you hide your face with your disguise // 'cause someone filled your head with lies

[monoceroscaeli]

[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...]

Comments

[niwabi]

[ Ah, every kiss he administers to her neck is a reminder that the wait will soon be worth it. He'll be back to her soon and they can finally live their lives together without any interruptions. Seraphina doesn't hesitate to kiss him back, pouring every ounce of love she has for him through her lips. She moans as their tongues dance together in perfect harmony, happy to drink in his taste for as long as their bodies are able to give.

She's breathless once they break, mumbling a mantra of his name under her breath like a pleading prayer. Alnair is back. Alnair is back. Alnair is back. This is truly the happiest day of her life and she intends to take full advantage of it. ]

I love you too, Alnair. I love you so much. I'm so happy you're back.

[ I love you. I love you. I love you. IloveyouIloveyouIloveyouIloveyouIloveyou. She'll say those three special words until it's hammered into his head. Alnair is never going to leave her clutches, no matter how hard he tries to fight it. His obedience fills her heart with such glee, the spell is working as intended and she knows exactly what to dish out as her first order. ]

As for my first command, I want you to get rid of this puppet's body. Make sure she's properly disposed of so no one can find any remaining trace of her. I...

[ Suddenly, Seraphina pauses mid-sentence as if something got a hold of Yoimiya's body, doing everything in its power to fight back. No. No. Nonononono. Not now! Not when she's so close to killing the one thing standing in the way of her and Alnair. But try as she might, the presence fighting against her is too powerful for Seraphina to flush out from miles away.

Even in the midst of darkness, there's always a sliver of light. Wherever Ajax is inside his head, a soothing voice finds a way to reach out to him, breaking through the cracks of Seraphina's magic to bring him back.

This isn't you. Wake up, Ajax.

A tiny star as warm as the sun falls in front of Ajax, beckoning him to take a hold of his fate and wake up from this nightmare.

Meanwhile...

Somewhere far, far away is a girl lost in the depths of her own headspace. It was foolish to assume Seraphina's influence couldn't reach her in Sumeru, she let her guard down, causing her fate to be sealed the moment she set foot into the water. Yoimiya doesn't know where she is or even who she is, all she can see is an empty void of pitch black and the sensation of ice-cold water prickling her skin like glass shards. Her mind barely registers she's in a place where the sunlight can no longer reach her— the deep, dark ocean. But even with that epiphany, it doesn't matter, her body is completely at the mercy of the one who controls her, Seraphina has made sure not even Ajax's ray of light could reach her. All she can do is accept her fate as she sinks further into the black sea below, welcoming the embrace of the cold darkness.

Just when all hope seems lost, Yoimiya is greeted with a warm beam of light shining down upon her. Slowly, she flutters her lashes open to see the same star that manifested in Ajax's mind. It's small yet pleasant, powerful enough to brighten up even the darkest of oceans, and provides her a strange sense of familiarity. Although it reminds her of the meteors she saw in her dreams in Sumeru, something about it seems so... different. As if she'd seen them even before her trip to the Dendro nation.

You can't let her win. You have to fight. Wake up, Yoimiya.

The same voice inside Ajax's head speaks to her as well. Without a second thought, she grabs hold of the star, watching it dance in the palm of her hand until it bursts into a flurry of sparkles.

The light in Yoimiya's bright, golden eyes returns in full force, they shoot wide open after finally reclaimed the her body for herself. Her lungs feel like it's on fire from being filled with water, forcing her to take a moment to gasp for air as if she's been pulled out of the ocean from nearly drowning. What happened...? Her eyes dart around her surroundings, she recalls stepping into the bathroom to have a fun, relaxing night with Ajax but everything is a blur. Still attempting to get her bearings together, Yoimiya doesn't even realize that she's sitting on top of him with his cock shoved deep inside of her. Slowly, she flickers her gaze over at him, hoping he's not as confused as she is. ]

Ajax...?

[monoceroscaeli]

[Alnair can feel her love flowing into his head, breathless and thankful that she would have the capacity to love him, and he'll return it with loving her as deep as the ocean itself runs. Her first command is received loud and clear, dispose of the worthless mortal who's stood in their way for the last few weeks, keeping them from finally reuniting. He already is formulating a plan on how to kill her, a question on his lips to ask Seraphina to keep her still while he strangles her to death, but it all gets interrupted before he can act or even think more on it.

Something warm, something inviting enters into his mind. It doesn't feel anything like Seraphina, who's love is cruel, tight, and crushing. This feels gentle and soothing, like a soft hand reaching out for him to take. Within the fog of his consciousness, the warm glow of a star falls before him, floating in front of him and beckoning him near. Ajax stares at it, drawn towards it, reaching out and taking it into the palm of his hand. It feels nice, flooding his body with a warmth that he wasn't aware he needed- his body is cold, almost frozen from the power of Seraphina's magic, and the star flashes once at him before he presses it against his chest to let it sink inside of him.

