[ swanning up to, hands spread. at his side, polaris steps daintily, his claws clicking softly against the ground in his peacock form as he eyes rameel with curiosity. ]
I do like to leave an impression. How are you since our last chat?
[ rameel's puma-like daemon will be resting at their side looking rather indifferent towards the whole exchange despite rameel themselves looking delighted. ]
I've been keeping myself busy. Many of you have many demands and many questions. Some are reasonable and others are just funny.
Which brings me to say that your's is the funniest.
It was the bath bit. Of all the requests that people have come to me about and conversations I've had about, none of them were about the baths.
[ they'll chuckle. ]
How have all of you been faring with the lack of hot water? But I'll consider how I can go about warming your water while also letting you know that my love life is quite depressing.
If you're hungover tomorrow, I'm going to make sure the Temporals don't give you a remedy.
[ stop don't bully the man, baraqiel. but here they are, coming to join him out in the courtyard of the housing plaza, cloak enclosed around them and tiger on their heels. ]
[ no bully him more, he likes it when you bully him. in any case, kaeya is already seated in the courtyard with polaris resting his head in his lap, ears stroked slowly. ]
That would be absolutely fair of you if I had the intention of doing so. But tonight, I promise you that getting absolutely wasted isn't my intention. Rather, just sharing a drink.
[ he's pouring himself a glass. there are two, whether baraqiel drinks or not. it's only polite (it's how he was raised!) polaris lifts his head up at the sight of baraqiel's daemon, gives a soft whining noise, a simple vocalization in greeting. ]
I'm afraid I've received some grave news. So I'm going to do what I always do when that happens. [ the bottle taps down firmly. you can serve yourself. if you want. ]
[ you really toe the line of sadism and masochism, don't you, kaeya. baraqiel opens their wings to flip out their coat, just enough so that they can drop down to sit without sitting on either fabric or feather. the tiger comes around to their side, chuffing in response to polaris' whine to return the greeting. ]
Simply a warning - you've been useful during trials, better to not sully it when we have a number of problems ahead of us.
[ they pick up the bottle calmly, serving themself with all the ease of someone who does drink fairly regularly, an easy and smooth pour. ]
With all the grave news that we receive from Thursday onwards, one has to wonder, exactly, which news you received to take the edge off with a drink.
[ wouldn't it be funny if rameel showed up in the hot tub with kaeya? it would be funny right?? especially since they'd still be wearing their mask and have their hair tied up in a nice little bun. ]
[ that would be funny let's be real. kaeya was hanging out here with xie lian at some point, because there are also his offering bottles here, he only slipped in after he left. something something dignity and cultivation something something shameless don't bathe with the message bottles something... ]
No, just wanted to make sure my deeds were significant enough for our deal. And... [ a beat, thoughtful before he shakes his head ] regardless. An unusual vehicle for your bottles this time. Whose idea was the hot tub?
[ look. rameel's not going to tell xie lian if kaeya wants to get cozy with the bottles. they're like. the last watcher who would get on anyone's case about being Strange In Public. ]
They most certainly are adequate for our deal. Your brother will have access to his fire again, but it'll come with some stipulations that I'm sure you might be aware of. The usage and how long he's going to be able to use it being the two greatest limitations.
[ a laugh and a gesture of one of their hands. ]
Business aside, I have no idea. Typically any kind of water works but maybe someone was concerned about the cold? It doesn't matter but I can't say I'm angry.
As soon as we're in agreeance, I'll make it happen. I'm not entirely sure how aware of his fire he will be, but it'll be back without any particular fanfare on my end.
[ rameel will stick their hand out for kaeya to shake to finalize the deal...which is an unfortunate inky and dark maroon color. look, they're associated with the night and sometimes you don't get a choice of what your powers end up looking like. ]
[ the level of backdated this is despite only being a couple days jesus FUCK
anyways.
baraqiel will come to meet him in the lobby - the area of seating that's a little raised, adjacent the gift shop and settled in the seating there. their daemon is tiger-formed and laying sphinx-like next to the chair. ]
Getting to the point in the week where it's going to feel the longest.
kaeya approaches and settles in as well, polaris in wolf form just sitting at his feet too. he's stretching out his forepaws before just letting out a yawn. his ears, however, remain pricked upwards, attentive.
kaeya, dryly: ]
Can't wait. Truly... I just...
[ disgusted sigh. he props his chin on his knuckles, leg crossed over the other. ]
A story... mmm, well. [ he looks out a moment before leaning back in his seat now. ] When I was young, I was initially brought to Mondstadt as a final envoy of Khaenri'ah, a spy of sorts, their... last hope as my father said before he abandoned me in front of the Ragnvindr winery. I kept that secret inside of me for years, and Diluc... he had to find out in the most unfortunate way. The day his father died, I couldn't bear the guilt anymore and I told him everything--about how I'd been left on his doorstep as a set of eyes for a land beyond, how he had every right to punish me.
