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[startraveler]

voice ✦ text ✦ action

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sender: Diluc

[disdelusioned]

Aether,

Thoma has explained to me the 'alterative Teyvats' situation, and I would like to take the time to meet you. When are you available?

[This meeting is bound to be at least a bit awkward, but there's nothing to be gained and a lot to lose by putting this off.]

[startraveler]

[Truth to be told, Aether didn't expect to get a message from Diluc now. But it's good he did. They should meet as fast as possible, so they're all on the same page.]

Master Diluc,

I will be happy to meet you even right now, if you're okay with it.

[disdelusioned]

[Diluc is nothing if not a man of efficiency.]

Now works just fine. Shall we meet at the café?

> action

[startraveler]

Yes, I'll be there shortly.

[No more words are probably needed here. Aether takes a deep breath, then makes his way towards the cafe. He's not sure why he's nervous about this. Maybe, because gaining Diluc's trust took some time, so he's not sure what to expect now, that he's no longer the traveler the other knowns.

Aether tries to not think too much about it. He takes a seat in the cafe and waits.]

sender: Gorou

[sangopearls]

Good morning, Aether.

I have something I'd like to give you, if you're at home now? If not, let me know when you will be, but it isn't anything important.

- Gorou

[startraveler]

It's very kind of you, but you don't have to give me anything. I haven't done anything to earn that, have I?

But I am home now. You're always welcomed here.

Aether

[sangopearls]

You've done plenty. I promise.

I'll be there shortly!

[ And a few minutes later, Aether will hear a knock on his door. Gorou's standing there with a small little bundle of sunflowers, and his tail is wagging slowly behind him. It's a rather cute sight for someone like him, but Aether's seen him like this before, so he's not too embarrassed about it. ]

[startraveler]

[When Aether hears the knocking, he reaches the door right away and opens. The sight that greets him quickly puts a wide smile to his face. Gorou looks very endearing with tail wagging happily and sunflowers neatly in his hands.]

Hey. So that's the gift for me? [His smile is radiant.] They're really beautiful.. but what's the occasion? Ah, anyway, come in!

[He moves aside and holds the door for his friend to enter.]

I prepared something sweet for you when I heard you're planning to visit.

[Since Gorou told him he has a gift, Aether had to quickly get something for him, too!]

Flower festival threads continuation!

[startraveler]

To escape the captcha!

Toge

[startraveler]

[Continued from here]
[Aether reads the words offered to him then reaches up again to the flower crown on his head.]

...I suppose you're right.

[He takes the crown off and gives it a critical look one more time.]

I think it's still missing something, though. Maybe a smaller flower?

[fishflakes]

Hmm...

[Toge hums, considering the flowers in the crown itself. It's a nice decorating of warm colours, so maybe something a little different? He looks at the other flowers, considering them to see what sort of flowers could fit.]

[Finally, something catches Toge's eye. He goes over to a few white and pale blue flowers, flowers who's names that he doesn't know, but might look similar to another flower Aether might recognize. He gestures to them, turning to Aether.]

Mustard leaf?

[startraveler]

[His eyes widen when he looks to the flower that Toge is pointing. Wordlessly, he approaches and kneels down to take a closer look. His fingers brush the petals lightly, as if he's not sure if the bloom is real or not.

His expression changes eventually as he realizes the flower is not quite the same as the one that his sister was wearing in her hair. Aether picks one flower and weaves it gently right next to the lily. Pale blue and bright yellow, side by side.]

This flower... reminds me of someone. [He explains.] I think it fits well.

[He puts the completed flower crown on his head, then turns to Toge. The smile on his face is small.]

Phantom

[startraveler]

[Continued from here]

That is very true. Back in Teyvat, he claimed that he knows every song, so I suppose he must be thrilled to be here and get to know music from other worlds.

[That surely is enough to make him eager.]

[removal]

[ The mention of 'back in Teyvat' gets a raise of his eyebrow. So Venti and Aether are from the same world... he can't immediately draw any similarities, but then again, every world has all sorts. ]

He will have a long road ahead of him if he wishes to master all the songs of the worlds.

[ There's a slight tinge of amusement in his voice, but he says it as if he believes Venti can do it. ]

Skylark

[startraveler]

[Continued from here]
[As they both manage to descent, Aether grabs the other by the arm to pull him further away from the tree, just in case the plant decided it's not done with them. He throws an apologetic look to the other boy, noting that he must be exhausted by this ordeal. Still, just a few more steps and they should be safe.]

I'm okay... You could say that as an adventurer I'm used to getting into all sorts of... things.

[Fighting gods? Evil organizations? Trying not to die in some ancient ruins? He's done all that, so some tree is not that much of a big deal.]

