#ℒ ╱ ˑ༄ؘ ۪۪۫۫ ༺♥༻ ₘᵤₛₑ~ diluc. ◜ ᵍᵉⁿˢʰᶦⁿ ᶦᵐᵖᵃᶜᵗ ◞ ♛

[lumitris]

Diluc is so RESERVED around people even though he can be absolutely feral and battle starved ( he takes joy in destroying the abyss / fatui and he’s brutal in his interrogations like SON YOU GOOD- ) but god just gently invade his personal space in a non-threatening way and you’ve rendered the dark knight immobile. 

[lumitris]

┊ ┊⋆ ┊ . 𝒥𝑜𝓊𝓇𝓃𝑒𝓎 𝑜𝒻 𝒟𝓇𝑒𝒶𝓂𝓈 ◞ 𝖒𝖊𝖒𝖊 . ˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚ @bitbrumal ⤸ [blood oath] diluc vows to hunt down & mutilatemaim murder those responsible for the alhaitham's bruises.

A deep sigh passes his lips. Albeit, taking a brief moment of reflection, && allowing Diluc's anger for him to catch him by a pleasant surprise; so, maybe he did feel a bit touched by the concern. Still there wasn't a need to get heated, and with those facts already embedded in his mind, Alhaitham takes on a calmer approach as a hand 𝗙𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗞𝗦 to the side.

❝ I appreciate the concern. Mm, however extreme it might be. I can just imagine the expression on their faces if they were hunted down by someone like you. Well, I doubt their legs would work fast enough. ❞

An expressive display of violent intent. Well, it certainly amusing, and he didn't feel any sympathy for those poor souls either way. What goes around comes around, there would always be correspondence when one took action; in such a case, the cycle would just pass on and continue. He preferred to stop it before the wheel started to spin. It was better to approach all situations with a logical head.

❝ Well. They didn't manage to inflict any lasting damage. Thankfully, I imagine they didn't see much value in taking my life. Lucky me. ❞

The comparison between himself and Diluc is almost comical. Alhaitham was not the type to say things for the sole benefit of someone else's feelings; he was merely stating facts, and how he personally saw the situation. He also doubts his standpoint would give any comfort towards the man who looked ready to spill blood at a second's notice. When it came to intimidation, he mirrored and contrasted Cyno's own manner ���━━━ one, of course, kept a strong level of control.

A hand sits to rest upon Diluc's shoulder. It seemed time to deescalate the situation. Honestly, he had never seen Diluc lose his nerve like this; what other sides of him had he yet to see? Hm. That was an 𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 thought for another time and another place.

❝ No sense in dwelling on it. They won't last long without getting themselves into deeper trouble, with or without your verdict. And me? I've said before, I'm just a feeble scholar, naturally I'd be a target. ❞

Arrogance dwells in a factual mind; he was a well-presented individual, so realistically, he'd find himself the target of thugs. Though, this encounter was unusual ━━━━ perhaps, when things calmed down, he'd share those thoughts. He wasn't the type to get hurt when push come to shove.

❝ If you wanted to make me feel better, all I need is you. If you went off to chase them down, that would be bad news for me. ❞

[lumitris]

┊ ┊⋆ ┊ . 𝒥𝑜𝓊𝓇𝓃𝑒𝓎 𝑜𝒻 𝒟𝓇𝑒𝒶𝓂𝓈 ◞ 𝖒𝖊𝖒𝖊 .   ˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚ @aalberich​ ⤸   “when was the last time we had a real conversation.”

❝  Huh.  Maybe  when  you  drop  that  exasperating  swagger,  we  just might.  ❞  Diluc  doesn't  meant  to  seem  cold;  it's  not  his  intention.  But  years  of hostility  and  anguish  between  the  former  brothers  made  it  almost  difficult  to act  in  any  other  way.  He'd  even  snagged  away  the  bottle  Kaeya  had  reached for,  and  placed  it  back  behind  the  counter.  

Perhaps  it  wasn't  the  Cavalry  Captain  who  kept  the  distance  going.  The  man sighs,  quietly.  More  so  a  grunt  then  anything  empathetic.

❝  What  ...  did  you  want  to  talk  about?  ❞    

You'd  believe  him  to  be  socially  awkward  with  how  he  approached  the  situation before  him,  with  strained  hesitation,  &&  a  somewhat  unsure  demeanour. He could  handle  a  lot  of  things,  but  that  softness  he  still  held  for  his  dear 'brother'  was  still  ...  estranged.  It  was  odd  for  him,  dropping  the  walls  he'd built  after  all  those  years.  

❝  Unless  you're  just  trying  to  stay  for  dinner  again,  then  don't  bother  telling me  anything  now.  I'm  sure  Adelinde  would  be  happy  to  have  you  around.  ❞    

[lumitris]

                          @bitbrumal​​    ⋮⋮    starter   call   ⤸   accepting ♡

        ❝   I wish I could UNSCREW my head from its hinges, pull it apart, and rip out every single memory that tainted my skin.  ❞

[lumitris]

┊ ┊⋆ ┊ . 𝒥𝑜𝓊𝓇𝓃𝑒𝓎 𝑜𝒻 𝒟𝓇𝑒𝒶𝓂𝓈 ◞ 𝖒𝖊𝖒𝖊 .   ˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚ @wcyfarer​​ ⤸                     Leaning closer to Diluc as if he were inspecting one of their wine bottles, Aether speaks through his teeth, customer service smile if ever there were one, as the tavern line lightened. ❛  if there weren’t so many people watching us, I’d already be on my knees in front of you.  ❜     and with that said, he greeted the next patron.                                                                                         ᴏᴋᴀʏ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇʙʟᴏɢ / ᴄᴏɴᴛɪɴᴜᴇ .

