insurmountable | i wish that i could run // back into your arms

Current Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcGO7wtkHIw

Entry tags:

i wish that i could run // back into your arms

[Ajax shoots a balled up, crumpled piece of paper into the basket next to him as he waits for the appointed time.

It's a bit below his station to do so, but on occasion, the CEO of Nizhnii Corp likes to surprise people and pop into interviews or other people's offices. He gets restless in his own office, not always enjoying having to deal with the board of directors or investors. There were many that say he doesn't really fit his position, that his demeanor wasn't good for being the CEO of a company. Diplomacy was never his strong suit, but despite that the company still managed to flourish. Happy employees always made for better work- and though Ajax himself was a ruthless businessman, he still treated all his subordinates like they were family.

And that's how Nizhnii ended up with such a good reputation, and how he finds it so easy to find good applicants.

Today was no exception, and Ajax plans on making a surprise appearance for this part-timer who's hoping to land a job here. Adjusting his cufflinks on his suit as he walks down the hallway, he makes his way towards the conference room where they generally conduct interviews- and he tells HR that he'd like a little time with the potential hire first. She's already gone through their first interview, and passed it with flying colors, so now he's interested to see who exactly it is who's gotten the interest of their hiring managers. He's timed it so she should be waiting in the conference room already, provided she wasn't late- but he's sure that he wouldn't have to worry about that.

The first thing he does is pop his head in, smiling warmly at the girl waiting patiently for someone to come in to start the interview, before coming in and walking up to her.]

Good morning! Sorry to keep you waiting. I had a small matter to attend to before I was able to come down. I'm Ajax Volkov, it's a pleasure.

[He offers a hand for her to shake, before he'll politely take a seat across from her at the table.]

HR will be with us shortly, but I thought I'd take some time to get to know you a little better before we start asking the stuffy, boring questions of the interview. I hope that's alright.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Not seeing her from his initial peek around the corner, he quietly moves again, coming around full circle before he wonders to himself if she went to check his old position. Changing direction, he circles back around again to find that she's got his back to him, checking around the corner herself to see if she can get a glimpse of him. Grinning, Ajax quietly creeps up on her before saying:]

Right here.

[And shoots her vest once, causing it to power down- but triggers something else.

Their world shifts once again to the same rainforest, with bushes now replacing the cover walls and wooden twined paths replacing the ramps that littered the arena. Humidity hits Ajax in the face once again, but this time he's ready for it, and prepared for the scene he sees in front of him. The bow is in his hands, but he's clearly not actually fired it due to the lack of a wound in Lumine's back- all he sees is a beautiful blonde woman in a white dress with blue accents crouched down who was peeking around a bush a second ago.

He breathes out a sigh of amazement, at both the fact that this strange illusion is happening again, and at the natural beauty of Lumine in front of him. It seems natural for her to be dressed this way, and that same sense of familiarity surrounds the both of them. As if he's been here before, shared this experience more than once with her.]

Lumine?

[He says as he offers a gloved hand, black with a strange horned crystal on the back.]

Let's play along, see if we can prolong this. Let me help you stand.

( By the time she hears him behind her, it's already too late, whipping around only to hear her vest power down. An annoyed pout turned to absolute amazement, watching their environment return back to the same rainforest. Looking down at her dress, memorizing it and looking down to see the scarf around her again.

Parts of her outfit glowing green, taken out of her amazement, she looks up at him, then his hand. Her own, she notices are fingerless except for her thumb, instantly reaching for his own, before getting up to her feet. Sword in held firm in her other hand. )

Thanks. I'm quite alright with playing along to whatever this memory is.

( Absolutely strange, the grass under her hand earlier felt so real as though she remembers exactly how it felt. Soon a vague memory came back with taking in his appearance, strong with authority; the memory causing a chuckle to escape. )

Looks like you won't be able to fight yourself now, huh?

( But they had their weapons out for a reason, were they fighting an enemy? She takes a quick look around. Nothing. Were they fighting against each other? )

Since it triggered during this laser tag match, do you think we're fighting each other?

[It's hard not to stare at her, positive that his eyes are dilated just so he can take all of her in. The pretty flowers in her hair, the scarf he'd given her around her neck, the otherworldly dress that's gorgeous as well as functional to match. He'd find it hard to believe they were fighting each other if it weren't for the weapons in their hands.]

Maybe. It could be we might of been fighting each other, since you still believe I'm the villain from your dreams. [Que him looking fake hurt over this, lol] ...Or perhaps we were fighting together. Playing along with whatever is going on here is fine, but to be honest, I'm not entirely sure if I'm comfortable firing a real arrow at you. That is, if I had any.