And he did, as was his grieving right. With my life, barely, I fled.
[ polaris shifts, a soft twist of dust until he's a peacock now, brilliant white and flapping great wings to perch on the arm of the chair, to bury his face in kaeya's neck softly. there's a quiet crooning noise, and kaeya simply strokes the feathers beneath polaris' beak with a tender finger. ]
All I have ever had left to remember Khaenri'ah, my home, to remember my father... [ he lifts up a finger, taps his eyepatch now, a brand new one, but without the gilt accents--that one is long since gone, left in otamo. ] was this eye of mine, cursed, ugly thing. One night, when I was berating myself over everything I'd done, I drank myself into a stupor and thought "what if I carved out this wretched memory myself? Would he take me back into his heart if he knew what I did?"
[ he looks at baraquiel, his expression unmoving. ]
I tried once. I suppose at the time, when I'd had no home beyond Mondstadt, I thought that if I could remove this awful thing, that I could find my footing there, in the land of song and wine and wind. In a land of freedom.
[ snow didn't specify it was just for nerak okay!!!!!
still, kaeya is just chilling with the reindeer, stroking softly along their neck. they don't seem so easily spooked, probably because power and kaeya were roomies in nerak so like how much more chaotic can you get? there were cozy blankets and everything. ]
I, um... I figured one last hurrah wouldn't hurt... perhaps poor planning on my part, but... my mind was a bit addled.
[ a soft pat to the neck. the reindeer just pushes their face into his briefly, careful of the Horns. ] I may have grown a bit fond.
Do you mean now? At trial? On Sunday? The following week?
Or just an all-encompassing "always," Alberich. Because the latter is the closest approximation of timing you could ever have.
[ this is said with such absolute fondness with an undercurrent of ... wryness? tiredness? hard to say. it's very much an i know, and i been known if there could ever be one.
but baraqiel will come join him on his rounds, daemon still in its weasel form in his hood. ]
[ he's taking a break from sequestering himself and yuri in diluc's room, rounds are about all he can do as well. he's got a job, after all! polaris is just hitching a ride on his head tonight in ermine form. ]
Always, Baraqiel, but perhaps even more as we...
[ he looks to him. ]
I can't help but feel like we're here. At the very climax before we're sent careening downwards. A culmination, whatever that might be.
[ frowns. ]
And the more dire things get, you know the more courageously stupid he'll become. I want to avoid that at all costs, in any way I can. So. I ask you how we might combat this beyond simply accompanying him and making sure he does nothing idiotic or self-sacrificing.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
week 1; tuesday
Such a bold letter! It almost made me feel faint.
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[ swanning up to, hands spread. at his side, polaris steps daintily, his claws clicking softly against the ground in his peacock form as he eyes rameel with curiosity. ]
I do like to leave an impression. How are you since our last chat?
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[ rameel's puma-like daemon will be resting at their side looking rather indifferent towards the whole exchange despite rameel themselves looking delighted. ]
I've been keeping myself busy. Many of you have many demands and many questions. Some are reasonable and others are just funny.
Which brings me to say that your's is the funniest.
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Or was the bath bit?
Regardless, I do enjoy a bit of gossip. And of course, getting to know those who are overseeing us.
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[ they'll chuckle. ]
How have all of you been faring with the lack of hot water? But I'll consider how I can go about warming your water while also letting you know that my love life is quite depressing.
There's no love for Rameel.
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week 3; late friday
[ stop don't bully the man, baraqiel. but here they are, coming to join him out in the courtyard of the housing plaza, cloak enclosed around them and tiger on their heels. ]
hi i'm late
That would be absolutely fair of you if I had the intention of doing so. But tonight, I promise you that getting absolutely wasted isn't my intention. Rather, just sharing a drink.
[ he's pouring himself a glass. there are two, whether baraqiel drinks or not. it's only polite (it's how he was raised!) polaris lifts his head up at the sight of baraqiel's daemon, gives a soft whining noise, a simple vocalization in greeting. ]
I'm afraid I've received some grave news. So I'm going to do what I always do when that happens. [ the bottle taps down firmly. you can serve yourself. if you want. ]
you n me both
Simply a warning - you've been useful during trials, better to not sully it when we have a number of problems ahead of us.
[ they pick up the bottle calmly, serving themself with all the ease of someone who does drink fairly regularly, an easy and smooth pour. ]
With all the grave news that we receive from Thursday onwards, one has to wonder, exactly, which news you received to take the edge off with a drink.
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[ lifts his glass, clink clink baraqiel. polaris meanwhile will settle at kaeya's feet, paws crossed. ]
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week 5; monday
I almost though you had forgotten our deal.
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No, just wanted to make sure my deeds were significant enough for our deal. And... [ a beat, thoughtful before he shakes his head ] regardless. An unusual vehicle for your bottles this time. Whose idea was the hot tub?
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They most certainly are adequate for our deal. Your brother will have access to his fire again, but it'll come with some stipulations that I'm sure you might be aware of. The usage and how long he's going to be able to use it being the two greatest limitations.
