MARCH TDM + SETTING UPDATES

[beleos]

BEARING FRUIT (NEW CHARACTERS ONLY)

It starts out as a pleasant dream. You’re in your favorite place, with your favorite people. It’s a moment of idyllic comfort.

And then, it goes wrong.

The sky turns dark above, and as you look up, you see the black expanse of space spotted with faraway pinprick lights of stars. Yet, they’re not stars. You’re certain. They’re watching you. A billion eyes all looking down, and they spill forth as if sky itself was a dam holding back those dark waters. You reach back to the people you’re with, but they’re frozen in place. Their eyes are black, reflecting only the expanse of dark eyes.

So you run, even though you know you won’t escape it. You glance back and see it not overtaking, but consuming. The landscape around you is being devoured, and you can see it cracking apart. The world itself is breaking, and it cracks under your feet. You fall, and the billion eyes chase after you until the darkness swallows you whole. There’s agony as if you’re being ripped apart, and then—

You cannot see. You cannot feel. You simply are. Yet even so, impossibly, a woman’s voice speaks gently.

I’m sorry it couldn’t be saved. But, come, it’s time to wake.

You wake with a start, cradled by soft, velvety plants, and sticky with a sap that smells faintly of honey and iron. You can see the veins of the leaves that hold you, lit warmly and gently by what looks like a crystal embedded above you. Yet, it’s odd, because that crystal calls to you. When you reach out to touch it, it’s warm. Familiar. Important. You don’t know why, but you know you must hold onto this, because now it feels wrong for it to be suspended in these leaves. So, you pull it out.

The light starts to fade, but only in time to see as the leaves cradling you immediately start to soften and crumble, and with it comes a torrent of dirt. Soft, loamy soil starts to fill the space around you in the dark as you’re buried. Or, rather, you already were. You reach out through the dirt desperately, and your hands finds a root, so you pull while you clutch that precious crystal so close that it almost feels like it sinks into you (in your panic, you don’t notice that it does). You reach out again, and this time, your hand hits open air and plenty of sturdy roots around to grab.

From a seed you’re born, and like a sprout, you make your way out of the ground.

And once you’ve clawed your way out of the soft earth and the roots, nearby, you see the soil shift. Another hand comes up to grasp desperately for something, anything, just as you had been.

TWO CITIES, ALIKE IN DIGNITY

With the new Shard-Bearers present or en route, it is Kathova and Cetina that approach the established ones, requesting that they form mentorships with the new souls to assist them with the integration process. To this end, they have both provided a centralized zone in both Highstorm and Springstar for a small, casual meet-and-greet to be held before the new Shard-Bearers are unleashed upon Kenos as a whole.

Additionally, as Springstar and Highstorm are holding their events on different days, it is possible for the knowledge-hungry to participate in both informational sessions -- the tones and opinions held by both cities are doubtless to differ, and some Shard-Bearers who have chosen to harmonize with either faction may even find their way to the opposing faction's session as well.

SPRINGSTAR, αιώνιος ήλιος

In Springstar, the seat of the Tribune becomes available for such a forum. While a section of the building itself has been reserved for the meeting between fresh faces and experienced Shard-Bearers alike, the hustle and bustle of Heliopolis continues around them -- acolytes still gather their robes and tomes, hurrying from their quarters to lessons. A score of young militants march in step across the yard to the training grounds.

Tables draped in white-and-gold-trimmed fabrics fare filled with fare typical to Springstar's warmer climate -- fruits and wines, savory smoked meats and roasted vegetables, a series of meze platters and souvlaki skewers have been lain out to encourage forum participants to snack as they speak. The atmosphere is light, ambient with informality and friendliness, though topics will inevitably stray towards philosophic, Springstar's meeting grounds are decorated with handsome chaise lounges and slouching klismos chairs in small, intimate groupings.

However, those who have attended the forum in the past or simply have a sharp eye may notice: food doesn’t flow as freely in a feast-like setting as before. It’s more subdued in presentation and portion because as you may hear, the Blight (see below) is an affliction that’s been affecting the food stores of Springstar and Highstorm both. The Meri are nervous about this and blame it on the Zenites since they had won the Oracle on the Scorching Isles (January's event) and with it, punished the Meridian, even if unintentionally. As such, those who are notable Zenites or who wear their allegiance openly may not be treated as kindly. The military also seems to be more present at the forum. These two things are related, as it turns out, because only a few days after the new Shard-Bearers arrive, an invasion will begin.