Ajax feels how its power cleanses him, purging dark and icy power from his soul, the effects of which can be seen even on the outside as dark wisps of power leave his body. The trance he was under slowly dissipates, eyes blinking a few times as he stares back up into Yoimiya's glittering, golden eyes, that now look confused as to what just happened. He too, isn't exactly sure himself, as he hasn't pulled completely out of the fog that clouded his mind, slowly coming to now that his mind is free of the control that Seraphina had placed upon it.]

Yoimiya? Ngh, my head...

[One hand comes up to hold his head, feeling a headache come on. He hasn't registered everything that's happened, feeling the throb of pain come after his body and mind had just been purged of evil.]

I'm not sure...what just happened...

[niwabi]

[ Sounds like he's just as dazed and confused as she is. Not that she blames him, she's still not quite sure what happened or why she even blacked out to begin with. One minute she was getting ready to join her boyfriend in the bath and then the next, she's on top of him with no recollection of what happened in between. Bit by bit, memories begin to filter in her mind. She vaguely recalls calling Ajax... Alnair? And she's certain he was uttering the name Seraphina. A myriad of questions begin to stir in her mind, she doesn't even know where or how to begin. But first things first, checking up on Ajax is her top priority. ]

Me either. My mind feels like it's in a haze...

[ As she's getting ready to reach out her hand to cup his cheek, she's suddenly hit with a sharp pain in her lower half as if she's been thrown around and used like a lifeless doll. ]

Oh—!

[ Yoimiya groans in pain, the full force of the rough sex Alnair and Seraphina had comes at her like a truck, her whole body trembling from the aftermath. She collapses on top of him in a heap, too tired and utterly drained to even move. ]

Ngh, Ajax... I can't move my legs. It hurts.

[monoceroscaeli]

[Alarm bells already go off in his mind as it begins to clear, remembering at some point Yoimiya got on top of him like she is now, but the fact that they're both in such a daze can't be a good thing. Childe doesn't even have time to think about what those implications might be when his girlfriend slumps over him, exhausted and in pain. He quickly wraps his arms around her, concerned and realizing that with her movement, his dick is inside of her still, like they'd had sex.

They had sex. Really rough sex. So much that Yoimiya can barely move, and she confirms it immediately.]

...Here, just rest against me for a moment...

[But his voice begins to sound nervous, as memories come back to him. He'd fucked her hard, much harder than he would have otherwise. He remembers how quickly he'd gotten turned on, how Yoimiya floated above him, carved her nails into him, kissed him and wanted him all to herself.

A name slowly bubbles back to the surface, one he chanted over and over while he railed her, and it makes his veins run ice cold as his eyes widen in shock. Seraphina.

That's right, the one that tried to kill Yoimiya, the one that wanted him to kill her here in their room. Ajax's mouth instantly goes dry, and his eyes dart back and forth while he stares at the wall behind her as it all comes back to him. He'd been taken by her. Completely mesmerized, and a willing slave to her whims. And worst of all, in love with her.

Alnair.

That's what she called him back, and he'd loved every second of it...]

...Yoimiya, we might be in a lot of trouble. Can you remember anything from the last twenty minutes or so?

[His voice is quiet, disturbed. He doesn't mean to scare her, but it's not something they can avoid.]

[niwabi]

[ Despite that she can hardly move and is in so much pain, Ajax's arms around her fill her with a sense of comfort. She happily accepts his offer, melting into his hold as she nuzzles her face into his shoulder, completely spent and hurting everywhere. By chance, she looks over his shoulder, immediately noticing red scratches all over his back that look incredibly painful. Yoimiya winces at the sight of his torn-up back, attempting to process what exactly happened when suddenly, the memories come flooding back.

They definitely had sex but it was unlike their usual intimacy. It was savage, rough, and totally out of character for both of them. Her nerves are shot, she can feel the pit in her stomach crawl up into her throat as she recalls the terrible, awful way she slammed her hips against him. And now, her body is paying from the aftermath of that brutal sex.

And just when it couldn't get worse, a name that Yoimiya has never heard of comes to the forefront of her mind; Alnair. She distinctly recalls crying out that name and proclaiming her love for him. But, that's not the entire truth of the matter. ]

... I think it's all coming back to me.

[ The lump inside of her throat becomes harder to swallow as she finally remembers the terrible event, it wasn't her calling out for Alnair, it was someone named Seraphina taking control over her body. Instantly, the color drains from her face, if she wasn't so exhausted she'd be panicking right about now. ]

Alnair. That's what I called you, I remember crying out your name as we... [ she pauses, unsure if that depravity should actually be called sex. ] had sex. And the whole time you were calling out for...

[ The tone in his voice does not go unnoticed, it's obvious that he's deeply perturbed by everything that transpired, she doesn't blame him. Yoimiya has to take a deep breath to prevent herself from breaking down, she's in excruciating pain, disturbed by what happened, and she just wants to cry. But for Ajax's sake, she's trying to stay strong. ]

Seraphina.

[monoceroscaeli]

[Neither of them were spared with the bliss of ignorance. Tartaglia begins to remember it all, down to every minute detail, and his skin begins to raise with goosebumps when he can feel the ghost of Seraphina's claws carving into his chest and forehead. He's not sure what she did to him, but he completely lost himself and became someone else...someone he's never heard of before. Those feelings still sit in his chest though, ones of a love long lost, but surely, these feelings aren't his. They belong to that guy who was in his body, not him...

