vapour | LL PT. 2

A vision...

[Turns it over a couple of times in his hand, feeling the weight and running his fingers along the edges]

Are they common? How do the gods decide which mortals receive them? Something so small would be easy to lose or have stolen... Can anyone use them or does it have to be the chosen user?

Not common at all, but very coveted. I don't think anyone really knows for sure what's required to get one, but the most common rumor is that you need to be in a life or death situation for the chance. No idea as to how you get which element, either, or how the gods choose you. Childe is one of the Cryo Archon's followers, but he has a Hydro Vision.

[ Sam hums as he thinks back. ] It's hard to lose for the wielder, I think probably because of the soul connection. I know since I've gotten it there are times I wanted to take it with me and I realize I forgot, but it's actually already on my person even though I have no recollection of thinking about it or going to grab it before leaving. ]

As for them getting stolen... that's something I don't actually understand, and I'm not sure if Childe does, either. They can't be used by anyone except the one it was granted to, so my guess is that they aren't worth stealing. If the person dies, the orb goes gray and no longer does anything. There's something with the users being separated from their Visions that can cause the orb to fade, as well, and this causes the owner to become a husk of their former self; but I'm not sure if only Archons are able to do something like that if they physically get their hands on them again—? Apparently the Archons can't simply retrieve them the same way they're given. Intentionally leaving or giving a Vision to someone, though, has no effect on the Vision's powers or the person themselves.

So many people want the power of a Vision, though, and one of Childe's colleagues managed to make a manmade version of them that's called a Delusion. Anyone can use them, but they're not good news for people at all. Normal people using them get power, but it's power made by stealing their own lifesource, so they age rapidly. The users can burn through their entire life if they use it too much in as little as one battle depending, and that's if it doesn't backfire and kill them first.

A Delusion probably doesn't sound like too bad of a deal to someone with an agenda and nothing to lose.

[Holds up the Vision so he can look between it and Sam's eyes, comparing the color]

It's not the same...but my vision guy has a handy little gem too.

That's usually how they think exactly.

All of the Queen's generals have a delusion, too, but it doesn't affect them the same way. They don't suffer the same side-effects as everyone else.

[ cocks head a bit to sort of better peek around the Vision. ]

Yeah? I wanna hear about it.

It’s called a cornerstone. Would you like to see it? Fair is fair, afterall.

Yeah!!

[Laughs quietly at the excited little yeah before offering back the vision]

Well, that answers that.

[ takes it back and goes to rest it on his nightstand. ]

[Opens a portal just big enough for his hand, reaching through it to fish around in his bedroom drawer]

Let's see.....where is i-Hah! Got it.

[There's a pleased crow of victory as the rest of his arm pulls back from the portal, bringing the cornerstone along with it. Without further ado, he'll offer it over to Sam; it's a beautiful shade of green incased in a dark silver setting that frames it perfectly, a delicate spade resting at the top]

Ta-da~! Well, what do you think?

Ah! [ carefully takes it, looking curiously. ] Oh wow, beautiful!

This is... [ goes to lift it into the light now directly. She sees the shimmer come through from his angle. He'd be more hesitant normally, but that spade really just sort of cements his guess. ]

It's aventurine, huh? That fits really well from what little you've told me about him and his intensity.

It's aventurine and that's the name he goes by. It isn't his real name, of course. No more than my name is Jewel....but you got it in one.

Ah, yeah. Childe is his... title designation like a codename but not really. His name is Tartaglia, which is also not his real name. Or at least, it's not the name that he was born with.

Aventurine is in a high position ranking in some kind of big power force or group or something I'm guessing? If I were to assume he and Childe are similar.

High ranking... I suppose you could say that. There's an organization he works for. And within that organization, there is a group of ten people who have cornerstones.

In that world....I suppose you could compare Aeons to your Archons. Rather than being in charge of an element though, they are the embodiment of a Path. They rose to a god-like status. And they are able to share that power with mortals who embody their Path... Those people are called Emanators.

