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]

[ she's kicking him out, though!! just not directly, but the implication is there when she points out how comfortable the sofa is.

lumine tries to squirm in his arms but she finds herself being pulled against him. but even before she can voice her protests in this, he's already breathing deeply, his body completely relaxed while pressed against her. she quickly turns in his arm, her expression that of disbelief when she realises that he's already asleep! ]

Ajax! [ she tries to shake him awake. ] Ajax!

[ when there's no response from him, lumine sighs heavily and loudly. honestly, he can at least wait for her to sleep.

still, it doesn't seem like she's able to go anywhere at this rate, simply settling down and tucking herself under his chin to try and sleep. try is the operative word here, taking her several hours of listening to him breathe and snore softly before finally dozing off herself at early dawn. she won't be waking up until it's late in the morning, too. ]

[monoceroscaeli]

[Ajax wakes first, having fallen asleep hours before she had. Sunlight streams into the bedroom, his eyes fluttering open to the view of Lumine buried in his chest. She's cute, he thinks, as his groggy mind tries to make sense of the fact that he's woken up to an unfamiliar ceiling. Right, they're at her apartment. Despite waking up, he's unwilling to crawl out of bed, his eyes closing once again to let sleep take him. Surprisingly, it's easy for him to fall back asleep, comforted by her presence in his arms.

A few hours later, he'll wake again- and he realizes that he has no idea what time it is. He glances down to see if Lumine is awake yet, nudging her with his forehead as he coos to her softly.]

Lumine...

[traversal]

[ it's the first restful, dreamless sleep she's had in days. even when she's tired from work, her entire body giving up on her, lumine doesn't remember being able to sleep for this long and deeply in her own bed back in her shared apartment with aether. but clearly, she's not allowed to sleep for too long, already being nudged awake.

she frowns, eyes still shut, as she buries herself deeper into his chest. sunlight is starting to creep into her peripherals, reminding her that it's already morning. but a part of her refuses to budge just yet. ]

Mm, no, Ajax ...

[ waking up, after all, means having to face the reality that aether is still missing. perhaps if she slept longer, she'd wake up to a dream where her twin brother is back, safe and sound. ]

Let me sleep.

[monoceroscaeli]

[It's almost as if she were a cat that's claimed this real estate against him, Ajax feeling like if he moves, he'll surely disturb her sleep even more than he already has. And the rule is once that happens, you aren't allowed to move.

But even moreso, for someone who had been hinting to kick him to the couch last night, it's amusing to him to see her bury herself into his chest, unwilling to get up. He glances down at her through half-lidded eyes, tempted to grant her the request she's asked for, comfortable himself with her pressed up against him. Had it not been for how hungry he was, he could lie there all day with her, staying in bed only to get up for necessities.

But today, his work really begins, not being afforded that simple pleasure of staying in bed.

His hand filters up into her hair, holding her close even as he tries to gently wake her. Ajax nuzzles her again, voice still soft as he calls to her in that high baritone timbre he has.]

It's late, [he coos again, the hand in her hair moving to brush her cheek.] And I can't get out of bed until you do.

[traversal]

[ what a terrible argument to give her this morning.

lumine keeps silent for a moment, annoyance bubbling inside of her as he continues to disturb her peace. a moment later, she turns on her other side and away from him, squirming out of his arms. if he's saying he can't get out of bed because of her, then there. she's made it possible for him to get out of bed. ]

There. Go.

[ she pulls the covers over her head to block out the light, squeezing her eyes shut. hopefully that's enough for him to stop disturbing her. ]

Now let me sleep.

[monoceroscaeli]

[He's surprised when she squirms out of his arms, only to flip over and give him the cold shoulder. At first, he only lies there blinking, before he laughs- someone's in a bad mood, and it's nothing short of funny.

Now free to move, he pushes himself up into a sitting position to lean over her, his index finger pulling the covers back just enough for him to leave a kiss to the side of her head before pulling it back over into place once more. What a baby, he thinks, getting out of bed and running a hand through his unkempt hair.]

