It's always dark in Wintermute right now, Aether. I'll be there soon.
[It doesn't take him long, and when he shows up he's dressed very warmly to brace against the weather. The majority of his clothes are black and grey, but there is a warm scarf in several shades of blue wrapped around his neck.
One notable difference since the last time Aether saw him is the colour of his right eye - it's now a bright, vivid red with a slitted, cat-like pupil.]
I hope this is an important thing that you need to show me.
[No mention of the eye. He sits down with the other man and pushes his gloved hands into his sleeves.]
[Aether himself is dressed up more than usual. He's holding onto his chocolate to help himself a little warmer. Helios is hiding themselves, floating near Aether's shoulder. It's actually Helios who signals to Aether that Dainsleif has arrived.]
Hello to you, too, Dain.
[Of course Aether notices his eye right away. He could speculate about what happened, as there could be many reasons for it. It seems every month this world throws something at them that attempts to harm them.]
Your eye, are you all right? [He doesn't mean to be rude and ignore his statement, but he's concerned.]
[He gives a small, crooked little smile as if to indicate that his apparent gruffness does not come from a place of any real irritation, but the moment Aether asks the question he faintly - though visibly - flushes and averts his eyes for a moment.]
It's a-- [Ehem.] A soulmate mark.
[It's not that he's embarrassed that it's there. Once he got past the shock of initially seeing it, and had managed to speak to G'raha about it, he found that he minded it less. By now he's grown used to seeing it in the mirror when he looks at himself despite how starkly visible the difference is.]
I've been seeing someone for a few weeks. Evidently we will no longer be permitted to keep it to ourselves.
Edited (edit bc time is fake.) Date: 2023-02-02 12:16 am (UTC)
[Aether can't recall seeing Dainsleif like this before, but when he's told what it's about, the surprise look on his face doesn't go away. Soulmate mark? That doesn't take much to break down what that means. Once the initial shock passes, he's extremely happy for Dainsleif. To find more than just friendship, but love here? His friends have been lucky to experience such a thing. He's gotten closer to his some of his friends, but that's been about it for him so far.]
Wow, Dain, that's great. I'm really happy you've found someone here. [He is curious as to what type of person attracted Dainsleif and what they're like. They must be someone who can be there for him.] Do I know them?
[Even Helios finally pokes their head out, curiosity winning over their initial shyness.]
[He wouldn't call it love, but he won't deny the level of affection that he has for the person he has been unexpectedly bound to. It is almost funny... that he would be alone for so long and then find such close companionship here of all places, and for it to be someone from another world entirely.]
I don't know if you do.
[Dainsleif gives Helios a quick glance, though doesn't want to spook them with too much interest.]
But the Exarch doesn't keep to himself as much as I do, so you might have come across him by now.
[He's met several people not from Teyvat here, but at the same time, this is an entire new world filled mostly with those not from this world. He tries to recall if he's heard that name, but he doesn't think so.]
I can't say I have, but I wouldn't mind meeting him if you're fine with that.
[Meeting him is not just about simple curiosity, but as a gesture of friendship and support. Wanting the best for Dainsleif and him figuring that out, wherever it takes him, he's proud of him friend.]
I'm happy and proud of you. I'll do my best to leave a good impression. Do you think food would win him over?
I can hardly keep you from approaching him if that's what you want...
[Sigh.
Just navigating the start of whatever their relationship was had been taxing enough, but actually being open about it with other people comes along with a whole new set of hurdles that he now has to figure out. Not that he thinks for a moment that Aether would try to do anything to jeopardise it, but still... there is an awkwardness that comes with discussing it like this.]
But you don't have to give him a gift to win him over. [The man smiles faintly, but the warmth of it makes its way up to his mismatched eyes. He looks more relaxed than he has in a while.] Just tell him you're a friend of mine. That should be enough to begin with.
[While he's curious, he's also far too mindful than barging in and being intrusive. He'll most likely take a more laid back approach but keep an eye out and ear to the ground at the same time. There's not exactly a rush to meet him, and there doesn't seem to be a sign that he'll leave and never come back here. Leaving and or returning here is another thought for another time.]
