what if we kissed while being chased by the ski-free yeti 😳

[beleos]

CEREMONIES OF HARMONIZATION (MERIDIAN)

Early in the month, a brief Communion message is sent out by Cetina and Kathova to their respective factions (if you’re unharmonized, sorry, you get both!) to inform them that Harmonization Ceremonies will be taking place on December 8th. While not required, it’s strongly encouraged that you at least make an appearance at the respective ceremony. This is a time for the factions to honor and celebrate you for making your choice and to symbolically represent that commitment. If you haven’t made your choice yet, you’re welcome to attend either ceremony. In fact, it would be a great honor to choose to Harmonize at the ceremony itself.

When you arrive to Heliopolis for the ceremony, the first thing you’ll be asked to do is… change? A wide variety of Greek and Roman-styled outfits are provided, all in light shades ranging from pure whites to soft pastels. But once you’re changed, you’re led deep into Heliopolis to a great courtyard where the tree is rooted. Along the edges, large tables full of appetizing food and drink are being set up, but first, you have the Ceremony to attend.

Once most people have arrived, Cyrus takes a place at the base of the tree and speaks to those assembled. He gives a warm, charismatic speech welcoming all to the celebration. This is a time to celebrate those who have Meridian’s light within them and to welcome them. He hopes that you’ll find peace and happiness here in Kenos, and just as much, he hopes the worlds you see in your Sunbeams return. One day, you’ll part ways, but for now, he hopes you find new friends and family here among the Meri.

After his brief speech, you’ll be given opportunity to approach the tree and touch your Shard to it in a ritualistic way. When you do, you’ll get the experience of briefly visiting a happy, peaceful time in another world as if the tree itself is Communing with you. You’re more likely to see the worlds of those in attendance at the ceremony, but it can also be random. Regardless, it fills you with a sense of belonging and resolve as if reminding you that this is what you’re helping someone return to and your own home is also waiting. From there, you’ll be directed to the sides of the courtyard where craftspeople are waiting. If you give them your Iliachtida, they’ll happily craft it into a piece of jewelry or other token of your choosing so that you can always carry it with you.

After this, it’s of course time to feast and to party!

You’ll find music, dancing, food, and drink, which the Tribune himself seems to be indulging in! Eventually, an interesting drinking game will begin… You’ll see Meri lounging in a circle and drinking wine, but once their cup is empty, they offer a toast, and then flick the remaining sediment towards a bowl in the center. This is Kottabos! Ask a yes or no question, and its outcome is decided by whether the remainder of the wine-lees lands in the target. Alternately, it’s a traditional gambling game as well. Make a wager with another player: candy and cakes, money, or maybe even kisses in the spirit of the season. All things work as currency in Kottabos!

CEREMONIES OF HARMONIZATION (ZENITH)

As Kathova informed you, Zenith’s ceremony is a formal affair, and you’re expected to dress as such. Don’t worry if some of the finer clothing is out of your budget—this ceremony is important, so you’ll be able to commission whatever you’d like from a local tailor, and Lady Yima will foot the bill. The ceremony itself takes place in the Courtyard of Yima’s Manor, and the twin moons shine brightly overhead in her garden. There are multiple large tables set up with enough seats to accommodate everyone in attendance and at the front of this setup is a smaller table with seats for Yima and Kathova.

However, while everyone is arriving, she’s standing at the foot of the tree. She’ll greet everyone who comes, and once everyone is settled, will give a brief speech of welcome: spreading her hands, she invites all gathered to be at peace among their kindred - as all are family among the Zenith. Each soul is connected, holding a crucial piece that will be carried into the new world to come. She understands there are struggles to come, that the road ahead may not be an easy one - but each of them lest but look around them. Do they see the faces of those at their sides...? These are safe hands to entrust themselves in, and she welcomes you as they will welcome you - with open arms. After this, she asks that each of you come to her with your Shard in hand.

