peaceful sensastion, but one that seems to limit your energy—as if forced to slow and calm down and behave with care. WHY IOS THIS SO SMALL NOW weight ok i fixed it lol. NO PICTURE PICTURE LOOKS BAD.
[ The gentle rise and fall of Childe's breathing is enough to ease the worst of Kaeya's worries from his mind. Not that Childe sounds like he's doing any good, but at least he's alive and that has to be enough for now.
Kaeya's hand doesn't move away though, not yet. ]
I didn't mean to wake you. [ The apologetic tone is obvious enough, and then his voice softens slightly. ] I'm here to see how you're doing.
[ It's hard to tell the extent of the damage given how dark it is in Childe's room, but what he saw outside is enough to paint the picture. Still, if the other man is willing to give him more information, then that'll help him figure out how to help. ]
[As for the question on his injuries, he immediately responds with a small shrug.: ] Just fine.
[ — but seems to catch himself and realize perhaps he shouldn't be so dismissive of Kaeya being concerned. Childe appends after a pause: ] The blood all over is from before someone healed me. They closed the wounds and they seem to be completely gone, but they said it would still hurt like I had them and that I needed to rest because I lost so much blood.
[ he waves his hand around. ] Or something like that. Not worth worrying about.
( ooc. we pretend i didn't write that kaeya was unaware of what happened to rosaria, )
[ Kaeya remains silent for a moment, as if contemplating his next words. ]
Alright. If you say so.
[ It seems he's decided to accept Childe's explanation for the blood. The Harbinger knows his own limits best so he won't question them any further, electing to sit on the edge of the mattress, near Childe's legs. It's as good as saying out loud that he's here to stay for a while longer. ]
What happened?
[ He encountered his fair share of monsters back there too, but— it seems like Childe is the one who encountered the worst of them. ]
Found the shard. The guy wasn't dead, he turned into some fucked up tree monster. I don't understand exactly what happened to him but seems like someone did something to him on top of discord overload.
[ Childe uses communion to send along images from the fight— no sense hiding anything, afterall, asking with the memory pieces from Manon, including what he looked like before he became the creature that they encountered. ]
[ When Kaeya says that out loud, he's cautious and uncertain. His encounter with the Dryad wasn't particularly a fun time so a part of him is a bit thankful that he didn't need to deal with something like it again. But there's something else about what Childe says that gives him pause.
The Communion, too, does nothing to mollify his concerns. He falls silent after the memories finish, piecing together what they know so far. ]
... Someone did this to him? [ That fuzzy figure from the distance comes to mind, but there's no clear image of them. ] But who? Why?
[ As he continues to ask these questions, he knows that they're lacking information. He's definitely thinking hard about something with the way he's fallen silent yet again. ]
No clue. None of it makes sense to me. I'm assuming it wasn't anything personal... but I don't think it was random, either. He must have painted a target on his back somehow.
Whoever was in the distance that Manon ran towards probably isn't good news considering the sun was setting and Manon was far north already. That means that person is either stupid or they know full well how to deal with a night in Alenroux.
[ Childe makes a face but he doesn't have anything else that's a good clue.]
I'm guessing his violence tendencies were a result of his discord more than whatever was done directly to him. I had thought maybe he was after shards for some reason, but he left Vander's alone after killing him. He also had points where he seemed to want to run rather than fight, but... It was weird to me that he still had so much selfawareness in that form.
These are good assumptions, and he thinks it's all they're going to have for a while until they're able to gather more information. Perhaps Rosaria might know a thing or two, but — that will have to wait for when she revives. (Which is a whole other thing that's bothering him, but he keeps mum about it.) ]
My experience with Discord was brief, mind you, but there was a heightened sense of aggression, so you may be right on the mark with that. As for whoever that figure is, another trip to Alenroux might be in order. Manon tried to reach them for a reason, so we have to locate them as soon as possible.
[ They have to go back there. See if they can find this person, wherever they might be. That's as far as what they have with regard to what can be worked with. The self-awareness is also curious, but he isn't sure how it's supposed to help right now. ]
... And, there's something else. It might not be connected, but it does have something to do with Shards.
