* starfell.

𝒇𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒔 𝒐𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝒎𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒃𝒚 𝒌𝒂𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒍.​

[pavocelllux]

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hello & welcome to pavocellux! this is an independent, currently friends only & permanently low activity multifandom roleplay blog, written & managed by kaisinel ( 25+, she / they pronouns, BRT timezone ). ♡

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[pavocelllux]

revamping in hopes it’ll wake my brain the fuck up. :D

[pavocelllux]

revamping in hopes it’ll wake my brain the fuck up. :D

[pavocelllux]

beloved, xiao.

they sense a change in the air the moment paimon vanishes and leaves the two of them alone; a rising tension that grows thick between them, pulled taut, ready to snap. xiao says nothing as aether grabs their arm, dragging them to a nearby rock and wordlessly gesturing for them to sit. xiao does, still silent, sensing that the shift in aether’s demeanour is something they must tread lightly around.

inevitably, despite their lack of comprehension in regards to the ways of mortal emotions, their intuition proves correct. 

the explosion of pain, frustration and desperation that pours out of aether with every word he speaks feels like an icy dagger to the heart. as foolish as it feels to admit, they had not considered how their seemingly logical reaction to their bleak situation might affect aether. 

to xiao, it was only natural that they should give their life to save those in danger. in those final moments, as their strength waned and the compass began to fracture beneath their feet, xiao knew that they were the only one capable of getting them out, even if it meant sacrificing themself to do it. they were prepared for it. they had accepted it. from the moment they found themselves trapped in the depths of the chasm, xiao had already come to terms with the fact that it was a distinct possibility that they would have to stay behind in order for the others to live. now that they had the answers they had been seeking, they felt at peace with whatever their fate might be.

in many ways, this was simply another facet of their duty as a yaksha. there was no other option, or so they had believed at the time.

but it was precisely that line of thinking — that way of living — that had brought about so much pain to the one person they strive to protect above all others. for that, xiao can only sit in silence and accept aether’s anguish.

it’s no secret to them anymore — xiao is aware that they are cared for, even if they still struggle with feeling like they deserve such a thing. aether makes such a fact impossible to ignore. over the past year, his presence in their life has become something they deeply cherish, a feeling that aether makes blatantly clear is mutual as he steps into their space and wraps his arms around them without any preamble, whispering a plea that leaves xiao trembling.

their hands lift from their lap, hovering shy of touching aether’s waist. a familiar feeling of self-loathing rears its ugly head, tearing away at the still-fresh wounds that litter their soul, but xiao refuses to give it purchase. not right now.

discomfort ripples across their expression in the form of a frown, finding that the words of comfort they wish to offer aether do not come easily. xiao is not one to lie, or sugar-coat the things they think and feel, nor do they think it fair of them to start now. it would be an insult to aether, who has laid his heart bare to them and spoke so plainly of his pain.

❝  it might not be what you want to hear…  ❞  xiao begins slowly, their fingers curling around aether’s arms, gently prising him away in order to lift their head and meet his gaze.  ❝  …but i was ready to die. i am often prepared for that eventuality. it would be foolish of me not to be. i know that’s not something i can expect you to accept.  ❞

they exhale softly, glancing down at the minimal space between them as they consider their next words with care. they have spoken a lot today, perhaps more than they have in a long time, but for all their discomfort, xiao presses on.  

❝  i am not… entirely accustomed to the emotions experienced by mortals.  ❞  they admit, aware that they are stating an obvious fact. what’s more important, however, are the words which come next,  ❝  i have spent my entire life wary of letting them get in the way of what needs to be done in my duties as a yaksha, so i did not consider how my actions would impact you. or, perhaps i did not want to.  ❞  their fingers curl into aether’s arms, a wave of shame washing over them.  ❝  …perhaps i already knew, so i kept it buried, so as not to let it interfere.  ❞

that, they realise, is the truth of it.

xiao rises from the rock they’re perched upon, their hands moving to grip aether’s wrists as they meet his gaze head on, their voice growing in strength and conviction,  ❝  but i understand better now. and i am sorry that i caused you pain with my actions. if you will permit me the opportunity to remain by your side moving forward, i promise that what happened today will never happen again. i will fight in order to live alongside those i seek to protect.  ❞  they loosen their hold on aether’s arms, careful as they slip their hands into his. their voice softens as they add,  ❝  to live alongside you.  ❞

although the other's touch is gentle, aether's first instinct is to cling to xiao's shoulders tighter, reluctant in separating from them just yet. especially when xiao's words properly register through his agitated mind, settling at the pit of his stomach solid and cold. xiao is right — that's not what aether wants to hear, not at all. while nothing they have said strikes as a surprise per se, hearing the admittance from xiao's own mouth hurts even deeper, and it takes a lot of inner strength for aether to stop himself from interrupting them right then and there with another chidding word of his own.

still, in the end he allows himself to be pushed away just so they can look at each other instead. there are no tears to be seen this time, only the slightly reddened edges of aether's eyes and the way his lips have pressed together in a firm line, hands now resting upon xiao's shoulders as he listens attentively.

would i have changed your mind then? he wants to ask, if i had said all of this earlier—would it have mattered? but aether doesn't voice out such questions, because the answer is already clear in the hesitation present in xiao's admission. and whereas that realization alone is enough to purge away some of the heaviness in aether's heart, it still could not have prepared him for what comes next.  (  and when aether thinks back on this moment in the future, he will realize that nothing ever could.  )

❝ ...oh. ❞

his voice is no more than a breath thrown in the wind, lips parting in astonishment and golden eyes widening as he blinks at xiao several times, visibly taken aback. all at once, the tension that had made itself aether's own silhouette suddenly vanishes and his whole body relaxes down, with a faltering and unconscious step taking him even closer to the adeptus. in this moment, all the sorrow that had lodged itself in his chest and shadowed his thoughts for the past few hours feel nonexistent, nothing but a mere figment of his imagination, and the only thing left is a crushing wave of delight that fills him up from within instead.

