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[noarchitact]

WHO: Kaveh, Shigeru, & YOU.
WHAT: Paint & Pour.
WHEN: April 2nd.
WHERE: Spring Segment, Prism Lake
WARNINGS: Drunk Painting.


[ kaveh decided to set up the paint & pour on the shores of prism lake, because a beautiful landscape seemed like something that artists of all skill level could enjoy creating. not to mention, it's also something that probably wouldn't suffer too much if/when guests inevitably started getting tispy. ]

[ there are three canopy tents framing the lake and, unsurprisingly, the first of which has all manner of art supplies: canvases, easels, and paints. the second has an assortment of delicious snacks made by shigeru and the third, final, and likely most anticipated has the wine. there are at least a dozen bottles, each labeled with the segment and shop it came from, because kaveh absolutely went around with the intention of helping them promote their business. ]

[ it's not a complete lie!
everybody wins!! ]


( ooc; feel free to assume that your character received an invitation from either kaveh or shigeru. it IS open to the public though, so if your character is strolling by and so much as makes eye contact with either of them, then they'll likely get dragged into the fun. anyway! bring your own top level~! )

Comments

[acquirement]

{ considering he'd been keeping an eye on her between paint strokes and idle conversation with others, he knows she's had a bit to drink by now, though probably wasn't fully aware of how giddy she's gotten from it until he approaches to see her painting.

with one hand he's reaching to pull that wine glass out of her way, but his eyes are drawn to the painting itself as ayaka speaks to it.




and then realises all this time they've both been talking about different people. he's smart enough to put two and two together, given the information he's collected, things people have said over time. }

Is that Lumine's brother?

{ he knows descriptions of him, of course, but it's very different to see a visual piece of him instead. }

[mistsplitter]

Ayato~ I missed you.

[ Her brother!! She's so glad to see him!! Even if she knows he was just RIGHT THERE this whole time.

Her cheeks are so red from the wine... ]

It's Aether, yes. [ ... Wait a minute. ] Have you never met him before?

[acquirement]

{ he was literally meters away this entire time, he doesn't mind her seeming so excited to see him again. it's endearing.


definitely no more wine for a bit though, she needs water.

his eyes scan her painting of him, voice going quieter when he responds this time. }

I have not. Why don't you tell me about him?

[mistsplitter]

[ Somehow, she's taking this a little too normally. Just like any other news. ]

Ah, well- then... please imagine Lumine. She went to Inazuma with Paimon in hopes of meeting the Raiden Shogun, because she is looking for her brother.

She helped us during the Vision Hunt Decree, as well as in many other things. She is so amazing, isn't she?

[ Heh... just thinking about Lumine now is getting her all giggly. ]

I do not understand how it is possible, but Aether experienced the same things that Lumine did. He has met us all, as well. And he is looking for his sister.

[acquirement]

{ he stays quiet as she speaks, and while it's a little less structured in how she explains their situation, he gets the gist of it. }

I see, that's a rather interesting to hear. { and it is, because that implies something that he hadn't really considered, even with all the world hopping people had apparently done.

did parallel worlds exist too? they must do. and despite coming to that conclusion and realising it may be the case for them--ayaka is his sister, end of story. he isn't going to change how he acts with her going forward. }

It seems both of them are rather incredible individuals.

[mistsplitter]

[ Ayaka may be drunk, but she's not dumb. Perhaps a bit more emotional than she is.

It is after explaining the situation with Lumine and Aether that she realises. . . If he's never met Aether, then he would have met Lumine before all this. He would have met Lumine in Teyvat.

But Ayaka has never met Lumine in Teyvat. It was only in Nippon that they had crossed paths. So. . . ]

Ayato... [ Their memories are different, yet the same at the same time. Should they go back to Teyvat, they wouldn't be in the same one. ] You're still—

[ She would have continued by asking if he is still her brother, upon realising what it means for the both of them that they have met different Travelers, but she cannot find it in her heart to say it. She would not know what to do if he said no.

So instead of saying what she has in mind? She looks back at the painting for a moment, and reminds herself that Aether and Lumine are the same, but also not. Ayato? Whatever he may remember? And even though she has experiences in another world that he's never gone through? It doesn't change anything. Her trust in her brother is still whole.

As it should be. ]

They are both truly incredible. I look up to them both a lot.

[acquirement]

{ considering how closely he's paying attention to her, painting or not, he doesn't miss the way she stops herself from saying more



it's rather easy to predict where her thoughts may have drifted to. and he promised she'd feel safe, comfortable, and happy, did he not? }

Ayaka, { his voice is softer this time, mindful of the other guests around them. } you'll always be my dearest sister. No matter where you are. { he pauses, letting that sink in. } And if I have to, I'd search for you just as the Traveler has for their sibling.