[ He wonders how Childe is going to react to this. He starts from the beginning: ] I overheard an interesting story. A couple brought their child to the Church of Helios, and after a quick donation, their child returned with a Shard. From my understanding, only Yima is capable of manifesting Shards in Kenos, so where did this one come from? What do you make of it?
[ He has a few guesses of his own, of course, but he'd like to hear what the Harbinger thinks first, because of his connections with the Fatui and Delusions. ]
[ Childe seems particularly careful with his words despite how easily a response comes. It's almost as if he suspects that he's supposed to answer a certain way because he's a Fatui. Unfortunately, Childe doesn't have his delusion to demonstrate, but— ]
It's fake in some way, but I couldn't begin to tell you how and for what purpose. I mean, isn't the shard the solid manifestation of a soul? So, if it was fake, I would guess the shard is a vessel holding a soul rather than the soul itself. That means it's hollow.
How you move souls around though... sounds messy.
[ there's a thoughtful pause before adding: ]
It's ... funny [ he means suspicious ] to me the rumor seems convinced it is somehow authentic in nature. I would have expected them to assume it's just cosmetic and some kind of money making propaganda.
The fact they don't means they have a reason to think whatever that people come out with act like the shards of people born with them. I wonder what that is?
[ Childe's answer doesn't really surprise him. That's what he expected the man to say, but neither of them has any proof that these Shards could be fake beyond their experiences with the Fatui's Delusions. If a blessing from a god can be manufactured, then surely the manifestation of one's soul isn't beyond reach?
It's a terrifying thought, regardless. ]
They were just as confused about its origins as we are. Whatever the Church of Helios is doing, it doesn't appear to be commonly known.
[ Of course, it could be that he hadn't encountered the right set of people. It's something worth looking into. ]
As for whether or not it's fake... If we think about what makes a Shard-bearer unique, what are the things that come to mind? We're able to wield our powers, we experience this empathic bond, and— [ perhaps the most Vital attribute, one that Kaeya thinks is why someone without a Shard would do anything to have one: ] Death is impermanent.
That child, and however many others like them are out there, might be capable of all these things.
[ They really have no way of knowing if this is the truth unless they're able to track down such a person, but that's akin to finding a needle in a haystack. ]
[ there's a pause of quiet from Childe as he considers what Kaeya has said. ]
These things usually come with an ugly unknown that's the price of being an imitation. Delusions kill their users. I wonder if there's a trace of such left? If you could find out how long this has been going on... might be able to dig up something pretty damning.
Then again... [ he told his head to one side with a shrug. ] Manon was pretty damning already if they're connected.
[ When Childe brings up the fact that Delusions kill their users, Kaeya falls oddly silent. He never bothered to find out the truth of what happened to Master Crepus, but given what he'd managed to learn about Delusions before, he did come to such a conclusion. He doesn't know how to feel about it now that he's hearing confirmed.
He tries not to linger on that thought for much longer, continuing on with the rest of their conversation. ]
I don't know if they're connected. Something to keep in mind, I suppose.
[ Could someone be experimenting on Shards in order to provide them to the Church? Maybe what Rosaria said is right— what if they've found a way to make use of someone else's Shard and give it to one of the Shardless? ]
... The Church is a good place to start as any, so I'll likely be heading there at some point to see if I can find anything. I'll keep you in the loop, not to worry.
[ He glances at Childe with a small smile. ]
Shall I let you get back to sleep? [ He says that, but he doesn't feel like moving. ]
Edited (me seeing a typo hours later) 2022-11-22 17:01 (UTC)
The church is where the people go to have the ceremony happen, right? Seems as good a place as any.
[ he isn't in a position to be telling Kaeya what he should and shouldn't do so he leaves it at that. At the question of being left to go back to sleep, Childe glances to him before glancing the other way even as he gently pats the pillow next to him before leaving his arm stretched out open in invitation for the other to come settle down next to him so he can wrap it around him. No pressure, but the offer is pretty clear even with Childe looking the other way. ]
[ What a strange, familiar scenario he finds himself in. It feels like forever ago when Childe did the same motion, patting the pillow next to him in an attempt to lure him into bed. Back then, Kaeya had been adamant about refusing the offer, citing excuses like how he isn't all that tired, but now...
