#⸺ 「 ᴵ ᵃᵐ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵉᶠᶤᶰᶤᵗᶤᵒᶰ ᵒᶠ ᵃ ˡᶤᵛᶤᶰᵍ ʷᵉᵃᵖᵒᶰ & ᴵ ˡᶤᵏᵉ ᶤᵗ ᵗʰᵃᵗ ʷᵃʸ 」 - ( ic. )

[hydroglia]

@erabundus ⸺ ( x )

❝ I know, I have said this a couple of times before, but you do really seem so familiar. You know, when you have like a thought right on your tongue, but you can't get it out? It's a feeling.. it's so strange.. ❞

the words left softly, almost as if the harbinger was in deep thought, while speaking before Childe shook his head lightly so ginger locks briefly danced around his head. A grin soon unfolded on fair lips as the taller focused properly on the other.

❝ Ah, haha~ forget it, I know, I am just being silly. So, how long have you been living in Sumeru? ❞

[hydroglia]

❝ Ah, I see. You know, when you say it like that.. it makes a man very curious, ❞ Childe spoke with a small grin aimed at the Chief Justice, especially because he had heard another individual say something similar and that individual had turned out to be the geo archon. All the signs had been clear after, but it had taken him by surprise in the moment.

Ahem. "I am the Chief Justice, nothing more, nothing less." He is a mere human, just like everyone else, of course. - at least, that is the reality he wish to convince his sorroundings of.

[hydroglia]

@sagnaevi ⸺ ( x )

❝ Just spare me a moment. I just desire a single duel, please? I will even promise to stop asking after! You can't just show me such power and then decline my requests, ❞

Childe spoke as he stood near Neuvillette, not caring in the least that the man had already said no. In this case, no did not exist in Childe' dictionary. He had found someone truly worthy and he was set on seeing exactly what the Chief Justice could do, even if he had to hear the word 'no' a million times.

❝ Give it some thought at least over dinner? My treat. ❞

[hydroglia]

❝ Here you're just trying to catch dinner and then up comes a fish made of metal... Fontaine is.. questionable. ❞

[hydroglia]

@supportingfire ⸺ "some say you're dangerous," he muses, tone more upbeat than anything dreadful. like he is amused at the aspect. thrilled, even. a step closer, thoma's green eyes sparkle, a hand resting atop harbinger's chest, "should i be concerned, or excited about that?"

Cobalt depths instantly settled on the other male at the words, taking in the sight of Thoma with clear interest and curiosity due to this never having been brought up before, even with the few hints that Childe was in fact, that, dangerous. He had made it quite clear at one point, going as far as to state that it would have been good, if Thoma never saw him again, once he had to leave. However, despite that, the man had continued to see him and had continued to let him close. Childe knew why, because there rested a heart of gold, beneath those layers. Or, perhaps, Thomas was just being foolish, the harbinger wasn't entirely certain yet, all he knew was that, never mind what, there was sharp intellect in those green depths, depths that were holding his captive right now as he observed.

Feeling the weight upon his chest, fair lips morph into a small smirk, where pearly whites reveal amusement and something slightly dark. Soon, one of his own hands lifted to rest on top of the one that had settled upon his chest, where the strong organ within beat softly, beneath the warm surface. It felt almost like playing a game, a game that Thoma was clearly already enjoying, despite the seriousness that could rest underneath such a question.

Leaning in, depths lacking light, that other normal people possessed, gazed into greens, testing how far Thoma truly desired this to go.

❝ I would be lying if I said I wasn't. whether you should be concerned or excited is all up to you. Do you think, I would hurt you, Thoma? ❞

Childe meant physically, of course. When it came to mentally... then he couldn't promise anything due to who he is and what he is.

[hydroglia]

Watching his little brother with concern in his cobalt depths, Ajax wandered closer, ready to pick Teucer up, only to see the younger do it himself. The ice beneath them made a familiar sound, like singing as they went along. It was something he had heard many times before and therefore knew, that there was nothing to fear as it didn't signal that it was about to give away. Also, it was way too cold for that to happen. Even if he fell with his full weight on the cold surface below, it wouldn't make so much as a crack in it.

❝ Someone has become tough, huh? ❞

a warm chuckle followed the words as Ajax stood beside Teucer before reaching down to ruffle the familiar locks, which were like a mirror image of his own. Ah, that was a valid question.