When you do, Yima won’t take your Shard from you, but instead just hold her hands over yours. She speaks a Zenite blessing, and then leans down to kiss your Shard. The feeling ripples through you, but it’s not unpleasant. In fact, a sense of peace comes of you that will last the entirety of the night. With a smile, she tells you to enjoy your evening in the moonlight. If you received a Shard from her, she’ll direct you to one of the craftspeople to the side of the courtyard that will fashion a “home” for that Shard. An elegant piece of jewelry, a box, whatever you prefer, and while inside it, it’ll be magically protected. If you didn’t, then she’ll instead direct you to others who will make you a “token”. Much like the barista near the Tomes, give them your Shard, and they’ll create you a custom piece of jewelry or the like that represents your soul. The appearance, of course, is up to the player.

After this, the banquet begins. Gentle music plays in the background, but the focus here is to get to know your fellow Zenite Shard-Bearers. You’ll find a variety of food on the menu, but it’s all quite special, you know at a glance. Whatever your favorite food is, it’s offered at the banquet with your name next to it in parenthesis. This is a bit of a cultural exchange, but there’s also just a little bit of Yima’s more mischievous magic at play. While you eat, the effect is subtle, but you’ll be more open to those you talk with. It’s not so much that you’ll be revealing your secrets or anything of the sort, but just a gentle way to lower those barriers between you.

QIASU (HIGHSTORM)

On December 9th, the marker of the latter half of Takiltu, Kenos comes together to celebrate unity and togetherness, to come together with friends and family, to be kind to others and share in one’s wealth - whether that comes in the form of knowledge, monetary gains, or the exchange of gifts and one’s time. This celebration is an amalgamation of many worlds’ winter festivals, and as such, is known in the two cities as the Year’s End Festival, or Qiasu as Highstorm calls it.

This part of Takiltu is when Highstorm truly starts to hit winter. Snow is a frequent occurrence, but it’s one that the city welcomes, since with the snow comes a few of the most beloved traditions of the city. By far the most popular is heading to Greenwood Yards. The gardens themselves may be either dormant or showing their simpler winter gardens, but you may have noticed an area by the bathhouses left in surprising amount of disrepair… This is because during the winter months, this area fills up with a natural outdoor hot spring! Take a swim under the moonlight, and even explore some of those ruined old manors, now with their first floors warmly flooded. It’s a tradition to bring in your favorite drinks and spend an evening sipping it in a parlor with friends, and to make new ones by sharing your drinks. Of course, do watch out for the ghosts. They’re mischievous more than malicious, but this is their favorite time of the year too!

You can also head to the Great Tree, which is decorated for the season with glittering glass orbs and is the current roost for the pale Moonbugs of Highstorm. Write a wish on a slip of paper and hold out your hands, and one of the Moonbugs will come sit within them. Whisper the wish to the Moonbug and it’ll take the paper and fly away to find someone to fulfill it. Of course, this also means that a Moonbug is likely to come find you! Besides it being good karma to fulfill the wish, you’ll be given a brief vision of the person whose wish you fulfilled and be blessed by the tree for the duration of the month depending upon your Aspect:

• Advocate: People are more likely to buy you meals/rounds and every recipe you make turns out perfectly.
• Exalt: Animals seem to think more kindly of you, and you'll find them much easier to befriend.
• Harbinger: You're given a more silver tongue as your arguments seem to be better at persuading people.
• Iconoclast: You won't be effected by cold weather in any way.
• Savant: You heal much more rapidly from any injury and are generally the very picture of health.
• Stargazer: Your indulgences (whatever they may be) are both easier to find and are of higher quality.

And of course, there’s one more well-known practice in Highstorm, though it’s more of a tradition of Kowloon’s… The Gävle family is a well-known family who has lived in Highstorm for a long time, and they brought a tradition of building a festive Yule goat made straw in the square outside of their businesses. However, it also happens to be outside of Yura Szczepanski’s home. He’ll never do it himself, of course, but if you manage to burn it down? He’ll reward you, obviously. It doesn’t make it any more legal, so those that try generally spend some time in a Highstorm jail, but it’s an enshrined enough practice at this point that not only has it burned down more often than it’s survived, but there’s even a betting pool in Kowloon for whether it survives or not.

