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Childe "I Can Make Her Worse" Tartaglia ([personal profile] monoceroscaeli) wrote in [community profile] insurmountable2022-11-26 09:40 pm
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you hide your face with your disguise // 'cause someone filled your head with lies

[It had been a few days since the hunt for the Great Mujina Youkai had come to an end, having to say goodbye to the kids and to Yoimiya too. The ship that was to take him back to Snezhnaya would be arriving a bit later in the day, and Childe sighs as he sits back in his chair in the tent he's occupying in one such hidden Fatui camp. He had a great time in Inazuma. The country was beautiful, rich with a new culture to learn and all sorts of places to explore and fight new and more exciting enemies. All his things were in order- the gifts that he'd bought to bring back to his family, Teucer's Onikabuto in a little bug box with some food to keep it alive during the trip back- all he'd have to do is wait for the ship and he'd be on his way.

He tells himself that he'd return to the country one day, once tensions between the Fatui and the Shogunate calm down. It was a miracle that he was able to stay as long as he has, evading the Tenryou Commission. He has some people to thank for that, and he won't forget what they did for him while he's been here. Some gifts would be in order for them upon his return.

The Harbinger idly plays with a writing utensil between his fingers. He'd like to bring something from Snezhnaya for Yoimiya, too.

There's a sharp rap at his door, and Childe sighs. He doesn't really want to deal with work right now, perfectly happy reminiscing on the time he's spent in Inazuma before he leaves, but answers with a bored tone to his voice:]


Come in.

[An agent enters, bowing and standing at attention.]

Sir, we've captured a Tenryou Commission spy that was found sneaking around. We've taken her into custody and are awaiting your orders on how to deal with her.

[Childe's eyebrow raises. It should have been hard to find this camp, even by the Shuumatsuban. Somehow, doubt creeps into his mind, but stands from his chair.]

Alright, I'll deal with it myself. At least I can have one last bit of fun before I depart.

[The agent only bows once more, to lead Childe towards the prisoner. He knows better than to argue with the Harbinger, but feels sorry for the spy. The two cross the camp to another tent, the agent stopping him right before lifting the flap for his senior commander.]

She claims to be from the fireworks shop, but we've seen Tenryou soldiers stop frequently at it.

[Before he can answer, the flap is lifted to reveal a certain girl that he'd met not but a few days ago...]
niwabi: (pic#16907955)

[personal profile] niwabi 2025-05-30 06:28 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Aramiya's head droops down, looking disappointed for a short moment before she too, relents. If Arajax listens, then she figures she outta be a good Aranara as well. As much as she wants to get out and see what the world has to offer, last thing she wants is to cause trouble for her Nara friends.

They've already caused enough issues just by being here... but that's besides the point! ]


Okay! We'll be good and stay here. But don't forget to tell us about everything you see. We don't want to miss out too much.

[ Cute........ it's hard to stay mad at them. Not that Yoimiya was ever mad at them to begin with. ]

We promise! We'll even bring you back a souvenir. And maybe the four of us can explore when it's dark and you guys stay well hidden.

[ After giving Aramiya one last pat on the head, Yoimiya finishes her portion and steps out of bed. She rolls her shoulders and stretches her arms to rid her body of any stiffness before turning her attention to Ajax. ]

Ready, Ajax? I've been itching to see the whole boat.
niwabi: (pic#16270719)

[personal profile] niwabi 2025-05-31 03:26 am (UTC)(link)
[ Being able to step out into the fresh air with the river breeze prickling their skin feels like a dream come true. Vanarana was splendid, like an oasis in the middle of a jungle. That dream world and all those cute little Aranara will stick with her for the rest of her life but being out in the real world hits differently. Despite that they need to be on guard, Yoimiya is so happy she can finally live a bit normally with the love of her life.

And she won't take this moment for granted, silently promising to cherish any moments of peace between them. Even just the simple gesture of holding his hand out in public sets her heart ablaze like no other. She laces their fingers together to soak in his warmth and with her skirt swaying in wind, she's finally allowed to admire the scenery around them in her usual, childlike wonder. ]


Hey, don't apologize. It's not your fault. We never came out here for a vacation, anyway. Even with everything that happened, I'm glad we went on this trip together. We learned a lot more than I imagined.

