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

[traversal]

[ his transformation no longer fazes her as it once did in the past, lumine simply giving him a nod as she too summons her wings as aether did. she wonders if it's something the sustainer had not predicted or seen, her seal on her original powers fading as time passes. it's certainly a question that she'd like to ask her if she's still alive by the time aether is done with her.

in any case, there's no time for her to think about other things, especially when their attacks, as coordinated as they are, seem to be ineffectual on the usurper god.

lumine quickly darts down to avoid a tendril of celestial energy, strange cubes erupting in its wake to try and imprison her. she's seen those before, and her years in teyvat have taught her how to avoid them; they're not at all different from some of the abilities of the creatures, after all.

she runs a hand along her blade, silver steel suddenly coated with electro on one side. she turns it over, running pyro on the other side. she can smell the scent of ozone in the air, electricity reacting with fire, as she once more charges towards the god and sends an arc of intertwined elements with a slash of her sword.

it seems to react to it, affected by the elemental reactions of teyvat. good, it's still bound by the laws of this world, even if it's appointed itself as its sovereign. in retaliation, it sweeps an arm to brush her off, sending her hurtling back to collide against a pillar.

she can feel several bones cracking, her rib definitely taking the brunt of that blow, and she can certainly taste something metallic inside her mouth. but before she can get back up, there's another sweep of golden energy moving towards her.

lumine summons a geo construct to block it, the rock cracking easily under its power ... ]

[monoceroscaeli]

[Fighting this god is giving him thrills he'd never thought he'd ever be able to feel. The sensation of surviving and striking at such a strong opponent is intoxicating to him, using the full scope of all of his experience and strength to fight alongside Lumine against their foe, his blades whistling through the air as they both throw themselves into the heat of this battle. Almost nothing they do seems to be all that effective, Childe's mind flipping through possibilities and strategies to try to crack through this defense the god is putting up.

Hydro and electro energy come raining down to follow up to her own attack, Childe laughing maniacally as electricity seems to race across the water, electrocuting the god as Lumine slams into a pillar.

It may only be because of this short distraction that there's a few seconds for Childe to understand exactly what's happening in front of him.

He blinks out of existence as that energy is launched right at Lumine, appearing next to her as the geo construct finally explodes. His abyssal blades come up to block, the energy slamming against them with a strength that he hadn't prepared for, his muscles burning with the effort of keeping it from slicing the two of them in half. With one motion, he swings his blades outward, the energy dissipating with a shockwave that rocks him, gritting his teeth with the effort as the celestial cape he wears billows in the wind from the impact.

And in a flash, the god appears in front of them both. Instinctively, Childe thrusts his blade forward toward them, aiming for the middle of their chest.

The diamond-shaped spear that appears in the air lances downward at the same time, striking him through the stomach. It sears through his armor, through his organs through to the other side, the tip so dangerously close to Lumine that it almost touches her. Blood drips off of it, and the Harbinger falls from the sky, as the god stumbles backward.

Abyssal energy swirls around the wound Childe has created in the god, his blade sticking out of it. It looks downward at the mortal with incredulity, unable to process that such an inferior being has inflicting such a permanent and terrible blow. But Tartaglia hits the ground with a loud thud, landing on his side and not moving for several moments.

His vision blurs, not dead, but he can feel his own life begin to ebb away. He doesn't have the strength to look upward at first, trying to conserve his strength for a second. He's done for, and he knows it, the sight of the spear through his middle making him laugh. Ah...so this is how it ends, is it.]

[traversal]

[ the scream that tears through her lungs and throat is almost inhuman, unworldly.

she doesn't remember feeling such emotions, such rage churn inside of her before, blood roaring in her ears like the waves of the sea. and yet it courses through her veins like white-hot poison, numbing all forms of pain and blinding her. the pillar breaks as she wrenches herself out of the stone, summoning her sword once more.

all seven elements are at her beck and call, reactions crackling in the air as she combines each of them one after another—a slash of her sword, a sweep of her leg, a wave of her hand. it staggers the god, tears through him as she continues her relentless barrage of attacks. she's not about to give him the chance to retaliate, to fight back.

