i'm dragging a heart that weighs a ton / holding out for not just anyone

[monoceroscaeli]

[Fontaine: The technological hub of Teyvat.

For as long as anyone can remember, the country of Fontaine has always been the innovative center for the continent. High speed rail was originated here, and now spans across the entirety of Teyvat and beyond. High rises and skyscrapers pepper the skyline, modern Victorian buildings supporting a gear-like aesthetic from an era gone by. A thousand years ago, it was a much different place, but now it thrives with the bright lights and bustle of its people. One can hear the occasional street performer playing for cash, as businessmen and tourists alike walk down narrow cobblestone streets. People are buried in their phones, some take pictures as they gawk at the sights of the city, but one young man in particular walks languidly down the street, enjoying the life around him. He's in no hurry to get where he's going, as he has plenty of time to get there, noting a deli across the street from where he is now that he'll have to try.

Unfortunately, he is on business, so that'll have to wait.

Never being one to be dressed completely formal, he wears a comfortable pair of slacks and dress shoes, with a collared shirt that isn't buttoned up all the way under a grey vest. Various pieces of metal are woven into the vest, notably a crest on his right shoulder with a chain attached to it that hangs under his arm to the back. On his belt lies a Vision, glowing blue with hydro. The young man always seems friendly and easy going, but what lies underneath is something that not many are allowed to know- the heir to the family business of a company who develops tech for various products is also the right hand man of the mafia that runs the city.

And, their true business behind the scenes; creating Delusions to sell on the black market.

Today is a day where some investigating has to be done, and he's headed to see an old friend of his, from university. One that he's sure can help him with this problem he has. Entering the building, he swings in quietly to give a polite wave and a smile to the only person there.

Someone who looked exactly like their brother, whom he can only assume is the twin sister he'd yet to meet that he'd heard about.]

Hello, I was wondering if Aether was in today? I had a...business proposal for him, and I'm sure that he'd love to hear it. Unless of course, you might be of assistance instead.

Comments

[monoceroscaeli]

Aw, come now, did I really give you that bad of a first impression?

[He takes the phone back, opening the app again and having to scroll through one more time to find the restaurant he'd chosen. Handing it back to her, he just smiles as he continues on, his eyes crinkling at their corners with happiness when he starts talking about his siblings.]

Those are my siblings, Tonia, Anthon, and Teucer. They're great kids, I'm very proud of them.

[His hand goes up to rub his temple. Ajax's eyes close for a moment, trying to make sense of that sensation just now. A flash of gold, red, brown and green, inside of a bank that looked like it could be in Liyue...and two figures in front of him...]

Anyway, I'm hurt that you'd think I was so conceited. [He doesn't sound hurt at all, if anything now he's just giving her a little friendly guff for her assumption.] But I'll forgive you, just this once.

[traversal]

[ to be fair, no one has ever tried to flirt with her while doing business. and while she understands it's his way of attempting to sway her to his side, he clearly doesn't know who he's dealing with.

lumine too briefly closes her eyes when that similar pain from yesterday lances through her head, brief flashes of familiar architecture from liyue seemingly passing through like memories being rifled. she wonders if it's because she hasn't rested well lately, her dreams vivid and her sleep restless. ]

You were the one using that kicked puppy look on me yesterday.

[ now that she's started calling him out ... ]

I'm good with shrimp tacos. [ and she starts reaching into her purse for her wallet. ] And I'm happy to go dutch if you are.

[monoceroscaeli]

You should see how well that works on your brother, too, haha.

[He adds the shrimp tacos for her, and adds his own food. A few drinks and another side are added as well, before he places the order and slides his phone back into his pocket.]

But don't worry about the money. I get points for using my app anyway. Besides, I'm the one who suggested it, I wasn't going to make you pay for something I practically asked for. I just hope you like it, is all.

[He decides to forgo the couch, grabbing the empty chair and sitting in that instead. The game on his phone forgotten, he's finding that he'd rather talk to her instead.]

So, tell me about yourself a little. What do you like to do for fun after the stiff workday is over?

[traversal]

[ lumine rolls her eyes, letting out an amused snort. that's very typical of her brother, swayed over a pair of striking, deep blue eyes—okay, she honestly needs to stop staring at him. ]

You can sell anything to Aether, and he'll buy it if you have a good sob story, you know.

