This Moment will be Frozen in Time

[icepatch]

❄️ Who: Kaeya Alberich and YOU
❄️ What: Permanent Log
❄️ When: Anytime
❄️ Where: Anywhere
❄️ Warnings: Will warn in the headers

Comments

Closed to Albedo

[icepatch]

[Kaeya still was not entirely sure he could really accept being in a whole new world, given expectations from people who really had not done much to earn his trust or respect aside from at least providing them with food and board and a stipend. There was also the fact that just keeping to himself could have dire consequences. It took a good portion of the morning for Kaeya to feel better enough to not need to hold Diluc's hand anymore but now he had to really make a conscientious effort to make sure he got a few touches in here and there for those around him. He hated it.

But, there was also the simple fact that there was nothing he could really do to change it. He could do nothing to really get himself home, either. So, he had to simply grin and bear it. Of course, there was only so much socializing he could really do before it got a bit much and he found himself spending the day sightseeing in both Sunwaning and Nightwake before settling himself down at Blossomcrown, although closer to the Dayrise area so letting Umbra meander the grassy areas to nibble wasn't as awkward looking despite Blossomcrown's much more modern looking. Kaeya sat beneath a tree, hunched over his phone to either read up on anything new or (as he was doing now) go through his ever growing photos gallery.

During his sightseeing, Kaeya had also taken a lot of photos. The kamera was honestly incredibly fascinating to him. A way to store memories that he only wish he had access to when he was younger. The fact that, after playing around with the settings and filters, he could make the photos much more vibrant or subdued... well, there was a bit of an artistic quality to it. Kaeya didn't think himself an artist in the slightest, of course.

But taking photos like this, capturing the new areas that he was finding as he wandered around Sunwaning and further, and editing them to reach an aesthetic he liked, especially considering he was still quite the amateur at this, it was something he was finding to be a lot of fun. He wondered if this was what Albedo felt like when he painted something new.]

[leucosis]

[ While he would have normally settled into a place to start doing any research, Albedo was still getting acquainted with the place. He doesn't go far from home today, as he has some books he picked up at home that he wants to pick up and read. He doesn't intend to spend a lot of time out, he just wants to check out some of the locations around town.

Sunwaning is a lovely place, it reminds him of his brief stay in Inazuma. He considers that he should have brought his sketchbook and charcoals - he rarely goes out without them, but he didn't want to spend his time stopping and taking in art. If he finds something he wants to draw later, he can always use the Kamera to capture it and reference later, which is a novelty in itself to him.

He hadn't really expected to see Kaeya around, but he's not sure why. He knew the other also took up residence in the same city. His footsteps are quiet, and he takes a few towards the taller man in an attempt to get a glimpse of what he's doing.

He doesn't sneak for long, but speaks up. ]

Ah, there does seem to be an artist in you, Calvary Captain.

[icepatch]

...!

[Kaeya couldn't stop the yelp that escape, followed by letting out a deep breath and pressing his hand to his chest.]

Albedo! You startled me... is there a reason you are sneaking around?

[He also conveniently didn't comment on the compliment, instead letting the screen darken as he pocketed the device. Kaeya never planned to show anyone the photos he took. It was just a little hobby he was taking up. That's all.]

Closed to Hijikata

[icepatch]

[It wasn't exactly hard to not notice the officer having trouble with his horse. Especially when he was also in the Sunwaning district full of people with horses and carriages and whatnot. Granted, it wasn't like it was unheard of for a rider to be thrown and whatnot. Horses had their own minds and personalities and could get spooked or angry.

But this one in particular seemed more stubborn than spooked though. Kaeya couldn't help but wince when he saw the rider get bucked right off. And then, he let out a chuckle when the officer chased right after it only for the horse to clearly play around and be an absolute menace. Kaeya clicked his tongue and his own horse trotted forward, a black mare that was clearly built for strength and speed. He approached at a reasonable distance and then dismounted, giving Umbra a gentle pat on the nose and murmuring, "Be a good girl and stay here for me." before slowly approaching the rowdy duo.

The horse didn't seem to be "wild", per se, but it wasn't very tame either. Kaeya dug into his bag and pulled out an apple. Then, he looked over at the officer.]

Please kindly stop chasing the horse, good sir. You are only riling him up further.

[mayoninofukucho]

Huh?!