a feeling so strong, that aether barely perceives the way his body seems to move on its own as he lifts his hands to cradle the sides of xiao's face, thumbs instinctively brushing across their cheeks as they settle against the pale skin. and there's no hesitation or apprehension or bashfulness when aether wordlessly leans in, eyes falling closed once again as he presses his mouth against xiao's. the touch is soft and superficial and meticulous but with palpable emotion, as if through that contact alone aether is trying to express all the love he has silently held for xiao for so long.

when he pulls away, aether doesn't dare to go too far. he rests his forehead against xiao's, rubbing his nose against the other's in a child-like gesture as an elated giggle escapes through the large, bright smile that now sits on his features. aether can feel the unusual warmth of his own face, knows he must be blushing at his own boldness, but he doesn't shy away from it this time. the feeling that now accompanies his heart is comfortable, and welcomed.

❝ yeah, ❞  he murmurs, tone tender with wonder,  ❝ i want you to live, xiao. i want you to one day, understand that you deserve to. that you can want to live, too. ❞  eyes still closed, aether's hands slowly let go of xiao's face just so he can wrap his arms around the adeptus' shoulders once again, properly this time. and aether makes sure to pour all the sincerity he can muster in his voice as he continues,  ❝ and if i can be with you in that journey... that's more than i could ever ask for. ❞

[pavocelllux]

something that was meant to be an ask   ╱  @monocaelix

      [ and we are glad that you've opened up to us more, xiao! ]

with a hand resting firmly against his chest, aether nods in agreement to paimon's statement. although not due to a fair and better turn of events, another kind of relief sits upon aether's shoulders at the softer intonation of xiao's voice, and the lack of tension in their posture at this moment. aether is far from wanting to make the situation about himself  ( about them ), but it feels like a wall that once stood between them has finally been removed.

and while paimon can be as clueless and tactless as an actual child sometimes, thankfully this time she's quick to catch the meaning of the the side glance aether pointedly throws at her. she clears her throat loudly before excusing herself and disappearing in thin air, and unable to feel her presence nearby anymore, aether knows that she has given them the privacy that he had silently asked for. with that being said, aether's whole demeanor suddenly changes, expression falling flat as he unceremoniously grabs xiao's arm and pulls the yaksha towards an elevated spot on the ground, wordlessly guiding them to sit down.

it serves as a chair as aether promptly places himself right in front of xiao, eyebrows furrowed deeply and arms crossed tightly against his chest. the stern look he levels xiao with matches the tone of his voice when he finally speaks:  ❝ i am happy that you seem to have found solace from all of this, xiao. i really am. but i was not happy down there, you know? ❞

golden eyes narrow and fingertips bite into the sides of his own arms as aether's face turns sour, the corners of his mouth downturned.  ❝ all that talk about... sacrificing yourself to save us. what were you thinking? i know—i know, you just explained to us why you had those thoughts in the first place, but still, that was so— ❞  aether pauses to take a deep breath, and only then does his gaze shifts away from the adeptus.  ❝ do you have any idea of how i felt when you said that? do you? you sounded so... ready to die, xiao. ❞  his voice falters there, going softer, and aether shakes his head abruptly. the thought alone settles an uncomfortable feeling in his gut, so heavy it almost makes aether lose his composure altogether.

he unfolds his arms, eyes clenching shut as he presses the heels of his hands against them. back when they were all trapped under the chasm, the dire circumstances left no space for aether to truly express how he felt regarding the whole ordeal; there were many more things to be considered then, and he knew his feelings would just get in the way of their search for safety. but now that they are here — free, only the two of them, aether feels all of it again all at once: the disbelief, the disappointment, the anger, the pain. the despairing hopelessness that had assailed his heart the moment the compass had cracked open beneath their feet, and xiao had tried to put their original plan into action...

the next breath aether lets out is heavy and shaky. when he looks at xiao again, it's with withdrawn shoulders and tears gathered at the corners of his eyes, looking much smaller and without any of the shining confidence he usually carries himself with.  ❝ i really meant it when i said there will always be someone willing to be by your side, xiao, ❞  he mutters,  ❝ because i will. i—i want to be by your side, but how can i do that if you are always so willing to just... leave? ❞

realistically, aether knows he's being selfish. he knows that he alone cannot overwrite thousands of years of pain and suffering with just mere words. but the fear he had felt then, at the tangible possibility of never seeing xiao again... it was a feeling unlike anything else he has experienced since reawakening at the chores of stormbearer point. it's that same fear that now pushes him forward, to take small steps until he's standing between xiao's legs; it's that fear that moves his body to lean down, arms wrapping firmly around xiao's shoulders to hold the yaksha close and let their warmth be a reminder that they are here. and it's that same fear that allows aether to be his most vulnerable in this moment, as he presses his face against the top of xiao's head with another long, deep breath.

