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[ Over the year that she's been living in Reverein, Oriphi has picked up many sorts of part-time jobs. There's always running errands for the townsfolk, for sure, but she's also been helping out at the Archives, the blacksmith's, and other such endeavors besides. That, naturally, includes continuing to take care of the vineyards for At Day's End. It's even busier than normal due to it being harvest season, and Ori is helping with preparations for a friend's wedding, too.
Which means that despite Kaeya already having made himself a permanent fixture at the winery's bar, Ori doesn't run into him for many weeks. This evening, when Ori arrives, she has with her a basket filled with a variety of things. Though Diluc has told her to expect Kaeya to be around a lot, she's still somehow surprised when she actually finds him there, this time. ]
Ah... Kaeya! I haven't seen you in some time... Are you settling in alright...?
Which means that despite Kaeya already having made himself a permanent fixture at the winery's bar, Ori doesn't run into him for many weeks. This evening, when Ori arrives, she has with her a basket filled with a variety of things. Though Diluc has told her to expect Kaeya to be around a lot, she's still somehow surprised when she actually finds him there, this time. ]
Ah... Kaeya! I haven't seen you in some time... Are you settling in alright...?
[ kaeya has indeed become a daily staple here! or, well, nightly usually, but he's not above daydrinking, either.
anyway, he sets down his glass and turns in his seat, offering her a winning smile. ]
Ah. Ori, right?
[ he remembered! ]
What brings you here?
anyway, he sets down his glass and turns in his seat, offering her a winning smile. ]
Ah. Ori, right?
[ he remembered! ]
What brings you here?
[ The day is indeed starting to edge into nighttime, so she's got to wonder how long he's been here just today... But she nods to confirm that he's correctly remembered her name and then immediately shifts awkwardly at the second question. ]
Oh! I... [ off to a great start... ] I'm just here to drop a few things off for the bar...
[ With that, she shuffles on over behind the counter and deposits a container of what smells to be food, wrapped in clothit's basically a bento on the counter opposite the bartop. ]
Oh! I... [ off to a great start... ] I'm just here to drop a few things off for the bar...
[ With that, she shuffles on over behind the counter and deposits a container of what smells to be food, wrapped in cloth
[ He's started dreaming a great deal more since arriving in Songerein, but that's perhaps to be expected.
Most of the time, they aren't all that eventful, and feature the same landscapes he traversed most often in Mondstadt, from the coldest reaches of Dragonspine, to the busy streets of the city itself. Most often, he's alone, but sometimes Klee is with him, or Aether, or Sucrose. He's always on his way to get something done, always busy - it seems he cannot escape his focused nature even inside of dreams.
However, this time...it's different.
Albedo feels himself pulled through his dreams towards...the Dawn Winery. A place he's only been perhaps a handful of times since arriving in Mondstadt, and a place he isn't sure why he finds himself at now. Why would he dream of this? Why...is he aware that he is dreaming?
Well, better to look around rather than remain static, so he starts for the manor at the center of the property, watching the Anemo crystalflies as they flutter by.
Have they always called this place home? ]
Most of the time, they aren't all that eventful, and feature the same landscapes he traversed most often in Mondstadt, from the coldest reaches of Dragonspine, to the busy streets of the city itself. Most often, he's alone, but sometimes Klee is with him, or Aether, or Sucrose. He's always on his way to get something done, always busy - it seems he cannot escape his focused nature even inside of dreams.
However, this time...it's different.
Albedo feels himself pulled through his dreams towards...the Dawn Winery. A place he's only been perhaps a handful of times since arriving in Mondstadt, and a place he isn't sure why he finds himself at now. Why would he dream of this? Why...is he aware that he is dreaming?
Well, better to look around rather than remain static, so he starts for the manor at the center of the property, watching the Anemo crystalflies as they flutter by.
Have they always called this place home? ]
[ it's a warm, balmy day, the afternoon sun shining down upon the vineyards, the scent of warm, ripened grapes and fresh earth thick in the air, and birds call overhead. the scene is positively idyllic, bathed in sunlight and a quiet, halcyon calm.
at least, until two young boys come crashing through the bushes, laughing and squealing and chasing one another.
you're it! cries the one with hair like fire, before he's dashing down the aisle between the vines, leaving the second boy to pout, but only for a moment, before he, too, takes off - and immediately trips on a root, sprawling face first into the earth at albedo's feet. he won't cry. he won't! he's too old for crying. but the boy's single visible eye is watery as he looks up, face flushed, his pride as wounded as his skinned knees.
though he's immediately distracted. ]
Who.. who are you?
at least, until two young boys come crashing through the bushes, laughing and squealing and chasing one another.
you're it! cries the one with hair like fire, before he's dashing down the aisle between the vines, leaving the second boy to pout, but only for a moment, before he, too, takes off - and immediately trips on a root, sprawling face first into the earth at albedo's feet. he won't cry. he won't! he's too old for crying. but the boy's single visible eye is watery as he looks up, face flushed, his pride as wounded as his skinned knees.
though he's immediately distracted. ]
Who.. who are you?