[ With their hands intertwined, Yoimiya happily takes this chance to rest her head against his shoulder while her eyes follow the rainforest full of bustling life. The bright blue and orange feathers of a Dusk Bird catch her attention, her heart filled to the brim with warmth when she spots it flying towards a nest with its mate and babies awaiting its return. ]

Maybe when this is all over, the two of us can go on a nice trip. It will be nice to have some alone time with you without all the worrying and all the stress. I'd like to just spend time with you and you alone.

[ Unbeknowst to Yoimiya, she just said the wrong thing. A sharp, cold chill brushes past Ajax in particular, making it's presence known to him. ]
niwabi: (pic#16907988)

[personal profile] niwabi 2025-06-02 11:10 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Immediately, she notices his lack of response to her wish. It strikes her as a bit odd, she assumed her adventurous boyfriend would be all in on her suggestion. She's not sure what to make of that but figures it's best not to dwell on it. After all, they have more pressing matters on hand, planning for a trip in the far future probably isn't the best idea when they have a crazy stalker tailing them.

So, she tries not to make her confusion obvious and simply smiles at his suggestion. ]


Sure. This is also my first time traveling on a large ship like this, and it'd be a shame if we didn't see everything it has to offer.

[ Yoimiya gives the wildlife one last glance over before taking his hand and leading him down the deck. ]

If there are any souvenir shops, maybe we can pick a few things up for your family?
niwabi: (pic#16270737)

[personal profile] niwabi 2025-06-03 05:49 pm (UTC)(link)
[ The memory of their time in Inazuma puts her concerns at ease. She'll never forget shopping around for kimonos, toys, and snacks for his family. Hopefully, they'll be allowed moments of peace like that when Columbina had been dealt with.

If only...

Since this is her first time on a passenger ship, Yoimiya isn't sure if a souvenir shop even exists but she figures it doesn't hurt to look around. Hand-in-hand, she leads him around the ship, blissfully unware of Ajax's internal horror, and the presence following them everywhere they go. After a little bit of searching, her eyes eventually land on a small shop located near some of the restaurants. ]


Oh, nice! I spy with my little eyes a cute souvenir shop. Let's go take a look. Maybe we can also bring something back for our two little stinkers.

[ Not Arajax and Aramiya catching strays.

Anyhow, Yoimiya steps in with Ajax, amazed by everything the store has to offer. Shirts, globes, replicas of the ship, Aranara carvings and plushies. There's so much memorabilia from Sumeru. ]


How cute! Gosh that reminds me, I should pick out something for my three stinkers at home.
niwabi: (pic#16908003)

[personal profile] niwabi 2025-06-04 07:31 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Soon as he points it out, her eyes are immediately drawn to the ornate oil lamp. Naturally, she brushed up on her Sumeru fairytales and she read a ton involving genies. ]

Do you think a real genie will come out?! I'd give anything to see one with my own two eyes. I heard they can grant any wish you want.

[ Like an excited kid, she picks up the oil lamp without too much thought. Before she gives it a rub, her ears perk at the sounds of the shopkeeper grumbling underneath his breath. She turns in his direction, catching him roll his eyes at her.

"Tourists..." He says with sheer contempt in his voice.

Yoimiya suddenly feels self conscious, she starts to wonder if she's the being the rude one by picking up wares she might not even purchase. She glances over at Ajax, looking unsure of herself. ]


Maybe I outta put this back...
Edited 2025-06-04 19:32 (UTC)
niwabi: (pic#16270735)

[personal profile] niwabi 2025-06-04 09:06 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Oh, Ajax... you're such a kind, consiserate boyfriend. Sometimes, she doesn't think she deserves him. Guilt whelms her, feeling bad that he's stepping up to bat for her when she probably should have asked before grabbing something so delicate it could break just from looking at it funny. ]

Hey Ajax...

[ She's getting ready to stop him, reassure him that it's okay, she's the one at fault. With the lamp in hand, she glances back and forth between the two; Yoimiya can tell the shopkeeper is growing increasingly irate with each passing second. Even if he's staring at her boyfriend, she can feel him shooting a nasty glare directed at her. For a moment, he looks like he's about ready to get up from behind the counter to duke it out with both of them, even though he doesn't wield a vision. ]

What did you say punk—?!