❝ please. i don't want to lose another person that i love. ❞

[monocaelix]

@pavocellux​ sent:

❝ now, i am pretty sure that bartending is not what it means to enjoy your own birthday party, master diluc, ❞  kaeya points out with a snort, his side leaning against the bar counter while his attention remains on the other visitors present at the moment. 

the tavern is closed for the night, filled now with only those that are ( or have been ) remotely close to diluc; the low tunes of a harp in the background, animated conversations here & there, a half eaten birthday cake sitting still on the main table. a cozy, intimate celebration that kaeya had the most participation in putting together, though that’s a detail kept in secrecy by everyone involved at the captain’s request. 

kaeya knows that if not for this, diluc most likely would have completely forgotten his own birthday—he doesn’t blame him for it, either. he knows too that this date, that’s supposed to be filled with joy, brings his brother bitter memories & concealed sorrow for reasons kaeya himself can sympathize with. but in spite of all the circumstances that surround them ( & their still fragile relationship ), kaeya is & has always been grateful for diluc’s existence. 

the box he slides across the counter towards his brother then, quietly under the commotion, is small and square-shaped, wrapped in a red ribbon; inside sits a tassel not unlike the one diluc already uses to keep his pyro vision tied to his belt, a rope of dark wool tied together by a star-shaped pin. the first gift kaeya has ever given to him many years in the past, right after diluc had been graced by the gods—that he uses it still has always given kaeya mixed feelings, unsure of what it means, but it’s old now & it sure has seen better days. even from afar, kaeya can see the chipped edges of the four-pointed star symbol engraved on it & the poor state of the material. 

he taps a fingertip lightly against the top of the box,  ❝ unfortunately, i am afraid i must take my leave, since i am still on duty. somebody’s gotta make sure that our beloved darknight hero doesn’t need to lift a finger tonight, don’t you agree? ❞  kaeya teases, tone playful as usual & low enough for the remark to remain between the both of them only, but he doesn’t look at diluc as he pushes himself away from the counter.  ❝ happy birthday again, master diluc. ❞

diluc should have figured it out right away. he blames it on feeling tired ( he has pulled a lot of all-nighters lately, in his defence ) for he fails to notice the most obvious signs of treachery until it’s too late to make an escape.

at first, the night seems to be going like any other; the usual patrons filter in after a long day at work and order their drinks, making some idle chatter amongst themselves. diluc works behind the bar, mixing drinks, wiping down the counter, cleaning used glasses.

midway through the evening, the traveler twins ( with paimon in tow, naturally ) saunter up to the bar to order juice, aether appearing almost nervous as he attempts to make small talk, while lumine stares impassively ahead. paimon snickers something behind her hand at one point, causing both siblings to simultaneously slap their hands down on her head and push her beneath the edge of the counter. mildly amused, diluc listens to her high-pitched complaints as the three of them head up to the second floor with their drinks before turning his attention to another bargoer.

there was nothing too alarming about the twins’ appearance, at least now that diluc is used to their antics.

the next notable visitors, however, certainly raise a few brows.

jean and lisa enter the tavern not long after the twins, chattering away to one another in hushed tones. they scarcely spare him a glance and a wave before hurrying up to the second floor, and while their arrival perplexes diluc ( it’s rare to see jean outside of her office, after all ), he’s soon swamped by a sudden surge of customers that prevent him from thinking too hard on the matter. he does, however, wonder what could be inside the box tucked under lisa’s arm…

by the time venti shows up — right near closing time, no less — diluc is growing suspicious. the bard cheerfully requests several bottles of dandelion wine ( diluc makes a point to only give him a single glass, despite venti’s childish protests ) and wishes him a pleasant evening before taking up residence near the bar, plucking away at the strings of his lyre in between gulps of wine.

he hasn’t seen hide or hair of the twins, jean or lisa since they arrived. unfortunately, he hasn’t had the chance to check up on them, either. mysteriously, a customer always seems to be in need of a new drink the exact moment he moves to step out from behind the bar. 

it’s only when kaeya — flanked by several members of his staff from the winery — ceremoniously steps through the tavern door right around the time they’re due to close that it all clicks into place. the other patrons all stand at the same time and make to leave, wishing diluc a ‘happy birthday’ before the door swings shut behind them. 

kaeya grins. diluc glares back, his posture stiffening as the traitors finally leave the second floor to congregate before the bar, carrying a freshly baked cake, balloons, and a few suspiciously shaped boxes that he can only assume must be presents. 

❝ we’re closing. ❞  diluc feebly protests, but, predictably, nobody budges. his lips curl into a grimace. he knows a losing battle when he sees one. with a defeated sigh, his shoulders sagging, diluc reluctantly relents.  ❝ …two hours. that’s all. and then i’m going home. ❞

somebody cheers. venti begins to play his lyre with gusto once more, singing a little louder than necessary. adelinde and elzer hang a few balloons and brightly coloured banners from the wooden beams. jean and lisa start to set out some plates in order to hand out slices of cake. lumine holds paimon back from swiping some icing while aether places the presents on a nearby table. diluc watches them from behind the bar as they mill about, silent in his defeat.

he supposes he might as well make himself useful if he’s going to be here for a few more hours…

he likes to think he knows everyone’s tastes well enough by now to mix some drinks for each person present, and so he gets to work, pulling out a bunch of ingredients and multiple glasses from beneath the counter.

at first, he ignores his estranged brother as he steps up to the bar and leans against it, placing a glass down with a loud clack in a wordless effort to express his displeasure. if kaeya notices, he makes no comment on it and instead points out,  ❝ now, i am pretty sure that bartending is not what it means to enjoy your own birthday party, master diluc, ❞

diluc casts kaeya a half-hearted glare and pointedly places another glass out on the side. of course it was kaeya who tipped everyone off about this particular day. nobody else who knew about it would dare to bring it up in such a public manner, or go out of their way to make such a fuss over it. at this point, he wouldn’t be surprised if kaeya had arranged the whole affair unfolding before his eyes.

❝ someone has to make sure the bard gets cut off before he drinks the tavern into the ground. ❞  diluc mutters. right on cue, venti let’s out a loud whoop from where he stands unsteadily atop one of the chairs, cup thrust above his head. aether and lumine stand beside him, both holding their arms out to catch the bard in the inevitable event that he falls, but he continues to giggle as if nothing is wrong while paimon shrieks at him in the background. 

diluc stifles a sigh. for such a small gathering of people, it certainly is rowdy. ideally, he would have preferred to spend his evening alone and in peace, treating it like any other day, but then again… 

he glances up, taking in the warm atmosphere, the smiles on everyone’s faces, the laughter bubbling past their lips… despite himself, the corners of his mouth twitch in response. 

perhaps this is the better alternative…

out of the corner of his eye, he sees kaeya suddenly push something across the bar towards him. diluc looks down at it — an innocent-looking, ribbon clad box — lips parting on an aborted noise of surprise.

