autumn catch-all

[startraveler]

WHO: Aether and you!
WHAT: Open prompts
WHEN: Throughout autumn
WHERE: Various
WARNINGS: None for now


A. Arco Lunar
[The date with Steinbeck aside, Aether is curious to explore Arco Lunar on his own. You may see him looking at the sea while leaning against the railing, trying out different dishes in the buffet and peeking inside the spa or massage studio.

It's really rare for him to be surrounded by such luxury. He's just a traveler, after all and the best he can usually get is a comfy, but modest room in an inn... or his current home.]

B. The Dulces Sueños Resort
[Obviously, Aether wouldn't be himself if he wasn't curious about the resort. Perhaps you are the one who invited him to go, perhaps the two of you just bumped into each other and now venture into the resort together.

If you use the open bath together with Aether you will pick up that beneath the optimistic demeanour, there's actually a lot of lingering loneliness and exhaustion.

If the two of you end up spending the night in the same room, you will see one of Aether's memories. Was it a good one of fun festivals? Or was a sad memory of something lost?]

C. Chocolates
[Perhaps you are minding your own business, when suddenly someone hugs you. A sheepish voice quickly says:]

Sorry! I didn't really mean that...

[The traveler laughs softly, if not a bit awkwardly and pulls away. The chocolates he received seem to cause the person who has eaten them to want to hug others. Aether wasn't aware of that, of course, so he tried one in the morning and its effect seems to linger for the time being. It's a bit awkward, but he doesn't mind too much.

He may be giving some away depending if you're fine with such an effect or not. Or maybe he'll just decide that you need all the hugs you can get and will gift you one without an explanation.]

D. Wildcard
[If you'd like your own starter, a completely different prompt, etc feel free to contact me at discord Ashka#4609 or plurk (spiritualwhisper)! Or just go for it. Also if you'd like to do something from his bingo that's also fine! :D ]

Comments

[sluice]

Moping?

[ Ah, was he too heavy-handed? Glancing sidelong, he ruffles Aether's hair as he mumbles into the pillow. There, there. Easy come, easy go, what will be, will be. ]

It's not a big deal, come off it. You know how I enjoy putting on a performance. This isn't that different. Would've been nice if I had a hand in it, but I did get to see another side of you, Traveler. That alone was well worth the heckling.

[ A little endearing, give or take all of this embarrassment. Don't say you'll wallop him so effortlessly in front of a crowd? It isn't as if he doesn't get flustered? Caught up in the throes of that feeling, Childe clears his throat. ]

You said we had things in common, but I don't see it. Enlighten me?

[esurientabyss]

Speaking from experience?

[ He Xuan questions with a bit of idle curiosity. Though maybe a bit more than that, because he spots that confidence there. ]

And you believe that you would be able to prove the same in my case?

[ He Xuan is formidable, but he certainly isn't invincible. That fact is irrevocably true. Will he agree to that in so many words, though? When everything freezes over. ]

[knightunerring]

It didn't occur to me they would do something like that. I'm still relatively new here.

[ Goddess, ma'am, what are you doing... But hugging people is fairly benign, and it makes sense that she wouldn't really be trying to poison her farmers. After a moment's consideration, Flynn nods and holds out his box. ]

I don't know the effects of mine yet. But if you're willing to risk it, then I accept.

[startraveler]

If something happens to me, I trust that you'll find a doctor in time.

[His tone is very much amused. He honestly does not think it'll be so bad. And he reaches for a chocolate!]

[startraveler]

[His hair is ruffled, surprising Aether, but his shoulders relax a bit, too. Childe doesn't seem to be mad, so it's all good.

The traveler turns his head to look at him, his cheek sinks into the pillow.]

You said it once... that family is the most important to you.

[That is something they both have in common. But back there, in Liyue, the two of them were also nothing more but outlanders, living a life of constant challenges far away from home. And even though Aether doesn't have a place to call "home", he definitely understands the longing.]

[startraveler]

[He can see all the emotions that go through Vanitas and he knows that he's seen something he shouldn't have. Aether's eyes widen and he wants to hold the other's hand more tightly, but his roommate pries it free and runs away.]

Vanitas!

[Worry and panic overflow him, but Aether doesn't just sit there. Before thinking it through, he rushes after Vanitas and tries to open the door to meet him.]

Please... please, talk to me. I know I saw something you don't want me to know, but please... you can trust me.

[What should he do if Vanitas won't open the door? If he could only call for Noé and ask him for help...!]

[unchainer]

Don't come in here!

[ He's frantic when he says it, and his fingers are pushed through his hair. He's an absolute mess and while this does, indeed, involve trust issues, there's more to it than just that. He's breathing heavily and panic is racing through him, making his mind go blank.

Kill him. Those words echo in his head, and he has to sit on his hands to keep himself from doing anything rash. There's a thud as Vanitas places his forehead against the closed door, facing Aether, who's standing on the other side of it. ]

Don't...don't open it. Please. I won't ask anything else of you, ever again.

[ His voice is shaky, almost like he's ready to collapse. ]

[startraveler]

Yes.

[He doesn't hesitate to answer.]

I believe it. But... don't take it as me trying to pick a fight with you. I'm just saying you shouldn't look down on people.

[It's just good manners!]

[knightunerring]

Not to worry. I have some basic healing magic.

[ They should definitely live! And if Aether isn't worried, then Flynn won't let it trouble him. He closes the box and holds things out of the way on the offchance that all chocolates result in hugging outbreaks. ]

[startraveler]

[Maybe it's only a coincidence, maybe it's Aether sensing something, but the traveler also sits down and places his forehead against the door. His eyes close.]

I won't open it... But you have to promise you'll come back to me.

[Please, don't run away.

He feels helpless, worried, but he wants to believe in Vanitas.]

[unchainer]

...

[ He doesn't say anything, but Aether can probably hear his breaths from behind the door. They're heavy, after all.

After several long moments, the door handle jiggles, and he lightly pushes the door open. His head is down, one hand covering his face. ]

...Sorry. I'm – I'm sorry, Aether.

[esurientabyss]

[ ...There's a moment of silence on his part, when he seems to realize that Aether certainly didn't intend to pick a fight with him. ]

Hm.

In that case, I'll simply tell you that you won't have to be concerned with me attacking others for no reason. It'll be a waste for you to be concerned.

[ He Xuan's...application of manners are unfortunately, evidently dubious at times. ]

[startraveler]

[When the door open, Aether stands up and wants to wrap his arms around Vanitas, but stops himself. His arms hang open as if allowing the other to chose.]

Don't apologize. You've done nothing wrong.

[He hopes he can reassure his roommate.]

[unchainer]

[ Aether won't have to do anything. Despite how distraught Vanitas looks, he moves his hand and steps forward to put his forehead on Aether's shoulder. ]

...I caught a glimpse of yours, too. Your sister, and something about an Abyss.

[ He breathes out, shakily. ]

That's why you feel alone.

[scriviner]

[ He did, for better or worse, miss the date auction, though even if he had been around, whether or not he would have attended is still up for debate. He might have enjoyed the bloodbath... ]

Oh? Given the wishes of the island's goddess, things "going fairly well" leads me to make certain conclusions.

[ How's his bingo card coming along?? ]

[startraveler]

[Aether still doesn't know what to make of this guy, but he certainly doesn't seem as scary as he's trying to sound.]

That's good.

[A smile.]

So what are you up to? How is farming going for you?

[He's actually pretty curious. He Xuan doesn't seem like a person who does mundane mortal chores.]

[startraveler]

[Thankfully, his bingo card is pretty innocent (except that "French kissing" square)! He has nothing to be ashamed of!!]

Well, it's nothing terribly interesting... I'm getting along with my roommate. [And they smooched, but he's not saying that.] And I have made some new friends as well. [And got some dates.] The farm also seems to be looking much more liveable now. [The bingo is going fairly well, thank you.]

The goddess seems to have spared me from some embarrassing tasks... But how it's going for you? [How's your bingo going??]

[startraveler]

[His arms wrap around Vanitas almost instantly and he presses him close to himself, as if wanting to protect him from something.

The other's words cause Aether to freeze, though. His shoulders tense.]

The Abyss... is what took my sister away from me. [He confesses slowly, unsure which memory exactly Vanitas has seen. Was it the one in the Chasm where everyone talked about their fears?]

...I'm not quite sure how it happened, because she was kidnapped by a god before my eyes. Then... the next thing I know it's this... this thing called "the Abyss" that seems to have taken her.

[startraveler]

You definitely sound reliable.

[He smiles, then he tries the chocolate.

As expected, the taste is sweet and nice, but nothing seems to happen after Aether finishes. The traveler lets a soft "hmm" escape him. He wants to tell the other that he doesn't feel any different, but that is not what leaves his mouth:]

I'm afraid of the darkness of the Abyss.

[His eyes widen and he quickly clasps his hands around his mouth. He did not mean to say that. Why is he confessing his fears to someone he barely knows?! Why did the goddess think this is a good idea??]

[unchainer]

[ In response, Vanitas raises his hand and rests it on Aether's forearm. He's quiet. So this is what Aether meant by being kidnapped? ]

She said that she wouldn't stop until the Abyss reclaimed their throne. I was under the impression the two of you are on opposing sides of whatever's happening in your world. And yet...all you want to do is return home with her.

[sluice]

It is. When I think of them, I know for certain I won't die in battle, because I made a promise to go home and see them again. Family is precious. [ Remembering that he wasn't always this monstrous and bestial thing filthying his hands with blood is important. Love is something that doesn't ask to be reciprocated, but his heart is full when he's with them. ] I could only entrust my little brother to a friend who would understand.

[ All of the chances that Teucer could've ran into someone unsavory existed, and yet it was the Traveler that he stumbled upon that day, like something inevitable. ]

... You always looked so lonely. When we fought, I noticed you favored one side... like you were used to covering for another person's blindspots. That's how I knew, even back then... that you lost someone irreplaceable.

[ Lifting his hand, Childe leaves it loosely splayed on his chest, breath rising and falling where it's caged in it. ]

Tell me about your family. Your sibling.

[startraveler]

[A small gasp escapes him and Aether freezes completely.]

You... you've seen her and me talking...?

[It was that moment, wasn't it? Aether doesn't know what to say, how to react. So he stays in one place, frantically trying to come up with something to say.]

[startraveler]

[Indeed, he understands.

That wish to prevail, to stay alive no matter what because someone out there is waiting for your return - it's something Aether is very familiar with. So he's silent, watching Childe with soft eyes as the other talks about his family.

Then his companion shifts the subject to Aether, surprising him. Childe was watching really closely, it seems.]

...You're right.

[He has no reason to deny that.]

My sister... she means everything to me. And I would do anything to bring her back home.

[But his "home" does not exist if she's not by his side. Aether's cheek sinks further into the pillow.]

[unchainer]

For a brief moment, yes.

[ The way Aether reacts reminds him of his own reaction earlier, just severely toned down. He's not afraid if Aether wants to harm him; what actually scares him is the thought that he may be able to fill the loneliness in the Traveler's heart. It's a thought that feels futile, like it couldn't be true, because it's easier to be rejected than it is to be accepted, but regardless...

He pulls back and looks at Aether seriously. ]

You're lonely, Aether. I felt it in the bath. You've been so focused on helping me, but I've realized that you've tried to conceal this since the beginning.

[ He leans forward and puts his arms around the other, finally. He won't say he understands out loud, but he does.

And, once again, he hears Noé's words echo in his head: ]

Stop using all of your concern on me, will you? People want to know your true self. Don't deny them that privilege.

[ He says, like he's not part of that group himself. ]

[scriviner]

[ Getting along with his roommate, what's that like??? Alhaitham can't imagine it. It's not exactly surprising that Aether is forming successful bonds - it's the sort of thing he excels at. Still, making that many connections...

He can't imagine anything more tedious, honestly. ]

Oh? How benevolent of her. [ He does not find her benevolent at all. ] I've spent most of my time at the library since my arrival. That's all, really.