I'm not in a hurry to deal with the knights again. [He says while still keeping his voice calm and polite. Then he adds,] And the Fatui aren't going to act this early. Especially because I'm here.
[nehan's ears stand straight up at the casual mention of the fatui. is this what this is about? does this man think he's working with the fatui? that he's headed to the knights with less than good intentions?
if he were here the last time nehan swept through mondstadt-- not too long, fifteen months is not long at all-- then his concern would be... understandable. but now nehan worries for his own safety. he would let anyone kill him, if they were personally affected by what he did, but right now, he has a duty to see through and he cant be waylaid.]
Is that so.
[he needs to run. his body cant sustain so much but he has to try.
with a flick of his hand, nehan pulls a vial of one of his stimulants out of his belt and throws it at the human's body. he doesn't stick around to see how the glass shatters, and how the liquid falls, he's just moving as quickly as he can towards the knights' headquarters.
that human is lucky, in any case, when the worst that could happen would be a stain on his clothing, or some shard of glass pricking his skin. he might even feel energized, but nehan wont stick around mondstadt to find out.]
Wha- [He twists to face him too late to deflect the vial. But he has enough time to let the heat of his magic sweep out like a tide of summer heat. There is indeed only a stain on his coat. He wears a lot of layers.
By the time he's dealt with it, Nehan has gotten out of his reach. Diluc straightens up and sighs. Flames dance in his palm as he cleans whatever the vial is from the street. Just in case.
At the headquarters of Knights of Favonius there are guards at the door and one Calvary Captain waiting with a mug of coffee in hand. Did he figure it would go this way?
[somehow, nehan has managed to make it all the way to the building without further incident, save for when the guards tried to take him away, and he had to be bailed out by a captain and the acting grandmaster herself.
the woman's gracious enough to let him catch his breath on a chair for as long as he needs, but nehan doesn't take too long before giving her what he's here for-- after all, he's on a timeline.
his notebook and several bottles of potions go on the acting grandmaster's desk, just as she tries to get him to stay in mondstadt a little longer, just in case they have questions for him and he needs to be within easy reach. to which nehan replies that he'll only accept, if he has a guard on hand, because people do want a piece of him here, and those people aren't just the fatui.]
[Jean opens her mouth to say something but there's a knock on the door. 'It's open.' The door clicks and Diluc walks in.
He nods to Jean and walks over to stand by the railing near her desk. He faces Nehan with the same calm expression on his face.] My apologies for being late. I faced an unexpected situation.
[The acting grand master introduces him while a suspicious sounding series of coughs issues from a Calvary Captain that gets a subtle kick in the ankle from his former brother in arms.] And my apologies for the misunderstanding, I intended to explain myself but I realize I should have said it from the start. Such a situation will not occur again.
[Diluc sweeps into a formal bow then straightens while Kaeya coughs into his fist. Asshole.]
nehan's fist closes over his cane so tightly that his knuckles grow paper-white, surprisingly stark against already unhealthily pale skin, and the wood of his most important tool begins to creak.]
Are you part of this discussion? [his voice is soft, almost too soft to hear. but it's full of nehan's displeasure.]
[He crosses his arms over his chest as he studies Nehan's reaction.] Yes, because all matters of protection in our borders are of my concern. We had a misunderstanding. I was intended to escort you safely here. However, I worded myself poorly. A mistake I will not make again.
[Jean gives him a look then spreads her hands. 'The fault is mine. I contacted Master Diluc. I should have included in my message that I was asking for his help. He can guard you and keep you protected against anyone who seeks to harm you.'
Diluc nods once.] There are few that would risk going against me. This includes the Fatui. Of course, I don't trust they'll stay away but, they won't risk a conflict with me in broad daylight.
["diluc." now that he has a face to put to the name, nehan knows exactly who he is, when the fatui has extensive notes on this man. diluc ragnvindr, owner of dawn windery, the most powerful person in mondstadt, politically, financially, literally. bears a vision, and is more than competent at it. he also once bore a delusion, but that part of his files delved into speculation.
this is his fate, isn't it? to have met this man and run away, only to meet him again-- it was fated.
nehan has to wonder why it is so.
then he turns back to the acting grandmaster.]
Ah... Let me guess. Because he's meant to be my escort, he'll now be my guard while I'm here.