❝ you— ❞  diluc cuts himself off, gloved fingers curling against the countertop. he shifts uncomfortably, torn between reaching for the gift and letting it remain where it is. for such a seemingly innocent gesture, something about it feels… unnerving.

when was the last time he received a gift from kaeya…?

he swiftly shuts the thought down, clenching his jaw. he already knows the answer to that, and it’s not something he wants to dwell on. true, things are… a little easier between the two of them these days, a little less tense, but gestures like this throw him for a loop. no matter how hard he tries, he can’t help but compare it to the last time they were in such a situation, and no matter how hard he tries to steel himself against it, it still hurts.

everything they do is tainted by a once happy past that they can no longer return to.

blessedly ( or not ), he’s spared from offering a reply as kaeya taps a finger against the top of the small box and announces teasingly,  ❝ unfortunately, i am afraid i must take my leave, since i am still on duty. somebody’s gotta make sure that our beloved darknight hero doesn’t need to lift a finger tonight, don’t you agree? ❞

diluc stifles a scoff, a retort about the inefficiencies of the knights of favonius heavy on his tongue, but for once, he bites it back. kaeya still doesn’t look at him, even as he pushes himself away from the counter and adds in an oddly soft tone,  ❝ happy birthday again, master diluc. ❞

somewhere in the back of his mind, he’s aware of the others complaining to kaeya about leaving so soon, but all he can focus on is the small, unassuming box sitting on the countertop, waiting to be picked up by its rightful owner. when the tavern door swings shut with a click, announcing kaeya’s departure, diluc finally reaches for the gift.

with deft fingers, he pulls the ribbon undone and hesitantly prises the lid off, unconsciously holding his breath as he reveals what lies atop the tiny velvet cushion. he blinks, the shock and immediate recognition washing over him like icy water as he gazes down at the small trinket. carefully, he plucks the familiar tassel from the box and lays it flat on his palm, the star-shaped pin glinting in the candlelight. 

admittedly, the one hanging at his waist has seen better days, but he’s never once considered replacing it, even in the event it were to fall apart. it was a precious gift from an equally precious person in his youth, after all.

but now, he doesn’t need to worry about what he’ll do when his current one does eventually break.

with some difficulty, diluc finally releases a shaky exhale, his fingers curling around the special gift, concealing it from prying eyes.

❝ …you fool. ❞  he murmurs, gaze lifting to the door that his estranged brother had not long left through.

he owes kaeya a “death after noon” or two, it would seem.

[pavocelllux]

grandfather, beidou.

amusement  rises  from  the  depths  of  the  captain’s  chest  as  a  laugh  flits  forth  ,    naught  but  mirth  rousing  in  response  to  the  theatrical  display  before  her.  had  she  not  known  better  ,  the  other’s  seemingly  honest  act  would  have  fooled  her.  but  she  does  ,  and  she’s  quick  to  shrug  it  off  with  a  careless  wave  of  a  hand.   ❝   no  need  for  that.  my  crew  are  well  acquainted  with  your  quirks  by  now  ,  you  start  actin’  differently  and  they’ll  think  you  were  possessed  or  worse,  that  you’re  starting  to  learn  your  manners.  and  we  can’t  have  that  ,  can  we  ?  ❞    she  drawls  the  query  ,  hypothetical  at  best  and  without  expectation  of  an  answer  ,   a  light  jest  in  chiding. 

                                    idly  ,  at  the  sight  of  the  other’s  discomfort  ,  the  captain  wonders  if  she  should  have  held  some  of  her  strength  back.  a  flash  of  guilt  rousing  ,  only  to  disperse  when  she’s  observed  him  long  enough  to  be  comforted  by  the  sight  that  he  is,  indeed  well.     ❝      i  can  respect  that.  who  says  anyone  who  has  the  ability  to  heal  ,  should  heal  everybody  else  ?    to  each  our  own.    ❞    its  a  diminutive  thought  ,  the  curiosity  that  kindles  to  life  as  the  uncrowned  lord’s  head  tilts  to  peer  over  his  shoulder  and  watch  what  the  captain  has  unravelled.  she’s  seen  it  before  of  course  ,  she’s  been  to  too  many  places  ,  both  in  the  right  and  wrong  times  to  recognize  what  he’s  holding.  though  the  finesse  in  which  he  takes  it  apart  ,  as  though  its  something  he  knows  all  too  well    [  …  ]    well  ,  who  is  she  to  pry  on  other  people’s  hobbies  and  what  they  do  in  their  spare  time  ?  

he  has  his  secrets  ,  and  she  has  her  own.  that’s  all  that  there  is  about  that  matter.   the  query  draws  her  attention  ,  brow  arching  at  the  look  on  his  face  as  her  attention  flits  to  the  remains  scattered  on  the  beach.    ❝  what  makes  you  say  that  ?  can’t  say  i  have  ,  we  just  came  back  from  a  trip  to  sumeru.  recent  activities  here  on  land  haven’t  reached  me  yet.   ❞  she  pauses  ,  fingers  tapping  ‘gainst  crossed  arms  as  she  regards  him  with  a  grin  despite  the  dip  in  her  voice.    ❝    i  do  have  eyes  here  ,  if  you  need  the  intel.  if  its  something  serious  that  can  endanger  liyue  ,  then  might  as  well  look  into  it.    ❞  

at that, kaeya can't help but let out a hearty laugh, any pretenses dropped aside for the time being. beidou is quite right about that too—they have so little chances of meeting each other usually, that kaeya often forgets that when they do, such meetings tend to drag on for quite a long time. it's no surprise to him that the fleet's crew should be used to his more unreserved side by now.

