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

[Ajax's eyes widen with shock and then instant relief at the sight of Lumine. His mind had been racing through all possible solutions, where he always landed at she's dead, no, she's dead...

But there she is, safe and sound. No evidence of having been hurt, but his eyebrows raise when she says they need to see something. At first, he's worried that she found his men, still believing that they're dead- they still haven't contacted him. His question is careful, asking something that only Lumine would understand but that Aether shouldn't be able to pick up on.]

Lumine, is it something I need to take a look at first?

[If it's dead bodies, he doesn't want Aether to see it.]

[ her expression looks blank for a moment, though one could say it's probably confusion she's wearing. a moment later, she's pulling away from aether and shaking her head. her brother still wears a worried expression on his face, a hand placed on her shoulder as if she would disappear again. ]

No, no. I need you both to see it.

[ she takes aether's hand, giving him a slight nod and a smile. her other hand takes ajax's, tugging him gently towards her. ]

C'mon, I'll show you. It's going to be great!

[What was that?

He's sure she'd pick up on it, but she didn't...and his hand is being taken. He follows along with, unsure about this. A cold, settling feeling in the pit of his stomach gives him some pause, but then if he stops, will their secret be unveiled? He looks over to Aether, who also has his hand taken as well, as Lumine pulls them along to wherever they need to go.

This is...not right. Or is he just imagining things?]

Lumine, [he starts,] I don't want to ruin the surprise or dim the mood, but I wish you would have told me where you were going...we really were worried sick about you.

[He wants to make sure she knows how not okay he is with that.]

Edited (i didn't finish my sentence...) 2022-06-12 01:11 (UTC)

[ lumine makes no move or says nothing to acknowledge what ajax has just said, simply pulling the both of them through the streets of inazuma city. she quickly finds a pathway in the back alley of the city, leading them through the shrine and towards the edge of the area where the land meets the sea. ]

Mm, I forgot. Sorry about that, [ is all she says with a nod.

she feels aether's hand squeeze hers tightly, almost as if he's trying to get her to stop and make sense of what's happening. but once more, she says nothing, only squeezing his hand back in return. ]

Look, you two have to trust me on this. It's something I found while I was sightseeing around the island.

[Giving up that argument, since it looks like she's not going to explain, he follows along as she brings them towards the sea. The view is nice, and the ocean breeze hits his face in a way that he wishes he could of had back in Fontaine. The view never gets old, and he tries to let it calm him over the still present feeling of uneasiness he feels at the moment.

His hand in hers...it never felt so wrong before.]

Okay, but I trust that it's going to be something quite marvelous for you to drag us all the way out here.

[He teases her, because the truth is that he doesn't mind at all having her drag him anywhere.]

Though I do appreciate the view. The difference between Snezhnaya and Inazuma is vast, and this is why this country is one of my favorite vacation spots.

[ her normal reaction to that tease would've been an eyeroll or an exasperated shake of her head. but instead, she simply grins at him as he waxes poetic about inazuma. aether, on the other hand, is the one rolling his eyes, because honestly, why is ajax even included in this little excursion? why is his sister being way too friendly with him?

why not move here permanently, then?

whatever argument aether has decided to start gets momentarily cut off when lumine stops in front of a cave entrance. there were initially wooden structures outside it, but it's since rotted away with the passing of time. ]

Here we are!

[ she's quick to let go of their hands, slipping inside the cave as if it's a simple entrance to a garden or a building. her figure immediately disappears into the darkness, aether calling out after her.

lumine! ]

Hey!

[This hardly looks like something that was worth the walk over, a cave that looked like it had been used years ago but has been eroded with the passage of time. He still can't shake that feeling that something bad is going to happen, especially with her behavior. She always gives him grief. She hasn't done that once since she's appeared today.]

Aether. Be on your guard. Something's not right here.

[But they have to go in after her, Ajax won't let her get hurt. He follows in after, the darkness of the area enveloping him as he enters. The strange hallways of what looks like it might of been some kind of shrine or the like surprises him, and the boys finally make their way into a room with a large painting on the wall...that also functions like a mirror.

And thankfully, that's where they find Lumine too.]

Ah, so this is what was so special.

[He regards the large painting. It was pretty cool, he supposes.]

[ something not being right is an understatement. even aether can sense that there's something wrong with his sister, her behaviour aside. and while lumine has always been the more intrepid when they were children, it's not like her to simply go inside a strange cave alone.

in any case, he follows ajax through the passageways, wrinkling his nose at the smell of damp and decay, dust motes floating in the air. it does seem like it's a shrine of sorts, but one that's been standing here for so very long. despite that, everything seems to still be standing, untouched by time.

upon arriving in the hall, they find lumine standing next to the mirror, her reflection eerie in the dimness. there's an unreadable expression on her face as she studies it.

lu— ]

Yes, this is a very special room, [ there's a thoughtfulness to her voice as she regards both their reflections. ] And you two seem to be very special to this girl right here. How special is she to you, though?