but there's only so much power her body can channel at the same time, blood dripping down her nose as she overexerts herself, the attacks slowing down. still, it's more than enough for the god to find an opening, once more blinking out of existence and in front of her.

it looms over her like a towering cliff, its golden spear still dripping with the harbinger's blood poised over her like a guillotine.

lumine—

for the second time that day, she feels the spray of blood on her skin, aether's form blocking her view. all she can see is her twin brother's golden sword stabbed into the god's chest, his other hand curled around the handle of the spear to keep it and its master in place, a smile on his face as he looks at her over his shoulder. his scarf, once as white as her dress, is stained with blood.

do what you have to, so we can go home soon.

starlight seems to coat her blade, blinding in its golden light, as she thrusts her sword through aether's body with a scream and into the usurper god's chest, into the same wound that childe had inflicted on him just moments before, breaking whatever core that sustains its existence. the expression on its face will forever be etched in her memory, a mix of disbelief and incredulity, before lumine wraps her arms around her twin brother's limp form to protect him from the incoming blast. ]

This world is ours, not yours.

[ the twins fall from the sky like stars, lumine taking the brunt of the explosion and the collision on the marble ground, bloody and broken. she can feel pain lancing through her entire body, bones broken everywhere, a shard piercing through her lungs. each gasp is heavy, laboured, breathing out life with every exhale. she's dying, she can feel it. stars expire every day, after all, and she's managed to reach the end of her life.

besides ... she glances down at aether slumped against her shoulder, the light in his golden eyes extinguished, and almost chuckles. as beautiful as ever, even in death.

still, she persists. tries to crawl across to where ajax is, hauling her twin brother with her. with the last of her strength, she pulls him onto her lap, running her fingers through his hair one last time. ]

Stupid ... you can't come like this with me across the universe ...

[monoceroscaeli]

[The scream is muffled to his ears, as they ring from the pain that shoots through his body. He can hear the fight above him, as he struggles to try to sit up and drag himself up against the pillar. He's disabled in every sense, only able now to look up as a bystander to the fight that would determine the fate of the rest of the world, mouth agape as he watches on.

She's always been so beautiful, even more so in combat. He can only admire Lumine's strength as she battles this god, pushing herself to the limit to defeat it, not giving it an inch if she can.

And then suddenly, the spear in his stomach disappears, and a new concentrated pain radiates through him as blood freely flows out, staining the intricate marble flooring red. He coughs, blood coming up and dripping down his mouth, eyes still locked on the battle. He doesn't dare look down at himself.

Especially when Aether steps in, to save Lumine from what he was sure was going to be her downfall. Childe only stares on in horror as Lumine's sword pierces her own brother, the one person she'd made this long and arduous journey for. He knows that he won't survive that blow. He's sure both the twins knew that as well. It was the right decision given the moment. Any warrior would have said the same.

The following explosion rocks the arena around them, and Childe almost passes out from the impact. Slowly, the transformation begins to flake off from him, his body returning to normal as Lumine slams into the ground with the corpse of her brother in her arms. The Harbinger feels the weight of the transformation hit him, but whatever pain he endures is still nothing in comparison to the blood loss he's suffered, his body slumping back down onto his side as he gasps for air.

It's cold, and he can barely feel his head being lifted into her lap as he's rolled onto his back, looking up at Lumine. Childe can barely make out her face, but he knows it's her, the soft touch of her fingers combing through his hair. A soothing gesture at the end of his life, and he can only smile upwards at her as she lightly scolds him.]

Haha, what are you talking about? Yes I can, [he utters softly, between gasps of air.] I'll always be with you... no matter where you go. Just as long as you don't forget about me...

[Childe hacks up more blood, spilling out of his mouth as he struggles to breathe, his eyes closing. There are still clear signs of life in him, but he teeters on the edge.]

[traversal]

[ such arrogance, even at the very end of his life.

it's very like him, though, and lumine has to laugh at that even though every wrack of her shoulders and body hurt. the stuttered sound fades as his coughs echo all around them in the aftermath of the battle, the only sound in the silence. her thumb rubs against the corner of his lips, wiping away the blood that's trickled from his mouth. ]

You know ... I don't think I've said this before, [ she replies, chuckling softly. ] Girls don't like clingy guys. But lucky for you, I have a very long, very good memory. So even if I want to forget you, I can't.

