[ Aether lets his sword lower to his side only once Childe admits defeat. His expression is chilly and apathetic, something that seemed to overcome the twin the moment he drew his own blood to use blood magic. There is no malice, but there's not much of anything else, either, beyond him breathing heavy from their fight.
He sighs finally, dropping his weapon and reaching for a piece of gauze that he has in one of his pockets to wrap tightly around his hand where he initiated the blood magic. Stopping the flow of blood there (and not caring much for any other injury of his) seems to cause the apathy to give way to more familiar emotion. The hollowness in Aether's eyes floods full and by the time he comes to kneel down next to Childe, his eyes are back to their normal brightness. ]
Stay still, dummy. [ Aether will begin to look over the Harbinger, pulling out more gauze from his side pouch to start wrapping some of the other's wounds. He'll use clean snow if the wound looks particularly dirty before bandaging it up. ]
I guess Childe from every timeline can't help but love to fight.
Hahahaha...I wouldn't be myself if that weren't the case...ngh...! Wouldn't you say?
[He grimaces as Aether wraps one of his wounds, letting the other tend to whatever he deems necessary. Childe's hand hovers over a wound that seems to be bleeding a little too much, his hand glowing red as he repairs part of it underneath with blood manipulation. There, that could probably be wrapped now as well, until he got to a proper doctor.]
I do, an erune that lives within the city. But, we just recently had our own little bout, so I don't think I'll bother him this time around. A simple visit to Lumenwood should suffice.
[He groans as Aether wraps that other wound, pain rippling through him, but he'll gladly endure it. He needs to.]
I should be able to get there fine on my own, [he says, trying to stand now. It's hard, but he's getting there.] Thank you, for looking after my wounds. But you should be looking after your own as well.
[ kind of wants to say that maybe Childe should spread his fights out more if he's going to be doing so many but refrains and settles with a slight frown as a response instead. ]
Then, I'll go to Lumenwood with you and get checked out, too.
[He finally stands, a little wobbly yet from the exhaustion of using all of his power, but he manages.]
Though this is the first time I've fought you, you're far stronger than Lumine was when I fought her at the Golden House...you've impressed me today, comrade. I had assumed that perhaps your strength would match that of hers that day, but it seems you've either had time to improve, or you've always been this strong.
[It feels a lot more natural now to address Aether as comrade- he's more than proven to Childe that he too, pursues strength. It may not be for the same reasons as the Harbinger, but that doesn't matter to him.]
Lumi is stronger than me. You'll also see a lot more mercy and less pain looking down the end of my blade than hers. [ he says it matter-of-factly. ] But, I am a lot harder to take down.
[ as would be expected, the twins complement each other incredibly well in battle, just like they do in everything else. He moves alongside Childe in a gesture to signify the other may lean on him if needed but not actually directly offering or trying to pressure him into taking the assistance. ]
For me back home, it's been a bit of time since the Golden House incident. I last saw you in Inazuma.
[Childe hasn't had the chance to fight Lumine with all of his power here yet in Trench- he knows she's a lot stronger too than when he fought her in Liyue, but to what extent, he hasn't been able to test. He only smiles back at Aether's comments about the differences between himself and his sister. He's already gathered that, from this fight they've had, but it's still amusing in some way to hear it spoken aloud.
But it's time to move onto a more important matter, isn't it.]
Ngh... [He mutters, trying not to have to rely on Aether's shoulder for the time being as he walks along,] I was in Inazuma? I see...
[ Aether hesitates at the request before deciding it won't really hurt anyone or anything, including Childe himself. ] Sure. You were looking for Scaramouche and there was a situation in Inazuma that you thought might have involved him. It didn't, but I can say you still had a blast fighting during your time spent investigating. I'm not sure where you went after that. You never tell.
