insurmountable | gotta check myself 'cause I just can't believe / that you were in my heart, you were in my head

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gotta check myself 'cause I just can't believe / that you were in my heart, you were in my head

[Regrettably, he knew he had to go, to return to Snezhnaya on the call of The Jester to join the new project that was moving forward. It'd been nice being in Fontaine, and with all his heart he wishes he could have stayed a while longer, even if it were just to help out the House of the Hearth while he was still recovering. His cough was still ragged and his body still felt a little weak, and Childe would never let anything like that stop him from moving forward and pushing himself- but for now, he'll have to accept that he'll need to take it a little easy as he travels back to the homeland. Still, he would have loved to of had a little sparring session against Lumine or Arlecchino before he left...such is the transient nature of a Harbinger always on the move. Sighing with resignation, he heads back to the Court of Fontaine, to prepare for the journey back...it wouldn't be a short trip, and he'll milk all the time he can out of this before he has to deal with the responsibilities he'll have to take care of.

Maybe if he's lucky, he'll get to run into Lumine again before he leaves. The timing was both impeccable and terrible, only getting to see her for such a short amount of time and it wasn't even alone. He can hope for a reunion, but he knows the chances are slim...

Luckily for him, the Northland Bank is located in Fontaine as well, so while the House of the Hearth stays relocated in Poisson for the time being, he can get himself a nice place to stay while getting ready to leave. On one such day, he's out and about in the city proper to buy a few things for the trip back, a few bags in his hands, enjoying the fresh air. As his eyes scan over the shops for somewhere else to stop at, he swears he sees the tiniest sliver of white flash around a corner, eyes widening in surprise. Was that who he thought it was...?

Curiosity gets the better of him, abandoning his task for the moment to chase after the white-clad figure, hoping and praying that he'll be greeted with the sight of those familiar golden locks that he's longed to see again. Childe's steps pick up the pace, not realizing how fast his heart is racing now, eyes darting back and forth as they sweep over the crowd in hopes of catching a glance of what he thinks he saw. For a moment, he's certain that he's lost her, lost whatever he was chasing after, but from behind him is the unmistakable lilt of a voice that's all too familiar in his ears.

Turning around, he sees her, she's right there at one of the displays outside of a shop, and his whole body fills with joy. Wasting no time, Childe closes the distance between them, his voice bright despite his condition.]

Comrade! What a coincidence! Here I thought our last meeting would be the last time I'd see you for a while.

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( Lumine was still in pure shock, but she had never taken in the thought that she could lose. Every fight she's managed to find a way to win, whether with friends or by herself. Had Arlecchino wanted to, she could have easily taken her down; she didn't know what power that was that she used. It still made her feel something she never felt before... Fear...

Fear to die... Fear to die without her brother...

Without getting the answers she needed from him... As well as regret not seeing a certain Harbinger again and reprimanding him in exasperation about taking better care of himself while resting. Curse that Unknown God for sealing away her powers... Seeing Arlecchino with her wings made her conscious of her own missing wings...

Anyway, she didn't get the chance to really talk to Childe before he hurried off to Snezhnaya. Taking a walk around the Court of Fontaine, just needing a breather after everything; unaware of her surroundings, since she thought he left already she didn't keep an eye out. She was at one of the book stands, figuring she can get a book for the long, lonely nights of restlessness.

After asking the clerk for a recommendation, she listened to his choices for her before she can hear the familiar voice greet her. Turning her head to see Childe approaching with so much glee, it surprised her. Putting the book down, she turned to him fully taking in his entire appearance. )

Same here, I thought you'd left for Snezhnaya a while ago. Are they letting you rest before leaving at least?

( She still thinks about the fear, worry, and dread when she'd seen him fall in after the whale. Wishing she jumped in right after him to help, to make sure he returned alive to his family ~~and her~~. )

[There's a certain level of relief he feels when she greets him, as if the possibility existed that she wasn't real and that he'd only been talking to no one. It's a rare occasion to run into Lumine across his travels- even more so now when their paths were supposed to be separated completely for the time being. Fate has a funny way of tricking you, making him believe he wouldn't be able to see her for who knows how long. But this is one trick he couldn't be more thankful for, as he sets a hand on his hip while he answers.]