[ and he's the clingiest guy she's ever met, so much clingier than those floating mushrooms in the chasm. she leans over him to brush her lips against his. they're cold, the first time she's hated a kiss from him. ]

... Don't worry, I'll be with you soon. We'll be together again, I promise.

[monoceroscaeli]

[His lips barely move to respond to her kiss, finding it harder and harder to move any part of his body. Childe has never felt so tired in his life, the pain being the only thing that's keeping him awake save for the sheer will to see her, to be with her in these final moments.

Selfish as ever, not allowing death to take him so he can get what he wants right up until the end.

The words that bubble up from his throat are coated in blood, and he's sorry for how macabre this is- but he can't go yet.]

It's okay...if you make me wait for a while longer. As long as you keep your promise now. Hahaha...we could make it a pinkie promise...Lu...mi...

[But he has no strength to move his arm, or even a single finger, his breathing slowing significantly, his body relaxing more and more as his life wanes. And in the seconds after, he stops breathing all together, his heart finally stopping as he lies in her arms, finally gone.]

[traversal]

[ lumine hears, feels the last breath he sighs, and a part of her seems to go with him. unmoving in her lap, no longer smiling or laughing, somehow this is more painful than enduring that explosion from the usurper god, her heart has been seemingly wrenched out of her chest and squeezed tightly. but any tears she could shed have already been shed, her body simply shaking as she lets out a dry sob, a quiet whisper of i love you, i love you murmured against his lips as she kisses him one last time.

still, she can sense that she won't be suffering in this world for too long, leaning her head against her brother's and smiling just a bit. ]

Ah ... [ even talking is starting to become impossible now, addressing the man who steps up in front of her. his face is a blur, her eyesight no longer functioning, but she remembers it quite well. ] Will you ... take this to Teucer? His siblings ...

[ her hand shakily holds out his mask, half of which is shattered from his fall, and the vision, its blue light fading. ] That's what he would want ... I'm sorry, please tell them ...

[ she no longer hears their response, her eyes closing as she leans against aether. her other hand sinks into ajax's hair, still soft despite his passing. finally, she can go home to them now, just like what they've promised together.







the vision fades and lumine feels like she's been drowning, falling to her knees as she gasps for air. tear stains streak her cheeks as the images play in her head over and over again, a tormented cry seizing from somewhere deep inside of her as she grasps her throat. she can't even muster any words, can't form any coherent sentences.

agonised sobs, instead, wrack her entire body, her shoulders shuddering from the order until it becomes too much to bear, too much to handle. she blacks out, her entire body collapsing in a heap on the floor. ]

[monoceroscaeli]

[Ajax's body shakes in a way he wasn't sure was possible, hot tears streaming down his face as the vision ends. He can almost feel the pain that Childe suffered, his hand hesitantly reaching down to feel his stomach to make sure there wasn't a hole there.

He feels as if he's in a strange haze, his mind trying to register how he's alive after experiencing the pain and then comfort of death. His body no longer cold, his heart still beating- it's a shock to his system, in addition to the traumatic events of the past that they'd just experienced together. Though, despite this, he feels a sense of calm, the same calm that Childe experienced as he drew his last breath.

Lumine, on her knees in front of him, sobs uncontrollably, and he finds himself falling to his knees next to her to catch her head before it cracks on the hard concrete below.

Somehow, Ajax manages to move her so her head lies in his lap, his body still shaking as he tries to process the entire event. He's at a loss for words and actions alike, so he sits there, Lumine passed out in his arms, waiting for her to wake as he tries to compose himself.]