[Poor Kaeya gets to see Hijikata at his pissiest! He's already mad at having been allocated such a shitty horse by Harrison, and now this guy rides up like some Prince Charming on a gorgeous, well-behaved, big black steed?! He's instantly filled with envy.]

Who're you?!

["To tell me how to handle my horse", is the unspoken part. The dapple grey stallion is quite interested in Kaeya's apple, though.]

[icepatch]

[As the stallion should be, Kaeya noticed the horse eyeballing it and grinned. He looked at Hijikata while tsk-ing at him, squeezing the apple and turning it until he got a good enough grip on it to crack it in half.]

Temper, temper. This is why your horse is all riled up. They sense the emotions of their riders! Now - [Despite the confident air he gave, Kaeya was very much cautious and slow moving as he approached the stallion. He cooed softly at him.] You're a good boy, aren't you?

[The horse in question definitely seemed amenable due to the apple but did not seem to come closer either so Kaeya stopped getting close and held out one half of the apple.]

slides in towards u

[phoenixblessed]

[It had been grey and dull for most of the day, but when the weather finally turns a corner and the skies open it still manages to take many people by surprise. Diluc is not the only one moving quickly along the pavement to get to the door of the apartment building and the hairs on the back of his neck prickle up as thunder rumbles deeply overhead.

If he had had further to go he would have ducked into a shop for a while, but ten minutes had not seemed like too far to walk...

When he finally opens the door into the building foyer he's soaked almost to the skin, his hair stuck flat to his head and shoulders, with a faint flush on his cheeks. For a long moment he just stands there, dripping, then he lets out a low groan (almost a whine, really) before he starts making his way to the stairs.

He almost misses the other person in the entrance way. Had it not been for the familiar combination of colours he might have walked by without a second thought. Diluc falters, pauses mid-step, and hesitates for a moment.]

Kaeya? What are you doing?

[icepatch]

[Ten minutes was not a long walk at all. But it had felt like an eternity for Kaeya. Granted, he had actually made it to the apartment entrance just before the skies opened up so he wasn't really soaked. But that meant he spent the better part of those ten minutes sitting at the bottom of the stairs with his hands over his ears and his eyes shut tight. He tried to make himself small and he knew what he was doing would just beg questions to anyone who knew him but he really did not have it in him to get up to his floor either.

Kaeya nearly missed Diluc's question, opening his eyes to see those familiar boots. He couldn't help the startled noise, eye shooting up to the older man himself. His brain had not yet come up for the inevitable questions, either. But he did lower his hands to grip his knees to hide how they shook, eye looking away.]

... nothing to concern yourself with.

[phoenixblessed]

...

[Diluc looks away. He glances at the stairs and considers giving Kaeya what he seems to want - to be left alone with his current problem - for a long few moments. Rather than resuming his climb to the next floor however, he carefully crouches down and grimaces at the sensation of his damp trousers straining against his legs, and he cocks his head to try and catch the other man's eye.]

Don't take me for a fool.

[He holds one hand out, palm up. Though Kaeya had been quick about it he had seen the tremor running through him before he had the chance to try to hide it.]

Come on. You can't stay sat here.

Rain Dance - Lumine

[icepatch]

Kaeya hadn't really participated in any dance related shenanigans when it came to the guilds and magic. He knew exactly why his fire magic wasn't working the way he wanted it to and no amount of dancing was going to fix it. However, dancing to make rain happen was an entirely different thing as water was very cryo-adjacent. Kaeya didn't anticipate any set backs with that.

However, he wasn't exactly a solo dancer. So, he had no trouble asking a familiar face to be his dance partner. Kaeya held his hand out to Lumine. "Care to dance, traveler?"

Re: Rain Dance - Lumine

[glidinglight]

Lumine, meanwhile, had recently partaken in the dancing. Some efforts had born more fruit than others, but overall she still didn't feel really attuned to it. ... Then again, she didn't feel particularly attuned to water, either, having not yet gained hydro or cryo powers. She'd decided to come on this quest mostly on a whim (but also for the moon coins).

She was planning on watching other peoples' performances before trying to engage in one on her own--but the unexpected invitation was a far more appealing option. She accepts his extended hand with a grin.

"I had no idea you knew how to dance, captain."

Open

[icepatch]

[Kaeya had yet to really find a tavern that he could be a regular at. Nothing really beat Angel's Share or The Cat's Tail and who knew if Diluc would open his own tavern here. Not that he blamed the other man for not wanting to settle to the point that he would run a business here and it wasn't something Kaeya would ask.