I'll be out in the living room, [he says amusedly, silently opening the door and slipping out to let her sleep. He finds his phone once more, texting his sister to grab his laptop and some clothes from his apartment for him, and he orders food too, and a little something for her too if she wakes up in time before it gets there.]

[traversal]

[ lumine dozes off even before he can step out of the bedroom, falling back into sleep's warm embrace. but she stirs once more a couple of hours later when she hears her phone ringing, the thin device vibrating against the wooden surface of her bedside table. she gives it a few beats, before an arm reaches out from underneath the covers to fumble and grab it.

she gets up a couple of minutes later and walks out of her bedroom and past ajax in the living room, hair tousled and sticking in places, a strap of her camisole having fallen from her shoulder. barefoot, the marble floor cold against her feet, she pads over to the door and pulls it open.

miss lumine, good morning. i have the groceries you requested for. ]

Thanks, I know it's on such short notice, [ she says with a yawn, waving an older woman into her apartment and helping her with one of the paperbags she's carrying to the kitchen. the woman glances at ajax and gives him a small smile. ] You also don't have to drop by this week. I'll clean up the apartment before Ajax and I leave, so you can relax and take a break for a bit if you need to.

[ her housekeeper offers her a reassuring smile and a nod. you should rest too, miss lumine. you look like you've been working too hard lately. also, there's a lady downstairs who looks like the gentleman in your living room. ]

Ajax? [ she peers out the kitchen, frowning at her guest. ] There's a girl downstairs who apparently looks like you. It might be your sister? You can tell her to come up, if you want.

[monoceroscaeli]

[Ajax looks up from the couch, toying around on his phone now as he contacts key people in their search to where they may have taken Aether. He almost says something, but it seems someone's at the door- so he stays quiet as she answer it, giving the housekeeper a bright smile back when she regards him on the way in with the groceries.

The minute the housekeeper says it, he gets a text from his sister, and he sends one back to tell her to come up, waiting patiently for her to knock.]

Thanks, it is my sister. She brought me my work laptop and a few other things.

[Not but a few minutes later, there's another knock at the door that he quickly gets up to answer, letting in a long slender looking woman who is unmistakably related to him. Her ginger hair matches his own, a fierce looking woman who's got a backpack slung over her shoulder with his things.]

Tatiana, thanks so much for doing this for me.

[Ajax, spare me. You've used up your one favor for the year.

She crosses the room to sit on the couch, expecting to be introduced to Lumine as soon as she finishes in the kitchen.]

I know, but it really is important this time. I won't ask another favor again. [He calls to the kitchen, feeling a little bad that he hadn't had the chance to even tell Lumine that Tatiana was coming.]

Hey, Lumine, do you need any help in there?

[traversal]

[ lumine gives her housekeeper a few more instructions, specifically help later on with cleaning up her shared apartment with aether. she has no idea how long the police need to get all the evidence they need from it, but she's hoping it won't take too long. after all, she'll need it back once her brother returns.

in any case, her housekeeper gives her another nod, gesturing when they both hear ajax call out to her. ]

... No, I'm fine.

[ just call me when you need me. i'll see you later, miss lumine. she gives her a gentle pat on the shoulder before the woman starts for the door, smiling once more at ajax and his sister on her way out.

lumine, on the other hand, starts unpacking the groceries, sorting things out while brewing coffee good enough for three people. whatever it is, she doesn't want to get in the way of ajax and his sister or get involved in whatever they're going to talk about.

... brunch, though. she should probably make something. ]

[monoceroscaeli]

[Both of the siblings give the housekeeper a smile back as she leaves. As soon as the coast is clear, Tatiana elbows her brother and gives him a look.

Go help her, if you're staying here the least you could do is be useful. I can wait until you're back.]

Okay, okay...you didn't have to elbow me, though. [He sighs, but that's his older sister for you.] Any word on the Dufonts yet? We're getting close to the twenty-four hour mark, and that's already too long to give me any sort of comfort.

[Tatiana shakes her head apologetically..

Not yet. They really knew what they were doing this time.]

Great, [Ajax replies with a grimace, standing up to go to the kitchen.] Anyway, I'll be right back.

