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I know... just know that no matter what... no hard feelings, okay?
[He offers a weak smile, and a shake of his head.]
You're far too kind... if you wished to hold a grudge, you know you'd be more than entitled to, right?
[He offers a weak smile, and a shake of his head.]
You're far too kind... if you wished to hold a grudge, you know you'd be more than entitled to, right?
If I didn't hold a grudge for Norhpip, what makes you think I would for this?
[C'mon now, Lyney. He saves his grudges for petty shit and Alhaitham.]
[C'mon now, Lyney. He saves his grudges for petty shit and Alhaitham.]
[It was such an odd feeling. Kaveh wasn't a stranger but to anyone outside of the Hearth, it felt like it. And yet, he didn't ask him to let go as he slowly calmed down.]
We never intended to harm anyone by keeping this a secret. The House of the Hearth is mostly for gathering information but...
[There was something he wanted to tell Kaveh but, he held back. As he wanted to say something, he shook his head and decided to go with something else.]
...We only do it for our family...
We never intended to harm anyone by keeping this a secret. The House of the Hearth is mostly for gathering information but...
[There was something he wanted to tell Kaveh but, he held back. As he wanted to say something, he shook his head and decided to go with something else.]
...We only do it for our family...
I'm not naive to how people's perceptions can change. The actions of a scared young man being affected by a leviathan's influence and the actions of a Fatuus aren't exactly held in the same light.
[That, plus the way his shoulders sag a bit, makes it clear that he's fully expecting to never be able to speak to the others after this revelation. That the information would be too much to handle, and they'll go back to being strangers. Not that he wants that to happen, but... he's prepared for that reality.]
No matter what you decide, for what it's worth... neither myself, Freminet, or Father have any intentions of bringing harm to you or anyone else. Back in Fontaine we may be agents of the Fatui, but here... we're displaced individuals who want to go home, the same as you. Even from a strictly business perspective, it wouldn't make sense for us to go after you all.
[That, plus the way his shoulders sag a bit, makes it clear that he's fully expecting to never be able to speak to the others after this revelation. That the information would be too much to handle, and they'll go back to being strangers. Not that he wants that to happen, but... he's prepared for that reality.]
No matter what you decide, for what it's worth... neither myself, Freminet, or Father have any intentions of bringing harm to you or anyone else. Back in Fontaine we may be agents of the Fatui, but here... we're displaced individuals who want to go home, the same as you. Even from a strictly business perspective, it wouldn't make sense for us to go after you all.
Edited 2024-07-26 22:47 (UTC)
Are you trying to convince me to stay angry with you, Lyney?
[Kaveh's tone is dry, and he shakes his head.]
It's true that I can never agree with the way the Fatui operate, and the things they've done. Even if she has given you a better life--and I do not doubt it--you have been spies since you were children, and that is, charitably speaking, the best thing I've ever heard about any branch of the Fatui.
[There's a reason he didn't even consider Northland Bank for the money he needed for the reconstruction of Alcazarzaray.]
But unless you're a phenomenal actor, I don't think the person you have been since October has changed. My concerns now are looking after the health and welfare of my family, and that includes not making unilateral decisions without him, you understand?
[Kaveh's tone is dry, and he shakes his head.]
It's true that I can never agree with the way the Fatui operate, and the things they've done. Even if she has given you a better life--and I do not doubt it--you have been spies since you were children, and that is, charitably speaking, the best thing I've ever heard about any branch of the Fatui.
[There's a reason he didn't even consider Northland Bank for the money he needed for the reconstruction of Alcazarzaray.]
But unless you're a phenomenal actor, I don't think the person you have been since October has changed. My concerns now are looking after the health and welfare of my family, and that includes not making unilateral decisions without him, you understand?
Edited 2024-07-27 17:34 (UTC)
[That flat-toned question makes Lyney pause, before letting out a rueful huff.]
Sorry. I’m just… used to a lot more vitriol from people who discover our true origins.
[Still, a small smile forms on his face, and he nods.]
Of course, I understand. This isn’t something that can be decided in a day, so please, take as long as you need to decide. And whatever you decide, we will respect.
[He does pause briefly, before continuing.]
Family… it means a lot to us, too. I actually already told Father about you and Alhaitham, and what you’ve done for us. For what it’s worth, I’ve asked her to consider you like friends of the family, and to treat you as such. She may be a Harbinger, but she respects those who do good by her children.
[He looks down at his mostly-untouched cup before him, before brushing the front of his clothes.]
I suppose I should leave you be to process all this. I know it’s a lot, so… please take your time.
Sorry. I’m just… used to a lot more vitriol from people who discover our true origins.
[Still, a small smile forms on his face, and he nods.]
Of course, I understand. This isn’t something that can be decided in a day, so please, take as long as you need to decide. And whatever you decide, we will respect.