[ not that he makes it easy for her, pulling up a chair and sitting across her instead. if only her brother were here, then she wouldn't be dealing with this right now. but seeing that she won't exactly be able to work with him around ...

lumine sets her pen down, looking back up at him. ]

I like to go home, read a book and then sleep. [ is she boring? please think she's a boring person. ] I sometimes go out with friends to drink, but nothing else really ... exciting.

[monoceroscaeli]

[Ajax sets back into the chair, letting his foot rest on his knee, listening. He's not sure if she's trying on purpose to be as nondescript as possible, or if it's just the way she is- but if it was on purpose.

She picked a terrible hobby to choose to sway him away.]

Who doesn't like to drink? [He's kidding, he knows plenty of people, but.]

What kind of books? I'm quite partial to fantasy adventure type books myself, though I do enjoy most other genres. I don't get to read quite as much as I used to when I was younger, but an audio book from time to time while I'm working is nice.

[traversal]

[ look, she does like to read!

besides, if she had known that this wouldn't dissuade him, then she would've picked something more boring. like taking walks on the beach or gardening. no one likes gardening, right? ]

I like different kinds. [ fairy tales, history books, non-fiction and fiction—she even remembers picking up a light novel while she was in inazuma for a brief period of time. ] I don't really have a favourite genre, to be honest.

[ a beat: ] So that's your hobby, too? Reading?

[monoceroscaeli]

It's not my main hobby, but I do like to read every once in a while. There is, after all, nothing quite like a good story.

[But since she's asked, now he'll tell her about his real favorite hobby.]

I personally enjoy martial arts and training with as many weapons as possible. It's fun, and if I'm being honest, it's helpful when living in a big city like this. I don't ever worry about getting jumped, and for fear of sounding like a little kid with too bright of eyes, I've always been fascinated by it. Can't tell you why, I just always have.

[He's tempted to show her, but that would be weird, he thinks. She'd probably take it the wrong way too, and he wouldn't blame her. Some guy she barely knows, showing her how his Vision works? If she called the cops, she'd be well within her right.]

[traversal]

[ him mentioning that lets her recall a few rumours surrounding his family: violent crimes, underground kingpins, fingers in multiple pies. truth be told, the fact that he's buying data sets from them on such short notice and her twin brother essentially ensuring the company has nothing to do with his request already sends alarm bells ringing in her head. but sometimes, rumours can be exaggerated.

and really, would aether stay friends with someone who has a criminal background? ]

Are you sure you're not a serial killer?

[ she's kidding, but hey, a number of serial killers have a fascination over weapons and knives, right? so who knows. ]

[monoceroscaeli]

[The question makes him laugh, a genuine chuckle that lasts a few moments.]

It kind of seems that way, doesn't it? Hahahaha-! [He has to catch his breath for a second, before continuing.]

No, no, I'm afraid not, no matter how many books you've read that might tell you otherwise.

[People watch a lot of TV, movies and stuff okay.]

I just think fighting is a lot of fun, that's all. Haven't you ever tried it?

[traversal]

[ lumine's never really thought "fighting" and "fun" could be combined in the same sentence without the word "not" in between. not that it's now something she's considering, even with him vouching for it.

she wrinkles her nose at his laughter. archons, she hates how it sounds, not because it's annoying but because it strikes something unknown inside of her. ]

Why would I try it? Fighting with my brother is exhausting as it is.

[ if she wanted to get tired and her body to hurt, she'd go to the gym. that's perhaps the closest thing she could do to fighting: fighting against her own body. ]

I think I'll stick to reading, thanks.

[monoceroscaeli]

Hahahaha, alright, alright.

[His laughter finally subsides, looking wholly amused at the whole conversation. Even her face. That expression that is so familiar, like he's asked for a spar and she's denied him a fight before. It strikes him for a moment, perhaps staring back into her golden eyes a bit too long before he shakes that feeling off.]

I suppose it's not for everyone. Too bad, I could teach you how to subdue someone without barely lifting a finger. Though those aren't nearly as fun to fight. But anyway, since that doesn't seem to be your favorite topic, let's move on, shall we? Surely going home and just reading until you fall asleep isn't the only thing you do. Everyone's got at least a few hobbies.