HIGHSTORM, луны-близнецы

Eternally in opposition, Highstorm provides the Manor's courtyard as the setting for their informational meeting. Formality is of utmost importance here, with attending Zenith loyalists and residents dressed in beautiful, albeit austere attire -- they are, after all, standing before Lady Yima's home. A buffet-style luncheon is spread alongside one of the largest reflecting pools, wherein you may gaze and find your memories revealed in retrospect upon the water's surface.

There are few places to be seated in the Manor's courtyard, resulting in a milling of bodies as they flow and ebb between smaller gatherings, clustering in small-to-large groups with small platters and shimmering flutes of drink held in their hands.

The mood of Highstorm is subdued as always, but still seems to be pleasant and joyous thanks to claiming the Oracle in the Scorching Isles. The Blight may be affecting the city and causing plants and the like to die, but there’s admittedly not much of it to be seen with Highstorm’s harsh winters. Maybe they’re not hit as badly as Springstar, or maybe they just haven’t noticed yet. Only time will tell. But regardless, notable Meri or those that wear their allegiance more openly will be treated politely, but perhaps with a little condescension. Highstorm is one step closer to winning than Springstar, after all.

para bellum (the occupation of alenroux)

A few days after new Shard-Bearers arrive, the word spreads quickly as the campaign begins: Meridian is invading Alenroux.

To those who have Harmonized with Meridian, they’ll be contacted by Cyrus through Communion 48 hours before the invasion begins. As he explains, Springstar is a city that depends on Alenroux far more than Highstorm (because of its much larger population), and with Alenroux currently under Zenite control, it’s imperative that they make sure that Zenith isn’t able to cut off access and cause a famine for Springstar. Zenith won’t be denied access to Alenroux or its bounty either, he makes that clear. This is just a matter of being proactive in their defense to protect their people. For the Meridian, their goals in supporting this effort are clear:

• Create secure outposts. Well-built, defensible outposts are needed, so anyone who can assist with building efforts, and quickly are appreciated.
• Defend the outposts and the Meri soldiers at large. Alenroux is still dangerous because of the monsters, and soldiers will be staying overnight. Fighting off monsters is something that will also eventually make Alenroux inhabitable.
• Prevent Zenith interference. Highstorm surely won’t be happy about this, so make sure that the soldiers and the outposts are protected from Zenites just as much as from the monsters that roam the lands.

And indeed, the invasion and occupation does come as a surprise to Highstorm. While they had noted the increased training of Springstar’s military, it was assumed to be in preparation for the intensified tensions of losing the first Oracle, not something as bold as an open act of war like this.

It takes some time for Yima to learn more about the events herself, but Zenith will also be contacted through Communion. With the air of a disappointed mother, she’ll explain that Meridian’s choice is regrettable since she thought they would be better than this. Yima explains that there’s no need to turn Alenroux into an open warzone and cut off both cities from their breadbasket. Instead, she lays out the following direction to gently break Meridian’s spirit first before turning to open hostilities:

• Collect information. Where are the outposts, how many soldiers are assigned to them, and what are their general movements. Scouting and spying will be valuable. Learning more about the Meri Shard-Bearers’ capabilities while they’re fighting creatures rather than Zenites is also useful.
• Create dissent. The people that work and visit Alenroux regularly have mixed feelings about the occupation unless they’re Meridian loyalists. Making the campaign unpopular with the people can push Meridian back without needing to raise a finger.
• Sabotage. But don’t get caught doing it, at least for now. Whether breaking defenses or leading more powerful monsters to the encampments, it’s best to break morale before needing to fight back openly.

If you’re unharmonized when all of this begins, then you’ll be finding out about it with the general populace. However, it’s a good opportunity to learn what a faction is about in a more hands-on way. Though you may not be privy to their private, factional discussions, both sides will still welcome the help of those still yet to decide.