[ more like Childe suggested he might as well stalk the Traveler since they always get mixed up in these cute things and would lead him right to Scaramouche eventually but you knowm...Childe... and details aren't supposed to be in the same sentence. ]
[Yeah, that probably wasn't good. That means a certain someone got a hold of a certain you know what, and isn't reporting back. Just as he thought might happen if the little rat ever got a hold of a gnosis.]
I'm certain I didn't say anything when I left, did I, hahaha... [Seems like him.] Sounds like we had a good time regardless. Don't worry, I'm sure our paths will cross again if Scaramouche is involved. Though, I suppose that's a problem for the versions of us back home.
Yeah... not worth pondering over now that we're stuck here.
[ there's a slight sigh of exasperated misery from Aether, because... well, this is yet another thing that there's nothing he can do about.
He's watching Childe but being as discreet as possible about it. He's not going to let the other trip or collapse if he can help it. He knows Childe can take care of himself, but at the same time, Teyvat isn't as inherently corrupted and... icky, for a lack of a better word, as this place. Not so transparently, at least.
Aether doesn't really trust anyone or anything here, yet, anyway. He probably never will. ]
Yes... [He continues, a little wobbly so far but he's still okay. It seems laborious for him to to walk on his own, but he's still managing.]
Until he shows up here, that is. I'll be more than happy to take him on myself, but if you'd like to join me I certainly wouldn't say no.
[He can't imagine a world where Scaramouche, showing up here with a gnosis in hand, isn't a bad thing. And who better to have fighting at his side than Aether or Lumine, really? That sounds really fun.]
I've no doubt he would, [Childe shares. Though Fatui matters are things he keeps close to his chest, the simple matter of Scaramouche existing would be a problem for all of them.]
He enjoys terrorizing his own subordinates, amused as he watches them tremble in fear of him. He's more than capable of coming up with his own schemes, and I wonder what he would do if he was left to his own devices here without someone to reign him in.
[Though...he doubts how successful Scaramouche would be.]
I'm sure you already know this, but I'd be on your guard if he's around. Though I suppose that's true of any Fatui Harbinger, [he adds, knowing full well that includes himself.]
Hah! Seems you know me better than I could even of imagined.
[He groans, still dragging himself forward through his injuries, wondering what bratty thing he said to the traveler to say something like that. But, the three of them alone should be able to take care of Scaramouche if he decides to try something.]
I'll look forward to that battle then. I rather like my new home and the small amount of friends I've garnered here, even despite all the slight inconveniences it causes, [he says with an air of fondness.] But Aether, there was something else I wanted to discuss with you.
It's come to my attention that I might of given you the wrong idea about something.
[And he promised Lumine he'd talk to Aether about this, so he is. He has to stop in the snow for now, to give his legs a little rest.]
I won't beat around the bush here- my intentions from the last time we saw each other wasn't purely because I was only trying to find myself in your good graces because of your sister. I've been very intrigued about you since the moment you got here.
... I see. Look, you don't have to be intrigued or whatever about me at all, Childe, so long as you weren't trying to make friends because you're into my sister. It's bad enough we are seen as "the traveler's sibling" to our friends who remember the other, instead of as Lumine or Aether. If I can make friends with those I care about here again, I want it based on me as Aether, just like Lumi will want it based on her being Lumine. Along those lines ... you also don't have to make friends with me just because we were are friends in another timeline.
[ granted, Lumine is more cagey and less willing to be open about things like that then Aether, which is also why he bristled so easily. ] That said, you don't need to be nice to me, either, because I will never trust you. That's my sister, and you're not good enough for her, just like no one will ever be good enough for your sisters. Still, I'm not going to get in your way, and I know you won't respect my wishes, anyway, so I don't want conflict, and I won't ask anything from you.
Just remember, I'll do at the very least what you would do to someone who broke Tonia's heart if you screw up with Lumi. [ that's all he has to say. He's not expecting friendship or anything, and he's making this situation as transparent as possible. ]
[Chile feels like he's barely gotten in a word in comparison now. He's sort of at a loss for words for a moment, trying to process all that versus what he wanted to say to Aether to begin with.]