❝ Beneath my boots, there are small metal spikes. I always use these, when I am here, other places, they would be rather bothersome. Also, I am quite good at keeping my balance, I learned that from going ice-fishing with father. ❞

@hydroglia : "Ouch! Are you okay? That looked like it was owie." big bro here to save the day

Teucer carefully pushed himself up from the thicket of ice that covered the pond. He had been too excited to go ice fishing with his big brother. He sniffled and rubbed his face, his brother wasn't making a big concern about the fall. It didn't feel bad and the other would know if it was bad. "Y-Yeah!" He announced starting to dust off the bits of ice. "How do you not slip?" Teucer asked looking at the other trying to understand how his brother moved so easily across the ice.

[hydroglia]

@dhahabibi ⸺ ( x )

Cobalt depths, moving calmly, observed the sight before him, Childe took in the city of Mondstadt. It had been a good while since he had been here. It was just as nice as he remembered it, even with it being nothing like his homeland - but, that was the beauty in it. It was something fresh, which held its own beauty and landmarks worth seeing. It truly was the city of freedom, something that could even be felt in the wind, which carried dandelions along its path. Even though sightseeing wasn't the main reason that he was here, Childe would still enjoy everything as much as he could.

Walking into the well known tavern, the harbinger instantly spotted a very eye-catching male, one he of course knew quite well due to the reports that he had received before coming here, the first time.

❝ Since a bird told me that you no longer serve fire water, could I request you to make something else for me? ❞

[hydroglia]

@abysshearted ⸺ ❛ all you can say are pretty lies. ❜

A low chuckle left the fair lips at the words, even if it stirred something within the harbinger, to have those words thrown at him - they were nothing new, after all, they were true, half of the time. He lied to those around him, spewed them like silk falling between soft fingers. They formed perfectly upon his tongue, for protection or to manipulate those, who he needed to lure in a certain direction. When it came to his family, he spoke them, to safe them from harm. White lies were needed - needed to give him some more time, to be graced by his younger siblings' love and warmth. They would despite him, once they knew the truth, once they knew the lengths he had gone to, to protect them and what he had become, after he had fallen into the abyss.

Lifting a slender hand, he shook a single digit before the other male, in a 'no' motion, which was true, while a tsking noise danced between pearly whites, where a smirk could be seen.

❝ I do spew pretty lies, but it's for you to figure out when, I do and when I do not. If you believe that I always lie, then you have already lost the game. ❞ Which would honestly be quite disappointing, for this was a game he enjoyed - as long, as no one saw what was truly beneath his mask. He didn't like, when people came a little too close and dug into something that he had kept locked away.

[hydroglia]

⸺ @goldenpeng 🔥 ( accepting. )

❝ Oh my, what I think of the great adeptus of Liyue - or Zhongli's guard dog? Well, I do think he is quite the pleasant sight, especially those rare times, where I get to watch him fight. It's quite disappointing, that I don't get to do that often, he behaves almost like someone shy! It's actually quite amusing. ❞

Getting a a bit more serious, the harbinger smirked ever so slightly as his demeanor changed, showing that he wasn't about to jab at the shorter male, with the words resting upon his tongue, even if that was always amusing to do so.

❝ I appreciate strength and I would be lying if I said that he isn't strong, which is something attractive in my eyes. It's just too bad that he doesn't want to properly fight me, which is why, until now, I have simply observed. However, despite his cold façade, he is very easy on the eyes. ❞

[hydroglia]

Never had Childe felt this kind of familiarity in a stranger's presence, it felt like stepping in through the entrance of his childhood home, where he both felt warmth and something tight within his chest - the harbinger of course knew, why he felt that way, but tried his hardest not to dwell on it, for the past could not be changed, never mind, how much a part of him wished it could. After all, due to everything that had transpired, he had become rather disconnected from his family, when it really came down to it. Yes, he had a really good relationship with his younger siblings, but that was about it. Sending his father medicine, helping his mother in the kitchen, were all things he did with the knowledge, that the rocky path upon which he walk, won't ever change or revert back to how smoothly it had been, when he had been nothing but a mere child - before the abyss. Perhaps, he had met someone during his travels, that had reminded him of this person? That had to be it.

❝ Oh, I see! I guess, I am not the only one, who likes to travel. ❞

A warm laugh vibrated within the scarred throat of the harbinger as he watched the other with a small smile gracing his fair lips, a smile that told nothing of the many thoughts that had went through Childe's mind, just a moment ago. Another laugh followed upon hearing the last statement, though, this time, it was louder, more amused, a feeling that could be seen in cobalt depths, despite them being lackluster in color.