SETTING UPDATES

In both locations, information passes between all in a forum, spread and disseminated among the masses - it's a good opportunity for city residents, faction loyalists and interested new parties to share and share alike. Once the meet-and-greet has concluded, twin missives from both faction leads are read out -- invitations for all present to explore the cities to their heart's content, and warnings about stumbling ill-prepared ( or at all ) into the Below, or worse yet, the Beyond. As Shard-Bearers new and old take in their cities, they'll all see it change throughout the month...

OOC, these are all updates to the setting at large that players both new and old are free to interact with as little or as much as they wish! Feel free to use them as prompts on this post, in your characters on-going lives and arcs, or just let them go "that's none of my business" and ignore it. The world of Kenos is shaped by our playerbase, and these are some of the wider reaching effects of various player plots and actions.

THE BLIGHT

During the events of the Scorching Isles, Shard-Bearers encountered an affliction upon the island and unintentionally brought it back to Highstorm and Springstar with them. Known simply as “the Blight,” this condition steals time from the things it infects. It most frequently infects inanimate objects and will cause them to rot or degrade rapidly (such as a piece of metal rusting within hours) but is able to infect living things as well. Most notably, the Blight is infecting plants and animals in the two cities. Plants both decorative and necessary will wither and die, and small animals grow sick and die seemingly of old age. This has been seen in small amounts throughout the past month OOC but is greatly increased in frequency in March and beyond.

FURTHER DETAILS

• Within the NPC populace, there’s a low-grade fear of the Blight intensifying and being able to infect larger animals/the people. There’s no evidence of this yet, but Shard-Bearers that were on the Scorching Isles will know this is possible.
• Some characters will be aware that the rare, blue flowers that grow in the barren portions of World’s End (February’s event location) seem to reduce the effects of the detrimental effects of the Oracle and the Blight. Because of some drops of characters that knew this information, you can assume that characters are able to learn this information if they’re interested enough to dig into it.
• Dr. Julia Melnik of Springstar is openly researching cures for the Blight and will recruit anyone interested to be research assistants to test formulations of cures on afflicted plants/creatures. You can handwave these interactions and use them for prompt(s), if you’d like!
• Finally, if curing the Blight is something your character would specifically be interested in, please note it in your Character Survey so that the Loremasters will be able to help you pursue this organically.

THE OCCUPATION OF ALENROUX

As mentioned above, Meridian has launched a surprise invasion and occupation of Alenroux. Because Meridian was able to successfully keep their efforts a secret throughout the months (!) they’ve been planning this, Zenith will not be able to repel their advances… Immediately, at least. After roughly a week OOC from this log’s posting, the Meridian outposts in Alenroux will be stable and will change the island in the following ways:

FURTHER DETAILS

• Outposts have been established in well-chosen, defensible locations throughout the island of Alenroux. They’re clustered more heavily closer to the Cornerstone and are non-existent in the more dangerous Northern portion of the island where little farming is done anyways.
• Meridian soldiers will be always staying in the camps and outposts. For now, they’re a more supervisory force that are protecting the farmlands of Alenroux. During the day cycle, the military will respond with hostility to anyone that threatens the farms. If your character would antagonize or outright fight Meridian military, please contact a Loremaster, since this will have repercussions! Otherwise, the soldiers will assist workers and visitors to Alenroux in a professional manner.
• During the night cycle, the military will defend their outposts from monsters and make occasional offensive excursions to reduce the threat of monsters. The secondary goal of the Meridian military is also to make Alenroux a place that people can live, though this is a longer term effort.
• Meridian Shard-Bearers will be strongly encouraged to assist with the effort. “Assist” is purposefully defined broadly so that characters can help in whatever way suits them. Scouting, building, monster killing, or just morale improving are all valid ways that will gain favor with their faction and may lead to further opportunity. For now, abstaining will not have consequences, but may in the future.
• Zenith Shard-Bearers will be treated with suspicion in Alenroux and are not allowed to approach any of the Meridian outposts, or at least not without triggering a fight. The military will not outright attack Zenites (unless provoked) and essentially encouraged to move along. However, they may wish to gather information about the outposts and Meridian forces to attempt to push back against the occupation.
• Unharmonized Shard-Bearers are not treated with hostility, but similar to Zeniths will not be allowed to enter any of the encampments.
• If your character has an interest in continuing or stopping the occupation, please note it in your Character Survey so that Loremasters will be able to help you pursue this organically.

