[Jikan IC Inbox][un: ragnvindr]

[phoenixblessed]

"This is Diluc. Leave a message."

Comments

waves hands vaguely

[dedicatedwinds]

[Nippon is a strange, strange place. The past few days have been hectic and overwhelming, but Jean is certain things can’t get any worse. What other surprises could possibly be in store for her?

She really shouldn’t ask questions like that. At least this surprise isn’t a bad one.

The red hair is what she notices first, dragging Jean out of her reverie and back to the present. She blinks once, twice, before it finally sinks in that yes, she knows that man.]

Master Diluc?

[She’s surprised, yes, but seeing such a familiar face is a relief. Like having a little bit of home with her, as odd as it sounds.]

I- I wasn’t aware you were here as well.

[It’s not like she’s been here long, or been actively looking for people she knows, but. Still.]

<3

[phoenixblessed]

[It would probably be of no surprise to anyone that Diluc Ragnvindr had been quietly keeping to himself for a few days since his sudden arrival here. He had watched Kaeya leave the Angel's Share, the door close, and then it had happened again, and again, and then...

Well, here he was.

With his transport pass in hand and all the details given at the 'orientation' buzzing in his head he had taken some time to ground himself, to settle his mind into this new situation, and to consider how he would proceed. He had, of course, taken the time to look into who else was here and who he might know.

Which is why he doesnt' show as much surprise as he might have when he turns at the sound of his name and sees the Acting Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius standing there.]

Jean. [He finds himself feeling... relieved that she's the first one to find him. There were several worse options to choose from.] Yes, I'm here. [And he closes the distance between them in a few long strides, adjusting his glove as he goes.]

For a few days, at least. Forgive me for not getting in touch.

un: alberich

[icepatch]

Did you really think I wouldn’t notice, Diluc?

[phoenixblessed]

[Ugh.]

No. I'm disappointed it took you this long.

[icepatch]

Oh? Would you really have wanted to me to come find you upon arrival? Disoriented and confused?

I know what you’re like when you’re full of emotion, Diluc, and that would not have been a good time.

[He’s learned.]

I’ve known for a few days now.

[phoenixblessed]

Am I supposed to care?

What do you want.

[icepatch]

Why are you assuming I want anything?

[phoenixblessed]

You're contacting me. I see no reason for you to do that unless you want something from me.

[icepatch]

You seem to forget all the other times I’ve done so without a reason. It’s not my fault you assume things.

Either way, now you know I’m here as well. I suppose there’s nothing else we can talk about.

[So, in a way, he did want something. For Diluc to be aware.]

By the way. Aether and Venti are here as well, you should at least greet them next time you see them.

[phoenixblessed]

As far as I'm concerned, with you, there is always a reason.

[Is he being unfair? Probably. Does he care that he is? No.]

And don't presume to instruct me on who I should be greeting and when. I already know they're here and will contact them in my own time.

[dedicatedwinds]

[For a few days... Same as Jean, then. She wants to ask him what the last thing he remembers is, before deciding that can be dealt with later. She's sure Diluc will want to know, but for now her main concerns lie elsewhere.]

It's good to see you, Master Diluc.

[She smiles softly, looking over the man. He looks much the same as he usually does, and seems to be in fair health. He's also forgiven for not getting in touch, because there's really not anything to forgive.]

Are you doing alright? I know this place is quite different from Mondstadt...

[Though considering his time spent away, perhaps he won't miss their home that much.]

action;

[notgrande]

[ Venti knows Diluc won't like the sudden invasion to his apartment, but Venti is suddenly invading his apartment. He had spotted the man not long ago and followed him up to his apartment and -- followed him inside. Yeah, he just walks right in without hesitation. ]

Diluc!

[ Comes a cheerful voice from just inside the doorway. ]

I'm happy to see you here!

[ He sounds like it. ]

[phoenixblessed]

[It's probably a childish thing to keep his presence here so quiet, stretching it out into days, but Diluc has relished the peace while he's been getting himself situated in this strange new world. The small one-bedroom apartment he had been furnished with would do for now, and he'd already managed to resourcefully secure himself some employment.

He'd be out of here soon enough.

He'd felt himself being followed on the way up to the room, and he is more than ready to defend himself, but it's just--]

Venti.

[Sigh. He briefly pinches the bridge of his nose then waves the bard over.]

If you're coming in, close the door.

