#| ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃⁿ’ᵗ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵐʸ ˡᶦᶠᵉ; ᶦ’ᵐ ⁿᵒᵗ ʸᵒᵘʳ ˢᵃᶜʳᶦᶠᶦᶜᵉ [lia ic] |

[crownshattered-moved]

“Nothing about this is scary.....”

[crownshattered-moved]

AJAX...​:

Poor Lumine, having to deal with trouble makers all around, the two there no doubt some of the worst offenders - and working together? There was no telling just what they might get up to, and the idea that Lia spoke of, it had the ginger smirking as he listened. She spoke nothing but the truth - and their equipment did seem to go missing an awful lot too. It was only right that those making bank off them, paid their share of things. “Hmm, the hardest part would be switching the items over without our dear manager having some type of heart attack”, he chuckled lightly though, obviously rather enjoying this scheme. 

“I’m sure I can think on some type of distraction - think we can rope the others into it too?”, he grinned, pausing to take a small sip of his water. When the waiter came over, he made his order, handing back his menu as he sat back in his chair with nothing but a mischievous glint to his eyes. This was part of the reason as to why he was glad to have been placed in the Abyss Order - there was always some type of chaos brewing just under the surface. And he lived for it. 

The Abyss Order was full of trouble makers, no doubt--all in their own way, of course. Not a single person here gave a damn what others thought about them. They were here to make music, and if anyone had an issue with that or with them, then why should it matter? Why should they matter? No, the only person who really seemed to care about the perception of others was their manager, and that was kind of required in her job description. Leave the nearly illegal things to the rest of the band.

“That shouldn’t be a problem if we get the others on board...and I’m sure they wouldn’t mind. Kira wants what’s best for the band, and if the producers take our stuff, she would want something in return... I don’t know about Sabriel, but Anne is always willing to do something questionable if it meant giving self-important assholes the finger...”

Lia ordered her food as well, grateful that the waiter didn’t seem to recognize them. It wasn’t until he walked away that her black lips curled into a small smirk. “If one person distracts Lumine for a little while, the rest of us can steal the equipment and swap it out for our own... She won’t know a thing...~”

[crownshattered-moved]

“It’s customary to interview someone on their birthday here...so ask your questions...quickly. I have other things to do...”

[crownshattered-moved]

@th-ramblr​~

As a mafioso--and a fairly well known one at that--Jezilia was aware of the likelihood that someone may be following her, watching her. It has happened in the past, of course, but she didn’t typically investigate the sensation and instead usually disappeared in her shadows and went home instead. She wasn’t good with people in any way, and the thought of someone trying to learn more about her... She really didn’t like that feeling.

Regardless, something told her that she was being watched. A weapon’s intuition if you will, something her father forced into her mind when she was a child. She supposed his teachings did have some use... Regardless, she was certain she felt eyes on her. It wasn’t too uncommon--with her dark and dangerous complexion, plus her snow-white bangs, she often caught the eyes of passerbys--but still a feeling she didn’t care for.

Well, she didn’t really have anything to lose. With a sigh, she turned her violet gaze towards where she sensed someone looking at her. Sure, maybe it could be a spy, but it was more likely that someone just thought her appearance to be odd.

[crownshattered-moved]

“...imagine working for someone who hasn’t aged mentally since he was ten years old.”

“If I hear one more thing about ‘Star Rogue’, I swear I will kill someone...” Something about her expression and tone made it seem like she wasn’t exaggerating...

[crownshattered-moved]

AJAX...​:

It was clear to see that something that had been said had made her react, which now that he thought on things a little more, it shouldn’t have been that much of a surprise that wherever Dottore’s name came into the equation, something else would be going on in the background. Childe didn’t trust any of his fellow Harbingers, but when it came to the seventh…he tended to enjoy keeping as wide a breadth between them as possible. It’d actually escaped his mind that Lia’s father had worked so closely with the old man.  “…influenced from the Abyss?”, he frowned slightly, one hand resting against his own vision for a moment, before sighing, “…so maybe they were actually looking for that delusion then?”. He didn’t like that idea at all, and now he couldn’t help but to wonder if there may be other such moles within his own ranks. It wouldn’t surprise him, as he was looked down on by his comrades, being the youngest and newest member of the Harbingers - but the thought on more of Dottore’s men being around him wasn’t welcomed. “The man is very proud of his creations….but he also tends to get rather bored of them after a while and move onto the next project…maybe he’d made a new discovery? It could be why he’d maybe be looking into reclaiming the item…maybe it’d be safer if I dropped it off next time I’m back home?”