He can tell too, that Yoimiya is taking this even harder than him. Childe, at least, felt like he was still him despite clearly being this Alnair person, where Yoimiya was being controlled by the entity they've been terrified of. Trapped in her own body again, it must be such a harrowing experience for her. She's trying so hard not to cry, not to break down, and he hugs her a little more snugly to him in support.]

That's her.

[His voice continues to be soft, and he buries his head against her own as he speaks.]

She was the one that tried to kill you in the cave, tried to get me to kill you in the town square. The one that wants you dead.

[The sigh he lets out is long and labored, closing his eyes as he realizes that they are in even more trouble than he thought a moment ago. She can reach them anywhere, at anytime, in any way possible. And, he was powerless to stop it, as she'd woven her influence into his mind before he even realized what was happening. Tartaglia had been so eager to kill for her, to get rid of Yoimiya, making him say those awful things. Guilt wracks him again, just like it had in Snezhnaya.]

I'm so sorry, Yoimiya.

[The strain in his voice is evident, he isn't trying to hide how horrible he feels. An apology doesn't feel like enough...nothing feels like is enough to rectify his behavior, even if it wasn't his fault. If only he were stronger...]

[niwabi]

[ That's her. It's the confirmation that she wish wasn't real but it's the undeniable truth. Once again, she got trapped inside of her own body, forced to do the evil bidding of some wicked entity that wants her dead for horrible reasons unknown to her. Try as she might, she can't prevent the tears from prickling the corners of her disheartened eyes until they tumble down her cheeks and onto his shoulders. She weakly wraps her arms around him to return the hug, his presence is the only solace giving her the slightest bit of comfort. It truly was foolish to believe that thing's presence couldn't reach them in Sumeru, it came after her harder than ever, and now, they have to face the music that no matter where they go...

They will never escape from Seraphina. ]

Ajax...

[ She isn't the only victim in this, Ajax is suffering just as much as she is if not more. It pains her to think about her beloved wrenched with guilt when he's doing nothing wrong, he didn't ask for this, he would never actually want her dead, it's all Seraphina's fault and her influence making Ajax say things so uncharacteristic of him. And deep down inside, Yoimiya knows she's just as much to blame as Seraphina. If she wasn't so weak, if she was just a little bit stronger they might not be forced to go through so much agony.

But she doesn't wish to wallow in pity forever, not when Ajax is in so much pain. One of her hands approaches the back of his head, and gingerly strokes his orange locks through her fingers in a show of comfort, she needs him to know that she isn't holding any of this against him. ]

Please don't beat yourself over it. None of this is your fault.

[monoceroscaeli]

[It was never on his mind that they would end up having such a somber, sad moment in this hotel room in Sumeru. He'd hoped that they could come here, enjoy themselves a bit, and get the Doctor's end of the deal out of the way so they could concentrate more on their own goals. But instead, they both are here trying to console each other, and Tartaglia is failing miserably in this aspect. He appreciates her kind words, knowing that she's right and he should listen to her.

But it tears him up inside to know that for several long moments, he willingly discarded the woman he loves for another that he doesn't even know. The memory of the feelings he had brewing in his chest for Seraphina and how strong they were disgusts him, and though she says it's not his fault, how could he ever forgive himself for letting her do that to him? For her almost successful attempt to separate them forever?]

We were wrong. We didn't have our delusions on us, thinking we'd be safe in Sumeru, that maybe even a simple bath was alright. We let our guard down. I failed you, and I can't apologize enough to you, Yoimiya. Ugh...

[He lifts his head, knowing he can only apologize so much for screwing up, and all he can do is move forward. But with lingering effects still swirling in his head, he still doesn't really know if everything will be okay.]

We got lucky, and something saved us. That light...I saw a light and a star, and it snapped me out of it, telling me to wake up. Next time we may not be so lucky, though I wish I knew what that power was...

[niwabi]

[ Who would have thought that something as simple as a bath would spell their doom? All they wanted was a nice night without the threat of something evil lurking around the corner and they aren't even granted that. It's disheartening, heart-wrenching, and all too tragic. If they can't even enjoy a simple night together... then there's no telling what the future holds for them. Not only does it seem like they're back at square one, her heart feels like shattering into tiny pieces as she listens to her lover call himself a failure.

He's not. None of this is his fault. None of this will ever be his fault. It absolutely destroys her to see Ajax go from a man confident enough to take on the whole world to a guy wretched with guilt for something he didn't even do. She wants to burst into tears but for Ajax's sake, she's determined to remain strong. After taking another deep breath to control her tears, Yoimiya pulls her head away from his shoulder to look at him, bringing her hand over to the side of his face to gently stroke his cheek. ]

Me too. I heard a voice telling me to wake up and before I knew it, a tiny star fell into my hands and I finally came to my senses. Whatever that was, it saved us in the nick of time.

