Hide looks up from his plants, back down at himself. His suit. He always thought it was just part of the character he was forced to play, but now, looking back on it? Oh god Oh god-
Hide as a young boy, his own face blurred within his memories, looking out the window to the vast garden that decorated the front of the estate in Brushgrowth. Now that he is actually looking, there are people. Scientists, gardeners, servants. All people he was so used to overlooking, all people his father taught him to overlook. As if the portrait of perfection painted was turned imperfect by their presence.
Oh. My. God. Hide stopped to actually think about it. Servants. Gardeners. A whole front garden. Not a house, an estate. Family was probably rich enough to import an entire ocean and yacht out of boredom. Why does that come to-
Its because it was actually considered. It makes so much sense now. Hide had meat, cheese, whatever snack he wanted, whenever he wanted. Hide could go anywhere, do anything, because of their wealth. He grew his own plants and flowers and bouquets simply because he could.
God bouquet making really does seem like a rich person hobby anyway, doesn't it?
And the reason Hide feels as though he has been everywhere? It is because he probably has. Oh god they had a spaceship. Man his family was probably the worst.
Sometimes when she lay in bed, on the nights when sleep didn't claim her quick enough, the battles came back in a flash: A rush of adrenaline, the wind knocked out of her, the slam of something so hard that her vision swam. It was almost violent in its brevity.
Meiko was safe -- for now. The world wasn't in danger -- for now. Always temporary, always a lull. Never a full rest.
The work wasn't done. Not all the Ascians were accounted for. Not all the Reflections that remained had been saved. She wished that the burdens could fall upon some other well-intentioned, powerful warrior's shoudlers. After all, there had been Ysayle and others who had answered Hydaelyn's call on the First.
But deep down, she knew the work wasn't done. Which meant there were yet enemies undiscovered. Which meant everyone she had ever cared for remained at risk.
On nights like this, she would either abandon sleep entirely, or try to double down. Tonight was the latter. She was exhausted. She wanted rest.
In Yanxia -- Yugiri face down in the dirt -- Zenos' blade raised high --
The bastard avoided her important bits, she knew. He was having a wonderful time. Her body jerked forward and back as he dragged the katana out of her, the squelch of sinew and the warmth of her blood --
Emet-Selch was laughing without humor, a noting sound as he knelt down to her level.
The grating, every breath she took felt like she was breathing glass, a sharp white bile bubbling between her teeth. Mocking. The Exarch lay unmoving just beyond. The Scions, terrified into inaction. Her brother, paralyzed, unable to decide if he should grant her mercy or let her fight it off --
Meiko sat up. Meteion's tormented expression was an afterimage in the dark, her wide blue eyes overwhelmed with the void of despair--
She shuddered and didn't stop trembling even as she raised one hand to curl into a fist over her heart.
"C'mon now, Mei," she muttered. She thumped her chest as if to startle her heart into a different track. "Is no use relivin' what's passed. Get outta yer heid."
She squeezed her eyes shut and opened them a few times until the images went away.
"S'done," she told herself. "An' we won in th'end, aye?" There was no answer, of course, and that only unsettled her more.
They did win. Many times. Yet there never seemed to be any conclusion. Not for long. She let out a breath she didn't realize she had been holding, and leaned over to tug the curtain back from the window. Winced. The sky was a soft orange streaked with pink. Morning already, or close to it.
"Fuck's sake," she hissed. "Didnae feel like I slept a wink..." She considered trying to go back to bed, but gave up with a sigh. Maybe a walk about would do her good.
A homeland doomed to fall to the trenches of Teyvat, having broken the rules the Heavenly Principles had placed upon them, they were struck down by the Gods.
A nation filled with life, teeming with machinery ahead of its time. That was one of the few things the little girl, Kuval, remembered of her father. Alongside him and her dear twin brother Kaeya, they walked and walked, until they reached the land of Mondstadt.
She remembers the words their father spoke to Kaeya, his hands gripping his lean shoulders tightly.
”This is where you must stay. This is our chance, you are our only hope.“
She remembers how tightly Kaeya hugged her when their father turned to look at her, his face blurry, her memory unable to remember what he looked like.
She remembers the words their father spoke to her.
”You will learn much as you grow. You two must stay together, no matter what.“
“Forgive me, Kaeya…. Forgive me, Kuval…”
She remembers how their father started to walk away, her and Kaeya frozen where they stood as he slowly disappeared into the pouring rain and dark. The fear she felt standing there all alone without their sole protector, the piercing cold from the harsh winds and rain.
She remembers Kaeya’s gentle reassurances, wrapping his arms around her and carrying her in his arms as he sought refuge from the deluge of rain coming down upon them. The way the wind billowed and thunder roared, as Kaeya finally found a small wooden structure covered with grapevines to hide under.
She remembers the way her dear brother soothed her throughout the storm, how tightly the two of them held each other for fear of being seperated the moment they let go. The cold of the night persisted until the rays of sunshine started to peek from under the clouds.
She does not remember when she fell asleep, but she does remember hearing voices. Voices. Multiple people. She felt Kaeya gently shake her awake as she sat up to see what was happening.
Both of them saw groups of people harvesting the grapes from the vines, seeing a blonde haired maid telling people what goes where, making sure everyone was doing what they should be.
Then they heard a sound behind them, making them turn around just to see a young boy with flaming red hair and curious eyes. Just around their age. Kuval jumped from shock and hid behind Kaeya, who was just as shocked as her.
The red-haired boy backed off seeing their reactions and instead called for someone. “Father, father! I’ve found two people under the vines!”
And like clockwork, a man that clearly resembled the young boy came into view as he knelt down to see under the wood frame. His eyes widened at the sight of two children wearing a clearly drenched cloak due to the torrent of rain the night prior.
Both of them looked at the man with both fear and curiosity, not yet knowing his true intentions. He noticed their fear and backed away slightly as well. “Now, now, I won’t hurt you. I just want to know why you two are hiding under my grapevines. Where are your parents?”
When the twins didn’t answer, it gave him more than enough of an answer. With a glance towards his son, the man slowly extended his hands for the twins to take with a soft smile on his face.
”My name is Crepus Ragnvindr, and the boy that found you is my son, Diluc. Since you don’t know where your parents are right now, how about you stay with us at the Dawn Winery? At least there, we can get you two some nice warm clothes.”
Kuval looked at Crepus’ outstretched hand before looking back at Kaeya, who was looking at her as well.
She glanced back at the outstretched hand and lightly tugged on her brother's hand, who blinked a few times before nodding.
So, the two of them stepped forward and took his hands in theirs.
