have much control over when the blizzard picked up, or who got caught up in it. There’s no way of telling if it would’ve helped back at the camp — worst case, your men and that Joel kid might’ve succumbed before we arrived.” She narrows her eyes, which he can see as soon as he peeks out from underneath his bangs; it’s a bit of a withering look, but there’s a trace of softness still. “All in all, best not to think about it.”

She does have a point…ah! And he nearly forgot… “The boy — Joel, you said…? Is he alright…?”

Rosaria’s gaze softens further; she even cracks a smile. “He’s fine; he hid, just like you said.” She chuckles, nodding over at Paimon. “Heh, and well — gave that one a fright when at long last he emerged.”

“H-Hey…!” The fairy huffs, pouting. “P-Paimon was just being extra cautious…!”

“Ah, I think she’s only teasing…”

While the Traveler attempts to calm his flustered fairy friend, Albedo ignores them entirely — and redirects the conversation to Kaeya…who doesn’t particularly enjoy being the center of attention (at this juncture, anyway), but who ought to have expected as much. “Sir Kaeya, forgive me if I am too forward in saying this, but while you express remorse at what appears to have occurred on Dragonspine, you do not appear to be particularly surprised.” Damn, he’s a sharp tack, that Alchemist — and paradoxically blunt . “Do I correctly surmise that you know what it was?”

“Ah…well, it was… It was a bout of Cryo — one that got out of hand.”

“Hm.” Albedo pauses, musing…and a bit frustrated, judging by his creased brow. But he doesn’t rebuke the Captain in so many words; instead, he clarifies — and backs him into a corner. “Pardon me; I see that I misspoke. I meant to say that it appears you are aware of this frost — and that it is distinct from your Vision.” Another pause. “And, perhaps, unique to your right eye.”

Bloody Alchemist…! Argh, but Kaeya does know there really is no way out of this one — not that he doesn’t try his hand at a spot of deflection… “I’m afraid you’re mistaken. I don’t have a right eye.”

“Well, you have something !” Paimon’s shrill voice cuts in, scolding him with her rather exasperated tone. “Paimon saw it back on Dragonspine! Ooh…” She puts a hand to her head, trying to recall more detail to prove her point but, judging by her frustrated huff, fails to do so to the extent she’d have liked. Not that it quite deters her. “P-Paimon didn’t get a really good look, but… But Paimon definitely saw something ! — something shiny! And really, really cold …!” 

“Strictly speaking, I don’t believe cold can be seen so much as…”

“Don’t you change the subject! Paimon knows what Paimon saw!” The fairy puts her hands on her hips, puffing out her chest in her best smug stance. “And Paimon’s not alone! The Traveler saw it too! Uh…” Eek, looks like her confidence has wavered; she looks almost desperately to Aether for confirmation. “Ehe… You did , r-right…?”

Kaeya does hope Aether didn’t , but he can’t say he’s surprised when that proves to not be the case — when Aether nods. “I did.” He looks briefly to Rosaria and Diluc, who both nod slowly, and then back to Kaeya. “We all did, I think. Like Paimon said, it wasn’t clear but…still hard to miss.” 

He pauses — giving Paimon the chance to add “See! Paimon told you…!”

But then he interjects, because Aether is a charitable sort; Kaeya apparently is worth sparing another scolding. “Look, I get it if you…don’t want to talk about it — but we only want to help; that’s the only reason we’re asking. And right now, you seem to be the only one with the faintest idea of what it is, so…” His look turns almost pleading, and it’s enough to tug at Kaeya’s latent sense of guilt — at keeping them all in the dark (err, unsuccessfully as it happens). “Will you tell us?”

He really can’t argue with that — not when Aether’s concern is so bloody sincere , and that’s without mentioning everyone else’s eyes trained on him. Kaeya feels like shriveling up under the covers like a shrinking bloody violet (for shame, he knows…), but alas it’s a bit too late for all that; he’s already been discovered. And, as he said, his attempts at redirection have been utterly unsuccessful thus far; continuing down that sorry path would be even less than pitiful, and he still (amazingly) has enough pride left not to tolerate such a thing. And so, he sighs heavily, and he pushes himself up further to feel a bit more in control…

…and sighs again, for good measure. “Very well.”

He raises a hand, and he begins to brush aside his bangs — but pauses momentarily, because he sees Paimon’s affect turn to utter alarm, and the fairy herself jump mid-air to hide behind Aether. Poor thing surely recalls what happened the last time …although that won’t be repeating itself here. He’s sure of that; he’ll make sure of it.

He only hopes he can allay her concerns before she gives herself an aneurysm. “It’s all right; you can look. It won’t turn you to stone — promise .”

“O-Okay…” The skittish sprite peeks her head back over the Traveler’s scarf, but she still looks mighty apprehensive. “It’s not gonna… freeze Paimon either, right…?”

“It won’t. It’s calm now; I have a handle on it.” He pauses, drawing back his hair while continuing to muse aloud. “It isn’t…normally that reactive. I wonder…”

Kaeya is terribly curious himself as to why it reacted earlier, but it doesn’t seem like the onlookers are; at least, they seem to be far more interested in the thing itself. Because they’re staring — all of them, albeit some more demonstratively than others. Albedo, for instance, hardly looks any different, but he has yet to blink, and there’s an awfully puzzled look on his face. Same with Rosaria; she appears puzzled, too, but doesn’t say anything more than a thoughtful, “Hm… Wow…” But that’s those two; the others’ affects are more notably, well, affected . Diluc looks bloody blank , like he’s not processing what the heck he’s even seeing, Aether draws back a bit, brow all sorts of furrowed.

And as for Paimon … Eh, Paimon is utterly aghast; she jumps, but then she cranes her head forward to get a better look. Ever the curious little thing, Paimon; this proves to be no exception. “Wh-What’s… What is that…?! It is an eye…?!” He’s about to correct her, but she beats him to it; she floats over and peers even closer sans invitation. Kaeya would advise her not to, given it’s a bit rude , but he’s spared the honor; the fairy jumps back then and shakes her head — dismisses her earlier thought. “W-Wait, it doesn’t have a pupil , and… Eep! It’s cold …!”

Kaeya sighs again, watching as the fairy retreats back towards Aether — and, unintentionally, startles her by doing so; he forgot she probably wasn’t expecting the “eye” to move like a real one does. “Ah…”

“Eek! It moved — it moved …! It’s following Paimon around…!”

Err, well… He supposes it is , in a way…but that’s only natural… It may not be an eye , but it’s still in his eye socket . “Relax. I’m looking at you, is all; it doesn’t move on it’s own accord.” Actually… “Ah, not when I’m awake , at least…”

Paimon doesn’t seem too comforted by that, but it’s no harm done if she hides behind Aether a bit longer; she’ll come out when she’s ready, Kaeya’s sure. Besides, someone else gets his attention — Lisa does, when she and Jean step forward (having been denied a close view of the action previously), and she hums at seeing it. Impressed, almost — and no surprise there; for a star-studded scholar of the Akademiya, encountering something entirely new probably doesn’t happen too often — least of all in her own backyard, as it were. Jean doesn’t echo the Librarian’s sentiment by all accounts; she actually looks almost as apprehensive as Paimon, but she doesn’t say as much — lets Lisa get to it.

Probably trusts Lisa will sort it out — whether she ought to be so concerned.

“My… Ahem, pardon me, Captain, but if not an eye…what is it?” She pauses, putting a hand to her chin. “It looks…almost familiar, but I’m quite certain I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Lisa really shouldn’t be so certain of that, in Kaeya’s humble opinion; there’s a very good reason it looks familiar, and that is precisely because she has seen it before. She may not have seen it in person, but surely she’s read about it — or, even if not, could hazard a pretty good guess based on similar things she has seen with her own eyes. It’s the setting that’s probably throwing her for a loop; when set in a skull, it’s hard to judge the size — looks much smaller now than it otherwise would in the wild. But other than that, Kaeya would say it looks the same as ever: it is a very light blue-gray, an ice blue — and fittingly so, because in the center, where one would expect the pupil of an eye (an absence Paimon astutely pointed out), there is a white Cryo symbol instead. That symbol might be hard to make out for lack of contrast, but Kaeya himself has stared long enough at his own reflection to say with certainty that it is indeed there. 

That’s fitting, too. After all…

“It’s…not as exotic as you might imagine,” he says, brushing his hair back again so Lisa can have a better look. “It’s an Oculus — ah, a Cryoculus, specifically.” She doesn’t respond, and no one else fills the silence, so Kaeya does instead. He hums. “I’m told they’re all over Snezhnaya — much as the other elemental Oculi are in their respective nations.”

That finally elicits a response from the Librarian; she studies him, as though double-checking, and then shakes her head — utterly mystified . “ Yes , I can see that it…does look like one, but…” She shakes her head again. “I’m so sorry; I don’t mean to stare… But in all my years, including those at the Akademiya, I’ve never heard of an Oculus of any kind taking up residence in a person .”

Albedo nods; clearly he hasn’t heard of such a thing either. “Indeed; this is novel for me as well — as is the apparent reactivity and corresponding force of this Oculus. The Oculi are described in some texts as concentrated elemental energy that has been fragmented from Celestia, and as such are offered to the Statues of the Seven. However, no measurable power has ever been attributed to them on their own.”

The Captain doesn’t disagree. Having found an Oculus in his very close possession himself, he too did a bit of reading up on the phenomenon — but, as Albedo said, he too did not find anything to describe his situation. Although, he could say it didn’t particularly phase him — until Dragonspine , that is… Because until Dragonspine, right up until the point he heard Diluc’s voice and realized the bloody Oculus was a hair’s breadth from freezing over friend and foe alike, and maybe even Hell itself, he had actually found it to be…starkly tame .

Tch, he might as well say all that; he’s sure his face has already betrayed him. “Yeah, I…probably read the same texts you did; I do remember reading that . But I admit I didn’t think much of it — didn’t have cause to.” He pauses, shaking his head — feeling rather embarrassed, in truth; he ought to know better than any of them, but it’s painfully obvious that he doesn’t. “I’ve had the Oculus for years, and it has never once reacted to any situation or stimulus — least of all reacted like it did on the mountainside. It’s never really done anything before now. Honestly, I thought…” He huffs. “I thought it had no more functionality than glass . I thought it was inert .”

Now, Kaeya feels he did say that in a rather bitter tone, having established he was clearly wrong in his earlier assessment. But it would appear to have gone over Paimon’s head, because she exclaims, quite incredulously, “ Inert …?! Well Paimon’s no expert, but it sure as heck doesn’t seem like it’s inert…!”

Ugh, gonna make him admit it , is she…? Fine then — fair enough… It did nearly kill her, after all. “Yes, I clearly thought wrong . The Oculus is evidently not completely inert, even if that is a very recent development…”

Albedo hums at that. “So, in your recollection…this recent upset on Dragonspine was the first time you noticed the Oculus take action of any kind?” He pauses. “I apologize if my question seems like prying; I am very much intrigued… And if this was the first occurrence, I wonder why that was — if the situation itself was unique, or if something outside of that provoked it.”

“I guess it depends on what you mean by ‘take action,’” Kaeya admits. “This is the first stand that it took; that, I can say.”

“Can you…” Paimon speaks up again, a bit awkwardly. But she probably can’t help herself — some niggling question on her mind. “C-Can you…uh…” Hm, an embarrassing question, maybe…? Her voice is becoming increasingly hesitant. “Well, it’s in your eye , so uh… Paimon just wonders… Can you see out of it?”

Oh. That’s all…? Actually, that’s a fair ask on her part — no doubt something the others also wondered. Rosaria, for one, nods; Kaeya catches it out of the corner of his (actual) eye. Yes, she definitely wants to know as well. Eh, shouldn’t keep them waiting, then!

“Yes.” A pause. “Well, sort of…”

The fairy blinks at him, drawing closer. “Wait, then why do you wear a…? Oh! Before we get to that, actually… What do you mean ‘ sort of ’’…?”

Heh, asking about the eyepatch now, eh…? Also a fair point, if he had to say so himself. But Kaeya thinks he can be more efficient in his reply than she suspects; he’ll answer both her questions in one. “It doesn’t see like a normal eye — more so it senses , along the lines of elemental sight. And, as a result, it senses with or without physical obstruction; to put it simply, it doesn’t care if I wear a patch or not. I choose to wear one for cosmetic purposes; the sight of it is…unusual to say the least. I thought it might be distracting — or worse, attract unwanted attention.” He scoffs then, shaking his head. “Though, as it turned out… It seems the patch alone was not enough of a deterrent.”

As it turns out…that goes right over Paimon’s head too. “Whoa — really?! It can see Paimon?!” She hovers closer still, waving her hand a bit in front of the Oculus to prompt it to move. It doesn’t flinch like a normal eye, despite the proximity, but Kaeya does when she accidentally brushes his lashes. Not that she notices… “What about when your eye — err, eyelid? — is closed? Does it…”

“P-Paimon! Take it easy!” Aether scolds from across the way — and then up close, seeing as he steps forward to gently pull her back. “You’re crowding him…”

“Oops…! Paimon’s sorry, Captain Kaeya… Paimon got carried away…”

“It’s all right…” He offers the fairy a gentle smile, and then turns away — looks back over to Albedo, who appears deep in thought. “I assume you have additional questions, Albedo… Although I don’t know that I can answer them; what I have told you thus far is, I’m afraid, the extent of my knowledge.”

The Alchemist hums, reading between the lines — as Kaeya hoped he might. True, there are some additional, ancillary details (how he came by the Oculus, for starters) but Kaeya would prefer not to share them quite so publicly, if it could at all be avoided. Or deferred; perhaps another time, but at the moment… At the moment, he doubts it is relevant; he hopes the Alchemist will agree with that, and as such implicitly agree not to raise it. As luck would have it, though, Albedo is not the only one among them capable of sussing out subtext; Rosaria is, in that regard, equally adept, and she gives a little huff.

“Hn, wouldn’t have pegged you for shy , but I guess even peacocks have their limits.” He frowns a little at that, but ultimately appreciates her willingness to oblige him; she changes the subject readily enough. “Given we’ve established what the Fatui were after, I’d say the next course of action would be to figure out why — unless, of course, we don’t have time for it.”

A new voice pipes up then — one brusque and not unfamiliar in the least, but one that’s been mum for the entirety of the discussion, despite its own let standing within an arm’s reach. “Why do you say it like that?”

Rosaria raises an eyebrow — mildly amused, if Kaeya had to guess. And surely to the chagrin of the speaker… “Finally chiming in, eh, Master Diluc…? Almost forgot you were there…” Heh, as if ; he’s still stood exactly where he has been, which is right in front of her…and that’s probably why he grumbles. “The Fatui, for whatever reason, are after that Oculus; they’ve breached protocol, and demonstratively, for its sake once already. In that first attempt, they were unsuccessful. I don’t mean to be a downer, but fact of the matter is that they’re pretty much guaranteed to try again — and with all the more force.” 

Paimon shakes her head quickly, apparently loathe to believe it. “B-But they had the element of surprise last time…! Uwah, Paimon knows they’re really slimy, but Master Jean already sent word to Snezhnaya to… Uh…” Paimon apparently can’t recall exactly what Jean did in legal terms, but Kaeya has a good idea — even with the informal description she settles on. “She uh… She filed a complaint! — to the Tsaritsa, asking for a response! So… So, surely they wouldn’t try any more funny business while it’s…err, processing!”

“You have more faith in them than I do, I guess,” the Sister remarks with a scowl. “Me, I say catching the Ordo unawares was strategic — but not strictly necessary. It’s like they say: when there’s a will, there’s a way. So if they’re willing to break the law as is, then they’ll break it again when it suits them. I doubt the particular statute makes a difference.” 

“Bah, that does sound like them…”

Diluc scoffs and turns to Jean, but it is fortunately evident that the disdain was not directed at her so much as it was the unscrupulous organization. “I take it we haven’t received any word from Snezhnaya?”

Jean shakes her head, and finally joins in the discussion. “No. I did receive word from Mika that the Grand Master received my letter, and that he presented it to Il Capitano of the Fatui — who gave some assurance that it would reach the Archon. But that was all.” She pauses. “Mika did not say in so many words, but I do not believe Master Varka revealed to Il Capitano the precise nature of the communiqué — only that it was urgent. Capitano may or may not be aware of its contents, and we only have his word that he would triage it appropriately.”