Sort of. I'm only making sure I've got a proper amount of supplies to take with me on the long journey back. Getting to Snezhnaya from Fontaine isn't quite as long as sailing there from Liyue, but I won't get a nice boat ride to lie down and rest. I've still got to-

[A hacking cough suddenly interrupts him, his lungs reminding him of how unwell he still was despite being able to get up and move around. Childe turns to cover his mouth, his frame shaking from the force of it, eyes only a little watery as he turns back to her.]

-sorry. I know that didn't sound good , but it really isn't as bad as it sounds.

[Though even he's not totally convinced, but he doesn't want her to worry about him. Seems his body isn't going to agree with his will here, though.]

( There it is again, that terrible cough that makes him sound like he's ready to cough up a lung. He couldn't even talk for too long before his body is telling him to stop. Both fists on her hips as a frown appeared on her face, staring at him while he coughed.

When he turns back he is greeted with a stern glare; ignoring his 'reassurance' of him not sounding 'as bad as it does'. How can she blindly agree after watching his body shake with the violent cough? )

Is this ridiculous project so important that you have to stop resting in order to do it? There are eight other Harbingers to cover for you until you're 100%.

( She doesn't know why she cares to get worked up about it, it's almost like she was speaking to a wall. Even if she locked him away in her teapot, he would find some way to not rest. )

Or I'm sure your subordinates could have done that while you rested until you left.

[Oof, that's not the look you want to see on the traveler. He knows that look- it's not like she's the only person in the world who's ever given it to him- and he knows he's probably in for it a little bit. It's the kind of look when you know you're in trouble, but only because the other person is a little worried or concerned, because they care. Simultaneously, he braces himself for what he believes is a scolding, and it warms his heart a little to know that she cares enough about him to scold him in the first place.]

Well, haha...that's not how it works. When called upon, there's really only so much I can do to prolong it no matter what the circumstances are...

[And even as he says it, he knows that's not going to be a valid excuse in her eyes. He doesn't even really disagree with her, but the Tsarita's will takes precedence over all, which he's sure Lumine would also disagree with in this case.]

Really, I'll be okay. I promise I'll take care of myself during the trip back, barring any extraordinary circumstances. Really, I'm just flattered you care so much, comrade.

[His eyes soften subtly as he says it, looking at her with a level of fondness he's not even aware that he's showing. But he means it earnestly, even if the words carry a tone of cockiness to them.]

( Of course the Tsaritsa does not care for her soldiers, that's all they were to her; soldiers ready to be thrown away the moment they were not useful to her. She'd seen it happen Wanderer and she works with a disgusting, vile man like Dottore. Her hands fists leaving her hips to cross in front of her, frown deepening. But she'll refrain from voicing her thoughts on his 'revered' Archon. )

Not even laying in bed half to death apparently.

( Upon hearing his flattery, any other time she'd turn away so fast to avoid his gaze to not show how his soft look gets to her. But this time she just frowns deeper, she doesn't even know if he'll even take his promise seriously. )

Well, I just watched you pop out of dimensional rip in thin air, in your foul legacy for who knows how long, and collapse back in after the whale. ( That was not a good feeling, the fear she felt and having to stop her urge to run and jump in with him. )

I somehow don't even believe your empty promise.

[That didn't work. He watches Lumine's expression get even more sour in real time, and it makes him laugh nervously and throw a hand behind his head, that tell tale nervous tic of his whenever he knows he's in a little bit of hot water with someone.]

Hey, you know I don't break my promises. I really will do my best to take it easy on the way back.

[Cue another cough that makes him stop for a moment, sighing afterwards.]

Even if I tried to break my promise, my body wouldn't let me anyway. Come now Lumine, stop looking at me like that. This chance meeting is too good to pass up, and I'd rather spend it amiably with you than to leave with the memory of that scowl branded into my mind.

[He sends her an apologetic look, holding out his hand almost as if he were inviting her to take it, though it's more of a gesture of asking her just to follow him so they can go somewhere and relax for a little bit.]

I'm sorry I made you worry. Let me make it up to you at least by treating you to something.

( Perhaps it wasn't fair to be so upset with him, he'd bought time for the people of Fontaine, whether that was his intentions or not. Maybe she can give him some leeway, but she's sure the moment she does; he'd end up like this again or maybe... worse... And his cough brought her back to her original worry. )

If leaving you with my scowl will keep you from getting that injured again, then I'd much rather keep it.

( But she takes a deep breath, releasing her arms as they rest at her side; staring down at his hand, before looking back up at him. A much more genuine apology, to feel her heart ache. She was not supposed to care this much about someone, not like how she cares about him.