Still, in many of the segments, each of the taverns and bars were different and unique, so it was worth giving them a shot depending on how far he was willing to travel. This particular one that he was in was a little closer to home, Sunwaning. It was a small, quaint place but had a stage as well for those who wanted to play, recite, what have you. Right now, it was a rather depressing affair and Kaeya contemplating cutting his losses and finding a more lively bar when his eye caught sight of a guitar hanging on the wall that had not been used yet. It was currently a sad tune on a piano that was filling the patron's ears.

Kaeya wasn't quite drunk yet, so he ambled over to the instrument and pulled it off the wall. It was a little dusty and needed some tuning, so once the melancholic number ended, and with the liquid courage he did imbibe in, he pleasantly shooed the pianist off the stage.]

I think we need to liven it up in here.

[He grabbed a stool to sit and took a few moments to tune the guitar and once it was tuned to his satisfaction, he quickly got started with an upbeat, jazzy number. His smile widened, looking rather genuine, as he got into the groove of the song.]

[acquirement]

{ ayato actually hasn't gone home yet today, after finishing a quest instead deciding to call somewhere for a drink first. it's becoming more of a habit, trying new places as suggestions for whenever he meets up with someone for drinks at any point. he isn't trusting enough to invite people over to his, and conversation flows a lot more easily when the other party is tipsy. information is easier to pry out of another person in that state.

and as he sips on his drink of choice tonight (something fruitier than intended, but he's willing to try something once) his eyes shift over to the upbeat music when it starts.

the melancholy piano was more his style, the upbeat tempo of the guitar is a little too happy, at least for the thoughts he's currently sifting through in his head.

but if he stops himself and allows himself to actually enjoy the music, it is rather relaxing. it forces him to stop for the time being, and enjoy the music for what it is.




it feels like years since he's done that.

whenever kaeya stops to take a break he'll give a slow clap with the rest of the tavern, before he makes his way over. }

Did you need a drink? This one may have more bite to it than boba tea, if you'd like.

[rudementary]

[ No one tell Kaveh, but now and then Alhaitham liked to go out and get a drink alone. It was peaceful, not needing to maintain a conversation, and it was an opportunity to learn more about the environment he was still settling into. Certainly, the louder bars and taverns didn't have much in the way of information nor atmosphere that Alhaitham preferred, but it only took a bit of exploration to find the types of places that suited him better. ]

[ This particular one happened to be one of the better places he'd found. Overall quiet, even with the performance stage, it was a generally calm mood. ]

[ And just as he orders a second drink, someone new takes the stage and suggests just the opposite. ]

[ At least the music he was playing wasn't a drunken hot mess with an off-tune ditty to go along with it. It was quite good in fact, enough so that Alhaitham settles to watch the performance. ]

[phoenixblessed]

[Only in the place at all to see someone about some work they needed to have done, Diluc couldn't possibly miss the moment that Kaeya takes up the guitar and starts to play. Even in the most diverse and interesting company the other man always stands out and right now is no exception.

He excuses himself quickly from his companion when their business concludes - something that does not take long - and moves across to put himself closer to where Kaeya is playing. It's a change from the slow and melancholy tunes that the pianist had been playing earlier.

Diluc doesn't try to conceal his presence and he knows he stands out just as much as Kaeya does without even trying. When the younger man completes his first song, Diluc steps forwards and moves up onto the stage, barely passing a glance Kaeya's way as he slides onto the seat in front of the piano and straightens his sleeves. His feet tap gently against the pedals.

It's been a while... but he thinks he can manage to not drop any sour notes.]

Play what you like. I'll follow you.

[Long, pale fingers rest on the keys, his head cocked as he listens. His heart is racing in a way he doesn't quite understand and he could not explain the compulsion that drove him up here save for the simple fact that, for some reason... he keeps wanting to put himself in Kaeya's company.]

Go on.

Closed to Diluc - mid-May

[icepatch]

[So, Kaeya wasn't allowed to needle Diluc in a mean-spirited way because of their truce. And, to be fair, it wasn't like he wanted to by now. Their truce and Diluc's subsequent help with his new fire abilities had pushed their very slow reconciliation a little more than what would have probably happened had they still been in Mondstadt.