❝ fair enough. though, we both know who i must get this momentary lack of manners of mine from, don't we? ❞  a pointed look at beidou herself, accompanied by a mirthful curl of his lips, tells enough of what the answer to that question undoubtedly is. though, of course, kaeya means all of it in jest, as always. maybe because beidou is not from mondstadt, the knight has always felt rather comfortable to drop the formalities and attempts at superficial pleasantries in her company. it's quite refreshing, honestly.

the chip is carefully put away into one of the small pouches attached to his belt. ruin guards are machines like any other, and it should be easy to figure out what their current intentions are by searching through the information and commands inputted into their core. and although mondstadt lacks the kind of technology that could perform such a task with precision, kaeya has a wide enough network under his fingertips to be able to find someone that can. he keeps such details to himself for now, though.

❝ i would love to say that the answer is no, but unfortunately it might be a maybe instead. ❞  he says, patting his knees clean of any sand.  ❝ liyue's territory is vast—there are some regions with quite the amount of these gathered at, yes? ❞  an information piece gained from his more personal visits to the land of contracts.  ❝ so i believe it might be wise to... keep a close eye to them, just in case. only the ones found in dragonspire have been acting strangely so far, but we are being careful in mondstadt as well. ❞

[solardrifter]

[pavocelllux]

friend, havria.

naught  but  a  sliver  of  events  come  to  mind  when  the  word  “surprise”  comes  to  the  forefront  of  their  mind  (  one  of  which  is  a  memory  she’d  rather  not  recount.  )  saga’s  apparent  and  very  sudden  transformation  however  ,    becomes  another  event  to  add  to  those  memories.    ❝    that  [  .  .  .  ]  is  not  fair.    ❞      she  seethes  ,    eyes  narrowing  in  mild  displeasure  as  she  exudes  a  breath.    this  very  moment  is  reminiscent  of  the  past  ,  she  notes  ,  temperament  flaring  subtly  as  the  amusement  of  the  god’s  friend  is  drawn  at  her  expense.    how  nostalgic.  

           a  breathless  laugh  follows  in  its  wake  as  surprise  melts  into  amusement  ,  hand  reaching  to  pat  the  other’s  head  gently.    ❝   well  played  ,  old  friend.    next  time  ,  a  warning  would  be  nice.  ❞   a  hum  follows  her  words ,  smile  withdrawing  as  she  listens  (  or  rather  ,  watches  )  their  response  to  the  prior  queries.    ❝    i  imagine  that  stealth  in  your  original  form  can  be  quite  the  challenge.    ❞    it  is  with  fine  threads  of  sympathy  in  which  the  god’s  locutions  are  sewn  together  ,    vocals  soft  in  its  execution  as  the  possibilities  of  these  complications  remain  in  stasis  ‘pon  the  tip  of  her  tongue.  best  to  be  talked  about  in  another  conversation.  

❝  of  course.  ❞    except  she’s  not  quite  sure  where  to  start  ,  the  phenomenon  of  leylines  and  teleportation  is  not  a  common  practice  present  in  the  lives  of  mortals  after  all.    even  the  scholars  in  sumeru  cautions  vision  bearers  from  using  craftable  waypoints  due  to  plausible  side  effects.    ‘  i  simply  tried  it  one  day  and  it  worked.  leylines  are  everywhere  afterall  ,  ’    she  reasons  ,    is  not  a  sensible  way  to  teach  your  friend  anything.   ❝   you  .  .  .  draw  energy  from  the  leylines  and  follow  any  of  the  path  it  shows  you.  the  leylines  are  scattered  throughout  teyvat  .  .  .  but  its  fairly  easy  when  its  been  a  place  you’ve  been  to  before.  visualizing  the  place  ,  it  makes  it  easier.   ❞   she  pauses  ,   brows  furrowing  as  her  gaze  remains  on  their  face.   ❝  i’m  sorry  [ … ]  teaching  was  easier  when  all  i  had  to  teach  you  were  alphabets.  ❞    

if anything, havria's reaction only manages to widen the grin that already sits firmly on saga's features, completely unbothered by the clear disapproval in her tone. just because they are gods, it doesn't mean they cannot play dirty if it means gaining an advantage—and honestly, is showing off their true self even considered 'playing dirty' in the first place? not to mention, havria is one of the very, very few people saga can show that trick to.

eyebrows arched, saga signs,  ❛ of course. i will sing you a warning next time. ❜  their movements are precise and firm, indicating emphasis to the underlying meaning of their words as they level havria with a pointed look. after all, they can't give her a warning, even if they wanted to, but saga takes the opportunity to make a joke out of their own circumstances. their lack of a voice has never proved itself a deterrent anyways.

but all playfulness aside, saga straightens their posture as their attention turns sharply to havria's instructions. messing around with unknown sources of power has always been something the god of silence has been strongly against, but they trust havria when she says such a thing as leylines are harmless to their kind. her explanation is simple and easy to follow along, though it puts saga in a thoughtful stance.  ❛ teleportation, then? ❜  they can't quite remember if their people had ever developed something similar throughout their technological growth, but saga can understand the concept with ease.

though, hands-on practice has always been saga's preferred method of learning, and so they pull at havria's sleeve again, dragging the other godling towards said leyline, just down the hill they've been standing on.  ❛ show me! ❜

[pavocelllux]

niece, takehiko.

          her soul feels as though it hums under kaeya’s touch; it leaves her tempted to close her eyes, confident the sensation alone warms her enough that she’d be able to find comfort upon the grass beneath them sufficient to be lulled into sleep right there. the feeling dissipates, though, as the contact of her uncle’s hand becomes intermittent – a fleeting moment of pats – before it is removed entirely.