[traversal]

[ lumine's consciousness wavers in and out of wakefulness as if she's swimming in a sea of darkness. various images flicker all around her, many of which are overlapping: on the one side, memories of her and aether growing up, inseparable since they were born; on the other side, a field of white and blue flowers, her brother and herself wading across it.

but one image seems to come into focus, an image of red skies amidst a white landscape. of death and destruction, fire and blood. colourful lights streak across the sky, and slowly, one by one, those lights flicker out and fade until two of them fall back to the earth. she hears whispers of her name, of aether's name, of ajax, words of love and adoration murmured softly ...

she wakes up several minutes later, once more gasping for air. her gaze focuses, finds herself looking up at what looks like a concrete ceiling. it's not long before she realises what's transpired, what she's seen, and lumine starts sobbing once more, hands pressed against her eyes to try and stymie the tears in vain. ]

[monoceroscaeli]

[He's not sure how long he'd waited for her to wake until he'd hoisted her farther up into his arms. Quietly, he calls her name, gently shaking her to wake her, voice soft in his attempts.]

Lumine...Lumine. Please wake up.

[And after a time, she finally does, gasping for air and startling him when she does. He holds her close as she begins to sob once more, giving her as much time as she needs to get it all out, his hand running through her hair to try to soothe her nerves as much as he can.]

Lumine, sshhh...everything's okay. It's okay. I'm right here.

[It's not okay, but he doesn't know what else to say to her. They're alive, even though a part of him wants to break down and cry too. But he puts this face on for her, so that maybe she could find comfort after going through that terrible experience. It's hard to push the vision aside for the moment, but he has to lest he succumbs to the horror of that fateful day over a thousand years ago.]

[traversal]

[ no, it's not okay, even if her mind and her body insist that she is. that she's fine, she's alive and a thousand years had passed since that incident. and yet, there's an unsettling feeling inside of her that she can't seem to quell, cold dread radiating across her body as if she's swallowed something frozen.

she feels the hand in her hair, familiar and soothing, cutting through all feelings of despair and anguish. and she finds herself turning in his hold, wrapping her arms around him and burying her face in his shoulder as tears and sorrow continue to plague her. ]

Ajax ... Ajax ... [ her fingers curl into his shirt, squeezing her eyes tightly. ] I'm sorry ...

[monoceroscaeli]

[He can feel his own body shudder underneath her sobbing, the stress of the vision still weighing heavily on his mind even after letting himself sit and breathe, running through every coping mechanism he had to deal with it. Ajax holds her closer still, his hand pressing into her hair as he pulls her in tightly to him, allowing the feeling of her being there in his arms to remind him that's he's still alive. She's still alive.]

There's nothing to apologize for, really.

[Their argument already forgotten in his mind, as it seemed to small and insignificant in comparison. His head falls to rest on top of hers, cradling her when he has to fight the tears back when certain scenes pop back into his mind, breath hitching in his throat.]

We're okay now, [he breathes quietly, trying to smile though he's unsure if he's trying to convince her or himself.] Don't worry, okay? Just be with me, for a moment. Everything will be fine.

[traversal]

[ it takes her a few more minutes to calm down, breath hitching as sobs fade and emotions ebb away. and yet, the pain remains, a numb sensation that seems to linger and clench around her heart. it's excruciating, a vine of thorns wrapped around her chest and making her work hard for every beat.

her fingers continue to curl and uncurl around the fabric of his shirt, her breathing matching the rhythm of his. like a child being lulled to sleep by the beat of their mother's heart. if only it's that simple for them, having seen such terrifying visions. ]

That felt real ... [ she murmurs against his shoulder, closing her eyes. ] Too real ...

[ his skin cold against her lips, her fingertips, the taste of his blood on her tongue—she can't imagine it. she doesn't want to imagine it. it's too painful to think about it. ]

So Lumine too ...

[monoceroscaeli]

[He knows exactly what she means. When he thinks on it, it's as if he can feel that numb cold that slowly consumed him, as Childe slowly died watching them fight. Perhaps, the only comfort was that the Harbinger had been satisfied with his fight, and his death was how he would have wanted it, facing his enemy head on. But Ajax feels left behind in the man's bloodthirsty wake, having to suffer through those moments as if he'd lived them himself.]

Did she die?

[He can't help but ask, his head pulling back to search her eyes.]

Don't tell me she did. He wanted her to live on...to have a happy life before she...

