[Diluc doesn't full-on laugh, but he does give a huff of amusement.]
I see. Well, I'm sure he would be far more equipped to fill that vacancy than I would.
[Venti's personality is much more similar to Paimon's, after all. Diluc, meanwhile, is more or less her opposite. Although perhaps it's better that Venti not shadow Aether like Paimon would, given his general lack of self-control.]
So I've heard. I've had the chance to speak to a few of them, but there are several others I've yet to make contact with. I find it... curious, that so many have arrived from Teyvat all at once.
[Replace "curious" with "suspicious," and you'll have a better idea of Diluc's feelings on the issue.]
The reality is that there's much we still don't understand about this world, particularly when it comes to what its purpose is and why our dream selves are here.
[It's true that considering their positive attribute, Paimon and Venti have much more in common than Diluc. At the same time, Paimon's naivete and endless pursue of money and good food is a trait unique only to her. It would be difficult to find another person like her. Though, maybe in this world anything can happen.]
It's a strange world.
[Aether agrees with this entirely. The fact that so many of them arrived at the same time makes him suspicious, too, and maybe it shows with the way his smile dims and he looks around as if searching for something.]
Can you tell me if anything happened here during your stay? Anything... that would make you question if we're safe here, for instance?
[His gaze is back to Diluc.]
I've heard from someone that this place get get "wild". I would like to hear your opinion on it.
[It's impressive, to say the least, that Aether seems to be a rather astute sort. Diluc leans back in his chair a bit, crossing his arms as he considers his response.]
This is a land of dreams, and dreams are volatile things. The world around us changes every now and again, and those changes are equal parts whimsical and dangerous. Just last month, we were pulled into dream meant to resemble a play. And at the end of that play was an all-out war between two factions and a noctaere--a creature made of nightmares.
And that's to say nothing of this "Story Eater" creature that people have been talking about. My knowledge of it is limited, but I do know that it poses a significant threat to this world as a whole.
So, in short: my opinion is that we need to remain vigilant.
[Aether takes it all in, thinking it through, before he nods.]
It does sound like it'd be for the best to not let one's guard down.
[He sighs and again looks around. The atmosphere is so peaceful, it's hard to imagine that any danger could be luring in the shadows. But dreams can be just as pleasant as they can be terrifying.]
Even so... it's not only danger here. Many people I talked to seem to be enjoying the peaceful times.
[He looks to Diluc.]
Is there anything you're enjoying here? [He frowns slightly, concerned that the other takes no time to relax.]
You're right; there's much here that's actually quite enjoyable.
[That fact and the fact that vigilance is necessary aren't mutually exclusive ideas, after all. It's not fundamentally that different to how Diluc carries himself back in his beloved home of Mondstadt.]
While I'm the first to admit that the lack of structure here isn't necessarily to my tastes, my time here has been a nice change of pace. Mondstadt is being seen to by my waking self, so I'm able to fully commit to being a part of this dream world without worry.
The people I've met here, especially, are worth their weight in gold. Most of them, anyway.
[To have Diluc speak about people living in this dream world so highly truly brings a smile to Aether's face. It seems he had no need to worry. His companion (or should he say Lumine's companion?) is doing just fine here.]
That's good to hear. I'm looking forward to meeting more people. The ones I've talked to so far were really helpful and kind.
[Aether is again reminded that he's new around here, but that never was a problem to him. He's done this so many times, getting from one city to another, or from one world to the next, that he gets used to every new place with ease.]
If you're anything like your sister, I suspect you won't have much trouble in that regard. People always seem to take to her regardless of where she is.
[Himself included.]
Not everyone here means well, but I'm sure you're smart enough to realize that already. Still, the vast majority of them do. There are worse places one can end up.
[Aether can't help but look proud when Diluc speaks about his sister like that. Even if their experiences were similar, the twins are each their own person. Aether is sure there were things his sister handled much better than him. She's strong and kind... Or at least this is how he remembers her.]
Don't worry. I think that I'm not naive enough to consider everyone as well-meaning.
[Sometimes he just likes to keep quiet and observe before judging someone.]
Plus, I know I can trust those from Teyvat who are here.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
I see. Well, I'm sure he would be far more equipped to fill that vacancy than I would.
[Venti's personality is much more similar to Paimon's, after all. Diluc, meanwhile, is more or less her opposite. Although perhaps it's better that Venti not shadow Aether like Paimon would, given his general lack of self-control.]
So I've heard. I've had the chance to speak to a few of them, but there are several others I've yet to make contact with. I find it... curious, that so many have arrived from Teyvat all at once.
[Replace "curious" with "suspicious," and you'll have a better idea of Diluc's feelings on the issue.]
The reality is that there's much we still don't understand about this world, particularly when it comes to what its purpose is and why our dream selves are here.
no subject
It's a strange world.
[Aether agrees with this entirely. The fact that so many of them arrived at the same time makes him suspicious, too, and maybe it shows with the way his smile dims and he looks around as if searching for something.]
Can you tell me if anything happened here during your stay? Anything... that would make you question if we're safe here, for instance?
[His gaze is back to Diluc.]
I've heard from someone that this place get get "wild". I would like to hear your opinion on it.
no subject
[It's impressive, to say the least, that Aether seems to be a rather astute sort. Diluc leans back in his chair a bit, crossing his arms as he considers his response.]
This is a land of dreams, and dreams are volatile things. The world around us changes every now and again, and those changes are equal parts whimsical and dangerous. Just last month, we were pulled into dream meant to resemble a play. And at the end of that play was an all-out war between two factions and a noctaere--a creature made of nightmares.
And that's to say nothing of this "Story Eater" creature that people have been talking about. My knowledge of it is limited, but I do know that it poses a significant threat to this world as a whole.
So, in short: my opinion is that we need to remain vigilant.
no subject
It does sound like it'd be for the best to not let one's guard down.
[He sighs and again looks around. The atmosphere is so peaceful, it's hard to imagine that any danger could be luring in the shadows. But dreams can be just as pleasant as they can be terrifying.]
Even so... it's not only danger here. Many people I talked to seem to be enjoying the peaceful times.
[He looks to Diluc.]
Is there anything you're enjoying here? [He frowns slightly, concerned that the other takes no time to relax.]
no subject
[That fact and the fact that vigilance is necessary aren't mutually exclusive ideas, after all. It's not fundamentally that different to how Diluc carries himself back in his beloved home of Mondstadt.]
While I'm the first to admit that the lack of structure here isn't necessarily to my tastes, my time here has been a nice change of pace. Mondstadt is being seen to by my waking self, so I'm able to fully commit to being a part of this dream world without worry.
The people I've met here, especially, are worth their weight in gold. Most of them, anyway.
no subject
That's good to hear. I'm looking forward to meeting more people. The ones I've talked to so far were really helpful and kind.
[Aether is again reminded that he's new around here, but that never was a problem to him. He's done this so many times, getting from one city to another, or from one world to the next, that he gets used to every new place with ease.]
no subject
[Himself included.]
Not everyone here means well, but I'm sure you're smart enough to realize that already. Still, the vast majority of them do. There are worse places one can end up.
no subject
Don't worry. I think that I'm not naive enough to consider everyone as well-meaning.
[Sometimes he just likes to keep quiet and observe before judging someone.]
Plus, I know I can trust those from Teyvat who are here.
[His smile wavers just a little.]
Well... almost everyone. [Childe is complicated.]