If Zenith would like to repel these advances, this is a response that will be purely in player hands (but will be assisted by Zenite NPCs, of course!). If they want to reclaim Alenroux, they can, or they can simply let Meridian continue. It’s up to you! This is something that Zenite players should discuss both IC and OOC, and if this plot develops further, Loremasters will help facilitate the ongoing conflict as a part of our changing game environment.

SMALLER CHANGES

HIGHSTORM: GREENWOOD YARDS

Considering the affliction that threatens the well-being of flora and small fauna alike, the greenhouses are far more discerning with those who are permitted inside its gates, afraid of the contagion affecting the precious, invaluable greenery of long-dead worlds. After the occupation of Alenroux, Meridian will be outright turned away, and while Zenith possesses no formal military or police, the greenskeepers appear to be prepared to defend their property with physical force should it come to that. Unharmonized are still allowed inside. The rest of the Yard beyond the greenhouses are still open to all factions.

And though it may seem an odd place for such a gathering, the indoor bathhouse at the far end of the Yards appears to be gaining popularity for mysterious reasons; if asked, none of the locals will explain the abrupt uptick in visitation. But should you investigate yourself, the reason why becomes apparent through experience: the tea served by the attendants here has changed properties. Should you be a Zenite, you will be served a cup that decreases your body's natural need for food and drink for 24 hours - an effort to test a concoction to relieve the need to deplete resources and lessen the city's reliance on Alenroux. Should you be a Meridian, the tea you're served will increase your appetite a considerable degree even if you normally do not require sustenance, and you will find yourself unfulfilled even if you are unwise and eat yourself to the point of illness; this lasts for 24 hours. The Unharmonized will find the tea might make them vaguely woozy, and either cause mild increase or decrease in appetite.

KOWLOON: DRAUMAHOL (cw: drugs)

Those that frequent Kowloon may have heard about the sudden disappearance of the former owner and operator of the drug den Draumahol, though it was only really noted because of the business being closed for a few days. Practically unheard of, since the desperate of Highstorm and Springstar come to Draumahol for their various fixes that are a little more taboo on the surface. But, never fear. After a brief closure, Draumahol reopens.

While it may not be obvious early in the month, it'll be increasingly so that Draumahol is under new management. Those that frequent the business enough will be able to figure out that the new owner is Silco (or, if you personally know him, it's fairly obvious). If you would like to plot anything regarding Draumahol, we encourage reaching out to Silco's player, Jill!

SPRINGSTAR: THE CHURCH

After the loss of the first Oracle, the Church of Heliopolis has been busy tending to its flock as the numbers coming to seek comfort swell. The gatherings aren't formal "services" so much as they're chances for people to come together and inspire each other with their homes and dreams of home. One formal process that does stick out though is that with each "service" one member will tap into the world shown in their sunbeam and open their minds to Communion. Anyone that wishes to can also experience this member's home, see their friends, loved ones, and the sights. It's a intimate bonding activity, but seems to be very cathartic for those that partake.

Additionally, those that come by the Church frequently enough to be known faces at the "services" may also be approached by priests and priestesses and invited to join in smaller ceremonies. Always taking place during Springstar's dawn or dusk, these ceremonies have a markedly different vibe and are lead by Hieropoios Natalia herself. Attending these ceremonies is an exclusive honor that will reduce attendees' Discord and has a subtly addictive quality that will encourage them to return. Hm!

OOC NOTES

Welcome to Kenos! As a reminder, all new players need an invite to apply to the game, which are now open.

This log is Game Canon. Any characters who are not apped to the game will disappear. If Cyrus or Yima are asked, they’ll explain that this sometimes happens since not every soul has a strong tether to Kenos and sometimes return to the Timestream. They may return to Kenos one day, but for now, weren’t able to make the full journey.

As a note primarily for current players, closed toplevels/prompts are not allowed in this log. If you would like to interact with the setting changes in a way that isn't open to all characters (new and old), we ask that you instead make a log in kenoslogs.

As a general reminder, any new characters that choose Zenith will receive a bonus 2 AC token reward, which is a purely OOC incentive. Our factions are a bit imbalanced at the moment, so we'd appreciate more Zenites!