I'll remember that then. Knowing how Thirteen is, she might set up something sooner than later.
[He looks at down at the cup he has and takes a little sip. It's cooled down enough that it's not burning his tongue. The once timid Helios tugs at him again, now ready for an introduction.]
I didn't forget. [He speaks to the shiny Jirachi with him.] Dain, this is Helios. I found him after I completed a trial with Kaeya, but he only woke up about a month ago. [The pokemon fully displays himself, twirling around as he floats near Aether.] He has some... interesting abilities. A while ago, you mentioned Nyx had something special that wasn't like an ordinary pet.
[It's strangely freeing and yet... anxiety-inducing to be so open about being in a relationship that could definitely be seen as romantic in nature. It's been so long after all... sometimes he thinks he's forgotten how to do it right, but G'raha never seems to mind his missteps.
Or perhaps he simply does not see them.
For now, he is thankful enough to turn his attention to the strange little critter that Aether has tugging at him for attention.]
Interesting abilities? [He looks down at the Jirachi, humming softly in thought.] You're going to have to go into more detail than that.
[Aether can't read his mind, but he can see there's just something a little different about Dainsleif. He obviously seems happier, but things feel much more friendlier and casual between them - it's a heartwarming thing. He hopes that Dainsleif can continue to find ways to be and create his own happiness.]
Um, well there's telepathy, telekinesis, teleportation, and he can sense how people feel. [Those are the basics. He'll leave out that his Jirachi once summoned a huge pile of pastries and thought it was dinner.] Helios can fight, too, but it's not like the elemental magic from Teyvat. Is Nyx capable of any of those things?
[That's a lot for one little creature and Aether will have to excuse the way that Dainsleif immediately gives the Jirachi a sidelong look. It's a lot and he didn't really like the sound of at least half of it.]
No, I don't believe so. Nyx seems disinclined to demonstrate any abilities it might have and I'm content for it to remain that way.
[Stubborn, lazy... a little like Gin, though with less inclination towards jumping up on kitchen countertops.]
[It is quite the list of powerful abilities and powers masqueraded behind a cute face. He's thought about it multiple times, but he's never seen the creature do anything of ill intent or harm anyone. Someone could easily take advantage of such a thing, but Aether is more cautious and doesn't feel the need to abuse such abilities. Maybe that's why the creatures stays with him.]
I see. [He can't say he's not disappointed but he's not surprised. He's been careful about telling others about his Jirachi companion, but he does trust Dainsleif enough to share this.] I know Thirteen pulls others from worlds, so I was thinking there could be a chance someone from Helios' world is from here. [There's also the chance the Jirachi from here, but that seemed less likely.]
Helios has helped me in some tight spots and helped some of my friends here. [Those abilities are rather useful no doubt about that.] I just want to return the favor, maybe get some playmates or friends.
[If not right now, then some other time, perhaps. He shifts to give the Jirachi a closer look. All in all it appears to be a rather harmless creature, hardly one he would suspect to be capable of all the things that Aether had described... but appearances can definitely be deceiving.
Though, if Aether trusts it, then it's probably fine. The young man seems a relatively decent judge of character by his experience.]
But a difference in ability or power doesn't preclude friendship. If you'd like to introduce the two and see how they get along, we can try it.
[Even the name Helios is something Aether gave to his friend, much like Traveler has become a name even here and in Teyvat has become.
Thanks, Dain. I'll make sure Helios behaves. [The Jirachi does a little twirl and sparkles, laughing.] The worst thing he might do is summon a pile sweets and pastries if he gets hungry or spoil Nyx.
[It may be a simple and casual conversation, but that's what he likes about it. Back in Teyvat, their conversations were focused on a shared interest. So in a way, he's gotten a chance at a type of friendship with Dainsleif that would've proven difficult for both of them.]