“Huh,” Rosaria scoffs, unimpressed. “So, really… We don’t know that Capitano didn’t decide to tear it up rather than pass it along — just that, if he did, he didn’t do it in front of the Grand Master.”

Jean grimaces, but she doesn’t offer much in the way of contesting the Sister’s bleak interpretation. “Strictly speaking…no; we have no way of knowing. Grand Master Varka previously indicated that Il Capitano was gracious to the Ordo upon their arrival in Snezhnaya, but he was also aware that propriety dictates as much. We can only hope that same propriety would see the Harbinger honor his request. Regardless, there are no other actions to take — in either case. And…” She pauses, her expression pained, and looks to the Traveler. “From what you reported, the 11th Harbinger was unable to provide additional clarification on the matter himself.”

That gives Kaeya pause, too — the 11th Harbinger…? That is… That’s Tartaglia , isn’t it…? — the one from the party, who so chivalrously stepped in when Kaeya wasn’t quite able to distance himself from that wretched witch doctor, Dottore. Sir Childe . A strange one, that man — Childe; he seemed jovial enough, and Kaeya appreciated his assistance at the time, but his awkward segue into probing for information regarding a potential escapee in Mondstadt put him off. Not quite as much as his name coming up again now, though; that’s even weirder — all the more so, since Jean is apparently aware. What exactly does she mean by that — by Tartaglia being unable to clarify…?

Did Aether… ask him ? — point blank? Surely not…

But Aether only nods — bah, surely so , it seems… “No, unfortunately not. He had no idea; us asking him was the first he’d heard of it.”

Diluc scoffs, decidedly unconvinced. “As I mentioned before, Tartaglia is a Harbinger himself; being caught out probably wouldn’t suit him. He might have been deceiving you.”

Kaeya, were they to ask his opinion, would have to agree with Diluc on that one. That carrot-topped man didn’t strike him as particularly savvy or subtle, but that’s not to say he struck him as honest , either. Still, he notices that Paimon looks uneasy, like she means to disagree, and his assumption turns out to be spot on. She does disagree, and she says as much; the uneasiness was likely from how stern Diluc looks, knowing she’s going to displease him with her dissenting opinion.

“Eh, Paimon doesn’t doubt that he’s shady, but as far as deception goes… Hehe, ah well… Childe isn’t very good at that.” She jumps a little when the redhead narrows his eyes, but she soldiers on regardless. “He seemed genuinely surprised when we mentioned it — not to mention really, really mad. He cussed out the Doctor in several languages before stalking off to Snezhnaya to confront him in person…” She pauses, sheepishly scratching at her head. “Err, although Paimon’s pretty sure that was more about the whole Balladeer thing than what happened with Captain Kaeya…”

Kaeya isn’t sure what she means, but Aether clarifies — fortunately. He hates being out of the loop. “Yeah, well…he was pretty upset that Il Dottore went and completed his mission without him — wasted his time and all. But he did say, specifically, that he didn’t like what we reported about the attempted abduction. Like Paimon said, he did seem surprised — like he hadn’t seen it coming. But ,” He trails off, and glances at Kaeya — and Kaeya swallows nervously; this doesn’t bode well, “But he also said that Dottore had approached you, Captain Kaeya, at the party — and rudely enough that Childe called him out on it later.”

Jean raises her eyebrows, and soon enough she’s looking at Kaeya too; soon enough, they all are, and again he debates ducking for cover. “Did he…? Captain Kaeya, I don’t recall anything like that in your report…”

Ugh, seriously…? No , it was not in his report; Celestia help him, if Kaeya were to report absolutely every instance of anyone behaving the least bit untoward , he’d still be reporting now! It isn’t that he intentionally hid it , which is what Jean seems to think (given her rather stern expression…), or that it was all that worth mentioning, which seems to be on Diluc’s mind (he does look rather enraged). It’s just that ; it didn’t seem worth mentioning, just a bit more familiarity than what’s strictly proper, and it stopped there. Thanks to Childe, maybe, but regardless…

No, he decides; it was nothing of import. Dottore creeped him out, and he was a right arse about it (what with not backing off until he was essentially ousted by his peer), but all that’s pretty much par for the course. The man was always skeevy to say the least. And yet that argument probably won’t go over so well, thus Kaeya also decides he won’t really make an effort… Besides, in retrospect, something does strike him; again, he chalked it up to intrusiveness at the time, but it was his eye that piqued Dottore’s interest.

Tch, hindsight is woefully clear.

“I…didn’t think much of it at the time,” he begrudgingly admits. “Il Dottore did approach me and strike up a conversation, if you could call it that; he spent the majority of it picking at Mondstadt’s various instances of misfortune, past and present.”

Rosaria huffs. “Sounds like a real piece of work.”

“Eh, he always was — which is why I didn’t take much notice…but also because he wasn’t, on the surface, as immediately unpleasant as he was when last we met.” Hm, that’s not quite all of it, though; there’s also… “Actually, I… I didn’t recognize him at first.”

“You didn’t…?! ” Diluc snaps, utterly incredulous. “After everything that bastard did, how could you possibly forget-“

“I didn't forget ,” he bites with a glare as sharp as his tone. “I couldn’t possibly. But believe me when I say that the man at the party looked nothing like the Doctor I met before; he was completely unrecognizable.” Kaeya groans, trying to collect himself such that he doesn’t continue snapping . It’s a tall order; Diluc’s comment offended him more than he’d have expected. “ Everything about him was different : his mask; his face; his demeanor… He was a different person . Even his voice had changed; it was softer, more relaxed… It was still familiar, and I did eventually place it; it just took me a minute…”

Diluc doesn’t seem to believe him to any degree — in fact, is looking at him like he’s lost his bloody mind. But Paimon unexpectedly comes to his rescue — backs his would-be delusional insistence. “C-Captain Kaeya is probably right, Master Diluc, Sir…! Paimon doesn’t know what the Doctor looked like before, b-but it coulda been different! Maybe you met a different segment!”

Yes! That’s right! Err, wait… What…? Diluc is now looking at Paimon like she’s lost her mind as well, and frankly…Kaeya sympathizes. With both of them.

But the fairy insists she’s quite sane; it’s that Doctor that isn’t. “Don’t look at Paimon like that! The Doctor has a bunch of segments — like clones, but from different times in his life! Childe told us he used to assign different tasks to each one.” She puts her hands on her hips, clearly displeased how her words have little effect. But it doesn’t really help make her case when she deflates as another thought comes to her. “Well, uh… He did have a bunch of segments… Nahida said he destroyed them, though Paimon isn’t really sure how she verified that…”

Nahida said that…? Ugh, who’s Nahida again…? — wait, is that… Ah, no — no idea. Kaeya’s face must betray his utter loss, because the Traveler so graciously offers, “Lesser Lord Kusanali, the Dendro Archon — but we know her as Nahida,” as a means of saving him further torment. That was kind of him…not that Kaeya’s sure what to make of it; it’s a little unbelievable that the Traveler and Paimon apparently strike up conversations (and friendships even) with Archons so readily , when the majority of Teyvat is busy prostrating themselves before them (well, figuratively speaking for most — literally only for a select few). But that’s neither here nor there; Kaeya won’t look the gift horse in the mouth.

Especially if she’s convinced there were multiple copies of Dottore — but copies now destroyed. That’s good — very good; in Kaeya’s humble opinion, one Dottore was already one Dottore too many…

But they’ve veered off track and well into the sunset of a tangent; that won’t do… “In any case, whatever he was, the good Doctor did approach me — and was unpleasantly intrusive,” Kaeya notes. “Like I said, I didn’t read into it at the time; I recalled enough about our first encounter to know he enjoys prying for curiosity’s sake. But looking back…” Tch, looking back is where it gets him — and he’d curse, were Jean not present. “Looking back, he was particularly interested in my eye ; he told me he wanted to see it.”

“The Oculus ?!” Paimon interjects, a mix of surprised, curious, and confused. “B-But you were wearing the eyepatch… How could he already know what was underneath it?! Can he… Eek!” She flutters all about, clearly having worked herself up into a state. “C-Can the Doctor see through solid objects too?! That’s too much…!”

“Ah, let’s…not leap to any conclusions.” Albedo’s calm demeanor is in striking contrast to Paimon’s tizzy — and, for that reason, all the more welcome. “As Captain Kaeya stated, the Doctor is one to pry; he may have simply been curious.”

Kaeya would tend to agree, but… Eh, he doubts it was quite that way; Dottore’s inquest seemed hardly innocent at the time. “I’m not sure that he already knew precisely what it was, but he did seem to know it was something ; I denied his request, naturally, but he continued to pursue it — and with distastefully dogged persistence . He actually attempted to remove the eyepatch himself.”

Diluc’s nostrils flare like a raging bull, and Paimon’s subsequent and rather unhelpful outburst (given the circumstances) only adds to his ire. “That’s right…! Childe mentioned it looked like Dottore was trying to touch your face — but really, he was reaching for the eyepatch!” She stomps her feet in the air. “Ooh, that jerk…! Doesn’t he know ya see with your eyes , not with your hands…?!”

“If he does, he chose to disregard.” Kaeya offers Diluc a glance, though for what exact purpose he doesn’t know (hardly needed to confirm his scorn; it’s radiating off of him). Actually… It’s hard to tell strictly what’s irked him — Dottore and his impropriety alone, Dottore’s impropriety specific to Kaeya, or Kaeya himself for not disclosing this earlier. Regardless… “I slapped him — ah, just on the hand , that is… The Doctor was hardly dissuaded, but that’s when Tartaglia made an entrance, and the Doctor took his leave shortly thereafter.” 

Rosaria scoffs. “Real knight in shining armor…”

Diluc has a similarly incredulous remark, although his is more bitter. “I have never known any Fatuus to be courteous , least of all when it requires breaking rank. Their organization is incredibly regimented; the 11th Harbinger’s meddling in the affairs of a superior ought to constitute insubordination.” He narrows his eyes. “Tartaglia may be unpredictable, but even so… I am reluctant to believe him capable of unpredictable bouts of altruism . And I refuse to deem him a knight in any variety of armor.”

“Sheesh, it’s just a figure of speech…”

“Albeit one he does not deserve. I will not…”

“Please! Let’s come to order, shall we?” Jean shakes her head, surely wishing the Sister and winemaker would forgo squabbling altogether without having to be instructed to cease it, but she can only achieve so much. “Captain Kaeya. I do wish you had informed me of this interaction earlier…but that is now beside the point; in any case, the Doctor was able to describe the phenomenon in some detail to his subordinates prior to dispatching them to further your abduction. Thus, he either had insight into the Oculus’ existence prior to his approach and sought only to confirm his suspicions, or we must believe he learned all this during the interaction itself.” She pauses. “It seems to me that Lord Tartaglia intervened with some brevity, so I am favoring the former.”

He doesn’t disagree. “I too would suppose the same; he approached me with a clear purpose in mind, and as far as I know did not get a look at the Oculus before being ousted by Tartaglia — much to his dismay, I’m sure.” Truth be told, Dottore didn’t seem all that upset…but a man can hope. “However he came to suspect it, I’m not sure it matters; like Rosaria said, I am more concerned with what comes next.”

Rosaria seems pleased he’s agreed with her — and doubly so, when Aether too nods. “I am as well. The Doctor’s experiments seem to only grow more outrageous as time goes on — first ruin machines, then Delusions, then de novo gods… Whatever he wants with the Oculus, it can’t be good.” 

“No, but unless we can ascertain what that might be, I’m not sure we can get ahead of him.” Lisa sighs after saying that, then turns pensive; it must be awkward for a credentialed scholar such as herself to be at a loss, but the creases in her brow suggest she can’t quite redeem herself yet. “Whoever the Doctor is, he seems to be well versed in all manner of ancient arcana — arcana not even known to the Sumeru Akademiya. Even if he was a student at some point, I suspect the vast majority of his intellectual prowess is self-taught. That makes things difficult; it isn’t as easy as simply locating what materials — books, essays, et cetera — he might have referenced. Instead, it almost seems he’s making things up as he goes.”

Somehow, it doesn’t sounds quite like a critique — not as much as it should… Kaeya would say so himself, but Diluc, having been spurned from criticizing Rosaria, beats him to it. He narrows his eyes at the Librarian. “You say this, and yet your tone seems almost complimentary .”

Lisa doesn’t like that , by all accounts; her eyes narrow in turn. “The would-be praise is collateral damage, Master Diluc; I assure you, it was not my intention — but there is merit to your assertion.” That doesn’t appease him, but she doesn’t seem to have expected it would; the truth does often hurt . “He is a genius , Master Diluc — a verifiable savant ; I can say this with certainty from what I have heard thus far alone, and without ever laying eyes on him. As a scholar, albeit a former one, I am in awe — but that does not mean I approve of him. Please do not insult me by suggesting otherwise.”

Diluc doesn’t challenge her further — and perhaps because Jean is glaring at him again; he’s at least learned his lesson. Not that it stops him from grumbling, but grumbling is practically par for the course, and Kaeya easily ignores it in favor of posing his own question. “So, if we accept that Il Dottore concocted this all on his own, how do we plan to proceed?” 

“Hm, how indeed…” Albedo regards him for a little while, then shakes his head with a sigh. “Under normal circumstances, I would ask that you permit me to examine the phenomenon further — that is, the Oculus itself… But for two reasons, I hesitate in this request; firstly, the Oculus is firmly set in your eye, Captain Kaeya, and as such is unsuitable for extensive study. I gather this Doctor may feel otherwise, but I do not condone experimentation on the living.” That’s good to know… “Secondly…I do not have reason to believe such experimentation, even were I to undertake it, would prove fruitful in this regard. The Oculi have no distinct purpose, and they are not more powerful than other embodiments of the elements — Visions, Hypostases… Even, I suspect, man-made Delusions, with which the Fatui are already very familiar. As such, I cannot begin to fathom what would motivate the Doctor to seek out an Oculus in particular.”

“Well, this one is a bit different… ”

“On the surface, for where it is located, yes, Sister Rosaria; it is different. And it is capable of proving more reactive than others, though we cannot say under what conditions.” He pauses. “After all, Captain Kaeya has stated the situation was not drastically different than prior experiences when the Oculus did not take a stand.”

“M-Maybe it was, though!” Paimon blurts out. “Paimon thinks things got pretty hairy out on Dragonspine… Kaeya had lost his Vision, and we were all in a really tight spot… The Oculus might’ve been trying to protect itself!”

Kaeya wishes he could believe that was true. From the looks on the others’ faces, save Paimon’s own and Aether’s, they too wish the same…but solely because they can’t believe it. It’s not that the fairy doesn’t have a point — that the situation was dire indeed, and the Oculus was trying to protect itself in some capacity… That isn’t the flaw in her argument. The flaw is that Kaeya can recall a specific situation that was very similar — checked all those same boxes, as it were — and yet the Oculus remained as inert as he thought it was all along. No, if he’d have relied on the Oculus then, they wouldn’t be having this conversation at all.

One quick glance at Diluc’s face proves the redhead is thinking the exact same thing — recalling the exact same situation that Kaeya is. And ruing it, because he’s also come to the same conclusion; if Kaeya had only the Oculus to his name when all was said and done that night , Kaeya wouldn’t be here — not in this room, at least. Kaeya would possibly be a little ways away, pushing daisies from six feet under the churchyard. If he was so fortunate; it’s equally possible that Kaeya wouldn’t be there, either, but instead naught but dust in the wind — if he was still dust at all. Regardless, one thing is absolutely certain; Kaeya would most certainly be dead .

And Kaeya knows that all too well; it’s why he just barely suppresses a shiver, and then looks away. That night, the Oculus offered nothing ; it was his Vision , newly bestowed in his hour of need, that saved him. Briefly, he wonders if he might owe the Tsaritsa for that…and the Doctor is simply collecting a debt on her behalf.

Tch, only briefly… For even if it is so, the Tsaritsa took a liberty he’d have wished she wouldn’t, if she had asked. If she’d have asked, he’d have told her to stay her hand.

There are worse things than dust.