rapid blinks follow, visible evidence of regaining focus from the ease she’s been so quick to sink into. lips twitch in the beginnings of a smile / she needs to bite down upon her lower lip to prevent the small giggle she feels bubbling in her chest. though with kaeya’s own sound of amusement, takehiko’s leaves her in the form of a quiet snort & hunched shoulders.

she’s quick to bring a curled fist to her lips, as though doing so can somehow take the sound back – though she hopes the rustling of clothes & grass alike have been enough to drown it out, there’s something that tells her kaeya’s senses were sharp enough to hear it anyway.

          taking the moment granted, takehiko herself shifts: she brings her legs beneath her, sitting upon her heels as palms press flat into the earth / pressure is applied to stretch out the sore tendons & muscles along the insides of her forearms.

          she’s going to feel it tomorrow. and the next day.

         it takes a moment for her uncle’s words to properly sink in… and it’s evident by how it seems to hit her with a jolt. “wait – what?”

          “diluc? a knight?! but – ?” it goes unspoken… but he can’t stand the knights. her jaw remains slack, one or two quiet sounds are able to escape. it’s evident she wishes to know more, but the momentary shadow over the gold of her eyes is enough to indicate she realizes there’s a critical piece (or pieces…) missing. “…i imagine ‘competent enough’ is selling yourself short, uncle kaeya. much less anything you’re able to do with your vision.”

kaeya can see exactly when his words register entirely in her mind, and takehiko's surprise is far from unexpected. if anything, it pulls a sharper, dragged out laugh from the captain, shoulders shaking slightly under his uniform at the intensity of it. it's easy to assume that by now, takehiko has been made more than aware of diluc's deep—and widely known—distaste for the ordo, but knowing how his brother operates nowadays, kaeya is certain that he has told her absolutely nothing of the whys and hows.

typical 'luc for you, he thinks.

❝ yep, ❞  he starts again with emphasis,  ❝ he was one, back in the day. but it's been a long time, and master diluc has his... fair reasons to have changed his opinions, i would say. ❞  kaeya shrugs, and doesn't elaborate any further. now regardless of how nosy he sometimes makes himself to be on purpose, there are certain lines that kaeya isn't keen on crossing either, and this is one of them. it's a topic that should be explained by diluc and diluc only, if he so wishes to do so any time soon.

already standing, kaeya offers takehiko a hand to help her up, unable to not pick on the obvious lethargy of her movements. the tell-tale signs of a body that isn't yet used to a training regimen.  ❝ hm, perhaps. but i haven't had my vision for that long either, for that matter. ❞  the knight shakes his head, nonchalant.  ❝ regardless, that's what i am now, and so be it. now let's eat before it gets too late and your eating habits are ruined, lest your dear father blame it on me. ❞

[pavocelllux]

brother, diluc.

diluc no longer knows what to believe when it comes to kaeya — he hides behind smooth words, teasing remarks and barely concealed barbs, his smiles no longer as warm and open as ( diluc believed ) they once were. kaeya dons an armour that was never there before, made to deflect and distract people from whatever lies beneath, impenetrable even to him — the person who once ( supposedly ) knew him best.

and so, in recent years, diluc has chosen to keep kaeya firmly at arms length so that he’ll never have to learn what he fears to be the truth and risk having the past he cherishes so much become tainted and rotten. he’s a coward when it comes to his estranged brother, something diluc is ashamed to admit, but there’s little he fears more than being forced to accept the potentially ugly truth that those years they spent growing up together meant nothing to kaeya.

it’s the one betrayal diluc cannot bear, particularly when those years meant ( and still mean ) the world to him.

but here, miles and miles away from the regularities of life and the worries that go with it, things are… different. for the first time since the fateful night that drove them apart, diluc feels almost at ease in his estranged brother’s company, content to allow memories of the past to wash over him like the gentle waves that lap at the sand.

memories that — to his undeniable shock — kaeya apparently still holds dear.

❝ precious moments … you say. ❞  diluc repeats slowly, as if in a daze, his gaze transfixed upon a point in the sand near his feet. his throat feels like sandpaper, making it impossible to swallow for fear he might choke and make even more of a fool of himself.

precious moments… they were, once, weren’t they? 

although he hates dwelling on the past and mourning a time in his life he can no longer return to, diluc can’t deny the simple fact that his memories from their shared childhood are still thought of fondly whenever they happen to cross his mind. much like the first time they took kaeya to the beach— he remembers it clear as day…

❝ you were scared. ❞  diluc blurts, unintentionally giving a voice to his thoughts and startling himself with his own words. it’s too late for him to take it back, and with the memory so fresh in his mind, it’s not something he can easily shove back into a box. so, against his better judgement, diluc continues,  ❝ you thought the sea would wash you away. you refused to go near it. so i went in, to show you it was safe… ❞  a half-hearted chuckle escapes him.  ❝ …then a wave came along and knocked me off my feet. ❞

he was fine, of course. he sat up a few moments later with seaweed in his hair, spitting out water and laughing as kaeya’s panic finally began to fade upon seeing him safe and sound… he remembers thinking that it seemed like kaeya trusted the ocean even less after that tiny incident.

diluc finally looks up, aware that in doing so, he risks laying his heart bare for any and all to see. it’s an uncomfortable notion. terrifying, even. were they still back in mondstadt, diluc knows this conversation would never have happened, but a part of him feels lighter for it. even if it’s a bittersweet feeling, taking a moment to reminisce on sweeter, simpler times with someone he once considered his closest companion is oddly cathartic.