I'm really glad we were able to meet up and talk like this. I just got the feeling I should talk to you, and I'm not sure exactly why, but it's good I did.
[At first, that's the only answer he gives. Dainsleif's feelings towards such things are complicated and he has always kept the Traveller and Paimon at arms length for a reason, but here such things hardly seem necessary and he already feels like he could become such a different person here if only he would allow it for himself.
Strange that he does not feel such a compulsion to resist as he did when he first arrived.
A few moments of thought later and he nods as if in agreement, then smiles a little at the other man.]
I think that it's good that you did as well. We ought to have more conversations like this, without the weight of our respective missions hanging over our every meeting. [As much as he never forgets, as he is sure Aether doesn't, it's still... pleasant.]
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2023-01-31 03:15 pm (UTC)I'll be there soon.
[It doesn't take him long, and when he shows up he's dressed very warmly to brace against the weather. The majority of his clothes are black and grey, but there is a warm scarf in several shades of blue wrapped around his neck.
One notable difference since the last time Aether saw him is the colour of his right eye - it's now a bright, vivid red with a slitted, cat-like pupil.]
I hope this is an important thing that you need to show me.
[No mention of the eye. He sits down with the other man and pushes his gloved hands into his sleeves.]
no subject
Date: 2023-02-01 03:32 am (UTC)Hello to you, too, Dain.
[Of course Aether notices his eye right away. He could speculate about what happened, as there could be many reasons for it. It seems every month this world throws something at them that attempts to harm them.]
Your eye, are you all right? [He doesn't mean to be rude and ignore his statement, but he's concerned.]
no subject
Date: 2023-02-01 08:16 am (UTC)It's a-- [Ehem.] A soulmate mark.
[It's not that he's embarrassed that it's there. Once he got past the shock of initially seeing it, and had managed to speak to G'raha about it, he found that he minded it less. By now he's grown used to seeing it in the mirror when he looks at himself despite how starkly visible the difference is.]
I've been seeing someone for a few weeks. Evidently we will no longer be permitted to keep it to ourselves.
no subject
Date: 2023-02-02 05:29 am (UTC)Wow, Dain, that's great. I'm really happy you've found someone here. [He is curious as to what type of person attracted Dainsleif and what they're like. They must be someone who can be there for him.] Do I know them?
[Even Helios finally pokes their head out, curiosity winning over their initial shyness.]
no subject
Date: 2023-02-04 03:23 pm (UTC)I don't know if you do.
[Dainsleif gives Helios a quick glance, though doesn't want to spook them with too much interest.]
But the Exarch doesn't keep to himself as much as I do, so you might have come across him by now.
no subject
Date: 2023-02-11 02:19 am (UTC)I can't say I have, but I wouldn't mind meeting him if you're fine with that.
[Meeting him is not just about simple curiosity, but as a gesture of friendship and support. Wanting the best for Dainsleif and him figuring that out, wherever it takes him, he's proud of him friend.]
I'm happy and proud of you. I'll do my best to leave a good impression. Do you think food would win him over?
no subject
Date: 2023-02-12 11:47 pm (UTC)[Sigh.
Just navigating the start of whatever their relationship was had been taxing enough, but actually being open about it with other people comes along with a whole new set of hurdles that he now has to figure out. Not that he thinks for a moment that Aether would try to do anything to jeopardise it, but still... there is an awkwardness that comes with discussing it like this.]
But you don't have to give him a gift to win him over. [The man smiles faintly, but the warmth of it makes its way up to his mismatched eyes. He looks more relaxed than he has in a while.] Just tell him you're a friend of mine. That should be enough to begin with.
no subject
Date: 2023-04-06 05:23 am (UTC)I'll remember that then. Knowing how Thirteen is, she might set up something sooner than later.
[He looks at down at the cup he has and takes a little sip. It's cooled down enough that it's not burning his tongue. The once timid Helios tugs at him again, now ready for an introduction.]