FOR NEW PLAYERS:

When characters emerge from their cocoon/the ground, they may be wearing their normal clothes or nude. Up to you!

At some point in the days after leaving the Tree of Life, new Shard-Bearers will have a dream, even if they're usually not capable of sleeping. All new players should read this post since this details how they'll learn about both factions and their goals and should help them make a decision about which Faction they'd be drawn to.

As a reminder, your character has a Shard somewhere on their body that encompasses their soul, so keep note of where you're sticking it on their person for reference! Additionally, they have a tattoo of their Aspect somewhere on their body. Please be mindful this Aspect will be assigned to you upon approval and whatever you choose for the TDM may be temporary (for new characters)!

For the Highstorm and Springstar prompts, both cities will be fully open and accessible to all characters once they are freed from their rather harrowing ordeal at the Tree of Life. For prompt ideas and any general information about the cities and what you can find there, please see the Navigation page and check out the locations!

New characters will not have access to any canon abilities on the TDM until they Harmonize, AKA make a choice of which faction they choose to support. For some characters, this may be an easy decision, but it make take others time. We just ask you keep this in mind!

CODING

Comments

[fireballer]

[diluc grabs some plates, sliding on like four sandwiches for kaeya to eat. not the most nutritiously complete meal for his baby brother, but it's what he's got for now. he contemplates cooking for kaeya every night... he can't make too much as he's a spoiled rich boy with servants, but he does know some basic recipes from being out in the wild for four years. better than kaeya's NOTHING.

he shakes his head, stacking four sandwiches as well on his plate.]

As long as you're alive, I'll take care of the rest.

["you can rely on me," he seems to be saying as he starts chowing down. egg sandwiches may not be very fancy, but it always tastes good regardless! they can get some protein and carbs while they're at it, too.

he gestures to kaeya's plate.]

Eat up. We've had quite the eventful evening. The yolk is runny, just as you like it.

[diluc is like, already done with his first sandwich.]

Now. I assume since you're living here, you joined Zenith.

[subsist]

[ Four sandwiches... How much food does Diluc think he eats?

Regardless, Kaeya does try his very best to start munching through them, but he eats only one of them at first. This is probably more food than he's had in a while so he doesn't want to rush it for fear of upsetting his stomach. Not that he thinks it would happen, but it is something he'll have to keep in mind.

There's also no stopping the indescribable feeling that overwhelms him when Diluc says that he'll take care of the rest. It's close enough to relief.

But it's short-lived once the topic turns into faction talk. ]

... Do we have to talk about this now?

[ This is only going to ruin the delicate balance they've managed to wrangle between the two of them, so he doesn't know if he's ready to have this conversation just yet. ]

[fireballer]

[meanwhile, diluc has finished his second sandwich and starting on his third.

he raises an eyebrow, but considering kaeya's unique circumstances - being here for a year under the impression diluc was dead, having diluc suddenly arrive, crying in diluc's arms - he assumes kaeya just wants a little piece of normality. if kaeya hadn't cried and exposed his vulnerability, diluc would have pushed harder. but he did and diluc only wants kaeya to be okay, so he relents with a sigh.]

We can talk about it whenever you're ready to, Kaeya. But we have to talk about it eventually. We need to be on the same page.

[and that's where his lecturing ends, moving to sit next to kaeya with his plate of quickly diminishing sandwiches.

he pushes his thumb into the wrinkle between kaeya's eyebrows. they're alone, so there's no reputation he needs to uphold. it's been ages since he's been so at ease with kaeya, but already he falls back into old habits.]

You're overthinking again. It was merely a question. Relax and eat- I'm alive and here to stay and assist you in whatever you need.

[subsist]

[ It's hard to say what will make Kaeya feel okay, but rushing to talk about the faction divide and what choice he had to make is only going to make things worse — for now, at least. So he's thankful when Diluc appears to drop the subject, opting to sit right by Kaeya's side instead. Their plates are so hilariously different, because here is Kaeya still munching through his first sandwich while Diluc is halfway done his third.

He's always been more of a slow eater, even more so when he's nervous.

There were many unknowns before Diluc ever arrived in Kenos, and now that he's here, Kaeya doesn't know how things will unfold. It's terrifying to think about how difficult it is to predict the future, but before he can go down this particular rabbit hole, Diluc draws him away.

