[ he sure has been hoarding them this whole time, kaeya is kinda pissed about it tbh
anyway, little kaeya knows better than to go following strangers anywhere, but.. mr. albedo is leading him toward the winery, not away from it, so he supposes it must be all right. anyone suspicious would be trying to lead him away.
so he follows, his little hand in albedo's, squeezing. ]
Are you a doctor?
[ or do all grownups just have the magic to make the owies all better?? ]
[ My goodness, Kaeya...good thing he actually is friendly and isn't about to steal you away!! ]
Mm, not quite. I am an alchemist, which means I study the composition of all subjects of matter, and - well, to put it simply, I also make curatives and potions.
[ So no, he's not a doctor, but he still knows a great deal about healing the human body. Kaeya's knee likely doesn't need that much help to heal, but he can also disinfect it, and take away the sting. ]
I can make it so you won't feel like you skinned your knee at all, and then you can get right back to playing, if you'd like.
[ Ah, right. He's not used to speaking with children - at least, ones that aren't Klee, who already knows all about the things he tends to blather about. ]
Medicine to help you feel good as new. Will you hop up onto this barrel for me?
[ Convenient that there are so many places to sit around the courtyard! Of course, if Kaeya's knee hurts too much to jump up, Albedo can just lift him as well, but given his experience with Klee, he knows kids try to do these things on their own first. ]
[ though actually, i take it back, considering how obsessed khaenri'ah is with alchemists, kaeya would definitely know what they are, even if he wouldn't know the ins and outs of it, like what albedo is discussing.
he also learned to lie young. 8) ]
Oh. Okay.
[ slipping his hand out of albedo's, kaeya hops up onto the barrel all on his own, thank you very much!! ]
[ kaeya watches albedo's movements veeerrry carefully, just to make sure he isn't about to pull a needle and syringe out on him!! doctors always try to sneak in those shots!! ]
Oh! I ate a dandelion once. It didn't taste very good.. and the seeds got stuck in my mouth.
[ this is definitely exceptionally sketchy. he was taught not to go anywhere with strangers, but he wasn't taught not to drink weird things strangers give you, so! down the hatch!! kaeya takes a sip.
hmm. it's not great, but it's not terrible. he was clearly expecting better, given the look on his face. ]
Hmm. It's okay. You should work on it tasting a little bit better.
[ Honestly, his reaction could have been much worse. He'll take it! ]
I'll bear your feedback in mind for my next batch. Now, how does your knee feel?
[ It should feel a bit tingly, but without any lingering pain. Ideal for applying antiseptic and bandages without causing additional distress. A tricky potion to get right when in reality, but the power of the dream means he doesn't have to do anything more but think about it. ]
[ Yeah, he's pretty good. Good thing he's humble, or Albedo could be insufferable in his genius. ]
I'm glad you think so. If my work can help alleviate your pain, then it is all worth it.
[ He sincerely means that, too. There are few things as rewarding as seeing how his alchemy and potions helps actual people. For all his passion lies in experimentation and research, this helps him feel closer to understanding the answer to Rhinedottir's final question. ]
Now, I'm going to clean up your scrape a little bit, which might be a little ticklish, but it shouldn't hurt.
[ Reaching into his coat again, this time he pulls out a bottle of antiseptic and a rag. The worst!! ]
[ he's clearly not happy about this part. he doesn't trust antiseptic, even with the handy little potion that albedo gave him. antiseptic ALWAYS stings!! his little hands curl up against the barrel, and he frowns. ]
O-okay..
[ it's fine. he's a big boy. he's been through worse! ]
[ He's so tough! Albedo is very impressed. Again he's reminded of Klee - how many times has he patched up her scraped knees, while she puts on a brave face through watery eyes? ]
Alright, here I go. One, two-
[ He presses the now-damp cloth against Kaeya's knee, wiping gently. Just as he claimed, there is no stinging pain that comes with the application. ]
[ kaeya flinches instinctively when the cloth touches his knee, but.. as promised, it feels like, well, mostly nothing. he can feel the pressure of albedo's hand, and the texture and coolness of the cloth, but there's no pain, no sting. ]
Wow..
[ he really was telling the truth! kaeya's character judgment was spot on!! mr. albedo is a good guy!! ]
[ That's right, Kaeya! Now use this same prudent judgment when deciding to tell your brother you're a traitor! Oh, wait... ]
Haha, you think so? My, ah, mother used to tell me my talents would be wasted as one, but I've nevertheless always been interested in how I might use my knowledge to alleviate the suffering of others -
[ Okay, he's blathering a bit, but soon enough Kaeya's wound is nice and clean, and he is pulling out an adhesive bandage. ]
One last thing to keep it from getting hurt again before it heals.