[ As he's raising his voice, the man suddenly... stops. Yoimiya can't quite pinpoint it, but it almost looks like the guy got one look at Ajax and decided not to escalate the matter. ]

Che... fine. I apologize for being rude but you better be careful with it. You break it, you buy it.

[ He practically spits out the apology, not sounding sincere in the slightest but it's clear he doesn't want to get into a fight with Ajax. Maybe he can sense the danger radiating from him, just one look should be enough to tell anyone that her boyfriend isn't one to be messed with. ]
Edited (added more bc i'm bored at work) 2025-06-04 21:28 (UTC)
niwabi: (pic#16907955)

[personal profile] niwabi 2025-06-07 03:26 am (UTC)(link)
[ For a moment, Yoimiya worries that Ajax will deem the apology not good enough and jump over the counter to beat him to a pulp. Just as she's preparing herself to break up a fight, the shopkeep backs down and her boyfriend manages to calm himself. She internally lets out a sigh of relief. Crisis averted, for now. Though she can tell the apology is insincere, it's better than nothing and she's happy to let the matter go.

But still! She appreciates Ajax for jumping in to defend her. Truly cannot ask for a better partner than him. Now feeling a little less apprehensive, Yoimiya can't help but laugh at her boyfriend's retort, grinning at the man behind the counter as if to say; That's right! She triumphantly huffs and returns Ajax's stare with a warm smile, feeling relaxed and reassured thanks to him. ]


Thank you. I can always count on you to be my hero.

[ Her chest buzzes with warmth at the sweet kiss on her forehead and in turn, she stands on her tiptoes to plant a kiss on his chin. Mwah! Take that mean ol' shopkeeper! Ajax has been through so much, she can tell he's stressed beyond his mind and despite it all, he's still going out of his way for her. Yoimiya silently swears to give him anything he wants when they go back to their sleeping quarters. For now, she takes his advice and continues looking around with the lamp in hand, oblivious to the reflection in the corner of his eye.

As soon as Ajax makes eye contact with the figure in the glass, a faint giggle fills the air, the tone is beautiful, haunting, and so sickly sweet that it's nauseating. The giggles go on and on, showing no signs of stopping as it rings in his ears. To make matters worse, Yoimiya and the grumpy shopkeep appear to not notice the terrible laughter all around them.

Suddenly, Yoimiya's loud voice cuts through the ominous giggling as she points out a few children's toys lined on the shelves. ]


Ajax! Would Teucer like an Aranara building block set or a mini replica of the ship?
niwabi: (pic#16270735)

[personal profile] niwabi 2025-06-09 12:37 am (UTC)(link)
[ Both it is! She's quickly becoming attatched to his whole family and has no qualms about spoiling his siblings to death. Yoimiya wastes no time placing the boxes in a nearby basket however... she can't help but notice his concerning reaction. His apology immediately sets off a few alarm bells, he looks completely out of it, like he's seen a ghost. She can tell he's having a hard time even focusing on the question at hand.

Her eyes flash with worry as she peers at him to see if anything is off. ]


Are you okay, Ajax?

[ She's not sure what happened in the span of those few minutes. But she can tell something has set him off-kilter. ]

You look like you're out of it.
niwabi: (pic#16270749)

[personal profile] niwabi 2025-06-09 06:05 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Yoimiya falls silent in the aftermath of his words. The look on her face says it all, it's clear she doesn't fully believe him. She has no doubt Ajax has a lot more on her mind than lack of sleep and who could blame him?

She presses her lips together in a thin line, still not saying anything. Yoimiya desperately wishes she could do more to help, he's done so much for her and she feels like she's hardly done a thing. But... since Ajax told her not to worry, she'll try not to make it harder on him. ]


It'll be hard not to fret over ya but I'll try. Just try to get some sleep on your end, Kay?

[ Maybe a change in subject will brighten the mood. ]

I think I'm ready to check out when you are. I got a mini boat for our stinkers and some presents for your family.
niwabi: (pic#16907958)

[personal profile] niwabi 2025-06-11 05:45 pm (UTC)(link)
[ "Maybe after I've gotten a good night's rest." That just confirms her suspicions. The thought of her boyfriend suffering on his own doesn't sit well with her. At all. But Since he's trying to drop the subject, she won't fight too hard, especially not when they're in the shop of the grumpiest shopkeep she's ever met...

