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

[ he's shameless, that much she knows. and his shamelessness has no boundaries, nothing.

lumine huffs when he finally sets her down, walking towards one of the stalls where she's left her belongings. she would've left it someplace that can be locked, but she doesn't think this place would rummage through her clothes, go through her things. if someone did, she could always tell ajax. ]

Why? Are you going to help me get dressed?

[ her skirt is where she left it on a chair inside the stall, neatly folded along with her blouse. lumine starts with the safety pin on the shorts, unclasping and setting it aside, before shimmying out of the pair. ]

You've really lost your mind, haven't you?

[He's already started to walk out of the dressing room, never intending on staying in there at all. He hears her complain at him, but doesn't respond, laughing to himself. Ajax finds her irritation endearing, but he won't be that disrespectful.

He slips out of the women's changing room silently, back into the men's to clean himself up a bit after getting slammed into a wall by her powers. He just chuckles to himself the whole time. He doesn't know how she'll react to him leaving her in there alone.

He emerges not too long after, back in the suit he'd worn there, shirt unbuttoned as usual.]

[ wow, leaving her alone to rant!!

and lumine only realises this when silence pretty much acknowledges all her ramblings, her head peering out of the curtain to find him gone. her expression twists, lips pursing in annoyance. though, to be fair, at least he's gone and she can change in peace.

she also emerges a few minutes later, properly dressed as she was prior to arriving save for the ribbon she's fiddling with under her collar. ]

Glad to know you still have some common sense left in you, [ she mutters at him, handing back his shorts while pushing away other, griping thoughts from her mind. ] I almost had to dial the nearest mental institute to have you picked up.

Edited 2022-06-11 02:41 (UTC)

[Taking the shorts back and putting them into his bag with the rest of his clothes, he only smiles back at her with amusement.]

There'll be no need for that. I already told you, you didn't quite do enough to put me in an institute, haha.

[But he's ready to go. Ajax steps off to head out of the corridor and towards the stairwell leading upstairs, holding the door open for her to head out of the building and out to their cars.]

Though, I must say, you really did impress me today. I know that this is all new and uncomfortable, to say the least. But, I think today went well, you know? Failure to make me seek mental services aside.

[ lumine goes through her messages as they exit the building, sending a text to aether that she's on her way back. the only problem she'll have to deal with is the fact that her excuse was eating out with friends and returning home hungry. still, that's easier to deal with than her twin finding out she's in a suspicious building with ajax. ]

Mm, I'll see you in a couple of weeks, then, [ she tells him, finally glancing up from her phone. ] Aether's going back to Inazuma next week and I've decided to join him.

[ her brother would've preferred her to stay behind, but she promised that she'll join him so they can spend more time together. she has a feeling aether's acting out because she's been spending less time with him ... even if he's the one who's always busy.

in any case, she walks around the driver's side of her car. ]

I'll text you again when we're back.

[Nodding, he unlocks his own car, understanding well what she'd also be doing there. That was a good plan, one where she can continue to visit statues and keep her brother satiated.]

Alright, I'll look forward to it. Not the being electrocuted part, of course, but the rest of it.

[He only laughs, he'll be okay even if she does electrocute him. Thank the archons he has an electro delusion, he'd be in a world of trouble otherwise...if today was any indication.]

Have a safe trip, Lumine. If you run into any problems, let me know.

[ the only problem she so far runs into is the amount of work she needs to bring to inazuma. staying there for an entire week is very unhelpful, truth be told, but lumine's resolved to accompany aether until their return to fontaine. it's not impossible, just a lot of arrangement and organisation, especially with her assistant.

she sits on her haunches in the middle of their living room, zipping up the last of her suitcase for their flight the next day. aether, on the other hand, still has his laptop on the coffee table, paperwork scattered next to it. lumine's about to clean it all up when she hears a muffled noise from the sofa. ]

Ae! [ she calls out to him, sticking her hands underneath the sofa cushions. ] Aether, your phone is ringing!

