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[startraveler]

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text; un; melodia

[makedamnsure]

Aether, a moment of your time. There's a question I must ask.

[startraveler]

Sure, go on. Did something happen?

un: AMAGIBIGDICK69 | may 18th

[hanikamu]

[ Ring, ring. Please pick up. It's urgent.

Probably.

He will pick up, right?

...Right? ]

[startraveler]

[Aether sees the name on the screen and considers his options for a very, very long time.

Maybe he won't pick up.

...Or maybe he will eventually.

He won't say anything when he picks up, though.]

May TDM - Gil

[startraveler]

[Continued from here]

[He gently pats Gil on the back as if to encourage him. No apologizing, there is no need for that.]

I am actually worried, that's true. But I think there could be something more to it. Maybe this place is making everyone affected with nightmares to see how they'll take it.

[That could maybe explain people falling asleep in random places.]

But as long as it's just a dream, it won't hurt me.

[belovedscars]

Maybe.

[He wouldn't put it past them.]

But if they continue, you're sleep will suffer, and then you'll feel worse. You may even catch a cold!

May TDM - Sunday

[startraveler]

[Continued from here]

[[He can tell that his companion isn't happy with his answer. Aether frowns lightly to himself, then nods.]

You're right. I'm not planning to push myself either. [Then, carefully:] Would you like to stay with me for a while?

[It would be beneficial to both of them.]

[makedamnsure]

[That's right, he's not very happy with Aether's answer. Aether seems like the go-getting, troublesome sort and he has enough to deal with the Trailblazer... Although, they're not here. It still feels the same.]

I think that would be best. Until you are feeling better and are on your feet.

[Sunday answers quietly as he moves to sit next to Aether. He might be hovering over Aether like this but...

Well. Good.]

May TDM - Wanderer

[startraveler]

[Continued from here]

[Aether gives a simple nod.]

Then we both feel the same.

[He also has a bad feeling about all of this. There's too many questionable things happening.

At the comment, Aether crosses his arms over his chest, a small smirk on his face.]

May TDM - Elan

[startraveler]

[Continued from here]

[Aether grins at that. He never said he would give that kind of lessons, but he isn't opposed to the idea.]

You'd have to attend many of them for the full story. I hope you're ready for that? There will be an exam at the end of my cooking classes, too.

[Is he telling the truth? Who knows.]

[el5n]

[Well, he enjoys that Aether is being a good sport about it. Though, for the matter of there supposedly being an exam...]

Mmmm... That depends: is the exam a written one, or a practical one?

[His neutral resting smirk makes it really hard to tell if he's just playing along or actually asking in seriousness, tbh.]

May TDM - Rafayel

[startraveler]

[Continued from here]

[There's a small smile appearing on his face, as he appreciates the sentiment. It may be just a few simple words, but to Aether it still means a lot. That pleasant feeling is soon replaced with dread. A dark thought that he may never see his sister again, that he'll be stuck here, in this room for his entire awfully long life.

Right, they also talked about food. He needs to use that distraction.]

Then you need to try it. I have a friend, who absolutely loves it. It's a popular dish in Liyue Harbour.

[He wants to think back to his friends, the places he's seen. If he focuses on that, maybe he can keep going.]

[glub]

[ to be honest, rafayel isn't sure why he says it.

maybe it's because he could relate to it, or maybe it could be a small shred of gratitude he may have felt not to be alone in a situation like this. not that he wasn't accustomed to being alone, but he wasn't used to all these other emotions. the apprehension, or the way in which he feels like the walls are closing in on them, and that this was the last glimmer of freedom they'd ever have.

but, seeing the small smile, however brief does seem to ground him. a reminder for him to also not display his own vulnerabilities so easily. he wears a similar sort of smile, albeit more practiced. ]

A friend? Here? [ he tilts his head. ] Liyue, huh. I can't say I know it, but if it's a place with shrimp, I'm guessing it's a goodie.

@onestepforward, 9/3 txt

[ignoreher]

[ cleaning and material gathering... the only connection she might be interested in is the botanist, but that's not important in the colder months. hmm.

honestly, malkuth will definitely need aether's help with a more personal pet project in the future, but for now-- ]

Okay! So, in short -- most of the general repair I need for a project is concerns wood, nails, and glass... and something that makes for good roofing. Do you think that sounds manageable? I'll compensate any funding that goes into obtaining the materials, it's just easier for me to delegate what I can out to others.

[startraveler]

[Perfect, a task that can keep him occupied.]

Sounds perfectly fine. I'm actually helping my friend with fixing some houses, so I'm pretty good at finding these kind of things.

@elanceres, backdated to early oct/pre-event

[sicklit]

[Four is going insane again. He isn't sure how long it's been now since Patho-Gen spat him back out into polite society, but it's like it never happened. Every time he closes his eyes he's back down in the caverns, being torn apart. His own willpower can only do so much, and the more time passes the more his terrified Natural Soul exerts its own force on his brain until he finds himself shivering in a corner of his room, curled protectively over his stomach, feeling like at any moment he'll look up to find a beak looming over his shoulder.