No doubt Yoimiya is still nervous about approaching him, but since Tartaglia is behind her, she feels a little better about stepping up to the counter to make her purchase. Though the man is careful about setting off her boyfriend's wrath, he still can't help but send another nasty glare her way and roll his eyes as he completes the transaction. ]


So. Are you going to buy that lamp or not?

[ Oh...! Yoimiya nearly forgot about this silly thing. ]

No! But I hope you don't mind if I give it a quick rub.

[ Thankfully for his sake, he manages to bite his tongue. Yoimiya can tell he really wanted to say something rude to her... gosh, now she's wondering what crawled up his butt and died. Since he isn't arguing, she wastes no time giving the oil lamp a quick rub, and to her surprise, a puff of pink smoke floats out of the nozzle. ]

Ajax, look! There's smoke coming out of it. How neat...!!!

[ She calls out to get her boyfriend's attention. Yoimiya looks so happy and enamored with the lamp, like a child discovering a new toy but unbeknownst to her, the smoke takes the shape of eyeballs staring directly at Ajax. ]
niwabi: (pic#16270735)

[personal profile] niwabi 2025-06-13 06:33 pm (UTC)(link)
[ When he takes the lamp out of her hands, Yoimiya assumes that he wants to get a closer look at it. But that thought soon comes crashing down by the sudden noise of it hitting the floor and glass shards scattering everywhere. Both Yoimiya and the shopkeeper stare in silence, stunned by her boyfriend's sudden reaction. One second Ajax was holding onto the lamp and then the next, it's flying out of his hands toward the entrance. She exchanges stares with the man behind the counter, preparing to be screamed at.

However, the shopkeep doesn't seem to be bothered. Sure, he looks agitated but the fat stacks of mora seemingly make up for it. Yoimiya has a feeling if she was the one to break the lamp, she'd never hear the end of it. But that's not important, she's far more concerned about Ajax's reaction because that wasn't normal. She opts to stay silent during the exchange, giving her thanks to the shopkeep even as she receives one last scowl from him.

What a rude guy... she's so relieved to get out of there. It almost seems like he's targeting her specifically and it hurts. Her mind flashes back to all the exchanges and try as she might, she can't figure out for the life of her what, she could have possibly done to make this guy harbor a huge disdain for her. Despite that it greatly bothers her, she figures it's best to brush the interaction off and not look too hard into it. After all, she's far more concerned about Ajax than some guy with a stick up his butt.

With her purchases tucked away in her bag, Yoimiya lets him take her hand, even going as far as to lace their fingers together and give him a gentle squeeze. She senses the urgency in his voice, that's a man who needs to get the heck out of here ASAP. It's more than evident he saw something that spooked him.

And Yoimiya has a feeling she knows the answer... as much as she doesn't want to say it outloud. ]


Ajax... did you see her?

[ She doesn't dare say her name in fear of drawing too much attention. It's not like she needs to anyway, there's only one crazy stalker after them. ]
Edited 2025-06-14 01:51 (UTC)
niwabi: (pic#16270735)

[personal profile] niwabi 2025-06-16 04:50 pm (UTC)(link)
[ As she listens to him, Yoimiya is stunned to the core. The whole time she was obliviously shopping, Ajax was met with terrors beyond her comprehension. He saw her reflection in the glass and a pair of eyes in the smoke... the worst part of all is that it happened right under her nose. Her poor sweetheart was suffering and she didn't even realize it.

She doesn't think he was hallucinating, Columbina is an awful, terrible person and it makes sense she'd want to inflict as much pain on them as possible. However, he is right on a certain matter...

Why didn't she get targetted?

For now, she decides that's not too important, she'd much rather focus on comforting Ajax. ]


No, I think you're onto something. Columbina is unpredictable and maybe she's switching up tactics for her own sick reasons.

[ Letting go of his hand, she snakes her arm around his back to give him a comforting rub. ]

If that was really her then... looks like we were right about her powers. She can reach us now we're out of Vanarana.

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