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]

[ lumine doesn't deny it's very convenient, bypassing all the crazy lines and checks through the airport. if she could skip these every time she flies, then she wouldn't be so stressed about it. still, there's a reason why only a few people are able to do this; after all, money talks and it talks very, very loud. ]

Not everyone is as rich as you ...

[ rich, privileged, powerful—even with aether's company on the rise, it doesn't give her any golden passes through airport security. but with such privileges come certain responsibilities and obligations. and who knows what ajax is obliged to do to get these benefits.

in any case, lumine scrolls through her emails in search of the message her assistant sent, showing ajax the address of the hotel. ]

Aether will probably find out if I didn't check-in or stay. [ she shrugs, glancing out the window. everything's blanketed by snow, the landscape stark white. ] My brother is ... pretty good at finding things out like that.

[monoceroscaeli]

[Ajax punches in the address to the hotel, and what comes up is familiar to him. He won't need the GPS after all, but he knows the capitol like the back of his hand as it is. They drive off, and it's relaxing to be back home for him.]

Aha... [he half chuckles, because on one hand, yeah. His family usually knows where he is too, especially when he's out on business in another country. But not to that level, until he goes missing or something. Then an investigation would be done.]

Well, on one hand, that's part of the reason why I trust him so much with our affairs sometimes. On the other...anyway. We'll get you checked in at the very least, what you do after that is your business as far as I'm concerned, wherever you end up staying.

[It's not far to the hotel. He quickly finds a place to park, but doesn't get out of the car.]

Should I stay in here? Or will you get in trouble if you're seen with me?

[He laughs, though he's being half serious about it.]

[traversal]

[ she can tell what he's about to say, and most people would find aether's actions problematic as well. after all, what kind of person would essentially keep tabs on their sibling or family member unless there's some ulterior motive to it? lumine, however, knows that her brother simply means well, even if he's a little over the top at times. ]

Well, he knows that we're together anyway. [ and assumes the worst already. ] I don't think I can get into even hotter water than this.

[ isn't that why he's very inflexible and uncompromising at getting her to go to snezhnaya? if aether had his way, he'd ensure she wouldn't have any more contact whatsoever with ajax.

lumine slides out of the car, picking up her bag. she offers her id at the front desk who gives her a key, the suite already prepared for her despite her early arrival. with a huge bedroom, ensuite bathroom, and living space, it's a bit too much for a one-night trip, but she might as well be comfortable about her stay.

she doesn't linger for too long in the room, leaving her backpack and just retrieving her phone and wallet to head back to the car. ]

[monoceroscaeli]

[He's sure he can think of ways she can get in hotter water, but he keeps his mouth shut about that one.

When she comes back, he nods, already mentally steeling himself for this little expedition they're going on. He's sure he'll be calmer now, but that doesn't mean the event of the past still don't linger with him.

After all, they practically lived it.

He pulls out of the hotel, driving the twenty minutes away to the cemetery around Zapolyarny Palace. There's a walking tour, and that seems ideal to get to where they're trying to go. He has no idea where the graves are anyway, so he buys them two tickets. Unfortunately, they'll have to suffer through some history of Snezhnaya in the process, but if that gets them to where they want to go, he's willing to endure that.]

Hope you like history. I've got a feeling we'll be listening to it for longer than I'd like.

[He hopes it isn't too boring...]

[traversal]

[ she doesn't mind history. what she minds are tours like this.

it gets pretty boring like this, truth be told, and she'd rather that they simply do the tour by themselves. still, she assumes that ajax doesn't know where to go or what to do to even get where they're supposed to go. the person doing the tour is at least entertaining those in front, so it gives them a bit of peace at the back.

lumine slips her hands out of her pocket to blow warm air on her fingers, the frigid air becoming a little uncomfortable as they walk around. she should've brought gloves, but there's no point regretting it now. ]

Is this your way of torturing me after I vomited on you?

[monoceroscaeli]

Hahaha, [he laughs, walking along with the group and looking down at her cold hands.] No, I'm not that sort of person. Here.

[He takes his own gloves off, and offers them to her.]

I'm pretty used to the cold, so I'll be fine. As soon as we get to the site, we can leave soon after. I doubt they'll even let us lay anything at the grave anyway, so we shouldn't be too long.

