Then the kitchen it is. Do you have any preferences? [He gestures loosely in the direction of the kitchen and steps that way but waits. Once Nehan is with him he'll walk with him to the kitchen and push open the door. At this hour there's no staff. Diluc always tells them to take of their own families and selves. He can make his own dinners just fine.]
Proteins and grains are best suited for my body, the way it is now.
[that's not a proper answer to what diluc is asking him, but it's still an answer in nehan's eyes. after all, what is taste to a man whose tongue is dead?
then he pauses, thinking about the benefits of grains over rice and decides it's better to have rice instead.]
If you have rice, that will do. I'll prepare it myself, if you don't have the experience.
[Diluc slips his coat off and hangs it up on a hook on the wall. He rolls his sleeves up exposing forearms marked by various scars.] Rice is no trouble.
[He washes his hands and dries them while considering what he wants to make. Rice and protein. Egg or fowl? He stares at the door to the pantry in thought the walks over to the stove. He takes the right pan and sets it on a burner, turning it on.
He can feel the temperature building while he opens the pantry door. He walks inside, retrieving what he needs. Rice, eggs, and small scallions. It would be light today.]
[nehan's ears flick when he notes what's in the human's hands. so he does have rice... nehan wonders what's he's making, and unconsciously, he's paying close attention.
then he decides he should be doing something as well, and shrugs his coat and scarf off, leaving them hanging on another hook. his entire back, scarred and gnarled from years of whipping and abuse, is now visible for everyone to see, but nehan feels safe, here.]
Give the rice here, I have an idea of what to make, if you have an hour or so to spare.
My night is yours. [Body guarding Nehan is the tasks at to him for tonight. He refuses to leave his safety in the hands of anyone else. Jean had agreed with him. Diluc doesn’t look at his companion’s back as he takes a sharp knife from the butcher’s block and a cutting board.
He passes the rice to him then sets into finely chopping the scallions.]
[nehan eyes diluc for a moment before shifting his crutch up his arm and taking the bag of rice in his good hand. in such close quarters, he doesn't need to rely so much on mobility assistance.]
That makes you sound like a brainwashed servant, or indentured slave, for instance. [that's said as he empties the rice into a pot, and pours water to begin washing it.]
Of course. I know that's exactly what you meant-- I had to point out your choice in words, regardless. [because nehan is... well. he could be an expert in slavery, and the slave mindset at this point.
after washing the rice three times, he drains it and leaves the rice in a bowl, while he reuses the pot, filling it with water and setting it on the stove to boil.]
Of course. [He says, unbothered by the point being made. He considers it and adds,] Perhaps, we should remind the knights they sound like that so they can edit their own speech.
[He cracks eggs into another bowl and uses a fork to beat them. Calm as ever.]
It wouldn't be unusual for them, as soldiers. But you... someone of your standing should conduct himself better. [it's inappropriate to say the least, but nehan has never said anything that's the least bit inappropriate. what's the use of softer language?]
Have some care, Master Ragnvindr. For all intents and purposes, you're a lord, and I'm someone without a family name.
[There’s a moment of silence as Diluc considers that. It’s nothing he hasn’t heard before. Growing up it was all he heard. He takes a bit of oil and adds it to his pan.
He picks it up and directs it to spread with tilts of the pan.] Then I desire to know just how much you know about me. I assume the Fatui kept records. However old they are, it sounds as if they were thorough in their business.
I was given a dossier on you, just before my last visit to Mondstadt. [nehan leans against the counter even more, resting his left arm on top of it for a rest while he waits for his pot to boil.] For a non-combatant, they wouldn't have, but they needed me informed enough so I could make sure that I survived, if our paths ever met.
[then he dutifully rattles off what he's read in the papers, from diluc's name, to his father, to the delusion supposedly in his possession, to the speculation of what happened to it, all the way to diluc's return with a vision in tow.]
If there are any inconsistencies with your real story... I don't need to know. It's better that way.
Interesting. [But he doesn’t clarify what he finds curious about it. He has no desire to correct and erroneous view. But it does tell him Docttore didn’t know who he had caught or the Delusion left to him.
There it is hidden from their view. He pours the beaten egg into the pan and uses a spatula to move through the egg to form curds. A softer omelet is warranted here.]
You seemed to have a fairly good idea of who would be before you at the meeting. I can only assume they issued dossiers on the knights to be aware of.
[But so far the Fatui aren’t aware of the hidden network that spans the whole of Teyvat. Interesting.]
The Fatui has been keeping an eye on everyone with a Vision. But if anyone has received one in the past fifteen months, I wouldn't know anything. That's when my services for them ended.
["services" and "ended" sound so mild, compared to what truly happened to him. there's a reason why he was out of commission for a year and three months, especially when he's a man who prefers to get things done as soon as possible.]
[Diluc takes a pair of plates from the cupboard and gently adds the delicately scrambled egg to both.]
While not surprising, it is good to have that confirmed. And Vision users are easy to spot. We don’t hide them.