[ lumine turns around to smile at them both, the expression very much unlike her. ] How important is she to the both of you?

[He knew it. There was something wrong, but this is far beyond what he imagined it to be. That wasn't Lumine. Whoever it was wore her face and used her voice, but it's not her. His teeth immediately clench together, mind racing to figure out what this is. Who this is.]

Who are you, and where is Lumine.

[He demands, not bothering to answer those questions. He doesn't have time for games.]

And how did you manage to create an illusion like that? A hydro vision? I've heard of those who have illusory abilities. Afraid to show your real face, impostor? If you'd like, I'll make you show us.

[His hands twitch eagerly at his sides. He's ready to leap in and fight this fake, and rip this place apart looking for Lumine.]

[ the entity seems to be very surprised at his question before a smile tugs at her lips, tilting her head to one side in curiosity. what a strange question to ask, especially when the girl right in front of them is solid, very much real and alive. her golden eyes flicker towards the brother, taking in his shocked and apprehensive expression. ]

That's funny, I thought you'd recognise her right away. She's in front of you, isn't she, in the flesh?

[ she gestures at her form, all pale skin and blonde hair. not her best form, this girl feels a little too ... fragile. easily broken if handled incorrectly. ]

I haven't changed her face at all. Though with the aggression you're now showing, perhaps I should. [ a thin blade made of hydro appears between her fingers, glinting brightly in the room. she aligns it along her jaw. ] She has such a lovely face, but it seems unappreciated.

[He glances over to Aether, to get a read on his expression. Ajax knows Lumine can use hydro, but Aether doesn't. His eyes flick back and forth between the blade in her hand, held up to her own jaw...and her brother. He doesn't understand what's happening, and he needs to figure this out and fast.]

If you were her, you'd be using cryo, not hydro. It's as I said, you're just someone working for the ones hunting us down, trying to lure us into a trap. We may be here now, but I'm not buying this sad performance.

[But at the same time, it bothers him. At the same time, he knows, deep down.

That's Lumine, at least that's her body. But who's driving it? Certainly not the past Lumine. She'd been sweet and supportive of them.]

So why don't you fight me instead? I've been feeling a little pent up recently and wouldn't mind stretching my legs a little.

[ oh goodness, what a response. seemingly convinced, but pretending to be unconvinced? it seems like this girl's saviours need a bit more push to bring them around and win them over, perhaps even bulldozing through whatever apprehension the ginger is showing whenever he's glancing at the brother. it's been a while since she's had a bit of fun.

ajax, what—

she feels the searing pain of the blade that's now frozen over with this girl's cryo powers as she presses it against the skin, taking a thin slice of her jaw. nothing too extensive or lasting, as she herself needs to deal with the pain, too. but that should change their minds about who it really is in front of them, right?

lumine, stop— ]

Oh, don't worry. I'm just adding to her collection of scars. She already has one at her neck, doesn't she? What's another scar on her pretty, pretty face?

[ laughter echoes in the hall as blood drips from her jaw, staining her dress and dropping to the floor. ]

Of course, if the both of you behave and do what I say, then I'll stop what I'm doing. [ her gaze flickers between aether and ajax. ] What's it going to be?

Edited 2022-06-12 02:48 (UTC)

[Ajax's entire body tenses up as the hydro blade suddenly freezes over with ice. Lumine is the only person in the entire world that he knows can do that. She doesn't have a delusion, and it's possible that this person does, but he knows that isn't the case. There's a sinking feeling of despair in his stomach, and a voice in the back of his mind, the one he pushes back so often for fear of losing himself, comes bubbling up.

It's her.

No...]

Do that again and I'll rip your throat out.

[The anger in his voice surprises even him, his entire body shaking with despair and anger. His heart aches at the scene in front of him, the blood dripping down her face reflecting the rage building inside of him.]

What do you want?

[Just stop hurting her.

Just give her back.]

[ more laughter bubbles out of her throat, a response to that threat. ]

Rip my throat out, and you're ripping hers. You should realise by now that you'll be hurting her if you hurt me.

[ ajax, stop it! that's lumine. that's definitely her.

what a smart guy. definitely this girl's older brother, other than the fact that their faces look extremely alike. still, it seems like her message has finally sunken in their brains. good, this should be easy for her to take care of. she can't believe they didn't do this before, the idiots.

she gestures at the blond, the blade still poised against lumine's jaw. ]

I need you— [ she points at the ginger, her smile very amicable. ] To tie Brother up to that chair. Very tightly now, please, so he doesn't escape, if you'd like for her face to remain as it is.