[Stretches out on the bed before rolling onto his side]

I think Aventurine's boss is likely an Emanartor. And he shares that power with his Ten Stonehearts through the cornerstones.

...Huh. So the Stonehearts are somewhat like the Fatui Harbingers [ his tails swish with interest. Although he doesn't want to be like Childe or anything, and he wants Jewel to stay Jewel, he can't help but find their worlds and stories and backgrounds really fascinating.

Also they seem to have a lot in common.

So, Sam hasn't said this to anyone, but— ]

Okay, way long shot, but— do you know if your guy came out of nowhere to hang out with some random newcomer-rising-star kind of hero that and acts friendly towards them despite the hero being totally wary of their affiliation to get on their good side but ends up betraying them for their jobs?

Edited 2025-09-17 13:32 (UTC)

[*Emanator]

[Arches an eyebrow, the corner of his mouth quirking up in amusement]

How very specific! I wish I could say, but I’ve actually only looked at a small number of my visions. If something like that comes up though…I’ll make sure you’re the first to know.

[ bummer. Tails and ears deflate, the tails kinda like wilting balloons (he doesn't even notice). that was more disappointing than he expected. ]

Nah, it's okay. It doesn't matter in this life, I just was interested in learning more about the story.

[ actually, he was hoping to find someone else who has such a huge dick vision person as he does. Maybe he could figure out if this is actually all some weird trope sorting, and somehow figure out that he doesn't have to go die because of what happened in a place he's never even been to before. ]

...I mean, you can share if you want, but it's not like important I find out even if that's the case.

You say it doesn’t matter, but you look so disappointed.

[Reaches to grab the tips of the ears between his fingers, holding them up]

It sounds more specific than simply ‘wanting to know more about the story’.

Edited 2025-09-17 22:08 (UTC)

What, I do?

[ he feels his ears lift up and then, mortified as he looks at his wilted tails that look like they're in a dramatic preformance on stage of some important character's death and all that's left is the body. ]

...Shit!!

[ How can these new appendages that are supposed to be a part of him be so traitorous. ]

Are you going to come clean willing? Or will I have to drag it out of you?

[ he's actually silent for a moment as he looks at Jewel almost debating if he can really offer him this information. It's not that he doesn't trust Jewel with it, it's more like he doesn't want to stress him out since it's not like he can help. And alright Jewel has been forthcoming with him it's not like... well, there stuff he still doesn't know and even if the only things he can think of are like dumb things such as where he lives, it makes him wonder also why is he telling this to Jewel in the first place. Does Sam just think if he tells him that he'll get sympathy or more attention ? Or that if he doesn't tell him that he can assume it would really upset Jewel versus maybe he just can't cope with it and has to compartmentalize it?

Telling him seems like the thing he needs to do because Jewel wants to know and had asked several times for Sam to tell him, but is he actually doing something hurtful by revealing this information.

Sam will reach out now back into his drawer and pull out a vision item before holding it out so they can both use it. ]

...I was just hoping that if I could find someone with enough similarities, I could write off some of it off as typical story tropes that may not be set in stone. It's easy to pick up on these things as a writer, and Childe has a very specific foreshadowing set up for him.

Specific foreshadowing that has you worried…

[Glances down at the vision item then back up at Sam, considering his expression before reaching out to touch the item]

If it’s something concerning, I’d feel better that you aren’t worrying alone.

Maybe I'm overreacting, so it's better someone else sees it anyway. [ I forget what the item actually is so just uh mystery item... ]

[ The scene takes place in a sterile medical bay, Childe sitting with legs over the side of the raised patient table, holding his head in his hands. He looks to be uncomfortable, but the sensation that strikes the most is his obviously hurt and anger and distress that is some nasty combo of tortured that Childe's not ever come close to showing before.

"Still sulking over Signoria's interference, Tartaglia?"

Childe says growls lowly to the voice, and whoever is speaking is in the room with him and not far away. "I had it under control."

"Losing Foul Legacy right before incapacitating your opponent says you very much didn't."

