[HELP!! OKAY GRUMPY. Even Childe isn't magically warm out in the snow, but it is surely better than nothing. Essek can have the emotionshare of fondness, as a treat. The gap moe... at least he has long legs, so it won't take them all that long to get to the lodge. A pity.]
I take plenty of time to rest! [DOES HE?] But I used to go all over Teyvat for missions, and each nation is so different from all the elemental energy... there are plenty of islands around, but most of hell is lava.
[HE HAS DONE HORRIBLE AND UNSPEAKABLE THINGS!!!! OKAY!!!! HE ORCHESTRATED AN ENTIRE TREASON PLOT AGAINST HIS DYNASTY!!!!]
You would enjoy Exandria then. Every territory, every country, every city, every continent is different from the rest. There are leagues of unexplored terrain, especially subterrain, which is filled with secrets.
Yet so many on the surface are simply blinded by their rule for more land.
[YEAH WELL CHILDE ALMOST DROWNED LIYUE BY SUMMONING AN ANCIENT SEA MONSTER BUT HE STILL ENJOYS A GOOD SNOWBALL FIGHT!!!!
He laughs again, though this time it's a little dry.]
I can't say I'm all that surprised to hear it. The borders of our nations are well-established now, but there's a reason we Fatui are so successful in our endeavors despite being so widely hated.
[All the land struggles happened before he was born... but greedy rulers are universal, so he gets the idea.]
I would like to see your world, though. There's nothing like testing your skills against brand new opponents.
This is why I assumed we would be visiting some kind of large fighting arena on an island...
[Can you be romantic for five minutes? Well. He can't say he didn't somewhat enjoy the fight despite actually not being much of a fighter. He's a stealth guy, a break your neck from afar with the Force guy, not a let me slam head first into an enemy guy.
Still, it was nice practice. He lifts his head.]
I want you to teach me how to fight before we leave. Like... physically.
If you really want to see that, you can come to the fight tournament that Vi and I want to set up.
[Essek can watch Childe slam headfirst into enemies who can take it, how's that... though Childe also enjoyed the fight, he just ended it by showing off because he's an idiot with a crush.
[He groans gently at the first part because of COURSE they would be doing some stupid fight shit like that. Okay!!!
The way he is now asking about fighting, he can't even be groaning this way. So stupid.
He frowns gently.]
I told you. I don't want to be... The power in Aeor. I can't even begin to describe how strong it is, how strange. And Lucien has access to that sort of power. I'm honest when I say I don't think we are going to come out alive, Childe.
But if I can do something... to help my friends if things get dire. I don't want to simply be the wizard standing in the back unable to do anything.
He softens a little at that, though--not that it's easy to tell from this angle, but maybe Essek can pick up on some sense of understanding and approval through emotionshare, along with some hints of nostalgia. He hasn't said so to Essek, because he's never had to, but... for all that he loves battle itself and the pursuit of strength, he's always had his own reasons for fighting, too. It's something he stresses to anyone who seeks him out for something like this--he won't train anyone who doesn't have a good purpose in mind.
And for all that he talks about having no true allegiances, that he'll put his own agenda above any "sides" or loyalties... well. Not everything he says is strictly true.
He sighs, but it's not directed at Essek.]
It'd be easier if we were in Teyvat. I could give you plenty of things to use that ought to work, even in your world. [Like. He has no control over Visions, of course, or even Abyssal abilities, but that's hardly the only form of power in the world.] But I'll do as much as I can with the time we've got.
[A week isn't exactly ideal for the kind of strength he suspects Essek needs against a foe like that, but... well, Essek has his own fighting style, and friends to support him. He's not like Childe, who generally goes into battle on his own. If nothing else, Childe thinks, he can teach him enough to buy the time he might need in a critical moment, because he isn't selfish enough to hope Essek fails just for the chance to see him again.]
You would give him... a Delusion? 🥺🤲 Him? He watches what he can see of Childe's face, actually not sure whether Childe would deny him the opportunity or simply accept to gain another chance to spar. Childe can feel the tension in his shoulders and arms relax ever so slightly.]
...Thank you.
[He wouldn't ever be able to explain just how appreciative he is, so he doesn't try. He turns his head to look ahead of them, an attempt to CONCEAL his softness, but it's not like Childe isn't right there.
It's not ideal; there's only a week, and much of that will be them scrambling to do missions, or anything else, or what comes of the threat they received from the damn horse. But all he needs to learn is some basics - no, perhaps the confidence to perform these basics which will buy him enough time to do something better.]
[Listen... maybe so!!!! And yeah he would. Fatui technology is so hilariously advanced and Childe would also send him home with soldiers if he could, imagine Essek showing up to the boss fight and just shooting Lucien with a fireball gun 10 times in quick succession as a bunch of 8 ft. tall Fatui henchmen throw up shields and shit. Hysterical.
But he can't do that if he can't get home, so instead they only have this. And it doesn't escape him that Essek has plenty of people he could ask--Childe is far from the only combatant around, and surely not the only one Essek gets along with. It warms him, being trusted with something so important, even if he knows Essek isn't doing anything as extreme as putting the fate of the battle on his shoulders.]
Of course. We can start when we get back. But for now--[He will finally set Essek back down and point!! The lodge is just a little further away, yippee.] Don't worry, it's much warmer in there. And there should be some coats around to wear on the way back down, if I recall.
[MY GOD!!!!! They would not struggle nearly as badly as they do against the Somnovem that way. So funny. All they had to do was give the wizard a gun.
Don't just get sentimental on him about the request!! He sinks into the snow a bit as he's put back on his feet, but he goes without any kind of complaint. There is maybe some vibes of him missing the heat of being cuddled against someone, though.]
[GIVE THE WIZARDS GUNS AND FULFILL THE PROPHECY!!!!!
Also shut up he will do that. Just because he's being practical about all this doesn't mean there are no emotions, even if he's trying his best to be normal. Ish. NORMAL FOR HIM. Luckily for Essek, there is a cuddle curse drink just waiting to be drunk... or he could hallucinate santa instead. Who's to say.]
So dramatic! It really wasn't that--
[Anyway I rolled a nat 1 so he forgets there's a trap on the way up and falls through a snow pit about 5 feet away from the door. Good job Childe.]
Well, as Childe suddenly falls down into the snow pit trap, Essek is left behind stunned and also red-handed, holding a nearly packed snowball in his hands which he may or may not had planned to lob at the back of Childe's head.]
Childe!
[The fear that jumps up is a reflex of seeing Childe vanish into the void, and he drops the snowball immediately and stumbles through the snow to where Childe was lost.]
[IT'S FINE.... IT'S JUST A STUPID PIT... he's tall so it's not even really a problem, it just kind of hurts because he doesn't use the defib until Tuesday. GOD.]
Ugh. [HE IS A SNOWMAN NOW. SITS UP AND SHAKES SNOW OUT OF HIS HAIR LIKE A DOG AFTER A BATH.] I had a feeling I was forgetting one.
[USE THE FUCKING DEFIB. It's funny to see Essek worried because he is very much a man who is typical under a lot of outward emotional control, trying not to let on his head is always full of bees.
He kneels down at the edge, peering over it worriedly, but there's a wave of relief at least.]
You - scared me! Are you injured? You could have broken a leg!
Sorry, sorry--I'm fine! I told you, this place has nothing on the dangers in the motherland. [HE IS SO STUPIDLY TALL... AND STRONG... there's a brief twinge of pain from emotionshare as Childe reaches up and hoists himself out of the pit, but probably not as much as there reasonably should be with the injuries he's still got from CYOA. Sometimes you're not normal. Snow falls out of his shirt as he grins sheepishly.] Now I'm a little cold, though.
[Narrowing his eyes at Childe at the twinge of pain HE CAN FEEL. YOU STUPID PIECE OF SHIT!!!]
I should have buried you in this hole.