[How's he supposed to use a bow with no ammo? He doesn't see a quiver on him, he's got nothing strapped to his back, just this strange grey uniform with white, red, and black accents to it. Never mind the blue glowing jewel on his belt. Ajax sort of makes a show of looking over his body for something, anything at all, eventually shrugging as he looks back at her.]

( His stare causing a rosy hue to fill her cheeks, a smile appearing on her face as she also takes in his appearance. The one thing she notices is his eyes, they looked a lot less shiny, almost like they can turn into a terrifying storm. She can't help but laugh at his feign hurt at being the villain in her dreams. A shake of her head in pure amusement. )

No, I was worried about you in the dream when you were unconscious and got thrown into a portal.

( So they couldn't still be enemies, otherwise why'd she be worried about him. Besides, if they were she'd be rooting for his downfall. ) Or maybe we were training? Or what you call 'syncing' moves? ( She pokes fun at his idea of syncing last night, which just turned into passionate sex, with a shake of her head and smirk. But she also takes a look around the area, trying to come up with what scenario this is. She's not had a dream about the rainforest. )

[The way she puts it is so embarrassing. Getting thrown in a portal, unconscious while it happened...what on earth could of given her subconscious to put him in a position like that? Maybe they'll never know. He is a little flattered that she was worried about him though. It's pretty cute.]

Hey now...

[He pouts a little bit at the tease, feeling a little accused of something really inappropriate for a time like this!]

I would never try that in what might be a dangerous area like this. I'd clear out the danger first, and then we could proceed to work on our moves. You up for exploring the area a little bit to see if there's anything to worry about? Then I could see your skills with a sword.

[Ajax eyes the sword in her hand, really wanting to see if she can use it as well as he hopes and thinks she can based off of what she told him from before. Then maybe he can spar with her later...!]

( Lumine chuckles in amusement that she'd gotten him, the small pout quite amusing and adorable, glad her tease worked. Taking another look around, the trees were impressively tall and she can see a whole bunch of flora around. So distinct and foreign. )

Hm? ( Feeling bad for almost tuning him out, she gives a distracted nod. ) Yeah, yeah, definitely. I agree, let's look around for a bit.

( And she hurries off to a large patch of flowers that she's never seen before. Of course she's keeping an eye out for anything dangerous, but she has to check out the flora. ) Wow... ( She still keeps her sword at her side, ready to defend herself, but touching all of the beautiful, colorful flowers. )

These would look so beautiful in my garden... ( Murmurs to herself. )

[He's not sure if she was really listening to him. Ajax's eyes follow where Lumine's had gone, seeing all the wild flowers of the rainforest. In fact, there's a lot of plant-life here he doesn't recognize, and those flowers are just the start.

He walks over behind her, letting her bask in the beauty of the flora around them. Why doesn't it surprise him that she'd beeline right over here...]

They are beautiful, aren't they?

[Even if he didn't hear her, he can tell she wants to take them home with her.]

Not as pretty as the flowers in your hair, though.

[In his opinion.]

Edited (of course i'd mess up my html) 2025-04-07 21:27 (UTC)

( She almost forgets this is all some vision and she wouldn't be able to get these flowers home to extract the seeds to grow more. A small pout appears on her face, wanting to take these flora home, but perhaps she'll have to find them in her old books. )

I wish I can extract seeds to take home...

( However, she blinks in surprise by his words. ) There are flowers in my hair?

( Reaching up to gently and carefully touch it, there really are flowers there. Picking her sword up to look at her reflection, though distorted, there they are. ) I guess even dream me loves flowers too. ( Looking around to continue making sure there was no imminent danger around, before plucking up a Sumeru Rose and bringing it up to Ajax. )

This one smells lovely and goes with your eyes.

[He laughs, he supposes she wouldn't notice right away. It's not like she had flowers in her hair when they arrived at the laser tag place, so there wouldn't of been a reason to assume. Ajax waits patiently for her to explore her new hair accessory for herself, noting how nice they look on her and mentally makes a note of this for later.

His hand extends out to take the rose from her. The vibrant purple of the flower coupled with the fragrant smell makes for a nice flower indeed, and his eyes soften for a moment at the gift and compliment.]

Does it now? I guess I've never thought about it myself, [he says, touched by how she's matching something so beautiful to his eyes. It's really romantic, and makes his heart skip a beat or three.]