He wasn’t expecting such a comment, obviously; why would he? They were both behind the bar, serving the influx of customers who were getting rowdier by the hour. A fact that had displeased him, and his grumbles were apparent throughout the Traveler’s shift; Diluc was quick to order out mocktails, && non-alcoholic drinks to those who needed it the most. 

    But, the moment those words registered in his mind, his expression betrays him; flushed, ridiculously so, an audible hitch in his breath && yes, he had almost missed the bottle he’d been reaching for. With the item safely in hand, the man paused. 

He’s hesitant, but fuck, he glances over his shoulder, and is even more bewildered to see Aether greet the next patron. 

     ... ... ... 

          was he,               supposed to just leave it? 

Aether had gone right back to work as if nothing had happened, and it left Diluc completely dumbstruck; && that wasn’t a position he enjoyed being forced into. He swallows, before clearing his throat, chin dipped as he tries to regain the set composure he was known for. 

      Until now, that was, given he had remained frozen in place, && without anywhere to escape to; for air? For what? He wasn’t quite sure. Diluc was best under pressure, and this had merely been another obstacle in his path... yes, just another day- a strange, strange day. 

He’d simply misheard, nothing more. Still... for clarity’s sake, he’d be sure to talk with Aether before closing. 

                         He was going to be the death of him. 

[lumitris]

Diluc is so fucking dramatic with his dialogue and I think it’s really funny. He’s probably chilled out more these days, but god, will I always love his line of "If I had to choose, between eating a living Cryo slime, or joining the Fatui...I'd rather be crushed by a meteorite.”

[lumitris]

┊ ┊⋆ ┊ . 𝒥𝑜𝓊𝓇𝓃𝑒𝓎 𝑜𝒻 𝒟𝓇𝑒𝒶𝓂𝓈 ◞ 𝖒𝖊𝖒𝖊 .   ˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚ @bitbrumal​ ⤸   "i said it's fine." a blasé little wave, a distinct lack of friendly light in the depth of blue eyes.

ayaks manspreads as if their lives depend on it / & perhaps tonight they do. ( more so his reputation. ) teeth are steel where they are smiled bare at a representative of his own organisation — a spot of treason that is made careful note of at the back of his mind.         a comely albeit sharply muscled pair of legs is hooked over his thighs. his extremely unlikely variety of arm candy bears down on his lap, nestles upon him in a slanted lean. poor thing is trying so hard to look natural. diluc's tension is a tangible thing to the one tangled around him protectively.ragnvindr's a drag sometimes, but he's never liked the way some people look at the girls paid for their company.

—it'll be worth it, this touch of treason. for the horror bestowed upon diluc's family by tartaglia's colleagues & the experimentation that was very nearly the fate of all mondt's children, this much can be spared: attendance to a meeting best kept private. it won't cripple any higher goals. it'll just... well. soothe something, maybe. give a crumb of vengeance in return.

if the heir is willing to snark in lieu of a request, tartaglia is willing to be a little magnanimous.                 a little. >:3

he has diluc in his lap, meticulously disguised to make the most of his beauteous face. best way to back up this farce is—squeezing & lightly spanking his butt. "uhh. lord harbinger-?" for sure. it's covered in a thick layer of fabric; black as is his custom, but this falls into gravity & leaves little covered when it does — were it not for ayaks' palm curved firmly 'round him.                 to show a modicum of respect, he keeps all his fingers on top of the dress. booh.

"—i want this looked at    by an expert before the week is out."

[ ooc ] : this is assuming... a Lot. laughs. do with it what you will~                                                    ᴏᴋᴀʏ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇʙʟᴏɢ / ᴄᴏɴᴛɪɴᴜᴇ .  

The HUMILATION of exposure keeps him firmly at bay ━━━━ his heart is pounding as violently as teeth are clenched. Any mediocre movement, a slight twitch in muscles, a shift in his spot is enough to flare the annoyance of embarrassment. There was an end goal. He had reasons for this. 

             That’s what he had to continue to tell himself, while stuck in such a situation. 

Breath hitches, shoulders tensing as their exchange continues && he only prays ( when did he ever do that anymore? ) that the fatui diplomat leaves as swiftly as they had entered. It’s demeaning, so much so he does his best to pretend he isn’t present. If only to keep his cool, his calm, and remaining dignity.  

                                      No one could no about this.                                                                   ━━━━ NO ONE. 

         But it’s that WHACK that causes him to scarcely silence a groan, a growl threatening at his lips, fingers digging into the other’s shoulder. He leans closer, a threat whispered into the Harbinger’s ear,  ❝  Watch it- I swear ...  ❞  But god, he’s in no position to make any demands, or threats, or anything, && fuck he knows it. 

                              Thud thud. THUD THUD. thud- dammit, shut up. 

Breath in, and out. His head dips, shoulders rising and dropping with every sharp intake, && there’s nothing he can do to disguise his ... what? Annoyance? Panic? FLUSTER? He can feel the heat spread across his face, mixed in with the anger. Oh, he was going to make Tartaglia pay. That was a promise. 

                  Still, there was ... some respect left, given the decencies he kept despite the situation. There was much more that could of been done to humiliate him; it’s teasing, if anything. Annoying teasing, that he’d get his revenge on, but that was something he could DEAL with. 

                             Diluc could play along. He would. For both their sakes.                                      It would be done begrudgingly, however.