She turned back to the clerk and paid for the book she had wanted, putting it away before turning to Childe again. Giving a soft nod of her head, ready to follow him. )

Okay. I'd much rather you make it up to me by resting, but I'll let it go.

[Even if she's being stern with him right now, he can't say he isn't warmed by her intentions here. She definitely doesn't have to worry about his condition, especially being one of the Harbingers, and yet she still makes it a point that she'd continue to scold him for it. It makes him smile and he's glad she seems to of accepted his apology, and that she agrees to go with him for a while.]

You're a fan of sweets, right? Let's head over to Hotel Debord. From my experience, they've got all sorts of desserts that will tickle your sweet tooth. Hah, I'd be afraid to take Teucer and the others there for fear that they'd fill up on them and ruin their appetites.

[But there's something...missing. Something important, something so core to being with Lumine...]

Speaking of which...did Paimon decide to take it easy today too? I'm not exactly used to her absence when I'm around you.

[He wonders that as they make their way up the steps towards the hotel, Childe fighting off the urge to cough as much as he possibly can to keep Lumine from giving him more of a hard time. But if Paimon's not here...this is going to be a lot more interesting and fun, because when does he ever get alone time with her?]

Yeah... I am... I'm surprised you know that...

( Surprise fills her when he mentions her love for sweets, she doesn't think he'd pay attention enough to notice. She never really shared her sugar tooth with anyone outright except Paimon and her brother. Hotel Debord, unless invited, like she was with Navia, she doesn't order from here often. It was much to pricy, at least by herself it was okay. But it was pricy enough with trying to fill Paimon's stomach.

But hearing him mention Teucer, it brought a soft smile to her face. Though he was a bit of a handful, she rarely got to play 'big sis' being the younger twin. He'd grown on her by the end of their little trip around Liyue. )

After Natlan, I'll hopefully get to go and see him and keep my picky promise.

( Funny he mentions her missing companion, as Paimon would have noticed Lumine's worry and scold Childe even more for her. Maybe even louder too. )

Paimon didn't want to join in the shopping and she bought a bunch of mystery books she wants to read. So she's home, reading.

( Following after him, trying to keep pace with his longer strides; she can almost see the change in his chest. Like he was fighting that cough and she just shakes her head. )

How's your siblings? Are they okay?

[Home reading is exactly where he'd like Paimon to be. Though he doesn't mind her, she does get a little too squeaky and nerve grinding at times...not what he wants right now now that he's got the chance at some alone time with Lumine. It puts a pep in his step, one that almost makes him cough again, but he's trying so hard not to because he really wants to prolong this as much as he can. Lying in bed now would just be a waste.]

They're doing well. Tonia's sprung up a few inches suddenly, so I've had to help get her some new clothes recently...I sent some Fontainian clothes back to Snezhnaya for her, so I hope she likes them. That Chiori runs a pretty nice boutique, so I couldn't pass that up.

[And she was booked up too...that hurt the pocketbook a little to get her to take his order. He can see Hotel Debord now, climbing the stairs upward to their final destination. Why are stairs so difficult right now...]

You know, Teucer asks me every now and again when you'll come to visit, and he always brings up that the two of you made a pinkie promise on it. I guess I can tell him that you've only got one more stop before coming to visit us, huh? But the nation of war is a dangerous one at the current moment...the unrest there is ripe with plenty of battles to be had and skirmishes to be fought. I wish I was being sent there instead of whatever this special project is the old man keeps going on about.

[He folds his arms over his chest, like he's pouting about not being sent to a warzone. Life is unfair when you're a Harbinger sometimes!]

( Her teapot at her side, a place for her to call home in this large, lonely world. She still mentally thanks Madam Ping every time she enters. She would warn him, be careful of what one wishes for, the small companion can pop up at any moment. Especially if she knew they were going for snacks.

Hearing about his sister and how he paid for Chiori's services; that definitely had to rack up a huge bill that the seamstress did not give him mercy with. Perhaps she could come along with gifts? She didn't know what Tonia liked, but perhaps it'll make it up to Teucer for 'taking too long' to come and visit. But she's never forgotten about it. )

Well, I'm sure she'll like them, especially if you hurt the pocket with her tight schedule. But you can reassure him I haven't forgotten our pinkie promise. Each nation I've visited needed help and who knows what Natlan will be like.