[inspiteful]

[ He appreciates the thought behind pulling him away, and honestly? The further away they are from the tree, the better. ]

Exciting things, I assume?

[ Said in the way you can tell 'exciting' could honestly mean many, many things. ]

action; sometime nebulously earlier in the month

[monoceroscaeli]

[Going from incredibly rich to straight broke is a change that Childe is still dealing with. As is not having all the services of the Fatui at his fingertips, for whatever reason he'd use them for. In this particular case, he needs some medical attention, though nothing needs to be attended to immediately or is terribly pressing. But, taking care of oneself is important if he wants to get back into fights as soon as possible, so there's a few raps at Aether's door as the Harbinger waits patiently for him to answer it.]

Ah, comrade, it's good to see you!

[Is what he'll say once the door opens and he's greeted, a smile on his face.]

I hate to impose, but...I need a favor.

[startraveler]

[It's a quiet day and Aether isn't exactly expecting anyone to visit, so it surprises him when he hears someone at the door. The traveler quickly opens up and peers curiosity, his eyes widening at what he sees.]

Childe? What happened?

[His gaze quickly narrows.]

Who did you get in a fight with this time?

[He's judging!

Without asking about what exactly the favour is supposed to be, Aether catches the Harbinger's hand and almost drags him inside, before leading him to the couch and gesturing for him to sit down. He's going to go grab some bandages now!]

[monoceroscaeli]

[Childe only manages to get out a nervous laugh as Aether grabs his hand and takes him inside. It's like he knew what he was already here for, and he hasn't even hardly said anything yet. He takes a seat on the couch and gives the room a look over while he waits for Aether to come back with the bandages.

He wonders what it was that gave it completely away. He was sure he'd hid all the bandages under his clothes, but Aether knows him pretty well at this point so he wouldn't be surprised if he sort of read his mind...

When Aether returns, Childe only smiles- of course he got in a fight, and of course he's injured.]

You know, it's getting a little scary how you can read a situation this easily. Don't worry, I didn't get injured too terribly. It was only a friendly spar.

[A spar that forced a transformation out of him.]

continuation from the flower festival; nsfw

[monoceroscaeli]

((Continued from here!))

[Happily carrying off his lover from the festival, he only laughs when Aether voices his concern. It's nothing all that terrible, and he's aware of it- it's just that his jealousy has gotten the better of him today, not wanting to share Aether with anyone at all, let alone Venti that little slut.

Childe nuzzles his head against Aether's, smiling down sweetly at the traveler while he beelines it to their house, feeling light on his feet now that he's got Aether all to himself.]

Nothing that I'm sure you weren't already aware of. Venti made absolutely sure to press all my buttons earlier, and I couldn't stand the thought of him hogging you today. But, now that I've stolen you away from any prying eyes, I feel much, much better.

[He can already see the front door, confidently striding towards it to open it and let themselves inside.]

Now, why don't we enjoy ourselves the rest of the night? That costume has you looking quite delectable, Grand Duke.

[startraveler]

[He nuzzles right back, also happy to be in Childe's arms. Then, he cracks a smile hearing that Venti made sure to tease his lover as much as possible.]

Even though I told him that my heart belongs to you alone, he still can't let go. [Sigh. And Childe keeps on falling for it.] But I'm here for you now.

[Once they enter the house and the Harbinger calls him by the title, Aether smirks as a hue of red paints his cheeks.]

Well then, my dear King. You have me in your clutches and I cannot refuse you anything.

[He reaches up to trail his fingers softly against the other's chin and jaw.]

[monoceroscaeli]

[Childe's been having ideas since before he even scooped Aether up in the first place, the fingers that brush his face feeling like lines of heat across it. He smirks back down at the traveler, flashing him a toothy grin as he makes his way to their bedroom, enjoying the idea of playing their roles as royals in opposite courts for the night. He just wonders if Aether would also enjoy something like that, as he swings into their room to set his lover down on the bed, letting him sit on the edge as he puts him down.]

That's right, and it won't be long until I've staked my claim on you and weakened your precious day court. No one will come to save you, hahaha. . You've made the right choice to submit to me.

[Childe's hand comes up under Aether's chin, holding it between his finger and thumb as he pretends to inspect his face, enjoying playing the role of the evil Night King here to take Aether away and "imprison" him. The Harbinger leans over to place his mouth close to Aether's ear, speaking softly into it with a devious tone of voice that can only spell chaos for the two of them.]

Now, how shall I take my first bite...hm.

[His breath is hot on his lover's ear, taking the lobe into his mouth and nibbling on it lightly, light tugs teasing the skin before he lets go and pulls away to admire Aether once again.]

sender: venti

[concierto]

Aether? May I ask you a question?

[startraveler]

Of course you can. Why so official?

[concierto]

Just something I've been curious about.

Do you have nightmares often?