He can only offer a weary smile. One that he doesn't mind showing because Childe isn't going to see it anyway, what with him looking the other way. ]
Is that so? Then, I suppose I can stay for the night.
[ That's what he wanted anyway... but he didn't want to ask out loud. So— he gets up from the bed, if only so he can start discarding parts of his outfit that wouldn't be comfortable to sleep in, leaving them by a chair nearby. Once done, he crawls over to the spot next to Childe, curling into his warmth.
It didn't hit him how much this whole business with the Shards has worn him out until now. He's sure Childe has it much worse though, considering what he went through. ]
[ With Kaeya curling into him, Childe will pull him in close, finally turning onto his side so he can fully embrace the other in both arms. Without a word he leans in to kiss the crown of Kaeya's head gently before resting his chin on top of his head. Despite his injuries his arms hold Kaeya just as protectively as he normally would, a silent comfort like he can keep the rest of the world at bay from interfering with the peace and quiet and safety offered here.
And perhaps he can— at least until morning comes. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Kaeya's hand doesn't move away though, not yet. ]
I didn't mean to wake you. [ The apologetic tone is obvious enough, and then his voice softens slightly. ] I'm here to see how you're doing.
[ It's hard to tell the extent of the damage given how dark it is in Childe's room, but what he saw outside is enough to paint the picture. Still, if the other man is willing to give him more information, then that'll help him figure out how to help. ]
How bad are your injuries?
no subject
[As for the question on his injuries, he immediately responds with a small shrug.: ] Just fine.
[ — but seems to catch himself and realize perhaps he shouldn't be so dismissive of Kaeya being concerned. Childe appends after a pause: ] The blood all over is from before someone healed me. They closed the wounds and they seem to be completely gone, but they said it would still hurt like I had them and that I needed to rest because I lost so much blood.
[ he waves his hand around. ] Or something like that. Not worth worrying about.
no subject
[ Kaeya remains silent for a moment, as if contemplating his next words. ]
Alright. If you say so.
[ It seems he's decided to accept Childe's explanation for the blood. The Harbinger knows his own limits best so he won't question them any further, electing to sit on the edge of the mattress, near Childe's legs. It's as good as saying out loud that he's here to stay for a while longer. ]
What happened?
[ He encountered his fair share of monsters back there too, but— it seems like Childe is the one who encountered the worst of them. ]
no subject
Found the shard. The guy wasn't dead, he turned into some fucked up tree monster. I don't understand exactly what happened to him but seems like someone did something to him on top of discord overload.
[ Childe uses communion to send along images from the fight— no sense hiding anything, afterall, asking with the memory pieces from Manon, including what he looked like before he became the creature that they encountered. ]
Pretty messed up, whatever happened.
no subject
[ When Kaeya says that out loud, he's cautious and uncertain. His encounter with the Dryad wasn't particularly a fun time so a part of him is a bit thankful that he didn't need to deal with something like it again. But there's something else about what Childe says that gives him pause.
The Communion, too, does nothing to mollify his concerns. He falls silent after the memories finish, piecing together what they know so far. ]
... Someone did this to him? [ That fuzzy figure from the distance comes to mind, but there's no clear image of them. ] But who? Why?
[ As he continues to ask these questions, he knows that they're lacking information. He's definitely thinking hard about something with the way he's fallen silent yet again. ]
no subject
Whoever was in the distance that Manon ran towards probably isn't good news considering the sun was setting and Manon was far north already. That means that person is either stupid or they know full well how to deal with a night in Alenroux.
[ Childe makes a face but he doesn't have anything else that's a good clue.]
I'm guessing his violence tendencies were a result of his discord more than whatever was done directly to him. I had thought maybe he was after shards for some reason, but he left Vander's alone after killing him. He also had points where he seemed to want to run rather than fight, but... It was weird to me that he still had so much selfawareness in that form.
no subject
These are good assumptions, and he thinks it's all they're going to have for a while until they're able to gather more information. Perhaps Rosaria might know a thing or two, but — that will have to wait for when she revives. (Which is a whole other thing that's bothering him, but he keeps mum about it.) ]
My experience with Discord was brief, mind you, but there was a heightened sense of aggression, so you may be right on the mark with that. As for whoever that figure is, another trip to Alenroux might be in order. Manon tried to reach them for a reason, so we have to locate them as soon as possible.
