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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?

[makedamnsure]

No, nothing's egregious has happen please do not worry.

I would like you ask you, if it's not too forward, if you happen to have any other imprinted bonds besides me.

[startraveler]

I don't mind, don't worry. I do have a couple, actually. What about you?

[makedamnsure]

[...]

I see.

And who might they be?

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.]

[hanikamu]

[ That's fine. ]

Why the hell didn't you pick up?! Everyone knows you gotta pick up on the third ring! Now Rinne-kun's angy.

[ ...

He's angy. ]

[startraveler]

[Angy...]

I see. So it wasn't anything important. In that case, see you around, Rinne.

[Ending the call. Try again once you're no longer angy???]

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!

[startraveler]

I... should be fine for a while, but if this keeps going it will be a problem.

[But how to combat nightmares?]

Maybe... you could stay with me for a bit? That way you can wake me up if I have another nightmare. Sleeping next to someone put me at ease in the past, too.

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.]

[startraveler]

[It's almost... overprotective and Aether can't help but smile, amused by it. Sunday definitely is a big brother type, isn't he?]

I promise to not move an inch until I'm recovered.

[Amusement seeps into his voice a little, but... he really is planning to be good and stay in place!]

[makedamnsure]

[Sunday truly is a big-brother type. Tried and true.

He sighs slightly and reaches out to put a stray lock of blond hair neatly back in its place. His touch is gentle and careful not to overstep.]

Very good. I hope you know that I take promises to heart.

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.]

[startraveler]

A written exam for cooking would be a bit ineffective... So a practical one it is.

[He says that as if he's only now decided. Truth to be told, he's just going with the flow, curious where this conversation will lead them to. Is there going to be some actual exam for Elan? Who knows! But Aether would still like to see his improvements if Elan really decides to take some cooking lessons from him.]

Only if you practice a lot, you can become a really good cook.

[He's cooked so many meals for Paimon, he's a pro now.]

[el5n]

Hah.

[His expression is... Probably kind of hard to read, for a moment? He's not used to having conversations like this. Ones where someone is actually being really friendly and encouraging in what at least seems to be a genuine manner.]

...Normally I'm not much for putting in an excessive amount of effort, but... We'll see, I guess. If it holds my attention.

[He won't waste his time on anything that doesn't spark joy.]

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.

comes back to this after a long time, sorry for the delay!

[startraveler]

[Aether smiles a little more, as if encouraged by the other's expression. Then he shakes his head.]

She's not here. She's back home, where she should be. [It's better like that. He wouldn't want more of his friends suffering like this. Experimented on, tormented with thoughts of what else might happen to them. The less people experience it, the better, though, it actually makes anger boil in his blood that anyone has to experience this at all.

But Liyue... Yes. They should talk about Liyue now.]

It's a nice place! They have a lot of seafood dishes so I think you would like it there. The sea looks especially nice during the Lantern Rite. It's a celebration when countless lanterns are set free into the sky carrying the wishes of the people and their glow reflects in the water below.

[He plays the scene over and over in his mind and it seems to calm him. Even if he won't see it again, he's still so glad he was able to witness it.]

no worries!!! welcome back to us both ehe

[glub]

[ "she's back home, where she should be."

those words seem to resonate with him, and despite him normally being able to mask his thoughts quite well, he feels it may have unintentionally slipped. his lips twitch just slightly, before he course corrects. he fixes his eyes back on aether, as if nothing was amiss. ] Not gonna lie, this place is kinda...

[ ...

well, he doesn't have to finish that sentence. just like aether, he is all too comfortable with the prospect of letting this newfound topic overrule any of their present thoughts. instead, he wills his imagination, his thoughts already focusing on the lanterns. he can already picture the ocean without much help, thankfully. ] Funny, we have a similar celebration where I'm from, too. Do you decorate your own lanterns?