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

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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.

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[Paimon seems like a bigger and bigger baby the more Lumine talks about her. Spoiled little cat with the most voracious appetite...where does all the food go to? Her four stomachs?

Not that that's important now, as they approach and enter the shop. All sort of different clothing spring up at the both of them at once, and Ajax's eyes widen with how cool all the outfits look. He sees a variety of outfits for men, and spends a moment to look at all of the neat looking outfits available for him. They even look like they'd fit a tall guy like him. Plus, they're much cooler than his Snezhnayan/Mondstadt garb he has from home, and much more breathable even if he'll still be at least a little hot traversing the rainforest.

But that's not all, Ajax is also marveling at all the cute outfits that would look great on Lumine, like one particularly fancy one that immediately catches his eye to a simpler one that looks like the kind of design and color palette that would look amazing on her. He's pretty confident they were going to talk out of this store satisfied, and he first looks at the outfit that would leave most of his upper body exposed to the sun. It looks nice but...he's white af. Not a single mark of the sun on his body. He will be a lobster before they even get back to the hotel.]

I really enjoy the ocean theme of this one, [he says, letting the fabric of the sleeve slip through his fingers. It's nice, soft, and light, but still...]

I don't know though. What do you think?

( Paimon was like her little baby cat, even if Lumine and Aether went hungry, the two would always make sure Paimon was fed. Lumine bets she has ten stomachs honestly.

A light gasp at all the beautiful outfits in the shop, taking quick looks around in amazement and just taking it all in. Lumine makes sure to greet the shop owner back, before following his line of sight to look at all of the men's outfits. The materials really did feel light and perfect to dispel all of the body heat this humidity creates. She hums going over to the outfit he pointed out.

Eyes widen as she looks at him then to the outfit, if she was going to be honest, this one would probably have her blushing and unable to look away. Very distracting. Plus, it'd be okay, Lumine had packed sunscreen in her bag so. He won't turn to a red lobster and she gets to admire him a bit more. She pretends to think about the choices, she doesn't want to seem too enthusiastic, this man doesn't need even more of a confidence boost. )

I think it's a good choice. It'll keep you from getting too hot, too. Plus, the colors look really nice on you. ( She looks up with a smile, giving him a nod of approval. He should definitely buy it so she can enjoy looking at him even longer. )

Pick one for me. Which should I choose?

( Both were the same level of exposed upper body wise, but she liked the look of the two he was looking at before. One was bright and fun, the other light and elegant. )

[If Lumine thinks it would look good, he doesn't see why he shouldn't get it. Maybe he could get some jewelry like a necklace or something to supplement the rest of it...it would look weird without it. He'll look around for something like that in a minute, but for now he's a bit more interested in getting something really cute for Lumine ( ˶´ ᵕ `˶ )]

Hmmmmm...a good question. I particularly like these two right here...

[He indicates both of the ones that caught his interest before, but this is Ajax we're talking about here. Why should he choose?]

So, why not pick them both up? Think of it as a little gift from me to you for this trip.

[HE CAN AFFORD IT ദ്ദി(｡•̀ ᗜ<)]

( Lumine is stunted, hearing that he was going to get her both of the outfits. She has to blink a couple of times, before raising a brow. Sometimes, she forgets that he has the money to just splurge, it still surprises her every time she is reminded of this fact. Especially with her being frugal with her expenses in life. )

I'm sure the trip itself is enough of a gift.

( She grabs both outfits and gives him a nod, grabbing a cute pink bow for Paimon too. Afterall, she hums softly, wrapping her arm around his with an appreciative smile. )

You know, you don't have to buy everything for me, right? But I appreciate the gift.

I know, but you've made it a challenge to try, and who am I to step down from that?

[He cozies up to her and gives her a wink, inviting her to continuously try to keep him from buying her things, but gift giving is a love language he gladly indulges in and he won't stop here. He grabs the outfit that Lumine said would look good on him in addition to the other ones he liked as well, figuring it wouldn't hurt to have a few lighter fits for their trip that's better suited to the environment.]

Let's go get these and head out. I wouldn't mind taking the day to relax, and setting up our plans tonight. Finding our destination isn't going to be easy.

[As much as he'd like this to just be a simple vacation, they do have a mission here. Who knows what kind of trouble they might run into on the way. In fact, now that he thinks about it...]