[He does pause briefly, before continuing.]
Family… it means a lot to us, too. I actually already told Father about you and Alhaitham, and what you’ve done for us. For what it’s worth, I’ve asked her to consider you like friends of the family, and to treat you as such. She may be a Harbinger, but she respects those who do good by her children.
[He looks down at his mostly-untouched cup before him, before brushing the front of his clothes.]
I suppose I should leave you be to process all this. I know it’s a lot, so… please take your time.
Edited 2024-07-27 19:23 (UTC)
[Kaveh is quiet for a while, staring at his own now-empty cup and wishing for a shot of something harder, quite honestly.]
I just don't see any point in taking my anger out on you. What good would it do, Lyney? We're not even in Teyvat. Even if we were, it wouldn't dismantle the Fatui. It wouldn't bring back the people the Sages killed working in collusion with them. Anger's only useful when there's something productive to do with it.
[Kaveh sighs, and shakes his head.]
Take care of yourself, Lyney.
I just don't see any point in taking my anger out on you. What good would it do, Lyney? We're not even in Teyvat. Even if we were, it wouldn't dismantle the Fatui. It wouldn't bring back the people the Sages killed working in collusion with them. Anger's only useful when there's something productive to do with it.
[Kaveh sighs, and shakes his head.]
Take care of yourself, Lyney.
[Lyney remains quiet as Kaveh talks, keeping his gaze away from the man. Selfishly, he finds himself thinking that weebthe man alone, without Alhaitham here, that perhaps Kaveh’s forgiveness would be more forthcoming. He admonishes himself quickly after the thought arises; that line of thinking isn’t fair to Kaveh, especially since he’s already done so much for him and Freminet. He can’t be greedy and demand acceptance with something so big.]
[He doesn’t look back at Kaveh, but takes a breath before adjusting his hat, then reaching into his pocket to place enough coin to cover both their drinks, as well as enough for another item should Kaveh want it.]
Take care of yourself as well, Mr. Kaveh.
[It’s the last thing he says before leaving the restaurant, with naught but the coin and his hardly-touched tea remaining.]
[He doesn’t look back at Kaveh, but takes a breath before adjusting his hat, then reaching into his pocket to place enough coin to cover both their drinks, as well as enough for another item should Kaveh want it.]
Take care of yourself as well, Mr. Kaveh.
[It’s the last thing he says before leaving the restaurant, with naught but the coin and his hardly-touched tea remaining.]
[Heizou finds himself knocking on Kaveh's door before he's even really aware of where he is. And he'll wait there for as long as it takes for the older man to open it, whether it's in answer to his knock or just because he's about to head out.
Whenever Kaveh answers, though, he'll find Heizou out there looking... lost. He's a bit of a mess, like he hasn't slept in days, and his usually bright, sharp eyes are dull and hollow. And he's also not quite meeting Kaveh's gaze.]
...Hi.
Whenever Kaveh answers, though, he'll find Heizou out there looking... lost. He's a bit of a mess, like he hasn't slept in days, and his usually bright, sharp eyes are dull and hollow. And he's also not quite meeting Kaveh's gaze.]
...Hi.
[Kaveh has often been called a genius, but no matter how he feels about the term, it doesn't take being one to look at Heizou and know something is very, very wrong.
He stares for a moment, shocked by the way Heizou looks, then leans forward and grabs him by the wrist to pull him inside.]
Come sit down. I'll get the kettle on.
[He prefers coffee to tea but looking at Heizou....yeah, time to give the Inazuman boy some chai.]
He stares for a moment, shocked by the way Heizou looks, then leans forward and grabs him by the wrist to pull him inside.]
Come sit down. I'll get the kettle on.
[He prefers coffee to tea but looking at Heizou....yeah, time to give the Inazuman boy some chai.]
[Heizou is momentarily disoriented by the way Kaveh pulls him into the house, but he doesn't have the presence of mind to resist. He simply follows the other's lead, letting his gaze fall to the floor as they walk. He still feels... kind of numb.]
...I'm sorry. I didn't know where else to go.
...I'm sorry. I didn't know where else to go.
Don't apologize. You didn't do anything wrong.
[Kaveh leads Heizou over to the couch and gently nudges him to sit down. He is very shortly joined by a very small (well, for a warrior cat) black cat, who chirrups at him.]
Here, I'll be right back. Lily will keep you company, okay?
[Kaveh leads Heizou over to the couch and gently nudges him to sit down. He is very shortly joined by a very small (well, for a warrior cat) black cat, who chirrups at him.]
Here, I'll be right back. Lily will keep you company, okay?
[He doesn't sit just yet. He just kind of stands there and stares indifferently at the couch. And even when the cat calls for his attention, Heizou just kind of... looks at it for a moment, confused.]