[ Now, this is unexpected.
The two running around at the Winery are unmistakable; even younger than Albedo knows them, there's only two people they could be: Diluc and Kaeya. Does this mean...he has stumbled into one of their dreams, somehow? Then the ethical thing would be to try and wake them, wouldn't it be?
Yet...this is Albedo's first time Dreamwalking. Based off what he's learned so far, there's stipulations to waking the dreamer, and they're none too clear and consistent. Even if he did tell these children that they're dreaming, it's more than likely that they would simply dismiss him.
How did he get here, anyway?
His questions are pushed to the back of his mind as the young Kaeya trips in front of him. Without thinking, Albedo stoops to one knee, extending a hand to the boy to help him up. It's basically instinct by now, after spending so much time looking after Klee. Children are prone to these kinds of accidents. ]
Ah, hello there. I'm Mr. Albedo, from the Knights of Favonius. Are you alright?
[ His smile comes more easily here, facing a little one, even if that little one is the Cavalry Captain. He still has the eyepatch, hm? ]
The two running around at the Winery are unmistakable; even younger than Albedo knows them, there's only two people they could be: Diluc and Kaeya. Does this mean...he has stumbled into one of their dreams, somehow? Then the ethical thing would be to try and wake them, wouldn't it be?
Yet...this is Albedo's first time Dreamwalking. Based off what he's learned so far, there's stipulations to waking the dreamer, and they're none too clear and consistent. Even if he did tell these children that they're dreaming, it's more than likely that they would simply dismiss him.
How did he get here, anyway?
His questions are pushed to the back of his mind as the young Kaeya trips in front of him. Without thinking, Albedo stoops to one knee, extending a hand to the boy to help him up. It's basically instinct by now, after spending so much time looking after Klee. Children are prone to these kinds of accidents. ]
Ah, hello there. I'm Mr. Albedo, from the Knights of Favonius. Are you alright?
[ His smile comes more easily here, facing a little one, even if that little one is the Cavalry Captain. He still has the eyepatch, hm? ]
[ kaeya, of course, has yet to figure out that this is a dream at all, or that albedo is misplaced within it. everything holds steady within the dream, the landscape rolling, the sky a lovely shade of blue, filled with thick, fluffy clouds.
kaeya sniffles a bit, but he takes the help up, his hand small in albedo's, dirt under his fingernails. he stands, pushing back his tears, easily distracted from them by this new and interesting stranger. he does indeed still have his eyepatch! interesting. strange. ]
Oh.. you're a knight?
[ kaeya's eye widens, brightening with clear excitement. ]
I want to be a knight, too! I'm going to join as soon as I'm old enough.
[ which isn't too long from now, really. it appears he's forgotten all about his skinned knees. ]
kaeya sniffles a bit, but he takes the help up, his hand small in albedo's, dirt under his fingernails. he stands, pushing back his tears, easily distracted from them by this new and interesting stranger. he does indeed still have his eyepatch! interesting. strange. ]
Oh.. you're a knight?
[ kaeya's eye widens, brightening with clear excitement. ]
I want to be a knight, too! I'm going to join as soon as I'm old enough.
[ which isn't too long from now, really. it appears he's forgotten all about his skinned knees. ]
[ Albedo's soft smile remains. It's always been easier to maintain it for children, their eyes still bright with curiosity for the world. ]
Do you, now? That's an admirable aspiration, young sir.
[ Well, far be it from him to spoil the surprise that this young man indeed will join the Knights, and even ascend to the rank of Cavalry Captain. Though come to think of it, why do the Knights have a captain of cavalry...?
That's neither here nor there. ]
Now, then...that was quite the fall. Mind if I take a look at your knee?
Do you, now? That's an admirable aspiration, young sir.
[ Well, far be it from him to spoil the surprise that this young man indeed will join the Knights, and even ascend to the rank of Cavalry Captain. Though come to think of it, why do the Knights have a captain of cavalry...?
That's neither here nor there. ]
Now, then...that was quite the fall. Mind if I take a look at your knee?
[ DESPITE POPULAR BELIEF, THE KNIGHTS DO INDEED HAVE CAVALRY... it's just that varka took them all with him when he went on his expedition.. hear all about it in a kaeya voice line.
anyway, this young kaeya would surely be happy to learn that he'd manage to climb so far in the ranks, even if his reasons for it are.. dubious. a shadow passes behind his eyes, reflected in the weather above, as the sky darkens briefly. but he's soon distracted by albedo again, and the sun quickly returns. ]
Oh.. my knee?