He blinks wildly at the man, and then remembers to breathe. ]

It's hard to relax when you say things like that, you know. [ His voice sounds fragile again, almost too soft, but he steadies himself.

And, even though he's terrified of being pushed away (because that's what happened the last time he tried to do this, he finds himself leaning against Diluc. Both for the support and the reassurance that his sworn brother is really here. ] ... I'm really glad you're here.

[ And that's just the plain and simple truth. ]

[fireballer]

[if kaeya basically hadn't told diluc to his face that he was overworking himself, diluc would have worried that the knights of favonius' inefficiency rubbed off on kaeya. diluc wants to jump in and roll his sleeves up and get to work, but kaeya's been living this for a year. he can have a break, even if diluc is bursting at the seams with the energy to act.

diluc feels a bump against his shoulders, and a glance tells him kaeya has truly been stripped bare and made vulnerable. it tugs fiercely at his protectiveness, seeing not the same confident man with a bulletproof facade, but instead the same shivering little boy his father had found that fateful night. how funny it was also raining then.

he pulls kaeya closer, arm around kaeya's shoulders to keep him safe and warm. secure.

archons, they have so much to talk about, even without all this new stuff. but it's admittedly nice to just. exist with kaeya. his closest friend, his confidante, his partner, his first- well. those days may be long gone now, but they can pick up what pieces are left and go from there. together.]

I've got you. And I'm not leaving you.

[he tries to rub some warmth into that still-cold body. he's definitely staying here for a while - he's not even going to ask for permission, feeling entitled to do so as his sworn elder brother.] Aren't you hungry? You've barely touched your food.

[subsist]

... Not really, but I don't want to let the food you made go to waste.

[ It's a miracle that Kaeya manages to keep his voice steady. After hearing Diluc say that he won't leave him, he feels a surge of emotions that is quite difficult to keep at bay. Bitterness sits at the very top of it, clamouring to be set free, to be known, because this isn't the first time Diluc promised him the same thing. This isn't the first time Kaeya will believe every word of it, and then—

(For a brief moment, he remembers a sword set ablaze with fire. The heavy patter of rain. A voice begging another. Please. Just listen to me. I chose—)

So he eats his second sandwich, while he continues to lean against Diluc. Not quite wanting to move.

Diluc might be able to tell that he's experiencing a sudden drop in mood, but if asked about it, Kaeya will blame it on exhaustion. Which isn't really a lie. Now that he's thinking about it, he doesn't remember how long he slept last night (if at all), so maybe heading to bed after he finishes his food will do him some good.

He falls silent for the time being, choosing to eat rather than voice any of his thoughts out loud. ]

[fireballer]

It's fine, you can simply eat what's leftover in the morning.

[diluc is luckily blissfully ignorant to what's going on in kaeya's head. still, though, he's known kaeya long enough to know that kaeya going quiet is cause for concern, as it usually means he's thinking far too much and misconstruing something diluc has done or said. he can practically sense kaeya's spiraling and retreating somewhere diluc can't reach.

diluc finishes his last sandwich, stacking his plate upside down on top of kaeya's in order to keep the sandwiches from going stale. diluc is not usually inclined to break silences, and now is no different as he moves to stand, committing the heinous crime of moving while a cat (kaeya) is resting on him. however, he makes up for it by gathering kaeya in his arms, princess-style, and heaves him up with ease (concerning!!!!)]

Come on, let's get you to bed. [he takes them to kaeya's room, where he fully intends to sleep as well. hey, they grew up sleeping in the same bed together! he has zero qualms about doing so again now that they're older. besides, he needs to be there in case kaeya has nightmares, which he thought kaeya had long grown out of. it just goes to show how little diluc knows about this era of kaeya (while at the same time knowing so much of him considering it's the same boy he knew growing up).

he sets kaeya down gently, pulling the covers over kaeya, before crawling in himself with a yawn, totally unbothered.]