Perhaps I should wear it like you do.

[He says as he tucks the rose behind his ear, opposite the side where his mask sits.]

How's that? Still not as pretty as yours, but I think it can try to contend at least a little.

I should embrace the florist in me and just wear flowers in my hair all the time from now on.

( She watches him take the flower with a cute tilt to her head, taking quick glances between the rose and his eyes, before a nod was given. ) Yes, it compliments you well. ( Happy to see he liked it and seemed touched by the gift she wishes he can take out of this vision. Watching him put it behind his ear, she lightly laughs with a nod of her head. Now the flower was closer to his eyes and looked even more lovely. )

I think it looks great! It helps pop out your hair and eyes very much. Wear more purple in your outfits and you might just be breaking hearts everywhere you go.

( Reaching up to fix it just a bit so his hair isn't flattened too much by the flower, before giving a good nod. )

[Ajax closes his eyes as she adjusts his hair, opening them back up to what is now a picture perfect scene of him with a stunning purple rose in his hair against his ginger hair and blue eyes. He can't imagine it's great against the drab grey uniform he has on in his vision they're having, so he makes a note to add a little purple into his wardrobe as per Lumine's suggestion.]

With any luck, they'll understand that I'm a taken man.

[He can't hold it back any longer- Ajax lets his arm snake around Lumine's middle, bringing her in and leaning down to turn his head just so, planting a kiss to her lips as his eyes close to savor her taste and the feel of her mouth moving against his. She's too beautiful like this, and he doesn't know why, but just the image of her with those flowers in her hair, the white dress marking her as the woman he'd only seen glimpses of in his blurred visions along with that sword in her hand makes it feel like she's just the perfect girl.

But as his eyes open, the rainforest around them is gone, and he's kissing Lumine in the middle of the enemy base back in the laser tag grounds. The EDM comes roaring back into his ears, but his heart is full, with the memory of their meeting inside of that vision fresh in his head.]

We're back...

[Ajax looks around, confused as to why they've returned. Maybe they didn't follow the script or something, so it kicked them back here.]

Those poor, poor admirers were too late, then.

( The teasing smirk turning to a bashful smile at his proclamation to being a taken man. She was ready to continue exploring before she's swept into his embrace, quick thinking holding her sword away so to not accidentally pierce him. The kiss made her heart swoon, to bring her free hand to wrap around his neck, returning the kiss. The setting and atmosphere seemed to make right for a kiss. To think this dream version of him is someone she cared so much about, despite almost fighting to the death.

However, her disappointment came soon, EDM music is blasting back into this once peaceful space and they were back in the dark with nothing but the LEDs as light. Pressing her lips together in thought to why the vision stopped and brought them back here. His flower gone as well, reaching up to feel none in her hair and she feels empty without them for some reason. )

Perhaps we weren't supposed to be kissing in that moment?

( She has to take a moments step back as she has to remind herself and him, there are kids playing in this round. They don't need to see them kissing, but she quickly gives him a kiss to his cheek to make up for splitting up. )

[It's a little sad that they're back in reality, he was enjoying himself in the imaginary rainforest, and really wanted to explore after he got his kiss in. It's also too bad the flowers didn't come with either- he really liked how she looked with those white and blue flowers, they matched her dress. And, he's lost her gift to him, forever taken by a vision of somewhere that he still doesn't recognize.

But it was humid and hot, in a rainforest. That's a clue, and he's going to tuck that information away in his head for now. They can talk about it later, once they're done doing some fun laser tag. Ajax smiles at the little kiss to the cheek he gets, before making sure his gun is securely in his hands once again. They are still competing with each other, but to say that he's a little distracted now is an understatement.]

Perhaps not. We did have weapons out, so I'd say we were probably supposed to follow doing something with them. But, when I think about it, that wouldn't be a good idea, now would it?

[Because what they don't know is how they act while they're inside of the imaginary world- are they just standing here in reality like zoned out statues, or are they also moving like they're sleepwalking?]

We could be a danger to others if they happen to walk in on us sleepwalking through that vision. Maybe it's best, for now, not to try and activate it. Besides, I think we got quite a bit of information.

( Truly she felt a lot emptier now that she was back and didn't feel the distinct weight of the flowers on her hair. Those beautiful flowers that she has never seen in any books or where to find them. Plus she might have to start wearing white dresses a lot more now, not realizing how much she liked it on herself.

