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

[After taking a quick look behind them, he does slow, his heart beating quicker than he'd imagined in the wake of being caught on top of the graves and leaving before they could suffer any consequences. Though, those certainly aren't the only reasons, and he finds himself catching his breath.]

Sorry. I wasn't sure what to expect, so I figured leaving before anyone had the chance to chase us was the best option.

[He can already see his car, taking his keys out of his coat pocket and unlocking it for them. He squeezes her hand once before he lets go of it, opening the door and sliding into the driver's seat, letting his head fall back against the head rest. He looks over to her, feeling the adrenaline finally starting to wane in his system, and smiles- what a ride.]

There's never a dull moment, is there, hahaha. I feel like I could sleep the rest of the day now.

[His hand comes up to rest on his chest. Is that where Childe was now, inside of him, right there?]

[ never a dull moment is the biggest understatement of the year. lumine has yet to catch any kind of break since meeting ajax some time ago, which is honestly terrible for her mental and emotional health. everything is in complete turmoil and nothing had calmed down since—at least not until after a moment ago when they've both personally met lumine and childe ... and things seem to just. settle.

right, settle. that's the best word she could describe it, she thinks as she slips into the passenger seat. as if the storm inside of her had finally left and she's left to pick up the pieces. either that, or it's just the eye and she's about to experience the worst afterward. ]

How about we grab something for lunch? And then, you can take a nap after.

[ lumine's exhausted too, for some reason. but as much as she wants to sleep, her mind is on overdrive on everything that's just been revealed to them. she doesn't if she'd even be able to fall asleep. ]

Any recommendations?

Too many to list off.

[He takes his phone out of his pocket, tapping on it a few times to bring up a menu to some inazuman restaurant in the area. It has a variety of choices, and he's craving some ramen himself.]

Here. [He hands her his phone, so she can choose what she wants.] Let's just pick it up and go back to my residence here in the city. Usually, I'd love to sit in, but today...I think I want a little peace and quiet for at least a few hours instead of being out in the hustle and bustle of the Snezhnayan capitol.

[Ajax lets his eyes close for a second, still looking inward. Maybe talking about it at home would allow him to sort through his feelings, and this strange feeling of having this new cornerstone set into his foundation. They'd work through it.]

Plus, I might have to put that nap off. I think we have a lot to discuss, wouldn't you say?

[ lumine blinks when he suddenly hands over his phone, scrolling through the list of restaurants, all of which are inazuman cuisine. not that she's complaining, but she just assumes that he's in the mood of this. so fine, she may be tired and in need of peace and quiet herself that she'll take that as an excuse.

when she makes her own decision, selecting a sandwich instead of something more filling, she returns the phone back to him. ]

Do we have to talk about it?

[ it's probably for the best if they would, if only because it would affect deeply one way or another. with both lumine and childe gone, what are they supposed to do? ]

... It's not like they explained a lot, either. So we're really down to speculations here.

[He quickly orders their food, setting his phone into the holder to hook it up to the car, and they take off.]

No, not right now. I'm still processing a lot of it myself.

[The ancient past was something they could learn lessons from, but his concern isn't so much speculation as it is action. Pulling onto the freeway, he speeds up, letting the mechanical feel of the car give him some kind of grounding in reality. It would be too easy to let his mind drift off to the sights and sounds of a younger Teyvat.]

But we should, and moreso because we need talk about what to do next. Preferably sooner rather than later.

[ lumine says nothing more to that, leaning her head against the window and letting her gaze slide across the scenery outside as they drive towards the restaurant.

did she think coming here would give her some kind of closure to whatever is happening to them? she hoped it would. but really, all it did is surface more questions with the answers to them possibly gone or forever lost. it didn't seem like their counterparts were, in any way, interested in clarifying everything else to them.

she does wonder, though, if that's how she sounds when she's deflecting questions. ]

We go to the statues, get Lumine's power, use myself as bait to lure the person who wants something from us ...