[Walking in, he spots Lumine putting her groceries away, and goes over to grab a box of cereal, inspecting the box before looking to her expectantly.]

I know you said you didn't need help, but I got kicked in here anyway, haha. Tatiana said she'd wait. She wants to meet you before she goes.

[traversal]

[ lumine has paused from putting away the groceries, pouring herself a cup of coffee and staring at a blank wall as she tries to compose herself. there's still a lot to be done today, and even just by checking her calendar, she has a couple of meetings late in the afternoon that can't be postponed or canceled. life goes on, even with aether disappearing.

which is honestly just heartbreaking for her. but then, when they get back aether, he needs to still come back to something.

she only snaps out of her reverie when ajax walks into the kitchen, inspecting a box of cereal. she almost asks him why he isn't entertaining his sister, taking a sip of his coffee, when he beats her to the point already. ]

Oh ... [ she looks like a mess, though, and she reaches out to pat her hair down. her housekeeper is one thing; she's seen her several times looking unkempt. but this is ajax's sister, after all. ] Sure, I'll go meet her.

[ cup set down on the counter, she gestures at ajax to lead the way. ]

[monoceroscaeli]

[He'd seen how she stared at the blank wall, knowing that she was probably thinking of her brother. Ajax purposely doesn't call any attention to this, instead opting to simply give her a soft smile and leads Lumine out of the kitchen and into the living room where his sister waits. Tatiana looks up from her phone, her blue eyes sharp as she regards them both before standing up and offering a hand to Lumine.]

Lumine, this is my older sister, Tatiana. She and I work closely together-

[It's nice to meet you, Lumine, Tatiana says, quickly cutting Ajax off before he says too much. The older sibling fights the urge to shoot a glare at her brother, before sitting back down on the couch. Ajax joins her, a little annoyed that he'd been cut off, but she's scolded him for running his mouth before.

I'm glad to see the two of you safe and sound for the time being. I do hope Ajax hasn't been too overbearing for you. I know my little brother can be a bit of a pain to babysit.

She ruffles his hair, and he swats her hand away, even though it had already been messy and unkempt to begin with.]

Hey, quit treating me like I'm a kid.

[Tatiana only laughs, amused with Ajax's annoyance.]

[traversal]

[ lumine shakes the woman's hand, offering a faint smile in return. weird how she also resembles his little brother closely, just like anatoli, though she supposes that she and aether aren't really too different. then again, they are twins, so any physical similarities they have is a given. the volkov siblings, though ...

she sits down on an armchair after tatiana and ajax have settled down, folding her hands on her knees. watching them interact is a little depressing, especially with aether still not found. ]

Is it really Ajax if he's not overbearing? [ she jokes, glancing at him. ] But thank you for bringing his things over. I told him that he didn't have to stay, but he insisted.

[ for good reason, sure. but he doesn't have to pause his life for her. she'll be fine like she said. ]

Are you staying long? I'll be making something for brunch, so you're free to join us if you want.

[monoceroscaeli]

[Tatiana too, can see the distress on Lumine's features, but she keeps a pleasant exterior for the other woman. She can understand how terribly stressed Lumine must be, not knowing where her brother had been whisked off to.

Oh, I wish I could. But we're all hard at work right now, so I really must be getting back. I appreciate the offer, though. Now, Ajax... She regards her brother now, a stern look shot his way. Don't slack off while you're here, not while the rest of us and father are out looking for leads.]

I will...wait, father is personally involving himself in this too?

[Of course he is. After that little incident you had in Inazuma, and now this? Let's just say he's not happy. And when father gets involved, mountains can move. She looks over to Lumine, offering a reassuring smile. Father treats all those who help us as if they were family, even if they are...undisclosed associates of us. In time, he'd like to meet you and your brother, once we return him to you.

Tatiana takes a hand and flips her hair with it, before standing up.

Anyway, I'm your point of contact for the remainder of this search. Lumine, when this is all said and done, let's have lunch sometime, alright? I'll be seeing you two later. It was a pleasure.]

Bye, Tatiana. Thanks again.