Of course, if these traditions aren’t quite your vibe, you’ll also find the city just generally set up for a metropolitan winter. The Antiques & Baubles Market is rearranged to make room for a large ice-skating rink, Tasseography (the coffeeshop by the Tomes) has a seasonal special for a hot chocolate that will fortify you from the cold for a few hours (and make you fire resistant? Weird,), and the city also hosts a full-size gingerbread house that you can indeed take a bite from, to name a few things. Generally speaking, if it’s something you could do in a snowy city at home, you’ll probably find an equivalent somewhere in the city of moonlight.

YEAR'S END FESTIVAL (SPRINGSTAR)

Springstar will never turn down a chance to celebrate, but eternally Highstorm’s opposite, this is the warmest time of year. With the sun always shining, some days can get near sweltering, but that just means you have a different set of traditions to have fun with it!

The ivy-like vines that decorated the city in the beginning of the month (November) are now in full bloom, and you’re now likely to learn why the Meri consider them sacred. Wherever the flowers bloom, they encourage feelings of warmth and slightly higher inclination for physical contact within those that encounter their magical pollen*. Holding hands with someone by the flowers will give you feelings of liveliness and happiness, and for a few hours, the positive traits of the person you’re holding hands with become more prominent in you and vice versa. These effects do linger a bit longer, since for a month, you’ll also find that being around this person also gives you both a little boost in energy. It’s very sweet! This also comes with a bit of a further game, if you’re at all a frequenter of Psychagogía...

Madame Dee’s hosts a very popular competition simply called Kiss Bingo. Approach the booth set-up outside the brothel and touch your Shard to a special card, and names will appear upon it. From there, the rules are simple. Just give that person a kiss! It can be on their hand, their lips, their [redacted], all of it counts, and once you do, a little kiss mark will mark their name out. Get a bingo, and you can pick from a variety of prizes such as a ticket for a week’s worth of visits at a local buffet, a shopping spree at a nearby store, or a box seat for a day at the Coliseum. Of course, if you’re really an overachiever, fill out the whole card to get multiple prizes. Madame Dee might just give you a job!

With the promise of home that the Meri deeply believe in, they have their own gifting tradition. The Shard-Bearers know best that it’s possible to receive gifts from the Timestream, and for Year’s End, it’s tradition for the Tribune to pull out all the stops. For a week of the Festival, the Tribune works just outside of Heliopolis, and with the help of priests from the Church of Helios, reaches into the Timestream to produce a gift for anyone that comes to ask. However, this is a tradition taken with great humor. For one, the Tribune wears a particular costume for the duration, said to be a figure from the first Tribune’s world, but with some tweaks for the hotter climate. And two, this was a tradition started when the city was much smaller. Now that it's such a bustling city, pulling good gifts out of the Timestream gets more difficult. It may not be what you asked for, but Cyrus will still hand over a gift just for you with a laugh and a smile, wishing you a Meri year of prosperity to come. There’s no time to stay and chat, however, since the line is quite long!

On rainy days (or simply the unbearably hot ones), you can also go to Starlight Park, which offers a reprieve from the weather. Inside the dome, you’ll find a idyllic, snowy valley where you can partake in all the natural joys of winter. There’s (highly) competitive snowball fights, sledding, and skiing to partake in, though you might be cautioned away from one slope. Head down that course and about halfway down, you’ll be chased by… a yeti? Luckily it doesn’t seem to be able to harm you, but it’s still shockingly fast and will catch you no matter how quickly you ski. You can also spend a bit of money to rent a yurt along the river for a relaxing and exceptionally cozy glamping experience. Some Yurts are even adorned with the sacred vines. You know, for no reason.

You’ll also find the Meri heading away from the city of Springstar a bit to head down to some of the beaches that surround Springstar. Being an island within an Island (capital ‘I’ meaning the Kenos kind of island), Takiltu is the traditional start of Springstar’s summer season and all the fun that comes with that. The beaches are bustling, but the cool and crystal-clear waters of the ocean surrounding the city make it worthwhile. Surfing, diving, and sailing are popular activities, but just make sure to stay within sight of the shore. It doesn’t take too long to hit the end of the Island and sailing outside the magical barrier that keeps Springstar floating in Kenos’s starscape generally isn’t survivable.