[He smiles weakly back at her, trying to hide the increasing anxiety he's beginning to feel about being here at all. Like he doesn't know what to expect, or what might happen once they reach the site.]

[traversal]

[ lumine blinks at the gloves when he offers them to her, half-tempted to decline it. even if he's used to the cold, he has the same constitution as every human being; he'll eventually get cold, too, and then what? but she accepts them anyway, slipping them on her hands. the warmth of his own hands linger in the fleece-lined interior of the gloves, slowly thawing her frozen fingers.

at his remark, she gives him a slight nod. she's also apprehensive over this, over what might happen at the grave. what will they say? what will she be forced to deal with again? ]

... Do you think Lumine ... [ her quiet voice trails off, uncertain how to ask of it. would they have kept them apart, she wonders? buried her elsewhere with her sibling?

lumine shakes her head, the words she'd like to say stuck in her throat. ]

Let's just get this over with.

[monoceroscaeli]

[Nodding, they continue to follow the group tour, passing by several monuments to famous military generals, soldiers, and even one dedicated to some of the Fatui Harbingers. He can see the familiar stone face of himself up on one of them, with another woman and a man, smirking at the sight. He doesn't recognize the other two Harbingers, they must have been Childe's coworkers, for lack of a better term.

Eventually, the tour lands at the section where the Harbingers lie, plots far separated from each other. The tour guide begins telling the story of ancient Teyvat and the war between the divine, and Ajax listens in on it while they walk past several other Harbingers.]

I have a feeling part of that history isn't right, [he whispers to her, checking graves as they go.] It's as they say, history is written by the victors...

[A flash of memory as the Tsaritsa died goes through his mind, and he closes his eyes. They come past another plot, three graves neatly lined up with each other with ornate plaques indicating each person, glorified in Snezhnayan fashion.

And here lies the Eleventh Harbinger of the Fatui, Childe. The renowned Traveler and her brother also lie with him, having fought in the legendary battle together against the usurper god. Unfortunately, they died early on in the fight, but cleared the way for Her Majesty the Tsaritsa to deal the final blow.

His eyes snap up, incredulous. What did she just say? He looks to Lumine, clearly irritated.]

Excuse me? So that's how they're remembered?

[traversal]

[ indeed, history is written by the victors, but who were the victors in that war? with the famed traveler and their sibling dead, who would be considered as such? lumine doesn't think her counterpart is looking or seeking any kind of fame; it didn't feel that way each and every time she's somehow landed in her body in those visions. but still, she also does think that the traveler should be commended for all the things she's done for teyvat.

they continue to trail after the group, lumine's gaze sliding over the monument erected for the harbingers. childe is easy to spot, his face familiar.

when they pass by the plot of land, the plaques seemingly gleaming despite the snow, lumine too looks up from the writing on it to the person leading the tour group. surprise crosses her face before confusion settles in, disbelief colouring the edges. but even before she can say anything, ajax is expressing his disbelief first.

in the end, her majesty the tsaritsa remained the only archon alive after the war with the divine, her power indomitable. and she had honoured the twins by allowing them to be interred in the same place as her harbingers. that's how generous she was for their contributions to the war. ]

Ajax ... [ her hand grabs his sleeve, shaking her head at him. ] Let's just go.

[monoceroscaeli]

No, hold on.

[He doesn't move, looking down at the plaques, reading them. They at least seemed adequate for who they were honoring, even though the tour guide was reciting what had actually happened completely wrong. It's so disrespectful, he knows, and he even debates correcting her. Sure, Childe looked up the Tsaritsa, he got that- but Ajax has no loyalty to a dead god, and it's hard to hold his tongue. Ultimately, he decides not to bring attention to themselves, because of what he wants to do next.]

Let's touch the plaques.

[Which means stepping over the chain, walking forward a few feet and kneeling down. He reaches down to take her hand, noting that if they did so now, the crowd would hide them from the tour guide.]

We have a little concealment right now. We could do it and it would be over quickly.

[traversal]

[ lumine stares at him in disbelief, somehow feeling that she's being conned again into doing illegal things. though, to be fair, at least this time around, he doesn't bother lying to her, telling his idea in a straightforward manner even if said idea will probably get them locked up for a few hours.

still, it doesn't look as if she has a choice again when he grabs her hand and tugs her toward the plot. and here she wonders if heeding aether's advice of staying in fontaine would've been a better idea ... ]

We have no idea how much time passes when those visions happen, [ she hisses at him, her gaze flickering at the babbling crowd around them. ] And the last time we saw something, we were both ...