[ If that mysterious power was even a second later... she wouldn't be alive to converse with Ajax. But she refrains from sharing that thought, poor Ajax has been through enough and he doesn't need to feel any more guilty than he already is. She takes another deep breath in an attempt to gather her thoughts. ]

I... I'm still trying to wrap my mind around this, it felt like I was unconscious the whole time, like she locked my mind away from my body. The last thing I remember seeing before I woke up was water, it felt like I was endlessly sinking down in the ocean.

[monoceroscaeli]

[Tartaglia isn't aware of how terribly this is affecting his mind. Usually, he doesn't let much get to him, and can pull himself together pretty well. But there's just something about this that bothers him, in a way he can't describe. And Yoimiya's description of how she felt when she was locked out of her own body doesn't make it better. He had at least a little bit of control, but she'd been practically put to sleep and disconnected from the entire thing.

It hurts to look at her, at how upset she was. He can see how watery her eyes were, and how much she was fighting to keep them under control for his sake. Childe isn't crying himself, but the gentle strokes to his face nearly make him tear up. He'd been so close to losing her, this beautiful, gentle soul that's doing her best to cheer him up. He can't let this get to him this badly. He can't, he has to be strong for her, too. He presses her hand to his cheek, taking a few deep breaths as he does his best to calm his mind, think about this and try to look at it from a less emotionally-charged angle.]

She did it to get to me. I'm the one she wants.

[Unadulterated anger laces his tone, the kind of tone he adapts when he's really pissed. Calling him Alnair, telling him to wake up, she must of did something to him to have something possess him. It's a power he hadn't even considered, but spirits in this world aren't unheard of. But why him?]

She must of completely possessed you to do that. But, with your body, I was left completely vulnerable for her to weave her magic onto me. I don't know who this Alnair person is, but I think she tried putting him inside of me...so she could take me for herself. Yoimiya, from now on, we need to always be wearing our delusions in case she tries this again. If I lose you...

[That's when a choked sob bubbles up suddenly out of him, the thought of that actually happening because of their negligence kills him inside. He can't, he can't lose her to a fiend like this. He won't.]

[niwabi]

[ Now that he says it, Yoimiya wasn't exactly sure what the entity's endgame until now. Everything lines up. It's clear that Seraphina wants Ajax and needs her out of the picture to get to him. But the million mora question is...

Why?

Why does she want Ajax so badly? Sure, he's a catch and it wouldn't surprise her if women from all over Teyvat wish to be this incredible man but to kill his own girlfriend is taking this way too far. It's clear they are dealing with someone who is not only powerful but also wickedly evil. There's also the matter of Alnair. Why did Seraphina keep referring to him as Alnair? Ajax is Ajax, there's no way he could be someone else. Unless this is a serious case of mistaken identity, none of this is making any sort of sense to her. For every reason that pops into her head, a million more questions also crop up. But as much as she'd like to solve this mystery, there's no way they'll be able to figure it out tonight. Not when both of them are drained, in pain, and mentally exhausted.

Yoimiya sighs to herself, unsure of how they can even combat such a powerful force until the heat in Ajax's tone voice snaps her out of her thoughts. She keeps her hand against his cheek, stroking his soft skin with her thumb to provide him with even the slightest sense of comfort. But really, there's no defusing his anger, he has every right to be upset with everything that's happened. Seraphina is specifically after him, mind-controlling his thoughts, and manipulating his feelings. If he wants her dead, Yoimiya truly doesn't blame him. ]

You're right, we need to keep our delusions on us at all times. There's no telling how far her power extends, so we can't let our guards down like that again. So if you don't mind, I'd like to do a little bit of train—

[ But before she can finish her line of thought, she hears a choked sob spilling out from his lips. Ajax... her dear sweet Ajax. He's been doing his best to stay strong for her this whole time. For every moment she feels like breaking down crying, Ajax has it even harder, he's been bottling it up and doing his best for her. And in turn, it makes her feel so bad and so selfish to be wallowing in pitty. With her finger still stroking his face, she leans in to press a gentle kiss to his lips. ]

I promise I'll do my best. I know it's scary... heck, I'm shaking just thinking about it. But I promise I'll keep fighting. You're not going to lose me, okay? I love you, Ajax.

[monoceroscaeli]

[Involuntarily, Ajax lets out a shuddered breath as he feels his emotions really bubble up to the surface and threaten to pop. Nothing in this world aside from the terror of the Abyss has ever made him feel like this, and even then, he was able to rise above the dangers and terrors of that dark, ancient land. Nothing scares him now, except the reality that he could get put in a situation where he's completely helpless. And when that will absolutely come at the expense of his beloved's life, he can't help but feel a sense of dread wash over him, despite all the confidence and determination he has to beat that entity, beat Seraphina and keep Yoimiya safe and at his side for the rest of his life.

He still manages to keep those tears back, swearing that he'll be strong for her. Her kiss gives him comfort, and he sits there in their bath, letting himself hang onto every word she says. She's going to fight, and so will he. He won't lose her. He loves her. He won't lose her, he swears he won't lose her, he loves her too much.]

That's right, I won't lose you. I love you too, Yoimiya. So, so, much. Don't ever forget that.