[ a new word! he'll have to look it up, next time he's inside. also, rude of his mom to tell him he'd be wasted as a doctor, in kaeya's esteemed opinion he would be a GREAT doctor, and baby kaeya knows what he's talking about.
he smiles, and lifts his knee a little higher for the bandaid applying. ]
[ He's such a warm, excited child, possessing that same kind of friendliness that the present-day Kaeya shares. But there is something else, something...far more innocent, that goes beyond childhood. Perhaps he's looking too deeply into it. He doesn't know Kaeya well, after all.
But even so, he can't help but wonder if he has glimpsed something that his colleague would rather him not have.
Shaking off the thought, he presses the bandage to Kaeya's knee, securing it in place. ]
There, it's all taken care of. It should heal up nicely in a day or so with the medicine I gave you.
[ And Kaeya can go back to playing, like there were never scrapes to begin with. ]
[ he doesn't look too happy about that. the medicine was definitely not as bad as most medicines are, but still!! no kid enjoys taking their medicine. ]
Do I -
[ kaeya suddenly freezes, his eye snapping wide, staring at something over albedo's shoulder - something high on the hill that shoulders in the dawn winery. a man, wrapped fully in a dark cloak, tall and slim, holds out a brown-skinned hand. kaeya swallows dryly, and the clouds overhead thicken, growing dark and heavy, thunder rolling in the distance. ]
[ In an instant, the atmosphere changes, and Kaeya's attention shifts away from him fully. It's like he may as well not even be there, for how immediately the young man's attention is wrested away. An ill, foreboding feeling clings around them, and though it may not be his dream, he can feel it, too. It makes his stomach churn.
He turns to follow Kaeya's gaze, even though it feels intrusive to do so.
This man...who could he be? Someone who must mean a great deal to Kaeya, for him to show up in this dream, but Albedo has never seen anyone who resembles him in Mondstadt, from what he can make out of his frame and features. ]
Let's get you inside, Kaeya.
[ He isn't sure why, but he gets the impression...that he should keep Kaeya away from this person. ]
[ he sounds uncertain, torn. kaeya knows full well who that man on the hill is, and even as he hesitates, the man's deep voice carries down to them, broken up by the rising winds.
-- only hope -- forgive -- kaeya..
his eye flickers back to albedo's face, wide and shining and uncertain, and he slides off of the barrel and onto his feet again. ]
I should.. I should go see him..
[ but he doesn't want to, as evidenced by the way he shrinks behind albedo's legs, both hands holding to his long coat. he doesn't want to go, he doesn't want to leave this place, he doesn't want to leave diluc and master crepus, he doesn't want to be anyone's last hope. thunder rumbles again, the sky splitting open above them, rain pounding brutally down. ]
[ He says he should go see him, and who is Albedo to say otherwise? He is a stranger here. He was not even in Mondstadt when Kaeya and Diluc were children. For all accounts and purposes, he is trespassing upon this dream.
But neither can he abandon someone so young to an uncertain fate. The way Kaeya says that, it's clear this isn't something he wants. It sounds more like a duty, a...responsibility, but how much responsibility does he bear, as young as he is?
In the back of his mind, he is reminded of his master, tasking him with something that seemed all but impossible, before vanishing with only a letter to guide him.
His mouth presses into a thin line, before he turns and abruptly scoops Kaeya into his arms. ]
[ kaeya is tense, his little knuckles white with the force with which he grasps at albedo's coat, his eye trained entirely upon the tall figure in the distance, the hand, still extended. he knew in his heart that his father would be back someday, but he didn't think it would be so soon, he isn't ready, he isn't ready to leave, he's happy here..
but mr. albedo makes the decision for him, sweeping him right up off of his feet, and kaeya doesn't fight him, though he still watches the figure as he's carried away, guilt wracking his heart. he should do what's expected of him, shouldn't he? he should do what his father wants. that's what a good son would do.
instead he squeezes his eye shut and buries his face against albedo's shoulder, hands clutching in his collar. if he ignores it, maybe it'll just go away, maybe he won't need to worry about it. though kaeya's eyes are closed, he doesn't see the figure as it melts away into the distance, though the storm continues, lightning flashing, thunder rumbling loud. he doesn't speak. ]
[ Perhaps it was a bit presumptuous of him, to pick Kaeya up and carry him away from that man without even a bit of context as to what he was doing here, but he simply couldn't stand by and watch someone so young stricken with such abject fear and uncertainty. Whatever that man brings to Kaeya's mind, it isn't anything good. Albedo is a Knight. He has a duty to protect Mondstadt's people.