[Jean nods, ‘No one can openly challenge Master Diluc. He is the safest guard you could have.’ Diluc says nothing, his arms still crossed over his chest. He looks at home among the knights.
And he will never admit it. He and Kaeya stand side by side like two edges on the same blade. He says,] If you decide otherwise, I can suggest proxies but they will still be answering to me.
[nehan is silent, but not for too long. he shakes his head, ears swaying with the motions.]
There's no point in pulling more in to do the duty of one. [meaning, he'll live with this.
then he turns back to the acting grandmaster, and pulls one more potion from his waistcoat, hidden in an inner pocket so deep into his clothing that it's practically tucked against his body. he's been making sure that it's safe, the small vial wrapped in a layer of leather that he unravels now for all to see, and lays it on the desk.]
The crown jewel of what I made for the Fatui.
Don't ingest this. Even a small amount such as this is enough to kill most people in this building, even the three of you.
[Silence falls as all three Vision users process the meaning of those words. Jean leans back with her face pale. Kaeya’s eye narrows and he nods. Diluc is as still as stone, face an impassive mask.
Jean takes a breath and looks at Nion. ‘I do not mean to doubt you, but this works even on Vision users? How much of it was produced?’]
Only I know how to create them-- others have tried, and last I heard, they've been doing field tests with some of their skirmishers, but they still haven't gotten it right. I never wrote the formula down, because I know exactly what it can do. It's something best memorized, to die with its brewer. [nehan wraps the vial back up, and pushes it away from him.]
A stimulant that draws out one's full power that often is impossible due to physical or mental limitations-- is it not considered some sort of miracle drug? But the side effect is that its drinker loses all reasoning, and will attack anything on sight. Until the drug is naturally purged from their body, they're a wild animal. [nehan clasps his hands together on his lap primly.] Worse still, for instance, would be if the drinker holds a Vision-- then nothing can stop them. Wouldn't you agree?
This works on anyone, human, or half-breed. Even myself. [he looks up at all of them throu his lashes, as if daring them to ask how he knows this.]
[Jean watches his face but Kaeya and Diluc stare at one another in silent shared horror. It isn't lost on Diluc that they both thought of that night when their ties shattered by truth and rage. He looks away and focuses on Nehan again.
The very picture of stone despite his calm tone cutting through the sudden quiet.] I hope you can still recall where they are making these field tests. Such a thing should never be replicated.
For everyone's sake what research they have should be crushed and destroyed.
[one ear flicks, then turns in diluc's direction. he may not look at the man directly, but he's listening.]
I haven't been with them in fifteen months. My information on their operations is outdated. [a simple, quick answer. but of course that wont be enough, now would it?]
But last I heard... Liyue has many mountains, and Inazuma has many islands to get lost in. So on, with the other nations.
I know nothing about Mondstadt's population. But I know they refused to give it to the ones with Delusions, as a precaution. That may have changed.
[Diluc sighs. Of course it won’t be that easy. Jean nods. And it’s Kaeya that speaks. ‘It makes sense they won’t test it on delusionists. They could possibly compromise their Harbingers. Think of the damage that would cause…’
Even Diluc goes pale.]
Considering their power…No. They won’t risk that.
[Diluc takes a second then says,] All of that can wait. The knights will go through what you’ve already told them and decide on new questions to ask. Is there anything else you require or wish to say right now?
I don't know. [nehan returns his grip to his cane, and begins to fasten the straps back onto his forearm.] Is there anything else any one of you needs from me, or am I allowed to retire now?
[he leans back into the chair, his left arm feeling heavy and unable to keep going with the straps. it might be a bad day, today. and he was doing so well, too.]
My body is not as it was since I was last in Mondstadt, and I have several flights of stairs to descend before I can go anywhere else. [meaning he would actually like to just leave. before sunset.]
Edited (too short... need more detail) 2021-09-20 17:33 (UTC)
[Diluc steps away from the railing he was leaning against as Jean shakes her head. ‘You can retire. We have enough to go through already.’
Kaeya nods. ‘Yes. This will keep us busy for a while.’ With both knights in agreement, Diluc closes his eyes.] I have no further questions for now, either.
Since you’ve agreed to being guarded, I have arrangements made for housing in the city. If it isn’t to your standards. I have alternatives.
[He waits for Nehan to get up before he follows him out.]
Very well. [nehan forces himself up into a standing position, and adjusts his coat so it sits snugly and doesn't expose any of his soft, scarred skin. the humans have been scandalised enough as it is.
with his body the way it is, and how tired he is from running, nehan moves slowly at first, before he makes himself move faster, a more normal pace for people, and manages to get himself out the doors and outside. then he sighs, momentarily looking up at the sky to determine the time, before turning back to his "guard".]
[Diluc leads the way to the staircase and down to the level below. They had come to the meeting in midday and evening is starting to approach. He silently calculates what business he has to handle through proxies as he starts for the left of the stairs.
Then he slows as he realizes things are suddenly quiet. Something glints from the alley he meant to walk past and he tenses.
[nehan was expecting the fatui to come for him-- it was only a matter of time. but it was rather stupid of them to arrive right now, when he has a guard, and not before when he was alone, isn't it?
he draws his gun and raises it, leaning on his good leg as he no longer has his cane to rest on. he's glad he still has this compact gun he received as an agent of the fatui for self-defense, even if he did have a "babysitting" detail to keep him in line, and he's glad he managed to keep it on him. otherwise, keeping them away from him would be more difficult.
he shoots one in the leg, and the other in the shoulder, all their vital organs too covered in armor for him to land a killing shot. but he can certainly cripple them. however, one sneaks up, a delusion-wielding agent, and nehan turns, his bad leg managing to find some energy in it, enough to dodge a blow.
that's enough of an opening for him to lunge forward and stab his knife through the eyehole of the agent's mask, and he doesn't even blink at the spray of blood and viscera on his face.]
[The world slows down for Diluc. He moves to intercept the heaviest of the Fatui. They had come into his city and retribution would be swift. He's aware of Nehan back and to the right. This is enough space he can use his usual tools. He leaps at the wall and kicks off of it, drawing his claymore as he twists in the air.
Instinctively he notes the unspoken from the office. Nehan used to be a Vision user, or at least he suspects it. The body won't forget that. Flames flow over his blade as he brings his sword down and cutting through one opponent. He sweeps his sword to the right, taking out the other foe.
In time to hear the gurgled scream of the third. He twists to see while keeping an eye on their surroundings. Blood flies and his eyes widen. Nehan doesn't even look phased by the scene he'd created. In his place, he wouldn't either. Diluc isn't surprised to hear the sound of knights in the distance.
Kaeya must have anticipated this outcome.
His jaw clenches.] I've changed my mind. We're going to the Winery.
[nehan is keenly aware that he's out of shape the moment the fight simmers down and the knights are approaching-- he's leaning against a solid stone wall to catch his breath, body aching. it's too much exertion in one day, and nehan knows it. he even considers taking a tonic, a sign of his obvious weakness... but he decides against it. he has more than enough energy to make it to wherever he needs to go.
(maybe.)]
Let's just leave. [he pushes off the wall, and steadies himself, wiping ash and blood from his face.] ... And I wont come back to the city, not after today.
Agreed. They can come to the Winery to discuss what you gave them.
[Diluc says as he pauses long enough look at the knights and stare at Kaeya as he approaches. No surprise at all. He narrows his eyes and walks away, but only as fast as Nehan goes.
He doesn’t speak as he puts his sword away and makes himself subtly presentable. Nothing to see here. Diluc Ragnvindr is just heading home.]
[nehan's voluminous coat comes in handy not just to hide his frail, scarred body from view, but also hide the splatter of blood and smear of ash. blood has been shed today, and then burnt away, and this grey bespoke suit will be a nightmare to clean.
he huffs and puffs as he catches up to diluc, after telling the knight captain that any business pertaining to himself will have to be conducted at the winery.]
Lead the way. I only have a rudimentary grasp on this land's layout, and I need you to guide me there.
I'll follow along for as long as needed. [famous last words.]
[Captain Alberich hadn't seemed even remotely surprised. Merely said he'd seen a messenger ahead of them when they did visit.
Diluc nods and proceeds down the stairs, matching his pace to Nehan's but he's on high alert. His gaze sweeps the streets like a dragon peering at his territory from above. Once they reach the city wall, he pauses turning slightly. Kaeya is on the stairs above them, arms folded and eye narrowed.
Just as he suspected. Diluc turns away and steps out of the gates. Home. He wants to go home so he can think everything over.]
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[When they do he will be there to oppose them.]
