startraveler

[Aether is already there when Ayato arrives. He looks exactly the same as always, never quite feeling like getting a new set of clothes. He's too busy for shopping, he has so many places to explore and so many quests to check out!

But for now it's time to relax and take in the scenery of greens and cherry blossom pink. Sadly, the traveler did not think of getting the umbrella either, but hopefully the rain won't surprise them (famous last words).

Aether greets Ayato with a bright, warm smile.]

I'm settling in okay, I think! I also got to catch up with many people from Teyvat. I was surprised how many familiar faces are here.

[Not many of them remembered him, but he's slowly reconnecting with them.]

Edited 2023-04-23 17:15 (UTC)

{ there is plenty to keep people busy here, but given the amount of worry he's put on ayaka at home, he couldn't say no to her when she requests his time. he's rescheduled where needed, and in the end having clothes of this world rather than home feels more fitting when his name is just a name here. commissioner no longer has any standing, at least to most of the people here.

granted, his new title may have changed that, but it still doesn't change the fact he dislikes public appearances, as much as they may be necessary at times. }

That's a relief. I probably should have mentioned some of the others, though I could understand the urgency to see your sister.

{ and in all honesty, he has no idea who knows who. he could never have given aether a list to be prepared for. }

[There's an understanding nod from Aether and frankly, he could never expect from Ayato to give him a full list of everyone along with information if they remember him or not. Especially not when half of the people out there are not even from Inazuma.]

It's perfectly fine, I didn't ask either. You gave me the information I wanted.

[Aether really wished to (finally) see his sister more than anything else.]

Plus, I ran into others later. It turned out that Thoma and Ayaka remembered me. So did Tighnari and Xingqiu.

[It's not a terribly long list, but that doesn't seem to discourage him. He looks a little wistful though.]

...But regardless if they knew me or not, they were all willing to hear me out and give me a chance. [Except Childe... that one took a bit more convincing.] I'm very grateful for that.

[He really has met a lot of wonderful people during his journey. And so did his sister.]

{ that's true, there are people he's met here that he would never had a chance to back in teyvat. been on quests with a few of them by now, had drinks with others. the smile he gives in return is simple, which is probably for the best as his blood runs cold at aether's next words.

granted, it's hard to tell anything is wrong at all. as commissioner he's learned to keep composed no matter the situation, to play the lines he needs to for the best outcome.

it turned out that thoma and ayaka remembered me.

he'd known about ayaka for a few weeks by now. he hadn't dared to ask thoma a thing. blissful ignorance, as it were. }

They'll be fine with time, I'm sure. { his voice stays calm and collected, but it's hard to focus other than automatically continuing on. } After all, I'm sure they're equally as curious as I am about you.

[He has a feeling that something he said affected Ayato and yet he can't quite confirm his suspicions. His friend can be hard to read, but that really shouldn't be surprising considering his role as a commissioner.

So for now, Aether merely nods.]

I'm sure of it.

[Then he continues on.]

They're all just the same as I remember them. They remember the same things I do... just not with me in the picture.

[It's like with Wanderer trying to erase his existence from the world. Even though he was no longer there, the results of the events remained unchanged and the people Aether were still there, just like he remembered them. So perhaps this is exactly why no matter if it's him or his sister, the world and its events stayed just the same.

It's not something he can tell Ayato though.]

{ his breathing stays regular, eyes focused on the path ahead as he indicates for them to walk. conversation had halted it, but there's no need to keep their feet from moving.

except making the blur of thoughts whirling through his head, threatening to spill out. if anything, it's selfish to think he should be concerned about this. aether and lumine both have countless people who don't remember them. and yet-- }

Exactly as I understood it, yes. Ayaka recounted her experiences to me when we first realised we knew of a different traveler each. It may not have been in detail, but it was enough to confirm my suspicions that the stories aligned to a point. Since you are different people I imagine words exchanged would have differed, but no one's memory is good enough to recount that.

[He walks along, watching Ayato carefully as Aether can't shake off a feeling that there's something amiss. Ayato speaks calmly, like always, there's nothing in his expression that would indicate worry. And yet...]

Does... it bother you?

[Aether's voice is quiet when he asks that, his brows furrow up a little in concern.]

Does it bother you that Ayaka and Thoma don't remember the same things you do?

[He understands. It means they are not the same Ayaka and Thoma that have been by Ayato's side, yet they are exactly the same, with the same goals, worries, the same smiles. It's complicated.]