[His voice trails off, unable to say the rest. But somewhere, deep in his heart, he already knows. It wrenches at him, and it's almost as if he could hear a voice in the back of his mind quietly sob with that knowledge, as if he'd just found out that she hadn't survived past that battle.

Ajax closes his eyes, apologizing to the man who'd long passed, even though he knows Childe can't hear him no matter how loud his thoughts are.]

[traversal]

[ lumine looks up to meet his gaze and she almost winces from the look he gives her, the same look his counterpart had when he watched his archon die. she wonders then if he's somehow developed feelings towards the other lumine in their visions, his emotions influenced and affected by childe's feelings towards lumine.

... she doesn't know if she has the courage to ask him that. if she's prepared for the answer to that. in any case, she gives him a slight nod, a wordless confirmation to his question, before she lowers her gaze. ]

She was heavily injured in that fight. She just didn't show it.

[ she doesn't think she's ever felt such pain in her life, every single bone in her body broken and fractured. every breath seemed to burn her lungs and every pump of blood through her veins seemed to carry shards of glass throughout her body.

it was excruciating, and she can't even imagine how the other lumine was able to still move in that state. ]

Besides, Lumine had already accepted her death. [ with both aether and childe gone, she could feel lumine's deep anguish and misery with every passing second. she knows she wouldn't survive such an ordeal. ] I don't think there was any reason for her to linger in Teyvat ...

[monoceroscaeli]

[The breath he lets out is sharp, squeezing her tightly to him as his fears had been confirmed. His head lowers again to bury itself into her hair, the sweet scent of her shampoo filling his nostrils. That entailed so many horrors, and Ajax tries to keep his breathing under control while a pain shoots through him, gripping his heart so tightly that he thought it might burst.]

I'm sorry that you had to experience that. I'm so, so sorry, Lumine.

[Experience the heartache, the pain, how her body must have been ripped apart from the battle. Every sensation was real, every lancing pain and every crushed bone, except it just wasn't happening to them- just the traveler's and the harbinger's.

But as far as Ajax is concerned, it might as well of been happening to them too. Even if all the other visions fade, he'll never forget this one. It was too painful, too vivid to forget.]

I won't let that happen to you. No matter the danger, I will parry it.

[Because there's no way he could possibly handle the thought of Lumine, his Lumine dying in such a way that's so terrible. Childe did what he could to protect her- but Ajax promises himself that he'd learn from the Harbinger's mistake.]

[traversal]

[ the tight hug squeezes the air out of her lungs, but for once, lumine doesn't have any complaints, her hands once more curling into his clothes. pressed against him, solid and warm, it reaffirms that he's alive and well, that the vision was just that: a vision. it was nothing more than history that wasn't written on paper or stone.

but tears begin to fall again anyway, soaking into the fabric of his shirt, as she also pulls him closer, steeping herself in his presence, before she draws back. lumine wipes her tears with the back of her hand, shaking her head. ]

Funny you say that now when you were just suggesting to have me protect you instead earlier.

[ that's where the other lumine failed: protecting him and protecting aether. and it isn't for the lack of trying, she thinks, as she's always had full trust in what those two were capable of.

but still ... ] Aether's going to think you're the root cause of my being upset again.

[monoceroscaeli]

[Hearing Aether's name makes his features fall for only a moment- they both watched him die too, and Ajax has to stifle a sob when he thinks about it. Perhaps their relationship wasn't much now, due to business and work piling up, because that's just how life ends up working sometimes, doesn't it? But he's still a friend, despite all the shady dealings, and it still pained him to see him die in such a way.

So instead, Ajax chooses to smile and gives a small little laugh instead, maybe to bring a more lighthearted air to the room.]

Well, he won't be too far off, will he. Guess I'm in trouble again, haha.

[He wants to stand, to move on from that vision for now.]

You know, why don't we call it a day. Let me take you to dinner, get something nice with somewhere that has some good wine of sorts. I'm not ready to face down what we just saw, so I'd like to drown it out for the time being, if you're willing.

[Because right now, he could begin tearing up again if he's left to brood over it. He knows it, it tugs at his heart even now and he'll concentrate on it if he's not distracted.]

