deercountry | [closed] keeping company

Entry tags:

[closed] keeping company

Who: Blue, Kaeya, Lucius
What: The Mu entertains houseguests
When: Feb
Where: the Crenshaw house

Content warnings: some powers-based emotional manipulation/gaslighting may be actively triggered

For Kaeya:
[the invitation to visit came in a roundabout away, with Blue having been out alone and mentioning how lonely it was to be back at the house while Flynn and Yuri were so busy with other things. the mere suggestion Kaeya wouldn't mind having a peek is more than enough to inspire a brightening of Blue's soft, often-muted expression, plainly pleased.

it helps that the house is bedecked in many, many roses - the product of his nameday, the one he doesn't even know he has. it stands out beautifully on the street, and Blue is happy to share the sight with a dear friend. moreover, he found something in his room that may be of Kaeya's interest...]

It appeared some nights ago, [he holds the thin, light sword in open palms, extending it out for Kaeya to take and examine at his leisure.] simply...stabbed into the middle of the floor of my bedroom.

[for now, though, they're in the den near the fireplace, his omen having happily stretched out on the floor nearest it while they took a seat on the sofa.]

What do you make of it?

For Lucius
[this invitation is something different, for Lucius is an acquaintance and still quite young, someone to be mindful about while around. children are far more aware and wise than most people would believe, and so what one does or says around them shouldn't be so carefree. Blue knows this, and while he carries in his heart an undying want to protect Lucius and those like him, he knows he cannot force his hand.

not...forcibly anyway.

an ask to be helped back to the house is simple enough, and it's only natural to invite the boy in to warm up for a bit after-the-fact. and from there:]

If you are hungry, there is still a bit of breakfast left. It is easy enough to heat up, so you wouldn't be troubling me at all.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Kaeya needs very little prompting to visit with Blue. And there was no way he could turn down an invitation with a look like that on Blue's face. He notes the roses though, impossible not to, given the explosion of blooms he's seen here and there. It's a nice change in the otherwise bleak winter weather.

The sword though, that's certainly curious.]

I had a mysteriously appearing gift of my own, some months back. Not a weapon though.

[Kaeya takes the blade carefully, turning it over, stepping back to test the weight and balance of it with a few slow twists of his wrist.]

It's a well made blade, but the way this place works, I doubt it's simply that.

[Blue's hands fall back into his lap, seated on the edge of the sofa, watching Kaeya do a more practiced and thorough examination. Yuri's already had a look-over of it, certainly, but Blue figures there could be valuable insight from multiple practiced sword wielders.

it certainly looks more at-home in Kaeya's hands than it seemed to be in Blue's own.]

A gift, you say... [he looks up at Kaeya thoughtfully.] Do you think it's from a trustworthy source?

I'm honestly not sure. In my case, I received a glass sphere with a flower inside. You'd think it a paperweight, but when you hold it, it shares sensations from a memory -- though what memory seems to change periodically.

[He's talking absent-mindedly as he continues to turn the sword over before holding it out to hand back to Blue.]

Maybe both mine and yours are... gifts from a Pthumnerian perhaps? Though that doesn't really answer the question about trustworthiness, does it? Have you had much interaction with the Pthumerians?

[the blade settles quite lightly, almost comfortably, back in Blue's hands. no matter how peculiar he finds it, Blue cannot deny that it doesn't feel too alien or unnerving to him.

he stares back at the rose-colored reflection of himself within the steel.]

I encountered a massive, lonely entity out along the shore months ago... Their grieving called to me in my dreams. [...] But they conveyed the energy of a lost child, not...some kind of warrior.

[he looks back up.] What of you? Who would you have crossed paths with who would...give you the means to see memories outside of your mind?

Cloverfield?

[That's what the description sounds like to Kaeya.] If that's who you met, I met the same. I'd agree, a lost and lonely child.

[A sentiment that Kaeya knows far too well, after all. And considering it,] The month that the orb appeared was the month Cloverfield was around. That does seem fitting, given the bittersweetness of it.

[A shrug of a shoulder.] If your sword appeared recently, this month is the domain of the Doorway, isn't it? They have something of a more intimidating air about them. Rumor has it they're responsible for the winter roses too.

Doorway... [hm. strange...what does a doorway have to do with a sword?

...cleaving a new opening...? that's ominous.]

I'll have to do some research; I can't say I know much about them. Pthumerians in general. A worthy topic of study, hm?

Very worthy. And certainly an area with plenty of research to do. I've done some talking and reading, but I've barely scratched the surface of all there is.

[Kaeya will at this point make himself at home and take a seat, crossing his legs and considering.]

The way they're spoken of, it reminds me a bit of archons back home.