[The older sibling walks to the door, and Ajax sits on the couch, seemingly deep in thought about something. His dad now too...]

[traversal]

[ lumine inwardly winces when they're both reminded of the incident in inazuma. a part of that is her fault, after all, and people have gotten hurt and even died because of her. and now, even his father is involved. what a pain this has all become.

it doesn't help as well that their father wants to meet her and aether, most likely to ask questions and see what the fuss is all about. ]

Yes, of course. Feel free to invite me whenever. It's nice to meet you again.

[ even if it's probably going to be awkward, because what are they supposed to talk about.

she too gets up from her seat, walking the other woman to the door. tatiana gives her a nod, before lumine closes the door behind her, a thoughtful look crossing her features. a moment later, she's walking back into the kitchen to hopefully finish her coffee. ]

[monoceroscaeli]

[With a sigh, Ajax is pulling his laptop out and setting it on the coffee table in front of him, powering it on. It was going to be a long day, he can tell, and he rubs his face once before he sets himself to begin work. But as Lumine passes by him and back into the kitchen, he frowns, standing up and following her in.

He catches her drinking her coffee, placing a hand on her back as he regards her with concern.]

Hey. Are you going to be okay?

[Knowing full well she isn't okay. She has to wake up to a world of uncertainty, where her only family is missing, or even dead- a reality that he doesn't want to imagine either.]

[traversal]

[ what a question to ask her. then again, she can't blame him for asking after hearing what his sister had just said. it can't be helped, especially when his father is involving himself in the mess they're currently in.

lumine looks up at ajax, before she sighs, briefly leaning her head against his shoulder. ]

Yes, I'm just tired, I think.

[ there's so much going on. and despite waking up late in the day already, a part of her just wants to crawl back to bed and sleep this all away. if only that's possible. ]

But I have to leave soon. I still have pending things to do at work.

[monoceroscaeli]

[Ajax lets his hand fall from her back to her waist, pulling her into him as her head rests against him, before letting go so she can finish her coffee and eat a little before she heads off to work. A momentary kiss is pressed to the top of her head, and he tries to give her an encouraging smile.]

Alright. I'll leave you to get ready, I wouldn't want you going to work with your hair sticking out like that, haha.

[He reaches out to play with some of the strands that have decided to stick out.]

Hopefully something will turn up before you come back home. Try to not work too hard. Or, work exceptionally hard, if that helps to keep your mind off things. We'll take care of everything on our end. They might of improved their plan to capture us this time, but it still won't be enough.

[It's a cocky smile, that cocky attitude of his that shines through, not showing a hint of discouragement in his demeanor. Like everything really will be okay, at least that's what he's trying to show, because he really believes it.]

[traversal]

[ hopefully. something that she's been telling herself since yesterday.

but lumine doesn't say anything else, just giving ajax a slight nod before finishing her coffee and leaving the cup in the sink. she can take care of that later. but even before she walk out of the kitchen, her phone starts ringing, an unknown number flashing on the screen. lumine, glancing briefly at ajax, answers it after a moment. ]

Hello?

[ it's not a very long conversation and soon enough, she's saying her goodbyes and hanging up the line, looking even more exhausted than ever. she wonders now if she shouldn't have contacted the police after finding their apartment a complete mess. ]

... I need to go down to the station. Looks like they have a few questions for me.

[monoceroscaeli]

Heh.

[Not one to hide his disdain for the police, as they frequently make headaches for him and their family's black market dealings, Ajax only sighs. She did do the right thing by calling them, but that doesn't mean their on her side.]

I bet you're number one on their suspects list. Be careful what you say, I'm sure they'll try to get a confession out of you before the end of the day. Got a lawyer? If not, I'm sure I can find one for you in fifteen minutes.

[It's only partially a joke- he's sure that she probably does have a lawyer, but he'd still find her one if need be. The mafia lord seems less than excited that she has to go down and talk to them.]

[traversal]

[ lumine's not surprised that she's not happy with them, considering his, well, job and his family's business. she rubs the bridge of her nose tiredly as she starts going through her contacts for her and aether's lawyer. ]

I do have one. I just have to call them.