“Well…if Mister Albedo says so…” Thankfully, Paimon appears to read the room — for once , perhaps, but fortunately nonetheless. She lets her argument rest in favor of taking hold of a new flight of fancy. “Oh! Paimon has an idea! Now that we at least know what it is, we should ask Nahida!”

“The Dendro Archon?” Jean questions, though not too reluctantly. “I do not doubt the God of Wisdom, but would she have any means of insight…? This matter is far beyond Sumeru’s borders.”

“Yeah, but Nahida can see if Irminsul has any information! Irminsul is the Tree of Knowledge, and its knowledge comes from all of Teyvat!” Truth be told, this is the fanciful part of Paimon’s proposal; all this talk of segments, the Archon, and now a divine tree does make Kaeya wonder what sort of flora she and Aether may have encountered in Sumeru…but given Lisa has yet to contest her idea as yet, he’ll give her the benefit of the doubt. Maybe he’s out of the loop. “If anything like this has ever happened before, or if anyone’s ever researched it, Irminsul will definitely have a record of it!”

Lisa hums, though still doesn’t dismiss the idea altogether. She only poses a clarifying question. “Indeed, although communicating with Irminsul is a skill attained by only the most rigorous of scholars — and, even then, what knowledge they attained was bestowed more than sought out. Archon though she is, Lord Kusanali lost a great deal of her power; is she able to sift through such seemingly boundless information on a whim?”

“Paimon doesn’t know if Nahida is fully restored, but she’s regained enough of her power to look for information; she’s helped the Traveler with that before!” She blushes a bit, sheepishly rubbing at her head. “Ah, it might not be…immediate; th-there’s probably a lot of stuff to sift through… But Paimon thinks it would be worth asking!” And then she turns to Aether — right on cue! Seems she often does volunteer him to second her opinions… “Right…?”

Aether, though, doesn’t seem to mind; he doesn’t seem all that certain, but there’s a bit of hope in his eyes — suggests he does like the idea. “She has. And our options are very limited; if what Miss Lisa said about the Doctor making things up as he’s going along is true, Irminsul may be the only source of information available to us. It’s…actually kind of similar to Childe…”

Comparing that rash redhead to the Divine Tree of Knowledge…? Kaeya almost laughs out loud, but he contains himself — because he really must see where the Traveler’s going with this…

“We don’t have time or resources to figure it out ourselves, so we ask directly. Childe didn’t know, but I think the approach is still our best bet. Since he didn’t know, we ask someone else — ah, well something… .” 

Oh, that’s a bit disappointing…and not nearly as comical. Shame; Kaeya could’ve used some cheering up. At least he still has the memory of his original train of thought…

While he’s musing on that, Jean nods — and she offers her support in doing so. And verbally. “I will submit a request to Lesser Lord Kusanali if you wish…although, and please forgive me if I am presumptuous, I suspect you may have a closer relationship with her — and might prefer to ask in person.”

“Yup, yup! We go way back! — err, well not way back, but… We’re friends!” Paimon smiles broadly. “The Traveler and Paimon will go to Sumeru right away! Paimon is sure Nahida will be happy to help!”

“If I may…” Kaeya realizes he hasn’t gotten a word in for a minute, and the silent act really doesn’t suit him. “I…wonder if you could do with some company? It may be helpful for her to see the Oculus in person…”

“Ooh, that’s true…! That’s a great- W-Wait a minute!” What a pity; he almost had the fairy, there! But seems she’s reconsidered. “You’re still recovering, Captain Kaeya! You should take it easy…!”

He would argue, but Jean cuts him off. “I agree. Kaeya, you are not in a state to be traveling to other nations…and even if you were, I feel it is too dangerous to go abroad when we do not yet know the Fatui’s next steps. I advise you to remain here…” She regards him tenderly, but narrows her eyes still — very firmly . “…but I will order you to do so if needed, make no mistake.”

“…very well.” Kaeya knows when he’s outmatched; he doesn’t even attempt to protest. Instead, he offers the Traveler and his flying companion a gracious smile — and a word of parting. “I thank you for your assistance…and apologize; surely this is terribly inconvenient. But I do hope the Archon will be able to find something for us to go on, as I myself regrettably cannot.”

“Don’t sweat it! It’s no trouble at all! Paimon wants to know what’s going on too… and stick it to that Doctor!” Heh, now there’s a sentiment he can get behind. “Come on, Traveler! Time’s a-wastin’!”

It’s rather impressive the way Paimon nearly drags Aether from the room; Kaeya is all but in awe as he watches. Perhaps it’s because of that that a rather unusual thought comes to him only after they’ve gone — one that doesn’t seem to be on the minds of anyone else in the room, at that. It isn’t about the tree (though he admits that still confounds him), nor is it strictly about the Dendro’s Archon’s ability to tap into said tree. Actually, it’s only somewhat about the Dendro Archon at all — more about something Paimon and Lisa said about her, and that went unchallenged. It is a doubt, a confusion, about her losing and regaining her power; no one mentioned anything, so Kaeya too kept mum, but… The Lesser Lord losing her power, that’s…

That’s…not right, is it…?

Ugh, maybe he’s more fatigued than he thought — starting to imagine things… That must be it. It’s just…

I could’ve sworn I heard something different…

Chapter Text

It’s been three days since Aether and Paimon left — three and a half, more like, and not a word since. That’s not completely unexpected, as they were setting off for Sumeru; such a thing does involve a fair bit of trailblazing through the jungle, and despite how advanced certain fungi seem to be in the region, it does not appear any have evolved to the point of letter-carrying. No, communication is surely quite difficult — and Kaeya, who is busy musing on this, ought to bear that in mind. And he does, but…

…but he’s so very tired of waiting.

Bloody bored with it, really; the novelty wore off in the span of 24 hours (which he counted, each and every one, because he hasn’t slept a wink), and now each additional second is just adding insult to injury. Now he will readily concede the first day was the absolute worst of it; the first day, Albedo and Jean both watched him like a hawk — and Diluc did, too, intermittently…and when Diluc was present, his own actual hawk made the occasional appearance as well. Wretched thing — wretched thing that Kaeya actually does adore, but he’s decidedly salty that it was free to take off whenever it pleased. Unlike him; Jean hardly needed to order him to remain in the confines of his would-be sickbed (were he actually sick ). She did do, actually, but the stern, sisterly look in her eyes already delivered his sentence; the actual command was more of a clarification.

Tch, and an unnecessary one on all counts.

Mustn’t push himself, mustn’t wander too far lest he put himself in danger… Ugh, Kaeya wishes he could forget that and all the other similar sentiments she imparted; it’s damn embarrassing. He’s in a spot of bother with all this business of late — the Fatui, the not-so-inert Oculus… The list goes on, but none of it makes him an invalid . He’s still a Knight, and a Captain, no less…! Hell, with practically every ranking member off with the Grand Master in Archons only know where , he is, right after Jean, the highest-ranking member of the Ordo left in Mondstadt! He sure as shit shouldn’t be cooped up out of sight; that’s just bad tactics all around.

As Rosaria would say, what a nuisance ! 

Here on this third day since the Traveler left, he has finally attained a bit of freedom; Jean and Albedo at long last relented and ceded to his request to go home . Now, Jean escorted him personally — and she did advise him to be careful, and that she would have the Knights make additional rounds to be on the safe side…but Kaeya wholeheartedly seized the opportunity presented to him. He graciously accepted the terms and now, having bid the Acting Grand Master adieu (if begrudgingly on her part), he is finally in his own home — and utterly alone with his thoughts.

It’s not one hundred percent pleasant, but it’s still an improvement…

Now alone, he does wonder why Albedo didn’t press him for more details before releasing him; come to think of it, he didn’t probe at all after that first meeting of the minds. He did not ask any more about the Oculus — case in point, he did not ask where and how Kaeya had come by it in the first place, or how it came to be lodged in his skull in place of his eye…or what became of his eye at all. These would be relatively natural questions; Kaeya would certainly have them, were their positions reversed. Not that he isn’t grateful the Alchemist didn’t ask; it’s not a tale he particularly enjoys relating. Or…suspects he would enjoy relating, really; it’s not a tale that’s ever been told thus far.

Honestly, he’d prefer to keep it that way, but he has a sneaking suspicion that it’s one of those festering things that won’t keep forever.

“Hm, but enough about that…” 

He says this aloud, even though the only things that can hear him are his own two ears and the walls — oh, and the lamppost, too (though it’s arguably more of a table lamp). It helps reinforce, to himself, the sound self-admonishment that he really ought to make more of his newfound liberty than musing ; surely there’s work to be done! And if not, then surely something else he could be doing — and, preferably, something that won’t land him in anyone’s line of fire, Fatui or otherwise. Otherwise as in Acting Grand Master Jean’s righteous fury; that, he would like to avoid. That does cut the list of options down to size — at the very least, it confines him to the walls of Mondstadt. But surely there’s something… 

…growl.

At first, the strange sound catches him off guard; Kaeya doesn’t know what to make of it. But then it sounds again, this time with a bit of tightness in his abdomen, and he recognizes the sound for what it is: hunger pang. And apt; it occurs to him he hasn’t eaten since…actually, he can’t really remember — even more apt, this hunger pang’s arrival; perhaps this is also why he’s feeling so irritable. Kaeya sets about correcting the issue, wandering over into the kitchen, but he meets a new challenge therein; the cupboards are bare, and after a moment he vaguely recalls having nothing in when last he looked. Which is no surprise; Kaeya is hardly what one might call a chef , gourmand , or even the least bit inclined to culinary pursuits. He can whip up a few skewers from ingredients foraged in the wild, but that’s pretty much the extent of his savvy in regards to cooking. 

Indeed; those aforementioned skewers are more of a last resort when out on the range — no less, but equally no more. And while he doesn’t dislike them, given he could call them a specialty, he is not one to shirk a decent tavern in home-cooking’s stead. And a tavern, he decides, is what he needs — or something similar. He is leaning towards the latter; his preferred haunt, the ever-welcoming Angel’s Share , offers no sustenance, nor does Cat’s Tail . Thus he wonders if Good Hunter might not be too terribly busy at this time of day…

…ah, whatever time that is.

Only one way to find out, though, and Kaeya makes a speedy exit, en route to Good Hunter. He’s making excellent timing; whether it’s a testament to his own agility or his survival instincts spurring him on in search of fare is unknown, but what he does notice is that he’s practically storming past all who are (he assumes) mulling about the town square. Again, he assumes, because they’re not but blurry outlines of people in his peripheral vision; even the Oculus can’t quite keep up. At least…at first. The Oculus does eventually settle in on one particularly strong Hydro elemental trace — one so very strong that it’s oddly solid. He would marvel, and he nearly does, but then he realizes it’s not all that phenomenal a thing; after all, people are nearly almost always solid when one walks right into them.

Which…he himself has just done. That also takes a minute to register, but the surprised, “H-Hey…! Watch where you’re going…!” does help catch him up. The voice is very standoffish to start with (and for good reason), but it soon morphs into an equally flustered but now apologetic sort of thing; surely they have realized who Kaeya is in the same moment he realized who they are. “Oh! Sir Kaeya! Begging your pardon, Sir Kaeya; I didn’t realize…”

He cuts them off before the end — because the apology really is due them, not from them. “Please, Miss Megistus, do not apologize! The fault is entirely mine; I was miles away, and not paying due attention.” Indeed — definitely didn’t see her until he nearly bowled her over; the poor lady is fortunate she’s still standing. “As such, I am so very sorry… Are you hurt at all?”

“N-No — not at all, Sir Kaeya!” she replies quickly, and hopefully in sincerity. It’s believable; Mona doesn't look injured, but…her cheeks are rather red; perhaps she is simply embarrassed. “I admit I was surprised , but certainly no worse for wear… And I too ought to have paid more attention.”

Kaeya would wonder as to why — if perhaps Mona was similarly in a hurry…but then there’s a sound that just about answers it for him. It’s a growl, and one he recognizes; he heard it before in his very own home not ten minutes ago — and even if he hadn’t, he’d know it anywhere. For that sound was unmistakably from the young lady’s stomach, and while she turns beet red and almost immediately begins a flustered string of apologies (almost immediately, because the first thing she did was freeze ), Kaeya can’t help but smile. But reassuringly, he hopes; they are kindred spirits in that regard, after all. In fact, it gives him an idea of how he might atone for nearly knocking her for six.

“Aha, great minds think alike! — or…great stomachs, in this case…” She turns even redder, but her shoulders do relax as he continues to smile. “I was actually just on my way to Good Hunter . Care to join me?”

Mona’s stomach is certainly in favor; it growls once more, no doubt in approval, although Mona herself seems a bit more reluctant… It could be embarrassment, though given what Kaeya’s heard of her financial affairs, it could also be she hasn’t quite the coin to acquiesce… “That’s very kind of you, Sir Kaeya, but I wouldn’t want to impose…”

Hm, he ought to be offended! To think she would assume he is not gentlemanly enough to foot a fair lady’s bill… Well, he’ll have to see straight to that! “It’s no imposition at all, Miss Megistus; in fact, you could even call it self-serving. I would be grateful for the company… and the opportunity to make up for my earlier carelessness.” He smiles brightly, but also narrows his eye a bit — conveys he won’t be easily dissuaded. “It’ll be my treat.”

“You really don’t have to do that…”

“Nonsense! Please, I insist.”

“W-Well, if you insist… ”

Heh, that was easier than expected… Mona puts forth no further resistance; perhaps she was merely trying to be polite. Kaeya isn’t entirely sure what the young lady does for money or what her overall financial situation is; he has heard others characterize her as skint , citing her renting a rather humble abode (and frequently missing payments on said abode). And yet something doesn’t quite tally for Kaeya. Something is off with the characterization. He gathers she does not sell her divining abilities as a service, but she must have some sort of income. He’s seen her lugging around quite fancy looking tomes from time to time — the sort that, if Lisa’s taught him anything, do not come cheap. The Astrologer is hardly a thief, and those tomes are not on loan from the Library (heh, Lisa would surely see red if one even suggested it), thus she must be legitimately purchasing them from somewhere.

By some means — some Mora…from somewhere else. Aye, Kaeya hasn’t sussed it in the least. Although he does remember her hanging around with that other girl from the Adventurer’s Guild — the one with the eyepatch, and the bird. And frequently. Maybe she’s…on retainer?

Eh, truth be told…it’s none of his business. That makes it all the more intriguing, but not strictly necessary for him to discover.

When they reach Good Hunter , Mona’s miserly reputation almost proves itself to be entirely accurate; at first, she actually attempts to order (begrudgingly, too, which is the important part of this exchange) a salad. And while that salad may very well think itself satisfying , the lady’s stomach apparently does not concur — seems to groan again in response — and Kaeya, not one to be caught unchivalrous, decides to step in. He was debating his own order, but this development solved that puzzle for him; indeed, this is as good a time as ever to order…

“I think I could do with sticky honey roast, Sara,” he says lightly, “It’s been a while since I’ve had the opportunity.”

“Certainly, Sir Kaeya!” the waitress replies pleasantly. “I will fix you a plate.”

Ah, while that is typical…it’s not quite what he had in mind; true, one person doesn’t often order an entire portion of the indulgent roast for themselves. But though Kaeya himself is one person, he intends to share . “Best I order a full roast, Sara — if I may.” She actually blinks at him, not having suspected this, but the twinkle in his eye sets her somewhat at ease. “After all, the lady and I will both be partaking  and, I think, it’s fair to say we’re both quite famished .”

Mona starts, waving her hands and assuring him he need not be so generous, stammering, “O-Oh! No, no, you really needn’t…”

But he ignores her; he listens to her decidedly amenable stomach instead — amenable and honest. “But of course I must , Miss Megistus! I gave you my word to treat you to a meal, thus to a meal and no less am I obliged. On my honor, and as a Knight of the Ordo, I simply must see it through.”

Mona is visibly flustered, but she doesn’t argue — and Sara is smiling sweetly at them, no doubt in agreement with the good Knight’s steadfast approach. And is…probably also happy to see the young astrologer branching out; she must be tired of serving salad each and every time… She nods quickly, and she motions towards the tables.

“Of course, Sir Kaeya. One sticky honey roast and a satisfying salad, coming right up!” She takes the payment from him before Mona can even try to toss a bit of her own Mora in the mix, and smiles again. “Please sit anywhere you like; I will bring your order out to you as soon as it’s ready.”