Lumine gives a nod to his assessment if they had been discovered and injuring someone who got too close. But she can't help the chuckle, pointing her laser gun to his vest and shooting. She doesn't know the point system or where to look for it, but to get a good shot at him was worth it. )

I couldn't help myself, no mercy. Also a danger to ourselves considering this place has a lot more obstacles here to get hurt with.

( She'll have to find a good purple flower in her personal garden to give him to match his eyes. )

I think we made quite a breakthrough already.

[PEW, and his vest and gun power down when Lumine shoots him for another point to her team. He'd frown, but at this point he's much more interested in the shared vision they had rather than worrying about points, though his competitive side isn't going to let him forget about it. He'll take this loss this time, but he'll best her in their next competition, he swears it.

Though, he's sure enough time has passed at this point that the game will probably end soon, and before he knows it the music dies and an announcer asks all players to walk back to the rules area. He won't get the chance to make up any more points, but now he and Lumine will be able to take a little time to themselves before they either leave or go another round.]

Yeah...let's head back for now and we can talk about it a bit more. I've already got an idea...but it's a little impromptu. I hope you'll be alright with rolling with it.

[But he'll hold it for now until they have the chance to talk alone. And, when they do exit the arena, the scores clearly show that Lumine's team won and she got more scores than Ajax did! He'll just huff at that...]

( Lumine couldn't help the amused smile to pull at her lips, lids even close with amusement. Her laser gun hung at her side as she presses her fists into her hips in triumph. Looking up at the ceiling at hearing the announcer ask everyone to leave. Pleasant surprise fills her at his mentioning of an idea, a tilt of her head at his ability to just come up with impromptu ideas. )

Well, I had a lot of fun here myself, so I'm down to do something a bit impromptu.

( Removing their gear, she follows him to see a scoreboard and she quickly searches for her own name and his. Big, pleased smiles on her face as she sees she did very well for her first time. She did warn him she catches onto things quite easily.

Turning to him to be even more pleased at the huff on his face, to beat him in something he bragged about. Taking his hand to walk him out so the next group can play their session, smirking up at him. )

Maybe your brother should give you some tips for this game. ( Teasing smile on her face. ) Now what's this impromptu idea you have, hm?

[He's glad to hear she's up for something spontaneous, but at the same time, he doesn't think she's aware of what exactly he means by it. It's not going to be something so easy as just driving to another part of town for the day.

Sighing, he takes the L with only the smallest amount of grace, even though it's clear that a small part of him is being a bit of a sore loser. He really thought he'd do better, but then he did end up alone with Lumine a lot of that time without more targets to shoot, so that must be why. That's how he's reasoning it. Letting his fingers twine with hers, he fights the urge to retort about his performance in lieu of breaking the idea to her, which he's not sure if she'll be okay with.]

I was thinking...we should find that place, where our vision was.

[Go on an adventure together. Try to put the pieces of this strange phenomenon together.]

It might give us more leads. But...you might have to find someone to watch your shop, while you're gone.

( Lumine waits for him to tell her what his idea was, curious to how this date was planning to go. She'd thought this was going to be a fun laser tag game and then dinner. But she's shocked to hear his idea, her smile dropping for a moment.

That was a lot more spontaneous than she even thought he was going to do. There was so much she had to work out in order for her to even be able to go with a peace of mind. She can't leave Paimon alone, since Aether would be too tired from working two jobs, so she'd have to bring her along. And she has her own shop that she doesn't really know who to ask to cover it.

Brows furrow in thought as she looked down to give it a good think. It would give them more leads... But... )

Do you even know where to begin looking for that place? That is a bit too spontaneous for me on extremely short notice.

( Plus she has to make sure her and Aether won't get into financial trouble if she leaves... She's not going to mention that part. Plus she'll have to find someone to cover the shop... )

[Ajax looks apologetic, because he really is- it's terribly short notice. This kind of thing would require weeks of planning normally, and it's also not like he can just disappear either. But at the same time, sitting here in Mondstadt doesn't feel like it'll give them the answers they're looking for. And it's not normal for two people to have some kind of strange, shared hallucination.

Something's up, and he wants to know what.]

Well, it looked like a rainforest of sorts to me. I didn't recognize exactly where, but there's only one nation in Teyvat that has a rainforest.

[Sumeru. There's protected lands still where the rainforest still lies, so that'll be a whole other object in their way.]

I wouldn't expect to leave today, not even I can swing that with my job. It would be for a week or two at most, like a vacation, and we can leave whenever we like. How does that sound?

