[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.]
[truth be told, he'll be glad not to have to traverse mondstadt city and its overabundance of stairs any longer. the flat streets are a boon, but certainly not the stairs.
he follows the human out through the gates, and tugs his coat even tighter around him as they cross the bridge. as he looks, he sees rolling hills to one side, and mountains on the other-- neither look very appealing for him to deal with.]
This way. [He turns right towards the tree lined path with the river on their right. But he scans around again. Diluc brings his fingers to his lips and whistles a lilting melody. A dark shape drops out of the sky as he lifts his arm up.
A falcon settles on his raised arm. He strikes just under her chin as he says,] Circle low, keep watch for us.
[Then he thrusts his arm up and she takes advantage of his gesture to launch into the sky. Diluc nods once to Nenah then continues while the shadow of the falcon passes over them.] This way is guarded by my people. Still I will be on my guard.
[the whistle brings nehan's shoulders up to his chin, his ears pulling back slightly. that was overly loud to his ears-- and louder still is the bird, the falcon, that diluc interacts with. he has nothing against birds, but this one is noisy.
his shoulders only come back down when the bird is far away enough that he cant hear it any longer, though his ears stay the way they are. he forces his left arm to move, and he puts it in the small of diluc's back, the highest he can raise it without having to use his other arm to move it.]
Don't slow down on my account. We've spent too long here already, and the sun is going down. It's... too ambitious to ask to be there before the last rays of light disappear, but the Fatui like to strike in the dark.
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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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he follows the human out through the gates, and tugs his coat even tighter around him as they cross the bridge. as he looks, he sees rolling hills to one side, and mountains on the other-- neither look very appealing for him to deal with.]
Which way now?
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A falcon settles on his raised arm. He strikes just under her chin as he says,] Circle low, keep watch for us.
[Then he thrusts his arm up and she takes advantage of his gesture to launch into the sky. Diluc nods once to Nenah then continues while the shadow of the falcon passes over them.] This way is guarded by my people. Still I will be on my guard.
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his shoulders only come back down when the bird is far away enough that he cant hear it any longer, though his ears stay the way they are. he forces his left arm to move, and he puts it in the small of diluc's back, the highest he can raise it without having to use his other arm to move it.]
Don't slow down on my account. We've spent too long here already, and the sun is going down. It's... too ambitious to ask to be there before the last rays of light disappear, but the Fatui like to strike in the dark.
Agents are more deadly with no light.
*strokes. Damn phone
We can get there before the light fades if you will permit me to carry you.
didn't even notice, shows you how tired i am
except when nehan is apprehensive about the plan, especially with his pride on the line.]
Carry me-- are you sure
Hope you sleep ok
It might not be the most comfortable ride. But I assure you that I can do it.
i want to punch insomnia in the face first
Absolutely a mood
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