chiscara.

[childeishly]

chiscara.

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[childeishly]

I made a promise. [ he murmurs under his breath. ] But, yes, you’re… right. [ he heaves a sigh. ] I’m sorry I made things difficult back there. It’s been a shitty couple of… months? And I haven’t exactly had the time to let any of this out.

I had to pay my way in to Inazuma. Forge documents saying we’re residents, and thankfully nobody’s recognized me. [ since he is still technically a harbinger. he might have defected, but whether or not he casts the title aside doesn’t matter. ]

It’s good to see you again. [ he gives him a crooked smile. ] You know… you could have told me you were the shogun back in the abyss… you jerk.

[abovefate]

I've seen your documents. That's why I lied back then.

[ glancing at him ... he's certainly grown up. It's not like he doesn't know humans do that, but it's strange to see him again after years, and see him as a man now.

And then he gestures toward a door to the right ]

You will find rooms there. They're all empty, so each of you can pick whichever you want. ... I'll have food sent to you.

As for you, I want to talk.

[childeishly]

…oh. Eh heh. I had to pay a lot for those. It’s part of the reason I thought to look for you. I was hoping to find some work. [ because he’s poor af now. ] But, ah, sure. You’ll send for my family?

[ if that’s all squared away, then he’s fine to talk. he’ll follow yuuri wherever. ]

[abovefate]

[ he nods, and leads Ajax to the garden in the back ]

... I couldn't tell you I was the Shogun. I shouldn't even have saved you - that was very reckless of me. But I don't regret it.

Things must have been really desperate for you to bet your all on a chance meeting with someone from Inazuma.

[childeishly]

I had to leave Snezhnaya. It’s bad over there, as I’m sure you can imagine, and no matter how many times I asked her Majesty for help… [ he just shakes his head. ] I wasn’t going to abandon my family. I wasn’t going to let them die to the encroaching abyss creatures. Harbinger or not, my family is what matters most to me. I left, and I’m not going back. I’m not her weapon to wield anymore.

[abovefate]

[ wait

what ]

—You're a Harbinger?

[childeishly]

[ shit. maybe he should have kept his mouth shut. ]

I am, er, I mean I was. I’m not anymore! I don’t want anything to do with them. That’s why I left.

[abovefate]

[ This is getting so much more complicated. How can he be sure this child he met in the abyss isn't just a spy sent to use his connection to him to destroy Inazuma? Should he kill him? He definitely looks like he's thinking it over ]

I had run-ins with Harbingers before. They weren't pleasant, and they stole something from me.

[childeishly]

[ without an ounce of hesitation, ] Then let’s steal it back.

[abovefate]

You're already in enough trouble as it is, deflecting like this. Are you just trying to convince me not to kill you here and now, or are you serious?

[childeishly]

[ childe doesn't seem the least bit concerned. ] I might have been the 11th Harbinger, but that doesn't mean I was the weakest. Her roster isn't even full anymore. [ he snorts. ] If you were going to kill me you would have done so already. What's the point of doing so behind closed doors? [ he leans in real close. ] I'm dead serious. I didn't come here because I'm on vacation, Shogun, I came here because the nation I thought would protect me and my family betrayed me. My loyalties no longer lay in the nation of ice and snow.

[abovefate]

[ oh, no. HE'S HOT. He is thoroughly distracted as he leans close, but tries to keep his focus on.

This is incredibly dangerous, but without his Gnosis he has no hope of protecting Inazuma long-term. What does he have to lose by trusting him? What does it matter if this person gets killed in the process? He shouldn't care ]

... Very well.

They took my Gnosis. It's not exactly the source of my power, but it amplifies it significantly.

Get the Electro Gnosis back, and I'll take care of your family.

[childeishly]

[ he sits back, slowly. ] I know what a gnosis does. [ he gets to his feet. ] You better take care of them. If I come back and they’re not safe I’ll use your own gnosis to kill you… and that is a promise. [ he turns to leave. ]

I’ll be back.