( She listens to him talk about Natlan and it was easy to hear that it was not... it was not going to be an easy nation to navigate. But hearing him pout about not being sent to the nation of war, she couldn't help but give him a look equivalent to a 'really?' expression.

With an exasperated shake of her head and sigh, she decides to continue to Hotel Deboard; leave him standing there dreaming of already getting into another battle. Some things just never change. )

Well, I for one am glad they aren't sending you there. How do you plan to keep your siblings safe if you one day kick the bucket from your constant need to fight?

[Though it's said so casually, he knows how much Lumine has done across Teyvat so far. There isn't a movement that the traveler does that doesn't eventually reach his ears, as people talk and gossip about the legendary traveler and their companion Paimon. But that's just how his comrade is, and quite frankly he wouldn't want it any other way.

He trots a little faster to catch up to her, which unfortunately makes him cough lightly as he does so, but he doesn't seem to mind. Not the first time she's given him that look and probably won't be the last. ^^]

C'mon, you know I'll do everything I can to stay alive. Don't talk like that's going to happen anytime soon.

[He says that with his full chest full of confidence- he's standing here alive now! Doesn't that count for something? But, when he thinks about it a little more, he continues on as he opens the door to their destination open for her first, so he can follow in after.]

Okay, I'll admit that my fight in the Primordial Sea was pushing the limit a little there, but I wasn't sure how to get out. To be honest, I still don't really know how I ended up there to begin with.

[Of course, there's a whole lot he's not saying right now about it, not that he'd hide it from her. He definitely still...wanted to fight the narwhal regardless...]

Let's just order some snacks for now though, and we can talk more about it while we relax for a bit, if you'd like.

( No matter how many times she runs into people who already know of her before she even introduces herself still startles her. It's funny how in the beginning she was only ever helping because it benefitted her in search of her brother or she somehow got dragged in.

She looks back at him with a slight worried guilt to causing his next cough, but he was right. One thing she can be sure is he was absolutely stubborn in a fight. Not that she'll let him off the hook with that. )

Though as true as that is, you're still human and you seem to forget about that a lot. Nothing is guaranteed.

( Was it the right time to mention the strange dreams she had? Of real time events of his time in the Fortress. Granted she's never held onto anyone's vision before, but it was strange to have dreams like that. She walks inside when he let her go and waited for him. )

Alright... Just this one chance I will let it go. At least you made it out alive. ( She would hate to have his family find out in whatever cruel way the Harbingers would tell them. Or if Arlecchino will continue to pretend to be him in the letters.

She walks up to Sanguinetti and orders a plate of Macaroons. Never one to break someone's pockets like Paimon would be happy to do when offered. Plus, most of their food, it always went into Paimon with Lumine just picking off little bites off. )

[He lets out a childish laugh at her rebuke- yeah, maybe he does act like he's superhuman at times, but isn't he kind of? He's managed to live through every encounter he's been through so far, so he's gotta be doing something right. It won't kill him to ease off of it a little for the time being though, especially in his condition, but for her sake, too.]

I'm especially glad I did. I would have missed out on the chance to spend this time with you.

[He orders himself one of those fancy Fontaine cakes that he has no idea how to pronounce (it's Furina's favorite,) along with some beverages for the two of them to be delivered upstairs as soon as they're ready. Tartaglia knows that Lumine is being polite, so he orders a cake for her too along with a dessert that he's pretty sure is pudding. Coffee Bav-something.

When they finally sit down, he settles back into his chair, grateful for the break now. He'd been walking around all day and hadn't realized how tired he was.]

So I heard you helped everyone avert disaster here when the country was flooded from the Primordial Sea. In fact, I realize now that I have no idea what you were up to ever since we parted ways after I was arrested and taken to the Fortress. I'm glad to see you made it out alive as well, comrade.

( She would gladly tell him no, he was not superhuman; that this last battle proved it. Who knows what would have happened had he stayed fighting the narwhal for any longer. She would be grateful to him easing away from it enough to not get to that point again. ...Especially, if they won't see each other for as long as who knows.

The tease bringing out her own, though she loves her companion's company, she knows Paimon can get under a lot of people's skin. )

Had I known you'd look forward to spending time with me, I'd have brought Paimon along to say goodbye too.