{ honestly he likely would not be as kind about is as aether or lumine have been sdkjfn given their heritage there's a number of options on why she'd disappear and hell would break loose if any of those happened. }

I can only speak for one of them, but if Aether is anything like Lumine, he would also have my respect and gratitude.

[mistsplitter]

[ Ayato's words reach her, comfort her, and bring her back to the moment. But she didn't continue anymore because it showed doubt in her own brother, and that is not something she should even have.

It feels like her head is spinning from everything she's drank, but she thinks she's only tired. After all, she does have a festival she's been planning. And so, she closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. ]

I know we are in public, but... may I hold your hand?

[ Ayato might think that it is because Ayaka is sad and scared, but... that is not the case anymore. ]

Ayato, I feel dizzy...

[acquirement]

{ he does think that it's because she's sad to start with, but concern kicks into overdrive when she says she's dizzy. his hand automatically reaches for her shoulder, looping around her back protectively. }

Have you had any water since we got here?

{ it may not have been exactly what she requested, but if she is dizzy it should help her stability a little more. }

[mistsplitter]

Before I had the pizza, yes.

[ Don't mind her leaning on him now. This is a nice feeling. More than nice, actually. It means her brother is here. ]

Hehe... did you have any water, Ayato?

[acquirement]

That's good at least. We should get you some more when we head back as well.

{ he is doing his best to keep his eyes on the painting, rather than to check if anyone is watching this exchange. }

I had a little earlier, but I'm more practiced at having alcohol, I don't think I needed much more than I've already had.

{ he's also taller... it's much easier to take more of the substance when you have more mass to spread out the effects }

[mistsplitter]

We can make pizza at the house, too.

[ (hint: she wants more pizza) ]

Cloud is just like you, Ayato. [ Practised at having alcohol, she means! ] When we were in Nippon, someone made a drink after the two of us. It was very good.

[acquirement]

Do we have the ingredients?

{ he also isn't sure she should be cooking while tipsy, he can certainly give it a go though.

and not that he wants to be compared with cloud, but it does bring up a good point. they're at a gathering so not the best place to ask this, but... ayaka is being a little more honest now. } That reminds me, I never asked... how did you come to decide to try a relationship with Cloud? I doubt it was an instant decision... was it?

oh god this is so long and so gross

[mistsplitter]

Ah... probably not. I can ask Thoma for help, then.

[ Just for buying!! And he can sit back and relax while the two make their boba pizza. Yummy!!

The question doesn't surprise her, but it does grant her some pause. Ayaka needs a moment to think of how to even share her answer to her brother. Not because she would filter anything, but... she hopes her brother would come to respect Cloud more.

And so, she shakes her head. ]

I had never once thought I would find myself in a romantic relationship with someone. [ Not in Nippon, not in Teyvat... just plain and simple. She never thought she would find love. ] But whenever I would spend time with Cloud, I felt... normal. Just like any other girl. Just Ayaka. And so, I made a wish to become his friend. But... the more we spent time together, and on days that our schedules did not match and we were not able to see one another, I could not stop thinking of him.

I did not wish for my feelings to get in the way of our friendship, and it seemed how fearful I was of losing him as a friend was obvious, despite how I had been keeping it to myself.

[ Remembering that moment when she had been "caught", when Ayato had asked her what was wrong... it puts a smile on her face.

It was a problem that she would have liked to share with their mother, most of all. But their mother is no longer with them. She appreciates Ayato being there for her at a time when she had no one else to go to. ]

You had asked me why I was feeling so distraught, so I spoke of Cloud to you. You told me to embrace my feelings, and that I have nothing to be afraid of.

Since you have no recollection of Nippon, however, then I do not expect you to remember this conversation. [ She puts a little more weight on Ayato, nuzzling her head against him as she lets out a sigh of contentment. ] You had helped me, even without you knowing.

Hehe... I never thought Cloud felt the same way towards me, but he wanted to move closer to where we lived then. He said he had a reason to stay there, and he was looking at the omamori I had given him when he was talking about his plans. I was his reason. And I knew then— this feeling I've had in my heart, how happy and safe I felt whenever I am with Cloud...

There is nothing to... "try". It is what I had never thought I could ever have, and Cloud gave that to me without my even asking for it. It is just for me.