[Except there are at least two archons who have been brought here currently, and a third who was present and then left, so if these gods have the power to snatch up his homeland's gods? Also ominous.]

[once Kaeya situates, Blue makes sure to nod to the teapot and cups idle on the table near them; he's welcome to help himself should he see fit. it's a simple floral tea, nothing too biting, but it can get sugared up a bit with the honey there.

while carefully setting the sword on a vacant length of that table:] 'Archons'? Have you...spoken of them before?

[A shake of his head.] Likely not. My own relationship with the idea is... complicated.

[He comes, originally, from a kingdom that was destroyed by Celestia and the gods, but he's spent most of his life in Mondstadt and the archon there well. Turns out he knows him and genuinely likes him as a person.]

There are Seven in Teyvat, each the god of a nation and an ideal. In Mondstadt, the country I was raised in, it's Barbatos, the Anemo Archon. God of freedom.

[Kaeya will quite happily help himself to tea, stirring in a generous dollop of honey.]

[gods, huh...]

How similar are they to the Pthumerians here? Do they affect the people's minds and bodies?

Similar in that they have physical manifestations that people can interact with. But... mm. I've never known the archons to be able to directly affect someone's mind.

[A sip of his tea.] So that's certainly a difference. The Pthumerians, I can't guess at their ultimate goals. What are your thoughts on them?

[hm...

the notion of 'gods' is far broader a brush to paint with than Blue would've imagined at first, it seems.]

There's really no concept of gods in recent memory where I'm from...when I perceive them, hear of them...I think of... Mutation. Powers...exceeding that of naturally-evolved humans.

Cloverfield...had emotions...human emotions. But they reverberated in me...in such a different way. [he closes his eyes, pursing his lips a moment, trying to explain.]

It's like...hearing a dear friend's voice...pitched differently.

Ah... that's interesting.

[Kaeya leans forward a bit. The way that Blue perceives the world, especially the emotions of those around him, is so different than what Kaeya is used to that he's certain the other's insights will be something.]

So familiar but alien at the same time?

[Blue lets out an affirmative sound, nodding.]

Common ground. Maybe not...too much of a revelation. Especially to those who live alongside more than just humans. It wasn't the case, where I'm from.

Here, though...the divide is...very vast. [...] But there are still bridges connecting us to them.

Maybe that's comforting in a way, that they aren't beyond the sort of emotions that we understand.

[But it also makes their motivations all the more curious.] I wonder what their purpose for bringing us all here. All the different worlds and the different sorts of people, human and otherwise.

[Though he has to admit that he can't be exactly angry about being here himself. Being pulled from his life was disruptive, yes. But he's met people here that he cares about a great deal who he wouldn't have met otherwise -- present company included. And then there's the fact that he and Diluc found each other again here in a way he's not sure they would have managed so soon back home; the evidence of that is clear in the form of a handprint lingering on Kaeya's face from the bonding. There's a lot wrong with this place, but if nothing else, Kaeya's loyalties aren't pulled in different directions here.]

[it's a sentiment Blue resonates with: he, too, bears lingering markings on each of his wrists, one from each young man he resides with - his beloved, irreplaceable family. the ominous nature of their arrivals here doesn't really tip the scales compared to the wealth of love and comfort found despite it.

present company included, naturally.

so to Kaeya's point, Blue nods again in silence, his gaze drifting toward a parallel window as he wonders on the matter of purpose.]

...Connection. [...] There are...many results from it...but the desire to have it seems to be the same. From human, Mu, Pthumerian...

Connection.

[Kaeya murmurs softly, mulling it over and nodding.] They do seem to put us through the paces of visiting some of our own inner demons and connecting with ourselves too.

[A sheepish smile.] You were treated to one of my memories, in that regard. [And he walked through Blue's as well.]

True. This place...has a fascination with memory that is entirely lost where I am from. It's almost...reverent. [he tilts his head, giving Kaeya a thoughtful look.]

When you first came here...your memories were locked in a haze. It's...almost courteous in a way, isn't it? To give you a tool to see your memories outside of yourself.

[so why a sword for himself...?]

It is, isn't it? A kindness in its way. I suppose that is one way to look at it.

[But that's the thing; it does make the sword for Blue a more puzzling choice.]

I'd say you should try the weapon out, but I'd be wary of that. Swords are meant to wound, and this one is quite literally double-edged.

[He doesn't want to see Blue hurt.] I wonder if the locals have heard of something like this.

[Blue flashes Kaeya an apologetic smile.]

Such weapons...are beyond antiquated where I'm from; I've never held one before. The way I fought as Soldier...it wasn't with conventional weaponry. I can't say I'm physically in a state to wield one now, either.

[he looks back to the blade.]