...I didn't know you had a cat.
...I didn't know you had a cat.
Her original owner...isn't in this world anymore. Gale entrusted her to me when he had too many of them to care for.
[Kaveh does vanish into the kitchen, both to start the kettle and dig around for some booze (he has sent Mehrak to alert Alhaitham so the man can decide for himself whether or not to involve himself in this.) Shadowlily, for her part, gently taps her paw against Heizou's arm with another small chirrup.]
[Kaveh does vanish into the kitchen, both to start the kettle and dig around for some booze (he has sent Mehrak to alert Alhaitham so the man can decide for himself whether or not to involve himself in this.) Shadowlily, for her part, gently taps her paw against Heizou's arm with another small chirrup.]
[Very slowly, Heizou lets himself pay more attention to the cat. He doesn't sit on the couch; instead he opts to kneel on the floor by the cat and reach up to pet her head with one hand. And that's... just what he does while he waits for Kaveh to return. Quiet in a way that might seem thoughtful if it weren't for the heavy air around him.]
[Lily is doing her best to purr as comfortingly as possible, leaning into his hand and chirruping at Heizou in clear concern.
Kaveh is back shortly, and sets a bottle of wine down on the coffee table.]
Heizou.
Kaveh is back shortly, and sets a bottle of wine down on the coffee table.]
Heizou.
[He seems sort of spaced out by the time Kaveh comes back, only looking up when he hears his name. He blinks slowly, then shakes his head a little and tries for a small smile.
It's not all there.]
Ah, sorry. Were you saying something?
It's not all there.]
Ah, sorry. Were you saying something?
Heizou...
[Kaveh sighs a little, and uncorks the bottle before pouring it into a glass and offering it to Heizou. If he's in this bad a state...He thinks it'd be better for Heizou to speak on it, but the trick is getting him to feel able to.]
It's alright. You don't have to smile if you don't feel like it.
[Kaveh sighs a little, and uncorks the bottle before pouring it into a glass and offering it to Heizou. If he's in this bad a state...He thinks it'd be better for Heizou to speak on it, but the trick is getting him to feel able to.]
It's alright. You don't have to smile if you don't feel like it.
[Heizou eyes that drink for a moment, letting the forced smile on his face slowly fade. And then he does eventually reach for the glass and start to sip at it.
Sorry, Kaveh. He'll get back to you in just a second.]
Sorry, Kaveh. He'll get back to you in just a second.]
[It's alright. Kaveh just leaves the bottle where Heizou can refill his glass, and waits, quietly, patiently, without judgement.
Someone did it for him, didn't they? He can do it for Heizou, now.]
Someone did it for him, didn't they? He can do it for Heizou, now.]
[The thing about Heizou is that he never talks about himself. He kind of hates it, and that's why he prefers to ask questions and make deductions. Sometimes it feels like he doesn't even remember how to talk about his personal life, his feelings, his troubles.
So he just drinks. Drinks and pets the cat and then occasionally ends up staring blankly off into space for a while.]
So he just drinks. Drinks and pets the cat and then occasionally ends up staring blankly off into space for a while.]
[It becomes clear after a while that Heizou won't start talking on his own. Kaveh mulls this over and sighs, but vanishes back into the kitchen, only to return with a couple of mugs of a deeply fragrant tea.]
Here. I don't know how chai will suit Inazuman tastes in tea, but.
[He sets the mug down, and then takes a seat on the couch.]
...He took this long to tell you, did he?
Here. I don't know how chai will suit Inazuman tastes in tea, but.
[He sets the mug down, and then takes a seat on the couch.]
...He took this long to tell you, did he?
[He doesn't even notice when Kaveh leaves. But when he comes back and there's suddenly a mug on the table, Heizou turns to stare at it.
And then he finally looks at Kaveh. His eyes look hollow and cold again.]
...It seemed like I was last on their list.
[And he's including Freminet in that statement. Since that's who he actually heard it from.]
And then he finally looks at Kaveh. His eyes look hollow and cold again.]
...It seemed like I was last on their list.
[And he's including Freminet in that statement. Since that's who he actually heard it from.]
...Idiot.
[Kaveh hisses, and pinches the bridge of his nose. Of all the...]
They told me a few days ago. I think I was the first. But I told him it should always have been you long before it was me. I'm sorry.
[Kaveh hisses, and pinches the bridge of his nose. Of all the...]
They told me a few days ago. I think I was the first. But I told him it should always have been you long before it was me. I'm sorry.
[Heizou kind of just. Stares at Kaveh for a while. Like he's trying to find answers somewhere on his face.
It might be a little unnerving when he isn't smiling for once.]
...It doesn't matter. The House is his family. That will always come first for him.
It might be a little unnerving when he isn't smiling for once.]
...It doesn't matter. The House is his family. That will always come first for him.
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