[ They have to go back there. See if they can find this person, wherever they might be. That's as far as what they have with regard to what can be worked with. The self-awareness is also curious, but he isn't sure how it's supposed to help right now. ]
... And, there's something else. It might not be connected, but it does have something to do with Shards.
[ He wonders how Childe is going to react to this. He starts from the beginning: ] I overheard an interesting story. A couple brought their child to the Church of Helios, and after a quick donation, their child returned with a Shard. From my understanding, only Yima is capable of manifesting Shards in Kenos, so where did this one come from? What do you make of it?
[ He has a few guesses of his own, of course, but he'd like to hear what the Harbinger thinks first, because of his connections with the Fatui and Delusions. ]
no subject
It's fake in some way, but I couldn't begin to tell you how and for what purpose. I mean, isn't the shard the solid manifestation of a soul? So, if it was fake, I would guess the shard is a vessel holding a soul rather than the soul itself. That means it's hollow.
How you move souls around though... sounds messy.
[ there's a thoughtful pause before adding: ]
It's ... funny [ he means suspicious ] to me the rumor seems convinced it is somehow authentic in nature. I would have expected them to assume it's just cosmetic and some kind of money making propaganda.
The fact they don't means they have a reason to think whatever that people come out with act like the shards of people born with them. I wonder what that is?
no subject
It's a terrifying thought, regardless. ]
They were just as confused about its origins as we are. Whatever the Church of Helios is doing, it doesn't appear to be commonly known.
[ Of course, it could be that he hadn't encountered the right set of people. It's something worth looking into. ]
As for whether or not it's fake... If we think about what makes a Shard-bearer unique, what are the things that come to mind? We're able to wield our powers, we experience this empathic bond, and— [ perhaps the most Vital attribute, one that Kaeya thinks is why someone without a Shard would do anything to have one: ] Death is impermanent.
That child, and however many others like them are out there, might be capable of all these things.
[ They really have no way of knowing if this is the truth unless they're able to track down such a person, but that's akin to finding a needle in a haystack. ]
no subject
These things usually come with an ugly unknown that's the price of being an imitation. Delusions kill their users. I wonder if there's a trace of such left? If you could find out how long this has been going on... might be able to dig up something pretty damning.
Then again... [ he told his head to one side with a shrug. ] Manon was pretty damning already if they're connected.
no subject
He tries not to linger on that thought for much longer, continuing on with the rest of their conversation. ]
I don't know if they're connected. Something to keep in mind, I suppose.
[ Could someone be experimenting on Shards in order to provide them to the Church? Maybe what Rosaria said is right— what if they've found a way to make use of someone else's Shard and give it to one of the Shardless? ]
... The Church is a good place to start as any, so I'll likely be heading there at some point to see if I can find anything. I'll keep you in the loop, not to worry.
[ He glances at Childe with a small smile. ]
Shall I let you get back to sleep? [ He says that, but he doesn't feel like moving. ]
no subject
[ he isn't in a position to be telling Kaeya what he should and shouldn't do so he leaves it at that. At the question of being left to go back to sleep, Childe glances to him before glancing the other way even as he gently pats the pillow next to him before leaving his arm stretched out open in invitation for the other to come settle down next to him so he can wrap it around him. No pressure, but the offer is pretty clear even with Childe looking the other way. ]
Hm. Company might be nice.
no subject
He can only offer a weary smile. One that he doesn't mind showing because Childe isn't going to see it anyway, what with him looking the other way. ]
Is that so? Then, I suppose I can stay for the night.
[ That's what he wanted anyway... but he didn't want to ask out loud. So— he gets up from the bed, if only so he can start discarding parts of his outfit that wouldn't be comfortable to sleep in, leaving them by a chair nearby. Once done, he crawls over to the spot next to Childe, curling into his warmth.
It didn't hit him how much this whole business with the Shards has worn him out until now. He's sure Childe has it much worse though, considering what he went through. ]
no subject
And perhaps he can— at least until morning comes. ]