[ and is stuck right underneath the back cushion, vibrating like crazy. her brother emerges from the kitchen, a cup of coffee in his hand, when she finally pulls it out. she frowns at the screen.

who is it? ]

It's Ajax ...

[ aether mirrors her frown as she passes the phone over. lumine shrugs at him, turning back to cleaning up, before he accepts the call. ]

[He hopes Aether doesn't ignore his call. He's thankful he picks up, sounding relieved at first, but his tone turns very serious.]

Hey, Aether. I've got to talk to you about something really important. If Lumine is there, you can put it on speakerphone. It pertains to both of you.

[He takes a deep breath. He knows the news isn't good, he doesn't want to ruin this trip but he needs to tell them both.]

We got a tip on the goons that jumped Lumine the other night.

[ ajax, can we—

for a moment, lumine moves away from her brother, not wanting to hear whatever conversation they're about to have. she hasn't spoken to aether about him since snezhnaya, unwilling to traverse that landmine of a conversation. but she wonders if this call is finally that talk she's pushing the both of them to have, because if it is? it's just ... terrible timing, considering they're leaving the next day.

lu, c'mere for a sec, please.

still, she looks up from sorting out her things when aether calls her, a grim expression on his face. that looks very concerning, and she hopes ajax isn't being a dick right now. ]

What is it? [ he holds the phone out to her, the call placed on speaker, as she walks over to him. ] What's wrong?

[ i think this is something you need to hear, too. go on, ajax. ]

Thanks, Aether.

[He runs his hand through his hair. How to approach this...he doesn't want to scare them half to death, but the reality is that he doesn't know any other way to put it.]

Apparently our friends have been doing a bit of work on their end. From what I understand, there's an operation of theirs in Inazuma City that's been ramping up for some time now. What the details of that are, I'm not sure. What I do know is that they've been keeping tabs on you two.

[He sighs, trying to keep all his thoughts together. Their trip, the operation in the capitol of the island nation...are these things coincidental?]

I'm...concerned, to say the least, [he says, trying to comprehend the scale of this.] Seems they've got someone important that's just left Fontaine to head out to Inazuma as well. That was a few days ago. Seems a little too well-timed, don't you think?

[ aether's expression slowly gets darker and darker with every sentence, lumine pressing her lips together. if ajax was simply making excuses to tag along with them as aether did with their trip to snezhnaya, this wasn't that, especially considering the kind of danger they've found themselves in. she looks up from the phone, meeting her twin brother's gaze.

maybe you should stay in fontaine, lu. it would be safer here. ]

No, are you kidding me? If you're going, then so am I, Aether. They might come after you, too.

[ no, not might. they will come for her brother as they did with her. she doesn't think it's a good idea for the both of them to be apart. and it isn't as if her brother can simply cancel everything he needs to do there, either.

lumine, don't be stubborn— ]

I don't want to hear that from you, of all people. [ she shakes her head firmly, sending him a flat look. nope, he's not doing this to her. ] ... Anyway, we'll lay low in Inazuma, Ajax. Thanks for letting us know.

Of course.

[But he's not done speaking, because like hell he's letting them go to Inazuma by themselves. He can't imagine the trouble that they could get into, not because they were looking for it, but because it might be looking for them. He doesn't think Aether will like this, but...]

Aether, I have to agree with Lumine on this one. If they're keeping tabs on both of you, if they know one shows up in Inazuma, they know the other is alone in Fontaine. It would be simple for them to snap one of you right up. And if you're both together, it'll be easier for me to make sure that doesn't happen.

[He's bracing for objections to that. Not that they can stop him from coming with them.]

I hope you don't mind. I'd like to personally see what I can find there as well.

[On the surface, for Aether, he hopes it sounds like Ajax just doing what he does best for the family business- take their enemies out. But deep down, there's a part of him that's terrified. This important person might be one of their true enemies. But another part of him is excited, to see if he can find them and take them on. Conflicting emotions, ones he's trying to keep from showing to the twins right now.]