“Maybe…” Maybe they were searching for the delusion, maybe they were trying to kill the thief that took it, maybe a mixture of both. Lia didn’t know what the doctor was planning, only that it was likely that he was behind this attack. The worst part was that Lia seldom carried the delusion on her. It was too dangerous of an item to always have on her. She kept it locked away at home where no one could find it, including her curious son.

Lia sighed and looked off to the side. “I don’t know… Maybe he found some new information, maybe just wanted it back. I don’t know Il Dottore that well…but it would make sense for him to send someone to attack me like that, regardless of what he was getting out of it…” Whatever his reason being for wanting the delusion back, Lia knew she couldn’t allow it to reach him once more. That delusion was hers now. Maybe she didn’t actively use it anymore—it caused far too much damage—but she couldn’t let it get in his hands.

It seemed like she and Ajax had conflicting beliefs on that fact. “What..??” Lia replied as she quickly turned and looked at him. “No..!! He can’t get ahold of this delusion..!! Whatever he wants it back for can’t be good. This delusion brings nothing but trouble… I’d rather me hold onto it and keep it away from others than let someone like him hold onto it.”

[crownshattered-moved]

“....I could take Malleus.”

“Draconia...?? Impossible... He would turn you to ash...”

“.........”

“..............in a FIGHT, right.....???”

[crownshattered-moved]

“...........................I hate my life.”

[crownshattered-moved]

“I’m a damsel...I’m in distress...I can handle it.”

[crownshattered-moved]

@theladymuses​ {Esme}~

It has been six years since she left the Fatui. The start was hard, as to be expected, with her having to lie low and prevent from being found by any of the soldiers around her. It took years for her to finally be able to enter a major city, but ever since then, she has lived here in Mondstadt. The city of freedom… Lia never knew freedom could be this beautiful. Even so, she wasn’t entirely free—she doubted she would ever be fully free. She had to remain hidden from any and all Fatui members, though most of the ones she saw in the city didn’t recognize her. Good… She’d rather die than be dragged back.

Lia didn’t usually enjoy spending any time outside in the heat and brightness of day, but given that the sky was rather overcast, she decided to make an exception. She was seated at one of the outdoor tables of Good Hunter, enjoying her lunch as she looked at the list of commissions for her to do. She was free to do whatever she wanted, to be whoever she wished, and she loved that about this city…but she needed these commissions to soothe that itch to fight that was engraved in her.

Lia froze, the hair on her neck prickling just slightly. It felt like someone was watching her… Not that this was uncommon, given her strange appearance, but it was a sensation she didn’t quite care for. So, purple hues glanced over towards where the sensation was coming from. If someone needed her for something, all they needed to do was ask. Perhaps it was another adventurer needing something…but there was always that paranoia in the back of her mind making her wonder if it as a Fatui member watching her.

[crownshattered-moved]

No Childe abuse and no Garth abuse!! She refuses!!

[crownshattered-moved]

Tag Drop 2: Muses 1

| ᶦ ʷᵃˢ ᵇᵒʳⁿ ᶦⁿ ᵃ ᵗʰᵘⁿᵈᵉʳˢᵗᵒʳᵐ; ᶦ ᵍʳᵉʷ ᵘᵖ ᵒᵛᵉʳⁿᶦᵍʰᵗ [kira ic] |

| ˢᵒ ʸᵒᵘ ʷᵃⁿⁿᵃ ᵖˡᵃʸ ʷᶦᵗʰ ᵐᵃᵍᶦᶜˀ [kira musings] |

| ʸᵒᵘ ᵐᵃᵈᵉ ᵐᵉ ᵃ ᵇᵉˡᶦᵉᵛᵉʳ [kira ask] |

| ᵃⁿᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᵗʳᵘᵗʰ ᶦˢ ᵗʰᵃᵗ ⁿᵒ ᵒⁿᵉ’ˢ ᵉᵛᵉʳ ˡᵒᵛᵉᵈ ʸᵒᵘ [kira hc] |

| ᵈ⁻ᵒ⁻ˡ⁻ˡ⁻ʰ⁻ᵒ⁻ᵘ⁻ˢ⁻ᵉ; ᶦ ˢᵉᵉ ᵗʰᶦⁿᵍˢ ᵗʰᵃᵗ ⁿᵒᵇᵒᵈʸ ᵉˡˢᵉ ˢᵉᵉˢ [kira music] |

 | ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃⁿ’ᵗ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵐʸ ˡᶦᶠᵉ; ᶦ’ᵐ ⁿᵒᵗ ʸᵒᵘʳ ˢᵃᶜʳᶦᶠᶦᶜᵉ [lia ic] |