[His eyebrows furrow with a renewed determination, pressing inward to capture her lips in another kiss, passionate and firm. He'll fight Seraphina till he no longer draws breath, but he'll ensure that she's the one that stops breathing long before he does.]

[niwabi]

[ The kiss is everything she needs in this dreadful time of uncertainty. Yoimiya returns the kiss with all the burning love she has for him inside her ignited heart. She kisses him back, over and over again to show him that she's right here and won't ever give up. She'll fight Seraphina till her dying breath, she'd rather die than see Ajax become a mindless slave for her but before that, she's going to ensure that wicked witch dies alongside her. Yoimiya swears to do whatever it takes to ensure Ajax's happiness. ]

I won't ever forget our love. I promise.

[ The passion and determination pouring out of him fuels the fire in her own heart. They don't have time to be sad over this, they need to grow stronger if they wish to win. Yoimiya places one last kiss on his lips before completely slumping against him in an exhausted, panting mess. Her body has absolutely taken a hit from that rough sex session, she can't recall the last time her legs were in a world of pain like this. ]

Mm... it's kind of hard to move right now. I hate to ask this of you but do you mind carrying me back to bed? We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow.

[ She just prays to the Archons above that her body will be able to move. ]

[monoceroscaeli]

[Tartaglia supports her as she finally ragdolls somewhat against him, feeling her exhaustion radiate out from her as she tries to catch her breath and relax after one beating of a sex session. She's still been too tired to move herself up off of him, so he quickly thinks of how to maneuver them both so she doesn't have to worry about it.

Standing should probably take care of that problem. He grabs a hold of her, supporting her with his arm under her butt as he stands-]

No problem, though this might feel a bit strange-

[-and lifts her upwards along with him, pulling her off of his dick and cradling her against him. They're both a mess after orgasming as hard as they both did, so before he carries her to bed, the first thing he does is put her back down in the water for a moment so she can sit and rest.]

Hold on, let me clean us up. Just sit and relax for a minute.

[And as the dutiful boyfriend, he lets Yoimiya's body soak in the tub for a minute while he cleans her up down there and the rest of her, scrubbing her gently to avoid making it any more sore than it already is :(]

There. Sorry if that hurt at all. How are you feeling?

[niwabi]

[ A noise mixed with both pain and pleasure spills from her lips as his cock slides out of her throbbing walls one last time. That whole ordeal was certainly strange. Both of them clearly had an orgasm but at the same time, she's in so much pain that she can't even think straight. Was this truly how Seraphina and Alnair made love? She can't imagine her sweet Tartaglia being that rough and inconsiderate of her body.

She's so thankful to have such a dutiful partner at her side. If he didn't help her out, she'd be stuck and unable to move out of this bath, eventually turning into a raisin. She desperately tries not to make too much noise as he scrubs her down, he's already feeling horrible and she absolutely does not want to pile on to his worries all because she's so weak. ]

I'm... well, it hurts everywhere. I think if I sleep it off I might be okay tomorrow.

[ At least, that's what she hopes. Yoimiya inwardly sighs, the full force of the assault done to her breasts finally hits her like a truck. There's red spots peppered all over her skin and gods, she's almost scared to see how bad the marks will be once they've bloomed overnight. ]

How are you feeling? I saw those awful scratch marks all over your back. I'm so, so sorry Ajax.

[monoceroscaeli]

[He seriously doubts that sleeping it off is going to be enough. He can see the damage done to her body and how weak she really is from after it. It makes him feel terrible that he did this to her, even if it was actually "Alnair" who was the perpetrator of it all. It was his body, and his mind that consciously ravaged Yoimiya's body to this point, all for some sick pleasure for two other people to enjoy with no consideration towards him or Yoimiya.]

I'm fine. I can feel some slight discomfort on my back, but perhaps after the years of fighting I've done, it doesn't feel nearly as bad as it looks. I'll be fine.

[He wishes she could say the same. Now that she's clean and he's cleaned himself up too, he gingerly picks her up to carry her in his arms out of the bath and towards the bed. They're both sopping wet, but he's not concerned about it. He finds a nice chair in the bedroom to place her in, goes and gets their towels, and returns with them so they can dry off and finally pass out.]

Here. [He places a large nightshirt out of her luggage onto the arm of the chair.] If you can slip that on, I'll get you in bed. We won't be doing anything tomorrow...I'll send word to Dottore to let him know we have to postpone for a day. I won't give him the details, but I'll tell him we suffered an attack and need time to recover.

[Ajax leans down to press a kiss to the top of her head, before standing back upright with a look of concern on his face.]

Make sure you put your delusion on a chain or a string of some sort and wear it even when you sleep. Its power will hopefully give you a line of defense, because who knows when she may strike next. I'll do the same.

[niwabi]

[ He says he's fine and she believes him but she still can't help but feel terrible for leaving deep scratches in his back even if it was Seraphina controlling her body. It's a good thing Ajax's body is conditioned to take on even the toughest of opponents, she doesn't even want to think about the excruciating pain he'd be feeling if he was just a normal guy.

... Unlike her, who is an ordinary human with nothing special about her.