[ lumine almost—almost—walks away from the conversation when she hears that, pausing mid-turn and looking directly at aether. her brother is thankfully looking back at his phone, his expression a mixture of concern, exasperation and disbelief. yep, that's definitely disbelief on aether's face, no doubt from ajax's implied plan.

you can't be serious, man. you can just some of the guys over. don't you have work to do?

... aah, she can already tell what aether's thinking. she's very positive with what aether's thinking, especially when her twin suddenly looks up and turns to her, his golden eyes narrowing. ]

Look, Ae, I have nothing to do with this. Ajax and I haven't spoken in a while now.

[ a week, maybe? less ... but it's still technically "a while" so she's not lying. also! she didn't think he'd actually try to tag along. ]

But you two should really talk this out. I need to finish packing.

Do you think I'd call you about this if I wasn't deadly serious, Aether?

[It doesn't matter what Lumine does now, she knows and that's all he really needed her to hear. Focusing his attention on her brother now, he will do his best to keep his voice calm and measured for this, but even he can admit how deeply frustrating this is to have to deal with Aether's overprotective nature here.]

Do you really think that I'd trust this to someone else after someone almost cut her throat? This is part of my work. And I am concerned for both of you. Take this situation seriously. This goes far beyond whatever reservations you have about me. This is your lives we're talking about.

[There's a heavy sigh on his end of the line, a little frustrated because he's just not in the mood to deal with this obstacle right now.]

[ lumine can feel aether's eyes boring on the back of her head as she turns back towards their things, her hands busily packing up his own stuff. it's not that she doesn't understand aether's suspicion; he has every right to be after what he's witnessed lately. but he's being unreasonable at the moment, especially given the circumstances.

then again, she does admit that she hasn't told aether the entirety of the issue. but what are the chances of her twin thinking that this is ajax's fault anyway? a little over 50, she thinks.

... fine, but this better not be some harebrained plan, ajax.

who's to say this isn't? the fact that ajax is tagging along means he has something in mind, and it's no doubt going to be stupid again. she's started to see his m.o. after liyue and snezhnaya. still, lumine says nothing, pretending to be busy.

i can send you our itinerary if you need it. don't tell me you're the only one showing up to protect her?

aah, aether. ]

You should email it to me. I want to make sure friendly eyes are on you both at all times. To your point, of course no- it's not going to just be me.

[It's a valid question. He definitely doesn't fault Aether for being concerned either. His hand goes through his hair again, thinking. Was there anything he missed? He doesn't think so, and Aether has at least agreed to this although hesitantly. It's fine. That's all he really wanted.]

I'll meet up with the two of you at your hotel. I won't be able to stick around too long, but I do want to know where your movements will be while I try to track down our foes.

[He lets out an exasperated breath.]

Thanks for working with me on this. It should only be a matter of time now before I can take care of this problem for good.

[It's...a half truth. A matter of time might be longer than he'd like, and he's certain it most likely will be. But this might be the light at the end of the tunnel, albeit far away. Or it might be the start of something even worse than he expected.]

[ mm, i'll send it to you tonight. we'll see you, ajax.

the grim expression on aether's face is telling enough that he's not very happy about this. not just with the issue with ajax but this entire problem with the people out to get them. all lumine can do is rub his arm reassuringly and press her forehead against his shoulder, whispering soothing words to drown out his apologies.

there's nothing he should be sorry about. not about his friendship with ajax, not about the project he's personally done.

truth be told, she feels bad for her twin and perhaps she should be more honest about their situation. but wouldn't that endanger him more? aether may have a vision, but he's just as helpless as she was before she started regaining her counterpart's powers. and as aether had once saved her a thousand years ago, it's her turn to do so. ]

I want you to protect Aether personally. Promise me he'll be safe with you.

[ she won't accept anything less from ajax. ]

It's easy to tell that you two are twins. He expects the same of me, but for you.

[It's hard to keep the sinking feeling of something going wrong off of his face. He's thankful that she's texting him, rather than asking this of him in person- they don't know enough about the problem here, and it's not as if he can ask the twins not to go to Inazuma.