[ unless he has other plans, she can't see any other way to get this sorted out. ]

[He turns his head over towards her for a second, eyebrows furrowed with concern, before returning his eyes back to the road.]

That's one plan. But they might already have other plans. It's been a while since they gave you the jump- who's to say there isn't another one in the works.

[He doesn't want to say it might in involve Aether. Ajax would largely prefer that it was him instead. Then he would have the chance to rip them apart before they could touch either of the twins.]

But, going to the statues seems to be what Childe indicated we should do.

[He looks over again, breathing out sharply- but what did she think of this?]

Are you okay with this? Listen, I know before, I was...driven, let's say, to explore this. However, things have really taken a large turn with the confirmation that we may truly be the target of gods.

[ lumine glances at him, meeting his eyes for a brief moment, before she looks out the window once more. ]

Do I have a choice not to be okay with it?

[ she was never okay with it since day one. had always been against it, had always been reluctant to pursue it. if she could, she would've found a way to circumvent it and put it out of her life for good. but it's like what the other lumine had said. if she could be spared from it, then it would've been done since day one. but it's clear that she's stuck with this until the end.

and now that they're gone, it feels like even more of a responsibility to see it through. ]

I have to protect Aether. Not just because I promised the other Lumine that I will, but because he's my brother.

[ and he's the one person who's most vulnerable here. ]

[He understands the sentiment- he'd do the exact same thing if it were him. No matter the danger, Ajax would protect the ones he loves too, so he silently nods, jaw setting.]

I'll get you to the statues then. Guess there's nothing else to do but get stronger, haha.

[He grins, and the thought that comes to his mind is exciting, maybe more than it would have been before they'd traveled to Snezhnaya.]

Mind being my sparring partner? I wouldn't mind going a few rounds against someone who can wield multiple elements. If you don't know how to fight, I'd gladly teach you.

[ lumine frowns and wrinkles at that question and suggestion.

does she look like she can fight? honestly, of all the people he wants to spar with, it's her whose only fighting skills depend on whatever self-defence techniques she's managed to see or learn. it's not extensive. if anything, the most extensive class she's received about fighting is shooting a gun. ]

Is it going to eat up my time for work?

[ also, how will she explain to aether that she's training to fight some god? her brother would definitely think she's making excuses just to spend time with ajax because of how crazy that reasoning is. ]

[He hopes that's a sign that she's more willing to learn more defense techniques. It was understandable how hesitant she was to have a gun, it came with a bad image after all. So this is a better start, he thinks. This is something she knows, using the elements, even if she's not terrible familiar with hand to hand combat.]

No. That would be a little suspicious if you suddenly have to leave work early a few times a week. Though I'm not sure how long you'll be able to hide going out.

[There's a hint of amusement to his voice, thinking the exact same as her. Aether will no doubt find out, and Ajax can't think of a good excuse for her. He doesn't know why, but the idea of Aether being upset about it makes him laugh inwardly.]

I'm guessing Aether isn't allowed to train with us, is he?

[ just because she's asking if it'll cut into her work hours doesn't mean it's an outright yes. just like her counterpart, she's just as effective when it comes to deflecting questions she doesn't want to answer just yet. ]

Why don't you invite my brother to train with you? If I'm around, he'll have a lot of questions about why I'm even there.

[ when it's not her job to be trained to fight, when aether has always ensured that she's well-protected by various means. if there's anyone who would be interested in trying to protect her rather than the other way around, it's aether. besides, lumine has no intention of giving her brother any reason to pry into this god business any further than necessary. ]

He'll see my presence as a reason to hang around with you.

I could tell him that we have a lead, and that I'm concerned that my men alone may not be sufficient.

[It's not a lie. He'd rather tell Aether something closer to the truth than anything else.]

And, well, it's not like anyone wants to stop living their lives and cower in fear. Plus, you both have visions- that puts you both a step up from everyone else. And...I'm worried about him too. I don't want something to happen to him.

[Aether is his friend. He wouldn't be able to forgive himself if something happened to him. He'd promised he'd make sure they were both safe, and he'd fulfill that promise by any means necessary. His eyes narrow as they arrive at the restaurant, and he parks to run in quickly.]