❝ I like your reasoning and attitude. Did you show them then? Also, did you write about anything interesting? ❞ It was very interesting to him, to have the chance to learn about something new through the wanderer's writing.

he  meets  the  harbinger's  musings  with  a  faint  hum  —  attempting  to  feign  only  the  barest  vestiges  of  INTEREST.  encouraging  his  curiosity  certainly  wasn't  to  the  wanderer's  benefit.  he  doubts  it's  possible  for  childe  to  unveil  the  truth  no  matter  how  much  he  tries  to  dig  —  yet  ren  is  nothing  if  not  PARANOID  enough  not  to  proceed  with  caution,  regardless.  he's  grown  quite  content  with  his  anonymity;  the  last  thing  he  needs  is  the  fatui  suddenly breathing  down  his  neck  —  either  for  the  purpose  of  reacquiring  their  diligent  little  tool,  or  merely  trimming  a  few  pesky  loose  ends.  he's  no  doubt  they  wouldn't  be  pleased  to  know  someone  with  centuries  of  knowledge  regarding  their  innermost  workings  is  simply  drifting  around  teyvat  as  he  wishes,  after  all.

❝  i  came  to  sumeru  on  a  whim.  ❞  the  wanderer  replies,  sinking  proverbial  claws  into  the  change  of  subject  like  a  hawk  diving  for  its  next  meal.  ❝  a  few  months  ago ...  although,  i  suppose  it's  closer  to  a  year  by  this  point.  ❞  strange  how  time  can  simultaneously  pass  with  both  dizzying  speed  and  agonizing  slowness.  (  arguably  he's  been  here  even  longer,  but  the  infamous  hat  guy  has  not.  )  ❝  i  wrote  a  few  essays  because  i  had  nothing  else  better  to  do ...  and  found  myself  dragged  into  the  akademiya  before  i  knew  it.  ❞ he  makes  it  sound  like  such  a  CHORE,  but  that's  largely  just  a  product  of  his  unique  speech  patterns  —  he's  made  his  PEACE  with  it  by  now,  despite  what  initial  reservations  he  might  have  held.  it’s  fine.

❝  to be honest, i  wouldn't  have  felt  the  need  to  write  anything at all  if  the  so-called  SCHOLARS  here  weren't  so  incompetent.  ❞

[hydroglia]

⸺ @xianshen 🔥 ( accepting. )

❝ You really just want me to say it, don't you, Zhongli? And here I thought it was very clear, with everything I have done so far, but I guess it can't be helped.. If there is a definition of attractiveness, it definitely belongs to you. Not only are you physically attractive, more than I can say with simple words, but you're exceptionally strong as well - you got everything a man could wish for and more. Maybe that's why I lose my mind, sometimes.... ❞

[hydroglia]

@shenfate ⸺ ( x )

A pained groan could be heard leaving fair lips as the harbinger laid against an uneven rock. The Foul Legacy had done a number on him and due to wanting to hide from his little brother's innocent eyes, Tartaglia had sped out of the Ruin Guard factory, leaving Teucer in the traveler's capable hands. Letting his head fall back, he felt the earth move - which was of course all in his head, but very uncomfortable nonetheless.

Suddenly feeling a strong presence, which he had felt a couple of times before, Tartaglia focused in the direction with a single open eye, to lessen the light from entering and irritating. Oh, he might be screwed... despite Zhongli - or rather - Morax, seemingly having forgiven him for his actions. Actually, he had just been used.. so..

❝ You have all the rights to hate me... but whatever punishment you want to carry out, can you at least wait until my brother is completely gone..? ❞

[hydroglia]

@infamiia ⸺ ( x )

Getting low in the tall grass, Childe slowly pulled out his bow as he kept his keen eyes upon the boar, a few meters away from him. It was a big one, one that would be enough to both eat a good portion of and to sell parts of - not that he needed the mora, but still, he didn't want it to go to waste. And unlike in his homeland, he couldn't simply lay it to freeze over night.

Suddenly seeing the boar become alert, due to a sound upon his left, Childe's eyes widened a little when spotting an individual, who was seemingly unaware of the animal, which now charged at them, at a speed that could easy bruise and break bones. Getting up, to make the person aware, he waved briefly.