You act as if I do this out of obligation. Don't you think you're not giving me enough credit now?
[He's not even going to touch the topic of Lumine now. Aether can think what he wants and he's going to leave it at that.]
Perhaps you're right. There's a chance anything I say might be a waste of my breath, given how you've managed to cover all your bases it seems.
[He could think of something. But maybe trying to speak to what he thinks is the problem isn't the right way to approach it, given how much Aether's built a solid wall between himself and Childe, at least it seems that way to the Harbinger. So why try to chip at the wall in the wrong place when he can let Aether open it for him instead?]
Hm, but I still wonder...[He says, holding a finger up to his chin,] How different do you think I am, in comparison to the Tartaglia you know from your own timeline? You said earlier you guessed that every me from every timeline can't help but love to fight- so I'm guessing you thought there was a chance I wouldn't be quite the same person, is that right?
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He sighs finally, dropping his weapon and reaching for a piece of gauze that he has in one of his pockets to wrap tightly around his hand where he initiated the blood magic. Stopping the flow of blood there (and not caring much for any other injury of his) seems to cause the apathy to give way to more familiar emotion. The hollowness in Aether's eyes floods full and by the time he comes to kneel down next to Childe, his eyes are back to their normal brightness. ]
Stay still, dummy. [ Aether will begin to look over the Harbinger, pulling out more gauze from his side pouch to start wrapping some of the other's wounds. He'll use clean snow if the wound looks particularly dirty before bandaging it up. ]
I guess Childe from every timeline can't help but love to fight.
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[He grimaces as Aether wraps one of his wounds, letting the other tend to whatever he deems necessary. Childe's hand hovers over a wound that seems to be bleeding a little too much, his hand glowing red as he repairs part of it underneath with blood manipulation. There, that could probably be wrapped now as well, until he got to a proper doctor.]
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[ he'll wrap the bigger wound as well. Despite everything, he definitely doesn't want Childe in pain for long or in danger of bleeding out. ]
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[He groans as Aether wraps that other wound, pain rippling through him, but he'll gladly endure it. He needs to.]
I should be able to get there fine on my own, [he says, trying to stand now. It's hard, but he's getting there.] Thank you, for looking after my wounds. But you should be looking after your own as well.
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Then, I'll go to Lumenwood with you and get checked out, too.
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[He finally stands, a little wobbly yet from the exhaustion of using all of his power, but he manages.]
Though this is the first time I've fought you, you're far stronger than Lumine was when I fought her at the Golden House...you've impressed me today, comrade. I had assumed that perhaps your strength would match that of hers that day, but it seems you've either had time to improve, or you've always been this strong.
[It feels a lot more natural now to address Aether as comrade- he's more than proven to Childe that he too, pursues strength. It may not be for the same reasons as the Harbinger, but that doesn't matter to him.]
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[ as would be expected, the twins complement each other incredibly well in battle, just like they do in everything else. He moves alongside Childe in a gesture to signify the other may lean on him if needed but not actually directly offering or trying to pressure him into taking the assistance. ]
For me back home, it's been a bit of time since the Golden House incident. I last saw you in Inazuma.
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But it's time to move onto a more important matter, isn't it.]
Ngh... [He mutters, trying not to have to rely on Aether's shoulder for the time being as he walks along,] I was in Inazuma? I see...
[Things went awry, then.]
Could you tell me why I was there, pray tell?
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[ more like Childe suggested he might as well stalk the Traveler since they always get mixed up in these cute things and would lead him right to Scaramouche eventually but you knowm...Childe... and details aren't supposed to be in the same sentence. ]
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[Yeah, that probably wasn't good. That means a certain someone got a hold of a certain you know what, and isn't reporting back. Just as he thought might happen if the little rat ever got a hold of a gnosis.]