[ she did let them know yesterday about the incident and the possibility that the police might call her in for questioning. and as much as she wants to get this done by herself, there's no way that she's showing up to a police interrogation alone. that's too dangerous. ]

I wouldn't be surprised if I'm a person of interest to them. The questions they asked yesterday ... [ lumine shakes her head in disbelief. ] Though I suppose I'm the one person who has much to benefit from Aether's disappearance.

[monoceroscaeli]

[His thumb comes up to his chin, to consider it. She's right, she probably would be the one to benefit the most from Aether's disappearance. Even though they both know that's far from the reality there, but the police are always quick to find a suspect and get a warrant for their arrest, whether or not if they have the right person.]

I genuinely hope you're able to clear yourself of any suspicion. If they could have it their way, you wouldn't walk out of that station today.

[He hopes their lawyer is intelligent enough to do that.]

Either way, good luck down there. Call me if anything comes up. I know you don't prefer to use the connections you've gained through our strange circumstances, but don't be afraid to use them if you get into a pickle. The last thing we need is you getting thrown in a cell for something you didn't do.

[Ajax brushes her hair to the side with the back of his hand, giving her a confident smile that reflects all the way into the depths of his eyes. The police will have a hell of a time getting Lumine to admit to anything or incriminate herself, even if she didn't have a lawyer.]

But, you're a lot smarter than them- I'm sure you'll be fine.

[traversal]

[ it's a chilling reality, truth be told, to be accused falsely of her brother's disappearance. everyone who knows her knows how important aether is to her, how close they are with each other. but this is the police, and they don't know her at all. all they know is that she's his twin sister, the one person who stands to gain everything without her brother. ajax is right that she had to prove them wrong. ]

Mm, thanks, [ she says with a slight nod, closing her eyes when she feels the brush of his hand. ] I'll try my best not to get arrested.

[ lumine sighs yet again1 before she pads out of the kitchen and towards the bathroom for a quick shower. she gets dressed in no time too, grabbing her purse and phone and texting her assistant to reschedule the meetings just in case she takes a while at the station. who knows how long that interrogation will last, anyway.

on her way out, adjusting her watch on her wrist, she gives ajax a quick kiss on the cheek before walking out the door. ]

Let's have dinner when I get back.

[monoceroscaeli]

[Watching her go, he finds his spot back on the couch and flips his computer open to begin work. Police records, news reports, messages back and forth between some of the guys that were watching known places of operation for their enemies. Nothing has come back yet, but it's still early enough in the day. He pings a few people who work in the hacking business, to get them working on rifling through Dufont records. Now, only time will tell.

He glances up as she comes out to get her purse and phone, sitting up when she comes over and gives him a kiss, surprised at the gesture but appreciative nonetheless.]

Sounds great. It's a date then, [he replies, watching her go out the door. As it closes behind her, he sits there, staring at the door. Ajax can still feel the tingle of her lips where she'd kissed him, wishing she'd walk back in and stay with him instead of having to leave. It's a selfish wish, he knows, but he wants it all the same.

When he became so smitten with her, he's not sure. Continuing work presents itself as a difficult task, when his mind wanders back to her every few minutes or so. The work is fruitless anyway- nothing comes up, and all Ajax can do is wait for Lumine to return home.]

[traversal]

[ if he asks her about it, lumine will just say it's instinctive and she's done the same to aether so many times. though she does feel a faint warmth on her cheeks when she's finally settled in her car. still, she pushes it all away, deciding to focus on the day ahead.

not that it goes well for her, much of it spent in the precinct answering questions. lumine even had to cancel her meetings, rescheduling them on a different day. at the end of it all, however, they found her alibi strong and sent her back home, much to her relief.

it's already past nine when she finally unlocks the door to her apartment, toeing off her shoes at the entranceway. peering down the dimly lit hallway, she wonders if ajax has already had dinner and gone to bed. she would've preferred that, really. he didn't have to wait for her to come back, even if she did say that they'll have dinner together. ]

I'm back, [ she quietly calls out, padding towards the kitchen. she's starving, and she'll eat anything, even cereal. ]