[He smiles again, see? He's not just a battle junkie. Even if he is just a battle junkie.]

For instance, I rather enjoy fishing too. Tell me you don't mind going out and exploring the great outdoors, at least.

[traversal]

[ how persistent. answering as little as possible doesn't seem to work on him, which is rather vexing. she supposes that perhaps giving him as many details as she can would also keep him entertained long enough for him to get out of her hair. but that could also mean prolonging this conversation.

lumine wonders when aether id even going to show up. or at least, their food, to distract him a bit. ]

I guess I don't really mind going out and traveling. [ she does enjoy it quite well, even. she's not that much of a wanderlust like her brother, but she does feel unsettled when she stays at home for long periods of time. ] Aether and I used to go on trips, but we haven't really had time lately.

[ with them being so busy, her twin brother especially. ]

I suppose you used to go fishing back in Snezhnaya? [ because it just ... feels that way. ] Or maybe not, since it snows there a lot.

[monoceroscaeli]

Most of the year, the water is frozen, so we go ice fishing. It's an old pastime of mine, ever since I was a boy.

[His eyes reflect the nostalgia he has for that very activity, where in Fontaine, he doesn't have much of a chance to go fishing at all.]

When I go back home, I make sure to go. But life in the city here keeps me quite busy. I do have time to myself, but it's a luxury if I don't get a phone call of some sort relating to business or the like. So I understand where you're coming from, really.

[That's just life though, isn't it? All work and no play, as they say.]

Getting the opportunity to travel is a privilege that should be taken advantage of anytime you can. Ah, there's nothing quite like being able to see new sights and cultures. You'll have to tell me more about it, sometime.

[traversal]

[ patience and decisiveness is the key.

lumine doesn't even know why she's suddenly recalling those words, doesn't even know who told her that. but even before she can reply to him and agree that traveling has become a luxury since she and aether had started working, her phone rings. sophie asks her if they ordered something, and she sends her secretary downstairs to pick it up. ]

Well, when you're the heir to a multi-national company, I'd be surprised if you get through a day without any phone calls.

[ she understands the sentiment so much, really. and as much as she wants to try and separate her life from business, it's becoming more and more of a challenge lately.

there's a quick knock on her door a few minutes later and lumine expects it to be her secretary, a bag of food in her hands. instead, she gets up from her seat, a look of surprise crossing her face.

wasn't expecting me, were you, lu? ]

Aether? [ her twin grins at her, holding up their food in one hand. his gaze flickers between her and ajax, taking in the sight of her behind her desk and him lounging across her in his socks. ] I thought you'll be held up longer.

[ it looks like you two were having fun talking. want to tell me about it? ]

[monoceroscaeli]

[He turns too, face lighting up at the sound and sight of his old friend, grinning to him.]

Hey, Aether! Way to hold us up. [He gives him a wink- he's not bothered, not in the slightest.] We were just getting to know each other a little better. She just mentioned that you guys used to travel around a bit. You know, if you need any recommendations as to where you two should take your next vacation, I've got a few suggestions for you.

[He stands up, crossing to sit back down on the couch, where they could all partake of the food.]

I'm glad I ordered a little extra food now. Come, both of you, let's sit and eat something. We don't need to get down to business so quickly.

[traversal]

[ a little better. sure.

lumine chalks it up as her being the twin that aether's mentioned but never introduced. in any case, she nods her head when her brother glances at her as if disbelieving the story altogether. which makes her wonder if ajax is the type who would tell him tall tales that aether would have trust issues with his stories.

she watches as her twin sets the food down on the coffee table, tapping her fingers against her thigh.

the last thing lumi has on her mind is going on a vacation. she keeps complaining about how there's so much to do. aether gestures at her to join them, leaving the unpacking to ajax. ]

I'm still here, you know, [ lumine gripes, rolling her eyes as she walks around her desk. ] But I mean, I can just leave your company to flounder on its own, Ae. I don't mind going to Mondstadt for an indefinite holiday.