Now that they've learned that their enemy has a presence there, they won't be leaving anytime soon. And Lumine needs to go there to resonate with the statue.]

I'm going to do everything I can, for you both. I know that his safety means the world to you, Lumine.

[Her sword piercing Aether's body flashes in his mind, and he feels his heart drop.]

I promise.

[ omg that's not the confirmation she wants to hear! please, ajax. ]

Stay with him the entire time. I swear, Ajax. If something happens to him in Inazuma, I'm going to make sure you sit in my car with a bomb in it.

Okay, okay.

[Goodness, so violent...she'd fit right in the mafia. Maybe he'll bring it up with her later.]

He'll be safe, I promise you. But if I'm with him, that means you have to be careful too. Don't do anything brash or impulsive that might make you an easy target. And always tell me where you're going.

[ the answer is a resounding "not a chance" ]

I'm not an idiot, Ajax.

Hey, I'm just covering my bases here.

I'll see you in Inazuma.

[The country of Inazuma has always been one that stands out from the rest, with the beauty of the cherry blossom trees that spread their petals all along the still brick walkways and small streams that flow through the city. Ajax has always loved Inazuma, and the sweet scent of the various flowers that have been planted throughout are the only comfort he finds as he walks through downtown to the hotel that they had planned on staying at.

After quickly meeting with the twins, telling them that he has his own men in the city keeping watch as well, Ajax heads out for his own investigation. He won't hover over the twins, but he makes sure to check in with the frequently during their stay. It goes alright for the first part of the week, Ajax's nerves settling a little, but he's still vigilant.

It's not until he gets a somewhat alarming text from Aether where his stomach drops.]

[ the twins have been to inazuma several times already, but the scenery hasn't changed at all. constantly spring, with cherry blossom trees in bloom lining the cobblestone path—even with the modernisation of the nation, it's remained breathtaking as ever. it's one of the reasons why lumine had offered to join aether, finding the country peaceful and serene just like mondstadt.

it's been a quiet few days, aether mostly going about his business while lumine sightsees in the city, experiences the cuisines, takes a dip in the hot springs. she hasn't seen ajax since day one of their trip, but she assumes it's because of her ask and he's with him. aether, however, is the same, assuming the exact same thing as his twin sister.

which is why when lumine doesn't return to the hotel during agreed upon time for lunch, his first instinct is to text ajax. surely, his sister didn't forget their lunch date. ]

Is Lumine with you? I haven't seen her since this morning and we're supposed to have lunch together.

[ considering their current circumstances, aether's on the verge of panicking. but maybe, just maybe, lumine's caught up with ajax for some reason and forgot about him. he'll be okay if that's the case, because he knows she's with someone he can trust. ]

If she's forgotten about it because she's with you, tell her it's fine. I'll still wait for her.

[That's a little too long to be gone for.

He hasn't received any calls in regards to her whereabouts, which is now suspicious. He'd been so involved with chasing a trail to where their foes may be that he hadn't noticed the lack of communication. He's in front of Tenshukaku, grabbing a quick bite to eat at one of the street vendors when he reads the messages.]

She's not with me. I haven't gotten any calls about where she is either, and now that I think about it, that's strange. I generally get updated every few hours or so. Aether, come to Tenshukaku immediately, I don't like this.

[He can feel the anxiety rise in his chest. With being so heavily alert about this trip here, he wonders if she just ditched his men- or if they were dead. If they'd lost her, they would have called him.

Oh no...]

[ oh no. oh no oh no oh no.

the moment aether receives the text from ajax, he gets up from his seat on the cushion and leaves for tenshukaku. the fact that his sister isn't with ajax, that she's nowhere to be found is enough to throw him into panic. and if ajax that he doesn't like this, what more him? she only hopes she's safe somewhere and had managed to hide elsewhere.

aether sees ajax right away, his ginger hair standing out like a sore thumb on the balcony. his expression mirrors that of her own: disbelief, panic, fear.

what do you mean she's not with you! you're supposed to stay next to her at all times. ]

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