( Lucky him, seems they hadn't sold off on that special cake. She was ready to tell him off for buying too much. Paimon wasn't here to break his pockets, but she lets it go. Following him up and taking her seat, this was a sight that brings a happier mood to her. To see him sit and relax back in his chair. )

I volunteered to get sent to prison to check up on you and you weren't there. Poor Paimon was ready to go crazy in there. Lots of crazy things happened after. But we're both okay and that's what matters.

[He'd whine if he thought she was serious about bringing Paimon along. But he does shoot her a pouty look, that says 'please don't', as he's enjoying this little one on one with her. No need for screechy flying fairies to ruin it all now. He'd have to fend her off of all their food on top of it.

Which, luckily, comes quickly. It's only desserts, and a lot of it was pre-prepared anyway, with a waitress coming by the table to set down everything they'd ordered. It looks incredible, with Childe salivating specifically over the La Lettre a Focalors that gets set out for the both of them.]

You voluntarily went down into the Fortress of Meropide for me? I'm touched.

[Cue his surprise. He wouldn't expect anyone to go that far for him, especially not her. There were still some lines in the sand between them, because of his status as a Harbinger and the deeds he's committed and will commit in the future. There's a strange twinge he feels in his chest knowing she did that, because the way she says it, it seems like she could have said no.

And what exactly happened after? Now he's intrigued...]

The Fortress really isn't so bad, in my experience. The food, however...I can see why Paimon suffered while inside. She probably made you do all the work, right?

[He raises his eyebrow with a knowing smile- ain't no way Paimon lifted a damn finger in there.]

( Lumine couldn't help the light laugh at the pouty look he gave her; she never would have thought to weaponize Paimon against everyone. To make it up to her for not inviting her, Lumine will cook her a sticky honey roast back home.

Lumine recognized the waitress, Argalia, coming with her cart of their order. Her own gold eyes twinkle at the dessert, she had been so focused on feeding Paimon full earlier, she didn't realize her own hunger. Her own hunger always an afterthought in favor of the other being full. )

Well, even Monsieur Neuvillette was worried. Don't think too much on it.

( Lumine knew it was dangerous to get so close to him, especially if she continued getting in the way of the Tsaritsa's plans. She's sure a huge battle between the two would happen, it's inevitable; and really it's one of the reasons she never really got too close to him.

This scare was what brought it up tenfold, she shouldn't care this much...

Lumine finally chose to go for the Coffee pudding, her face brightening just the littlest bit as it filled with sugar. His guess to why Paimon found it miserable brought a light giggle to escape with a nod of her head. She can just imagine Paimon kicking her foot in the air, arms shaking and her loud 'heeyyy' as she defends herself. )

She was my cheerleader as I worked. She'd gotten used to it by the end of our sentence. Though she was happy to leave.

[Bringing up the Iudex is a bit of a sore spot for him, so he takes her advice for the moment and doesn't think about it all that much. Guy was polite, but attacking him from behind...that was a coward's way of doing things. He doesn't care if it's to uphold the law or not, at least stand in front of him and face him.

But he can't let his anger ruin the nice snack here for the two of them, taking a bite out of his cake and savoring the taste. Looking up, the soft glow of Lumine's smile breaks through the rest of his thoughts and makes them dissolve into nothing- and all he can do is sit there and admire her. Before he realizes it, he's staring a little and a dumb little smile is unfolding on his features, happy to see her looking so pleased herself with such a small offering of dessert.]

All that for no results at all. What did you manage to find out about me while you were there? Seems I might of just missed you.

[He has no idea how much time had passed at all- what he thinks might of been a few days was so much longer.]

( She pays no mind to him, for once getting to enjoy dessert for herself instead of sharing it with her bottomless pit companion. Not that she would change a thing it just felt nice to enjoy. The creaminess of the pudding bringing an unknowing glee in her features, perhaps if fate were so kind to her, she could bring her brother one of these puddings to enjoy too.

It wasn't until she looked up to catch his eye and she felt her heart flutter a bit bashfully. His inquiry brought an immediate thought to come to the forefront of her mind, not sure how she was going to mention this without sounding weird. Not even Paimon fully understood how it was happening. And Paimon was her trusty knowledge encyclopedia for Teyvat.

Taking one more bite of her pudding, she hummed before putting her spoon down for a moment. )

I did find something out when I was down there, but I'm not entirely sure how to describe what happened. Not even Paimon knew entirely what was happening. I figured since it happened with your Vision being in my possession, maybe it's happened to you before?

