Of course. I’ll be sure to share all the information I get my hands on. [Thump, thump. There goes his tail wagging without his permission again. He has started to pretend it is happening to someone else and he’s just a bystander.]
If you start teaching there, let me know. I can plan out lessons with you.
[Each time Diluc smiles Kaeya becomes more animated. He leans towards him, tea in hand. He smiles right back at him and it is a softer smile.]
We’ve made a good team these days too. You do tap me when things are going strange around Mondstadt. We just lack our networks. A shame but, they can be rebuilt.
[And if his smiles are rewarded like this, it's only natural Diluc might do it more. It's a positive feedback loop.]
You're right, we have.
[Diluc agrees, his own expression softening.] And you're right about that as well. Networks can be rebuilt, and they need to be. This place lacks any defensive structure. I'm sure you've realized.
Yes, I've noticed. And there are quite a few protective types around that could prove useful. There is a knight commandant who would be most useful in some organizing them.
And a huntress who has a way with words. [Vex and Flynn respectively have caught Kaeya's eye. Others have as well but not as much as his playful debates with Flynn. He sips his tea again and breathes in.]
...Ah, I forgot. It seems I can blend man and wolf. It's an odd shape but might prove useful in the future.
[Because Diluc has also met the man, and he seemed very interested in the lack of organized defense. And very capable on top of it. Also he totally gets Diluc's preference for non-alcoholic drinks.]
And I think I may have met this huntress too.
[If he had to guess it'd be Vex. She's clearly met Kaeya given their introduction.]
More than you're currently blended? [He eyes the tail, amused.]
[Flynn seems a lot like a male version of Jean -- which is a very high compliment, really. Diluc has always had a great deal of respect for Jean. It's sort of hard not to.]
If a proper defense structure could be set up, it would be safer for people.
It certainly would be. I am at your disposal for it. [He takes the chance to reach for the strange shape and shift to it. A wolf man with dark blue fur patterned with the stars sits in his place. His chest is covered in pale white fur. He grins and his wolf fangs catch the light.]
After all, I have as much experience with constructing patrol routes.
[Kaeya will get recruited for this. Diluc is well aware of how good Kaeya is at his job. He's already considering the options of how they can collaborate when Kaeya changes.
Diluc finds himself staring at this new form of Kaeya.]
Oh. Well, that is certainly more than the tail.
[It's kind of fascinating.] You're full of tricks.
I couldn’t let such strange magic sit in me without trying to find out all the ways it bends. I think I can do more with it.
But so far, everything is wolf themed no matter how I shift. [He cracks his neck once. His chest fur is fluffy. His diction is perfect despite the shifted teeth.]
I wish I could change my fur but, that hasn’t been doable. Anyway, patrol routes. We need a rough estimate of who would be up to working on that. A log book of shifts…you know the protocols.
[He blinks, eye wide. That had really slipped out. He tail thumps against the chair leg.] Should I see him first, I’ll be sure to let him know to add me to it.
And you can touch it you know. I’m very soft. [Tease Diluc a little? Of course.]
[Oops. Though Diluc doesn't look at all apologetic about it. He was certain Kaeya would want to be part of it, and it seems he was right. No lessons have been learned here.
He does sit up a bit at that offer.] This is a new way of looking for attention. Even for you.
[That is not him declining the offer. Nope. In fact he's leaning in so he can touch it.]
[He smiles and doesn’t deny it. His tail wags a little. His fur is soft to the touch. It is thicker on his chest. He leans into the touch with a soft sigh.
He lets being petted. It’s soothing and Diluc’s hands are always warm. He closes his eyes and relaxes like a pet that’s been given all the attention they wanted.]
[But believing it and feeling for himself are different things.
He lets his hand linger a moment later before drawing back, almost reluctantly. Since he doesn't know what to do with his hands now, and wraps both around his cup of tea to keep them still.]
You're welcome. Thank you for dining with me. I'm enjoying these kinds of mornings.
Oh, you're not the only one growing fond of them. [Kaeya says as he opens his eye and smiles for Diluc alone. It's a little shy, but very real. He's trying to be honest when they're alone. He still does some of his dodging. But not quite as much. He takes his tea in hand, returning to human as he raises it in a mock toast.
[Diluc pronounces. It's very good. He sees that smile and offers one of his own in return. They're both trying. It's obvious to him in moments like this. Progress may be slow, but it is still progress.
Shaking his head, he lifts his tea as well.] To many more.
Of course, I will be. I'll even help you make it. Do we need anything from the Market? ['To many more' feels like a prayer, but he echoes it before taking a drink. This is beyond what he ever hoped for. It's a beautiful dream. He finishes his breakfast as he returns to human form.]
Shall we do the dishes together, then? I don't have to be at the library at a set time.
[Veggies are good for you, after all. But it'll be nice to make dinner together.
...and he won't turn down Kaeya's company a bit longer now either.] Yes. We'll make quicker work of them together. Wash or dry? [He'll even leave it up to Kaeya]
He carries his plates to the sink and helps to clear the remainder of the table. His gaze flickers to Kaeya repeatedly as he does. That done, he snags a towel for the dishes and waits for the other man by the sink.]
A good plan. Anything in particular you're looking for?
A good white or red, depending on if I can find decent cuts of meat at the butcher. I’m hopeful I’ll find decent ribs and loin.