[ a laugh and a gesture of one of their hands. ]
Business aside, I have no idea. Typically any kind of water works but maybe someone was concerned about the cold? It doesn't matter but I can't say I'm angry.
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[ he gently takes a bottle and spins it in the water, an empty one, towards rameel. ]
When will his ability take? This week?
[ he has something else to say, but he'll wait. ]
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As soon as we're in agreeance, I'll make it happen. I'm not entirely sure how aware of his fire he will be, but it'll be back without any particular fanfare on my end.
[ rameel will stick their hand out for kaeya to shake to finalize the deal...which is an unfortunate inky and dark maroon color. look, they're associated with the night and sometimes you don't get a choice of what your powers end up looking like. ]
We're still good?
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week 5; wednesday
anyways.
baraqiel will come to meet him in the lobby - the area of seating that's a little raised, adjacent the gift shop and settled in the seating there. their daemon is tiger-formed and laying sphinx-like next to the chair. ]
Getting to the point in the week where it's going to feel the longest.
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kaeya approaches and settles in as well, polaris in wolf form just sitting at his feet too. he's stretching out his forepaws before just letting out a yawn. his ears, however, remain pricked upwards, attentive.
kaeya, dryly: ]
Can't wait. Truly... I just...
[ disgusted sigh. he props his chin on his knuckles, leg crossed over the other. ]
So what do I owe you?
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baraqiel sits back, wings and cloak both draped over the back of the seat they've claimed, not particularly bothered by the cold. ]
Tell me a story you wouldn't otherwise share with someone. The quickest and most effective currency are secrets and reluctant stories.
cw: attempted eye squick
A story... mmm, well. [ he looks out a moment before leaning back in his seat now. ] When I was young, I was initially brought to Mondstadt as a final envoy of Khaenri'ah, a spy of sorts, their... last hope as my father said before he abandoned me in front of the Ragnvindr winery. I kept that secret inside of me for years, and Diluc... he had to find out in the most unfortunate way. The day his father died, I couldn't bear the guilt anymore and I told him everything--about how I'd been left on his doorstep as a set of eyes for a land beyond, how he had every right to punish me.
And he did, as was his grieving right. With my life, barely, I fled.
[ polaris shifts, a soft twist of dust until he's a peacock now, brilliant white and flapping great wings to perch on the arm of the chair, to bury his face in kaeya's neck softly. there's a quiet crooning noise, and kaeya simply strokes the feathers beneath polaris' beak with a tender finger. ]
All I have ever had left to remember Khaenri'ah, my home, to remember my father... [ he lifts up a finger, taps his eyepatch now, a brand new one, but without the gilt accents--that one is long since gone, left in otamo. ] was this eye of mine, cursed, ugly thing. One night, when I was berating myself over everything I'd done, I drank myself into a stupor and thought "what if I carved out this wretched memory myself? Would he take me back into his heart if he knew what I did?"
[ he looks at baraquiel, his expression unmoving. ]
I tried once. I suppose at the time, when I'd had no home beyond Mondstadt, I thought that if I could remove this awful thing, that I could find my footing there, in the land of song and wine and wind. In a land of freedom.
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cw: successful eye squick!
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week 6; monday
How'd you even get him here...? I didn't realize you could take him from Nerak.
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still, kaeya is just chilling with the reindeer, stroking softly along their neck. they don't seem so easily spooked, probably because power and kaeya were roomies in nerak so like how much more chaotic can you get? there were cozy blankets and everything. ]
I, um... I figured one last hurrah wouldn't hurt... perhaps poor planning on my part, but... my mind was a bit addled.
[ a soft pat to the neck. the reindeer just pushes their face into his briefly, careful of the Horns. ] I may have grown a bit fond.
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[ ...they smile. that's very cute of you kaeya, bonding with this reindeer. ]
There are some stables near the park, I think. We could probably get him a place to stay there.
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[ maybe he was feeling selfish! after! execution. another headbutt, gentle. ]
Well you see, they're very fond! But I'm afraid, I've still yet to pick a name.
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week 6; friday
Or just an all-encompassing "always," Alberich. Because the latter is the closest approximation of timing you could ever have.
[ this is said with such absolute fondness with an undercurrent of ... wryness? tiredness? hard to say. it's very much an i know, and i been known if there could ever be one.
but baraqiel will come join him on his rounds, daemon still in its weasel form in his hood. ]
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Always, Baraqiel, but perhaps even more as we...
[ he looks to him. ]
I can't help but feel like we're here. At the very climax before we're sent careening downwards. A culmination, whatever that might be.
[ frowns. ]
And the more dire things get, you know the more courageously stupid he'll become. I want to avoid that at all costs, in any way I can. So. I ask you how we might combat this beyond simply accompanying him and making sure he does nothing idiotic or self-sacrificing.
[ can you frown MORE? ]
It's his nature, but I won't allow it.