Childe looks up now, a man standing there holding a device that looks strangely like Childe's vision only it's currently grayed out completely. Childe sneers but doesn't seem to have an answer for that. "You know it was only done this way because the Tsaritsa preferred a peaceful resolution from the start. Morax would have been the most difficult to take by force for even Capitano. If Morax hadn't insisted on the idea of a demonstration to prove to him Liyue could move on without his guidance, then you wouldn't have even been sent there at all."
"Was it so necessary to leave me out in the dark entirely?"

"Yes, actually. You wouldn't be convincing enough if you knew it was all a sham from the very start. The experiment results wouldn't have been good enough for Morax. You're no good when it comes to scenarios and battles that you feel are rigged in any sense of the word, and you wanted to fight Morax so badly that was the only thing driving you go to Liyue in the first place. it wasn't a slight against you and your capabilities, it just had to unfold that way. It gave us valuable data, including on how long that body of yours is going to hold out."

Childe rolls his eyes. "I'll die when I'm good and ready, and not a second sooner."

The smile on the older man's face is derisive even as he says nothing, tilting his head slightly as if just observing now as if he wants to leave it be or dig the stick in.

"Well, regardless, this is going to make that goal of yours that much easier. But don't worry, it'll still hurt the same way, so you can pretend you're not getting a helping hand through it."

Childe seems irritated but not really able to speak his mind, like this is a superior or something. Perhaps it very much is. "It's not my fault you're the only human who's ever fallen into the abyss and then come back four months later going from absolutely nothing to a proficient fighter. It's also not my fault you learned the Foul Legacy. Showing that to the Tsaritsa granted you a lot of favor with her, but... also made you a willing test subject."

Dottore puts the visionlike object down on a steel supplies cart, going to prepare a needle before holding out his hand in demand of Childe's arm. Childe gives it with disdain, and Dottore seems to respond by plunging the needle in aggressively enough to make Childe's entire body reflexively flinch. "Careful, it'd be extra painful if I happened to get clumsy and break the needle under your skin. Not to mention, I could accidentally make it even worse while getting it out, too. "

Childe says nothing, holding his tongue but the tension in his body is rigid. The needle fills with blood before another needle with liquid is shot into the arm. Dottore discards it and without losing a beat seafood the blood filled bills for a new own to continue drawing blood. Pulling the needle out he stops the bleeding with gauze and pressure before making Childe hold it as he moves back to take the vitals with him, checking them in the light before put putting each one into a machine that beeps after va a small motor sounds for a few seconds.

"...Well? Am I dying faster now? " Childe can't help but say with bitter sarcasm.

Dottore snorts with some amusement as he marks the details.

"Hard to say. Afterall, you have a power from Celestia, a power from the Abyss, and a power from the negative miasma of fallen gods all clashing in one pathetic little human body. What could possibly go wrong with that, I wonder?

"Everything is tainted. Your organs, your blood, your bones, your DNA. The concentration steadily builds, but your vision seems to keep the soul from being corrupted for now. I wouldn't do anything stupid like end up in a situation where you're severed from your Vision. The taint will go with you anywhere as it consumes, but the power of Celestia through your vision may not."

The feeling from Childe's gut twisting at those words is potent for a moment, the anger, the absolute rage that he's helpless to this, but also after everything he's done it's still not enough. And then ...the rage is swallowed and locked away in a compact mental box and shelved, sleeping with every other possible feeling he was having up until he's completely empty.

"We'll see. So long as the Tsaritsa's will has been seen through, it makes no difference to me. No one's going to miss me, and that's fine by me." ]

[Stays quiet even after the memory has finished playing out, digesting all of....that. He shifts a but on the bed, resting his head on Sam's shoulder and petting one of the tails that has found it's way to his side again, waiting for the other man to break the silence that has fallen over the room first.]

[ another tail will curl around Jewel affectionately, and Sam will lean his head to rest against his. ]

Sorry, that might have been a bit much to swallow...

Nn, it's fine.... I'm glad you showed me. I'm sure it was even more for you.

19:20

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

no subject