[subsist]

[ It's a good thing that Diluc just barrels on without a care in the world. It was the only to draw Kaeya from his own thoughts, jostling him hard enough to make him pay attention to what was about to happen. Not that it gives him enough time to react, because by the time he realizes what's going on, Diluc has already picked him up in his arms. ]

Diluc—?! You don't have to—

[ All his protests fall on deaf ears. The redhead is determined to bring him to bed so he's left falling silent until he is settled on the mattress. Once the covers are drawn, he struggles to find the words to say. The red flush on his cheeks are enough to show just how flustered he is by the situation. ]

... I could have walked, you know. I'm no longer a child.

[ This may have been something Diluc once often did when they were younger, but it's true that they're no longer kids. There are implications that come with such actions now, even if Kaeya is likely the only one who's worrying about it.

Still, he can't help but turn to face the other, already curling into a small bal — just like when they were younger. ]

You should sleep. It's been a long day.

[fireballer]

And yet, you need to be told when to eat.

[diluc has no thoughts in his head right now other than to see to it that kaeya is well taken care of. he is far too tired from his admittedly very long and trying day, and far too jostled by witnessing kaeya's tears and his subpar methods of self-care. the man had no food in the house - the bar is so low it's in the ground.

which means he'll probably try to wake up early and set off to do whatever it is he does for most of the day. so diluc drapes an arm over kaeya's waist, oblivious to the intimate implications, because he knows for a fact that he sleeps like a rock and will be unmovable whenever kaeya wakes up. there will be no sneaking out at dawn! they'll wake up at a normal time and have breakfast.

still, though, diluc is just a person. and seeing kaeya so close, his eyepatch still on, stirs nostalgia and feelings of guilt within him. they haven't slept in the same bed since they were teenagers whenever kaeya had a bad nightmare. and in the glow of the moonlight, kaeya looks so very young, so very small. his gaze lingers on kaeya's eyepatch more than he means to, knowing that it is on purpose that kaeya hasn't taken it off this entire time. he wonders what kaeya is hiding from him.

but now isn't the time to ask. he shuts his eyes, feeling the chill from kaeya's presence which has him subconsciously dragging him closer.]

Take better care of yourself instead of worrying about me.

[subsist]

[ Childishly, this is all Kaeya can say: ]

How can I even worry about myself when you've been gone for a year...

[ With all of his walls finally torn apart, there is nothing holding him back from stating the pure and unfiltered truth. There's simply no way for him to prioritize himself at this very moment (and maybe for the next little while) when someone he thought was lost to the stars and nothingness has finally made his way here. He can hardly believe that it even happened, let alone be able to process what his next steps should be.

He's always prioritized Diluc, after all. No matter what happened between them. And now that the other man is here, right in bed with him, there's no one else that matters more.

But he doesn't have the strength to argue about it. Not right now. Instead, all he does is sigh quietly and burrow himself under the sheets. Diluc's arm is wrapped around him so that means he's likely not going anywhere even if he woke up before the redhead, but that's fine. This close, it'll be impossible for the other to see the flustered expression that he's now wearing. The warmth radiating from the other is just as soothing as it's always been, and it takes everything in him to stop himself from curling into that heat.

Diluc has already given so much of himself tonight. He isn't going to take advantage of that for much further. What he has is enough, even if he wants nothing more than to be closer. ]

[fireballer]

It's simple. I'm here, I'm fine. Let me worry about myself so you can focus on you.

[it's so easy for diluc, who hasn't been under the impression that his last remaining family was dead for a year. but he can only feel what he feels and know what he knows - and what he knows is that he wants to take that heavy burden off kaeya's shoulders.

even if he tried, he can't understand what kaeya has gone through. he thinks if he were in kaeya's situation, he would be so beyond messed up. so if kaeya's feeling even a fraction of that, diluc wants to alleviate whatever portion of it he can. and if he has to take care of kaeya and be a much more involved presence in kaeya's life, then so be it.

he presses his face into kaeya's hair, his chilled body helping to keep diluc from overheating, tiredness helping to overcome any awkwardness or embarrassment.]

I'll be here to support you. We'll get through this.

[and with that, sleep tugs him into unconsciousness, heavy from the safety of their environment and long-known comfort of kaeya in his arms. he snores softly. they've both got a long uphill battle ahead of them, but he staunchly believes that together they can achieve anything. regardless, he's already won. after all, to diluc, there is no better ending than one where he's reunited with his sworn brother in all the ways that matter.

well, mostly.]