[Folkmore IC Inbox][un: dainsleif]

[twilight_sword]

dainsleif

[There's no message. Just a beep.]

Comments

@traveler | text

[descender]

[It's best if Aether reaches out to him as he has a feeling he isn't going to be the easiest to find. It's probably him, but he wants to make sure.]

This is Dainsleif, right? It's Aether.

[twilight_sword]

[Ah, well this was only a matter of time. It does feel... strange, being so easily accessible. He doesn't answer immediately.]

It is.
Is something wrong?

[descender]

Not that I know of.
I just wanted to see how you were doing since the last time we talked.

[twilight_sword]

There's been no change in my condition.
I'm doing as well as you might expect under the circumstances.

[descender]

That's good to hear but not exactly what I meant.
What have you been up to? I'm still learning about this place, but there seems to be a lot to do.

[twilight_sword]

There's very little I'm interested in occupying my time with here.
When it comes to any potential I might be capable of achieving the pedestrian diversions on offer fall entirely short of the mark.

I've been reading.

[Relaxing. He's been relaxing. He just doesn't call it that.]

[descender]

You know you're allowed to have a little fun here, right?
If you need help finding something you enjoy, I don't mind trying things out with you. Reading is a good start though. What sort of book are you reading?

[twilight_sword]

I don't need any help.

Aether, what is this about?

[descender]

I'm just trying to be friendly. I want to get to know you better as a person. We never had much time to when we worked alongside each other in Teyvat.
If it bothers you, I can give you space. I just think it'd be good if we stick together in the long run if something does happen.

[twilight_sword]

If you want to get to know me better this isn't the way to do it.
I dislike this device and I was never one for writing letters.

[descender]

So are you asking me to invite you somewhere? Or are you going to invite me somewhere?

[twilight_sword]

Presumptuous, but not incorrectly so.

[He sends an address, and some directions.]

You can visit at your convenience.

[descender]

Since there's no Abyss Order and Fauit here, I've got plenty of time.
Would now be fine? Or I can come tomorrow.

[twilight_sword]

Now is fine, I'm not busy.

[Definitely still getting used to this whole 'visitors' thing though...]

[descender]

[Once Aether figures out how to get there, it doesn't take too long. The fog is an issue, but it's not so severe. Having his wings back is making traveling easier than ever, too.

So It doesn't him long at all to find Dain's place. He lands, retracting his wings until they're hidden once again. Then he goes to the door and knocks.]

Dain, it's me, Aether. [He's less formal now that they are getting better acquainted with each other.]

[twilight_sword]

[There's little for him to do but wait for Aether to arrive, so he continues reading the book he had his attention on before the other man contacted him. When the knock at the door comes he answers it without any delay and pulls the door open wide enough to allow Aether to walk in.

Dainsleif doesn't like the look of that fog one bit.

The inside of the house is warm and cosy, and Dainsleif himself is clearly 'at home' with a far more relaxed mode of dress. His gloves and mask are still present but rather than his fitted coat and high-collared cloak, he's wearing a linen shirt and a dark waistcoat that is only partially buttoned up.]

Come in, quickly now.

[He shuts the door smartly behind Aether.]

Thirteen is up to some tricks again no doubt.

[descender]

[Aether does as he's told, coming inside quickly. He's going to start off with a friendly greeting but is caught off guard by the statement Dainsleif makes. He's concerned about what he means. The warmer atmosphere and being inside is a comfort compared to the foggy outside.]

Did something happen? Is everything all right? [His trip didn't take long, but still, it doesn't take long for something to happen when a god is active in their world. He's barely in the house, but it's best to get right to it if it's important.]

[twilight_sword]

Mmn. That fog isn't natural. Watch yourself in it.

[He sounds vaguely irritated, but sounding vaguely irritated isn't really out of character where Dainsleif is concerned. The man shakes his head to dismiss any further quizzing on the subject and he gestures for Aether to step through to the next room where a couple of chairs are tucked near to a lit fireplace.]

I have some water heated for tea, if you want some. [For as settled as Dainsleif looks here there is a faint awkwardness about it, as if he's self-conscious about someone else seeing his own comfort.]

And I'm not the best of hosts, as my first visitor here discovered. But I trust I won't cause you any offence.

[descender]

The fog dense, but I'll be careful now. [Oh... so that isn't something normal here, then. Aether assumed it's something normal for this world this time of year, but that does make sense. Even with using anemo it isn't easy to disperse, but he doesn't have much of a reference of what is normal here anyway. He can tell Dainsleif is taking this seriously and he will too now that he knows.]

Tea would be great, thanks. [He walks into the room more, looking around. It's really a nice place to live - probably better than Albedo's place. He must spend quite a lot of time here, but that's not a bad thing.] You're fine. I'm gad you let me come and see you. You've got yourself a pretty nice place here. I'm a little jealous.

[twilight_sword]

It's nothing to be jealous of.

[Aether could get any kind of place he wanted here after all and for Dainsleif this is just a roof over his head and little more than that. It's difficult enough for him to get emotionally attached to places to begin with, let alone places he doesn't really want to be.

While he's in the kitchen, a large ginger cat comes wandering in from the hallway to investigate the new guest. The creature rubs itself against Aether's legs then wanders off again, flopping down near a corner of the hearth.

Dainsleif returns with a teapot and two cups, stares silently at the cat for a moment, then sighs and sets what he's carrying down on the small coffee table by the chairs.]

I don't have a cat. [He mutters as he sits down.] He just won't leave.

[descender]

[He's just a little smug with some of his teasing. It's nice to do something like this with Dainsleif and see another side to him. He knows there's more to him than what he presents himself as, whether Dainsleif acknowledges that or not.

He's still looking around when he feels something rubbing against his leg. It's a cat! And a cute one. He's particularly fond of cats and dogs and has a few in his own teapot. He's tempted to cat again, but he knows cats have their own mind. Maybe he'll wait no so patiently and see.

At least there is tea. Aether goes to sit down in one of the chairs as he looks towards Dainsleif. He laughs just once - of course this cat that is living here is totally not his. Just an unwanted roommate. Of course.] Oh, all right. I didn't know cat removal was such a challenge for you.

[twilight_sword]

You're mocking me.

[But he doesn't sound too irritated by it as he pours the tea out for them both and picks up his own cup. He knows how it looks - how domesticated he must seem here - and part of that is because of the dammed cat that he doesn't have the heart to kick out into the cold.]

It's an innocent animal and it's cold outside. I'm not a monster, Aether. [That is definitely the only reason.] So...

[Now to the meat of it all. His voice softens.]

You have an interest in knowing about me.

[descender]

A little. You can tease me back, too, if you want. It's only fair. [He'd be rather amused if that does happen. He does light teasing to those he likes when he feels comfortable - just look at Paimon.]

I didn't think that at all. [Truly. He doesn't seen Dainsleif hurting something innocent like that.] You could've made a public post or ask someone here if they would like to have a cat. [He probably would have to ask Albedo, but he makes the offer at least.] I could even take the cat if want. [But he has a feeling that might not be necessary.] But it would be a shame since the cat seems to like you and this place.

[He takes the cup of tea, mutter a thanks, and blows on it. At Dainsleif's question, he nods.] I do, but I don't want to bring up anything you don't want to talk about either. [He respects privacy after all. He's private himself, but he's had practice with that sort of thing.] I was thinking more about things you like to do, maybe foods you like.

[twilight_sword]

[Dainsleif makes a soft, amused sound and leans back a little in his seat. He cradles his cup in both hands, his eyes not quite on Aether as they sit almost opposite to each other.]

You sound like Kaeya. He was curious about such mundane details as well.

[And he hadn't really understood it then either. To find such details important is a curious thing to him, even if he realises that these are the kinds of things that 'friends' share with one another.]

I'm sure you're aware I haven't had the time for any hobbies or idle pursuits for many years. [Battling against the Abyss Order as he does? That takes up a lot of his time. And outside of that... the nature of his existence stops him from really being able to enjoy being alive in any way.]

As for food... it's been a long time since I've given consideration to having a 'favourite'. I eat what I need to survive, which is astoundingly little these days. [His expression flickers.] I don't remember what I liked before. I suppose there might have been something.

[descender]

[At the mention of Kaeya, he's glad someone from Teyvat has been able to reach out to him - or anyone in general.]

Kaeya is a friendly guy. He was one of the first friends I made in Mondstadt. [It feels like a while ago yet just yesterday at the same time.] Friendship sometimes is about knowing those small things about people even if it's mundane. If people remember those things, it shows they care.

[He gives a nod. Where has he heard this before? A few times, actually.] But now you do. Unless you're doing something else? [That is possible. He doesn't expect Dainsleif to just tell him everything like Aether isn't going to tell him everything.] You don't have to give up having fun and relaxing entirely because of your pursuit. [Look at him. He's in it for the long haul but he's taken time to help others and make friends.]

I don't mind jogging your memory. I've gotten pretty good at cooking and even growing things. [He misses his teapot house, but the place with Albedo has a spot for gardening so that looks promising.] I don't know what the food was like in Khaenri'ah, but if you remember any of the spices or combinations, I'll see what I can do.