I'm certain I didn't say anything when I left, did I, hahaha... [Seems like him.] Sounds like we had a good time regardless. Don't worry, I'm sure our paths will cross again if Scaramouche is involved. Though, I suppose that's a problem for the versions of us back home.
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[ there's a slight sigh of exasperated misery from Aether, because... well, this is yet another thing that there's nothing he can do about.
He's watching Childe but being as discreet as possible about it. He's not going to let the other trip or collapse if he can help it. He knows Childe can take care of himself, but at the same time, Teyvat isn't as inherently corrupted and... icky, for a lack of a better word, as this place. Not so transparently, at least.
Aether doesn't really trust anyone or anything here, yet, anyway. He probably never will. ]
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Until he shows up here, that is. I'll be more than happy to take him on myself, but if you'd like to join me I certainly wouldn't say no.
[He can't imagine a world where Scaramouche, showing up here with a gnosis in hand, isn't a bad thing. And who better to have fighting at his side than Aether or Lumine, really? That sounds really fun.]
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[ Aether sounds sincerely curious. ]
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He enjoys terrorizing his own subordinates, amused as he watches them tremble in fear of him. He's more than capable of coming up with his own schemes, and I wonder what he would do if he was left to his own devices here without someone to reign him in.
[Though...he doubts how successful Scaramouche would be.]
I'm sure you already know this, but I'd be on your guard if he's around. Though I suppose that's true of any Fatui Harbinger, [he adds, knowing full well that includes himself.]
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[Gosh guys, you're gunna fight him and not include him?]
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[He groans, still dragging himself forward through his injuries, wondering what bratty thing he said to the traveler to say something like that. But, the three of them alone should be able to take care of Scaramouche if he decides to try something.]
I'll look forward to that battle then. I rather like my new home and the small amount of friends I've garnered here, even despite all the slight inconveniences it causes, [he says with an air of fondness.] But Aether, there was something else I wanted to discuss with you.
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[ Aether's still keeping an eye on him, but not interfering. ]
Yeah? Shoot, then.
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[And he promised Lumine he'd talk to Aether about this, so he is. He has to stop in the snow for now, to give his legs a little rest.]
I won't beat around the bush here- my intentions from the last time we saw each other wasn't purely because I was only trying to find myself in your good graces because of your sister. I've been very intrigued about you since the moment you got here.
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[ granted, Lumine is more cagey and less willing to be open about things like that then Aether, which is also why he bristled so easily. ] That said, you don't need to be nice to me, either, because I will never trust you. That's my sister, and you're not good enough for her, just like no one will ever be good enough for your sisters. Still, I'm not going to get in your way, and I know you won't respect my wishes, anyway, so I don't want conflict, and I won't ask anything from you.
Just remember, I'll do at the very least what you would do to someone who broke Tonia's heart if you screw up with Lumi. [ that's all he has to say. He's not expecting friendship or anything, and he's making this situation as transparent as possible. ]
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[Chile feels like he's barely gotten in a word in comparison now. He's sort of at a loss for words for a moment, trying to process all that versus what he wanted to say to Aether to begin with.]
You act as if I do this out of obligation. Don't you think you're not giving me enough credit now?
[He's not even going to touch the topic of Lumine now. Aether can think what he wants and he's going to leave it at that.]
You haven't even let me explain myself yet.
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[ maybe a little embarrassed now. ]
...Go ahead, then. I just... was getting it out ahead of time so you didn't have to waste your breath or anything, is all!
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[He could think of something. But maybe trying to speak to what he thinks is the problem isn't the right way to approach it, given how much Aether's built a solid wall between himself and Childe, at least it seems that way to the Harbinger. So why try to chip at the wall in the wrong place when he can let Aether open it for him instead?]
Hm, but I still wonder...[He says, holding a finger up to his chin,] How different do you think I am, in comparison to the Tartaglia you know from your own timeline? You said earlier you guessed that every me from every timeline can't help but love to fight- so I'm guessing you thought there was a chance I wouldn't be quite the same person, is that right?