( Lumine looked up to see the apologetic look, pushing her lips to the side in thought. She doesn't know if it's a good idea, but he seems pretty sure that going to the spot would help, or maybe even close enough to trigger it even longer. She also wants answers to this phenomena and feels like Mondstadt wouldn't have the answers they need.

Worst case scenario, she'd just have to work even harder to make up for the week or two being gone to her brother. And most likely, she'd have to bring Paimon along, as not even her usual sitter can't handle her for too long either. Which wouldn't be hard with her cat backpack.

Though to break the news to Ajax of the addition to the trip. Lumine finally gives a nod: )

Okay, give me a few days to finish the commissions I have left and then I won't accept any until I return. We'll be having company on the trip as well, though.

( She chuckles to Paimon being a third wheel on the trip. )

Aether works two jobs and I don't have the heart to ask him to watch her as well with her being 'a bit' needy.

[Relief floods him, coupled with a reinvigoration and determination now that they have a lead. Going to Sumeru without her would have felt empty, and he doesn't know if he would get any answers without her given this is affecting both of them. That and...he wants to share this experience with her, and it feels like they're just going on another one of their adventures like they always have. Except they've never done that in their lives...a feeling that he can't shake off.]

Guess we'll have to bring extra toys and treats for her. The last thing we'd want on a trip is a grumpy cat.

[At least she's food driven. That way he can help keep her happy by just buying her food. That feels familiar too, somehow...]

I hope your brother isn't too leery of this. I realize we've just only met but...well, you understand. I guess it'll be hard to explain to him that something strange has been happening between us apart from a sudden budding romance.

Perhaps you'll become her new favorite person afterwards, but it's okay, I don't mind sharing luggage space with her.

( Truly Paimon is a spoiled little cat, but so long as she's nearby, she's very behaved. There was a strong bout of familiarity to this trip for her too; like this is something they've done before and it was exciting. According to that memory, she's been to Sumeru, but she can't remember ever being there.

At the inquiry about Aether's feelings and perception of all this budding romance, that truly seemed to come out of nowhere, but felt so right. She had spoken to him about it, mostly to see if he had a similar occurrence happen for him. Though she didn't explain it in grave detail. )

Well, he is a bit leery, though that's my fault for venting about you after that terrible interview... As well as I texted him yesterday that I was getting dropped off after hanging out, but ended up staying the night at said friend's home. But, he'll warm up to you, I'm sure.

Oh?

[WELP seems like he's going to be starting off on the wrong foot with Aether. To be fair, he did start off on the wrong foot with Lumine too, but at least he'd gotten the opportunity to make it up to her. Even though it was by pure coincidence and chance, but he won't look a gift horse in the mouth.]

Now I'm curious, what did you tell him about me after the interview?

[It's not so much that he really cares about what others think of him, but how bad did she slander him to her brother? And now he's keeping Aether's sister out late, getting her tipsy, this can't be good. Is she sure he'll warm up to him?]

I wasn't that bad, was I?

[There's a hint of teasing in his voice, like he's not that offended about it. He knows himself.]

To be fair, at that time, I didn't think we'd end up in a relationship. I was prepared to never see you again afterwards.

( It was pure coincidence that he chose her flower shop that day, gave a genuine apology, and they had a mutual friend's wedding. Lumine probably shouldn't have said all that stuff, but she was mostly angry at another reason rather than just him alone. )

I thought you were a pompous, nosey, and big-headed CEO.

( She teased back, leaning in to wrap her free arm around him, in an attempt to show she didn't think like that NOW. Giving his hand a squeeze as well, though sometimes he needs to get his ego kicked. )

But, I got to see the real you, away from your job. Plus, your siblings helped in making you not seem like those things. I did tell him about your apology to me too, that's why he was cordial at the wedding.

[It's not like he wasn't aware she didn't think very highly of him after that interview, but now that they've been so romantically intimate with each other, hearing her say that is comical. Like she thought that and then not too long after, ended up falling in love with him- but in a way that feels almost supernatural. It gets him to laugh, holding her next to his side in return, smiling down at her fondly.]

Well, at least I've got you in my corner now, [he says with a wink.]

I'll figure out how to prove to him that I'm really not a bad guy. The last thing we want is having a grumpy brother along with a grumpy cat.

[He's good at this kind of stuff, even if he doesn't choose diplomacy most of the time.]

I think that perhaps for now, we should take some time to prepare for our trip...I'm sure we both have a lot to organize before doing so. We should meet for dinner a few times a week until then though, if you're amiable to it.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

wanna timeskip? i can write the sumeru starter for us after your next tag