[He eats a lot more meat these days. He sees it as a decent trade off to having the ability to shift to wolf. He sometimes hunts in the forest too.] We have that brisket and the flank steaks.
I’m just stocking up. [Freezers are amazing. He can’t get over how good a fridge is.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
darknighted) wrote2022-07-13 10:50 pm
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If you start teaching there, let me know. I can plan out lessons with you.
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If I do, I'd appreciate that. We always made a good team, years ago.
[Better than a good team. And even now, his sword skills and Kaeya's are very different.
And tentatively, he offers a smile across the way. More and more those have been appearing when Kaeya is around.]
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We’ve made a good team these days too. You do tap me when things are going strange around Mondstadt. We just lack our networks. A shame but, they can be rebuilt.
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You're right, we have.
[Diluc agrees, his own expression softening.] And you're right about that as well. Networks can be rebuilt, and they need to be. This place lacks any defensive structure. I'm sure you've realized.
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And a huntress who has a way with words. [Vex and Flynn respectively have caught Kaeya's eye. Others have as well but not as much as his playful debates with Flynn. He sips his tea again and breathes in.]
...Ah, I forgot. It seems I can blend man and wolf. It's an odd shape but might prove useful in the future.
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[Because Diluc has also met the man, and he seemed very interested in the lack of organized defense. And very capable on top of it. Also he totally gets Diluc's preference for non-alcoholic drinks.]
And I think I may have met this huntress too.
[If he had to guess it'd be Vex. She's clearly met Kaeya given their introduction.]
More than you're currently blended? [He eyes the tail, amused.]
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He waves a hand.]
And yes, that Flynn. He seems to share the same workaholic view as Jean. I’m sure you noticed.
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[Flynn seems a lot like a male version of Jean -- which is a very high compliment, really. Diluc has always had a great deal of respect for Jean. It's sort of hard not to.]
If a proper defense structure could be set up, it would be safer for people.
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After all, I have as much experience with constructing patrol routes.
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[Kaeya will get recruited for this. Diluc is well aware of how good Kaeya is at his job. He's already considering the options of how they can collaborate when Kaeya changes.
Diluc finds himself staring at this new form of Kaeya.]
Oh. Well, that is certainly more than the tail.
[It's kind of fascinating.] You're full of tricks.
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But so far, everything is wolf themed no matter how I shift. [He cracks his neck once. His chest fur is fluffy. His diction is perfect despite the shifted teeth.]
I wish I could change my fur but, that hasn’t been doable. Anyway, patrol routes. We need a rough estimate of who would be up to working on that. A log book of shifts…you know the protocols.
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[There is something of the wolf about Kaeya in general, Diluc thinks. Clever and crafty and loyal more than anyone may expect.]
I like your fur.
[Oh. That just came out. Diluc continues on.] I do, yes. Flynn mentioned he'd started some. With more of us, we could have a schedule of shifts.
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And you can touch it you know. I’m very soft. [Tease Diluc a little? Of course.]
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[Oops. Though Diluc doesn't look at all apologetic about it. He was certain Kaeya would want to be part of it, and it seems he was right. No lessons have been learned here.
He does sit up a bit at that offer.] This is a new way of looking for attention. Even for you.
[That is not him declining the offer. Nope. In fact he's leaning in so he can touch it.]
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He lets being petted. It’s soothing and Diluc’s hands are always warm. He closes his eyes and relaxes like a pet that’s been given all the attention they wanted.]
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The way Kaeya sighs though -- for a reason Diluc can't or perhaps won't identify -- has Diluc trying to ignore a sudden rise of heat in his cheeks.]
It's soft. [Is all he manages to get out, a quick reporting of the obvious that Kaeya already knows.]
*likes being petted
[But he feels compelled to keep talking.] Thank you for breakfast. It was wonderful as always.
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[But believing it and feeling for himself are different things.
He lets his hand linger a moment later before drawing back, almost reluctantly. Since he doesn't know what to do with his hands now, and wraps both around his cup of tea to keep them still.]
You're welcome. Thank you for dining with me. I'm enjoying these kinds of mornings.
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Kaeya says quietly.] To many more of them.
[And then he drinks his tea.]
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[Diluc pronounces. It's very good. He sees that smile and offers one of his own in return. They're both trying. It's obvious to him in moments like this. Progress may be slow, but it is still progress.
Shaking his head, he lifts his tea as well.] To many more.
[A sip himself.] I'll expect you have for dinner?
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Shall we do the dishes together, then? I don't have to be at the library at a set time.
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[Veggies are good for you, after all. But it'll be nice to make dinner together.
...and he won't turn down Kaeya's company a bit longer now either.] Yes. We'll make quicker work of them together. Wash or dry? [He'll even leave it up to Kaeya]
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There are a few things I want from the market too. We can make a list before we both head out.
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He carries his plates to the sink and helps to clear the remainder of the table. His gaze flickers to Kaeya repeatedly as he does. That done, he snags a towel for the dishes and waits for the other man by the sink.]
A good plan. Anything in particular you're looking for?
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[He eats a lot more meat these days. He sees it as a decent trade off to having the ability to shift to wolf. He sometimes hunts in the forest too.] We have that brisket and the flank steaks.
I’m just stocking up. [Freezers are amazing. He can’t get over how good a fridge is.]
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