❝ nice work, ❞ kaeya greets, familiar with the subtle breeze of wind ( an advantage of working with jean as closely as he does for so long ) gaze fixed on the place where their suspect is. it’s outside of monstadt, but not that far. being cocky or habitual was the first big mistake. ❝ hopefully, we’ll be able to get this case wrapped up quickly. we’ve got the element of surprise on our side after all, thanks to your talent. ❞ kaeya smirks, glancing at his accomplice. for a moment, it makes him look akin to a wolf in the dark of night, the light of the lamp playing tricks with harsh light and shadows. ❝ remember, you’re my wild card. they don’t know you’re with me and i’d like to keep it that way. did you hear anything else of interest ? ❞
𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑏𝑟𝑢𝑠ℎ 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑡 , out of sight , body hidden by the shrubbery , footfalls lessened by foliage long fallen to the bed of the forest . given the season , he blends in quite nicely to the surrounding area . if someone was looking for him , they’d need to know whom exactly they’re looking for ❛ thank you , i do my work diligently ❜ a strained whisper . very much unlike his usual talking cadence . it’s uncomfortable if anything . soft spoken as he is , straining whispers do not come to him as easily . his head turns towards his company , branch still securely in hand , granting them limited vision of the person he has pursued until now ( pursue is the wrong word . he inquired in the breeze and it answered . were he not in the right , the voice of the wind would have remained silent ) . and silent it is now . a rush of cold runs up his back and nestles in behind his ears ❛ however , i want you to be very aware of one thing ❜ vermillion eyes seek direct contact . insistent in its purpose . an expression overtakes him . one so very unlike him . one so abnormal for him , even . it is not anger , by the seven , no . however , it is above a basic level of displeasure
it’s the acidic aftertaste of being put into a box ( ‘ my wild card ‘ ) . the uncomfortable feeling of being restrained , bound to something or someone . he is given a designated worth by someone who knows barely anything about him . unwelcome at that . it stings , uncomfortably so . is it either of their faults ? debatable . maybe it is the way he is being adressed . a pawn . free work . someone to keep around for an uncanny gift until the task is done , only to then be tossed like dirty laundry
❛ i am not your plaything ❜ ( or anything . i am mine first and foremost ) . he belongs to the ground as a weed does , to the breeze as a butterfly does , but not to a person . it brings hardship and very little beyond it . he is not a piece of a game that the captain can do with as he pleases ❛ neither am i your chess piece to place wherever you want me to be . my work is important and i realize my worth in this operation . i do not owe you ❜ interest forces his gaze elsewhere , back down the small hill , into the clearing . to where he can see the the suspect again ❛ you asked , i delivered to the best of my ability . that is that ❜ his hold on the branch , however , still indicates that he has not given up on the mission . that he has not given up faith in the trust of his company . his expression , however , does not soften . neither is it any harsher than before . its neutrality remains ❛ but to answer your question : no , i could not gather any additional information . i have laid my cards bare as they came in . the person of interest has simply remained here , waiting ❜