❝ those moments… they were precious to me, too. ❞  diluc admits quietly, fingers curling into fists against his thighs. 

just one moment of vulnerability. for now, that’s all he’ll allow.

the tone of diluc's voice betrays nothing of his thoughts on kaeya's unprompted little confession, and so he instinctively braces himself for the worst. or perhaps just a humourless sneer and a dismissal, if he's lucky enough. it's hard to expect something else when every time kaeya has tried to bring up any pieces of their past, it just ended in another fight and well-known disappointment. that's just how they seem to work nowadays, isn't it?

but one thing that has definitely never changed about diluc however, is his innate desire to prove kaeya wrong at any given opportunity. so when diluc speaks again, with no fire in his voice as it curls around details of a memory kaeya has held dear for years to count, the knight can't help but allow his surprise to be made known and clear, spinning around to regard diluc with a widened gaze and gaping mouth.

you remember, he wants to say, you remember all of it.

and that realization, regardless of how small or simple, dawns over him with such a strength that were kaeya any lesser and weaker of a man, the earth would have dragged him down to his knees in that instant. but although kaeya is able to keep his composure, he's quick to turn back towards the ocean that watches over them, swallowing down around the knot of emotions that have lodged itself in his throat. he feels that if he's to look at diluc a second longer, he might start crying.

it takes several moments of silence, filled only by the sounds of the waves crashing against the shore, before kaeya finds his own voice again.  ( and the courage to use it, too. )  ❝ ...i remember fa—master crepus, ❞  he corrects himself, clearing his throat. small steps, one at a time. this is the first time they've actually spoken to one another in years, and kaeya will be damned if he manages to push diluc's buttons unintentionally.  ❝ was very angry at the both of us when we returned to the house, covered in sand and seaweed. poor adelinde, had to clean up after us too. ❞

absentmindedly, kaeya plays with the seashell still held between his fingers, scratching his brain for anything else to say. he doesn't want the conversation to just end here, not now, not yet. but how much is he allowed to say? to reminisce, before diluc decides that he's had enough of the past and turns his back to him again? a shaky sigh makes its way past his lips, as kaeya reaches out towards diluc to place the transparent seashell on his palm.

kaeya still doesn't look at him when he continues then, voice softer and melancholic; vulnerable and open, for the first time in nearly five years.  ❝ it was my first time seeing the ocean. there was no such a thing... there, after all. ❞

[tropicoola]

i hope to see you soon

[pavocelllux]

@florabled.

「 @pavocellux· ; ✿ 」

「 ✿ 」 Kyouka would have to find out what foods Kazuha liked best… and figure out some way to predict when they’d meet up, since she couldn’t just carry such things around indefinitely. In the time it takes for him to respond, her thoughts drift away from the present moment—-only to return the moment he mentions buying a treat. Maybe she couldn’t tell exactly when they’d meet up ( and therefore couldn’t prepare anything in advance ), but she could make use of their time together now.

Resolute, she offered a single nod. She still had the rest of her crepe to finish eating, though she’d be hungry again by the next mealtime; as long as he wasn’t busy with anything, this would be the ideal opportunity to fulfill her goal.

“…we can go to the market,” she suggested, a little bit belated as she figured out the best course of action, “and buy ingredients for dinner.”

With any luck, they had similar enough preferences; of course, she wasn’t exactly picky either, having been through a time where she’d been fortunate to eat anything at all. But either way, she enjoyed cooking for people she cared about—-it proved an ideal act of affection, after all.

while her suggestion is simple and straightforward, kazuha finds himself a little caught off guard. when he had suggested that kyouka should allow him to repay her kindness with a gift of his own, he had thought of perhaps taking her to one of the many restaurants available in inazuma city, each offering a wide variety of dishes that they could choose from.

having spent most of his time out on the sea with the crux fleet for the past few months now, kazuha has long forgotten the taste of more refined, well-prepared foods, something he always tries to compensate for whenever he's back on land with enough time to spare. however, kazuha can't say the idea of a homemade meal doesn't sound appetizing as well.

❝ ah, of course. though i ought to warn you that i am not the most skilled when it comes to cooking myself, unfortunately, ❞  kazuha admits with a chuckle, unbothered by the open revelation of one of his own weaknessess.  ❝ i can cook enough for it to be edible. a wanderer has to know how to provide for himself, after all. ❞  but one thing is to fish and hunt for your own food, the meat cooked over a campfire with no semblance of elegance, and most of the time of plain taste; another is to make an actual meal.

kazuha isn't one to turn away from challenges, though. finishing off the strawberry he had been giving and cleaning away any leftover cream from his fingertips, kazuha offers kyouka a nonchalant shrug.  ❝ i won't be against helping out, of course. but we can always find a table somewhere if you'd prefer, kyouka-san. ❞

[pavocelllux]

@florabled. 

「 @pavocellux· ; 🔥 」

「 🔥 」 “It’s fine,” the alchemist said, almost dismissively as she continued reading through this paragraph ( as though she wasn’t being scolded for her recklessness ). Only when she finished did she raise her eyes to properly look at the newcomers. Ah, no matter how quiet an area tended to be, someone would always pass through eventually, it seemed; as long as it didn’t mess up her research, though, it didn’t particularly matter. “Hardly anyone comes out here, and even if they did…”

Trailing off, she pursed her lips in contemplation. Showing would be easier than explaining, probably, though some methods of that were unpleasant. But there were other solutions, and for better or for worse, this stranger appeared to be a fighter.

With a vague gesture towards him, she asked, “You wouldn’t happen to be injured anywhere, would you?”

Percy could acknowledge that it’d be horribly unsafe for anyone else to be out here doing research like this, but her particular skills negated that risk. These objects weren’t dangerous enough to cause serious harm to anyone who may be caught up in their effects, and she could always fix whatever damage did occur.

the disinterest in percy's voice is blatant, as if both aether's and paimon's warnings have gone through an ear just to leave and immediately disappear through the other. the traveler shakes his head, hands resting at the sides of his waist, but his little companion is much more adamant of making her own displeasure known.