[traversal]

[ lumine also gets up from the floor, patting the dirt and dust from her skirt and goes through her purse to find the packet of tissues she carries around. she's a mess, she can tell, and no doubt the others who will see them walking out of this room and this crazy building will think the same. ]

Wine again? Are you sure about that?

[ she's surprised he's willing to give her a second chance in drinking after the incident at mondstadt.

finding the packet of wipes in the pocket of her purse, she takes a few out and rubs them on ajax's face, as if scrubbing a really bad, really stained surface. ]

[monoceroscaeli]

[He blinks a couple of times before she starts rubbing her tissues all over his face, not understanding what she's doing. But it makes him laugh all the same, his hands coming up to take the tissues out of her own so he can start wiping and dabbing his eyes, and his tear-streaked cheeks.]

Hahahahah, what are you doing, you rascal. Give those here.

[Ajax's eyes crinkle at their edges, thankful for the tissues.]

Anyway, the only rule is that you're not allowed an entire bottle of wine to yourself. I think we'll be safe if we go by that.

[traversal]

[ look, she can tell that that vision wasn't very pleasant for him, either. after all, it involved someone they both know other than themselves, and despite ajax being seemingly frivolous and facetious for the most part. lumine doesn't think anyone can get out of that completely unscathed.

she lets him take the tissues, watching him quietly as he cleans himself up. ]

You made me drink an entire bottle? How is that responsible?

[ honestly, she doesn't remember how much she's drank that night. only that ajax has been plying her with alcohol until everything's blur. is he saying he gave her an entire bottle to drink? ]

[monoceroscaeli]

Made you drink isn't the right wording for the situation.

[He finishes cleaning himself, feeling a little better now that he's moved on from the prior depressing conversation to this one.]

It's more like, we went to the bar, had an equal amount to drink before leaving, and I bought a bottle to bring with us. We shared that, and by share I mean I got a few swigs out of it and when it was your turn with the bottle you emptied it and laughed at me when I reached back out for more. You subsequently ran off knowing you did something wrong, laughing your little head off all the while.

[Which was not fair at all.]

Then I had to chase you down. Seems you'd forgotten that I'm much taller than you.

[Because she wasn't hard to catch.]

[traversal]

[ huh. what a weird series of events. but to be fair: ]

I've forgotten a lot of things that night. I don't think your height was one of my biggest concerns back then.

[ actually, she doesn't even remember what her biggest concern back then was. probably how to not trip on her heels in mondstadt's cobblestone pavement; that place is a nightmare for someone like her who wears heels all the time.

lumine takes a deep breath before she opens the door once more, rubbing her cheeks with her fingers again to try and put some colour in it. ]

I think all I remember is ... [ kissing him? nah. who in their right mind would admit to that. ] Waking up in the bathroom.

[monoceroscaeli]

[Following her out the door from the training room, his eyes widen. Wow, she missed most of the night. Ajax begins to laugh, putting his hand over his face as if he was having any success hiding his amusement.]

My, did you miss out. You got a piggy back ride to the statue, got your picture taken with a crystalfly, gained new elemental powers, got a shuttle ride back to the hotel and...

[He stops, not knowing if he should tell her. Probably not, she might get mad at him for suggesting that she'd pressed up against him like that. Then he doesn't have to explain why her shirt seemingly avoided the fate of being smeared with vomit.]

Haha, I mean to say it certainly had its ups and downs. I still had fun, anyway.

[He grins back at her, as he quickly grabs his jacket in the range room to slip it on over his shoulders, not worrying about her gun for now unless she says something.]

[traversal]

[ nope, lumine's not saying anything about that gun. and she's hoping he wouldn't say anything about the gun either, unwilling to have to address it for the time being. it's not like it's needed at the moment and even if it is, she's more than certain that someone is watching over the both of them.

aether pretty much implied that ajax has the means to look out for her. ]

And my shirt was taken off halfway through the night?

[ she glances at him over her shoulder, feigning a look of curiosity and mild bewilderment. the great thing about having a face like aether's is that she also knows how to work it to her advantage.

let's see how amusing his response would be to that. ]