I hope...whomever left this here for me...won't be offended if I can't use it.

Antiquated. [Kaeya repeats with a laugh, glancing down at his hands.] I expect I'd be out of a job in your world. I imagine you don't have cavalries either, in the traditional sense.

[Alas, Kaeya is full on obsolete in Blue's home.]

I'd hope not. But without any instructions, I doubt they can hold it against you if you don't put it to use. [A pause.] Do you want to keep it? Or would you rather be rid of it?

[he shakes his head. not 'traditional' by what Kaeya may mean...though he would imagine he'd find the military feats humans have gotten up to quite fascinating.

as for the sword...]

It would be rude...to simply discard it, I think. Perhaps there will be a purpose for it one day.

[like, say, severing the toxic emotional bonds he constructs as a beast trapping his loved ones in the house?? hm. who knows. who knows!!]

Waste not want not. I admire that.

[Kaeya nods with a bit of a grin.] I'll see what I can find out around the town about it.

[He does a lot of talking, after all. But now his curiosity switches lanes and he gestures towards Blue's wrists.] So you've embraced the bonding rituals of this place as well, I see.

[Kaeya gets an appreciative nod for that effort in advance, and before Blue can even thank him properly, attention is shifted to his wrists.]

Ah...yes. [he smiles, almost glowing, as he pulls away some fabric to better expose the wrap-around hand impressions left on each wrist.] Yuri proposed the notion...since the three of us share this house, we may better tend to each other this way. [his expression warms with unfiltered fondness.] Those two...they're properly my family here now. For all the horrors that can be unearthed here, that alone...makes it more than worth it.

[Kaeya's expression melts into a warm smile. Look, it's nice seeing Blue look happy, and nice that he's found himself a home and family here -- and Flynn and Yuri are two people Kaeya considers good friends as well.]

This place does have its bright sides. That's certainly true. I'm glad you've all found each other here. Family matters.

[Chosen family even more than otherwise, so far as Kaeya can tell.]

[Blue can't help but continue to smile happily, gently grazing fingers over one of his wrists, nodding in agreement.]

The bond...helps us share our thoughts and feelings. It's similar to how Mu interact, so it is as if...they were willing to become...more like me.

[ah, dear. he may choke up all over again! he breathes out a little laugh as he looks back up at Kaeya, his smile a shade apologetic.]

I know better now...how intense that is...to people who are used to being alone in their own thoughts. So it's all the more precious to me when those things are shared.

[present company included: he knows Kaeya is quite an insular kind of person when it comes to precious feelings and guarded memories. still...he can't help but want to reach out and guard them for him. ever the Soldier, perhaps.]

[He is aware that adults are using food as a pretext to keep an eye on him. Break certainly succeeded in that. But Lucius considers this more than a fair trade-off. They get to obtain whatever peace of mind some of these adults seem to get from seeing children taken care of, and he gets the much more practical benefit of food.]

I am a little hungry...

[he smiles small, then nods in the direction he needs to get to.]

Let us walk to that room, then. Help me just a little further, please. [because a hand on a lion's shoulder and a boy's helps stabilize him that much better.]

[Lucius settles into place, careful not to move too quickly. It's nostalgic, serving as someone's support like this, even if the feeling also cuts. He was used to doing this. But his mother isn't here.]

Are you sure I shouldn't heat it up for you?

[He says it lightly, as a joke. Though it may well be true.]

Mm, that isn't...how it works. [he pushes away from the lion once the counter is in his reach.] The guest doesn't prepare food, right? That seems to be the case.

I want to be a good host. This...is my home now. So please. Sit, let me be a good host.

[Well, if he insists. Perhaps, in the end, it's repayment for Lucius's help on the way back. The boy can certainly understand wanting to be clear of debts.

So he sits down, and looks curiously around the kitchen.] How many of you live here?

Myself, Yuri, and Flynn.

[he now turns his attention to lifting the chilled remains of breakfast out of the ice box, levitating the plate out while holding onto the lid, guiding it slowly on its way to the stove.]

It is a comfortable fit, the three of us. Though...things will be changing a little, should the chill break. [while lighting the burner:] They mean to expand into the garden. So I don't have to climb stairs anymore.

They're so considerate of me.

[That is considerate. Two or more stories is so common in the buildings here, likely a result of all the huddling together. Someone who so frequently who has trouble simply walking, like Blue, must find all the stairs exhausting.

A thought occurs to him.] Are either of them darkbloods?

[The household he joined is occasionally subject to darkblood-induced structural changes. Deliberately adding on should be possible.]

[the question is a mild surprise, but Blue considers it all the same.]

...No, neither of them. What difference would that make?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[closed] keeping company

/slides in late af here now this month I swear

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

finally...I got here...

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject