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

[monoceroscaeli]

[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.

[traversal]

[ 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?

[monoceroscaeli]

[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.]

[traversal]

[ 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.

[monoceroscaeli]

[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?

[traversal]

[ 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.

[monoceroscaeli]

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.]

[traversal]

[ 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 ...

[monoceroscaeli]

[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?

[traversal]

[ 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.

[monoceroscaeli]

[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.]

[traversal]

[ 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.

[monoceroscaeli]

[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?

[traversal]

[ 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.

[monoceroscaeli]

[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?

[traversal]

[ testy, testy.

but it's quite amusing for her to watch them all fold, restrain themselves and rein in their strength all for this one girl. how special she must be to him, to have to hold back from trying to kill her despite only being inches away. commendable, really, and quite easy to manipulate even further. ]

Now close your eyes. Relax your body and mind, [ she whispers next to him, her lips brushing against the shell of his ear. her eyes flicker towards lumine's twin brother, still bound to the seat with a look of confusion and anger on his face. ] And think of your deepest desire.

[ once more, her mouth brushes along the curve of his ear, gently kisses his cheek. ] You want her to be yours, don't you? And you to be hers? So pray for it. Pray for it hard in your heart, Master Ajax.

[monoceroscaeli]

[He doesn't want to. He doesn't want to do any of the things she's asked of him, and yet he doesn't know what to do if he doesn't. What this impostor will do to Lumine if he doesn't.

He yanks his head away from her, not wanting to hear it, her voice whispering into his ear. It makes him long for her, for her to be free and back safely in his arms, but instead he sits on this cold concrete seat in front of the spookiest mirror he's ever seen in his life, not knowing what's coming next. The kiss on his cheek is gross. He hates it, and he's never hated anything more in his life.

The poisonous look she shoots at her should have killed. It doesn't, of course.]

Fuck off.

[He closes his eyes, but he can't relax, even if he wanted. Pray for them to be together? Is she serious? He's not doing that. He's going to pray for an answer to this situation.]

[traversal]

[ she giggles when he pulls away, the sound lighthearted, tinkling. no doubt a reminder of a time they enjoyed together, to emphasize the fact that this is what he should wish for. what he should want. ]

How testy.

[ it's a surprise that lumine likes this boy so much. but she supposes it doesn't matter anymore, not when she'll eventually have her body anyway. ]

Repeat after me, and this is very important if you want your wish to come true. You wouldn't want to lose your precious Lumine, would you?

[ she takes a step back, watching the images reflected on the mirror swirl. she can feel the energy of the spirits all around them, thrumming in the air. ] Grasp the thought in mind, clear like the light of the moon. As close as kin with thee, heed my summon.

[monoceroscaeli]

...

[He sits silently for a moment, listening to that incantation. His eyes narrow, and it's now that he's putting two and two together. The strange way she's acting, how something is controlling her. She's possessed, dear archons. It's a reality he hadn't even considered, something that he didn't even believe in. But it's the only solution that makes sense, right?]

Aether.

[He looks over to his friend, his eyes saddened now- this might be the end.]

If you have to kill me, do it. Don't hesitate.

[His plan now, is to make this work to his advantage. He doesn't know if this will work. He's praying it will.

It's now that he finally does relax, his body visibly becoming more slack as he closes his eyes once more and mind clearing as he prays for what he wants. What he needs right now, to get out of this situation alive.

He begins to recite the incantation, as he severs Aether's bonds.]

Grasp the thought in mind, clear like the light of the moon. As close as kin with thee, heed my summon.

[traversal]

[ her eyes turn to aether, narrowing ever so slightly. a part of her wonders what they're planning now, but whatever it is, it's useless. it'll all be pointless the moment ajax says his wish, completing the ritual. and then she can be free to use this body, to exist on the mortal plane once more. ]

Say your wish out loud, Ajax. Say it for everyone to hear.

[ dark clouds seem to swirl around him, slowly wrapping him in their tendrils.

aether, on the other hand, feels the ropes around his wrists loosen, eventually falling to the floor with a thud. still, his eyes are on ajax, watching him get swallowed up by what looks like a swirling mass of dark entities. he shifts in his seat, his hands closing into fists.

he needs to time this right, or he really might kill both ajax and lumine. that's not the outcome he wants. besides, there's a strange rumbling from underneath the floor, as if something huge and heavy is walking towards them ... ]

Say it, Ajax!

[monoceroscaeli]

[He can feel the spirit world wrapping itself around him, as if glimmers of past lives float through him and touch his soul as he sits there. Please, he prays, help him get through this, help him make sure they all get out alive. Help him defeat this trial.

He breathes deeply, lifting his head up with his eyes still closed:]

Help me save them.

[His eyes open for a moment, widening as he feels something powerful enter him, something familiar in a sense. Friendly, like he knows this spirit from long ago. His pupils dilate before he finds his eyelids closing, his mind shutting down as he enters a deep, sleep-like trance.

Inside of his mind, he hears a voice that he hasn't heard in ages.

Lord Harbinger, is this really how we're to meet again?]

Lady Guuji?

[His voice is only audible in his own mind, the name springing back to him from a memory locked deep within.

At least you had the decency to remember me. I see you two have gotten yourselves into a pickle again, and now I'm the one that has to drag you both out of it. Luckily for you, I'm in a good mood today, and using your body to stretch my legs out a little sounds nice. By the way...

The strangest feeling washes over him, like she's sticking her finger into a hole right in his soul.

You should probably let that finish healing. Are you fighting it? Tsk tsk, how will you ever regain your full strength this way? Anyway, it's really none of my business. Let me solve this problem for you, then. Relax, it's nothing more than like a dream, and soon it'll all be over.

His eyes open once more, and to him, a cloud-like quality seems to dance around his vision. But he's helpless to do anything, his body no longer responding to him. All he can be now is a spectator, as Yae Miko stands up.]

Goodness, what a rude awakening this is. [She turns to Lumine to regard her, as she stretches Ajax's arms and legs, getting a feel for his body. Oh, she sees now.] Now, how did you go and get possessed by an evil spirit? I expected a little more from you, little one.

[traversal]

[ aether's back on his feet when the mist seemingly envelops ajax. lumine turns to him, momentarily surprised and confused that he's gotten out of his bonds. but even before she can say something, the cloud slowly disappears, revealing ajax once more, his eyes closed and his body slack. she summons icicles to drop between the dais and aether, a warning shot that he shouldn't get near lest he wants to join his sister in the afterlife.

ajax! ]

My love, are you—

[ a blink, before she hisses, taking several steps back from the stirring young man. she knows that inflection, the heavy, suffocating feeling. the glint of purple in his deep blue eyes reveals the truth, the identity of the spirit he's managed to summon. ]

Yae Guuji, you shouldn't be here. But no matter—

[ the moment those words escape her lips, one of the doors leading to the hall crash open. aether stumbles back when the floor beneath him shakes, the fire in his palm extinguishing for a split second. another being bursts through, bright and golden, his presence sending the spirits into a panic. ]

The true masters of Teyvat have come to avenge all of us.

[monoceroscaeli]

Oh, is that what this is all about?

[Yae, looking very unimpressed and very unbothered, only lifts his hand up to his face and giggles.]

So you're still mad that they beat all of you so long ago? I shouldn't be surprised...oh well. Hm, [she says as she taps the vision on Ajax's belt.] It's no vision, but it'll work just fine.

[With a wave of his hand, Yae summons three fox-like electro statues, an ephemeral pink fox tail appearing on Ajax's behind, flicking curiously as she studies the remnant of Celestia in question. Not a great situation, but if she can free Lumine, their odds will be much, much better.]

Take care of that for me, will you? [She says, regarding Aether.] I'm going to free your sister, but I can't really be interrupted by that thing. You can handle it.

[His eyes glow a deep, dangerous purple, as the statues begin to fire electricity into Lumine, zapping her over and over again...]

[traversal]

[ what?

aether nearly trips over his feet, sputtering at this weird ajax. it's him, but it's also not him. that giggle sure is very, very unlike him; in fact, he'd have to find a way to erase that sound and face from his memory later on because of how weird it was. still, he quickly composes himself, dodging a painted screen thrown at him by a hair.

hold on—

he winces when he hears the shriek of his twin sister as she's shot with electro energy over and over again. aether can't help but turn away and focus on this ... creature attempting to kill him, ignoring lumine's cries for help. at the very least, it's distracting him, especially when it shoots a golden beam of light toward him. ]

Yae Guuji, stop—

[ the figure suddenly blinks out of sight and aether, taken aback, looks around in search of their enemy. what the blond doesn't see is the arm swept his way, sending him flying across the room and crashing into the wall. aether coughs out blood, spitting out a broken tooth.

hey, ajax! what the hell is this thing? he winces in pain and despair when he hears his sister shriek once more, before she collapses into a heap on the floor. lumi! ]

[monoceroscaeli]

[Yae can see the wisps of the spirit leave Lumine, as she shocks her again and again, until it fully relinquishes its grip on her, much to the kitsune's satisfaction. She smiles to herself, looking down at Lumine on the ground. That smile turns to something of a half-concern, noting the singed hair and clothing.]

Maybe I overdid it a bit. Can you hear me? Your brother is in a little trouble, and he's going to need your help.

[She doesn't really respond to Aether, because the name "Ajax" doesn't really ring a bell. She's only known him as Childe, and right now she's not listening to Aether anyhow. But she does turn towards the god, musing on how best to go about this, so she doesn't break too much of a sweat. Ajax's body seems incredibly sturdy, and she takes a moment to measure his power. The abyssal power is a little concerning, but at least he'll be able to handle anything she doles out without hurting him. Lucky him.

Three fresh new fox statues are created, but now instead of shocking Lumine, they start to fire upon the god, to give Aether some breathing room while she stands back and watches, still staying near Lumine.]

I'd hurry if I were you~