By the way, [he says, and leans down to whisper in her ear,] it may do for us to pick up something while we're in the Grand Bazaar that we can use to protect ourselves in the wilderness.

[If Lumine won't let him buy some clothes, he'll buy her sword.]

Okay, I understand now. I'll have to step up this challenge, then.

( Lumine will gladly indulge the challenging side of him, as it also gives her a challenge too. She was feeling quite sticky in this humidity as well, though not as badly as Ajax and Paimon that's for sure, but it was still a lot. She understands the purpose of the trip as she gives him a nod in return, but she gives a smile: )

We can try close to Ardravi Valley, that's where the shop keep told us there were beds of Sumeru Roses around that general area?

( Turning her head for her to listen to his whispers, eyes cast down to listen to his words. She gives a slow nod of understanding, who knows what lies in the wilderness indeed, so she will have to agree with him there. Especially when they can't request a guide, only for them to ask why and the duo look crazy with their story. )

I saw a Blacksmith up above the Grand Bazaar, but you'll be in the sunlight for a bit longer.

( Thankfully they won't need to make a custom weapon, there should be premade ones that will be purchased quicker and they can get out of the humidity faster. )

I can endure the heat for a little while longer. Let's go.

[With plans settled, Ajax leads Lumine up to the counter so they can pay for their clothes, walking out with their own bags and settled on visiting the blacksmith back up above. The path they'd taken down is the closest to them, so he figures going back up the way they came would be for the best. Their hotel is mixed in with all the business here in downtown Sumeru City, and that includes the blacksmith.]

Why don't you lead the way from here? That way I can focus on finding a boat that will take us all the way down to Ardravi Valley. I was doing a bit of research on the general geography of Sumeru, and I recognize that name as one of the tourist spots. I was also reading that there's a giant robot stuck in the mountain there...

[Ajax takes his phone out and starts to look up boat tickets down the river so they can go enjoy the Sumeru Roses in the valley and maybe see some of the sights there. He even manages to find a picture of said robot and shows it to Lumine, just so she can see what he was talking about.

An overgrown robot covered in moss...who woulda thought?]

I figured, since the vision was near a patch of Sumeru Roses, that'd be our best bet. Especially if they grow sporadically around Sumeru.

( Lumine also figures, nightfall would be their best time to travel about, as they only have to worry about the humidity and not the combination of the sun with it during the day. Leading him back up to the surface of Sumeru City, thankfully the tree produced a good amount of shade still over the Blacksmith.

When shown, she looks over to his phone to indeed see a giant robot, covered in foliage and attempted reclaiming of nature. She's quite surprised by the sheer amount of it compared to the pictures with people standing by the finger of it alone. )

Wow... That actually looks amazing... The amazing stuff you find all over the world.

( Though the cavern was prohibited due to the dangers inside. Making it to the blacksmith, she asks about any swords he has pre-made. And he pulls out a cool looking one that definitely fits the theme of their nation for sure. Sapwood Blade. It looked really cool, besides they don't even know if they will even see any danger. More of a precaution. )

I'll take it.

[They definitely have to check out the robot. Flowers and a giant robot, sounds like a great time to him. He also notes that parts of the robot are closed off to the public, but that makes him want to go and explore it even more...

But for now, as Lumine asks the blacksmith about swords, Ajax goes to look at all the ones on display already. There's a variety to choose from, and he marvels at them all like a kid in a candy store. There's other weapons too, and he just gets this inexplicable itch to try them all. Like he needs someone to fight, like he knows he could take any one of those weapons and wield them like he's been using them his whole life.

He wanders back over as Lumine chooses her sword, and he eyes it.]

Oh, found one already? Huh...

[He says as he examines it, his pupils dilated.]

I can't decide myself. There's so many to choose from.

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

i just looked up a few cute outfits! there's so many traveler fanarts of this omg

those are cute!! oooh

sob i just searched "sumeru outfits" on pinterest and got a goldmine

nice!! can always count on pinterest!!

you can until THEY CAN'T TELL YOU THE ARTIST FOR THE FANART LOL

OMG yes!! and reverse search is sometimes so unreliable too

i can never find anything via reverse search. it's always ended in failure ;;

truly the most useless function to have ever been forced into 'popularity'

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