{ he probably shouldn't be surprised, not knowing how observant lumine can be at times as well. both of them seem to have an aptitude for predicting things like this, and while he has full confidence he hasn't slipped up, it's a reasonable question to ask, isn't it?

it's hardly a secret what the both of them mean to him. }

Perhaps more than it should. After all, I imagine you feel it even more. { and really he needs time to sit down and let this sink in as well. even if it's not unexpected. } It must hurt, surely, for people who you've come to see as a dear friend say they don't remember you. I'm not so cruel to make this about me right now.

[He's silent, just listening to Ayato, watching him with soft, understanding eyes. It takes a longer moment before Aether says anything.]

I won't lie and say that it doesn't hurt. [He admits quietly.] But at the same time, I can't be sad or upset about this, especially when I know that everyone is willing to give me a chance.

[He takes a few steps ahead to stand in front of Ayato, to catch his hands in his own, squeezing them. His gaze is fixed on the other, sincere and hopeful.]

Just like it is with you - you led me to your home, offered me comfort even though it was the very first time we met. And now you're here with me, taking a stroll through the park. [He smiles, warm and gentle.] We're already friends so how can I be sad about this?

[It's difficult and complicated, he knows. The ache in his heart will remain there for now, but he's sure with time, it'll stop mattering who remembers him and who doesn't. As long as he can call them friends again, as long as he can do something for them, as long as they can have many warm memories together nothing else matters.]

As for Ayaka and Thoma, I'm sure they cherish and love you just the same way they did back in Inazuma.

{ especially when i know that everyone is willing to give me a chance

he isn't sure he would have been quite so open to it had ayaka not shared the details either. it offers only guilt as aether kindly reaches for his hands, holds them and squeezes them in his own. his eyes dip down to watch, and really it's amusing that even through the gloves there's a mockery of warmth that spills between them--the effects of this world ever present.

he opens his mouth to respond, (how can i be sad about this?) because he can think of a number of reasons. it's obvious in the way they speak to one another now, friends yes but there's a thin veil of stepping on egg shells where neither of them really know how things will feel.

and it's only more prevalent when aether continues to talk. }

Being here certainly changes things. { but this time he allows his voice to sound as distant as it feels } It's a wonder what being away from home can do, isn't it? Though I'd agree it isn't necessarily a bad thing. { half the conversation is with himself though, so he won't blame aether if some of this doesn't make sense.

and as if the skies pity them both, small patters of water start to drop. }

[He's aware that things would've been different if Ayaka didn't talk about him. Maybe it would have taken him a lot time to win Ayato's trust, but Aether is certain he would still offer his assistance to the commissioner.

Still, is there really a point to consider what ifs? They started on a better note and even though this friendship still needs time to grow, Aether can tell they'll be just fine. Ayato's hands feel warm in his own, he's concerned for him, even though there seems to be something else troubling him as well.

Aether steps a little closer as the first droplets of rain hit his skin.]

That's true... it makes you realize a lot of things that you've never even considered. [Another step closer, leaving just a bit of space between them. Familiar, yet hopefully not too close to make this uncomfortable.] Like now I know that all of you would get along just fine with my sister too.

[He grins a little, trying as much as possible to add a positive to this difficult situation.]

{ perhaps if he hadn't been caught up in his own thoughts he would have been more considerate of not thinking of the what ifs right now. sadly, he has a tendency to overthink--it comes part of the parcel from what he's had to work through back home. even here and now it's a reminder of what he's actually had time to think over and realise about how futile things feel back home at times.

but at least aether gives him that hook, that lifeline of sorts, to hold onto. he laughs, a small chuckle under his breath as he thinks about that comment properly. }

How could we not? You're both rather charming in your own ways.

[The small chuckle that Ayato lets out makes Aether smile only more. It's warm and almost relieved, as he's happy he managed to give the other something to hold onto. His hands squeeze Ayato's a little more, too.]

I'm glad you think so. [The rain is still but a drizzle, but it already managed to soak Aether's hair enough to make it stick to his face. His golden eyes seem to shine.] Hopefully, you won't change your mind once you get to know me better.

[A soft laugh escapes him at his own joke.

The rain remains ignored for the time being as if acknowledging it would ruin this gentle moment.]

{ it's a relief that the subject starts to pass, and they can focus on going forward instead of the past. besides, so far he has no reason to think any worse of either of them. }

I very much doubt that will be the case. After all you've done for us, it would be rather nonsensical.

{ even if the way things were is different, it doesn't change the fact in some world he is very much indebted to aether.

the rain is doing good work on both of them by now though, enough that even he can't really hide uncomfortable it is as his hair sticks to his face and neck. both of them should have known better to come out without an umbrella, especially when there's that feeling of warmth under his gloves from where their hands are still connected. }

[He shakes his head.]

Don't think about it this way. You're not indebted to me. It's normal to help a friend.