I didn't forget. [He speaks to the shiny Jirachi with him.] Dain, this is Helios. I found him after I completed a trial with Kaeya, but he only woke up about a month ago. [The pokemon fully displays himself, twirling around as he floats near Aether.] He has some... interesting abilities. A while ago, you mentioned Nyx had something special that wasn't like an ordinary pet.
no subject
Date: 2023-04-11 08:28 pm (UTC)[It's strangely freeing and yet... anxiety-inducing to be so open about being in a relationship that could definitely be seen as romantic in nature. It's been so long after all... sometimes he thinks he's forgotten how to do it right, but G'raha never seems to mind his missteps.
Or perhaps he simply does not see them.
For now, he is thankful enough to turn his attention to the strange little critter that Aether has tugging at him for attention.]
Interesting abilities? [He looks down at the Jirachi, humming softly in thought.] You're going to have to go into more detail than that.
no subject
Date: 2023-04-14 02:12 am (UTC)Um, well there's telepathy, telekinesis, teleportation, and he can sense how people feel. [Those are the basics. He'll leave out that his Jirachi once summoned a huge pile of pastries and thought it was dinner.] Helios can fight, too, but it's not like the elemental magic from Teyvat. Is Nyx capable of any of those things?
no subject
Date: 2023-04-15 05:30 pm (UTC)[That's a lot for one little creature and Aether will have to excuse the way that Dainsleif immediately gives the Jirachi a sidelong look. It's a lot and he didn't really like the sound of at least half of it.]
No, I don't believe so. Nyx seems disinclined to demonstrate any abilities it might have and I'm content for it to remain that way.
[Stubborn, lazy... a little like Gin, though with less inclination towards jumping up on kitchen countertops.]
But he seems a useful companion for you.
no subject
Date: 2023-04-19 10:03 pm (UTC)I see. [He can't say he's not disappointed but he's not surprised. He's been careful about telling others about his Jirachi companion, but he does trust Dainsleif enough to share this.] I know Thirteen pulls others from worlds, so I was thinking there could be a chance someone from Helios' world is from here. [There's also the chance the Jirachi from here, but that seemed less likely.]
Helios has helped me in some tight spots and helped some of my friends here. [Those abilities are rather useful no doubt about that.] I just want to return the favor, maybe get some playmates or friends.
no subject
Date: 2023-04-23 03:40 pm (UTC)[If not right now, then some other time, perhaps. He shifts to give the Jirachi a closer look. All in all it appears to be a rather harmless creature, hardly one he would suspect to be capable of all the things that Aether had described... but appearances can definitely be deceiving.
Though, if Aether trusts it, then it's probably fine. The young man seems a relatively decent judge of character by his experience.]
But a difference in ability or power doesn't preclude friendship. If you'd like to introduce the two and see how they get along, we can try it.
[It might do Nyx some good, too.
no subject
Date: 2023-05-04 02:11 am (UTC)Thanks, Dain. I'll make sure Helios behaves. [The Jirachi does a little twirl and sparkles, laughing.] The worst thing he might do is summon a pile sweets and pastries if he gets hungry or spoil Nyx.
[It may be a simple and casual conversation, but that's what he likes about it. Back in Teyvat, their conversations were focused on a shared interest. So in a way, he's gotten a chance at a type of friendship with Dainsleif that would've proven difficult for both of them.]
I'm really glad we were able to meet up and talk like this. I just got the feeling I should talk to you, and I'm not sure exactly why, but it's good I did.
no subject
Date: 2023-05-06 07:12 pm (UTC)[At first, that's the only answer he gives. Dainsleif's feelings towards such things are complicated and he has always kept the Traveller and Paimon at arms length for a reason, but here such things hardly seem necessary and he already feels like he could become such a different person here if only he would allow it for himself.
Strange that he does not feel such a compulsion to resist as he did when he first arrived.
A few moments of thought later and he nods as if in agreement, then smiles a little at the other man.]
I think that it's good that you did as well. We ought to have more conversations like this, without the weight of our respective missions hanging over our every meeting. [As much as he never forgets, as he is sure Aether doesn't, it's still... pleasant.]