Edited 2022-06-12 03:12 (UTC)

[The burning glare he shoots over to her, it could kill if it was allowed the opportunity. He glances to Aether, and then to the chair.]

Aether, come on.

[He walks over to the chair, picking up some rope that lies in the room, adjusting the chair so it faces inwards towards the room. He takes his friend's hands, binding his wrists together tightly behind the back of the chair.

But what Ajax also does is weave a hydro line through the rope, hiding it beneath the material so that it would cut through later on his whim to free Aether when the time was right. He's grateful now that Lumine had bound his hands together before using this technique- it was a good idea.

Standing up when he finishes, he walks around to Aether's side.]

Struggle as hard as you can against the rope to show her that you're secure. I don't want her getting any ideas that I didn't do the job right.

[Looking back to Lumine, his gaze grows cold.]

Tell me what you did to her, now. Why are you able to control her body like this?

[ she watches aether struggle, the difficulty clearly genuine. that'll do for now, at least until her master arrives and shows them what this entire farce is all about. and then maybe, maybe she can finally get a body of her own; she is starting to like this one, after all. maybe she'll be allowed to keep it. ]

I'd explain it to you, but you probably wouldn't understand.

[ in the modern world of teyvat, it seems like the supernatural has lost its place already. at the very least, this will remind these people that they do still exist. ]

Now, let's do something fun, shall we? [ she shimmies the phone from the dress's pocket, tinkering with it for a few moments. ] There we go! This girl right here is quite smart, isn't she? And to think she seemed like she's only good for her pretty face.

[ once more, she gestures at the both of them, that grin on her face twisting in intense amusement. very much unlike lumine's smile, it's tinted with something darker, something more sinister. ]

I want you to kiss him.

[ what? aether's golden gaze flickers between his sister's form to ajax. ] I said, I want you to kiss him. You know, like what lovers do.

Edited 2022-06-12 03:39 (UTC)

Excuse me?

[The look of incredulity on his face is unmistakable, and he's confused that they just went from her cutting her own face to this. Kiss Aether?]

Are you serious? What kind of request is that?

[He doesn't want to kiss Aether, if anything this just feels like a sick game now to her, or whoever it is who's controlling her. She's right that he doesn't understand, since visions don't have the capability of mind control. Maybe she's hypnotized, but the way she speaks seems to suggest that that isn't the case here.]

We're not your toys to play with. Answer my question first.

[He's not humoring this request, and it's not because it would be difficult. It's just ridiculous.]

[ oh my, did she stutter? did this girl stutter? and here she thought this lumine is quite fluent with her words, considering the kind of job and position she holds in her brother's company. ]

Oh, I'm very serious, [ the voice that replies is quite melodious, sing-song even as if this is all a simple game they're trying to play. ] Quite serious, in fact, that I need to remind you whose body this is right now.

[ as if on cue, a cold mist seems to seep out of lumine's feet, surrounding her in a chilly fog-like atmosphere, the air sparkling with snowflakes. frost starts covering her skin, the blood on her jaw freezing slowly. give it time, and her skin will start turning pale, fingertips and lips blue. ]

This girl's cryo powers are quite impressive. No catalyst, and yet she's able to do something like this. But how long do you think she'll be able to withstand the cold?

[ there's a tilt of her head again, almost mechanical this time. ] I hear she didn't fare too well in Snezhnaya ...

[He can only set his jaw at the sight. At her words. She really just said that in front of Aether, and he's scared to look at her brother right now. He imagines that it's one of pure confusion, because it's not like he knows that Lumine doesn't need a vision anymore.

But to see the frost begin to cover her skin, the blood freeze, he knows she won't last like that. He knows better than either of them what the cold can do to someone, having lived in Snezhnaya for as long as he did. It's so reckless, and yet he knows that would kill her. This is just some sadistic, twisted game...and they have no choice but to play along if they want to see her safely out of this.

How he can save her, he doesn't know. He wracking his brain thinking of what he can do, but he's coming up with nothing. The situation is becoming bleak, and he hates the position he's been put in.

Fighting his anger down has never been harder.]

Fine. Just...stop harming her. I'll kiss him.

[He'll ignore any objections from Aether, if any at all. He keeps an eye on Lumine, but he leans down and presses a small kiss to the other man's lips, quick and painless.]

There, satisfied?

[ aether's looking very panicked as well as seconds and minutes pass by. he might wield a different elemental vision than his sister's, but he's more than aware of the kind of harm it can do to anyone, including herself. lumine won't be able to withstand her own power if she keeps inflicting it on herself.

ajax! it's fine, don't worry. i can handle it. just do what she says.

still, even with that very quick display, it doesn't seem like his sister is far too pleased with the results. if anything, her expression seems to have gone blank, eyes narrowing. ]

You call that satisfying? You know you can do better than that, Ajax.