[notgrande]

[ He lets out a small ehe that Diluc is well accustomed to and steps inside the rest of the way, closing the door behind him. Of course's he's going to come in. And he realizes he probably shouldn't just follow a skilled man like Diluc, but Venti is certain this is the only way he'd find out where he was staying. He likes to keep track of his people. ]

I'm glad to see you here! How long has it been since you arrived?

[ How long has he missed it? ]

[phoenixblessed]

A few days. It seems that keeping to myself for any longer isn't going to be a possibility.

[He's already seen Jean, Kaeya has been in contact, and now Venti... well, it was only going to be able to last for so long. At least none of them got to see just how ruffled he was when he arrived. He wouldn't have been of any use at all in a level-headed conversation.

But the bard, despite Diluc's general attitude of irritated tolerance of his presence, is welcome company.]

Can I get you a drink? Stalking me so far must be thirsty work.

[icepatch]

It wasn’t an order, just a suggestion. Calm down, bro.

[phoenixblessed]

[The reply takes a little while to come back.]

Don't ever call me that.

[icepatch]

¯\_(ツ)_/¯?

[phoenixblessed]

[Ugh.

He's not going to dignify that with a response.]

[phoenixblessed]

You too.

[Diluc has always had a fairly high opinion of Jean despite her choice of career and tendency to over-focus to a point of missing the bigger picture. She's easy company and perhaps, in a different sort of world, they might have been closer friends.

He tilts his head slightly, inviting her to follow him as he continues to make his way down the street.]

I'm doing well enough. The adjustment has been interesting. [That's a word for it. In Mondstadt, he has enough mora do do anything he likes. Here...

Well, it's a good thing he's never been opposed to hard work.]

But how are you? It can't be easy being away from the Knights.

[dedicatedwinds]

[She falls into step besides him, arms at rest behind her back. Even here, even now, she’s a prim and proper knight. It’ll take a lot before she can relax here.]

It’s strange.

[It’s a quiet admission, but she trusts Diluc. He’s always been an upstanding man, even after leaving the Knights. She can tell him the truth.

I’m not quite sure what to do with all the time I have now. Or without everyone asking me for my time.

[What’s she supposed to do now? Have fun and relax? Impossible.]

[notgrande]

Well - since you're offering.

[ He probably would have asked eventually, and Diluc probably knows he would have, too. Once a mooch, always a mooch. He cheerfully takes a look around Diluc's space, though he doesn't drift that far away from the man. He smiles towards him. ]

It is very thirsty work! And -- you definitely won't be able to. Not here, at least. There's only so many places to live and I would have run into you eventually.

[ He blinks up at the redhead. ]

Were you wanting to avoid us?

[ He's very pointed about the us because he doesn't know who Diluc knows is here, so he just goes for it. ]

[phoenixblessed]

[He gets Venti some juice, only half listening to him while he goes on. His respect for the Anemo Archon is high, but the bard can certainly prattle when he has his head in something.

But then there's that question, and he hands the glass over while he frowns and considers his answer for a moment.]

Not exactly.

[No, he would have made himself known eventually... but why raise your head about the parapet if you're not sufficiently armoured to defend yourself? It's a grim way to think about people who could be considered your friends, but he's already found out that not everyone here from Teyvat is a friendly face.]

I wanted to be sure of my position before I showed my face. [He shakes his head slightly.] It wasn't personal.

[phoenixblessed]

I expect I'll find some more work soon enough.

[Implying, naturally, that he's already working. Diluc couldn't have been expected to sit on his laurels for long, and even working behind a bar is better than spending all hours of the day doing nothing. At least it's familiar work, and no one has to worry about him getting drunk on the job.

Maybe he'll look into other things once he has some money behind him. He can be frugal for a while if he needs to.]

There's no reason for us to make ourselves uncomfortable. [He glances her way, briefly lifting his eyebrows.] I'm sure you'll find yourself being indespensable again before you know it.

[notgrande]

[ He keeps close enough to watch Diluc's every movement. If only because he just likes to keep an eye on his friend. It doesn't actually surprise him that Diluc hadn't reached out to him - not really anyway. Venti knows him pretty well, he thinks, and there's still quite a bit he doesn't understand yet. ​]

I understand.

[ He returns cheerfully and takes a sip of the juice while looking Diluc over. Despite the cheerful, easy tone - there's a lot of sincerity when he speaks. Diluc knows him well enough to know that it's there, at least. ]

So, if you want me to not tell anyone that you're here, I'll keep it to myself.

[ And another sip. ]

I'm still happy to see you, though, you know? It's nice to see someone I really do like here.

[ Which doesn't sound like a compliment given how much Venti cares for his people, but -- it is. ]