Suddenly, the self-loathing comes back in full force as he takes her out of the bathroom. If she wasn't so weak, she'd be able to combat Seraphina and not make Ajax worry and fret over her. The reason why they're in this mess is because she's a delicate human being and now, they have to cancel their plans with Dottore tomorrow. If his reaction on the boat was anything to go by, she could already picture him giving her boyfriend a hard time because of her. He sets her down in the chair and for that split second he exits to get towels, she wonders if Ajax's life would be better if she was simply gone.

When he comes back, he gifts her a nightshirt that she absolutely appreciates. Yoimiya reaches over to grab it and manages to raise her arms to lift it over her head. It's only when she tries to stand up out of the chair that the problems begin to arise. She wobbly tries to stand, falling back on the chair as soon as she gets on her two feet, another reminder of how weak and pathetic she truly is.

Yoimiya doesn't say anything for a solid minute, feeling ashamed that she looks so weak in front of her boyfriend who has been through way worse than she has. The kiss to the top of her head is the final nail in the coffin, Ajax has been so sweet and understanding to her, even going as far as to look bad in front of one of his coworkers for her sake. Tears begin to spill out from the corners of her eyes from both the excruciating pain and all the negative feelings bubbling up inside of her. ]

There should be a silk band in my luggage that can hold it. I... [ Try as she might, she can't stop the tears from tumbling down her cheeks. ] I'm so sorry Ajax. This is all my fault. I promise, I really will try to get stronger. I'll never take the delusion off and I'll work hard to ensure something like this never happens again.

[monoceroscaeli]

[It seems he's very much underestimated how battered Yoimiya really was. She gets the nightshirt, but when she tries to stand, that doesn't go over so well. Tartaglia watches her fall back into the chair, unable to stand on her own from how weak she'd been left after having sex, and he feels a wave of guilt wash over him again. Poor Yoimiya...she hadn't asked for this. He doesn't even turn to fetch the described silk band, knowing that she was about to burst, and the tears begin to fall down her cheeks uncontrollably as she spills out an apology that he doesn't think she should have to make.

It makes his heart wrench to see her in such a state, and he falls to his knees in front of her as he reaches for her hands. Ajax looks up at her, eyes wide and desperate, wanting only to see her smile and not suffer as she is right now- and he shakes his head.]

No Yoimiya, this isn't your fault at all. It fills my heart full to know you want to become stronger, but not because of the guilt about something that's out of both of our control. I lost myself too...we both have a long way to go.

[Gently, his hands come up to wipe the tears from her eyes, holding her cheek in the palm of his hand.]

Let's just focus on our promise to each other to grow stronger together. You don't win every battle, I know I haven't- and you can only grow stronger through those experiences. All that matters is that you're still alive. Stay alive, Yoimiya...and I'll do my best to stay alive, too. Promise me you'll do whatever it takes to stay with me. This isn't going to be easy. I love you, and I never, ever want to lose you. Okay?

[niwabi]

[ Bruised body, battered mental state, crushed spirit... Yoimiya has never been this down in the pits before. On a typical day, she's as bright as the sun. Warm, friendly, shining a ray of happiness upon anyone who enters her vicinity. And because she's so down in the dumps, she feels like the worst person in the world by having Ajax constantly comfort her when he's in agony too. He's done nothing but be there for her during this awful time and she feels like she's done nothing but cry her eyes out.

She can't keep doing this, not when Ajax is trying so hard to be strong for her. The palm of his hand feels like warmth personified, drying her tears like a ray of light and bringing her watery gold irises to meet with his deep blue. The look on his face says it all, he's desperate to see even the faintest smile on her lips. Through her tears and sniffles, she manages to crack a tiny smile thanks to his uplifting words. ]

Ajax... I promise. I'll do everything in my power to stay alive. We're gonna grow strong so we can overcome this.

[ Ajax is right. Instead of wallowing in self-pity, she should be grateful they're both alive. She affectionately nuzzles her face into his palm, soaking in his heat and scent that always brings her comfort in times of need. She gives his hands a gentle squeeze, placing it over his free hand to brush her fingers over his knuckles. ]

I love you too. I love you so much. It might be selfish for me to ask but can you promise me the same thing? Please, stay with me. You mean so much to me, not even a distance as great as the sea or the sky could separate us. So please... promise me you'll do your best too. I don't want to lose you either.

[ While Yoimiya has gotten some of her fighting spirit back, unbeknownst to her, the mark left by Seraphina has deeply ingrained its roots inside Ajax's heart and mind. That same beautiful voice comes back to haunt him, whispering dark thoughts into his head to cloud his judgment.

Alnair. Don't forget about me. I love you more than she ever could. That wench has always been so selfish, always so focused on her feelings. It's not fair that you're always forced to comfort her. ]

[monoceroscaeli]

[He's so glad to hear her say those words, that she would do her best and do whatever it took to stay alive and get through this together with him. He can see the tears threatening to spill out, but she's doing her best to be brave, to weather this storm they've found themselves in. His chest buzzes and fills with a warmth when she nuzzles into his palm, and he couldn't be happier to nod his head back at her when she asks for him to stay with her.