It's ridiculous. He's in his room in the Valentia, and Five only attacked him because of the flowers. He's sure of it. Why does this keep happening?

Four had wanted to keep Aether away from this, like he's some special element that shouldn't be tainted by involvement with Four's personal issues. But Elan Ceres the original can't help him with this anymore, if he ever could--Four hates himself for imprinting with him in the first place--and so his options are this, or losing himself to fear and madness. He'd thought the second option would be easier, but apparently not. With shaking fingers, he finally opens Aether's profile on his Syntrofos.]

I need help.
Can I meet you?

[startraveler]

[Aether is healing from his own trip into the caverns. Thanks to Vanitas' help his arm is better, even if it still hurts and he needs to be very careful with it.

As he gets a message, Aether picks up his Syntrofos, curious who might it be. His eyes widen when he sees the inquiry for help.]

Of course! Where do you want to meet? Should I bring something?

@xiao (forward-dated to after the event)

[jadewingedspear]

[ Voice; ]

Aether. Where is the man known as Vanitas.

[ Oh. Someone is mad. ]

[startraveler]

[Why is he mad??]

Xiao? What happened? Vanitas is at my place now...

@wr10

[trounce]

Good afternooon, Aether.

I'm pretty sure you know whose birthday’s coming up next week, so I figured I’d check if you’d be up for teaming up to put something together.

@traveler

[startraveler]

Hello Wriothesley!

You know I'm always happy to help, especially when it comes to a friend's birthday. Do you already have an idea in mind or do we need some brainstorming first?

And swallows circling with their shimmering sound...

[inimitable]

( per genshin habit, a letter finds its way to aether, together with a neat container of warm, homemade consomme. )

Sender: Neuvillette
Date: December 18

It has been some time since we last conversed. I hope you have found a measure of stability in this new environment.

The passage of time has always felt like a steady current, yet here in Karteria, the tide has gone stagnant. As I write, I am reminded that today is the date I have chosen to mark my birth. Were we in Teyvat, I would have extricated myself from duties of the Court and we might have traveled together to Merusea Village. The Melusines would have been overjoyed to see you, and I suspect the quiet of the realm would have been a welcome reprieve for us both.

I find myself reflecting on our previous winter seasons, when warm beverages were staples on every table. I recall Wriothesley once posited that humans must exercise 'strategic restraint' to avoid internal complications, a point Sigewinne would likely enforce were she present.

Here, the 'fluids' are of a different nature. The persistent, rhythmic pulse at the base of my neck is a crowded sensation, and the nightmares it invites are an administrative challenge to one’s peace of mind. Even so, I find myself wondering if my younger self would have taken any pleasure in the 'incredible powers' being promised to us, or if he would have simply preferred a light winter drizzle to wash away the scent of this place.

Nonetheless, the atmosphere here is heavy, yet the sky remains dry. It seems the Hydro Dragon has no reason to weep today. In a world that demands we harness monstrous powers to survive, perhaps the most difficult task is simply maintaining our own nature.

[startraveler]

[Even here. Aether is truly touched... And it's even before he managed to send Neuvillette his own letter!

There is a lot of sad notes in the dragon's letter and Aether hopes that the warm gathering their about to have can make this day truly enjoyable, just like one's birthday should be.]

end of the year (for Vincent and Vanitas) cw: death

[startraveler]

[The festivities, the parties: it feels like life is much better now and they're able to have a break from the horrors this place can inflict upon them.

That's what Aether wants to believe, but in the past few days he's been feeling... unwell. He's been trying to pretend that he's fine, everything is fine, but the weakness in his limbs and the exhaustion is hard to conceal completely. Perhaps both Vincent and Vanitas long noticed that he's not in the best shape, that he feels colder than usually.

Today, it's worse. Maybe he should tell them, confess. He has an idea about what may be happening to him and while he dreads telling his partners that, he is aware he can't hide from them. He's in their room now, considering his options.

He gets up. He has to tell them.

With that in mind he takes a step forward and suddenly his legs give away, his lungs sting, like he's choking. He ends up on the floor eyes - all eyes - wide. His hands reach his neck as he struggles to breath.

He's dying.

With a shaking hand he tries to reach towards the door, in some feeble attempt to do anything at all. His vision is blacking out.

...He can't... pass out like this...]

[bleude]

[It's been impossible to not notice some subtle changes within Aether, from the way he seems to struggle with holding things to the chilliness of his limbs when they're entwined in bed. (Although the latter is something Vanitas merely attributed to himself; denial is a powerful thing.)

Although Vanitas is out of the room, he hears a thud of something hitting the floor and instantly comes running, only to find Aether clutching at his throat and all eyes fixated on nothing. With a strangled noise he drops to a knee, scooping the blond up in his arms in order to cradle him carefully. Then his attention turns elsewhere.]

VINCE! Come quick--! It's Aether!

[His first thought is that perhaps the other man has choked on something, although he knows in his heart that isn't the case. Still, he longs to be able to do something - anything - to help. So he tips Aether's head back, trying to peer into his mouth briefly. Seeing nothing, his heart catches in his own throat, fear eating away at him.]

Aether! Can you hear me? What's wrong?!