[ her brother just chuckles, giving her a quick one-armed hug and kissing her cheek. honestly, if she didn't know anything better, he's just going to gossip all about her to his supposed friend. ]

[monoceroscaeli]

[Out come the tacos and a drink, slid over to Lumine, the extra lobster macaroni and cheese he'd bought as a side is slid to Aether, and Ajax gives his drink up to Aether too. Finally he removes his own lobster and crab roll sandwich, setting it down on the table.]

Hey, Mondstadt isn't a bad place to go, [he interjects, taking a bite from his sandwich.] I did a hike up on Dragonspine quite a few years back, and it really reminded me of home. Saw some neat ruins too, up near the Statue of the Seven that's still there. It's worth checking out.

[Not that he cares much for history, but it still doesn't mean seeing some kind of ancient civilization frozen in ice wasn't cool. Plus, he'll always welcome the cold.]

But if that's not your speed, then the city proper has some really interesting festivals. And I guess since you don't mind going out and drinking, [he says to Lumine,] you'll find yourself right at home. Ah, I wish I had some of that Dandelion Wine right now.

[traversal]

[ lumine says nothing in response, only taking a bite of her taco. what is there to say anything, other than correct his impression that she hasn't gone to mondstadt yet? of course, she has, especially when liyue and mondstadt are practically neighbours that traveling between the two regions has become simple and effortless.

her brother also doesn't say anything for a moment, chewing thoughtfully before talking on her behalf. oh, lumi's been to mondstadt a number of times already. she's even made a few friends there, didn't you, lu? ]

Only because Mondstadt has a better climate than the other regions on the continent ...

[ like sumeru and natlan. visiting those places once is more than enough, and she can't even imagine going back there to endure the heat and humidity.

she used to go there for the windblume festival after celebrating lantern rite in liyue, in search of someo—

lumine slaps a hand over her brother's mouth, shooting him a glare. ]

I think you've said enough, Ae. You might choke on your own food.

[monoceroscaeli]

[Heh, that was kind of cute of her. Oh, siblings.

Ajax simply smiles through chewing on his food, letting the two of them bicker between themselves over Lumine's failed search for a love interest in Mondstadt. He knows better than to further that conversation, so once he finally swallows his bite of his sandwich, he tries to turn the conversation in a different direction.]

Oh yes, I do remember Aether mentioning that you'd decided to go to school in Liyue instead of Snezhnaya. The Lantern Rite Festival really is something else, isn't it? I can't believe that even to this day, they still celebrate the mighty and illuminated adepti that supposedly still watch over Liyue. Pretty interesting, if I do say so myself. I don't know if I believe in those old legends, but it sure does make for a wonderful time.

[He's hoping that the change of subject can get away from what was clearly uncomfortable for Lumine, and he glances over at her with a smile before returning to his food.]

So? Do you guys believe that the adepti still exist?

[traversal]

[ that's ... a safe topic to venture into, isn't it? after all, there's nothing about lantern rite that her brother could suddenly use against her as ammo. though lumine does remember mentioning a few things to aether back then, her twin only waved it away dismissively, chuckling and calling her out on her possible drunkenness at the time of the festival. ]

I don't see why we can't believe in them. There are still stories in Liyue Harbour about the adepti walking amongst people.

[ like that handsome guy, right? black hair, brooding with cat-like eyes standing above yujing pavilion, overlooking the harbour.

lumine has to roll her eyes at her twin's remembrance of her description, suddenly regretting joining the both of them for this semi-dinner talk. sometimes, she wonders why she even bothers with aether when it's clear her twin is out to get her one way or another via teasing. ]

... I didn't see him, Aether. Some girl just told me about it while I was doing my research.

[ besides, she's never once seen a glimpse of said guy. not in any of the places mentioned in the stories. in any case, she turns to ajax back with a shrug. ]

Liyue is very big on keeping their traditions, so it's not really surprising. Doesn't Snezhnaya have similar historical figures?

[monoceroscaeli]

[He's got half a mind to bring up the girls Aether gawked at in college, but drops the idea once Lumine turns back to him to ask her question.]

We do indeed. They say that Snezhnaya once had a god that ruled over it, and scaled a war against the other deities for their transgressions against mankind. She died in a glorious battle, ridding the world of the tyrannical rule of an usurper god. There's even a statue dedicated to her in front of Zapolyarny Palace. But that's just another legend, as the statue was constructed in the past few hundred years or so.