❝ Hey! Look out! ❞

With that said, skilled digits quickly pulled the string of his bow back before sending an arrow flying through the air. With a squeal, the boar fell, only a meter from the woman, which made the harbinger release a sigh. Walking closer, a polite smile could be found on fair lips.

❝ Are you okay? I didn't expect anyone out here. ❞

[hydroglia]

Cobalt depths, lacking natural light, beautiful in their own way, something which escaped the harbinger, watched the chief retainer - Thoma, with interest, taking in the way those captivating depths moved as the man processed his own thoughts. It was like observing a play before him, though, this play was far more entertaining than any he had seen in a while. It was clear, by now, that Thoma knew, what he was getting himself into, though, what escaped the harbinger was how willing the man was to step into a fire, that could be all consuming and how willing, he, himself, had become to accept this. It shouldn't truly come as a surprise, with how the chief retainer had taken care of him and nursed him back to proper health, something that Childe was very thankful for, which was why, he didn't simply look for a weak point, to take advantage of the man before him. No, he wouldn't do such a thing - maybe he would have in the beginning, but now, he felt himself not wanting to go down that path, at all. There was no excitement born from the thought of taking advantage of Thoma, not even the tiniest bit.

A soft tint, like the faintest stroke of a paintbrush, mixed with the freckles upon fair skin as a calloused hand rose, to take a gentle hold of the retainer's chin, to move it slight up. Gazing into the familiar depths, Childe's exhales caressed the nearby lips as he leaned in, with a slightly breathless grin.

❝ You know, I should honestly be offended.. by you reading me like an open book.. But I will let is slide.. ❞ because it's you

was left unsaid as the harbinger finally closed the gap between them and let their lips connect in a surprisingly gentle kiss, to allow Thoma to set the pace and still back out, if that was what he desired. If the retainer desired more, then Childe would happily give it to him.

thoma isn't an idiot. while rumors liked to circulate about the protector from afar and his merit in inazuma, thoma was rather intelligent, especially when it came to people and how to read them. he joked that it was his job, to find a comfortable medium between everyone. he knows the potential risk any sort of...entertainment with the harbinger was probably not advised. but thoma is also not against taking risks. and childe was indeed a risk. a foreign diplomat, recovering from an incident at the estate and under the care of the yashiro commission, thoma was meant to cater to him during his stay, but nothing more.

and yet, he kept coming back.

childe is new, exciting, and the spark of danger is something the quiet housekeeper liked, to spice up the mundane. and there was something about his smile, thoma knowing in his heart there was more behind it than the man let on. and the cunning way he talked...harbinger had nearly talked his way out of bed rest to the more gullible retainers. but not thoma. their banter has lead up to this point, chief retainer deciding to hell with it, taking a leap.

and childe doesn't refuse. thoma's heart flutters, like a bird's wing, staring back at eyes unlike any he's seen before. the danger he feels isn't fight or flight, but something far more enticing. more exciting.

"no," an honest reply, thoma looks back, unaware just how close he's peaking into the abyss. thoma inches their faces closer, a reciprocation without the final leap, "i don't think you would hurt me...not unless i asked you to."

[hydroglia]

@wolfkcst ⸺ ( x )

Letting out a hearty laugh upon seeing Eivor punch a guy in the face, Childe went closer with amusement written all over his freckled features as the guy hit the floor with a firm thud.

❝ So, I guess he had it coming. What did he do to piss you off? Say you were beautiful like a glass figure? Or, elegant like a fair lady? ❞

The harbinger of course found Eivor beautiful, but it was a specific kind of beauty, one you found in someone strong and who carried themselves with confidence, which was the kind of beauty he admired and liked.

[hydroglia]

@insidxa ⸺ ( x )

Suddenly hearing a fuss get carried upon the wind, Childe rose and listened properly as he carried himself higher to a better position, to observe the forest beneath him to pinpoint, where the sound was coming from and why. Quickly, his keen eyes spotted a group of Hilichurls making a fuss around - what looked like - a defenseless person. The harbinger was fast to jump off the ledge which he was standing on.

Without a warning, Childe pulled out his bow before delivering a perfect headshot to one of the smaller humanoid creatures, which resulted in it falling backwards before he followed with a fury of attacks from his hydro blades, something that made quick work of them.

Turning to the individual behind him, the male aimed a small, friendly smile at the stranger.

❝ Hey, are you okay? I apologize, if you had it under control, but you looked in the need of a hand. ❞