Of course he would. She didn't need to ask- he'd do everything in his power to ensure he stood by her side through thick and thin.

And that's when the unexpected happens.

Dark thoughts swirl inside of his head, and words bubble up inside that have been branded onto his mind that were not removed during that short moment of salvation. They echo in his head, and the world seems to go quiet once again.

Just remember... listen to my voice alone. Drown out anyone else.

Ajax's pupils reduce into small pinpoints in his eyes as he looks at Yoimiya, as more words play in his head, spoken to him from his master.

Alnair. Don't forget about me. I love you more than she ever could. That wench has always been so selfish, always so focused on her feelings. It's not fair that you're always forced to comfort her.

It's not fair. He has done a bit of comforting for her, and yet nothing has changed. But Seraphina's love is eternal, and he wouldn't dare forget about her. Ajax sways back and forth just slightly as his thoughts are suddenly engulfed by Seraphina's will, listening to her voice, continuing to nod at Yoimiya, yet these acknowledgements aren't for her. But whatever distance between them allows her influence to not be as strong, and his own pure thoughts penetrate the cloud of darkness over his mind.

No. He needs to be there for Yoimiya, whenever she needs him.]

I promise, Yoimiya. I'll do everything to stay alive and stand by you, no matter what.

[niwabi]

[ Something seems incredibly off about Ajax. Despite that she's beyond exhausted, the first thing that sticks out to her like a sore thumb is the size of his pupils, they look like they've shrunk into tiny points made by needles. The next thing that's a cause for concern is watching him sway back and forth. There's always a good chance he's also tired considering everything that happened but something about his movements isn't sitting right with her. As he told her in the spa, he's been through death-defying battles, so surely the ordeal wouldn't have drained him... right?

But before she can dwell on that line of thought, his promise assuages her concerns. The smile on her face grows wider, finally feeling some semblance of relief after being forced to go through that horrific ordeal. ]

Thank you, Ajax. I love you. I promise to stand by your side and support you no matter what. Don't ever hesitate to share your burdens with me.

[ It's the least she can do for everything he's had to put up with in regards to her.

Using the little strength she has left, Yoimiya stands up from the chair to pull Ajax in for a warm embrace, overjoyed that they're both still alive. ]

I'm sorry to be a burden but do you mind carrying me to bed? I think I'm ready to lay down for the rest of the evening. You need to get some rest too, okay? We need to get our strength back before we face Dottore.

[monoceroscaeli]

[A soft smile spreads across his face, and he stands up with her as she pulls him into her arms. His own arms engulf her small frame, holding her close as he pours more comfort into his gestures to be a rock for her, a steady foundation that she can always rely upon. Letting go, he nods one last time to her, kneeling down to scoop her up into his arms.]

You've had a hard day. C'mon.

[Ajax carries her to the bed, but something at the back of his mind lurks and speaks ill of this exchange. Selfish. She's selfish. It's not fair. Though it doesn't show outwardly, Tartaglia feels the smallest bubble of resentment float to the surface, but he dismisses it instantly, popping it like the transient thing it is. And what had come over him in the moments before this? It's all confusing to him, this business with Alnair, and what it all means for him. That Seraphina is tricky...he's got to be on his guard.

Ajax lays Yoimiya down on the bed, moving the covers so he can tuck her in so she doesn't have to put forth the effort after being so savagely used. He kisses her forehead, admiring her as she lays there, before leaving to fetch their delusions. He's only gone but a moment, before returning with the silk band she'd mentioned before with her delusion, and a chain for his own. He slips hers over her head to wear as a necklace, and then slips his own on as well.]

There. I think we might get an iota of peace tonight, with any luck.

[Ajax rounds the bed to join her, slipping under the covers and getting comfortable.]

Try you best to get some sleep, Yoimiya. I'll do my best to rest too. Don't worry about Dottore, believe me- he's got all the time in the world to accomplish his goals.

[niwabi]

[ She truly cannot thank Ajax enough. If it wasn't for his comforting presence... she doesn't even want to think about how miserable and dull her life would be without them. I truly am blessed Yoimiya thinks to herself, snuggling up to him as he carries her to bed, completely oblivious to the inner struggle taking place inside of Ajax's headspace. Unbeknownst to her, Seraphina's hold on Alnair's mind is absolute, and as long as those marks stay on him, she's determined to make Yoimiya's life a living hell before her miserable life can finally come to an end.

Yoimiya has no idea about the true extent of Seraphina's wrath.

Once he lays her down and tucks her in, Yoimiya finally feels a little bit at peace after her body was cruelly used and abused. What little strength she has left is used to snuggle up close with her boyfriend, desperately craving his warm presence to get her through the night. With the delusion around her neck and Ajax next to her, she might be able to get some semblance of sleep tonight. ]

Alright, you've convinced me. I'll try not to worry about him too much. Surely he's got plenty of other endeavors to tackle in Sumeru.

[ She cranes her head to press a soft kiss to his cheek. ]

Thank you again Ajax. I love you...