[He doesn't want the other to feel like he's forced to do something for this strange traveler. Friendship shouldn't be based on favours.

As the rain soaks them both, Aether's brain starts screaming at him that they should move and find some shelter or else they will both make Thoma worry that they'll catch a cold. Yet, for some strange reason, there's warmth between them and maybe it's also Aether's fondness that makes him lean a little closer.]

I just enjoy your company. Yours, Ayaka's and Thoma's. Whenever I went to visit, if one of you had the time, you always made me feel welcomed.

[And it's true even now.

He stands on his toes, as if trying to get even closer.]

I don't think of it as being indebted, at least not anymore. Though that doesn't mean I'm not grateful.

{ his voice seems to be becoming more of a murmur though, as though he's dazed. even when he blinks the rainwater seems to stay heavier now. really, the way this world worked was incredibly unfair at times. for someone who had been so touch starved in inazuma, it feels all too easy to give in to the temptation when the rain makes his skin sing for it. }

You'll always be welcome.

{ and then he feels himself drawn further forward towards the warmth before he can think at all. it's impulsion that has him leaning until his lips meet aether's, firm but not harsh, and only after a few long moments when the tingling on his mouth seems to cease does he pull back. }

[Being grateful is definitely something he can accepted, especially when he also feels this way. A part of him wants to offer for them to finally find shelter. It really won't do them any good to stay in the rain like this.

...But the other part of him is dazed, longing for the warmth that is between them. And his breath catches when Ayato leans closer. Their lips meet and Aether's eyes close. Without thinking he gives in to the moment, responding with a gentle press of his own lips. It feels so good and warm.

His heart beats faster in his chest and it takes a moment for him to even realize what he's - what they are doing. He breathes shakily when they part from the kiss, golden eyes looking wide up at the other while his face burns bright red.

First Thoma, now Ayato... he also kissed Ayaka on the hand. How is he going to walk into their house without burning bright red?!]

T-this rain... is really dangerous... [He's trying so badly to ignore what just happened and stay calm!!]

{ it's strange how it feels the air stills for a moment--even with the rain pouring down around them--as time seems to stand still. it takes a moment to register that he's even pulled back, but even then the only thing that greets aether is a smile. he may or may not find it incredibly amusing how red in the face the other goes after the action, while ayato looks completely unaffected. }

And here I thought you'd spent all this time hoping for it. Not to worry, we can keep it our little secret. { he glances up after, frowning at the rain. } It does seem as though our walk will have to be cut short, however.

Hoping for...

[Is that how he looked like?! He didn't even realize, but the teasing makes him blush all the more. Even the tips of his ears burn red and he can feel that.

The fact that Ayato does not seem affected by what just happened in any way adds up to Aether's embarrassment, but he's trying to ignore it.]

Let's go find some shelter from the rain...

[He wishes so badly to hide somewhere right now.]

{ the smile on his face only widens as the blushing only gets worse. }

Likely a good idea, otherwi-- { and then he's turning his head away to sneeze } otherwise it will likely not end well.

{ he gestures towards the path towards the teleporter, already stepping to head off that way. }

I'd expected this would have stopped by now.

[Aether can tell that Ayato is quite amused by this turn of events. Which only makes the redness in the traveler's cheeks all the brighter.

But Aether looks worried when Ayato sneezes.]

Let's go. Ayaka and Thoma won't be happy if you get sick because of me.

[Leaving as fast as possible it is!]

{ he sighs in response to that }

I doubt they'd blame you for it. After all, I've forgotten an umbrella fairly often.

{ the few days megumi spent with them and nagged him about it he'd started to remember, but he's been awfully forgetful of small things like this lately. it's a wonder he has his phone with him half the time. }

We both forgot it today. They have all the right to get angry.

[But he smiles. He doesn't think either Ayaka or Thoma would truly blame him or Ayato for anything. Still, he doesn't want them to worry. Or Ayato to actually get sick here.]

We're close to the teleporter now.

[Thankfully.]

I doubt either of them would be angry.

{ it takes a lot for that to happen, aether please. }

But I would much rather not get sick.

{ he won't mention he'd had to call on thoma a couple of days ago to fetch him an umbrella as he got caught in the exact same park -- so maybe out of the two of them thoma would have more reason to be exasperated with him. }

You're right though, as soon as we're in the city it should be safer.

[He know, he knows!]

Still... I wanted you to take a break, but the rain completely spoiled it.

[He's definitely disappointed, but then his face gets a little red again. Ah, memories returning in the right moment.

Thankfully, they will be out of the rain soon and right into a drier place.]

I think the city should have some warnings for this kind of weather.

[It would've been nice if they did!]

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