“Splendid! Thank you very much.” Kaeya turns away from the waitress and to his somewhat reluctant companion (who’s still rather pink in the cheeks), and decides to put her on the spot again. Perhaps because it’s polite…or perhaps for kicks — heh, simply no way to tell. “Now, where shall we sit? Anywhere will do, Miss Megistus; it’s such a lovely day.”

Poor Mona suddenly comes to attention, and she glances around at the different tables as subtly as she can manage (which is to say…not subtly at all) in search of a good one. It probably doesn’t help that her options are the opposite of limited; the place is not busy quite yet by any means, and nearly every seat is unoccupied. But Mona has risen to more challenges than this trifling thing, and with acute determination she settles on a table a ways away — tucked into the corner, a bit in the shade. 

Kaeya approves of this decision. In fact, this is probably the same table he’d have chosen; it has a good view of the high street, of the gates, and of the alleyway leading to Cat’s Tail . For all that, he wonders if great minds really do think alike…or if Mona was trying to cater to his preferences as a gesture of thanks.

He’ll take it either way.

Mona is a wee bit shy at first — still flustered from being offered an actual meal, no doubt. But as they ease slowly into small talk, Kaeya does succeed in getting her to open up just a tad. In all honesty, he’s awfully curious about her — namely, if the rumors are true. If she really can see the future via the stars in her scryglass; she hasn’t offered, nor has she so much as mentioned it…but Kaeya supposes that fits with her reputation, and he hasn’t asked. He’s still debating whether he wants to broach the subject when Sara arrives with their salad and roast, and the sight and aroma alone almost cause him to forget his musings in their entirety; his stomach growls, begging for attention, and he decides to acquiesce.

Eh, can’t be contemplating all life’s myriad eventualities without proper sustenance!

Mona looks positively apprehensive when he kindly serves her a hefty portion, as though she’s never seen such a quantity in all her years, but upon his encouraging smile, she dares take a bite. And…pauses, then — and her cheeks flush again. And then she blinks, hurriedly takes another two bites in rapid succession, and is about to snag a third before it appears she realizes she’s in public. She curbs her enthusiasm once she realizes, blushing again, but not quite abandoning her plate; Kaeya stifles a chuckle as she once again spears a (decidedly smaller) piece of roast with her fork.

“This is…absolutely…! Ah, ahem… Absolutely different from my usual fare…” Hehe, that it is — shame the lady couldn’t quite bring herself to swoon. It would’ve been very amusing. “Please remind me… What did you call this dish?”

“Sticky Honey Roast, Miss Megistus,” he replies sweetly, as though to channel the dish’s own flavor. “It’s a Mondstadtian specialty! Truly, I am surprised you’ve never had the pleasure…but, equally, glad I could make introductions.” 

“Indeed! — thank you very much for your generosity, Captain Kaeya…” She pauses, taking a slower bite, now, with a pensive look on her face. “I wonder…if I could make this…”

“Oh! Adept in the kitchen, Miss Megistus?”

She turns beet red — ah, decidedly not quite adept, then… “W-Well, I am open to refining skills that I have yet to master — my primary pursuit, astrology, having already been so refined…” She’s a bit hesitant in a sense, this Mona, but certainly not coy where her profession is concerned. Kaeya respects that. “Besides! The culinary arts have their practical advantages, of course…! Certainly, they are of more use for hosting friends…”

Hm, this is true…but it is also a door Mona has opened, though she may not realize it; it presents a fine opportunity for Kaeya to segue into asking about her so-called primary pursuit. Very nice, that — a fine spot of luck! “I don’t disagree, Miss. Although, and you must forgive my ignorance on the matter, I would wonder if your friends might be interested in your astrology.” She blinks at him, thus he clarifies. “I imagine many would wish to peer into their own futures…and, as such, seek your assistance in doing so. Have you not found that to be the case?”

The Astrologer does not answer immediately, but only as far as words go; from the fall in her countenance, her expression going flat, Kaeya understands two things: one, that she has found that to be the case at some point, and two…that the question was perhaps too direct. She is decidedly uncomfortable, however not one to necessarily avoid him altogether; Mona sighs after a while, and she does more or less confirm his suspicions. If begrudgingly.

Again, Kaeya respects that.

“These days,” she says, “I can truthfully say no ; no , those that I would call friends do not tend to ask this of me…but they have been forewarned.” She pauses, shaking her head. “I don’t equate my scryglass to the crystal baubles of an average fête fortune teller — a charlatan’s tool; my predictions are always accurate, and I never relay anything less than the entirety of what I see. But for that reason, I…prefer not to divine at all — because what I see…” She shakes her head again. “What I see, many would not care to — if they knew. And often, even if they did wish to know, it is better that they do not.”

He raises a brow, curious. “You believe it would upset them? — if you were to divine an omen?”

For a moment, Mona considers this — and, when she replies, reveals she only agrees in part. “It might, but it might not; I have encountered both. The stars never have been able to inform me of how one will respond — if they will lose hope, or only be emboldened. I suppose that it comes down to my own guilty conscience, in a way; regardless of how they would feel, should fate be unkind to them, I would prefer not to know.” Once more, she pauses…and sighs. “It’s unbecoming of a professional, I know, but… To see what misfortune will befall someone, friend or even stranger, and feel nothing… Ah, that is a skill I have not yet mastered.”

It comes as a bit of a surprise to him, but Kaeya actually feels guilty for asking; Mona’s response is so very sincere that he can’t help himself… Unbecoming of a professional… Those were her words, but he feels they apply equally to him — and perhaps even more so. Well, can’t be helped.

“Miss Megistus,” he says gently, “I am not well-versed in the expectations set for Astrology or for its practitioners. But, if I may be so bold, I do not believe apathy is a skill to be mastered as such; rather, I would say that if it does not come naturally to you, it is a blessing — and one not worth casting off.” 

She looks doubtful — mildly comforted, but almost guilty for it. “Perhaps. But sentiment has no place in my line of work; objectivity does. Thus, feeling simply…complicates matters.”

It’s true; Kaeya has to agree. But that doesn’t mean he takes back his unsolicited advice; in fact, it’s all the more reason not to. “I can understand that, Miss. But feeling is human ; it is the natural state of things — thus, too, is complexity.” He smiles faintly. “But you need not listen to a layman like me, Miss Megistus; I may very well be speaking out of turn. In the end, it is only an opinion.”

Mona doesn’t respond immediately to that, and seems to be mulling it over. But Kaeya doesn’t notice; he would have, but something else caught his eye from across the way. In truth, he should say it was not his eye that saw it first; it was the Oculus that sensed it — sensed a stare , and one aimed at him. He briefly wonders if that, too, is related to the recent incident on Dragonspine; previously, the Oculus was never this alert . He did not mislead the Traveler and Albedo before; the Oculus could always sense elemental energy in the barest sense, but this latest sense is more akin to alarm bells than casual observance. And the elements themselves are striking — a mix of Hydro and Electro, almost fighting for dominance… It is uncanny, but not in itself an explanation.

After all, when his eye follows the traces to the origin, he sees a man standing there that he had indeed met before — and without this degree of alarm. 

That’s…

“Captain Kaeya? Are you all right?”

Oh — that’s Mona’s voice; Kaeya, to his shame, nearly forgot about her. He begrudgingly tears his eye away from the familiar figure to face her, although he has a sense that person will no doubt be gone should he look back. Damn it, he thinks; he could’ve done to follow him…but best not to keep a lady waiting. 

“I apologize wholeheartedly, Miss Megistus; I was…suddenly distracted.”

It’s embarrassing, and disappointing, but he’s pleasantly surprised when Mona’s expression turns stony with concern — and when she admits to having glimpsed the figure as well. What luck! “That was… There was a man there — a redhead.” She pauses. “He is gone now, but I think he was watching us… You noticed him too, didn’t you?”

Kaeya nods — and looks back, briefly, to confirm the man indeed had disappeared. Sadly, he had . Rats. “I did.”

Mona mutters something under her breath — sounds like a curse, though Kaeya can’t quite make it out. “He was Fatui, wasn’t he? And not…like the ones normally posted here. But I’ve heard the grunts around the hotel talk about the higher ranking members…” She looks again, too, but is as disappointed as Kaeya to find the man did not reappear. “I don’t recall a name, but one of them rented out the hotel. Was that him?”

Rented out the hotel? — no, not quite… Mona is correct that it was indeed a Harbinger they spotted, but decidedly not the one she’s thinking of. “The Goth Grand Hotel was rented out by Pantalone,” Kaeya informs her. “I’ve never met Pantalone, but that wasn’t him; that was a different Harbinger that I have met before. His name is Tartaglia — though he also goes by ‘Childe’.” A pause. “With an ‘e’, or so I’ve been told.”

Oddly enough, Mona seems to recognize that name; Kaeya hadn’t expected her to. “Hm… Childe? I think I’ve heard the Traveler mention that moniker — but only in passing…” Her expression turns serious again — very serious, in fact — and she sets her eyes on Kaeya most gravely. It’s unexpected — catches him off guard. “Sir Kaeya, I wasn’t going to say, but… I heard something from Fischl — that she, I assume, heard around the Adventurer’s Guild. She said the Fatui had targeted you.” 

She did…? Is that…really common knowledge? Kaeya wouldn’t think so, but maybe Bennett said something…

But he’s spacing out; he doesn’t respond, but Mona seems to take that as a cue to continue. “Far be it for me to give credence to rumor, but given that Harbinger was spying on us… I confess that I worry Fischl was right.” She pauses. “Are you…in danger , Sir Kaeya?” 

Kaeya would like to set the lady’s mind at ease — to lie outright and tell her he’s in no trouble whatsoever. Actually, he’s prefer to tell her the truth and be in no such trouble, but that’s a bit out of reach… Still, he finds himself in a most unpleasant position in which he can do neither ; he can’t very well will the truth as he sees fit into existence, but nor can he bring himself to lie. Perhaps it’s because she’s been too honest with him thus far to permit…or perhaps he simply feels she’d see right through him.

He settles on the latter. “Within the walls, I don’t believe so,” he says carefully, “Your friend in the Guild is well informed, Miss Megistus, but you need not be alarmed for my sake. I freely admit I did not expect that Harbinger to make an appearance, but an appearance does not in itself constitute a threat.”

“You ask me not to worry on your behalf, Sir Kaeya, thus I will endeavor not to.” Hm… Mona says this with sincerity, but she doesn’t seem exactly convinced of his safety. It’s plain to see that she isn’t, when next she speaks. “However I will ask you, in turn, not to make light of things for my benefit.”

“Ah, I apologize; I might’ve gotten a bit carried away…” He shakes his head. He’d shrug, too, but it seems too nonchalant a thing — surely Mona wouldn’t appreciate it. “To be honest, things in general have been a bit unusual as of late…” Tch, since that Traveler appeared, more like — but they’ve certainly become more unusual in recent days. “I suppose I try not to be one that frets unnecessarily, but in this case I’m not quite certain what to make of things — as they are, or what they will become.” 

Mona is quiet for a moment. Then she takes a breath, and she levels her gaze on him…and offers something Kaeya did not expect — perhaps should have, but didn’t nonetheless. “Would you…like me to tell you?”

He didn’t expect that — and, embarrassingly enough, he actually doesn’t follow. “I’m sorry?”

She clears her throat, then clarifies. “Divine your future, I mean. I can’t say exactly what the scryglass might reveal, but if you are uncertain… Well, the stars can remedy that to an extent.”

Oh. That’s what she meant… Hearing her say it, Kaeya feels silly for not knowing at first. Okay, to be brutally honest, he feels like a right dolt , but that’s neither here nor there… Besides, he’s more important things to think about — like if he will take her up on the offer. At first inspection, it does intrigue him; Kaeya has never been one for mysticism, or soothsaying, but he’s also never been one to take kindly to his own ignorance, thus he finds himself between a rock and a hard place. On the one hand, the lady’s scryglass just might shed some light on things — give him a glimpse of the future, and all that. All it might have in store…

…but perhaps that’s why he shakes his head; perhaps what awaits him, he’d rather not know. For if Mona says it, and she is as adept at divination as she’d have him (and everyone else, for that matter) believe, then surely it will be true. And if it is true, and it is utterly bleak…

Indeed. Better he not know, lest he be compelled to try and change things — an effort in vain, no doubt, and a pity at that.

“No. Thank you, Miss Megistus; I appreciate the offer. Truly, I do. But…I don’t believe I will accept.” He doesn’t give her much time to argue, though doubts she would do so with any particular tenacity; his standing rather abruptly, and pretending he’s somewhere to be, is more an extra precaution. Just on the off chance. “Ah, I apologize… I feel I must be getting back to work. I have been a bit derelict of my knightly duties in the last few days — best I try to recoup what losses I can.” He nods at what remains of the roast, and then nods his own head politely. “Thank you very much for the company — and, again, for your offer.”

Mona’s decidedly flat expression indicates she doesn’t buy his piss-poor excuse by any means, but she, as he suspected, does not attempt to dissuade him from taking his leave. “I understand. Thank you, Sir Kaeya, for your hospitality.” 

“Anytime, Miss!” Kaeya would leave it at that; he intends to, actually, and he begins to walk away…

…but she calls after him — still doesn’t argue, but does demand his attention. “Sir Kaeya, before you go…”

He can only oblige. Hopefully his reluctance isn’t too apparent. “Miss?”

“Please be careful , and…” She pauses, but only briefly; it seems she isn’t unsure of her own words, but rather how he might receive them — perhaps rather how she might push too far. “…and know that my offer stands, should you change your mind.”

Kaeya finds he’s not in enough of a hurry not to thank her. “Thank you. I will bear that in mind.”

That’s all he can promise, thus all he does; for starters, Kaeya really isn’t sure he should be changing his mind — due to the aforementioned possibility that he ought to let his future come as a surprise down the road. Secondly, he is in rather a hurry; while he did not lie to Mona outright in saying Childe’s presence alone isn’t a threat, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t…well, mean something . And, given the man is still Fatui , whatever it does mean is likely not the most pleasant of things. He recalls the Traveler and Paimon mentioning the redhead — mentioning he didn’t seem keen on whatever scheme the Doctor’s cooked up involving the Oculus, and that Childe and Dottore, in general, don’t quite get on. But he also recalls Childe being bound for Snezhnaya , not Mondstadt ; thus, by all accounts, he shouldn’t be here at all.

So…why is he here…? 

That’s the question Kaeya would very much like answered — and he would prefer the answer came straight from the source. He’d actually have preferred Childe simply walked up and said as much, instead of lurking in the shadows and vanishing no sooner than he and the Astrologer clapped eyes on hin; given the young Harbinger’s reputation for boldness and (to a degree) candor, Kaeya isn’t at all sure why he didn’t. He’s hardly a man to be easily spooked. Therefore, the only reason Kaeya can imagine he’d bide his time is that the Harbinger wanted to catch him alone , and that doesn’t bode well. Any other man, Kaeya might give the benefit of the doubt — assume he was simply being polite by not intruding.

Again, any other man. But not Childe. Childe is too brash, too hotheaded, and too bloody boyish to even consider such niceties as common courtesy — at least as far as his own aims are concerned. He may have been quick to point out and to criticize his superior’s lack of decorum when it suited him at the party, but that’s neither here nor there; as stated by the Traveler, and observed firsthand by Kaeya himself, there is no love lost between the redhead and the Doctor, and said redhead is probably more than foolish enough to antagonize the Doctor for the sake of it when anyone else with half a brain would steer clear. Come to think of it, it’s a bloody miracle the young Harbinger still has a head, if he really did confront the Doctor as rumor has it; Dottore may be all smiles when he deems it necessary, but Kaeya never, despite that, ever got the sense he would be charitable to anyone who dared cross him . No, Kaeya instead imagines he would utterly destroy such fools.

Though he’d probably smile all the more broadly as he did it. He does seem the type…

Ugh, but the Doctor is another matter — and one that, thanks be to every Archon in Teyvat, does not demand Kaeya’s immediate attention. He hasn’t shown, and the Captain decides it’s best he stop thinking of him altogether before he bloody conjures the man himself. Besides, what Kaeya must do in the immediate sense is track down that surprisingly elusive redhead (surprising because a carrot top like that really ought to stand out…). It’s irritating that his initial search (i.e., scanning the streets) turns up nothing; after having traveled all the way from Snezhnaya to Mondstadt, one would think Childe would be too exhausted to play hooky. 