NOTES

Weather summary for the second 30 days of Takiltu (NOV & DEC):

• Highstorm is out of fall and into winter. While there are some milder days, snow (and heavy snow at that!) is getting more common.
• Springstar is hot and humid, and it's not uncommon for brief thunderstorms to roll through in the afternoon.

Notable city changes:

• A new bar has opened in Springstar by the name of Punch Drunk! Located in Psychagogia, it's already seeing good business and Meri seem to especially enjoy people watching on the balcony.

Faction updates:

• Rumors have started to circulate that A Zenite Shard is being held hostage by the Meridian. There's a slight increased tension between Meri and Zenites as a result, but it's still understated. This is a matter that's expected to be negotiated, after all.

CODING

Comments

kaeya alberich ◆ zenith ◆ advocate

[subsist]

01 — all highways lead right here.
ceremonies of harmonization (zenith)

[ The festivities are well underway by the time you might finally notice Kaeya's presence.

It seems he'd done a very good job of keeping to himself, floating around from one area to another with a polite smile and charming laugh, never staying too long. Always on the move. Any attempts at idle chatter are greeted by mundane excuses — oh, will you give him a moment to grab another drink? oh, there's another snack he'd like to try, so if you'll excuse him — and by the time you realize he'd taken forever to fix the issue, he's already gone, blending right in with the crowd.

It takes a while longer for him to resurface, and when he does, he has an ornate box in his hands, emblazoned with rubies and gold, made out of strong oak. There might be a split-second where his expression fades into something muted and lost, a melancholic demeanour that's quite different from how he usually is, but it's there and gone within the next moment.

He doesn't bother returning to where most of everyone has gathered. Instead, he retreats to a small corner of Yima's garden where a bundle of Cecilias have started to surround it in full bloom.

If he hears you approach, at least it doesn't look like he's about to run away this time. ]

02 — just show me your world.
qiasu (highstorm)

A. GREENWOOD YARDS.

[ Nothing beats a good dip at the hot springs.

While Kaeya is here with full intention to relax and forget about the rest of his worries, he does have a bottle and a few glasses in tow, signalling that he wouldn't mind some company while he ventures towards the abandoned manors. If you happen to be his company for the night, he'll gesture with a jerk of his head towards a particularly dilapidated structure that seems spookier than the rest. ]

I heard the old owners of that place still lived there, haunting anyone who dares trespass into their territory. Would you like to share a few drinks over there?

[ Who can resist some good wine while you're out ghost-hunting? ]

B. DO YOU WANT TO BUILD A SNOWMAN?

[ Better think fast. There's a hefty snowball coming your way!

If you don't dodge in time, you might overhear Kaeya laughing in pure childish amusement. He's pleased with himself that he got you. ]

No hard feelings, right?

03 — it brought us back together.
year's end festival (springstar)

A. NO BINGO FOR YOU.

[ The weather in Springstar is a bit more to his liking. Dressed down in a simpler silhouette, the former Cavalry Captain of the Favonius Knights is enjoying the festivities, checking out whatever is going on at Madame Dee's place. Kaeya is peering over your shoulder when you receive your bingo card. If his name is on your card, he is immediately taking a few steps back, laughing softly. It seems he isn't all that interested in making this easy for you. ]

Good luck. You'll need it, I think.

[ And now it's his chance to escape...

If his name isn't on the card, he simply grins at you. Does he look relieved? Surely that's just your imagination— ]

Are you ready for the fierce competition?

B. STARLIGHT PARK.

[ It feels like glamping is one of those things that he might have missed out on somehow. He doesn't know why that's the feeling he gets, but now that the opportunity is here, he wastes no time in taking advantage of it. Renting one of the yurts along the river is a no-brainer — and it's one that comes adorned with the sacred vines too (oh) — a decision that he doesn't find himself regretting once the Yeti starts chasing people around.

If he sees you running away from it, or if you happen to look like you're about to freeze over, he gestures for you to come inside. ]

It's warm in here. Come on.