Think about it, okay? We have a little time. You don't need to tell me no immediately. I'll be right back.

[ she watches him sprint into the restaurant to pick up their order, pulling out her phone to send a message to her twin. one of their agreements is to regularly keep him updated of where she is, if only because her brother is a paranoid baby. even after reassuring him multiple times that sleeping with ajax is a one time thing, he's of course not buying it.

calm down, aether. i did check into the hotel. left my stuff there, so i'm going back later.

lumine honestly wonders if ajax will be able to convince her twin about training with them. if he gives him a few months to cool down, maybe. without calling or coming to see her, then he might just get back to her brother's good graces.

might is the operative word right there, of course.

in any case, she doesn't think she has any choice but learn how to fight, she muses as she tries to imagine a tiny vortex in her palm. the other lumine was capable of fighting, and that seems to be expected of her. how frustrating. ]

[He's back quickly, sliding into the car and pulling off towards the private residence he has in Snezhnaya. The penthouse is nice but not too extravagant- Ajax doesn't need nor want for outrageous luxuries, but does have a few nice things that normal people couldn't afford.

During lunch he suggests visiting the statue in town quickly before heading off to his brother's, and after they've finished their lunch, they both head towards it. Ajax drives downtown, making a quick phone call on the way there that sounds like he's setting something up specifically for this small trip they're taking, looking satisfied when he hangs up.

It's not long before they arrive, tugging his coat a little tighter around him as they approach the entrance to the long, weekend lines to see the Statue of the Seven.]

Ah, it's been years since I've been here. Still the same amount of people waiting in line, too. Are you nervous?

[ he can't ... be serious about doing this right now, right?

lumine's gaze flickers all around them, her expression twisting with every person she manages to mentally count. there are too many people here, too many eyes. with their current circumstances, the last thing she wants is for someone to notice or see what's going on and recognise them. as far as plans go, this is one of ajax's worst. ]

I wouldn't say nervous ... [ she steps closer to him, bowing her head just a little. ] But this is too conspicuous, Ajax.

[ she's used to people, sure. and it's not like the conferences she's been to have less participants in it. lumine supposes that she's just a little more wary than usual, ever since meeting their counterparts. ]

Should we just come back when there's fewer tourists?

I don't know if it's going to be any less busy later. I had to call someone on the way here just so we could get in.

[He waves his phone in front of him, before slipping it into his pants pocket.]

Booking slots are sold out at least a few weeks in advance, but I managed to get someone to give us some express tickets so we don't have to wait. Windrise is a little further out from Mondstadt, and it was later at night, so we lucked out there. But this statue...it lies in the heart of the capitol, and has always been a favorite of tourists to visit.

[He gestures towards the express line, walking towards it. There is a significant amount of people there too, but it's far less than the normal line.]

Besides, I've got a plan.

[ every time ajax says he has a plan, lumine wants to give up on life. if only because his plans have gotten them in trouble more than once, and she's really hoping for something peaceful and less stressful after that entire conversation with their past counterparts. maybe they should've thought this through; after all, there has to be more statues around snezhnaya, right?

she opens her mouth to protest, only to stop herself, shifting closer to him and slipping her hand around his arm. her attention has been caught elsewhere, her wary gaze roaming around. ]

Someone tried to hold my hand.

[ and lumine can't tell if it's just some random tourist trying to make advances, a kid mistaking her for their parent, or someone dangerous. really, she's started to feel like all of the lines around her have blurred and she has to suspect everything and everyone. ]

Are you sure this is the best place we can go to?

[The way she slips her hand around his arm gets him to perk his attention up around them- that wasn't a gesture of wanting to be close, but that of alertness. He doesn't see anyone suspicious, but those kinds are always good at hiding themselves. As they get in line, he pulls her into the large cloak-like jacket he has, wrapping one part of it around her.]

We blend in the easiest here. Less tourists means more of a chance for someone to get a good look at you. Here, we're just another face in the sea of the crowd.