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if he were here the last time nehan swept through mondstadt-- not too long, fifteen months is not long at all-- then his concern would be... understandable. but now nehan worries for his own safety. he would let anyone kill him, if they were personally affected by what he did, but right now, he has a duty to see through and he cant be waylaid.]
Is that so.
[he needs to run. his body cant sustain so much but he has to try.
with a flick of his hand, nehan pulls a vial of one of his stimulants out of his belt and throws it at the human's body. he doesn't stick around to see how the glass shatters, and how the liquid falls, he's just moving as quickly as he can towards the knights' headquarters.
that human is lucky, in any case, when the worst that could happen would be a stain on his clothing, or some shard of glass pricking his skin. he might even feel energized, but nehan wont stick around mondstadt to find out.]
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By the time he's dealt with it, Nehan has gotten out of his reach. Diluc straightens up and sighs. Flames dance in his palm as he cleans whatever the vial is from the street. Just in case.
At the headquarters of Knights of Favonius there are guards at the door and one Calvary Captain waiting with a mug of coffee in hand. Did he figure it would go this way?
Maybe.]
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the woman's gracious enough to let him catch his breath on a chair for as long as he needs, but nehan doesn't take too long before giving her what he's here for-- after all, he's on a timeline.
his notebook and several bottles of potions go on the acting grandmaster's desk, just as she tries to get him to stay in mondstadt a little longer, just in case they have questions for him and he needs to be within easy reach. to which nehan replies that he'll only accept, if he has a guard on hand, because people do want a piece of him here, and those people aren't just the fatui.]
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He nods to Jean and walks over to stand by the railing near her desk. He faces Nehan with the same calm expression on his face.] My apologies for being late. I faced an unexpected situation.
[The acting grand master introduces him while a suspicious sounding series of coughs issues from a Calvary Captain that gets a subtle kick in the ankle from his former brother in arms.] And my apologies for the misunderstanding, I intended to explain myself but I realize I should have said it from the start. Such a situation will not occur again.
[Diluc sweeps into a formal bow then straightens while Kaeya coughs into his fist. Asshole.]
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nehan's fist closes over his cane so tightly that his knuckles grow paper-white, surprisingly stark against already unhealthily pale skin, and the wood of his most important tool begins to creak.]
Are you part of this discussion? [his voice is soft, almost too soft to hear. but it's full of nehan's displeasure.]
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[Jean gives him a look then spreads her hands. 'The fault is mine. I contacted Master Diluc. I should have included in my message that I was asking for his help. He can guard you and keep you protected against anyone who seeks to harm you.'
Diluc nods once.] There are few that would risk going against me. This includes the Fatui. Of course, I don't trust they'll stay away but, they won't risk a conflict with me in broad daylight.
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this is his fate, isn't it? to have met this man and run away, only to meet him again-- it was fated.
nehan has to wonder why it is so.
then he turns back to the acting grandmaster.]
Ah... Let me guess. Because he's meant to be my escort, he'll now be my guard while I'm here.
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And he will never admit it. He and Kaeya stand side by side like two edges on the same blade. He says,] If you decide otherwise, I can suggest proxies but they will still be answering to me.
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There's no point in pulling more in to do the duty of one. [meaning, he'll live with this.
then he turns back to the acting grandmaster, and pulls one more potion from his waistcoat, hidden in an inner pocket so deep into his clothing that it's practically tucked against his body. he's been making sure that it's safe, the small vial wrapped in a layer of leather that he unravels now for all to see, and lays it on the desk.]
The crown jewel of what I made for the Fatui.
Don't ingest this. Even a small amount such as this is enough to kill most people in this building, even the three of you.
Because you'll be doing it yourself.
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Jean takes a breath and looks at Nion. ‘I do not mean to doubt you, but this works even on Vision users? How much of it was produced?’]
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A stimulant that draws out one's full power that often is impossible due to physical or mental limitations-- is it not considered some sort of miracle drug? But the side effect is that its drinker loses all reasoning, and will attack anything on sight. Until the drug is naturally purged from their body, they're a wild animal. [nehan clasps his hands together on his lap primly.] Worse still, for instance, would be if the drinker holds a Vision-- then nothing can stop them. Wouldn't you agree?
This works on anyone, human, or half-breed. Even myself. [he looks up at all of them throu his lashes, as if daring them to ask how he knows this.]
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The very picture of stone despite his calm tone cutting through the sudden quiet.] I hope you can still recall where they are making these field tests. Such a thing should never be replicated.