| ˢᵃᵛᵉ ᵐᵉ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿᵒᵗʰᶦⁿᵍ ᶦ’ᵛᵉ ᵇᵉᶜᵒᵐᵉ [lia musings] |

| ᵃˡˡ ᶦ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵈᵒ ᶦˢ ᵇᵉ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ˡᶦᵏᵉ ᵐᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵇᵉ ˡᵉˢˢ ˡᶦᵏᵉ ʸᵒᵘ [lia ask] |

| ᵐʸ ʰᵉᵃʳᵗ ᶦˢ ⁿᵘᵐᵇ; ˢᵒ ⁿᵘᵐᵇ [lia hc] |

| ᵈᵃʳᵏⁿᵉˢˢ ᶦⁿ ᵐʸ ⁿᵃᵐᵉ; ᵈᵒⁿ’ᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ʷᵃⁿⁿᵃ ᶜᵒᵐᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵖˡᵃʸ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵒᵒˡ ˢᶦᵈᵉˀ [lia music] |

 | ᶦᵗ’ˢ ᵃ ʰᵘⁿᵍᵉʳ ᵗʰᵃᵗ ᵈʳᶦᵛᵉˢ ᵐᵉ [chuuya ic] |

| ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵇᵉᵉⁿ ᵒⁿᵉ ᵗᵒ ˢᶦᵗ ᵠᵘᶦᵉᵗˡʸ [chuuya musings] |

| ʳᵉᵐᵉᵐᵇᵉʳ ᵐʸ ᶠʳᶦᵉⁿᵈ; ᶦᵗ’ˢ ᵃ ᵗᵒʷⁿ ʷᵉ’ʳᵉ ᶠᶦᵍʰᵗᶦⁿᵍ ᶠᵒʳ [chuuya ask] |

| ᵍᵒᵗ ⁿᵒ ᵍᵘⁿ ᵇᵘᵗ ᶦ ᵍˡᵉᵃᵐ ˡᶦᵏᵉ ᵃ ᵇˡᵃᵈᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ᶦ'ᵐ ʰᵃʳᵈᵉʳ ᵗʰᵃⁿ ᶦʳᵒⁿ [chuuya hc] |

| ᶜᵒᵐᵉ ᶠˡʸ ʷᶦᵗʰ ᵐᵉ; ˡᵉᵗ’ˢ ᶠˡʸ ᵃʷᵃʸ [chuuya music] |

 | ᶦ’ᵐ ᵗᶦʳᵉᵈ ᵒᶠ ᵇᵉᶦⁿᵍ ᵃˡᵒⁿᵉ; ᶦ’ᵛᵉ ˡᵒˢᵗ ᶜᵒⁿᵗʳᵒˡ [atsushi ic] |

| ᶦ ᵍᵒᵗᵗᵃ ˢᵃʸ ᶦᵗ’ˢ ʰᵃʳᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ ᵇʳᵃᵛᵉ ʷʰᵉⁿ ʸᵒᵘ’ʳᵉ ᵃˡᵒⁿᵉ ᶦⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵃʳᵏ [atsushi musings] |

| ˢᵃʸᶦⁿᵍ ᶦ’ˡˡ ᵇʳᵉᵃᵏ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵃˡˡ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵃᶦⁿˢ ᵗʰᵃᵗ ˡᵒᶜᵏ ᵐᵉ ᶦⁿ ᵐʸ ʰᵉᵃᵈ [atsushi ask] |

| ʸᵒᵘ’ʳᵉ ᵐʸ ʷʰᶦᵗᵉ ᵗᶦᵍᵉʳ [atsushi hc] |

| ᶦ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʸᵒᵘ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵃᵗᶦˢᶠᵃᶜᵗᶦᵒⁿ; ᶦᵗ’ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵍᵒⁿⁿᵃ ʰᵃᵖᵖᵉⁿ [atsushi music] |

[crownshattered-moved]

AJAX...​:

He truly felt rather light headed, but at least he had remembered how to breath at a regular pace now, cheeks turning slightly pink as he continued to listen. He’d tried to kiss her!? Just how much had he been drinking? He recalled getting into a tiff with Kaeya at some point and that having resulted in them playing a drinking game of some sorts, but he didn’t realise just how wrecked he’d truly been! He wasn’t usually like that - he didn’t like to drop his guard around others and with so many cameras following them around, it seemed like quite the foolish idea to allow so much to be on display like he had. 