[Not in the way he had hid the delusion. He shakes his head slightly as he cleans the pan then sets it back on the burner. Then he ducks into the pantry and comes back with some bacon. He puts it on a cutting board and slices it up into small bits.]
And it’s a good way to keep track of the biggest powers. Aside from guild might. [But then he is the lord of the guilds too. Not by nobility but by being the business man that he is.]
[nehan huffs, but it comes out more like a snuffle as he turns his head in the same breath and peers at the meat. ah, more protein. greasy, but it will do, especially with the eggs. deciding that the water is nearly ready, he starts to dig around for salt.
then gets brave, flexing his left arm to see if he can use it for this little venture.]
I noticed. [his tone is dry.] Many of you wear your Visions on your hips. The Fatui considers that bold and carefree, but when they do it, it's a show of rank and power.
[his gait is limping, but as he tugs a small bit of ginger and a knife towards himself, beginning to cut it into thin strips. slowly. carefully, holding the ginger with his left and chopping with his right.]
[He checks the temperature of the pan with a flick of water. Not yet.]
And they hide their Delusions because they're not yet ready to wear those openly.
]He holds his hand up over the pan then nods. The bacon goes into the pan. He picks up the pan and gives it a light toss. His motions are fluid and practiced.]
But one day they will.
[It doesn't surprise him the Fatui think they're just being carefree fools. They don't notice some Mondstadters are openly challenging them. Or playing fools until the hour is right. He shakes his head and uses a spoon to spread the bacon bits around.]
You're insinuating that you're anticipating a war with them, and soon. [nehan looks at him over his shoulder, placing the knife down and taking his eyes off of his work. not that there's much work left, when he only needed some ginger.]
I am anticipating war with them but when it breaks it will not be here. [He says, as he tosses the bacon in the pan with a jerk of his arm.]
It will occur far away from you and Mondstadt. [He transfers the cooked bacon into a bowl with a strainer over it. As the bacon drains he says,] Whenever they reveal what they're really doing and why all nations are a means to an end...I don't see them needing or wanting to come after you. You would be free to act as you wish.
I do not expect you to assist in dealing with them nor was going to ask. I will however assist if you wish to be as far as you can be from whatever happens.
[a small part of nehan wants to say liyue, his old home. but what would he do there? there's nothing for a man like himself to do. for as how prosperous foreigners can be there... liyue's market is incredibly difficult to break into, and nehan anticipates it to be more so now that rex lapis is gone.
nehan sighs, and shoves his rice and garlic into the boiling pot and begins to stir with a spare ladle.]
You're taking it to Snezhnaya. I will not be anywhere when it happens. If I could leave Teyvat, I would. [but only death or ascension to celestia will do it. but the latter is never going to happen-- which only leaves the former.]
Because you cant keep them from retaliating against me-- it's already likely that information about my survival is headed back to the Tsaritsa.
[an implication that he's supposed to be dead by now.]
[Something in Diluc softens and the rigid mindset bends. His voice is a little softer,]
You’re right. I can’t. But when I’m away, Sir Alberich is who you could go to. He seems lazy but that’s all an act. Something I assume is on his roster file.
[To say Kaeya is lazy and write him off is to fall right into his trap. But another option presents itself. He stares into the middle distance. Nehan hasn’t proven himself enough for him to offer that to him.
So he doesn’t bring it up. Instead he sets about cleaning up after both of them.]
That's assuming he wont go with you when you take the Land of Snow. [the erune shakes his head.] Or the rest of those with Visions in Mondstadt.
No, I will go into hiding. Deep into hiding, where nobody can find me. [he would have preferred to be healed by now, but needs must-- and if he needs to traverse liyue's mountains in this condition, he will.]
[His expression goes carefully blank. He personally doesn't see any of them moving to fight with him nor does he plan to tell them when the time comes.
He nods once,] Very well, for your services to Mondstadt and its people I can offer supplies that won't be traced back to us or leave any sort of paper trail.
[There's a pause before he adds,] For the meanwhile, what is your preference in drinks? I will make whatever you like.
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nehan hasn't eaten since he woke up early this morning to make the trek to mondstadt from one of the fringe villages.]
... I could stand to eat.
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[that's not a proper answer to what diluc is asking him, but it's still an answer in nehan's eyes. after all, what is taste to a man whose tongue is dead?
then he pauses, thinking about the benefits of grains over rice and decides it's better to have rice instead.]
If you have rice, that will do. I'll prepare it myself, if you don't have the experience.
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[He washes his hands and dries them while considering what he wants to make. Rice and protein. Egg or fowl? He stares at the door to the pantry in thought the walks over to the stove. He takes the right pan and sets it on a burner, turning it on.
He can feel the temperature building while he opens the pantry door. He walks inside, retrieving what he needs. Rice, eggs, and small scallions. It would be light today.]
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then he decides he should be doing something as well, and shrugs his coat and scarf off, leaving them hanging on another hook. his entire back, scarred and gnarled from years of whipping and abuse, is now visible for everyone to see, but nehan feels safe, here.]