( She didn't know how she wanted to bring this up, but maybe now was better than any other time. )

While I was sleeping for the night, I would have 'dreams' that I learned weren't really dreams. I saw your entire time in the Fortress in these 'dreams' as well as your escape before you disappeared.

[Blinking a few times, he tries to piece together what she's trying to say here. If he's understanding it correctly, what she's saying doesn't seem like it should be possible. He has to put his own fork down to really concentrate and think about it, wondering how she could possibly see his entire time spent in the Fortress of Meropide in her dreams.

He wants to say something to direct the conversation away from it being so personal to him, something like, 'Oh, you were dreaming of me, huh?' but this seems a little too important to be dismissing it so easily. Childe still has so many questions, so many things he doesn't understand from what happened from the time he started hearing something call for him in his head to now. Maybe this is a lead, something that might tell him more about himself and the mysteries surrounding the strange, dark power inside of him and the whale...]

So what you're saying is, you relived my time in the Fortress, to track me down and find out what happened to me? And you're saying this all happened in your dreams? And that my Vision was what connected you to my memories?

[Even that's kind of a tall tale for him to swallow, but he sees no reason why she'd lie to him about it. He sits back into his chair, sinking into the cushion to ponder on it. That's...a lot.]

Comrade...

[It does make him wonder about a Descender's power and connection to this world, maybe Visions are just windows for her to another person's heart and soul. He never would have considered that.]

You didn't see what happened after I disappeared though, did you?

( Honestly, she doesn't entirely understand it herself, she's never held onto another person's vision like she did for him. She was just going to hold onto it until he requested it back like he asked her to. But this was the first time it's ever happened and she wasn't sure about how else to explain it. It wasn't very reassuring to see him just as perplexed as she was.

Giving slow nods to his first two questions but his last one she had to give a light shrug of her shoulders. Ever since she'd woken up after being separated from her brother she only had reoccurring dream, reuniting and then the reunion happened.... And soon nightmares were mixed in. But she never had a dream about anyone here in Teyvat. )

I don't know if it came from your Vision... All I remember is my dream black and your vision spinning in front of me before I saw some memory of yours while escaping.

( Even with her talking out loud about it to another person, it felt like such a stretch, as if she was playing a prank to spook or creep him out. Perhaps recounting her last 'dream' of him will help him understand she wasn't lying to him. )

Last I saw was your secret plan in action, you sneaking passed the guards into the abandoned tunnel that was rumored to be haunted. And then you swimming, then you waking up to a giant whale.... That's it... It's never happened to me before.

( She gave him a shake of her head at his last question, but based off his response to this it has never happened to him either. So, who knows what happened. Perhaps maybe she can ask Nahida the next time she's in Sumeru? )

I was wondering if this had happened before for you, but judging by your response, it never did.

[It sounds fantastical to him, her describing literally everything that happened to him while he was in the Fortress of Meropide. He has no idea what any of that means for the two of them, being connected in a way he'd personally describe as incredibly intimate. It sounds as if his Vision had connected her consciousness to his own in some way, though he never felt it nor realized it was happening. Lumine was literally inside of his head, but what does that all mean...? She even saw when he regained consciousness in the Primordial Sea. Sounds like she wasn't able to see whatever he wasn't awake for, meaning he still doesn't know how he ended up there to begin with.]

No. This is the first I've ever heard of this happening to anyone at all. That's incredible Lumine, that you were able to connect with me in such a way.

[And at the same time, it makes his heart beat in his chest a little harder than he expected. He won't let his imagination run wild here, but he can't deny that's a bit...heavy, for lack of a better term.]

Seems fate has its own ideas for the two of us, just as we happened to meet today to be able to share that with me. You know, in Snezhnaya, there's an old tale of two water spirits that lived under the ice, both hailing from different regions of the motherland. Fate's hand decided to intervene in their lives, throwing them into a desperate battle against all odds. In the end, the two of them come out of such a battle worn but alive, but it's said that the bond they forged had the power to influence the land enough to calm the raging blizzards that swallowed any brave soul to step foot inside of it, making those same lands inhabitable today.

[He takes a bite of his cake, letting her soak that story in as he grapples with the thought of that story paralleling their own lives. Looking up from his dessert, his eyes flash with amusement now- he wonders what she'll say to this. Naturally, he absolutely isn't explaining himself or what he thinks about it...in the same Childe fashion as always.]