“Lia - I…”, he blinked, gazing into her eyes when they reopened again, his lips suddenly feeling rather quite dry. The throbbing from the cut to his cheek had all but been forgotten now - everything was focused on Lia, on her eyes, on her nose, on her lips. When was the last time he’d kissed someone like this? It certainly had been a while. Most girls didn’t respond well to being held at an arms length - yet he could never recall feeling as though his entire world was about to shatter if he were to mess up.  It was just a kiss! It wasn’t as though he was asking for her hand in marriage! Another small intake of air, before he leaned in, eyes closing as his lips finally met Lia’s, pressing against hers gently, a little hesitantly, though he seemed to pick up courage the longer that their embrace lasted.  

This wasn’t how she expected this to go. Let Lumine do her thing of freaking out over the smallest of issues while Lia actually tended to the problem, cleaning Ajax’s cut and getting it patched up for healing. That was all that was supposed to happen. None of this “feelings” bullshit that she didn’t know how to navigate around, but Lia would be lying if she were to say that such thoughts hadn’t been plaguing her mind for a while now. Ever since that party, she had been thinking about what he said…even though she didn’t want to. Let Anne and Sabriel be in their relationship. Let Kira secretly be with the drummer of that other band. But leave Lia out of it.

And for some reason, that changed. She wanted this… She wanted him to have feelings for her, to kiss her, and perhaps she’s lost her mind. It certainly felt like she had. Lia didn’t do “feelings” like these. She didn’t care about what other people thought of her. Only what he thought…. And part of her was bothered by that, how he managed to disregard her outer walls and step through into her core. She was fine all on her own…but it wasn’t that simple anymore. And having him reaffirm that yes, he did have feelings for her, made her only want more of this…whatever this was.

The kiss was hesitant at first, a detail she noticed immediately. Lia had never kissed nor been kissed by anyone before. It was certainly an experience—who would have ever thought one could feel anything significant with someone simply pressing their lips against another’s?—but the kiss somehow felt…freeing. Like a weight was taken off of her chest. This was it… Damn it, just how long has she subconsciously wanted this..?? For far too long, that’s what, and now that she had a taste, she still wasn’t satisfied. She moved closer, returning the kiss with a bit more certainty than before. 

[crownshattered-moved]

AJAX...​:

He certainty wasn’t used to sitting around like he was, to give himself some time to heal after all to have happened, the desire to fight still bubbling away within, no matter how much he was enjoying his time simply being around Lia and his son. Everyone who knew him was quite aware of how much family meant to him, and after the chaos that Lia had just caused, well it was nice just to be able to somewhat relax, though if he was summoned, he’d return to his duties in a heartbeat. Weapon, pawn, it didn’t matter what he was seen as within the Fatui - he was loyal to the Tsaritsa and his will to see her goals come to flourish would never fade. 

“You speak as though we’re old grand parents!”, he laughed lightly, shaking his head at the thought, “….which we will never be as Michail is never allowed to date”, he added as an after thought, the serious tone somewhat broken by the chuckle that he wasn’t quite able to hold back, eyes watching Lia for a few seconds longer, before he slipped from the bed and walked steadily in her direction. 

“Well - even with this arm of mine, pretty sure I can remove it for you. If you so desire of course”, he smirked lightly, an arm wrapping around her waist, “Though like I said before, it looks a lot prettier on you than myself”. Mondstadt might be rather deadly boring, but at least he still had his ways of having some fun, and with Michail currently out, well there wasn’t anything to disturb them for a while either. 

Lia couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped dark lips as a result of his comment. “…I’m afraid he will never so much as make friends with how intimidating his parents are, much less a romantic partner~” she teased back with a soft shake of her head. This was so nice… Lia thought it would have been better to keep Michail a secret from Ajax, just to make things less complicated, but she was wrong. Never before had she experienced as much joy as she did now that Ajax was here and they were all a family. Even if there was still some mending to be done after what happened in Inazuma… They will get through it.

It was almost funny… Ajax always seemed so invested in family, but Lia never gave a damn about all of that. She never wanted a family of her own. She never wanted anything except the small amount of joy she was allowed when she spent time with Ajax. And now she felt so complete. Lia never had a warm family, but she could try to make her own warm so her son would never have to grow up like she did. And having Ajax here just made everything better…even if obstacles kept coming their way.