[ and so he leaves to go back to snezhnaya. he’s gone for about a month, with the trip taking up most of that time, but eventually he comes back, the guards having remembered him, so they escort him to the palace. ] Did you miss me, Yuuri?

[abovefate]

[ Things have gotten even more tense in just that month, so if he had to be honest, he was starting to believe Ajax wouldn't make it this time. But here he is, coming back to him once more.

Surprisingly, he finds himself thinking "yes" at that question ]

You're just as resilient as a cockroach. How intriguing.

... Come here.

[ he holds his hand out to him ]

[childeishly]

...comparing me to cockroach? Really? Might want to work on complimenting a guy. [ he tsks as he walks over to him, slapping at that hand to instead walk behind him and wrap his arms around him. ] You ought to shower me with praise, Yuuri.

[abovefate]

[ oh no he's hot x2

He didn't expect him to just do that, he expected him to be charmed and offer him his hand as he requested. He looks flustered, glancing back at him ]

I never said I wasn't going to reward you. You really are a brat.

[childeishly]

[ childe flashes him with a sharp smile. ] Feeling the pressure, Shogun? [ he pokes his cheek. ] Bet you were getting real nervous... thinking I wasn't going to come back. Just like last time. You really have no faith in me, huh? I'm hurt. [ he gives him a shove forward, chuckling. ] Well, what's the reward you were thinking about giving me. I'm ~curious. I want to know if all that trouble was worth it. And I'd like to see my family.

[abovefate]

For a cheeky brat you really are getting too comfortable with me. I'm not just anybody, I'm a god. Show some respect already.

[ but here he is, letting himself get shoved, turning around to look at him ]

You came here with no money and no title. You will be duly compensated and if you wish to, I will even let you work under me. Your family has been living here, and I let some servants take care of them during their stay — but I have no intention of that being a permanent solution.

You should find a place for yourselves.

[childeishly]

And if I want it to be a permanent solution? [ he produces the gnosis, but he makes sure to put some space in between them so yuuri can't just grab it from him. ] I even took out one of her Majesty's harbingers - La Signora.

[abovefate]

[ he looks surprised at the question, and then he just glances away. It's not like he can refuse him - not when he got him the Gnosis back, and even managed to deal a significant blow to another Archon.

But ]

... I haven't let anyone set foot in here since my mother died.

I made an exception for you and to take care of your family.

But I can't let it be forever.

[childeishly]

... [ well now he kind of feels like an asshole. his expression changes and he goes quiet for a few minutes. ] Why not? Do you really intend to do this all by yourself? Even the Tsaritsa has the Jester.

[ he looks at the gnosis and then he takes a knee, offering it to him. ] I can be *your* sword.

[abovefate]

[ He makes it so tempting to accept. He desperately needs powerful allies and Ajax has proven to be just that. Twice now he's proven to be the kind of person who keeps his word — he won't die, would he? ]

...

I can't govern properly if I get attached to people. And the people need a strong leader in these times. I don't need food, and I don't need rest, so there's no need for me to keep servants for myself here. This place should be dark and dead and silent.

[ and yet here he is, taking a step toward Ajax and reaching for that Gnosis ]

You want to work for me.

[childeishly]

...heh, well I'm afraid I do need those kinds of things. And why does it need to be those things? It could stand to be a bit more lively. You can be strong without having to seal yourself in a literal prison.

Yes.

I can be your sword and shield. Your knight.

[abovefate]

All right.

[ he takes the Gnosis from him, letting it disappear into his own body, and then reaching for Ajax's hand again ]

Let this be your reward then. From now on, you fight for Berith, the Electro Archon. ... Ajax.

[childeishly]

I don't mind if you call me Ajax in private. [ he takes his hand and gets back on his feet. ] But call me Tartaglia while we're out and about. Let the world of Teyvat know that you managed to take one of her Majesty's harbingers. And let it be a lesson to her. I'm going to kill each and every one of the others... and eventually she'll have nothing and no one.