So, Kaeya figured that pestering Diluc was a whole different thing and thus, didn't count. Especially because it was just pestering the other man into going on a ride with him to the beach in the summer segment. There was nothing mean about that! There was no ulterior motive. Nothing of the sort. No, really. Kaeya just wanted to spend the day relaxing and after spending time at the Golden Archipelago last year, Kaeya had found that rekindled love of summer and the beach rising within him. He just never asked Diluc to come with him prior to this for very obvious reasons. But now, what did he have to lose by asking? Besides, it hadn't been too much of a secret that Kaeya had gone back to the segment on his own to collect some seashells.]

See, Diluc? What did I tell you?

[Kaeya looked back at the man in question, sitting atop Astra as they rode at a leisurely pace towards the beach. The dirt road itself was slowly becoming sand as a visual signal that they were drawing near, outside of the smell of the salty air around and the distant sound of waves.]

The weather is nice and warm and the girls deserve to stretch their legs like this! Aren't you glad you said yes?

[Because yes, Diluc did eventually relent and agreed to go with Kaeya on a nice walk on the beach.]

[phoenixblessed]

[Pestering is not at all like needling and is something that Kaeya would quickly find out is entirely allowed under the conditions of their truce. Admittedly, the actual conditions had not been required for a few weeks now as they had progressed with Kaeya's control of his new fire abilities and Diluc has minded spending time around the other man less and less.

He might say he has even been enjoying it.

Mounted on the back of his own horse, Astra, with the sea air tangling through his high ponytail and ruffling through the fabric of his shirt, he sighs patiently at Kaeya's overt enthusiasm.]

Yes, yes. It wasn't as if you had to fight me particularly hard on the issue.

[Diluc had made a face, at first, but had relented fairly quickly when Kaeya had begun whining at him in that way that he has. Astra would undoubtedly enjoy this, and the falcon slowly tailing them overhead is enjoying her day out as well.

He taps his heels gently against Astra's sides, urging her onwards and passing Kaeya just before the path turns entirely into sand.]

We ought to be careful where the sand is soft, they aren't used to it.

[icepatch]

Continued from here

[That was the million mora question, wasn't it? Who was Kaeya Alberich, really? He couldn't help crossing his arms, looking pensive. It was a question he had asked himself a lot over the years, mostly due a chronic lack of information of what his father was or is up to. He shook his head.]

I don't know. My father left me here, but he never told me why I had to stay in Mondstadt. I always had suspicions of what was truly going on, but very little confirmation. As a child, I'd come up with the idea that I was there to perhaps gather information.

But no one ever came for me. So, it changed to myself being a pawn in some game. Perhaps the Abyss. I don't know.

I don't know. I would love to believe that my father simply wanted me to have a better life, to keep me safe from whatever it was we Alberichs may still be a part of. But, I just don't know.

[And it weighed heavily on his mind. One day, regardless of the answer he found, he would have to make a choice. Wouldn't he?]

[leucosis]

[ When Gold left him, she left him a message to find the truth and meaning of this world. He's always been in search of answers and meaning of his existence and place here in Teyvat. But he has a path, Kaeya never really did. Despite that, he can empathize. He knows what it means to feel lost. ]

I know that there's no really no way to know what the intention really was.

[ He's sure the other doesn't want to hear that. ]

What do you want the answer to be? I think...you've been here long enough to decide what you want for yourself. You don't have to tell me... but know that I won't judge.

[ Maybe because of his personal connections to Gold, maybe because he just...honestly doesn't care. ]

Closed to Baizhu

[icepatch]

It wasn't that Kaeya didn't trust the medicine of this new world, it was more like he was just so unfamiliar with a lot of it. All the names and such, it was awfully confusing and as a first time user, he was hesitant to really pick one at a whim and hope for the best. But, Kaeya was dealing with a fairly nasty cold. It wasn't enough to put him out of commission (and it certainly wasn't due to the lack of touch), but it was either be miserable as it ran its course or wait for it potentially get worse. Neither prospect was desirable.

Fortunately, a Liyue apothecary happened to also arrive not too long ago. An apothecary he actually knew quite well from the times he visited Liyue, and on one occasion had also taken ill. Baizhu's medicine, though tasting awful, was also very effective. He was so impressed that he tended to have a couple on hand at home in Mondstadt, either ordering or buying some if he ever found himself Liyue. Kaeya wasn't as sickly as he used to be as a child, but it never hurt to have medicine on hand for the times that it inevitability happened. Especially when living on your own and no longer being in the care of a certain family. Well, he did have Diluc now, but Kaeya really didn't want to bother him with something that seemed like a trifle matter on his eyes.

