startraveler

{ while he may call lumine first, aether isn't forgotten. perhaps it's cruel to be delivering this news by phone call, but he doesn't have it in himself to go out just yet. guilt is already overwhelming given he's all too aware of the upset he's caused now.

likely about to cause again, as the phone rings and his stomach sinks all the more as he waits for the other to pick up. when he finally does, he recites the same greeting as he has to others. }

Aether, do you have time to talk at the moment?

{ there's no greeting of hello, and can definitely be heard as something Serious from his tone. }

[Aether hasn't heard from Ayato for some time now and considering Thoma's poor state, the commissioner could have gotten into some trouble. Still, Aether has too little information to make any real guesses.

The call from Ayato comes completely unexpected and despite the seriousness of the other's tone, Aether finds himself relieved to hear his voice.

Something bad must have really happened, he confirms to himself.]

Yes. Anything you need to talk about, I'm here. We could also meet up somewhere if you'd rather discuss something with me in person.

{ he has no idea who has or hasn't tried to contact him while he's been gone. 'gone' seems to be putting it lightly, but it's the easiest way to process it. }

Oh. I... suppose that makes sense. { and the fact it didn't really occur to him that it may be better to deliver this news in person is probably a bit worrying in itself.

but he's struggling to think past the logic of what needs to be done about the thing. }

Could you come to us in Sunwaning?

Of course I can. I'll be there soon.

[It's concerning that Ayato didn't think to talk in person earlier. He must be really out of it... but what could've happened for him to end up this way?

Aether doesn't want to waste time. He sets off right away and it won't be too long before he appears at the Kamisato's footsteps.

There's a concerned frown on his face as he knows on the door and waits.]

{ he has to be careful as he moves around the house, preparing the kettle so they can have tea - anything to focus on that isn't the memories that haunt him. he hasn't slept yet. one day down, two more to go until he'll have to. he's hoping he will have some answers by then though.

the fact that he doesn't even recognise how much time has passed when the door knocks is proof he's struggling, but he'll answer the door, opening it and probably looking atrocious nonetheless. he still looks well kept, in the sense his hair is brushed and he's dressed, but his eyes likely seem a bit unfocused. }

Come in.

[Aether waits for the door to open as uneasiness starts gnawing at his stomach. When he finally sees Ayato inviting him inside, the bad feelings don't disappear. How could they, when the other's eyes betray how there's something very wrong going on.]

Of course.

[There's no "hello", just a small nod as Aether enters. He allows himself further into the apartment (taking the shoes off) and waits for the other to join him.

He'll sit down once Ayato is by his side.]

{ every step just seems more like clockwork than ayato being mentally present, at least at the moment as he goes through the motions of setting up. he indicates for aether to follow him to the kitchen though, moving away from the other rooms in case either of them come home/get up. }

Would you like tea?

{ except when he starts to pour hot water into the tea pot, he forgot the tea leaves- }

[Aether follows, but the more he watches Ayato, the less he likes what he sees. The traveler shakes his head when the other offers tea.]

It's okay, we can just talk.

[He can't really takes it much longer, so he reaches out, his hand gently settling on the other's back.]

What happened? You're... not acting like yourself.

{ thankfully he'd put the boiling kettle down by the time aether reaches out, his hand pressing against his back and he flinches. there's a sharp intake of breath as his eyes close, and his fingers move to rest on the counter.

he has to remind himself this touch is human--it isn't anything dangerous. it isn't there to hurt him. it doesn't silence him. it doesn't stun him, poison him-- }

There really isn't an easy way to say it.

{ but even if he starts with that, it's hard to get the words out again. like his mouth is full of cotton wool. }

I... I died.

[He keeps his hand there, unsure if it's helping but hoping it would and that a gentle touch like this would be able to reassure Ayato that Aether is here for him.

But the words that are finally spoken by the other come like a violent cold wave. They freeze his blood and make his heart drop. It takes him a moment to realize that he's stopped breathing.]

You... died... [He repeats and the thought sounds so unrealistic, so impossible, that Aether wants to question it.

But then he remembers Thoma. He remembers how depressed he looked when Aether visited him. He remembers how badly he tried to hide something from him.

So he knew... He knew that Ayato died.]

But... you came back. [He's still feeling dizzy from this revelation. His hand falls from Ayato's back and tries to press against the other's hand instead, as if to check if he's indeed alive.] Are you... Does it hurt anywhere? Do you need something? [Helplessness hits him.

His friend died and he didn't even know.]

{ he doesn't have the heart to tell him it's too soon, and that the touch makes his skin crawl more than he'd like.

instead, he swallows. closes his eyes and takes a deep breath and then resumes trying to make the tea. the leaves are poured into the strainer. as long as aether doesn't try and make any sharp movements he'll be okay.

he has enough time while aether processes it to place the kettle back down before the other reaches for his hand instead. }

I knew I would. Someone happened to day on the social network before. I just wasn't sure of how long it would take, or where it would be I'd come back. { there's little warmth to his voice, but it sounds level. } And no. My body is fine.

{ maybe it seems distant, but he's coping like this. } But I thought you should know.

[There's so many things going through his head right now, so many questions that he wishes to ask. Not to mention that he would want to tell Ayato to forget about the tea and sit down with him or let him pull him into an embrace.

But eventually Aether realizes his friend needs time. He's only came back and the traveler can't even begin to imagine how traumatic it would be to experience your own death. Aether slowly pulls his hand away and takes a step back to give Ayato more space. His gaze is still as concerned but he accepts that what's done is done.]

I... I see. [A soft sigh makes it past his lips.] I won't ask any more question about this topic, just this one: are you in danger right now?

[He's doesn't want to ask directly what the cause of death was.]

{ in truth, it hasn't even been a full day. he's trying to do too much at once, trying to pretend everything is fine--partly because he needs to do the work for this (to report to olwen, to pass on information) before it becomes too late--and he won't be able to if he lets himself crumble now. }

Not right now, no. At least... not as long as anyone doesn't enter that place. If they try to, it wouldn't just be me in trouble.

...I'll talk more clearly about it when I've had the time to process it.

[So it's a place. Aether notes that in his head and nods.]

Of course. I can barely imagine how difficult it must be for you right now, so please, take your time.

[He presses a hand to his own chest.]

Thank you for telling me... But you look tired. Maybe there's something I can do for you? Anything I can get you?

[He wants to change the subject for now. There has to be something he can do for Ayato.]

{ there's a lot he isn't saying. that he had to watch kaveh die first. that it will likely forever be ingrained in his memory, as a time he failed a friend and how horrific it was on top of that. kaveh hallucinating alhaitham being there and his cries of pain are going to give him nightmares.

so he doesn't sleep. simple, isn't it? }

I don't know.

{ it's an honest answer, at least. }

[It's an honest answer that actually scares him. It feels like there's so much more that he doesn't know about, horrors that are left unspoken and he can do nothing for his friend. There's nothing to ease his pain.

But Aether doesn't give in easily.]

How about we drink some tea... and I'll prepare you something to eat.

[Perhaps tiny things will be a good start.]

You could also lie down for a bit. I promise I won't go anywhere. I'll be by your side.

Edited 2023-06-01 21:29 (UTC)

{ he nods at that, looking down like he'd forgotten he was even making tea again. }

I don't want to eat, but tea would be nice.

{ tea is a reminder of ayaka, an anchor to ground himself. but he shakes his head at the rest. }

I don't want to wake Thoma. He needs rest. Just tea will be fine.

{ at least it's actually stewing now. }

[So Thoma is here? Of course he is. Aether can imagine he rushed here as fast as he could to see Ayato again. He definitely needs rest, too.

Aether nods.]

Just tea. But make sure you get something to eat later, okay? Actually, I can make some snacks for you... and for Thoma, so he could eat something once he wakes up.

{ of course he is, aether likely doesn't realise how difficult it was to just get out of bed to leave him to rest, given he's been a koala for the majority of the past day. }

Later, I will. But it would help him, I think, to not have to worry about that right now.

[Aether nods.]

In that case, let's have our tea first, then I'll cook something nice for the two of you. I've learnt quite a few recipes from various nations I visited...

[And so they have tea, as Aether tries to change the subject to Teyvat, its cuisine and wonderful views that he saw during his travels. It's just something to fill the silence in hopes that it will take Ayato's mind off the tragic events, even if only for a moment.

Once they finish their tea, the traveler prepares the food as he promised. He opts for traditional Inazuman dishes, wishing that the familiar flavours would bring some sort of comfort to his friends. There's a soup, tightly closed so it would retain its warmth for longer. There are also some traditional snacks, so it would be easy to grab them at any moment.

This is the only thing Aether can do right now and as much as he wishes he was able to do more, he understands that this is not how the world works. His friends need time and it's time for him to leave and let them have their space.]

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june 2 / voice / un:kamisatoayato

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