Then again, he’s surely full of youthful vigor… Damn, Kaeya ought to be too young himself to be feeling so old . 

“Enough of this…” he mutters, irritated. “Tch, just gone one and I need a drink…”

But then again, that does give him an idea — not about Childe’s whereabouts, no, but for satisfying his own thirst. For if it’s just gone one, then the day is already squarely after noon — and, thus, Kaeya thinks a tall glass of death after noon is perhaps just what…err, what he needs. Yes — not what the doctor ordered, because he’s not thinking of that damn Doctor… Ugh, at least he wasn’t ; now he bloody well is, and he curses himself for it. 

He really does need that drink.

So, without further ado, Kaeya saunters his way to Angel’s Share — half expects to see Diluc working the bar (already armed with a disapproving look, no doubt) and mentally prepares to weather the scorn, but can’t say he’s displeased to see Charles instead. Without a trace of scorn, at that — good ol’ Charles. Now, Charles does look a little bit surprised to see him, but that might be a coincidence; the place is oddly sparse of patrons, and so it could very well be that he’d look similarly startled if the door swung open to reveal anyone . From the looks of things, Kaeya is the first in a long while; the only patrons he does spy is one decidedly potted Adventurer in the corner (muttering to himself, from the looks of things), and Nimrod (but he’s practically part of the building at this point, much to his wife’s dismay). 

In fact, the place is so barren that Kaeya decides he’ll kill two birds with one stone for its sake; he sets himself up on one of the many unoccupied stools, orders his drink… and, as Charles swiftly places the cocktail before him, adds a bit of a question to his typical thanks. “Ah, certainly is quiet around here… Far be it for the average Mondstadter to shirk the daily grind, but it is about time for a lunch break, is it not?”

Charles shrugs, then shakes his head. “Well, as you know, Sir Kaeya, we don’t have much in the way of lunch to offer… But, aye, seems slower than usual.” He pauses. “That José was tellin’ me Cat’s Tail has been pretty steady — ever since that new card game rolled off the press; I’m comfortable chalking it up to that.”

Ah, Kaeya does remember hearing something about that — Margaret seizing the opportunity to make her fine establishment the local hubbub for all things Genius and Invoked (and certainly both, together). “Hm, if that’s the case… Seems a missed opportunity.”

“Eh, I don’t think the young master much minds, truth be told,” Charles admits. “Regardless of where they’re situated, all Mondstadtian wine flows from the casks at Dawn Winery; it isn’t as bad for business as one might expect.” He pauses, though, and his brow furrows. “Although… There are certain regulars whose absence is very distinct ; we haven’t had any Fatui in here for at least a week.”

That gets his attention. “None? Not even…”

“Nary a one.” Charles cuts him off, but Kaeya doesn’t mind; the man is clearly on the same train of thought, and he nods over to one of the empty tables. “Used to be three of ‘em, comin’ in and seating themselves over there — same group, same table, same couple of rounds like clockwork. And I hope that I don’t speak out of turn, Sir Kaeya, in saying this, but while they were a bit uncanny with their getup, and those masks…I liked them well enough.” He crosses his arms, Charles, and sighs. “That being said, even if daytime sales hadn’t tapered off a bit, I reckon I’d still have noticed how they stopped coming in altogether.”

Kaeya has to agree — and he has a sense Charles probably knows that; that bit about speaking out of turn was probably more to do with Diluc, lest he hear his own staff saying anything remotely complimentary about any Fatuus (even the most well-behaved). Surely Charles has seen Kaeya mull about them on his own volition from time to time — gathering intel, of course, but…well, either that bunch never caught on or they were relatively affable despite it. Or well into their cups — actually, that they certainly were; Kaeya never really did approach during daylight hours when they had a shift to get back to (not that, given what he’s seen of said shifts, they necessarily needed their wits about them…). Regardless, even after the…incident, he can’t say he holds any grudge against those three; those three aren’t savvy enough to have been asked to take part, nor to hide it if they heard…

Which is surely why they were posted in Mondstadt in the first place — and why they’ve made themselves scarce.

Stil, doesn’t hurt to be certain… “The Fatui are entitled to a bit of changing of the guard from time to time,” he notes. “Before taking their absence to heart, is it possible they three have simply been recalled?”

And certainty, well… Charles has that in ready supply — as evidenced by a firm shake of his head. “No Sir; they’re still in town. I’ve seen ‘em myself in the plaza. Only thing that’s changed about that is that, as of late, they’ve started ducking their heads when I pass by.”

Guilty conscience…? Tch, Diluc would laugh at the audacity of such a suggestion…but Kaeya finds he believes it. Doesn’t say it, lest Charles also agree — and subsequently land himself in hot water if he accidentally mentions it to his discerning employer. But Kaeya does, honest to goodness, believe it in full. It’s strange, but at the same time…it is oddly comforting. Must’ve made a decent impression on them — enough that they’ve warmed to him, to some extent.

Heh, nice to know his skills in the art of deception are still up to scratch.

He, Kaeya, is about to ask Charles for a bit more information — see if, before their untimely departure, Charles might’ve gleaned some information from the trio. Again, one of those things it can’t hurt to ask. But he doesn’t get the chance; the door opens again, and Charles looks away to greet the newcomer like the dutiful barman he is…but words never come. Now, it could be this is an absolute stranger — a strange but respectable traveler (albeit not the Traveler, presumably) perhaps; it could be he doesn’t wish to alarm them by appearing overly eager. But that doesn’t seem to be the case because, in Kaeya’s opinion, it seems that Charles is the one in alarm — and that the barman’s voice caught in his own throat. And Kaeya does wonder why, thus he does turn to see what exactly is so profound that the man’s at a loss for words…

…but slowly; he turns slowly , because in a sense, he already knows. Because the Oculus is at it again, reading the room and honing in on elemental energy — and this time, it is the very same mix of Hydro and Electro from earlier. The same elements, both in the same degree as before — and both still battling for dominance. Again, as before. Because before Kaeya even does turn, he knows it is the same person as before — and he’d scoff if he weren’t so surprised, because damn . Damn , it is so bloody irritating that the things one searches for only ever seem to make an appearance after one has stopped searching .

The red hair, redder scarf, and even redder lopsided mask confirm it; that’s Childe , all right, striding nonchalantly into the tavern. 

Which, if Diluc were here, would be akin to waltzing straight into a hornet’s nest. And maybe Childe had expected that — furthermore, had hoped for it; maybe that’s why he looks a tad bummed to see the comparatively innocuous Charles behind the bar. But bummed or not, the young man corrects himself — clears the mild disappointment (if indeed that’s what it was) from his face, struts on over to the bar, and smiles pleasantly at Charles.

“Ah, bartender! A glass of dandelion wine, if you will!” And then, when Charles turns to fix his drink, Childe pretends to have just noticed Kaeya sitting there — as though it weren’t bloody obvious that he’d seen him as soon as he walked through the door. The bar is hardly crowded enough for anything else… “Oh, Sir Kaeya! — hello again!”

Kaeya smiles tightly, resisting the urge to roll his eye in a most unwelcoming fashion. “Sir Childe.”

Childe surely knows the Cavalry Captain is not amused by his feigned surprise at seeing him; Kaeya put forth no real effort to hide that. But he doesn’t acknowledge it, which is hardly surprising; deliberately obtuse is a part he plays well. “What a coincidence! I didn’t expect to find the esteemed Cavalry Captain cooped up here in a tavern — at the height of the day, as well!”

Charles sets the Harbinger’s drink down on the bar with some force; Childe isn’t startled, but he does at least look — which, unfortunately, means he likely misses the mild glare Kaeya flashes. Oh well; there will be plenty more opportunities to come… “My, Sir Childe… I do hope you didn’t intend that to be a criticism . After all, I could say the same about you — and, in fact, I reckon you are even more out of place.”

“O-Oh! Certainly not, Captain; it is a happy coincidence, is all! Thus all the more surprising — but pleasantly , you understand… Take no notice of me, please; words are hardly my strong suit.” He takes up his glass but, to Kaeya’s dismay, does not leave the bar; instead, he nods to the stool just beside Kaeya’s own perch. “Might I join you?”

As Kaeya suspected, another opportunity to glare arises — and, with a narrowed eye, he seizes it on the spot. “I believe you’d put me in a very awkward position, Sir Childe; you’ve only just asked that I take no notice. Surely I cannot possibly accommodate both requests.”

That ought to have gotten rid of him, Kaeya thinks, but it isn’t to be; instead, Childe only laughs. And then hops up onto the stool, drink in hand. At least he has the decency to look somewhat sheepish. “Haha, see! I told you; I’m no good with words… But that’s not to say I don’t enjoy trying. And I truly am happy that we’ve both turned up, unexpected as it is; I was actually hoping I’d run into you.”

Sure… “Really? And here I thought you were keen to avoid me.”

Childe blinks. “Avoid you…? What makes you say that?”

“The plain fact that you already have done ,” Kaeya returns flatly. “To be blunt.”

“Why, I’ve only just arrived in Mondstadt…!”

“And yet you’ve managed to find the time — makes it seem all the more pressing…” He narrows his eye further. “I may only have one eye, Sir Childe, but I assure you it is more than fit for purpose, and certainly capable of spotting you across the street. Which it did — just before I came to be here, in fact.” Childe looks like he would like to offer some sort of rebuttal, but he does not; perhaps words have failed him once again… No matter. “And, given you have two eyes to your name, and they were pointed directly at me prior to you making a quick getaway, avoidance is the only conclusion I can draw.”

“Ah well, that was…”

“Oho! So you don’t attempt to deny it.”

“O-Of course not! — that I saw you , that is…! I still object to your conclusion…” 

Kaeya’s brow arches; this man doesn’t know quite when to quit. “How interesting; I’d have thought, with your admission, my conclusion was all but foregone.”

“All but , Sir Kaeya! See here…” He takes a swig of his wine — liquid courage, perhaps, or perhaps simply wetting his throat for a lengthy explanation to come. Time will tell. “I concede my behavior may have contributed to some misunderstanding…but one I will readily correct! You see, I did spot you, exactly as you say. But when I did, you were with a lady.”

Strictly true…but seems hardly relevant. “And?”

Apparently, it is relevant — and Childe thinks Kaeya ought to know in precisely what way; he looks almost flummoxed that he decidedly doesn’t. Scandalized, even. “Sir Kaeya…! Surely you don’t think me so utterly ill-mannered as to encroach upon… As I have said before, a man ought never interrupt without something to hand to offer in atonement — but, when such a man considers interrupting a date, well… Well, he actually ought not interrupt at all, unless it can’t be avoided…”

What the… A date…?! That’s what he thought…?!

“And seeing as I was firmly in both camps — empty-handed and at risk of becoming an unsightly third wheel, I respectfully made myself scarce.” He pauses to take another sip of his drink — another swig, actually, for the glass is nearing empty . “I don’t know what I’ve done to make you think I'm so impolite, but…”

“Before you finish that thought, at least let me get a word in, yeah?” Childe promptly shuts his mouth, and Kaeya shakes his head; he’ll be needing another drink at this rate. “For starters, I was not engaging in courtship, so I will ask you not to spread that bit of misinformation about…”

The man nearly chokes on the last of his drink — scandalized again, it seems. “N-Now you wait just a moment! I’m no gossip…”

“…and even if I had been , which I wasn’t…” Kaeya ignores Childe’s sputtering, and he could have moved on altogether…but just in case Charles is listening in (which he is, despite his attempt at disinterest)… “I’m still as yet unconvinced that staring and then ducking for cover is common courtesy.”

“Was I staring…? Okay, if that’s how it was…then I apologize; that would’ve been impolite.” He scratches at the back of his neck, offering an awkward laugh. “I thought I was pretty quick about it, but I guess subtlety isn’t my…”

“Strong suit?” Childe only chuckles again, as awkwardly as before, but Kaeya finds he can’t take umbrage. “Fair enough. At least you admit it.” Still, Kaeya has questions that Childe hasn’t addressed; with any luck, the redhead will be as forthcoming regarding those as he was his own lapse in manners. “In any case, you’ve yet to mention why you’re here . I wonder if you’d enlighten me?”

“Of course! That’s easily done!” Is it? That was…unexpectedly straightforward. “I’ve been to Mondstadt a few times now, but thus far I’ve missed out on the local specialty! So I figured there’s no time like the present!”

What in the… oh — the wine . The idiot is actually talking about being here in the tavern . Tch, talk about splitting hairs… Best Kaeya remember that, and not cut him too much slack in the future. “What brings you to Mondstadt , Sir Childe?”

“Ah, Mondstadt in general , well… That’s a bit different…”

He’s becoming sheepish again, Childe, and reluctant . But Kaeya can’t have that; he’s made it this far already. “ Not still looking for your wanderer , I hope. I thought I made it very clear that such reconnaissance must be requested and approved by the Ordo prior to any undertaking on your part.”

“So you did! — unmistakably clear, Sir Kaeya; I remember.” He sobers up a bit, looking down at his empty glass (and no doubt wishing it weren’t so empty), then nods. Decisively. “And I have not disregarded. It’s not the wanderer that’s brought me to Mond; that situation has been more or less resolved…” He says that, but there’s a tension in his brow; Kaeya has a sense the supposed resolution wasn’t quite to the Harbinger’s liking, but he doesn’t ask. He doesn’t frankly care. “I’ve come for a different reason altogether.”

Kaeya would very much like to roll his both eyes at that (though the Oculus may not take to it…); this is aggravating, this back and forth. “Which is…?”

“Which is…better discussed in private.” He glances over to the sparse few patrons in the bar (who are well out of earshot), and then more subtly at Charles (who swiftly turns away). 

It just makes the assertion all the more ridiculous — such that Kaeya can’t help himself; he does roll his eyes at that. “There’s hardly an audience here.”

“Still…”

“ Still , you don’t wish to say. I see.” Kaeya levels a disapproving look on the man’s fallen countenance, and he shakes his head. “Frankly, Sir Childe, your reluctance is doing precious little to garner any sympathy from me.”

“No, no! Captain, you misunderstand! I’m not reluctant by any means. I’m just…” He waves his hands most emphatically, such that he nearly knocks over his glass, and then stills enough to shake his head. He tries to recoup a bit of affability by chuckling, but he fails miserably; the laugh sounds incredibly forced, and almost as painful for him to produce as it is for Kaeya to hear. “I’m just exercising due caution, is all! It really is a private thing… Let’s, uh…” He looks around, but apparently finds nothing — no better excuse at the very least. “Look, it’ll be worth your while; I promise. I have a room at the Goth Grand Hotel; let’s discuss there — less public, yeah? ”

Charles actually snorts, which causes Childe’s cheeks to turn the faintest shade of pink. Kaeya simply stares for a few moments, wondering if the guy really is so bloody daft that he didn’t realize how that would sound when uttered aloud (or if he’d even realize it now , had the bartender kept schtum). He finds he can’t answer that, so he decides to blink once, twice, and then a third time to perish both the curiosity and the sheer thought of… Ugh, well, the thought’s perished now, so he won’t say it. But what he will say is a stern No ; that simply must be said — with enough emphasis that even this man will think twice before ever suggesting something like that again.

So, he does. “Let’s not ,” he replies curtly. “Let’s not discuss at the Goth Grand, but here . And if not here, then let’s not discuss at all .”

Childe grumbles, but more out of embarrassment than anger, or even annoyance; his tone is quite exasperated indeed. “Sir Kaeya, please; I really…”

“I have rounds to resume,” he interjects, eye narrowed; Childe isn’t the only one who’s exasperated, but Kaeya is the one who’s reached his limit. “As such, I’m afraid I’ve no time to spare for negotiation. So, out with it now , Sir Childe, or never . The decision is yours.”

There’s a silence, then — one technically interrupted by the drunken mutterings of that Adventurer and Nimrod in the background, but really that’s too faint to make out. Hardly matters. What matters is that Childe has gone silent, and is apparently mighty frustrated with that very fact; his cheeks are redder than they were before, and he looks like he’d huff and puff and make all sorts of a fuss if it were entirely up to him…but it isn’t. He simply settles for grimacing, and looking sadly to his empty wine glass, and sighs. He then looks back to Kaeya, but his earlier resolve has not wavered; that’s already obvious, given his silence, but it is confirmed by his words.

