startraveler

{ 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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