[ she deliberately says his name slowly, lovingly. the way lumine used to whisper in his ear weeks ago in her bed. ]

Why don't you kiss him the way you kiss his sister behind his back? [ her eyes flash and glitter in the dimness, snowflakes continue to flutter all around her. ] Pushed up against the wall, wasn't it? Drinking all of her in as if you're in the middle of the desert and she's the oasis? Come now, don't be shy.

Edited 2022-06-12 04:23 (UTC)

[Something in him snaps, his hands trembling with anger. Access to her memories too, unless they had been spying on them inside of that room. He won't deny it though, rage blinding him. Using her voice against him, he wishes that he could reach inside of her and pull whatever it is that's got its dark grip on her.

It's inside.]

You better watch yourself. I don't know how you're inside her mind, but I'll make sure that you don't take up residence in there much longer. Savor it while you can.

[He turns to Aether, with an apologetic look on his face.]

Listen, when we get out of here, we'll talk about all this. But for now, please don't take this the wrong way. I'm just doing what I have to right now to keep her safe. You understand, right?

[Closing his eyes, he takes a deep breath before he leans in to kiss Aether in a way that will make him want to scrub his tongue off later. A open mouthed, deep kiss, pressing into him the way he does with Lumine.

He hates it, every part of his mind screams how weird it is, but he knows if he doesn't she'll continue to be hurt by whoever has control of her.]

[ there's a million thoughts running through aether's mind right now, none of which is sinking too deeply save for one thing. but even before he can react, he can see ajax looming over him, an apologetic look on his face. aether tries to struggle against his bonds, looking very alarmed by this development.

ajax, wait—

any words of protest are muffled, however, and aether can only stare wide-eyed at his friend as they fulfill his "sister's" twisted commands. a moment later, he's turning his head away, breaking the kiss and looking very much disgusted by the entire affair; if he could vomit right now, he would. even if this is for lumine's sake, they need to draw a line.

laughter radiates around the room almost like bells tinkling, echoing against the surface of the mirror. the mist surrounding lumine is gone, having dissipated while the excitement was ongoing, but it's clear that her body was thoroughly affected. weakened, but not enough to drive her out. ]

What a passionate kiss, befitting the saviours of this damsel in distress. [ she claps in amusement. ] As fun as that was, though, we've reached the main event. And unfortunately, we're running out of time. Ajax ...

[ his name flows out of her lips lovingly once more, a hand beckoning him. ] Come here. There's one more thing I need for you to do.

[There isn't enough thank yous in the world that Ajax could let out when Aether pulls away, disgusted that he's had to kiss his friend like this just to keep Lumine from being hurt any more than she already has. He wonders if she can feel that pain, if she's conscious inside of her own body to see, hear or feel any of this. He hopes she's not. This is far too much.

He turns back to her, a sneer forming on his features. Isn't this enough? What else does this imposter want from them?]

Don't ever say my name like that again.

[It's so painful to hear it. To hear her lovingly call for him, and yet he knows that all that will happen is another trial, something else either humiliating or something that would surely put him in grave danger.

But he obeys, walking over to her hesitantly, ready in case she tries to attack him.]

Oh? Still more? What now, what other humiliating action would you like this time, you wretch?

[ her expression softens when he glares at her, almost resembling lumine: her smile, the look in her eyes. surely, he must still remember their time together just a little over a week ago. otherwise, ajax wouldn't look at her despairingly, pained. how cute. ]

Come now, you didn't find that fun? They're twins, after all. They can't be so different from each other.

[ she even rewinds and plays the video she's captured on lumine's phone, the image very crisp and clear. she quickly tucks the phone inside her pocket, however, before ajax can decide to grab it.

in any case, she gestures at the seat in front of the mirror, one that's seemingly carved out of stone. ]

Sit. You look very tired after all that excitement. [ a beat, as she puts her hands on his shoulders, fingers digging into his shirt: ] And if you're thinking of attacking me, remember who this is and how she's helpless against your strength, Master Ajax.

Edited 2022-06-12 05:23 (UTC)

[That expression only serves to fuel the fire, his anger at its limits, using her to manipulate him like this. His eyes dart to the phone, watching himself kiss Aether on the screen before she snaps it away before he can even think to reach out and take it from her. Unbelievable, this absolute nightmare of a person.

He only glares back at her when she digs into his shirt, scowling at being called Master Ajax. It's insulting, and he steps backwards to rip her hands out of it. He can't stand the thought of her being puppeteered like this, and won't allow her to touch him.

But still, the growing feeling of helplessness grows in his stomach, as he sits on the stone seat in front of the mirror.]

Shut up.

[He's sick of hearing her voice used against him like this. It's like someone's taking his heart and sending it through a grater.]

I'm sitting. Now what?

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject