childeishly | 🐳 imeeji; inbox.

Caeli; It's all the same to me... but a change of scenery might be nice, since I've been stuck in the dorms all night.

Hades: Meet me out front.

[He will be out front in his Baritones attire with a fur trimmed cape over a suit. But he will also have a mechanical pegasus out front with him.]

I know you can fly, but I thought riding might be fun for a change.

[ marked as read. ]

[ he heads outside in this, squinting at the mechanical pegasus, because... wat. ]

What is this? And where did you get it?

[Oh, that's a smart outfit.]

A gift to my dearest Cosmo. He does love horses very much. I had this made with help from Future is Now. He does let me borrow it from time to time.

It does fly if you are interested.

[ and now his mind is wandering... ]

Does he ride real horses too? [ and has he ever been a horse? ] It's not like anything I've ever seen before. [ climbing aboard??? ]

[ shrugs. ] No preference. If you have a place in mind, then whatever will get us there the fastest. [ slouches into emet. ]

I believe he does, but I have never gone with him.

[He scoops up Caeli bridal style and gets on the mechanical monstrosity with him in his lap.]

A design of my own making. We were... creating and improving upon concepts was our passion long ago. From functional to artistic to stretching the laws of imagination. It was very soothing to be able to Create for him again.

[The pegasus takes flight climbing over the buildings.]

No strong place in mind. I simply wanted to enjoy the journey there with you. I would be blind if I couldn't tell that recent events are wearing on you.

[ EMET-SELCH! childe grabs at his chest to keep from flailing when he's lifted up. ] It's not like you have to stop. I know you need a member of Future is Now, but I'm sure you could get one of them to cooperate.

... [ makes an unintelligible noise as he shifts, turning his head ( and mask ) away from emet. ] What makes you say that?

[That's cute.]

It isn't the same. Not being able to imagine things to create them. To view an image in one's mind and have it come to life.

Though thanks to you I've been roped into gardening and it is soothing in its own way.

[He kisses his temple and the corner of his eye then.]

Oh. Just a hunch.

[ a small smile. ] I'm glad he's using the garden. And I figured you might like it too. [ swats at him, though there's no malice behind it. ] A hunch, huh, would this hunch happen to be floating around my head?

I do. Terribly domestic of us.

[He can't help but chuckle.]

That wasn't what caught my attention first, but it did confirm. You were a little ... shyer than normal.

I bought sensei some fish for the pond too. Don't forget to remind him to feed them. [ not that he thinks five will forget. ]

[ THAT WAS FOR ANOTHER REASON. ] I was *not* shy. You're just reading between the lines that aren't there.

I hardly need to do that. He would be absolutely devastated if they died on his watch. Not only because I have no doubts he cherishes them, but also because he would not want to disappoint you.

Of course I'm reading between the lines. A skill I've cultivated over time. And this is boundary I will push lightly, but if you do wish me to drop it I will.

[ right in the feels. ]

[ clears his throat. ] Ah, yeah, ...of course.

There's nothing to push. I'll be fine when Xiansheng has his face back and we can all put this stupid mess of a game behind us.

Was it the effects of the game that bothered you so?

How would you have reacted were Five Taisho's hostage?

Concerned, however, I know the role I play here and while I test those boundaries as well as I can, I know there are limits.

Five cares more about his physical state than I do. Not that I desire to watch him be hurt, but the revivals are predictable and I believe the echoes of pain will fade quickly considering his background.

Though I always am worried for more mental affects as those tear him down quite rapidly.

...until it manifests mentally. Getting messed up back to back and with no reprieve is bound to wear a person thin. [ and he's sick of seeing zhongli get hurt as a result of hss eating shit. ] And a loss in some games can earn you a new corruptions, something I'm not looking forward to. [ he already feels somewhat responsible for five getting any in the first place... ]

[He brushes his knuckles against his cheek.]

We do the best we can with the options available to us. As much as we wish to be able to protect them from all harm, that is not the reality we live in.

…tch. [ it’s not emet’s fault, but this conversation is just souring just mood all over again. ] Let’s talk about something else.

Do not be hard on yourself.

[He kisses his forehead once, but then drops the subject. And he does find a place to land. It is at the top of one of the structures of a suspension bridge. The wind is chill up here, and a bit fierce, but the mechanical horse does make for a good wind break.]

Well, if I must change the subject then I am curious on your favorite animal to be. I imagine it is the fox.

[ he doesn’t seem to mind the chill, but he does move just a little bit closer to emet. ] I don’t mind being a fox, but it’s certainly not my favorite. I’m not sure I really have one, but I guess if I have to pick… then something aquatic. I do miss resonating with the water and turning into those kinds of animals is the closest I can’t get to doing here.

[He will tug him on his lap.]

I will be sure to take you to the water more often then. I hope hearing it would help soothe you.

[And he does pet his hair softly trying to soothe him as best as he can.]

...mm, I do like listening to the subtle crashing of the waves on the shore. [ he might have to invest in a beach upgrade for his room. ] I do also spend a lot of time at the cabin. It reminds me of home, and I enjoy the serene atmosphere... Did sensei ever tell you he gave me the points to get that room following a bad game. [ huffs a laugh. ]

He didn't, but it doesn't surprise me. Sometimes when he acts as if he knows everything he is quite on the mark. Keenly perceptive to know what your heart desires when you do not.

Though I won't discount you are the same perhaps in a more overt way. He has been smiling more often, and I do believe I know why.

It was definitely a nice gesture that stood out, especially since it was so early on.

[ he feels his face heat up as he blushes. ] O- Oh, ah, well…
good, I’m glad. Sensei’s got a nice smile, so who wouldn’t want to see more of it.

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