Even in their dreams.
With his hand on Kaeya's back, he pats the boy gently as they approach the manor, until he can carry him through the front door. It shuts behind them with a definitive snap, and Albedo approaches one of the nearby sofas to lower Kaeya onto. ]
[ kaeya, thankfully, is too young to understand the implications of presumptuousness. things are much simpler at this age. all kaeya knows is that he was frightened, and now that threat has been taken away.. but he feels guilty, too, a cold feeling clawing at his belly. ]
I don't know if I..
[ he starts, then stops, swallowing thickly. no, he shouldn't reveal any more. even this young, kaeya has secrets, he knows he's not allowed to talk about his father, or about where he came from, so he's quick to press his lips together, looking away. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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anyway, little kaeya knows better than to go following strangers anywhere, but.. mr. albedo is leading him toward the winery, not away from it, so he supposes it must be all right. anyone suspicious would be trying to lead him away.
so he follows, his little hand in albedo's, squeezing. ]
Are you a doctor?
[ or do all grownups just have the magic to make the owies all better?? ]
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Mm, not quite. I am an alchemist, which means I study the composition of all subjects of matter, and - well, to put it simply, I also make curatives and potions.
[ So no, he's not a doctor, but he still knows a great deal about healing the human body. Kaeya's knee likely doesn't need that much help to heal, but he can also disinfect it, and take away the sting. ]
I can make it so you won't feel like you skinned your knee at all, and then you can get right back to playing, if you'd like.
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An.. al-che-mist..
[ he repeats the word a few times. he has no idea what most of that shit means!! kaeya glances up toward albedo with one big blue eye. ]
Cure-ta-tives? What's that?
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Medicine to help you feel good as new. Will you hop up onto this barrel for me?
[ Convenient that there are so many places to sit around the courtyard! Of course, if Kaeya's knee hurts too much to jump up, Albedo can just lift him as well, but given his experience with Klee, he knows kids try to do these things on their own first. ]
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he also learned to lie young. 8) ]
Oh. Okay.
[ slipping his hand out of albedo's, kaeya hops up onto the barrel all on his own, thank you very much!! ]
Does it taste bad?
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He pulls out a small vial, as well as some wipes and an adhesive bandage. ]
Have you ever tasted a dandelion? That's one of the ingredients, so it overwhelmingly tastes of its nectar.
[ So. It DEPENDS. ]
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Oh! I ate a dandelion once. It didn't taste very good.. and the seeds got stuck in my mouth.
[ yes.. yes he ate the puffball version. ]
Diluc dared me to.
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He chuckles gently as he holds out the vial to Kaeya. ]
I can at least assure you this is better than that. If you'll take a sip, it will take the sting out of your injury.
[ This is so sketchy, good thing Albedo is a nice guy! ]
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hmm. it's not great, but it's not terrible. he was clearly expecting better, given the look on his face. ]
Hmm. It's okay. You should work on it tasting a little bit better.
[ everyone's a critic!! ]
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I'll bear your feedback in mind for my next batch. Now, how does your knee feel?
[ It should feel a bit tingly, but without any lingering pain. Ideal for applying antiseptic and bandages without causing additional distress. A tricky potion to get right when in reality, but the power of the dream means he doesn't have to do anything more but think about it. ]
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[ kaeya extends his leg a few times, as if to test albedo's work, but there's no pain! not even a little sting. amazing!! ]
Huh. It feels good.
[ he sounds surprised! clearly he hadn't entirely trusted this nice stranger's concoctions. ]
You're good at this, Mr. Albedo.
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I'm glad you think so. If my work can help alleviate your pain, then it is all worth it.
[ He sincerely means that, too. There are few things as rewarding as seeing how his alchemy and potions helps actual people. For all his passion lies in experimentation and research, this helps him feel closer to understanding the answer to Rhinedottir's final question. ]
Now, I'm going to clean up your scrape a little bit, which might be a little ticklish, but it shouldn't hurt.
[ Reaching into his coat again, this time he pulls out a bottle of antiseptic and a rag. The worst!! ]
no subject
[ he's clearly not happy about this part. he doesn't trust antiseptic, even with the handy little potion that albedo gave him. antiseptic ALWAYS stings!! his little hands curl up against the barrel, and he frowns. ]
O-okay..
[ it's fine. he's a big boy. he's been through worse! ]
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Alright, here I go. One, two-
[ He presses the now-damp cloth against Kaeya's knee, wiping gently. Just as he claimed, there is no stinging pain that comes with the application. ]
There we are. Not so bad, now, is it?
