[ they're preening a little, returning to their coffee. also, rude? they nudge him back with their foot, freeing it from polaris. ]
That was as good as a reference as any, I suppose. Pick your effect, and explain to me why you want the power so we can get this going, and then we can talk about your volcano adventures. Maybe we can swap stories.
Alright then. [ and sip their coffee. ] Then, let's consider it official. To get my power, I want you to confess your biggest regrets to three people. None of the ones from your earlier experience, either.
[ there's a little mischief there. a little knifecat energy. ] Difficult power requires difficult storytelling, I think.
Now - [ they open their mouth, to start to ask questions about kaeya's fascinating memory, but, as it turns out... there's another little shower of stardust.
you have had trouble throughout your life resisting a temptation. you allow yourself two particular vices, both of which come with consequences. but this vice is your survival - good or bad or otherwise, you need it like a drowning man needs air. you have to have it. your chance is coming, and who knows how long you'll be trapped here? it has already been weeks, and you're playing the game with a handicap.
you can't have that.
truthfully, you've known from the start that this was going to end this way. there was no other story where you did the unselfish thing; where you listened to advice, where you took their offer, their kindness, where you put yourself into their capable hands, because your closely guarded self is so vulnerable, and you can't allow anyone else to solve it for you when the solution is right there. you couldn't resist at home. you can't resist here. the ability to have a taste of normalcy is just one kill away.
you choose carefully. a target that needs to be eliminated. it's nothing personal; you have something you need, and you'll strike the target down with precision to ensure that it becomes yours. you've always been a planner. you've started the seeds of your trap days in advance.
when the night comes, you take an unfamiliar weapon. the world around you is pitch black and quiet - but you're used to that, aren't you? not being able to see. not being able to hear. but maybe just the feeling of anticipation that makes everything seem faint. you take a deep breath, and focus on the wind, on the way the air moves through the vents, through the hallways. on the slightly sterile smell of this place you've grown used to. turn left there. turn right there. there's a jut in the hallway right here. keep up appearances. keep moving. there's something else, too - something just unnatural. just this side of iron tinged. you stand in that little room with the weapon in your hand.
and when the doors open, you feel the wind and you know your target is in front of you. you are unhesitating as you dash forward. you are skilled, and even if your target is just as ferocious, you will survive this. you will survive this. you will survive this.
(what's a promise made to three, four people, when you're used to carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders? where does your fate lead you?
not to your deathbed, here. not to your capture in a trial. you'll pull this off. you'll get away with it, you'll do what needs to be done, no matter how heavy the burden, no matter how difficult the task.
you'll survive.
you always do. )
when the memory ends, they blink, surprised, holding very still in their chair. ]
[ kaeya lets the memory wash over him in a fall of stardust and for a moment after, he sits in the silence with aquila. sometimes, that's all one can do when confronted with something like that.
[ they're quiet for a moment longer, and then wryly; ]
Well. I kill bad things. Evil things. Simple as that. Y'know. World conquering dragons, evil necromancers. Demons that exist to cause human suffering. Shit like that.
Just helping out a girl I liked. Well, and a few friends. Team that fights together, does stupid shit together, yeah? We survived - that was part of the test.
You should show me sometime. You know. Instead of letting me fall down through the floor. Swoop in and catch me. Just once for a change of pace, you know?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
[ they're preening a little, returning to their coffee. also, rude? they nudge him back with their foot, freeing it from polaris. ]
That was as good as a reference as any, I suppose. Pick your effect, and explain to me why you want the power so we can get this going, and then we can talk about your volcano adventures. Maybe we can swap stories.
no subject
[ he taps his patch. as he's nudged back by them, he smiles. ]
And as for its purpose? There's someone I need to protect... especially after last week. And four others who I want to lend my aid to.
Besides, if it's me that wakes up having to play chase with someone... I want to have only the best in hand.
no subject
Alright then. [ and sip their coffee. ] Then, let's consider it official. To get my power, I want you to confess your biggest regrets to three people. None of the ones from your earlier experience, either.
[ there's a little mischief there. a little knifecat energy. ] Difficult power requires difficult storytelling, I think.
no subject
My biggest regrets? You drive a hard bargain. But I should have known. This is you we're talking about after all.
[ he chuckles. ] I'll see that it's done.
no subject
Now - [ they open their mouth, to start to ask questions about kaeya's fascinating memory, but, as it turns out... there's another little shower of stardust.
when the memory ends, they blink, surprised, holding very still in their chair. ]
no subject
he blinks softly.
and then, voice low: ]
Can we talk about yours?
no subject
Depends on what you want to say.
no subject
I'm not actually fit to be anyone's judge. Why I'm allowed to vote is beyond me.
[ but he does look thoughtful ]
Did you survive it?
no subject
[ vague enough. ]
no subject
I see.
Then... I'm glad. You're a clever bird, Aquila.
[ he nods, pulling his cup closer. ]
Your target... what were they like?
no subject
Well. I kill bad things. Evil things. Simple as that. Y'know. World conquering dragons, evil necromancers. Demons that exist to cause human suffering. Shit like that.
[ they lift their mug in a mock toast. ]
no subject
Sounds exciting... I wouldn't mind hearing about those sometime. This one I've just seen... that was certainly exciting enough.
no subject
[ they laugh - lighter, airier, waving their hand. ] And you gotta tell me some stories about yours, too. Were you fighting in a volcano?
no subject
Yes. And I have to say it was quite the trip... every step worth it.
no subject
[ ???? ]
That something that happened to you in your last place?
no subject
[ he seems to ease a little more, tapping his chin thoughtfully. ] Then I'll tell you what we were doing in Mount Tonglu.
no subject
Just helping out a girl I liked. Well, and a few friends. Team that fights together, does stupid shit together, yeah? We survived - that was part of the test.
no subject
[ resting his chin on his hand with a salacious look, wiggling his eyebrows for a second before he goes straight faced— ]
... I'm joking. In any case... she must have been pretty important to you to leap into a volcano, hm?
no subject
Oh, yeah. Wouldn't just jump into a volcano for any old bird. [ a hum. ] We were a team, though, so. Backin each other up.
no subject
Wouldn't have known considering your profile says you like flying solo.
no subject
no subject
You should show me sometime. You know. Instead of letting me fall down through the floor. Swoop in and catch me. Just once for a change of pace, you know?
no subject
[ aquila ]
no subject