[ At least passing by the vines will make it feel like coming here is the Right Thing to Do. ]

04 — wildcard me, baby.
surprise me tbh

( ooc. let me know if you need something specific from me! i'm happy to write custom starters. other things that kaeya will be up to are as follows: snooping around kowloon, specifically mapping out the entire place, trying to figure out who's important, etc.; snacking way too much during the harmonization party, especially when it's the favourite food of someone he knows; and hanging out at the beach collecting seashells, lmao. the springstar prompts can get spicy, if you'd like. pls feel free to pm me if you wanna hash anything out. 💜 )

2, b

[ktizo]

The snowball hits Hythlodaeus squarely in the back of the head, and he makes an undignified sound as the cold water begins to trickle down the back of his neck. He looks to Kaeya, then laughs as he wipes it away.

"Hard feelings? Not at all." He waves it off with another chuckle, before bending down to scoop of up some snow of his own- there's mischief in his eyes now.

"But a challenge is a challenge, no?"

[subsist]

There's mischief reflected in the starry hue of Kaeya's eye, an amused smirk curling on his lips. It's not every day when you find a willing participant so he'll take full advantage of the chance he has now. He thinks he deserves to let loose in a snowball fight after everything that has happened in the past little while.

So he arms himself with another snowball, casually tossing it up in the air before catching it.

"Ready whenever you are," he says, gracious enough to let the other man take the second throw. It's only fair. He's prepared to dodge out of the way regardless.

[ktizo]

"Of course." He tosses the snowball, and he's actually a good aim- not that it will matter if Kaeya can dodge. In any case he starts to pack another snowball in his hands immediately, which gives Kaeya the opportunity to hit him quite easily should he choose.

"Might I ask whom I am fighting with?" He chuckles, obviously enjoying himself. "I am Hythlodaeus. A pleasure."

ᴀᴍᴏs.

[subsist]

[ Perhaps it's better to remain blissfully unaware of everything that's going on right now.

The tail-end of the previous month hasn't exactly been kind to Kaeya, and even though both Rosaria and Childe made sure it wasn't going to get much worse than it did, the exhaustion that remains is almost bone-deep. He does his best to ignore it and focuses on recovering his energy as much as possible, because time never waits for anyone.

And it's not like he's the type to remain idle for too long.

The Ceremony of Harmonization is supposed to happen sometime later today, but that doesn't mean that everyone has prepared properly for it. Such is what Kaeya assumes when he makes his way over to Amos' quarters with his retainer following directly behind him. They're both armed with a decent amount of clothes, and none of them are meant for Kaeya.

When he knocks on Amos' door, he waits until the man opens it before greeting him with an amused smile. ]

Amos. Are you busy?

[ If he isn't, he's about to be busy real soon. ]

[baltimores]

[ Kaeya's instincts regarding him are spot on.

Amos has his own exhaustion plaguing him, though his was entirely self-inflicted, by choice. A week ago he'd died; two days ago he'd woken up, sore all over with stinging phantom pains and wanting nothing more than to eat more than his weight in food and then crash. He's been sparse since returning from the Tree of Life, mostly keeping to his room to ride out the worst of it.

The knock wakes him up. Groaning, Amos instinctually buries his face back into the pillows — five more minutes — before sighing and pushing himself up and out of bed, leaving it in disarray. He trundles slowly over to the door, and blinks blearily when he opens it, hair and beard unkempt and looking a little paler than normal, the very picture of someone who's just been woken up from a much-needed nap.

And then it registers that it's Kaeya — and uh, someone else he doesn't know behind him — and that Kaeya's just said something to him, and Amos blinks again before Kaeya's presence here sinks in. He'd had to tell Kathova to let Gen in some days ago, because Gen wasn't welcome here, but Kaeya is—

Without thinking, operating purely on instinct, Amos steps forward, and Kaeya might find himself temporarily lifted off the ground in a hug of appropriate intensity. Was he carrying something? Who cares; he's just happy his friend is here with him.

... Right, and he'd asked him something. It takes a couple more seconds yet for those words to actually permeate his brain, and then he's setting Kaeya back down, none worse for the wear, and carrying on like that didn't just happen. ]

Nope. [ His voice is still a little sleep addled, but he's starting to wake up now. ] What's up?

[subsist]

[ Cue: Kaeya.exe bluescreening and crashing almost immediately.