“I mustn’t, Sir Kaeya. It would not be fair to you.”

Oh please… Tch, well that does it; that’s the last straw! Kaeya clicks his tongue, and he hops off his barstool — and turns swiftly away. He’s already making tracks, heading for the door, before he even deigns to reply to that silly remark. 

“I suppose it’ll be never , then. Very well.” He pauses briefly, but does not look back. “On behalf of the Ordo, I welcome you to Mondstadt, Sir Childe. Have a pleasant stay.”

“S-Sir Kaeya, wait…!”

Kaeya does not wait, as it happens, nor does he consider it. But he does catch a stern rebuke, not aimed at him of course, from Charles — a word of advice, so to speak. Of caution . And he does appreciate it, though it was perhaps not entirely necessary; after all, it goes something like… 

“The Captain is otherwise engaged, Sir Childe, by his own admission. Please leave him to it.” Childe must’ve looked as reluctant to acquiesce to that as he did Kaeya’s request to spill the beans, because Charles does not stop there; instead, he adds, even more sternly, “If you pursue him, I will call the guards…but I’m sure we’d both prefer not to trouble them.”

Charles… That man deserves a raise — maybe even a medal . It could be he has no idea who he’s dealing with — no idea that this man is not one to cross, no matter how pleasant he may seem. That could be, but somehow Kaeya doesn’t think so; Charles is typically well-informed. Thus, he surely has at least some idea that he’s playing with fire, but… But apparently, he thinks it’s worth it — to give Kaeya a bit of breathing room. Kaeya doesn’t think he quite agrees, because he’d sure as Hell rather it’d be him than poor Charles if one of them was to be burned .

But, fortunately, he doesn’t hear a commotion in response — not even a bit of grumbling. In fact, the last thing he hears, before the door to the tavern shuts firmly behind him, is the sound of wine being poured, followed by the clinking of Mora on the counter. So, Childe decided to leave it at that, then — chose to have another round instead of stalking after him. And Kaeya lets out the breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding.

Because damn , that is very fortunate indeed.

Chapter Text

Although Kaeya told Childe in no uncertain terms that he had to get back to making rounds, and he does, as Cavalry Captain, technically have rounds to be resuming…Kaeya may have stretched the truth a wee bit in using the aforementioned rounds as an excuse to bid the Harbinger adieu. He’s not on leave, no, but after the incident (and Jean’s sincere admonishment to be careful — after the fact), he’s not exactly on duty in the fullest sense either. At the very least, he doubts not making rounds would be deemed truancy at this stage; Jean would probably sooner commend him for taking the time to recuperate than chastise him, although perhaps not take kindly to him choosing a tavern as a base of operations. But that is neither here nor there; Kaeya is no longer in a tavern, given that damn Harbinger spoiled his drink, thus he should be safe from any would-be scorn.

Still, though it’s perhaps not expected of him, he does make rounds — does a couple laps around the city, does keep an eye out for anything suspicious… And he doesn’t find anything of the sort; Mondstadt is bustling, but bustling as ever — bustling with typical trade and above-board operations at both a cursory glance and in-depth inspection. No, there is nothing out of place. Now, he does notice that the Fatui are more wary of him than they were before; just like Charles mentioned, those stationed around the plaza keep their heads down when he passes. Mikhail even looks away, presumably to draw less attention to himself.

Heh, though he achieves only the very opposite; that’s probably why Kaeya hears Lyudmila scolding him — can’t make out everything she says, but it seems to be along those lines. Just a guess.

All in all, it’s mildly amusing…but only at first; the novelty soon wears off, and Kaeya decides he prefers being noticed to being actively avoided — at least as far as the Fatui are concerned, and in this context. Somehow, it only makes him antsy — ever more alert, in case one of those supposedly avoidant masked miscreants turns on him in a flash; he hates to admit any of them could possibly get the drop on him, but he must admit it nonetheless. 

As a result, Kaeya must also admit that, at present, the entire city is not quite to his liking; the whole place is putting him on edge.

Now, were this any other day, and one in which an international organization was not vying for his eye (or any other part of him, really), Kaeya would swiftly remedy that by exiting said city. He would; he’d have already sauntered through the gates, in fact, and probably be halfway to Windrise by now. But this day is distinctly not like any other, so he does pause — considers that perhaps venturing out on his own is not the best of ideas…to put it kindly. Jean would probably put it far less charitably, albeit still kindly (it is Jean, after all); she’d probably, in that rather sisterly way of hers, tell him it was one of the most foolish things he’s ever dreamt up. Or something similarly rational; her exact turn of phrase is really just semantics. 

But that means…so is the action itself — foolhardy or not, best of ideas or otherwise… Indeed, it’s all relative — open to interpretation. Which means wiggle room, and enough for Kaeya to wriggle right through it.

Which he does, in fact; he’s not halfway to Windrise as he thinks over this, but only because he’s taken a different route. He has already left the city, and so already accepted that he’ll probably have to eventually face whatever choice words the Grand Master has for him. If all goes well, that is; that might seem a strange thing to say, as best-case scenario would have Jean not chastise him at all…but worst case is not the chastisement. Worst case is that Jean doesn’t get the chance, because worst case is that something (like the aforementioned international organization) gets to him first.

Kaeya really ought to be less flippant about that… Eh, no matter.

There’s a small group of Mist Flowers up ahead; he can see their corollae shine, and the frost hovering about, before he approaches. He touches one out of curiosity — almost hopes it burns as Mist Flowers are wont to do; one is ill-advised to touch, lest they lose their fingers to frost. But there is no burn; there is frost, of course, but the frost hovers about him in much the way it had the empty space before. The cold does not bite him the way it ought to — the way it used to, as a child, and even after he acquired his Vision; the cold simply embraces him, and the odd sensation in his right “eye” suggests the Cryoculus appreciates the company. 

Tch, from seemingly inert to a social butterfly in a span of days! What a strange thing…

The mist suddenly moves , though, and that sees Kaeya leap back. And just in time, too; a group of large Cryo Slimes emerges, heavy shields bursting from the ground below, and nearly tips him over. These creatures, he thinks rationally, can’t possibly hurt him if frost itself can’t, but that doesn’t exactly solve his problem. The problem is, he can’t effectively dispatch them either; the shields are too stout for his sword, and he doubts that Cryo, be it from the Vision or the Oculus, will inflict so much as a scratch upon beings of its own element. So, Kaeya decides the best solution is to hightail it out of there; if they follow him back to the city, the guards will see to them — no shortage of kindling to be found within Mondstadt, after all. 

The trouble is, the slimes do not appear to have come alone; a very distinctly Abyssal cackling suggests a Mage has accompanied them, and it only takes a quick glance to confirm that. And while that’s problematic on its own, the distinctly Cryo shield about it , the Mage, does precious little to bolster Kaeya’s chances of overtaking them. Or…escaping — his master plan, as it were. What he’d resolved to do, and would currently be doing, if not for, well… Well , what the Abyss Mage is cackling at , he suspects; there is a whirl of Cryo wrapping around him as he recounts all this, and while that Cryo does not harm Kaeya in the least, it does , unfortunately, stop him in his tracks. And he worries — not exactly for the delay itself, but… But the Mage is chanting something through its laughter — something that has the ground trembling like it’s about to burst. That worries him, for Kaeya fears he may soon fall .

Fall into the Abyss . 

But Kaeya does not , in fact, fall, because the ice holding him in place falls instead — is redirected elsewhere, more like. And he briefly wonders why, but the first clue arrives soon enough; there is first a crackling sound, then an irritated squeak from the Abyss Mage before said Abyss Mage fires off icicles in a different direction altogether. At another foe , Kaeya realizes — at a newcomer, and one who wields the superconductive Electro. He thinks immediately of Lisa before dismissing the notion for statistical improbability; crafty as she is, Lisa could hardly sneak up on him , even whilst preoccupied, and she would hardly leave the Ordo to chase him down in the wilderness on her own accord. If there were, perhaps, an elemental trace of Anemo, he could be a bit more generous — believe perhaps Lisa and Jean both ventured out after him, with Jean leading the charge, but… But there is no Anemo; the Oculus would have noticed if there were. Thus, there can be no Jean here; thus, there can be no Lisa here either. Thus, this newcomer is…unidentifiable. 

At first.

At first, Kaeya is preoccupied again; there’s a vast surge of ice from the Mage, and the Cryo Slimes rally to its cause — launch themselves at this newcomer, as one does (if one is a slime, that is). And Kaeya swiftly draws his sword to aid this person, whomever they are, for surely they are ill-prepared for such an onslaught; as futile as Cryo may be in these circumstances, never let it be said that a Knight of the Ordo will not assist a strange yet respectable traveler within the realm of Mond itself. Admittedly, though, this is not why Kaeya is preoccupied; it cannot be, for all this has in fact already taken place. The enemies closed in, he surged forth…but then, all that was behind them.

For said enemies hurriedly closed in, but into a metaphorically iron wall of Electro, and that Electro surged most angrily in response — launched the lot of them clear and away, and Kaeya was fortunate to duck just as a Cryo Slime came barreling towards his head. That preoccupied him — ducking. And then scrambling further to dodge another thunderclap whizzing past his ears as his would-be rescuer launched themselves at their enemies, this time, instead of the reverse. The slimes practically disintegrate before his very eyes, and while the Mage does not, Kaeya can only blink as its shield cracks like thin glass against the crossed strike of twin blades, each carrying a current powerful enough that the land trembles again beneath Kaeya’s own feet some meters away. 

The Mage falls to its haunches in a daze, but clambers to the side in a frenzy just before another strike fells it. It lets out an angry squawk, and it calls the ice back to itself to reform its shield — and to strike down this foe should that foe dare approach in the meantime. But this foe does not appear to be intimidated in the slightest; instead, he chuckles …and he raises the twin daggers again with a word of chastisement:

“No use hiding back there!”

He doesn’t move his feet from the ground, but he does twist his torso and the daggers ‘round, and Electro strikes in an arc behind him — hits the Mage dead-center, too, and knocks it out of its icy circle of protection. This time the Mage is truly stunned for good, and this man takes care not to waste the opportunity. He damn near teleports to the frosty fiend’s side and puts the business end of his dagger straight through its would-be heart, paralyzing it in a state of imminent death, before finally bringing the other dagger around to cleave the Mage’s head from its shoulders.

Death is no longer imminent — not for that wretched thing; that wretched thing is simply no more; its body, in two, barely touches the ground before it turns to dust. Defeated. 

It is then, at long last, that Kaeya blinks — then, that Kaeya fully realizes the entirety of those creatures, both slime and not, has disappeared. But he blinks again to steady himself, for he does not dismiss his sword; in fact, he raises it still — points it at his would-be (or, perhaps, now proven) rescuer. It may seem terribly uncouth to an onlooker, or ungrateful at least, however Kaeya feels no remorse. For he recognized that voice the moment he heard it — that enthusiasm for battle, a bloodlust nearly masked by youthful fervor…but bloodlust nonetheless. 

A very specific, and a very familiar, kind of madness so apparent it ought to appall him, but not at all out of place amongst the Fatui .

He narrows his eye. “Sir Childe. It seems we meet yet again.”

Childe turns to him with a smile, his clothes still blackened by the Delusion’s power and the last sparks of Electro still crackling upon the blades of his knives. “Aha, indeed we do! And it seems, Sir Kaeya, you still prefer my title, though I still wholeheartedly invite you to use ‘Tartaglia’ if you wish.”

Just like that, the Delusion’s presence seems to fade away; Childe’s clothes begin to lighten back to gray, as though the taint of his cursed armament has abandoned him entirely, and those last sparks fizzle out. The blades themselves, they vanish too — as quickly as Kaeya imagines they might have appeared, had he witnessed such; Childe now approaches him in a manner entirely too casual for Kaeya’s liking. His eyes are gleaming, his smile is broad, his shoulders are relaxed, and he is, by all appearances, effectively disarmed — non-threatening. But Kaeya does not trust this sudden friendliness, even if he’s as yet no particular cause for immediate suspicion; Kaeya knows that those blades could be back in much less than an instant, and those eyes could quickly turn to madness once again in a fraction of the same. 

Thus, he takes a half step backwards. And he also nods towards his own sword, which remains drawn. “I find ‘ Childe ’ suits you, Sir, given your impatience — and your games ; it’s not been a day since you last approached me, and still you’ve yet to tell me for what purpose .” He narrows his eye further. “What are you playing at, Sir Childe? — such that you’ve ambushed me outside the city?”

Childe might have been able to take the hint without all that, but Kaeya isn’t in the mood to take chances — and the result is favorable; the man does stop in his tracks. But he also feigns surprise, putting a hand to his chest. “Ambush? — no, not at all! I didn’t mean to alarm you, Sir Kaeya; I thought you might be in a bit of a bind, and that I might help you out of it. Which…” He scratches at the back of his head — as Childe seemingly always does when he’s caught. “…I dare say I did. Err, I think I did… Have I offended you?”

He takes another step towards the Captain, Childe does, and said Captain raises his sword — encourages him not to draw any closer. “You would have, Harbinger , if you expected me to believe your timing was mere coincidence . But you don’t expect that, do you? You were following me , and you surely knew I’d realize.”

“Heh, all right; I can admit when I’ve been found out…” Childe raises his hands in mock defense, pleading guilty to this particular charge. “I was following you, yes. But I think even you can stand to admit that my timing, however uncoincidental , was still rather optimal given your predicament.”

Kaeya clicks his tongue. “And what, pray tell, would lead you to assume such a… predicament , as you put it?”

“Well, the fact that that Mage was preparing to spirit you well and away from Celestia’s prying eyes, for one…and that you seemed to have frozen in place, for another.” He shrugs. “And I say that as only a casual observer, mind; don’t take it as a criticism. Your skills aren’t in question, Sir Kaeya; the matchup was poor. Cryo could hardly counter such creatures borne of the same stuff, even if such Cryo hails from Celestia itself…via that Oculus .” 

Kaeya glares at him as Childe pauses briefly — puts a pondering hand to his chin, as though he actually has to stop and consider before continuing. 

“Which I reckon is probably what they were after…”

Bastard .

“And yourself , Harbinger ,” Kaeya hisses. “I reckon.”

It seems Kaeya did misjudge Childe in calling him impatient; indeed, Childe must have done some kind of recon before stalking him out here in the field. After all, when last they met in the tavern, the Harbinger was vaguely aware of the incident involving the Fatui and Kaeya himself, courtesy of the Traveler, but still ignorant of the finer points. He gave no indication that he knew enough to mention the “ Oculus” specifically, and that did not surprise Kaeya; if he really was as out of the loop as Aether and Paimon had indicated (before they subsequently looped him in), then he couldn’t have known. Aether and Paimon couldn’t have told him about the Oculus when they sought him out in Liyue; they didn’t know until they got back to Mondstadt, by which time Childe was busy raising Hell in Snezhnaya. 

Tch, so he did some homework , did he…? Well, color Kaeya surprised — but distinctly not gracious enough to admit it. No matter — hardly relevant.

Besides, Childe looks like he’s been booted from the loop again anyway. He cocks a brow at him, a most confused look on his face — and a terribly teenage “Eh?” following shortly thereafter. “Myself…?” He looks like a bloody fool.

But he’s not going to fool Kaeya , that’s for sure; a fool and his folly are best left to their own fold. “Why you were following me.”

“ Oh , of course… Err, but no ! You’ve misunderstood me…though not unreasonably! I’ll admit it’s a curious thing , an Oculus for an eye… Her Excellency, the Tsaritsa, is certainly intrigued — logical enough to assume that she wouldn’t be the only one.”

He takes another step forward…

…and Kaeya takes another step back — and allots him another glare in warning. “ I’ll admit that I fail to see what I’ve misunderstood . For it appears you are here for the Cryoculus after all — thought you would beat the Abyss to it.”

Childe waves his hands again — rather enthusiastically, to boot. “No, no, not at all…!” he insists — daring another step, too, damn fool that he’d have Kaeya believe him to be. “I’m not here for the Cryoculus, Sir Kaeya. Please, be most assured of that.”