[ kaeya looks down at his skinned knees, where blood is welling, but he seems not to pay it too much mind now that the pain has subsided a bit. ]
Sure, but I'll be okay.
anyway, this young kaeya would surely be happy to learn that he'd manage to climb so far in the ranks, even if his reasons for it are.. dubious. a shadow passes behind his eyes, reflected in the weather above, as the sky darkens briefly. but he's soon distracted by albedo again, and the sun quickly returns. ]
Oh.. my knee?
[ kaeya looks down at his skinned knees, where blood is welling, but he seems not to pay it too much mind now that the pain has subsided a bit. ]
Sure, but I'll be okay.
[ hmm. that shift sure was awkward. kaeya lifts a brow, watching as she moves behind the bar so comfortably, as if she belongs there. interesting. ]
Is that so..?
[ it's clear in his gaze that he is curious, very curious, his smile curling at the edges. ]
That smells divine.
Is that so..?
[ it's clear in his gaze that he is curious, very curious, his smile curling at the edges. ]
That smells divine.
[ WHOA...I WAS TODAY YEARS OLD...tbh I just assumed they didn't have horses in Teyvat, but I guess Varka has been hoarding them all this time!! Sus...
Albedo directs his attention to the wound, and while it's nothing too serious, it's still bleeding considerably. He shakes his head. ]
Now, I wouldn't be much of a knight if I didn't take it upon myself to protect the citizens of Mondstadt, would I? That includes making sure your knee gets taken care of, too. I think I've got just the thing.
[ With his hand still closed around Kaeya's, he rises again, starting to lead the young boy to the courtyard of the manor. ]
Albedo directs his attention to the wound, and while it's nothing too serious, it's still bleeding considerably. He shakes his head. ]
Now, I wouldn't be much of a knight if I didn't take it upon myself to protect the citizens of Mondstadt, would I? That includes making sure your knee gets taken care of, too. I think I've got just the thing.
[ With his hand still closed around Kaeya's, he rises again, starting to lead the young boy to the courtyard of the manor. ]
[ 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?? ]
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.
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.
[ stranger danger!! ]
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?
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?
[ 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. ]
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!! ]
Does it taste bad?
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?
Oh, thank you!
[ it's given almost reflexively, forgetting that she's - for some reason - trying to conceal (very badly) the fact that she's brought dinner for her boyfriend. ]
I, um... Made a lot of extra food, so I thought I would leave some for Diluc— and Mister Barok!
[ that's a lie she did not bring dinner for Van Zieks. ]
I would be happy to bring you some next time, too, Kaeya.
[ it's given almost reflexively, forgetting that she's - for some reason - trying to conceal (very badly) the fact that she's brought dinner for her boyfriend. ]
I, um... Made a lot of extra food, so I thought I would leave some for Diluc— and Mister Barok!
[ that's a lie she did not bring dinner for Van Zieks. ]
I would be happy to bring you some next time, too, Kaeya.
[ Atta boy! Albedo reaches instinctively into his coat pocket - he doesn't know how, but he knows the materials he is looking for are there.
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. ]
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. ]
[ ori.. please. you're being so sus right now. kaeya smells blood in the water. ]
Oho, dinner for Master Diluc, is it?
[ and he doesn't even mention van zieks because it's quite clear that he was just tacked on as an afterthought, there. ]
I'd love that, of course, but I have to ask - what's the occasion?
Oho, dinner for Master Diluc, is it?
[ and he doesn't even mention van zieks because it's quite clear that he was just tacked on as an afterthought, there. ]
I'd love that, of course, but I have to ask - what's the occasion?
[ 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.
[ yes.. yes he ate the puffball version. ]
Diluc dared me to.
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.
[ No shots here!! Albedo ascribes to the school of swallowing questionable concoctions instead.
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! ]
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! ]
[ 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.
[ everyone's a critic!! ]
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!! ]
[ 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. ]
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. ]
[ A hand lifts to scratch at her cheek contemplatively. ]
Nothing special, really! I’m just… Used to cooking for bigger groups of people. Before ending up in this dream world, I was adventuring in a group, so…
[ A bit of a white lie, this time. While it’s certainly true that she usually was the one cooking for her friends at home, she of course makes enough food for at least two people here because she and Diluc are literally living together… ]
Nothing special, really! I’m just… Used to cooking for bigger groups of people. Before ending up in this dream world, I was adventuring in a group, so…
[ A bit of a white lie, this time. While it’s certainly true that she usually was the one cooking for her friends at home, she of course makes enough food for at least two people here because she and Diluc are literally living together… ]
Hmm..
[ 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.
[ 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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