For everyone's sake what research they have should be crushed and destroyed.
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I haven't been with them in fifteen months. My information on their operations is outdated. [a simple, quick answer. but of course that wont be enough, now would it?]
But last I heard... Liyue has many mountains, and Inazuma has many islands to get lost in. So on, with the other nations.
I know nothing about Mondstadt's population. But I know they refused to give it to the ones with Delusions, as a precaution. That may have changed.
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Even Diluc goes pale.]
Considering their power…No. They won’t risk that.
[Diluc takes a second then says,] All of that can wait. The knights will go through what you’ve already told them and decide on new questions to ask. Is there anything else you require or wish to say right now?
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[he leans back into the chair, his left arm feeling heavy and unable to keep going with the straps. it might be a bad day, today. and he was doing so well, too.]
My body is not as it was since I was last in Mondstadt, and I have several flights of stairs to descend before I can go anywhere else. [meaning he would actually like to just leave. before sunset.]
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Kaeya nods. ‘Yes. This will keep us busy for a while.’ With both knights in agreement, Diluc closes his eyes.] I have no further questions for now, either.
Since you’ve agreed to being guarded, I have arrangements made for housing in the city. If it isn’t to your standards. I have alternatives.
[He waits for Nehan to get up before he follows him out.]
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with his body the way it is, and how tired he is from running, nehan moves slowly at first, before he makes himself move faster, a more normal pace for people, and manages to get himself out the doors and outside. then he sighs, momentarily looking up at the sky to determine the time, before turning back to his "guard".]
Lead the way.
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Then he slows as he realizes things are suddenly quiet. Something glints from the alley he meant to walk past and he tenses.
And that’s when Fatui assassins strike.]
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he draws his gun and raises it, leaning on his good leg as he no longer has his cane to rest on. he's glad he still has this compact gun he received as an agent of the fatui for self-defense, even if he did have a "babysitting" detail to keep him in line, and he's glad he managed to keep it on him. otherwise, keeping them away from him would be more difficult.
he shoots one in the leg, and the other in the shoulder, all their vital organs too covered in armor for him to land a killing shot. but he can certainly cripple them. however, one sneaks up, a delusion-wielding agent, and nehan turns, his bad leg managing to find some energy in it, enough to dodge a blow.
that's enough of an opening for him to lunge forward and stab his knife through the eyehole of the agent's mask, and he doesn't even blink at the spray of blood and viscera on his face.]
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Instinctively he notes the unspoken from the office. Nehan used to be a Vision user, or at least he suspects it. The body won't forget that. Flames flow over his blade as he brings his sword down and cutting through one opponent. He sweeps his sword to the right, taking out the other foe.
In time to hear the gurgled scream of the third. He twists to see while keeping an eye on their surroundings. Blood flies and his eyes widen. Nehan doesn't even look phased by the scene he'd created. In his place, he wouldn't either. Diluc isn't surprised to hear the sound of knights in the distance.
Kaeya must have anticipated this outcome.
His jaw clenches.] I've changed my mind. We're going to the Winery.
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(maybe.)]
Let's just leave. [he pushes off the wall, and steadies himself, wiping ash and blood from his face.] ... And I wont come back to the city, not after today.
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[Diluc says as he pauses long enough look at the knights and stare at Kaeya as he approaches. No surprise at all. He narrows his eyes and walks away, but only as fast as Nehan goes.
He doesn’t speak as he puts his sword away and makes himself subtly presentable. Nothing to see here. Diluc Ragnvindr is just heading home.]
It’s a bit of a trek. [That’s his only warning.]
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he huffs and puffs as he catches up to diluc, after telling the knight captain that any business pertaining to himself will have to be conducted at the winery.]
Lead the way. I only have a rudimentary grasp on this land's layout, and I need you to guide me there.
I'll follow along for as long as needed. [famous last words.]
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Diluc nods and proceeds down the stairs, matching his pace to Nehan's but he's on high alert. His gaze sweeps the streets like a dragon peering at his territory from above. Once they reach the city wall, he pauses turning slightly. Kaeya is on the stairs above them, arms folded and eye narrowed.
Just as he suspected. Diluc turns away and steps out of the gates. Home. He wants to go home so he can think everything over.]
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*strokes. Damn phone
didn't even notice, shows you how tired i am
Hope you sleep ok
i want to punch insomnia in the face first
Absolutely a mood
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