Kaeya isn’t assured in the least, but he doesn’t comment — doesn’t, because Childe seems to have more to say. Perhaps it’s to prove his point, offering an alternative or some such… Kaeya has little confidence he’ll believe any such thing , whatever it is, but he’s of a mind to hear it regardless; he’ll chalk that up to common courtesy — or keen investigative skill, if that suits him better. But when Childe does speak, Kaeya thinks neither applies in the end; both routes have failed him. Because he does believe it…and it offers no insight beyond what he already knew to be true.

All it does is set him incredibly on edge.

“I’m here for you .”

Kaeya jolts back in an instant, brandishing his blade in a manner that leaves no room whatsoever for misinterpretation. He also, were that not enough, drops his voice low — and he practically snarls, “ Helpful as you may think you have been, Harbinger , do not think me complacent . Be it for my eye or myself that you’ve come, rest assured that neither will be taken without contest .”

Now, Kaeya expects Childe to flash a leery grin, and to draw his blades once more, and to declare such a contest wholly offered and accepted with the sort of glee his reputation suggests he will. And Kaeya, to be fair, isn’t precisely sure of the outcome of such — if he, even with the Oculus firmly set in his skull, could best this man and his heretical Delusion, and the malicious taint of the Abyss (or whatever that stain is…) alongside it. He isn’t sure; he has no idea. But it won’t stop him trying; of that, he is certain. However…

…Childe does not grin, nor does he raise his blades. What he does raise, though, are his two hands — and clasped together, in fact, in a most sincere plea for forgiveness . Kaeya knows this, or at least believes, from the man’s words; he actually stammers out a host of nervous retorts to that effect.

And to the added effect that he’s been misunderstood. Again.

“N-No contest!” the man says most hurriedly. “Forgive me, I… I truly did mean to allay your concerns, however I can see, hindsight being what it is, that I’ve made a right mess of it. I ought to consider my words more carefully…”

Kaeya remains wary. “I almost feel as though I should advise against that, Sir Childe; candor would be much appreciated.” Actually, now that they’re on the subject… “In fact, I don’t believe you’ve been at all candid with me from the start. You refused to divulge the details of your original mission — your wanderer , that is — and subsequently refused to divulge why you’ve come to Mondstadt. Now you say the latter is for me — but not for the Oculus. Which, I must say, I’m surprised you’ve heard enough about to even name.”

“H-Hold on, I really don’t think now’s the time to…” He clears his throat, then shakes his head. “Well, the Oculus is straightforward enough, I guess… I-“

But Kaeya doesn’t oblige his weak rebuttal; he narrows his eye and holds the blade taught instead. “ Now is as good a time as any — and to start at the beginning , if you will. Start with that wanderer of yours.”

Childe just blinks at him at first — or, more appropriately, at the sword still level with his neck (albeit a little ways away). And, as though Kaeya couldn’t guess what he was thinking, asks, “Would you be amenable to…maybe lowering that a bit?”

“Lowering it? — maybe , but no promises. How about you start talking first? — and then I’ll see about the sword.”

“Heh, fair enough, Sir Kaeya. Can’t fault a man for being cautious…” He doesn’t exactly continue from there, though, so Kaeya gives him a wee nudge in the form of pressing the blade forward another inch. That gets him talking. “O-Okay, okay…! The Wanderer , then; we’ll start there… Gotta warn ya, though; I don’t have all the details.”

“Fine by me. Just ensure those you do have are shared in their entirety.”

“Very well. So…” He pauses, Childe does, to ponder where he ought to begin. From the look on his face, it doesn’t seem like he quite figures that out, but he does start somewhere — thus, can’t really begrudge him. “Well, first thing I’ll say is there doesn’t seem to be much reason to beat around the bush anymore; I imagine the Traveler already told you that the wanderer I mentioned at the party and the Wanderer are one and the same.”

Kaeya blinks. “He didn’t quite say that , but he and Paimon mentioned some incident involving a “Balladeer” — and that, whatever that incident was, it caused tension between you and the Doctor.”

“Ah, ‘Balladeer’ is just another epithet for the same person,” Childe clarifies, “Either way, it seems the Traveler didn’t get too far into the finer points…so I’ll fill in a couple gaps — just so we’re all on the same page.”

“Please do.”

“The Balladeer, formerly the Number 6 Harbinger, traveled to Inazuma — around the time that La Signora did. Signora’s mission was to obtain the Electro Gnosis for Her Excellency…”

“To steal it , you mean.”

“H-Hey…! There are more ways than one to obtain something…! Eh, not that I’m much interested in defending her character… Ahem, regardless!” He shakes his head. “Signora was unable to complete her mission — and died shortly thereafter. The Balladeer retrieved the Gnosis in her stead.”

So, the Fair Lady really is dead, is she…? Kaeya must admit he hadn’t entirely believed it, but it’s hardly bad news. Still, he fails to see what the point is in all this; Childe hasn’t yet connected it to anything in the present, and now he’s gone quiet again. Perhaps some gentle encouragement is in order… “Go on.”

The words are gentle — the ever-ready sword, less so; it’s difficult to say precisely which elicits a response, but Childe responds either way. “Unfortunately, the Balladeer chose to cut off contact with the Fatui after obtaining the Gnosis; simply put, he went rogue. As a result, I was tasked with returning the pair of them — the Balladeer and the Gnosis — to Snezhnaya.” He pauses again, but grumbles most notably before Kaeya can prompt him to continue. “Ugh, which, strictly speaking, I didn’t accomplish; that’s where the Doctor comes in. He tracked down the Balladeer and snapped him up without so much as a ‘by your leave.’” He scoffs. “Or any other indication that he’d done so…”

Aha, so that’s it, then. Kaeya is starting to understand the man’s frustration… “Hence your grievance with the Doctor — and, in the same vein, your quick departure to Snezhnaya. You went to have it out with him.”

Got it in one! Childe beams, perhaps feeling some sort of kinship with him for Kaeya’s apparent sympathy (not that Kaeya himself feels particularly sympathetic…). He nods hastily. “That’s right! Once I realized that my time roaming around Teyvat in search of the Balladeer was time not well-spent, I decided to give the good Doctor a piece of my mind.”

Shame, that; Kaeya wouldn’t have expected Childe had any mind to spare… But he seems genuine enough, and he’s been rather forthcoming; he cuts him some slack in two ways. He doesn’t air his sneaking suspicions that any piece of mind offered would be of no use to anyone (let alone Dottore), and he lowers his sword a wee bit. One thing doesn’t quite add up, though; Childe hasn’t indicated his venture was unsuccessful, and, given he heard about the Oculus from someone , it probably wasn’t; thus, he did confront Dottore after all. That part makes sense. The part that doesn’t is…why he’s here — here in Mondstadt, sure, but more so…

…here in Teyvat . The fact that he’s stood here — which is to say, not dead as a doornail in a ditch somewhere — is quite something. Kaeya will freely admit that Dottore, as of late, seems far more agreeable (on the surface, anyway) than he did years ago — back when his temper ran hotter than the sun. That’s true. But he questions if he’s really become agreeable enough to tolerate a confrontation.

Maybe he has. Anything’s possible, he supposes.

In any case, Kaeya’s just about to move on from all that — ask Childe to continue, and to illustrate just what did result from his interaction with Dottore. He’s curious, after all — and, even if he weren’t, he senses they are still quite a ways away from the more pressing matter of what Childe is really after in Mondstadt (as it relates to him, particularly). Alas, just as Kaeya is about to ask — got the words ready in his throat, creeping onto his tongue…Yes, just as he’s done all that, something strange happens — not a problem per se, but…

But very…strange.

He first sees it in Childe — a bit of a…flash in his eyes, but not an emotional one; it’s not like those that have come before it. It doesn’t seem to be Childe at all, that flash; it was almost green in hue, though it vanished so quickly that Kaeya can’t be sure. But what was all the more striking is what follows — or, what he notices second, because both strange phenomena may have occurred simultaneously. The second is not a flash; it is not a thing to be observed so much as a sense to be…well, sensed . It is a stillness, and with it an incredible silence — like the world has not only gone mute, but that it’s entirely stopped turning . 

Until it turns again — until the sound of the rustling grass and the gentle winds return as abruptly as they’d disappeared, and that flash has long since gone out of Childe’s eyes. It left something behind, though; Kaeya hears a faint ringing in his ears, and his mind is hazier than he recalls it being moments earlier. He doesn’t feel ill , but he does feel he’s been caught unawares, and (to his shame) he actually falters. His sword arm wavers, his entire train of thought’s been utterly derailed, and it takes all he has not to gawk in a most embarrassing display of confusion.

What…was that…?

“…so, I decided to give the good Doctor a piece of my mind!”

Huh? Didn’t Childe already…

Kaeya is admittedly asea, but he’s not quite far enough from the shore to not notice that Childe is repeating himself. “You already said that.”

“Did I…? Haha, sorry! Must’ve gotten carried away…” 

That makes two of them. But what’s curious, and irritatingly so, is how Childe seems to be completely oblivious to the aforementioned phenomena that got Kaeya’s mind in a tizzy. Perhaps being dense has its advantages… Tch, whatever…. “So you confronted the Doctor back in Snezhnaya.”

“Indeed I did! Now I know you may not have the best opinion of me, Sir Kaeya, and that’s all well and good — fair enough, I’d say. I’m decidedly more sinner than saint, and freely admit it. But I don’t condone experimenting on people — not unless they agree to being experimented on.”

Oh, got a conscience, does he…? That’s good to know…

Wait.

What…? 

It takes Kaeya a minute but, when the thought does finally strike him, it hits like a ton of bricks — knocks him for another damn loop. Childe…changed the subject; just like that — one, two, three — he shifted from the ordeal with the Balladeer and Dottore’s unannounced intrusion into his mission over to Dottore’s unsavory experiments. Himself , Kaeya thinks; from the sheer sincerity in Childe’s eyes, and the intensity of his gaze, Kaeya knows he must be talking about him — about the Oculus. And, sure, the Captain was hoping they’d get there eventually, but he did not expect the man to go about it with such disjoint brevity — and shamelessly , to boot! It’s as though he doesn’t even realize he’s done it; he surely sees the furrow in Kaeya’s brow, and that is surely the reason the redhead’s own brow creases in uncertainty, but he doesn’t seem to know why Kaeya is questioning him. 

But how…? How can he not bloody know?!

It is an aggravating thing. As a result, Kaeya’s voice is a bit sharper than before when he interrupts. “Hold on — back up . We’re talking about me now?”

Childe just blinks at him at first, looking thoroughly stupefied. “Well…yeah — you and the Oculus. But what do you mean by ‘ now ’?”

What the… “I mean now as in not before . Before , we were talking about the Balladeer.”

“We were? Gee, I… I’m so sorry, Sir Kaeya — completely lost my train of thought…” He pauses, and he ponders…but then he scratches at his head; his pondering has yielded no results. “I’m… I’m very sorry; I can’t remember at all what I was saying. Which bard was it again?”

Is he serious…?! Somehow, inane as it ought to be, it certainly seems that Childe is indeed serious; the poor man’s going pink in the cheeks. But Kaeya is too mystified himself to care; he shakes his head, in which a dull throb is slowly but surely developing about the temples. 

“Not a bard…!” He snaps. “The Balladeer — the Wanderer !”

It doesn’t help. “I’m not…very familiar with performers, so… Oh!” Oh! He’s got it?! Thanks be to Barbatos… “The Wanderer…as in the Wanderer’s Troupe! — the one that went to the Mare Jivari!” He looks so satisfied with himself, Childe; it’s so ridiculous that it almost numbs Kaeya’s headache. Almost. “Is that what we were talking about? Man, would I love to see the Mare sometime! — just think of what kind of challenges await…! Err, but how did we get onto that subject…? I can’t re-“

“We didn’t !” Kaeya snaps again, and poor Childe looks quite taken aback…but it can’t be helped; he’s at wit’s end with this feigned ignorance. Or, what should be feigned ignorance that instead appears infuriatingly genuine . “We were talking about the Balladeer that you were looking for — that the Doctor found before you did…” Oh no, please don’t tell him that… “You… You do remember him , don’t you…?”

Thankfully, Childe nods in the affirmative. Small mercies, that. “Who? — Dottore? Of course I remember Dottore! He’s not a man easily forgotten…”

“Okay…good. So, the Balladeer — the one Dottore found; that’s what we were discussing.”

The small mercy evaporates, however; that brief flash of recollection in the Harbinger’s eye is gone, and he raises an eyebrow. “You, uh… You lost me again…” Seriously?! “Ya know, Sir Kaeya… Dottore finds all sorts of things, and drags more than a few of ‘em in on the regular — occasionally for an actual purpose, more typically for his own amusement. Almost like…some kind of horrifying cat.”

What in the… No, Kaeya will not even entertain that mental image; Dottore is bad enough as a human (or whatever he is that looks like one…). Ugh, even thinking about not imagining it creeps him out. “You’re telling me you have no recollection of the Balladeer at all? — even though we were just talking about him?”

“No. No idea.” At least the man has the decency to look thoroughly embarrassed. “I feel awful asking this, but maybe you can remind me?”

Kaeya would very much like to say no , but he doesn’t see how that would actually benefit him; at this point, infuriating as it is, he too is also a tad curious just how extensive this apparent short-term memory loss is. Is it just the last few minutes, or has Childe forgotten entirely everything? Does he remember seeing him in the tavern, for example — or in the plaza before that? Does he remember the party in Liyue? He remembers Dottore, and Snezhnaya, and the Oculus ; that much he’s said already — but that just makes it even more strange. Especially the Oculus; that came up in the conversation right before the Balladeer did, so why was it spared forgetting when the Balladeer was not?

He’ll have to indulge Childe indeed; these questions need answers.

“We were talking about the Balladeer, also known as the Wanderer — also known as the 6th Fatui Harbinger…though that one might be best characterized as formerly so. The one who took the Gnosis from Inazuma and then…”

“H-Hold on just a minute…! I’m… I’m sorry to interrupt, but I’m getting lost again…” Ah, but was he ever found… ? That too is in question…although not as curious. “You said the 6th Harbinger…?”

“Yes, the one who…”

“But we don’t have a 6th Harbinger…”

“I did say ‘ formerly’… ”

“I know, but…it sounded like you meant we had one recently .” Eh? Well, yes, he did… Is that an issue? Childe shakes his head before Kaeya can comment. “I mean, of course there’s a slot for a 6th Harbinger amongst the Fatui, and presumably there was someone in said slot at some point… But I don’t have any idea who that was — not even a name! That position has been vacant for decades — long before I enlisted. And they — the others, I mean — never talk about them; it’s almost as if they never were.”

What in the… That’s not possible! It isn’t, is it…? It can’t be! Kaeya blinks rapidly, trying to process exactly what Childe has revealed, but he finds he can’t quite manage it. This is far beyond a lapse in memory; this is an entire chapter of the organization’s history simply vanishing into the wind! 

No, it’s not possible; he won’t believe it — not that easily, at least! “What are you on about…? What about Inazuma? — the Electro Gnosis?”

“What about it?”

“The 6th Harbinger stole it !” Kaeya snaps. “He stole it and then he disappeared! That’s why you were looking for him!” A pause. “Don’t you remember that? — that’s why you and Dottore were at odds. He…”

“Uh…” 

Kaeya knows that particular breed of “Uh…” all too well; it nearly always precedes an admission of complete and utter loss . “Don’t tell me none of that is familiar.”

“I…” Childe looks as though he’s trying not to disappoint him, but also that it can’t be avoided. He shakes his head again. “I don’t…know where you got any of that, Sir Kaeya, but it’s not at all how I remember things. The Electro Gnosis was Signora’s assignment, and it’s true that she didn’t make it back to Snezhnaya in one piece…but the Gnosis did. Dottore saw to it.”

“I realize that, but…”

“ I wasn’t looking for it,” the man interjects, having anticipated Kaeya’s remark. “I haven’t received a direct assignment in a while — and definitely not one related to any of that. Il Dottore and I are at odds, but not over the Gnosis; it’s a matter of principle .”

“Principle?”