[ deeply affected and traumatised. lumine's pretty sure aether will hear about this if this were suddenly placed on social media. ]

This is a bad idea, and you know it.

[monoceroscaeli]

Yes, but...

[He stares down at the shining plates, the sun of Snezhnaya bearing down on them. Could there be more secrets that lie here, that only they can discover? Maybe even something that might help them, against this supposed ancient grudge? He can't miss this opportunity.]

If there's anything we can glean from this that might help us, it will be well worth the risk.

[He's determined, he won't take no for an answer. It is a bad idea. She's right. But they have to.]

They're right there. We saw what put them here...surely there's something their lives can tell us about this.

[He pulls lightly on her hand, as he double checks to make sure the tour guide wasn't looking, stepping over the chain. He's going.]

[traversal]

[ when she sees him step over the chain, lumine knows she's doomed. they're doomed. no other choice but to see this through. she can probably tug her hand out of his grasp and pretend she doesn't know him, but then she also wants to know what happened after everything.

who put the traveler and her brother there, anyway? is this something she wished for, to be buried with childe? ]

If we get arrested—If I get arrested, Aether's never going to forgive you.

[ she sighs under her breath, carefully stepping over the chain, and makes terrible peace with herself. she hopes aether doesn't find out about this. she hopes her brother won't be too nosy for one. ]

We'll touch it for a second, okay? Just one second. If nothing happens, we're leaving.

[monoceroscaeli]

Deal.

[If he gets Lumine arrested, he swears somehow he'd make it up to the both of them for this mess. Ajax takes a deep breath, and moves forward towards where their counterparts lie. It takes them a matter of seconds to get to the plaques, and Ajax kneels down to touch the one that belongs to Childe. Lumine's plaque is next to it, and the moment that she touches hers, the world around them seems to spin. The cemetery melts away, only to be replaced with a realm he doesn't recognize.

The landscape before them doesn't appear to sport much vegetation, the air having a coolness to it that wasn't as cold as Snezhnaya, but not hot like Liyue or Natlan. A gentle breeze makes the grass and flowers they stand upon sway back and forth, and when his vision focuses he realizes they're on an outcropping overlooking a vast ocean, the sun setting in the distance, giving the entire setting a warm, orange glow.

Two figures sit in front of them on the edge, enjoying the view, when they both turn their heads in unison to see who their visitors were. Ajax realizes that he's not inhabiting the Harbinger's body again this time- instead, they'd be spectators, like they had been at the bank.

But his jaw drops when the gears start turning in his head. They can see them.

Childe and Lumine both stand up, to walk over to their modern counterparts. Childe's eyes widen, before he breaks into a grin.

Hey. Didn't think anyone was ever going to show up. You kept us waiting a long time, you know.]

[traversal]

[ lumine closes her eyes when she crouches down to touch the plaque, wishing and praying to every deity that could hear her to let nothing happen. they really don't need to see a vision, don't need to something that would make them look like a freak to everyone watching. but clearly, no one's listening to her prayers when everything melts away again.

but it's different this time around, for once not inhabiting her counterpart's body. instead, she finds herself staring at the other lumine who seems rather pleased to see her, a smile tugging at her lips and a chuckle bubbling out of her throat.

well, your other self did take a while to find her. not too motivated to find me again, were you? i should've known.

when her counterpart reaches out to touch her, lumine flinches and takes a step back, uncertain as to what she'll do. i'm sorry, i didn't mean to frighten you. i'm just very glad to see you. ]

[monoceroscaeli]

[Ajax's eyes dart between the two ancient warriors, bewildered that this was happening. This wasn't what he'd expected at all, and it's hard to get himself together enough to speak at first. Childe seems to sense this, clapping a hand on his shoulder. His hand felt real, with weight to it, but at the same time he knows there's no way that could be true.

Don't mind Lumine too much. Don't worry, she doesn't bite- she just likes to sass me every chance she gets. But, since you're both here, that means you've already started your journey, isn't it? To think that...hm, well, I shouldn't say too much. I guess you both have a lot of questions, haha.]

Yes, [Ajax replies tentatively,] I wanted to know who exactly has a supposed ancient grudge against us. We saw...ah.