[ oi! you are not even listening to us! and we just came out here, didn't we? which means more people could do the same! and then what?! huuuuh?! ]

the little fairy-like creature stomps her feet against the air where she hovers, restlessly moving from one side to another by aether's shoulder. and again, he does agree with her—this area might be quite remote, it's true, but the world isn't full of only people. if any hilichurl happened to pass by and get curious, a disaster could happen regardless, and it could possibly attract even more monsters this way. while the stranger didn't seem like just any other person  ( or else, they most likely would not have all this equipment in the first place ), aether can't help but still feel apprehensive.

such worries are quickly put aside and out of mind for a moment however, when percy hits him with a rather unexpected question. even paimon stops talking, which is miracle on its own. amber eyes blink a few times, before aether gives himself a quick onceover, shaking his head then.

❝ uh, no, i don't think so... i haven't been in any fights today, yet. ❞

[pavocelllux]

a new meeting, yukako.

“    …i don’t speak gibberish.    ”    pavocellux,    for kazuha.

maybe to any other person, the straightforward tone might have come across as rude at first meeting. but kazuha only chuckles, unbothered and carefree, but despite the calm smile on his face he does sound a little apologetic when he speaks.

❝ sorry, i tend to ramble needlessly sometimes, i've been told. ❞  he says, attention returning then to the sliced pieces of a sea ganoderma in his hand.  ❝ what i meant to say is that while these might taste unpleasant, their healing properties can be very useful out in the wild, if you manage to come across them by the shores. ❞

[pavocelllux]

comrade, yukako.

the sound of gabimaru returning his bones to their correct positioning by force resonates deep.    there’s no indicator to the noise having had such an effect on her:    only yukako,    watching it happen with an unflinching gaze.    “    thank you.    ”    she gives gratitude plainly,    not needing clarification to know what he meant.    upon learning that the energy of her life force can be used to strengthen her abilities,    all of yukako’s leisure time has been allocating to sharpening it to perfection.    either she’s got more free time than to do with,    or she uses it wisely.    “    you make a good sparring partner.    ”

unconcerned, straightforward, no time wasted on useless pleasantries—gabimaru can see where he and yukako are quite similar to one another, and perhaps that's reason why they seem to match well in a fight. for that, the shinobi is grateful; in a place like the shinsenkyou, keeping one's skills honed is a priority. a need, in order to survive.

❝ ah, i'm sure. nothing like a training dummy that can't die. ❞  the words are meant in jest, despite his usual nonchalance even in the face of the morbid humour they carry. gabimaru rolls his shoulder one last time, making sure everything is back in its rightful place. then he looks down at his left palm, watching as the flower tao within his body weave the skin together, closing up any scratch or cut left behind.  ❝ it's a good method for me to train this too, i suppose—but thankfully you aren't water, or else this would have been bad. ❞

[pavocelllux]

retainer, sagiri.

  ❝    i  am  not  overreacting  ,  i  am  being  rational.      ❞  which  you  are  not  ,  she  mentally  supplies.  brows  furrowing  ‘pon  the  asaemon’s  countenance  at  the  complete  nonchalance  displayed  before  her  in  lieu  of  aptly  demonstrating  caution  and  perhaps  ,  even  a  sliver  of  care  ,  considering  his  current  circumstance.  yet  it  seems  as  though  it  is  because  of  his  current  disposition  that  he  displays  such  nonchalance  ,  she  notes  with  an  exasperated  sigh.

the  executioner’s  gaze  follows  the  sinews  of  flesh  knitting  together  ,  nearly  sentient  in  its  movement  as  gabimaru  heals.    ❝  that  [  …  ]  could  you  possibly  express  more  concern  regarding  this  matter  ?  ❞    it  takes  great  measure  for  her  attention  to  divert  elsewhere  lest  she  truly  starts  to  believe  that  there  really  is  nothing  to  worry  about.  she’s  well  aware  that  he  must  have  had  worse  injuries  before  ,  someone  of  his  reputation  would  have  dealt  with  worse  than  even  this ,  if  the  haunting  tales  regarding  iwagakure  rings  true.  ❝  something  this  small  ,  as  you  put  it  ,  can  still  contribute  to  arborification.  be  careful.  the  more  you  rely  on  this  ,  the  faster  it  becomes.  do  you  want  to  go  home  to  the  mainland  and  see  your  wife  as  a  tree ? ❞

gabimaru is not the type to feign ignorance unless the time calls for it, and this, right now, is not the time. he understands sagiri's worries, he does—they've both seen what can happen to anyone when overtaken by the flower tao's side effects. it's a dangerous power that lacks any kindness towards its host, and gabimaru himself can still vividly remember how the arborification process had felt at first before his heart had been brough back from the dead. it was the kind of pain that leaves its mark behind even after it's gone, to make you conscious of the danger it carries.

but on the other hand, their current circumstances allow them little time to consider every single possible outcome. at this point, they have to use anything at their disposal if it means attaining victory in the end. though, sagiri has become too good at poking at his weaknesses, and gabimaru's grimace at the mention of his wife makes it clear.

❝ i am sure yui would love me even if i was a tree. ❞  he retorts in a stubborn tone, almost childishly so. but then gabimaru's gaze returns to his own arm, as he runs the tips of his fingers from the opposite hand down to the wrist, pressing against the flesh that know shows no signs of any injury left behind. it still feels surreal, sometimes.  ❝ besides, it's not like i can control it. the flower tao works by its own will; i don't command it to heal me, it just does. ❞  not unlike a living organism of its own, living inside his body like a parasite.  ❝ i just need to make sure it doesn't go out of control. ❞