[The express line goes pretty quickly, moving their way up the line. There's a couple behind them too, and that works out perfectly for what he had in mind. He leans down to speak quietly into the shell of her ear.]

We won't go up to the statue alone. It'll be hard to discern why or who is causing the statue to act up, and we'll be out of there before anyone is the wiser.

[ lumine's still looking around when ajax pulls her closer, and she almost stumbles into him, wincing when she sits her forehead against his chest. honestly, he couldn't do this a little less awkward for the both of them? though, she supposes that this somewhat works in keeping a bubble around them.

... but this can't be his plan, can he?? ]

Are you serious? [ lumine turns to him with an exasperated look, hissing back at him. she can tell that the couple behind them looks surprised when she does so, though they just shrug it off.

lovers quarrel, or whatever. ] We're stepping up to the statue with someone else? It'll light up like a tree on during the holidays.

I know.

[He only grins widely back at her, rocking her back and forth playfully as to not make themselves look too unapproachable to the couple behind them. He has to talk to them after all, and it won't work if they think they're just weirdos that they need to stay away from.]

But it'll be far too obvious if we're the only ones up there, right? So better to get a few more so no one knows who to suspect as the cause for the scene. Blend into the crowd, Lumine. That's the plan. Believe it or not, I'm trying to not bring attention to ourselves.

[He can see why she'd be apprehensive, but he's sure if they use the crowd as camouflage, they'd be fine. He's even thinking about asking the few people even behind them to come up with them.]

[ she stares at him for a moment longer before she huffs, turning back to the line and the statue several feet in front of them. it does make sense to try and blend in this crowd right here; with so much people, they'll barely get a second glance. but she doubts that that'll happen when the statue lights up.

at the very least, his coat is warm. even with her own jacket on, the snezhnayan weather is proving to be a handful, her cheeks already stinging from the cold wind. the sooner they get this done, the sooner they can return to his car. ]

You realise that the other people who will step up to the statue might think of us as suspicious, right? When they notice something's wrong.

[ lumine's not being pessimistic, but in the event that this doesn't work, they have to figure out how to avoid getting all the attention to themselves. ]

Not if they all touch it at the same time.

[There's a glimmer of mischievousness in his eyes, already forming a tale in his head to tell to get everyone to do what he wants. It should be easy, because after all, legends do surround the statues and the gods.

And people do like myths and legends, after all.]

A little white lie won't hurt anyone. The people of Teyvat have lived their whole lives immersed in the stories that surround each nation, rich with culture, religion and superstition too. It shouldn't be hard to convince them that something might happen if we follow one of these said legends.

[ so that's it, then. that's his plan: to get other people to touch the statue at the same time as they do by concocting some weirdass story about it. she supposes that that might work, only if the crowd would even believe him. he needs to be convincing if he wants this to work at all.

lumine sighs under her breath. she needs to start charging ajax for every sigh she sighs because this is getting ridiculous. ]

Fine, [ she huffs, tugging the cloak around her closer. it's a little warmer now with the crowd around them, but it's still colder than what she would've liked. ] Let's see how this harebrained plan would pan out, then.

[ her responsibility, at least, is to figure out an escape route for them. if not them, then her at least, since she's pretty sure ajax can handle himself. ]

[Looking down on the top of her head, he just grins. He's not surprised that she's not happy with this plan. If anything, he's banking on security trying to get people away from the statue at the worst- including them. Strange reactions are something no one's seen save for the people at Windblume, and somehow he managed to get them out of there before anything else went down.

But he won't say that out loud, because that would certainly get her worked up about it. And she's already exasperated with him.]

Oh, don't make such a huffy scene, you're scaring everyone around you. We need them to work with us, haha.

[There's a teasing lilt to his voice, whether she is actually making a scene is up to the people around them if they are paying attention to them at all. But it's quickly replaced with something more earnest, to reassure, even if he hasn't done a great job of being reassuring about anything to this point.]

Really, though- don't worry. It'll work out. I promise.

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