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

[ 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.

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.

[ 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.

Edited 2022-05-10 04:17 (UTC)

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.

[ 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? ]

[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.

[ 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. ]

[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.

[ 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.

[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?

[ 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?

[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.

[ 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.

[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.]

[ 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. ]

[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?]

[ she's been expecting that name for a week now, at least ever since aether accidentally left his laptop open for her to peer into. he's always been careless when they're both at home during the weekends, always too absentminded and heedless just because it's just the two of them in the apartment. and while lumine's never one to pry into her twin brother's business, that doesn't mean her curiosity has never been piqued by whatever work he's doing.

like with this particular case, this particular project. one that aether quickly accepted the moment he hears the client's name, taking it as a personal project than that of the company's.

and now, lumine, eyes glowing from the reflected light of his laptop screen, finally knows why. why he's been deflecting her questions, why he's been carrying his laptop everywhere, why he's been brooding for the past few days, why she's found a suitcase full of mora under his bed.

the headaches, the flashes of images, the strange restlessness of her sleep, the lucid dreams that had only started when she met him—what else could it be but that?

standing next to the glass window of her office, she runs the words in her head—weapons, delusions, volkov—the rumours, the hearsays, the whispers. her fingers curl tightly around the usb stick aether handed her that morning (guard it with your life, lu, he joked), her head throbbing again with dull pain. her brother, her twin—involved, in the know, since when?

lumine wrenches her gaze away from the scene outside and looks over her shoulder when she hears the knock on her door, her secretary announcing ajax in. all she has to do is to pass the flash drive over and receive the payment. that's it, that's all there is. it doesn't need to be complicated; she doesn't need to make it complicated. ]

Come in.

[ but not without any questions first. ]

[He enters, smiling brightly back at Lumine, clearly happy to see her. He's not worried that she may be making the exchange here, as he's trusted Aether not to tell her anything. Pass the money, get the flash drive, and off he goes to take care of business. But something still nags at him, why they seem to be getting sick at the same time.

Why he's having these dreams, these visions around her. Did someone leak the plan? Did someone do something to both of them?]

Good to see you again, [he starts, studying her expression. There's...something up here.] I suppose Aether was busy again, and left you to handle things? I guess the good news is this won't keep you past hours again, haha.

[He sets the briefcase down on the coffee table in front of the couch.]

Did he leave you with a USB drive for me to pick up?

[ someone's at least chipper between the both of them.

her expression remains placid even as he walks in and greets her, her gaze flickering at the briefcase he sets down on the table. the same one she's found underneath aether's bed—and really, who hides money under their bed nowadays anyway? still, lumine says nothing for a long moment, watching his very casual movements in her office.

she now wonders if his friendliness towards her has been a ploy, a sham to keep her in the dark while he reeled her brother in. that wouldn't be too surprising, would it, now that she's caught wind of what he wanted from them? ]

Mm, he did.

[ she opens her hand, the usb stick sitting right in her palm. a moment later, she closes her fingers around it once more. no gesture of offering it, of handing it over. lumine simply keeps it in her hand, waiting for him to come get it from her himself. ]

But before I give it to you, I'd just like to ask something first. [ her eyes flicker once more to the briefcase and then to his face. ] What did you do to me, Mr Volkov?

[Ajax expects her to put that USB in his hand, but his suspicions are confirmed when she closes her hand around it once more and doesn't immediately hand it over. He keeps his expression neutral, immediately understanding that there was a slip up on Aether's end. She either knows what's on the USB drive, or there's something else. He really doesn't want to make a scene here.

But he will if he has to. The plan is riding on him getting that USB with the information on it. If that's even the real thing. If she's figured it out, who's to say she hasn't swapped the USB with a different one? That would put her in a bad position...not what he wanted.

But let's try to figure this out first.

He listens, but a look of genuine confusion appears on his face, then worry. Was he right? Did someone do something to them?]

What? I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about. What do you mean, do something to you?

[ her lips pull to a thin line at his response, finding herself in the middle of a whirlwind of thoughts.

is he lying to her? is he trying to deflect? why wouldn't he, after all, when he has something to hide? feigning innocence seems easy enough for someone like him who seems to know how to use his charm on others to get what he wants. she should've known the moment she first saw him, should've kept her guard up at all times. ]

The headaches, the weird images, the dreams—aren't those all your doing?

[ the word delusion sticks on the tip of her tongue like a bitter taste, but even then, lumine's unable to spit it out. the look on his face stays her tongue, keeps her from lashing out. ]

I only started having them since I shook your hand last week, so who else could be the culprit here?

[There's a moment where all of his thoughts slam to a halt. Did she just say what he thought she said? He knew that she had been having the same headaches as him, but the images and dreams...that he didn't know about. His jaw hangs open in shock for a moment, while he tries to process what she just said.]

Wait...

[He shakes his head. Get it together, Ajax...]

You're not the only one here who's been having strange visions and dreams. Every so often, both times we've been together, I've had a sudden headache come on accompanied by a vision of sorts. And all this last week...

[Archons, were they poisoned? That's some long lasting poison.]

I almost suspected you were the one who did something. But I didn't see how you could have. Can you tell me, what are your dreams about? And do you remember coming into contact with anyone else but me before this came on?

[ what?

lumine inwardly splutters at his almost-accusation, feeling like she's been slapped across the face. he suspected her when he's the one suspicious all this time with his requests and pleas, begging for her to accept this proposal? ]

What do you mean, me? Why would I do this to you when I didn't even know who you were until last week?

[ how could she even do something like this? she doesn't even know anyone or anything capable of doing this—except this delusion.

at his question, however, lumine holds her tongue and simply glares at him, the usb stick cutting bluntly into her palm. answering the question if she's met someone is one thing; answering the question about her dreams, well ... that's another. ]

Why am I the one being interrogated here when you're the one asking my brother to look up information about weapons?

[When she mentions the weapons, that's when his expression changes. She does know, and she knows more than she needs to. Not good. He shoots her a stern glare, almost threatening.]

Listen. It's better for your own safety that you don't go poking your nose into this any farther than you already have. I don't think you did anything, so you can drop that right now. I'm worried because I don't want you to get caught between anything, and I'm afraid you already have before any of this even began.

[He takes a step forward, his hand outstretched, palm open. So she can put that USB in his hand.]

Get to a doctor, tell them you haven't been feeling well, like perhaps you accidentally ate something that's making you sick. I don't know what's going on, but whatever it is is affecting both of us. Now, just give the USB to me and walk away from this, okay?

[ her eyes narrow at his outstretched hand, her fingers tightening even more around the usb stick, holding it against her chest. she wonders if she could break it, if it'll break at all. would that solve this problem? ]

Or what? You'd kill me?

[ lumine knows she's pushing it, knows the kind of rumours that surround him and his family; aether would no doubt be upset at her. but she hasn't even received any answers to her questions. nothing still makes sense, nothing is assured—not her brother's safety, not a resolution to these visions. ]

... Delusions are said to be cursed items, created from the remains of gods. [ rumours, hearsays, stories from fairy tales. ] How certain are you it's not you who did this to me?

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