So, Kaeya instead made his way over to the medicine man's home, on the side of Sunwaning that nearly bordered Solarpeak.

Was it a little creepy that he knew where the good doctor was staying? Maybe. But Changseng had also put out that network post awhile back and did not set it to private so it didn't really take any sleuthing to find the address. He gave a polite knock on the door.

[physicianhealthyself]

And Baizhu, of course, can completely understand not quite trusting the medicine of this world as much as the familiar and that is exactly why he has been so busy looking around Ellipsa for herbs and other reagents that he can utilise for his own salves and tinctures. It's been something of a private undertaking so far while he learns how different things work together, though he's found a good many plants that match those he knows from home almost exactly.

The doctor is no social butterfly and keeps mostly to himself, so when he hears the knock on the door of his modest home he pauses in the middle of what he's doing and simply looks in the direction of the door for a long moment.

"I wasn't expecting company," he murmurs to no one in particular as he moves to the door, and as he pulls it open the expression on his face is one of visible surprise. The Mondstadt Cavalry Captain's face is not entirely unknown to him, though the two of them aren't closely acquainted and he's not sure he knows the young man's name... having only seen him around Liyue a time or two.

He does quite stand out, after all.

But Baizhu is always a welcoming host, so he smiles and tilts his head, adjusting his glasses with one slender hand.

"Hmn~, to what do I owe the pleasure?"

La Va Land - Closed to Diluc

[icepatch]

[It was a lot of coin to complete this quest, which of course meant it would be difficult. Lava monsters that were similar to slimes and the only way to defeat them was somehow getting to their core. Kaeya was probably the last person to want to go near a lava monster like this, even after all the pyro slimes he's had to defeat over the years. But, he also had Diluc with him and he was getting a better hang of his fire abilities, along with having his Vision to keep things a little cooler.

Still, despite looking cool as a cucumber, he was quite nervous inside as they both made their way towards the Airship Station. The goal wasn't to let them get near it, but they also needed to get ahead of them to stop them.]

Did the Guildmaster say just how many of these things we would be dealing with? The posting was a bit vague on that.

[phoenixblessed]

Mm, it was. Vague enough that I assumed they didn't want to give an exact number in case they frightened people away.

[And, honestly, this might not be the best kind of mission for Diluc to be on. His Pyro will be of little use and the Earth abilities he can use here might not come to much either...

But he was hardly going to let Kaeya run off into this alone.

He glances over to the younger man and raises a hand to lightly pat him on the back while they head out and start on their way towards the station.]

It'll be fine. You watch my back and I'll watch yours.

scar touchies :>

[phoenixblessed]

[It isn't entirely unusual for Diluc to hear Kaeya bumping into something on his way to bed of an evening, particularly if the lights are off save for one beside the bed. He catches the familiar sound, the muttered, grumbled curse, and he pauses in the middle of pulling his shirt off to get changed.]

Are you all right?

[He still has his fingers curled into the fabric, teasing a show of pale, pale skin marked with lines and scars, as he looks across the room to where his partner is making his way over.]

Your legs are going to be all bruises at this rate.

scar touchies!! 💙

[icepatch]

[There was something to be said about wearing an eyepatch despite your vision not actually being impaired by the wound it was hiding. Kaeya knew he was probably causing himself more trouble than it was worth, despite learning to deal with the lack of depth perception and loss of sight on the right side while wearing it. But it was simply out of habit and not wanting to deal with the questions that would arise not from the scar but from the eye itself.

He didn't have simple heterochromia, after all. No, his heritage just had to make him extra special and it was already a secret just where his lineage was from to all but Diluc and Venti.

So, Kaeya continued to deal. Although, right now, with his outer thigh throbbing from catching against the corner of the dresser, he was thinking about not wanting to deal with it. Of course, he didn't sleep with his eyepatch on, he had been intending to take it off once he got to the bed but now he was scoffing pulling the straps with a little more force than necessary.]

I'm fine, Luc. What's another bruise in these trying times?

[He dropped the eyepatch on the bedside table and climbed onto the bed, watching with both eyes as Diluc undressed.]