Dark lips curled into a small smirk as his arm hooked around her waist. She wasn’t usually the most affectionate or flirty individual, but around Ajax, one could say she was a bit more inspired. “With only one arm..? I’d like to see you try…~” she teased back before meeting her lips with his. Having him back in her life made everything so much better… How could someone just as broken as her chase away her darkness so well..?? She draped her arms over his shoulders and pulled away from this kiss a few moments later. “I like having you here… This city is nice and free, but it is rather boring. You’re the best at catching my interest…~”

[crownshattered-moved]

AJAX...​:

Was the action so rare these days?  It seemed as though he could make Lia smile with just a few simple words, a skill that he was quite beginning to enjoy. Whenever she smiled, he found that he did too, a soft chuckle heard in response to her answer. Yeah, the need for battle flowed deep within, but right there and then, it was pushed to the back of his mind as he hummed and guided Lia around the room, not at all surprised which how quickly it seemed she was beginning to pick up the skill. 

“Always so quick to learn”, he complimented under his breath, leaning in for a gentle kiss when her gaze finally met his own, the dance coming to a gradual halt not too long after, Childe finishing with a flourish, twirling Lia in his arms before another kiss was pressed against her lips, the vibration of his laugh easy enough to feel. 

“Thank you for the dance, Princess”. 

Lia wasn’t used to the sweet and gentle. She was harsh, deadly, used to battles of strength and death. Dancing had to be the furthest thing from what she was used to. Moving to a gentle rhythm with someone holding you close like this felt a little too sweet, like something bad was bound to happen to balance everything out. And yet, nothing happened. They moved around the room as Lia listened to Ajax’s song, the woman smiling into every kiss and chuckling at every gentle twirl. It was silly to think, but Lia didn’t realize Ajax was even capable of something as sweet and slow as this. They had the same battle-blood coursing through their veins, and Lia certainly had never danced like this before.

Well, at least she was a very fast learner. Not to mention being agile and constantly quick on her feet in battle allowed her to follow in tune with him and never step on any of his toes. It was almost sad... If things were different for them, this could be their normal. If Lia wasn’t raised by her father and instead grew up like a normal girl, if Ajax never disappeared and changed, coming back with that very same bloodlust Lia lived with... Maybe, if they were normal, every day could be like this. 

“You always know how to make me smile...” Lia remarked with a soft chuckle as she felt him laugh against her lips. “You’re welcome...I enjoyed it even more than I thought I would.” But, then again, she was happy to spend any time with him. “...May I ask what brought this on?”

[crownshattered-moved]

AJAX...​:

He knew that it was difficult for those outside of the Fatui to understand as to why he was as loyal to the Tsaritsa as he was - and it was an attachment that he himself would find difficult to put into words. His work for her goal would always come first, and yet his heart ached at the weak smile that Lia had tried to form, worry entering his gaze as he leaned down and gave her a gentle kiss. A part of him was rather touched by just how strongly she wished for him to stay - but they both knew that this day was coming, and on some level he was sure that Lia would understand just why he had to walk the path that he did. 

“I’ll make sure to keep you informed of my health - and if I’m placed back in Liyue then I’ll let you know and you can come visit. This isn’t goodbye forever Lia. I promise we’ll see one another again and soon”. A soft smile and another kiss placed against her lips. Leaving wasn’t that difficult for him - he longed so badly for the rush of battle - but he would miss her, and the extent of how much was quite surprising. He loved this woman.  And he’d make sure that their child would have a better world to grow up in. 

Why did he have to leave? Lia understood that drive to fight, the need for battle... Maybe hers wasn’t as strong as his, but she too did feel that drive. She dealt with it through her commissions from the Adventurers’ Guild. It wasn’t much, but it kept her busy and fulfilled when it came to getting that vicious energy out of her system. Why couldn’t he do that too..?? Was it because his drive to fight was too strong to be subdued by something so minimal, or was it moreso due to his loyalty to the Tsaritsa.?? And why would he be so loyal to that tyrant?? 

“I know...” But she didn’t seem convinced in the slightest. It wasn’t that she doubted he would come back, for she knew he would fight with everything he had in order to see his family again. It was just a harsh reminder of the life they lived. They would always be separated, Ajax would always leave for lengthy periods of time, she will never be able to change his mind... They couldn’t live a normal life. It was nice while it lasted, having him here and acting like some sort of functioning family, but they weren’t one. She just needed to get over it and accept that fact. Her life will never be a a normal one... 

Her violet hues flicked back towards his own blue orbs. “...you should probably get going then.”