Give the rice here, I have an idea of what to make, if you have an hour or so to spare.
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He passes the rice to him then sets into finely chopping the scallions.]
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That makes you sound like a brainwashed servant, or indentured slave, for instance. [that's said as he empties the rice into a pot, and pours water to begin washing it.]
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Then allow me to clear that up. Nothing I have to do is all that pressing or more important than keeping you safe.
[He slides the sliced scallions into a small bowl and takes a pan from above, setting it on the stove.]
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after washing the rice three times, he drains it and leaves the rice in a bowl, while he reuses the pot, filling it with water and setting it on the stove to boil.]
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[He cracks eggs into another bowl and uses a fork to beat them. Calm as ever.]
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Have some care, Master Ragnvindr. For all intents and purposes, you're a lord, and I'm someone without a family name.
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He picks it up and directs it to spread with tilts of the pan.] Then I desire to know just how much you know about me. I assume the Fatui kept records. However old they are, it sounds as if they were thorough in their business.
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[then he dutifully rattles off what he's read in the papers, from diluc's name, to his father, to the delusion supposedly in his possession, to the speculation of what happened to it, all the way to diluc's return with a vision in tow.]
If there are any inconsistencies with your real story... I don't need to know. It's better that way.
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There it is hidden from their view. He pours the beaten egg into the pan and uses a spatula to move through the egg to form curds. A softer omelet is warranted here.]
You seemed to have a fairly good idea of who would be before you at the meeting. I can only assume they issued dossiers on the knights to be aware of.
[But so far the Fatui aren’t aware of the hidden network that spans the whole of Teyvat. Interesting.]
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["services" and "ended" sound so mild, compared to what truly happened to him. there's a reason why he was out of commission for a year and three months, especially when he's a man who prefers to get things done as soon as possible.]
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While not surprising, it is good to have that confirmed. And Vision users are easy to spot. We don’t hide them.
[Not in the way he had hid the delusion. He shakes his head slightly as he cleans the pan then sets it back on the burner. Then he ducks into the pantry and comes back with some bacon. He puts it on a cutting board and slices it up into small bits.]
And it’s a good way to keep track of the biggest powers. Aside from guild might. [But then he is the lord of the guilds too. Not by nobility but by being the business man that he is.]
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then gets brave, flexing his left arm to see if he can use it for this little venture.]
I noticed. [his tone is dry.] Many of you wear your Visions on your hips. The Fatui considers that bold and carefree, but when they do it, it's a show of rank and power.
[his gait is limping, but as he tugs a small bit of ginger and a knife towards himself, beginning to cut it into thin strips. slowly. carefully, holding the ginger with his left and chopping with his right.]
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And they hide their Delusions because they're not yet ready to wear those openly.
]He holds his hand up over the pan then nods. The bacon goes into the pan. He picks up the pan and gives it a light toss. His motions are fluid and practiced.]
But one day they will.
[It doesn't surprise him the Fatui think they're just being carefree fools. They don't notice some Mondstadters are openly challenging them. Or playing fools until the hour is right. He shakes his head and uses a spoon to spread the bacon bits around.]
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I will not be here for it.
[nehan refuses to be.]
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It will occur far away from you and Mondstadt. [He transfers the cooked bacon into a bowl with a strainer over it. As the bacon drains he says,] Whenever they reveal what they're really doing and why all nations are a means to an end...I don't see them needing or wanting to come after you. You would be free to act as you wish.
I do not expect you to assist in dealing with them nor was going to ask. I will however assist if you wish to be as far as you can be from whatever happens.
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nehan sighs, and shoves his rice and garlic into the boiling pot and begins to stir with a spare ladle.]
You're taking it to Snezhnaya. I will not be anywhere when it happens. If I could leave Teyvat, I would. [but only death or ascension to celestia will do it. but the latter is never going to happen-- which only leaves the former.]
Because you cant keep them from retaliating against me-- it's already likely that information about my survival is headed back to the Tsaritsa.
[an implication that he's supposed to be dead by now.]
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You’re right. I can’t. But when I’m away, Sir Alberich is who you could go to. He seems lazy but that’s all an act. Something I assume is on his roster file.
[To say Kaeya is lazy and write him off is to fall right into his trap. But another option presents itself. He stares into the middle distance. Nehan hasn’t proven himself enough for him to offer that to him.
So he doesn’t bring it up. Instead he sets about cleaning up after both of them.]
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No, I will go into hiding. Deep into hiding, where nobody can find me. [he would have preferred to be healed by now, but needs must-- and if he needs to traverse liyue's mountains in this condition, he will.]
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He nods once,] Very well, for your services to Mondstadt and its people I can offer supplies that won't be traced back to us or leave any sort of paper trail.
[There's a pause before he adds,] For the meanwhile, what is your preference in drinks? I will make whatever you like.
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You don't have to make anything to my taste. My taste buds are dead.
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