Amos is strong. Sometimes surprisingly so. This is something Kaeya is made intimately aware of when there are suddenly arms wrapping around him, lifting him just a tiny bit off the floor. If his retainer is surprised by the action, he doesn't say anything, merely an annoyed twitch of feline ears that's followed by a flick of his tail.

Kaeya sputters incoherently, words such as Amos, what— or hang on a second and thereabouts scrambling together. It takes a moment for his brain to catch up and process what just happened. Once it does, he's patting the other man on the shoulder while his feet finally touch the floor. ]

... I missed you too, I think.

[ It occurs to Kaeya that it's been weeks since they last saw each other, so maybe that's why he got such a greeting? Who knows. ]

In any case, I brought some clothes with me. Lady Yima encouraged us to dress our best so I have a few things that might suit you.

[ He's hoping what he'd been holding onto aren't wrinkled too badly, but that's why he brought extras. Most of the good ones are in his retainer's hands, anyway, and he's thanking his past self for that decision. Anyway. ]

May we come in?

[ Once given permission, he'll lead his retainer inside the room. They'll set the clothes down on the unmade bed and a nearby chair. His retainer excuses himself when that's all done, leaving Kaeya alone with Amos. ]

Were you still asleep before I arrived—?

3a

[cutlery]

[ Honestly? Sebastian hadn't even finished reading his card by the time Kaeya steps away. There are so many names, most of which are familiar, and thus, that means Sebastian is immediately scheming to try and think about how to sneak a kiss. Especially since some of them are, uh, a bit more difficult than others. So, even if it was more for his own sake, Sebastian will take that well-wishing of good luck sincerely.

He laughs and waves his card playfully in Kaeya's direction, since at least now he sees the name there. ]

Really, not even a kiss for pity? Why, Sebastian, I am positively hurt.

[subsist]

[ Sebastian is the last person he'd be willing to give a pity kiss to, if only because he knows the man will have several ways to acquire a bingo, as it were. He shrugs his shoulders in response, a faint grin coming to life on his expression. ]

As I recall, my name isn't on your card so you're asking the wrong person here.

[ After all, his name is Sebastian, right? Definitely not Kaeya. So he definitely isn't included in the butler's card. :) ]

Perhaps Emet-Selch might be feeling generous tonight.

3a. Yes this is how they're going to meet.

[wolof]

[ There's something to be said, for playing hard to get. Akua certainly isn't going to force anyone, but Kaeya is a spot on her card, and she most certainly wants it completed. There's a lot to be said for competition, but as a Praesi, she's from a long line of the absolutely most competitive, monstrous people around.

After all, the Sahelians were of the first betrayal. Woe to anyone who outdid them. ]

There's nothing that I can do to convince you otherwise? Not even a small... [ She tapped her lips, drawing attention to them. ] show of affection? I believe even a cheek counts.

miss akua... :pronce:

[subsist]

[ Ah, he expected this.

It doesn't surprise him that there are many who are quite eager to fill in the spots on their cards. He wonders if there's a prize to filling it in entirely, or if one will still qualify if they simply get a bingo. Well. Either way, he needs to find a way to escape, ]

Surely there are better options. [ pls ] Isn't Amos on your card? I'm sure he'd be amenable to the idea.

3b

[hauntedking]

[ Fortunately for him, Dimitri hasn't been chased by a yeti (yet) and he can stand the cold. It's honestly a bit like home in some respects and that makes his heart ache. Just a little. There's so much here that's like home, but different in ways that remind him that this isn't where he's from. That his home is gone. It makes him a touch melancholy but also more determined than ever to try and restore what's been lost.

A familiar voice startles him out of his reverie and he rubs his gloved hands together as he trudges up the path to the yurt. ]

Kaeya! I didn't notice you there. Is this yours?

[ The yurt, he means. ]

[subsist]

[ His face lights up in (delighted) recognition once the man he beckoned to come in is someone he knows. He steps aside and allows Dimitri to take shelter within the yurt, noting the mild feelings of sadness and melancholy that filter through their shared connection. Not that he'll say anything unless it comes up.