[He shrugs, not that he's really into that story.]

I've never given it much credence myself, but a lot of people believe that story to be true. Still, I can't help but wonder what a battle like that would look like. And, it's not as if the gods don't exist, after all. I mean, the one proof we have that they do sits right on my belt. So maybe it is true.

[traversal]

[ her gaze momentarily flickers towards the glowing glass orb at his hip, her brows furrowing. there's something strange about that story, something lumine can't put a finger on. she's not entirely sure what, having never been a history student back in university, but she has this strange, nagging feeling that that story isn't very accurate. a lot of stories in teyvat had changed over time, sure, and details have always been twisted, but still ...

she winces when that piercing headache is back and as if sensing her discomfort, aether immediately turns to her, setting his food down. lumine waves his concerns away, shaking her head firmly before her brother could fuss. ]

I'm okay, don't worry, [ she tells him, pinching the bridge of her nose with her fingers. ] It's probably just a lack of sleep lately.

[ and the fact that there's just too much work to deal with. lumine wraps up her half-eaten taco, putting it back down on the table, just as aether reaches out to gently rub his fingertips against her temples in a circular motion. normally, she'd protest his sudden need to be touchy, especially when they're in front of other people, but for once, she didn't fight it.

i know ajax has been bothering you since yesterday, so why don't you take a nap here for a while after dinner? the two of us can talk about the project in my office, and i'll wake you up when we're done. ]

Are you sure? I can still handle it, Ae.

[monoceroscaeli]

[His hand instinctively reaches down to touch the cool glass orb on his belt, as it pulses slowly with the power imbued by the gods in it. The moment he touches it, he gets a vision of a landscape in the clouds, with pillars and bridges he doesn't recognize. But in an instant it's gone, and replaced by a sharp pain in his head that he keeps getting. And she's suffering too, it seems...that's strange enough that he's taken notice of it now.

The shock when they first met, a few other times too. He tries to hide his own discomfort, as Aether tends to Lumine.]

No, he's right. You look like you need a little sleep. We'll finish up, so the two of you can get going home to get some proper rest. C'mon Aether, it won't take too long.

[He puts his shoes back on, grabbing his food and the briefcase he'd brought along with him.]

It really was nice meeting you, Lumine. I'm sure we'll see each other again soon.

[He'll let Aether lead him out of her office to his own, waving goodbye to her before he exits.]

[traversal]

[ lumine almost protests at that, but aether quickly smothers it with a gentle squeeze of her knee before he gets up to lead ajax to his office. and before she can say anything else, the door swings close with a click.

she doesn't know what's going on, why she's even feeling strangely unwell all of a sudden since yesterday. she doesn't think it's anything she's eaten, otherwise her brother too would be feeling the same way. or is it just because he has stronger constitution than him? still, it started when she's met ajax yesterday, which was even stranger.

a dismissive headshake later, she moves over to the couch, toeing off her heels and pulling up her legs onto the sofa. there's that lingering smell of cologne where ajax previously sat, one that lumine quickly waves away. of all things for her to notice, she's getting way ahead of herself with aether's friend.

and he's not even that good-looking compared to the other guys she's gone out with. she's acting like a complete teenager.

with a huff, she curls up on the couch, head pillowed against the arm, to try and nap. ]

[monoceroscaeli]

[A week passes. Ajax finds his dreams, from time to time, lucid with images from a palace in Snezhnaya, other places he's been in Teyvat, but look very different from what he remembers. But he forgets nearly all of them by the time he wakes up, trying to desperately cling to what little he could recall. And there's a girl in some of them, one that he remembers looking fondly on, but he can never recall her face or her name.

The only comfort he has is that he often dreams of her, so perhaps the next night, he'll remember...

This should be the last time he needs to bother Aether for professional reasons, at least not for a while. He steps back into the twins's office, waving hello to Sophie once again as he enters.]

Hey, long time no see. Could you let Aether know I'm here?

[Sophie picks her phone up, telling him that Aether is out once again, but Lumine will be able to help him. He nods, as the receptionist connects to Lumine's office instead. Yes, Mr. Volkov is here. Should I send him up?]