[Now his concerns feels embarrassing. He climbs back to his feet, knocking snow off himself, feeling stupid for being so worried when Childe is just gonna crack JOKES.]
[LOOK... LISTEN...!!!! DON'T BE EMBARRASSED JUST BECAUSE CHILDE'S AN IDIOT. He gets to his feet as well, hooking a cold arm through Essek's because he is still in a fucking T-shirt. NO MORE PITFALLS, NO MORE SNOW he is dragging them inside!!!]
[God, he's going to shove this imbecile right back into the fucking hole. STOP BEING OUT IN A T-SHIRT. WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS?! His nerves.
He follows along with Childe, though, glad to be inside rather than outside in the snow. It's not the worst thing in the entire world, but it's still hella cold.]
Anyway they are at the resort!!!! The fireplace is crackling away, though Childe still steps close and dusts the lingering bits of snow out of Essek's hair.]
Go on, there should be blankets over there. Do you want any alcohol, or just a plain hot cocoa? There's a kitchen too, if you're hungry. [Fuss fuss even though he is the one that literally just fell in pit]
[A look of horror on my face as I return to this thread.
His hair, white as the snow... He reaches up after Childe starts dusting as if he is surprised and didn't realize he was snowingly disheveled. I keep thinking about this other tag I'm going to have to respond to, fucking hell.]
Just cocoa is fine. I can make it if you show me where. You should sit down.
[WHY DO YOU THINK I KEPT TAGGING THIS ONE AFTER I SENT THAT STARTER AAAAAAAAAA
Takes a minute to fix Essek's hair just for an excuse to do it before he shakes his head. Which is extra dumb because Essek can still feel that there's a dull ache from his lingering wounds, but Childe moves like he has no injuries at all.]
You've been freezing since we got here. Go, it'll only take a minute. I promise I'll be right there.
Anyway, my crash out over, he stands there feeling hot as much in the emotions as the face about his hair being mused by Childe. He is not a teenager. He needs to stop acting like a teenager, this isn't like him at all.
LUCKILY, THE DULL ACHE KEEPS HIM FOCUSED. He makes a face, displeased. He wants to fuss, but doesn't want to start an argument when he is cold and bothered and worried.]
Don't swaddle.
[He will go make them some seating arrangements by the fire.]
[I just think it needed to be formally established that it happened even though it felt like a fever dream in the moment
He smiles then, heading off to get their treats!!! Normally he'd probably throw something together in the kitchen to snack on, but he gets the feeling that the longer it takes him to settle down in front of the fire, the more annoyed Essek will be. So he just makes their hot chocos, snags a bottle of normal vodka, and returns. I think about how there's a skull-shaped disco ball and Lavi pics just in here. Why are hell locations so funny.
He vanishes again for a second, but when he comes back he's got more blankets from... idk actually because this is still hell. Somewhere. IT'S FINE. Most importantly, he drapes one around Essek's shoulders before he takes a seat beside him.]
Believe it or not, that trip was decently smooth. I remember Scaramouche purposely setting as many traps as possible when we first got access to this place, trying to injure the rest of the group.
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I take plenty of time to rest! [DOES HE?] But I used to go all over Teyvat for missions, and each nation is so different from all the elemental energy... there are plenty of islands around, but most of hell is lava.
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You would enjoy Exandria then. Every territory, every country, every city, every continent is different from the rest. There are leagues of unexplored terrain, especially subterrain, which is filled with secrets.
Yet so many on the surface are simply blinded by their rule for more land.
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He laughs again, though this time it's a little dry.]
I can't say I'm all that surprised to hear it. The borders of our nations are well-established now, but there's a reason we Fatui are so successful in our endeavors despite being so widely hated.
[All the land struggles happened before he was born... but greedy rulers are universal, so he gets the idea.]
I would like to see your world, though. There's nothing like testing your skills against brand new opponents.
[CHILDE CAN YOU BE ROMANTIC FOR FIVE SECONDS]
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This is why I assumed we would be visiting some kind of large fighting arena on an island...
[Can you be romantic for five minutes? Well. He can't say he didn't somewhat enjoy the fight despite actually not being much of a fighter. He's a stealth guy, a break your neck from afar with the Force guy, not a let me slam head first into an enemy guy.
Still, it was nice practice. He lifts his head.]
I want you to teach me how to fight before we leave. Like... physically.
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[Essek can watch Childe slam headfirst into enemies who can take it, how's that... though Childe also enjoyed the fight, he just ended it by showing off because he's an idiot with a crush.
But he blinks, looking down at him.]
Not that I mind, but what brought this on?
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The way he is now asking about fighting, he can't even be groaning this way. So stupid.
He frowns gently.]
I told you. I don't want to be... The power in Aeor. I can't even begin to describe how strong it is, how strange. And Lucien has access to that sort of power. I'm honest when I say I don't think we are going to come out alive, Childe.
But if I can do something... to help my friends if things get dire. I don't want to simply be the wizard standing in the back unable to do anything.
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He softens a little at that, though--not that it's easy to tell from this angle, but maybe Essek can pick up on some sense of understanding and approval through emotionshare, along with some hints of nostalgia. He hasn't said so to Essek, because he's never had to, but... for all that he loves battle itself and the pursuit of strength, he's always had his own reasons for fighting, too. It's something he stresses to anyone who seeks him out for something like this--he won't train anyone who doesn't have a good purpose in mind.
And for all that he talks about having no true allegiances, that he'll put his own agenda above any "sides" or loyalties... well. Not everything he says is strictly true.
He sighs, but it's not directed at Essek.]
It'd be easier if we were in Teyvat. I could give you plenty of things to use that ought to work, even in your world. [Like. He has no control over Visions, of course, or even Abyssal abilities, but that's hardly the only form of power in the world.] But I'll do as much as I can with the time we've got.
[A week isn't exactly ideal for the kind of strength he suspects Essek needs against a foe like that, but... well, Essek has his own fighting style, and friends to support him. He's not like Childe, who generally goes into battle on his own. If nothing else, Childe thinks, he can teach him enough to buy the time he might need in a critical moment, because he isn't selfish enough to hope Essek fails just for the chance to see him again.]
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You would give him... a Delusion? 🥺🤲 Him? He watches what he can see of Childe's face, actually not sure whether Childe would deny him the opportunity or simply accept to gain another chance to spar. Childe can feel the tension in his shoulders and arms relax ever so slightly.]
...Thank you.
[He wouldn't ever be able to explain just how appreciative he is, so he doesn't try. He turns his head to look ahead of them, an attempt to CONCEAL his softness, but it's not like Childe isn't right there.
It's not ideal; there's only a week, and much of that will be them scrambling to do missions, or anything else, or what comes of the threat they received from the damn horse. But all he needs to learn is some basics - no, perhaps the confidence to perform these basics which will buy him enough time to do something better.]
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But he can't do that if he can't get home, so instead they only have this. And it doesn't escape him that Essek has plenty of people he could ask--Childe is far from the only combatant around, and surely not the only one Essek gets along with. It warms him, being trusted with something so important, even if he knows Essek isn't doing anything as extreme as putting the fate of the battle on his shoulders.]
Of course. We can start when we get back. But for now--[He will finally set Essek back down and point!! The lodge is just a little further away, yippee.] Don't worry, it's much warmer in there. And there should be some coats around to wear on the way back down, if I recall.
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Don't just get sentimental on him about the request!! He sinks into the snow a bit as he's put back on his feet, but he goes without any kind of complaint. There is maybe some vibes of him missing the heat of being cuddled against someone, though.]
I never thought we'd reach it.
[WELL. He gestures ahead. He will follow.]
After you.
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Also shut up he will do that. Just because he's being practical about all this doesn't mean there are no emotions, even if he's trying his best to be normal. Ish. NORMAL FOR HIM. Luckily for Essek, there is a cuddle curse drink just waiting to be drunk... or he could hallucinate santa instead. Who's to say.]