[It's hard to say, but Childe finishes it for him.

Our deaths? We know. There's no need to be so hesitant about this.

Ajax looks at the ground, those words stinging somewhere deep inside him before taking a deep breath.]

Who was that god, exactly? And is there a way that they're still around?

[traversal]

[ the other lumine glances at childe at that question, letting out a sigh under her breath. her expression looks pensive, disconcerted. like this is not the life she'd imagined for her modern counterpart to be in. and truly, lumine can sense tendrils of feelings from her, her anguish buried deep but still there.

many of the gods perished during the war with the divine a thousand years ago, but as you both know, the power of gods will always remain, always linger.

this is what zhongli had told her as well, the tone of the man teaching but at the same time warning her. does he know something? it doesn't seem like he does, but everything he's told her so far holds water better than any history book she's ever read.

there are still forces who wish to restore the old ways, the rule of celestia over teyvat, and take vengeance on those involved in the past. so be careful. especially you.

lumine looks up at her counterpart, meeting her equally golden eyes. ]

I ... [ i realise you've been very reluctant to be involved in this since the beginning, and i wish i can spare you from this heartache. ] ... Thanks.

[monoceroscaeli]

[He hears her words, these are the same as when Lumine was yelling at him back at the firing range. His eyes soften with sadness, that his Lumine was truly in danger, even now, due to the actions of the past. He stares at her for a moment, thinking on what to do, how to protect her, how he can best be ready for any battle at any time. Was it his fault this all came crashing down on their heads? Or was it as he thought before, inevitable whether they explored this or not?

Childe sees the concern in Ajax's eyes, nudging him and bringing his gaze back to the Harbinger. Childe says softly, whispering into his ear:

You must be ready for any challenge with your blade. It's up to you now to protect her, as I once did. You know how to use the Foul Legacy Transformation as well, yes?]

I...do, [Ajax responds, keeping his voice low as well. He'd tried it out once before coming to Snezhnaya, after feeling and learning through the vision how to use it.] That power is nothing to sneeze at. My body felt like it was going to fall apart.

[Save it for critical moments. It was hard on my body as well. Don't wear yourself out too early in the battle, or you'll see your own demise sooner than you'd expect.]

I know, I know... [He sighs. But it's now that Childe turns to face the modern Lumine, a hand on his hip and ready to talk business.

Now, you two have been visiting the statues, yes? You might want to gain her full powers if you're to survive now that Celestia has its eye on you both.]

[traversal]

[ to be honest, lumine hasn't approached any of the statues in fontaine. despite the vision they've had of the pair's deaths, a part of her still feels terribly hesitant over all of this. yes, she wants to protect aether. yes, she wants to make sure that her brother remains safe and sound. but would pursuing this really protect him? would regaining her predecessor's powers be enough to pave a life for her and her twin?

or would they both have to make the necessary sacrifice in the end again? as their counterparts once did a thousand years ago. and ajax ...

let the boys do what they need to do, the other lumine tells her gently, a smile on her lips once more. i know childe and ajax seem very unreliable at times, but they'll pull through, don't worry. ]

He didn't exactly pull through last time ... [ no offence, seeing that he died and they even saw his plaque in the cemetery. her counterpart laughs softly, patting childe's arm.

i never said he's not an idiot. ]

... My brother doesn't know anything about this. [ she can see the expression on the other lumine's face. understands the kind of misery that settles inside of her when she recalls aether's death. ] I've never told him about what's going on.

[monoceroscaeli]

[Hey, I got a very vital blow in because of that! If it weren't for the abyssal energy I sent through that god to weaken it, who knows what the end result might of been.

Childe frowns at being called an idiot, but he's been called an idiot so many times before. Ajax only throws his hand behind his head, because he's got a feeling Lumine is going to call him an idiot a lot in the future too...

Anyway, it might be difficult for Aether to swallow, Childe offers, realizing how crazy it probably was for people experiencing visions and speaking with their past selves, despite the fact that they may not of realized that fact yet.

And, the more he knows, the more danger he might be in. Celestia getting more information on the two of you only benefits your enemy, so it may be for the best to keep him in the dark.]

Plus, you know he'd lose his mind if he knew. He's not even taking you being with me very well, let alone accepting the knowledge that an ancient god wants to exercise its wrath on us.

[They both fold their arms over their chest at the same time, not even realizing it.]