For now, he nods and guides the other towards the comfiest-looking chairs. There appears to be a pot of hot cocoa already prepared, steaming lightly. ]

I rented it for the day, yes. I didn't expect to see you here. Were you enjoying the snow?

[ Time to pour them some hot cocoa... ]

wildcard!

[epiprocta]

[ Does Kaeya expect to run into a low of his acquaintances around here, in the narrow streets of Kowloon? Maybe, maybe not. Information about the area seems to be spreading among the shardbearers one way or another, after all. But he might not be expecting to hear one specific voice, and especially not in one specific contest. ]

-- hey, Kaeya.

[ It's Gen's voice that calls out to him as he's passing by an alley, except he sounds ... a little weird? Kind of breathless. And slurred? For a split second he almost sounds like he's unwell, though even a brief glance over shoulder make the answer clear.

He's just drunk as hell.

Gen's leaning against the wall of an alleyway, posture slumped and cheeks flushed, and he gives a half-assed wave of the hand to gesture Kaeya closer. He'd been surprised enough to recognize one of the many faces passing by, and now that he's managed to actually spot someone he knows, he's sure as hell not letting this slip by him. So. As soon as Kaeya closes the distance between them a bit, he looks up from the ground (which keeps wobbling under him, god damn) with a crooked smile to slur, ]

Do me a little favor, would ya?

[subsist]

[ Why does this feel a lot like deja vu?

It seems like it's only yesterday when Kaeya stumbled upon Gen in the midst of his Kenoma purge, but he also realizes that this is different. He can recognize the signs of someone who's had one too many to drink. Not all that surprising, given where they are, but it isn't something that he expected from Gen.

The more you know, he supposes. ]

Oh? And what kind of favour is it?

[ He bridges the distance between them in just a few steps, one hand propped lightly against his hip. Here's another thing he didn't expect to happen — Gen asking him for a favour, that is — but then again, he kind of owes him one.

... But also: ]

Am I allowed to refuse if I don't like what it is?

wildcard!

[exhound]

[Vander has been getting a much better feel for the underground city, now that he’s finding more time to sneak down there when he can. The mazes of corridors and stairways are beginning to feel a lot less maze-like, at least over in the part of the city he’s been frequenting. But it reminds him of being a kid and memorizing the twisting backstreets and all the shortcuts up and over buildings in Zaun just to get around quickly and efficiently.

This afternoon, business is bringing him by a place that primarily runs a betting house off one tucked away little side corridor. He’s just about wrapping up his conversation with the owner when he catches what looks like a familiar face passing by the half-cracked open door to the place. So he speeds up his goodbyes and slips back out into the pink glow of the city lights to find that he’d apparently seen right.]

Kaeya? [Called out before the other man could head too far down the walkway. Vander’s there to greet him with a friendly grin.] Well, fancy running into you down here.

[subsist]

[ ... How many times is this going to happen, he asks himself.

The number of people he knows who are now running about the streets of Kowloon is slowly increasing. He doesn't know whether to be alarmed or simply impressed that many of them have found their way down here, but perhaps it's to be expected. If you know where to look, getting to Kowloon isn't exactly too difficult.

(That's a lie, but those are details he could care less about.) ]

Vander. [ He raises a hand in greeting before approaching the other man. ] I didn't think I would run into you here either.

[ A knowing, teasing smile curls on his lips. ]

Don't tell me you're looking to supply your bar with stock from Kowloon. They're quite... an experience, I'd say.

[ thanks silco, ]

wildcard!

[lifespanned]

[ Misa has been spending a lot of time outdoors in the past weeks - checking out new shops, looking around town, talking to all kinds of people. Almost with a passion? She even travels over to Springstar at times, which she's not known to do — or maybe she's finally getting the will to check out what's on the other side of the fence. Today is no different from those previous days, as he comes out of Yima's manor done up as she always is, ready to face a brand new day out in the world— or it's business as usual, until she spots Kaeya slinking out around the same time.