( Ever since she left the Fortress, the dreams never happened again, didn't see any of his fights with the narwhal which better for him. Otherwise it'd make her even more upset with worry that he wasn't resting. And she didn't see anything else of his life but his time in the Fortress. He can have that reassurance for himself, the rest of his life still is his privacy.

Hearing it never happened before to him, nor has he heard of it from his intel in the Fatui to help them understand. Taking another bite of her pudding, as she tried to not think too much on it anymore. She thought it'd be something she should share, since he was the only person it's happened with her besides her brother.

When she heard him bring up fate, it did seem strange; since she'd come out shopping thinking he'd long since left for Snezhnaya. To hear him bring up a tale told in his home country; she can be honest with herself, she half expected it to be as violent as the pinky promise Teucer taught her. She couldn't help but to look up at him to listen intently with piqued curiosity to learn a bit of Snezhnaya.

Arms crossed with an amused smile, upper eye lid hooded to enhance her own amusement. Of course he'd tell such a story and not give his thoughts at the end. There's a reason he brought this tale up, especially that quick flash of amusement he has in his normally hardened eyes. )

Is this a real Snezhnayan tale? I was expecting something as tough as the pinky promise oath. That ones admirable and normal. Though it sounds eerily familiar.

( If only she had some tale of her homeland, but alas she doesn't have one and her only home for all their years of living is gone. Taking another spoonful of her pudding, finishing it; surprise fills her as she never really had this much for herself. She'll take a small break in between dishes, while also being at least a little honest with him. Even if all this time she tried to keep him not too close due to his job and alliances, but he is a sneaky one. )

I really am glad you're alright and stubborn enough to not have the worst happen. Your family doesn't deserve the grief of losing you like that.

[The small chuckle that comes out of him at her response to his story is accompanied by a small cough, one he fights down to keep it from evolving into a full on raspy hack, but it was worth it regardless. It seems that Lumine caught onto his meaning behind the tale, which he's glad for, but in the future it sounds like he'll have to tell her a story that's a little more metal and horrifying to meet the expectations she seems to have of his home country. Which, luckily, he has plenty of.]

When you put it like that, it almost seems like you're scolding me again, comrade.

[But it's said with a smile, clearly showing his appreciation for her care and concern for him. It helps put him more at ease, more relaxed in how he can approach her from here going forward. Before, in Inazuma, she'd kept her worry to a minimum, at least in front of him. But as he told her before, he's flattered either way, even more so now that she's been more open to him about her feelings about his safety.

Which is why he feels a lot better about saying what he says next:]

But you fought it too, right? Your role in all this was fending off the whale from the Primordial Sea from attacking Fontaine. I should be saying the same thing to you. Facing it down, even if worn down a little by then, couldn't of been easy. I'm positive that's the same whale from my dream...so I'm glad that you've made it out safely as well.

[He pauses for a brief moment, before discarding his hesitation to say softly-]

...I'm not sure what I would of done if I found out you hadn't made it out alive.

( Hearing the cough, she shook her head lightly, but didn't scold him this time. She just leans forward to push a drink towards him, indicating for him to drink it. It'd help with not scratching from the rough treatment his cough gave him. He didn't have to give just those more metal and horrifying stories, it was nice to see that there were inspirational ones out there. )

Well, I thought I was being subtle about the scolding.

( Lumine still had some reservations, mostly so if the day came where they were fighting on opposite ends enforced by the Tsaritsa; it'd hurt a lot less. But he somehow managed to worm his way into making her worry about him. Plus he had the same care for his family that she has for her brother.

She listened to him bringing she had gone to fight it off too, with Neuvillette as back up after having his Soverign powers returned to him by Focalors. It was still confusing to the blonde, but she'd think Neuvillette wouldn't let her die as easily as she wouldn't let it kill her.

She had a journey ahead of her she had to 'complete' in order to reunite with her brother... again... His last sentence brought her eyes to widen slightly, surprised by the sentiment. It'd caught her completely off guard; though did it really? At least it did to think what would have happened... Sometimes she forgets how many people now care for her in this world. )

One good thing is I would have been out of the Cryo Archon's hair.

( She tried to lighten the mood with a joke, but it was true, she gave the Fatui so much hardships she's sure. )

You were out cold at the time, I didn't think you knew I had gone to finish your hard work. But we're both here and still kicking, so let's not think too much on it, right?

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