[monoceroscaeli]

[The warmth of Yoimiya's body feels so nice against his own. As she cuddles up to him, his head moves to nuzzles against hers. He's not so sure really, how much rest he was going to get tonight, despite anything he's said so far to her. It still bothers him a lot about how he acted while he was underneath the strange power of Seraphina. That immense amount of love and devotion he felt for her as Alnair is still very fresh in his mind, and a seed of doubt was planted deep within his mind that he still isn't truly aware of. No doubt he'll replay the event over and over in his head until he finally falls asleep, trying to figure out and think through everything that happened in order to come up with a way to deal with Seraphina properly.

But Yoimiya's kiss manages to settle him down for the moment, take his mind away from his troubles and helps to focus his attention on her. He looks down at her and smiles warmly, eyes crinkling around their edges while he takes a moment to appreciate her and appreciate that she is still lying next to him, safe in his arms instead of in harm's way.]

I love you too, Yoimiya. Goodnight.

---

[It takes some time for Childe to fall asleep. His mind goes through and thinks about what had happened, and the more he thinks about it, the more he convinces himself she had hypnotized him somehow, making him believe he was someone else. But now she's no longer in control of Yoimiya or him, they have their delusions on their person now, and something...or someone...was watching over them. He can't explain away the warmth of the star that permeated his mind, but it must of been something keeping an eye out for them.

After some time, Ajax finally loses consciousness, falling into a deep sleep as his dreams begin to take shape.

The coziness of the cabin he finds himself in is familiar and warm, and he can't quite make out who the person is next to him. Her figure is a blur, save for the radiance and sharp gaze of her pink eyes, which he can't seem to tear away from. He feels at peace and completely in love, as the two giggle and share in each other's warmth with her in his arms. She's the love of his life, she's everything he's ever wanted, and he feels happy, proclaiming his devotion to her before they kiss. Everything is right, and all he wants to do is spend the rest of his days by her side.

Don't forget me, Alnair.

Her voice echoes in his mind, over and over again.

I love you, more than she ever could. I love you. You belong to me. Remember me, Alnair. Only listen to me.]

---

[Sunlight permeates the room as it begins to rise, making Childe's eyes flutter open. He felt like he slept like a baby, his body feels light and good, almost as if the claw marks in his back never came to be. He breathes out a sigh of relief, basking in the warm rays of sunlight and taking a moment to himself to appreciate being alive for another day and being able to be with Yoimiya.

Groggy, he closes his eyes, but what stares back at him are pink irises that reflect off of the back of his eyelids, mesmerizing and controlling. His eyes snap back open immediately, but no matter what he does, those pink eyes don't return...maybe he's just tired...]

Yoimiya, [he says softly as he rolls over to gaze at the gorgeous, sleeping visage of his girlfriend.] You awake? Breakfast...

[He nuzzles her a few times, to try to wake her up. He wants to get food and he doesn't want to go without her.]

[niwabi]

[ The sight of Ajax's warm, genuine smile combined with his blue eyes gazing down on her grips and tugs at her heart. No doubt the two of them are in for a rough night's sleep, not even the most hardened veteran would be able to slumber in peace with everything they have on their plate but seeing that wonderful smile spread across her lover's visage is yet another reminder that they made it and lived another day to rest in each other's arms. She's finally able to relax in his hold, feeling safe and secure from the harsh reality that a vile monster wants her dead. Maybe, just maybe, she can fall asleep to Ajax's warmth enveloping her.

I love you too, Yoimiya. Goodnight.

She'll never get tired of him proclaiming his love, it gives her the slightest bit of hope that Seraphina's influence has nothing on Ajax's willpower. This man has been through hell and back, there's no telling how many death-defying situations he's come out of, if there's anyone who can defy the whims of a crazy woman in love, it's him. From the bottom of her heart, she truly believes they will come out of this situation stronger than ever.

With that peace of mind, Yoimiya closes her eyes, nestles her face against Ajax's chest, and eventually, drifts off to sleep. What awaits her is not the sweet dreams of her lover she was hoping for, but instead...

She's all alone, pulled back to that same ocean she saw in the fog of her consciousness. Not a speck of light can reach the place she's at, there's nothing but pitch-black darkness and ice-cold water engulfing her body, her chest hurts, it feels like ice is pumping into her bloodstream, and she's unable to breathe. But instead of being scared, she's simply resigned to the fact that no one can dive in and pull her out. All she can do is accept her fate to sink endlessly into the sea with no hope of escaping.

Alone... ]

---

[ It's only when something soft and warm touches her that Yoimiya finally begins to stir. She blearily opens her eyes, immediately using Ajax's chest as a shield against the sunlight pouring into the room. Although she managed to sleep, it wasn't the relaxing rest she was hoping for. Still, she had a feeling this was going to be the case. Sleeping with a threat looming over them feels like an impossible task.

But... as soon as her vision comes to and she sees the wonderful sight of her boyfriend greeting her with his handsome face, she feels recharged and ready to face the world with him at her side. ]

Mm... morning Ajax.

[ She manages to crack a small, tired smile at him. ]

Breakfast sounds lovely. Does the hotel provide room service?