[traversal]

[ they're both so similar, lumine thinks as she watches their gestures. their expressions, the way they move—everything about them is just similar, almost identical. it's unnerving, really, watching them side by side like this. not even she and aether are this similar, even as nearly identical twins.

at ajax's remark, however, she turns to him, a look of disbelief once more dawning on her face. she realises that perhaps they're getting a little too comfortable with their counterparts around, but what. what. ]

I'm not with you, [ she can't help but say, the other lumine looking in surprise at her assertion. ] Just because you slept over for a night ...

[ her counterpart doesn't say anything for one long moment, her bright golden eyes flickering over at childe. there's a playful smile on her lips, almost amused by this sudden revelation. it seems like their modern selves aren't too different from them.

not a very good role model in bed for ajax? ]

[monoceroscaeli]

[Both of their eyes widen, though for different reasons, and they both begin to protest at the same time, their voices overlapping-]

Wait a second, that's not what-

[What is that supposed to mean? Are-]

-I meant, what I meant to say was-

[-you trying to pick a fight with me, comrade? I'll-]

-that you were with me in Snezhnaya-

[-gladly fight you here and now, I've been itching for a fight-!]

-and that he made a fuss about it-!

[They both stop, their faces a little red, clearly a little flustered by the girls.]

[traversal]

[ both lumines roll their eyes, though only one is quite amused by this sudden turn in their conversation. it's also the same lumine that reaches out to childe, pressing a small hand against his cheek with a quiet chuckle the same way one would try to pet a ruffled, aggravated cat, the gesture an attempt to soothe him. she knows she'll have to pay for that later on.

now, now. i'll fight you later when we're alone again.

she turns back to lumine, just as she ignores ajax's whining. he can say whatever he wants; the mere fact he's stumbling over his words only means he's been caught redhanded with his freudian slip. what an idiot.

joking aside, you two should look after each other. that's the only way you'll overcome this. ]

I'll protect Aether too, don't worry. [ her counterpart gives her a grateful but sad smile, nodding slightly. ] I promise.

[monoceroscaeli]

[Childe presses his cheek into her palm, still looking mildly annoyed but accepting that she'd fight him later. It's mostly what he thinks about anyway, and he loves sparring with her any chance he can get. There's a part of Ajax that longs for his Lumine to do the same, but he has to shake those feelings off. He's still unsure about his own heart at the moment, though being with Lumine felt right, and he'd even kissed her goodbye on a whim before he'd left their apartment.]

Childe, I need to ask you something, about my weapons.

[It's a little specific to him, but it's always bothered him. He summons a blade, one that looks exactly the same as the Harbinger's.]

Usually our blades manifest in a way that is indicative of the weapons we've trained with- but I've never seen this design anywhere. And, it's always been this way as long as I remember, even before I ever truly learned swordplay. Do you know what it is?

[Childe looks down at the hydro blade, impressed how it's an exact copy of his own.

It was a design I worked with when I fell into an ancient world long ago. Those were the weapons they used. I tweaked it a little to fit my own preferences, once I received my vision. It's the same place where I learned the Foul Legacy Transformation. So, all of that power is yours to use.]

I see...I'd assumed that it might of been something that only Harbingers were allowed usage of, but it seems my theory was way off. Though, now that I think about it, that monument we saw had the woman using a catalyst, right?

[He looks over to Lumine, to verify. He's pretty sure he saw a 'floating' weapon near her on it.]

[traversal]

[ while the two boys are busy with their talk about weapons and powers, something that the old lumine has gotten tired of after years of traveling across teyvat, she turns to her modern self with another smile. the current lumine wishes to ask her so many things, wants to voice out so many complaints—not just about the events in the past, but also about childe.

despite her words earlier, she still can't push away the feeling that what happened to them a week ago was just ... normal. it was special, yes, but for a much different reason. it felt more like a reunion, like a moment when they're finally together once more.

the past lumine simply gives her a questioning look, as if prompting her to ask, before even before she could, ajax is addressing her. with an inward sigh, she tries her best to figure out what they're talking about. ]

... Oh, yeah. [ the monument. the lady standing next to him, along with the other, shorter guy. ] Your Harbinger friends, one of them had a catalyst next to her.

[ harbinger friends ... woman ... her counterpart glances at childe once more, letting out another laugh. you mean, signora? childe's best friend. ]