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Wow..
[ he really was telling the truth! kaeya's character judgment was spot on!! mr. albedo is a good guy!! ]
You should really be a doctor.
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Haha, you think so? My, ah, mother used to tell me my talents would be wasted as one, but I've nevertheless always been interested in how I might use my knowledge to alleviate the suffering of others -
[ Okay, he's blathering a bit, but soon enough Kaeya's wound is nice and clean, and he is pulling out an adhesive bandage. ]
One last thing to keep it from getting hurt again before it heals.
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Alee-bee-ate..
[ a new word! he'll have to look it up, next time he's inside. also, rude of his mom to tell him he'd be wasted as a doctor, in kaeya's esteemed opinion he would be a GREAT doctor, and baby kaeya knows what he's talking about.
he smiles, and lifts his knee a little higher for the bandaid applying. ]
Thanks, Mr. Albedo.
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But even so, he can't help but wonder if he has glimpsed something that his colleague would rather him not have.
Shaking off the thought, he presses the bandage to Kaeya's knee, securing it in place. ]
There, it's all taken care of. It should heal up nicely in a day or so with the medicine I gave you.
[ And Kaeya can go back to playing, like there were never scrapes to begin with. ]
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[ he doesn't look too happy about that. the medicine was definitely not as bad as most medicines are, but still!! no kid enjoys taking their medicine. ]
Do I -
[ kaeya suddenly freezes, his eye snapping wide, staring at something over albedo's shoulder - something high on the hill that shoulders in the dawn winery. a man, wrapped fully in a dark cloak, tall and slim, holds out a brown-skinned hand. kaeya swallows dryly, and the clouds overhead thicken, growing dark and heavy, thunder rolling in the distance. ]
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He turns to follow Kaeya's gaze, even though it feels intrusive to do so.
This man...who could he be? Someone who must mean a great deal to Kaeya, for him to show up in this dream, but Albedo has never seen anyone who resembles him in Mondstadt, from what he can make out of his frame and features. ]
Let's get you inside, Kaeya.
[ He isn't sure why, but he gets the impression...that he should keep Kaeya away from this person. ]
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[ he sounds uncertain, torn. kaeya knows full well who that man on the hill is, and even as he hesitates, the man's deep voice carries down to them, broken up by the rising winds.
-- only hope -- forgive -- kaeya..
his eye flickers back to albedo's face, wide and shining and uncertain, and he slides off of the barrel and onto his feet again. ]
I should.. I should go see him..
[ but he doesn't want to, as evidenced by the way he shrinks behind albedo's legs, both hands holding to his long coat. he doesn't want to go, he doesn't want to leave this place, he doesn't want to leave diluc and master crepus, he doesn't want to be anyone's last hope. thunder rumbles again, the sky splitting open above them, rain pounding brutally down. ]
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But neither can he abandon someone so young to an uncertain fate. The way Kaeya says that, it's clear this isn't something he wants. It sounds more like a duty, a...responsibility, but how much responsibility does he bear, as young as he is?
In the back of his mind, he is reminded of his master, tasking him with something that seemed all but impossible, before vanishing with only a letter to guide him.
His mouth presses into a thin line, before he turns and abruptly scoops Kaeya into his arms. ]
No. He should be the one to come see you.
[ He starts towards the manor, resolute. ]
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but mr. albedo makes the decision for him, sweeping him right up off of his feet, and kaeya doesn't fight him, though he still watches the figure as he's carried away, guilt wracking his heart. he should do what's expected of him, shouldn't he? he should do what his father wants. that's what a good son would do.
instead he squeezes his eye shut and buries his face against albedo's shoulder, hands clutching in his collar. if he ignores it, maybe it'll just go away, maybe he won't need to worry about it. though kaeya's eyes are closed, he doesn't see the figure as it melts away into the distance, though the storm continues, lightning flashing, thunder rumbling loud. he doesn't speak. ]
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Even in their dreams.
With his hand on Kaeya's back, he pats the boy gently as they approach the manor, until he can carry him through the front door. It shuts behind them with a definitive snap, and Albedo approaches one of the nearby sofas to lower Kaeya onto. ]
There's no storm in here. We'll keep you safe.
[ He won't need to go back out there. ]
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I don't know if I..
[ he starts, then stops, swallowing thickly. no, he shouldn't reveal any more. even this young, kaeya has secrets, he knows he's not allowed to talk about his father, or about where he came from, so he's quick to press his lips together, looking away. ]
.. thanks, Mr. Albedo.
[ he's really very nice, isn't he? ]
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