So dramatic! It really wasn't that--
[Anyway I rolled a nat 1 so he forgets there's a trap on the way up and falls through a snow pit about 5 feet away from the door. Good job Childe.]
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Well, as Childe suddenly falls down into the snow pit trap, Essek is left behind stunned and also red-handed, holding a nearly packed snowball in his hands which he may or may not had planned to lob at the back of Childe's head.]
Childe!
[The fear that jumps up is a reflex of seeing Childe vanish into the void, and he drops the snowball immediately and stumbles through the snow to where Childe was lost.]
Childe!
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Ugh. [HE IS A SNOWMAN NOW. SITS UP AND SHAKES SNOW OUT OF HIS HAIR LIKE A DOG AFTER A BATH.] I had a feeling I was forgetting one.
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He kneels down at the edge, peering over it worriedly, but there's a wave of relief at least.]
You - scared me! Are you injured? You could have broken a leg!
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Sorry, sorry--I'm fine! I told you, this place has nothing on the dangers in the motherland. [HE IS SO STUPIDLY TALL... AND STRONG... there's a brief twinge of pain from emotionshare as Childe reaches up and hoists himself out of the pit, but probably not as much as there reasonably should be with the injuries he's still got from CYOA. Sometimes you're not normal. Snow falls out of his shirt as he grins sheepishly.] Now I'm a little cold, though.
[OKAY ANNOYING]
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I should have buried you in this hole.
[Now his concerns feels embarrassing. He climbs back to his feet, knocking snow off himself, feeling stupid for being so worried when Childe is just gonna crack JOKES.]
Get inside.
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Come on, let's warm up and have a drink.
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He follows along with Childe, though, glad to be inside rather than outside in the snow. It's not the worst thing in the entire world, but it's still hella cold.]
Something warm.
[DUH.]
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Anyway they are at the resort!!!! The fireplace is crackling away, though Childe still steps close and dusts the lingering bits of snow out of Essek's hair.]
Go on, there should be blankets over there. Do you want any alcohol, or just a plain hot cocoa? There's a kitchen too, if you're hungry. [Fuss fuss even though he is the one that literally just fell in pit]
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His hair, white as the snow... He reaches up after Childe starts dusting as if he is surprised and didn't realize he was snowingly disheveled. I keep thinking about this other tag I'm going to have to respond to, fucking hell.]
Just cocoa is fine. I can make it if you show me where. You should sit down.
[STUPID ASS.]
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Takes a minute to fix Essek's hair just for an excuse to do it before he shakes his head. Which is extra dumb because Essek can still feel that there's a dull ache from his lingering wounds, but Childe moves like he has no injuries at all.]
You've been freezing since we got here. Go, it'll only take a minute. I promise I'll be right there.
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Anyway, my crash out over, he stands there feeling hot as much in the emotions as the face about his hair being mused by Childe. He is not a teenager. He needs to stop acting like a teenager, this isn't like him at all.
LUCKILY, THE DULL ACHE KEEPS HIM FOCUSED. He makes a face, displeased. He wants to fuss, but doesn't want to start an argument when he is cold and bothered and worried.]
Don't swaddle.
[He will go make them some seating arrangements by the fire.]
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He smiles then, heading off to get their treats!!! Normally he'd probably throw something together in the kitchen to snack on, but he gets the feeling that the longer it takes him to settle down in front of the fire, the more annoyed Essek will be. So he just makes their hot chocos, snags a bottle of normal vodka, and returns. I think about how there's a skull-shaped disco ball and Lavi pics just in here. Why are hell locations so funny.
He vanishes again for a second, but when he comes back he's got more blankets from... idk actually because this is still hell. Somewhere. IT'S FINE. Most importantly, he drapes one around Essek's shoulders before he takes a seat beside him.]
Believe it or not, that trip was decently smooth. I remember Scaramouche purposely setting as many traps as possible when we first got access to this place, trying to injure the rest of the group.
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