“Yes. As I said, Sir Kaeya, I do not condone human experimentation; it is a cruel and fruitless endeavor — and a stain on the Fatui as a whole. I did confront Dottore, but about this — not about what happened in Inazuma.” He pauses. “And that’s why I’m here.”

Kaeya is exasperated beyond all possible expression, but it is enough that he’s willing to concede the matter of the Balladeer is a moot point and that he must move on. After all, kicking a dead horse is, to borrow Childe’s turn of phrase, also a cruel and fruitless endeavor. “You’re here…why, then? Because he told you about the Oculus and you conscientiously objected?”

He looks a bit sheepish at that, Childe; he scratches at the back of his head again. “Not…exactly, but close! I am here because I object to Dottore’s plans to make a lab rat out of you, but it wasn’t Dottore that told me about said plans. Actually, Dottore didn’t tell me much of anything at all — played it close to the vest. What I do know, I put together from what I heard the Fatui in town whispering about — bits and pieces, see, but I reckon I worked it out just fine.” He flashes a grin. “Given you’ve confirmed it yourself.”

Tch, cocky… But perhaps it’s well within his right to be so, if Childe really did figure it out on his own. It’s hardly typical of him. “Point taken. But answer me this: why the secrecy? I suppose I don’t know the Doctor too well, but he never struck me as a man to pass up an opportunity to gloat.”

Childe doesn’t answer immediately; it looks as though he’s still working out that part of the equation himself. But he still doesn’t keep Kaeya waiting long, either; it’s not that he does figure it out necessarily — more so that he’d rather not let the silence linger. That last tidbit is a guess, of course, but hardly a stab in the dark; Childe’s nature has already been well established, and as yet unchallenged. He is impatient at the core, and undoubtedly rash.

“That’s…complicated; I won’t pretend to know the details.” He shrugs, though, immediately after this statement; he clearly finds the details unimportant. “Suffice it to say that your impression of my colleague is correct, Sir Kaeya, in that he very obviously wanted to tell me. He admitted as much, albeit precious little else. But he also indicated the choice was not his to make — that it was Her Excellency that requested I be kept at arm’s length. As far as this scheme goes, at least. It would appear other members of the organization are informed, and eligible to participate should their services be requested…but specifically other members. Not me.”

Her Excellency…the Tsaritsa? Now that is intriguing, if it is indeed true. Kaeya finally lowers his sword, the blade now at long last pointed towards the ground, and raises an eyebrow instead. “And why would that be? Does your Archon doubt you, Sir Childe?”

Childe again doesn’t respond straightaway, but when he does…he is very resolute — a bit awkward, perhaps, by the look on his face, but certain of himself. As such, perhaps awkward is the wrong term; perhaps a better description would be…disappointed? No, not quite that…

…sad?

“In a sense,” the Harbinger finally admits. “Though, not so much doubt as that she surely knew I would disagree.” Another pause, but less awkward; Childe crosses his arms over his chest, sighs, and then clarifies. “Her Excellency would not ask, or allow anyone else to ask, me to partake in that plot because she surely knew that I would refuse.”

That comes as a surprise; Kaeya actually blanks on a response — until a decent one comes in clutch just before the pause transitions to an eerie silence. “You would refuse your Archon’s will?”

It seems it isn’t easy for Childe to affirm that; he looks decidedly uncomfortable. But never let it be said that he is not courageous, for he manages despite the discomfort. “I would,” he avers. “I would have to.”

“ Why? ”

“Because it’s wrong , Captain; what that search and seizure squad did to you and your company was wrong . And what Dottore would have done to you, had that squad been successful, is even worse .” He shakes his head. “Dottore wants to experiment on you — on that… thing in your eye; I’m sure you can imagine what that might entail.”

“I can. I’ve seen it before.” Kaeya has; he’s seen one of Dottore’s experiments in the flesh — that girl… Collei , yes! That’s what her name was; he’d forgotten the name, but not the girl herself — nor how she was but a child at the time… But at this recollection, he too shakes his head; something isn’t quite clear. “I have seen it, and you know that; thus, you know this is hardly the Doctor’s first foray into this kind of thing. You know he has done it before…and will do it again, if given the opportunity.” He shakes his head once again. “More so, you also know that your Tsaritsa has sanctioned this, and that she undoubtedly will sanction it each time he does have the opportunity. You don’t deny it.”

“No, I don’t.”

“Then I suppose I question why you’ve come at all — why bother to claim you take issue, when you know full well any issue you do take won’t matter ?”

Childe actually chuckles a little — albeit only once, and a bit defeatedly. But he collects himself quickly — stands pat, in more ways than one. Says Kaeya has essentially answered his own question. “I want it to matter; that’s why I’m here.” Oh? “I want to help .” 

Kaeya just blinks . “ Help …? And how exactly do you mean to do that?”

The Harbinger seems a little surprised by the question — or perhaps by how bluntly it was posed; he clearly thinks it ought to be obvious. “By protecting you, of course. Look…” He sighs, decidedly a bit loath to admit what he’s about to say, but resolved to do so all the same. “You’re right ; Dottore does want to experiment on you — and you’re also right that in this matter, Her Excellency is resolved to indulge his curiosity. And because she is so resolved, a number, maybe even the vast majority, of the Fatui are more than willing to chip in towards the effort. There’s no question of that; I’m just stating the obvious.”

But there’s more to it — something that perhaps isn’t yet obvious, but that Childe would very much like to be. 

“But I want you to understand something: Dottore’s… apathy , to put it kindly , may know no bounds…but mine does . And for me, those bounds stop here — line in the sand, plain as day; I’ve had no part in all that, and I never will. For that reason, I offer you my protection — not as a Fatui Harbinger to a Knight of Mond, but as one man to another.”

Said Knight of Mond ponders this for a moment — or tries to, at least; he’s experiencing a bit of difficulty in processing the words…or determining an exact, tangible meaning . Ultimately, Kaeya decides he can’t quite manage to suss out the latter on his own, thus he resolves to simply question — to ask again, as it were, after Childe’s true intentions. This time, though, with a bit more context . Because the conclusion he was starting to draw — and yes, there indeed was one! — seems completely impossible .

“Do you mean to say that you intend to combat your comrades for my sake?” he asks incredulously. It surely sounds as bloody ridiculous to Childe as it does to his own ears, but he can’t find it in him to care. “To challenge them — challenge the Tsaritsa …?”

It’s Childe’s turn to blink — stunned for a moment, he is, until he at last waves his hands most enthusiastically…to the negative. “ Challenge the… Archons above, no …! Never let it be said that I’m one to shirk a challenge as a rule, Captain, but my head is firmly attached to my shoulders at present, and I would very much like to keep it that way! Ah, for a little longer, at least...”

Kaeya shakes his head, rather exasperated; he feels another headache coming on, despite the first never quite abating. “Then I’m afraid that I fail to see your point . If you have reason enough to not challenge your Archon for sensibility’s sake, then how do you reason you can help ? What do you propose?”

The young man smiles — quite giddily, too, to boot, and it’s only more confusing. For he seems to think Kaeya has actually uncovered this master plan of his, even though Kaeya only asked a question . He even has the audacity to nod in relief, and Kaeya stifles a groan. Yes, a right migraine of a headache to be sure …

“Just so! I propose.”

What…?

Kaeya’s eye narrows, though even he himself can’t determine if that’s in the glare he intends or just from the migraine. He has a sense it’s the latter. “You propose what ?”

Childe appears to deflate at that, seeing his counterpart hasn’t sussed it after all, but he soldiers on — stiff upper lip. “I propose , Captain — one man to another.” 

“This is quite tiresome , Childe. What do you want ?”

“I want you to accept.”

“Accept what ?”

“My proposal.” 

Kaeya truly feels his head is about to explode in a manner entirely unbecoming of any wielder of a non-Pyro Vision; this infuriatingly unhelpful bout of circular logic, which has yielded no logic thus far, is positively maddening. In fact, as a true madman would, Kaeya is dangerously close to throwing caution, propriety, and all the rest to the wind and putting his sword straight through the irritating boy-of-a-man’s skull…but he does not. Because the irritating boy of a man must realize this, because he quickly follows up on his last statement — clarifies it…

“My proposal to you , Kaeya Alberich; I’m asking for your hand , and I want you to accept .”

Well, in all Seven Realms…! That was certainly a roundabout way of saying…

…wait.

That’s a way of saying…

“ What …?!”

On the one hand, Kaeya’s headache is gone. On the other, his entire body has gone completely numb from shock ; it was rather immediate, actually, and that last word of his may prove to be the last of its kind because Kaeya only just barely managed to croak it out. Childe is… This Harbinger is asking him to… Ah, but there goes his train of thought — ran out of track right at the edge of one doozy of a cliff and sadly realized it only after the fact; Kaeya very much doubts anyone will be seeing the likes of that locomotive again. Himself included; his mind can’t wrap around the words — can grasp at them freely in the air as though they were straws, but can’t ultimately string them together. Square pegs into the most circular of holes, they are, and forcing them is a recipe for even more disaster as far as he’s concerned.

But Childe seems to think those ill-shaped pegs fit perfectly. He even takes it upon himself to reason why — the gall of this one…! Were Kaeya of any mind at all, he’d first wish he weren’t numb; after that, he’d wish for being of a particular mind to slap him.

Alas…

“I may be most well-known for my combat ,” Childe says. “But I’d be remiss not to account for my favor as well — for Her Excellency’s favor towards myself, specifically. She has, of course, every right to cross and deprive me, which would admittedly render this plan of mine null and void, but I don’t believe that she will.”

“ Why ?” 

“She’s had opportunity; she hasn’t taken it.” That doesn’t explain… “Her Excellency knows I don’t approve of Dottore’s wild schemes; it’s hardly a secret that he and I don’t get on — like oil and water, frankly. But that’s beside the point; Her Excellency doesn’t care much about that. She isn’t particularly concerned whether her Harbingers see eye to eye; the vast majority of Harbingers don’t . Thus, instead, she only needs to ensure their loyalty to whatever cause it is that she supports. She could have revealed this cause — you and the Cryoculus, I mean — to me and given me an ultimatum: assist the Doctor in his venture or be branded a traitor. Which, I assure you, would have been standard procedure. But Her Excellency did no such thing; instead, she chose to keep it from me. In doing that, she spared me — from the ultimatum and its foregone resolution. So, since she spared me once already, I’ve no reason to believe she will not spare me again.” 

“No, that’s not… That’s not what I mean…!” Kaeya avers, voice having made a (thankfully) speedy recovery. “I mean why would you… Why in all the Realms would you even think that proposing to me, marrying me , would be remotely possible — let alone helpful… ?!” 

Childe…only shrugs, and it’s irritating; Kaeya thinks he ought to be taking this a tad more seriously . But perhaps that’s simply his way. “To your first point, Captain: you are unwed, I too am unwed, and a proposal is, in essence, a very simple matter…in practical terms, of course. I see no barriers to possibility there. As to the second…” He pauses to consider. “I say you’re right that the proposal is technically not at all helpful; it’s altogether meaningless, actually, unless you accept .” 

“ Why would I ever… ”

“That’s what I was trying to explain .” Childe cuts him off, and that is also irritating…but Kaeya finds his words do not stand and fight for dominance; his mouth runs dry in an instant. “The Tsaritsa is of a mind to spare me ; she spared me thus far of an assured execution — if she’d given me that ultimatum and I answered in the negative, which I’d have done. She’s deprived me of that particular opportunity, but has given me leverage in its place; she believes me to be blissfully ignorant of the whole affair, thus to further that affair by removing you from my side were I to declare my most eagerly-awaited nuptials, she would be forced to either inform me or put the plot to rest. I believe things can be arranged in a way that will all but compel her to choose the latter.”

“You can’t expect me to…”

“I can’t guarantee her charity will last forever , no.” The man admits this freely and readily, and he does so with a bit of a sigh. For this reason, he appears to be entirely sincere…and for that , it is less irritating than when he cut Kaeya off before. “But at the very least, it will buy time.” 

Kaeya is still stunned , truth be told; he’s vaguely aware that his jaw is hanging ajar — a most unbecoming expression, he should think, were he thinking at all. But he isn’t, thus he doesn’t, and he can only manage a handful of blinks in the redhead’s direction. A proposal of marriage …from a Harbinger , no less…! No, this was not something for which he’d ever prepared — certainly not something he’d envisioned would arise today , at that. On the surface, it’s an unspeakably, unquantifiably, horrible idea — sheer lunacy , the mere thought of it…!

But then again, Kaeya would have to have a thought to deem it so, and it’s already been established that he’s not thinking quite clearly at present…

Although, he does start to think clearly, or madly, enough to see some frightful sort of sense in the suggestion. If what Childe believes about his Archon’s nature is true (and a mighty big “if” that is, in his opinion — albeit apparently not in Childe’s), then perhaps the Tsaritsa would restrain herself, and Dottore by extension, to avoid hurting her so-called favorite Fatuus. Kaeya does not know Childe personally to any great extent, but he is aware of others’ opinions of him — gossip he’s gleaned from the Fatui in the taverns after a few rounds too many; he has heard tell of this young Harbinger being indulged to a degree. Kaeya can’t quite say that Mikhail or his counterparts are entirely reliable (bunch of self-important sots , actually), but on this matter he does have other evidence from which to draw the same conclusion — Childe’s disaster of a mission in Liyue, for starters. 

Disaster is indeed the word for it…and he always did wonder why there were no apparent repercussions. The Fatui are not known for setting the bar low, nor for their charity should one among them fail to measure up.

He did wonder, but now it’s a bit clearer to him than before. The Tsaritsa tasked Childe with retrieving the Geo Gnosis from Rex Lapis — a task Childe (by all accounts) accepted readily enough, but went about in a rather roundabout way. Such a thing is relatively standard for him, though, as far as Kaeya can tell — doesn’t quite understand it himself, but apparently sufficient when one isn’t in too great a hurry for results. Yet the Tsaritsa also tasked La Signora with the same mission, and she did so long before it became painfully obvious that Childe would not deliver; given that, she, the Tsaritsa, must have known well in advance that he wasn’t up to it. Kaeya would assume it was a test…but it would be a test with no real way to flunk , even if the man had kicked back and done nothing at all (which is…actually quite similar to what he did do). The Tsaritsa didn’t care if Childe failed — when he failed, because she knew that he undoubtedly would; she gave him that assignment, sure, but she only ever planned on Signora’s success. 

So, seems she did indulge him after all… Tch, a favorite , to be sure.

Still…

“I… I hardly know you ,” he says. “And you , me.”

Childe shakes his head. “Don’t discredit yourself, Captain; you know you’re far too sensible for that to matter.” He pauses then, and subsequently chuckles, a sheepish sort of grin on his face as he scratches at the back of his head. “And…as for me, ehe… Well, I am known to be a bit reckless …”

That’s true, sure as salt; Mikhail did mention that… Kaeya isn’t sure which disturbs him more: the fact that he’s actually taking Mikhail’s wine-soaked slips of the tongue as credible evidence , or that he’s feeling less opposed to this whole outlandish thing than any supposedly sensible man should be. It’s a puzzler, that — and a puzzle he’ll never solve; it’s one best left safely stashed away. But Kaeya knows he must answer back something …

…so he does.

“Would you…allow me time to think about it?” 

That’s asking a lot, Kaeya is sure, but Childe only smiles — very reassuring, very understanding. Very genuine .

“Please do!” He chirps. “I said before that a proposal is simple in its nature, but by no means do I intend to make light of it; marriage is sacred in Snezhnaya — a family, everything . It is of course a matter to be carefully considered, and unthinkable that one should be pressured to rush.” Childe smiles again. “You don’t know me, and I’m sure my reputation precedes me, but believe me when I say that I can be a gentleman .”

Kaeya lets out a shallow breath, although it is ironically one he discovers he’d been holding. Would’ve expected it to have had a bit more depth to it… “Thank you. I… I will consider it .”

“And I will eagerly await your decision! But, again, please do consider carefully; I’m in no hurry. After all, if there’s one thing you really should know about me, it’s this…” He pauses, and his grin turns a tad mischievous — not malicious , but… But somehow, still predatory in its own right. He steps closer — leans in to whisper in Kaeya’s ear, as the Captain finds himself all but frozen in place. “I like a little suspense .”