[ It was fated, all this time, and she never considered the possibility in Inazuma because she had to cross a different world to be able to find it. ]

i asked for this

[acquirement]

{ to his credit, he doesn't interrupt her once as ayaka speaks, giving her the time and space to share her feelings. not to say that she hasn't said some of this before, but his question was perhaps a little more weighted than 'why do you like him'. this time he's asking what made her realise she was safe to pursue it.

the fact that it was him, despite him not remembering now, makes a lot of sense.

he would encourage ayaka to pursue her feelings if it would get her to the feeling of safety and happiness she describes here and now. he'd told kujou kamaji that where there is true love, nothing should be allowed to stand in its way. for as much as he may give cloud a tough time, it has never been with the intention of breaking them apart--more tests to see where improvements needed to be made.

cloud needed to be ready for what it meant to be with ayaka, that's all there was to it.

his arm tightens around her shoulder as she nuzzles into him, taking as much needed comfort from her presence as her words cause as much turmoil as they do peace. it isn't for her side of things, of course, but some resonance there in what she says.

it is what i had never thought i could ever have. }

I'm glad you were able to find him in Nippon.

{ it is probably the most accepting he's sounded this entire time, sounding sincere as he says it quietly enough that only she would be able to hear it. if anything, what she's said here today is proof enough that he's ensured ayaka can just be ayaka, that perhaps when needed she's able to step away from duty and titles and all that world encompasses to just be herself after all. }

[mistsplitter]

Yes, I feel the same way.

[ It is why she feels she is the luckiest girl alive.

Hm, she wonders why her brother is asking. Does he want to know more about Cloud? He is a very interesting person, Ayaka thinks, though admittedly a tad too biased when it comes to her beau. ]

I wonder what he is doing now, hehe. [ Ayato's making her miss him! And she laughs into her hand before letting out a wistful sigh. ] Are you finished with your painting?

[acquirement]

I am. I was just about to fill up my glass when I noticed your work.

{ the words come out almost automatically, mind still reeling and going over what ayaka said.

even through that though, what she said before even all that is weighing on his mind. is she okay? does she need more water? food? to lie down? }

Do you still feel dizzy?

[mistsplitter]

I do. And I am afraid I may not be able to walk home by myself.

[ So she will wait for him when he is finished! Whether it is with the painting or exchanging pleasantries with Mister Kaveh's other guests. She hopes Ayato does not mind. ]

Mister Kaveh seemed to be very interested in you.

[ ... is that why Ayato asked about feelings ]

[acquirement]

That's fine. If you feel as though you'll stumble, I'll carry you.

{ now he's offered though, is she really going to refuse? hm.

though when she mentions kaveh it does at least distract him from his thoughts, enough to earn a soft laugh. }

Oh, did he now? Perhaps I teased him a little too much earlier on.

{ it was fun, ayaka!!! he's so expressive }

[mistsplitter]

[ She cannot help but laugh at that. It is such a brotherly thing to say, but. . . ]

Others would see you.

[ And if he is alright with that, then she won't stop him. But she also wishes not to hurt the reputation he wishes to have in this world. ]

Why? Did he do something wrong?

[acquirement]

{ he hums under his breath at that. }

It shouldn't hurt once we've walked a little way from the lake.

{ and to be fair, it's less to do with reputation and more to do with giving potential enemies fuel to use against him. }

In regards to Kaveh, { he'll even look over his way, head tilting to look over the top of ayaka's head towards the men. } He seemed incredibly jealous other people were painting his muse. { then as an afterthought } Would you be upset if other people were painting Cloud?

[mistsplitter]

Alright, then.

[ She'll do her best to be on her feet until they're away from the lake! ]

No, I don't think I would? [ What an odd question. It has never happened, so she cannot truly predict how she will react. ] It is just a painting. And it will not distract Cloud from looking at me.

[ Those people would have to try very hard if they wanted Cloud to look at them the way he looks at Ayaka...

That was also probably the alcohol talking. Ayaka wouldn't normally say something so bold. ]

[acquirement]

Did you want to leave now, or wait a little longer?

{ it is an odd question isn't it, but really it struck him as odd as well. he really wanted to know who was painting alhaitham, poor nen and shigeru nearly ended up thrown under the bus. }

I think I would have answered the same.

{ as though??? he has someone that applies to??? }

Perhaps it's just new and he's still finding his feet.

[mistsplitter]

I think I would like to go home now.

[ She is pretty tuckered out! But she had a lot of fun, though. She's glad people appreciate what she's made, especially for something impromptu. ]

You would not be upset if someone decided to paint me?

[ So bold... ]

aina??????????

[acquirement]

Then let's gather our things. Did you wish to keep your painting of Aether? We can find somewhere to place it in the apartment.

{ and what is that question. he has to think carefully about how to answer that. on the one hand, people should be noticing how beautiful ayaka is and want to paint her. on the other hand... what if they have awful intentions??? }

I think that may depend on the person. I doubt I could be upset if it were Cloud, Thoma or Lumine who were to paint you.

{ he trusts that the three of them would make her shine brightly, after all. }