to be seen and cared for // @lightricks
( from @ lightricks / childe ) “ partner ! ” at this point it was a win / win whether aether would let himself get swept in a hug or intercept childe’s approach as an attack, but he figured there was no harm in trying. the chill of nod krai’s icy shores had little effect on the harbinger, warm from recently sated bloodlust, and filled with the delirious glee of seeing one of his favourite rivals. the harbinger’s touch did not hold back either, sure and firm and bone-crushing with newly revived strength. his recovery post the fontaine flood had done him a world of good. “ you look tired, have you eaten yet ? let’s get lunch. my treat. ”
THERE'S SOMETHING TO BE SAID ABOUT THE WAY TRAVELLER ONLY TURNS TO FACE THE SOURCE OF THE SHOUT. A blink, a second one, and then, in the very next moment, he finds himself attacked by torrent tide in human skin wrapping his arms around him with all his strength. Huh. Hmm. It's not like their sparring matches have never gotten physical at times, but if he were to be honest, a hug is one of the least expected ways to be greeted. A pat on the shoulder or an arm thrown over it, sure. Full-body bear hug, though? Now, that's unexpected. ( And so, Aether wonders for all of five seconds if this is some kind of trap or maybe a prank before throwing the ideas out the window from how unlikely they seem. )
Little time is given to settle under the heavy weight of sudden contact before he's given another shock -- genuine concern for his health. Or, well, as sincere as he can bring himself to believe it is, although Childe's never given him any reason to doubt their interactions... aside from the first time they crossed paths, that is. Sheesh, couldn't you just keep looking the other way? Ah, no matter. No point in getting mad at what has already happened.
Thoughtful hum indicates he's thinking about whether he's already had breakfast or not. ❝ Well, the Lightkeepers were nice enough to let me sit with them this morning. ❞ read: Illuga insisted he had a healthy and filling meal before departing and didn't take no for an answer. He still has treats wrapped up securely stashed away in his bag to eat while he's out and about if he gets hungry. ❝ But that was hours ago at this point, and I was debating setting camp to make something to eat. ❞ or find a suitable tree to have a depression nap in before trudging onward.
❝ Between the two of us, however, ❞ and here Aether actually laughs, tired, but amused ❝ I'm getting kind of sick of eating mandragoras and other assorted khuuvaki-infused beings. Don't get me wrong, they are absolutely delicious, but I just miss the taste of actual meat, y'know? ❞ which is saying something given that he has an iron stomach. He's eaten plenty of suspicious-looking things and survived with at most a terrible stomachache as a consequence.
Clap, clap. ❝ So! ❞ still no attempt whatsoever to shake the Harbinger off him. If anything, he seems to be enjoying the close contact and the heat radiating off the other. ❝ Where are we going? ❞ there's, really, only restaurant Speranza in Nasha Town, but maybe Childe has other ideas.