Now, things have been a little awkward ever since that mess with the Dryad. But if there's one thing Misa is skilled in, it's dismissing something traumatic happening to her. Given time, she finds she doesn't care as much as she had back then.. sine they all ended up living and being fine and all. It's why there's a casual, neutral note to the way she raises her hand to catch his attention, hopping down the steps of the manor in a diagonal to go towards him. ]

Hey, Kaeya! Where are you off to? [ Kaeya might be a good place to start for today... she already knows he's good at keeping a secret. Maybe he even has some right now. ] I'm heading out, so maybe we're going the same way.

[subsist]

[ Things have been a little strange ever since the incident with the Dryad. Kaeya hasn't really forgiven himself for how much suffering he put everyone through unnecessarily so he's been keeping his distance wherever he can. Now that he's harmonized himself to Zenith, it's becoming frequently unavoidable, but...

At least he doesn't excuse himself almost immediately when Misa approaches him, his characteristic smile already in place. ]

I'm headed off somewhere that's a bit out of the way— but it's in Springstar, if you're curious.

[ Not quite a full admission of where he's headed, but he figures Misa can probably tell this isn't a topic he wants to discuss out in the open like this. ]

What about you? Where are you headed?

wildcard

[lockedon]

[ they can still handhold later but i do what i want

Which is to say: the sweltering summer sun in Springstar has him ducking into a small bookstore for a brief respite, his figure languidly dipping between the aisles as he enjoys the cool(er) air inside the bookstore.

There's nothing in particular he's looking for so he picks out books at random, interest piqued either by the title or the decoration of the book itself. Or, in one case, by an oddly familiar figure with flowing blue locks and a fancy eyepatch, held in a loving embrace by a strong-looking tree. Huh. He picks it up. Notes the title (Morning Wood*). Flips to a random page. Frowns as his eyebrows go way up.

And then, when he actually looks up, who should he see but the same person he's pretty sure the man on the cover is based off of. What a time to be alive. ]

Looking for a recommendation?

[ He doens't wait for an answer before casually handing the book over. Here's some fun summer reading for you, Kaeya.

* thanks leigh for the title credit ]

[subsist]

[ can't believe leigh willingly gave you a pun for a book title, smh this betrayal

It seems Eustace isn't the only one who's at the bookstore to take a break from the sweltering heat. As much as Kaeya loves summer more than anything else, the hot temperatures have proven to be a bit much so being shielded away from the sun is a welcome relief right about now.

Such relief is immediately taken away from him when the Erune approaches him with a book in hand. The cover is the first thing he sees, and already he can tell that he isn't going to like what the book is all about. Even without reading any of it.

Still, to show his gratitude, he does flip through a couple of pages and finds the energy to laugh. ]

I didn't realize you were the type to read this sort of thing. The more you know, I suppose.

[ He continues flipping through the pages, his smile turning a touch more sly. ]

This must be your favourite if you're recommending it to me.

3a

[vapour]

[ Childe's grabbing Kaeya by whatever he can get his hands on first, trying to drag him back with one hand even as he fumbles to put his card in his pocket with the other. ]

You coward, give me a kiss for good luck, at the very least!

[subsist]

[ Childe manages to grab Kaeya by the wrist, and once he's pulled close, the Harbinger is met with an amused laugh. ]

And what makes you think I want to wish you good luck?

[ Please. As if he's going to make this easy for the Harbinger. ]

2b

[prizeneck]

[While he's not yet holding his sword, well.

Nothing a particularly sturdy and straight enough branch won't fix.

Was he hiking through the snow? (That's almost a song.) Isn't there a yeti? Worse yet, isn't this guy unable to see? Somehow he's strangely okayish with being out and about, being all outdoorsy. An oddball, anyway.

Mamoru smacks that snowball sharply with the long staff. Rolls his shoulders, muttering a complaint about it being a while.] Hrn.

[Still, a look over the white fields.] You tell me.

[subsist]

[ Mamoru reminds him of someone that it's almost uncanny. He thinks it's in the way the man carries himself, almost as if he's taking himself too seriously even though Kaeya thinks that isn't the case.

Either way, the similarities are equal parts amusing and bittersweet. He buries those feelings underneath a heavy layer of frost. ]

I'd say that depends on you, good sir.

[ Here comes another snowball. Will Mamoru strike it again? ]