[Lyney tenses, hesitating under Heizou's searching look. He clears his throat and shrugs his shoulders, waving a hand dismissively.]
I-It's quite alright! I'm perfectly fine, just a little sore is all...
[When Heizou pulls the covers back, though, unfortunately, another story becomes present. He'd woken up in the same state he had when he fell asleep before vanishing, meaning not much clothes on his body... which puts the painful-looking bruises and angry red burns on proud display. Burns that are healing, mind you, but still angry and red.]
[Obviously Heizou is used to seeing Lyney in this state of dress. So what his eyes are immediately drawn to are the things that weren't there the last time he'd seen him. It makes his entire expression turn to one of concern, and his fingers ghost around each angry spot, wanting to check them but not wanting to hurt Lyney in the process.]
What... happened?
[Lyney told him that this has happened before. Disappearing for not all that long here, but being home for much, much longer. Even so, these are very fresh injuries, and it makes something in Heizou's chest constrict painfully to see them and not know how they got there.]
[Lyney can't hide from that concerned expression, and he feels exposed as Heizou studies his body and ghosts his fingers over the wounds. He frowns, turning away.]
It's nothing... nothing serious.
[He bites his lip, trying to think of something to answer Heizou with. Because he knows his promise to the other man, but... it's hard to give a truthful answer when there's so much he can't say. Eventually, he settles on something that sounds weak even to his own ears.]
It was... just a misunderstanding. But things have been sorted out, and all is well now. I promise.
[Heizou's eyes flit back up to Lyney's face when he answers. And he nearly - nearly - starts to scold him for dismissing his injuries. But then he sees the way Lyney bites down on his lip before continuing, and immediately he realizes that this is One of Those Things. The thing that Lyney seems almost terrified to talk to him about.
It makes his gaze soften slightly, even as he turns that attention onto the worst of Lyney's burns with a little frown. He understands, but he's still... just a bit disappointed.]
...Tell me more about it sometime, okay?
[And to show there's no hard feelings, he leans over to press a kiss to Lyney's forehead before getting up to his feet.]
First, I'm gonna get you some bandages and ointment.
[Lyney looks up at Heizou, accepting that kiss to his forehead before Heizou moves to get the necessary supplies.]
Alright...
[He remains where he is, sighing as he looks down at his wounds. Truthfully, they do look like they're healing, obviously being taken care of... but still there on his body. Lyney sighs, and when Heizou comes into the room, a troubled expression is on the magician's face.]
I'm... sorry I can't tell you more. If I could, I would, but...
[His gaze turns downcast, looking away a bit.]
But... I'm not lying when I say things are okay now. Everything is fine now.
[He only disappears into the bathroom for a few minutes to get the supplies that he needs. He also wets a handtowel with some cool water, just in case some of those burns still need it. Heizou isn't sure how old any of them are, but he takes the fact that Lyney is still wincing when some of them are touched as a sign.
When he comes back and sits down next to the other on his side of the bed, Heizou can only blink in surprise at the apology. And then he smiles softly, turning his attention to applying some ointment to Lyney's burns.]
I believe you, dearest. I... I do wish you felt comfortable enough to tell me more, but I understand. Thank you for at least being honest with me.
[He means it, too. And if it isn't obvious from his tone, hopefully it is in the very gentle way Heizou rubs the medicine over his skin, taking his time to make sure it won't hurt too much.]
[As Heizou apploes the ointment, he can probably tell that they're fairly fresh. Maybe a few days old at most. But there's evidence that it's been attended to, and is healing well enough even if it's still tender. Still, Lyney does wince a bit as the ointment is applied.]
[Lyney can tell that Heizou means his words, but Lyney's frown remains. He still wants to tell Heizou so much... and yet, he's afraid. Afraid of what he can tell, afraid of how Heizou will react... he lets out a weak breath of a laugh, though it fades into a wince.]
Were it... only about me being comfortable...
[He bites his lip as he tries to stifle a wince, but Heizou is being quite gentle. He sighs before continuing.]
Truly, it's less about what I'm comfortable with and more... what I'd be able to say.
[It's kind of an empty answer, but at the same time it speaks volumes to why Lyney is so secretive.]
[His eyes flit up from what he's doing to try to meet Lyney's gaze, eyebrows arching upward. That's... an interesting answer. One that's probably more telling than Lyney even knows. It has Heizou pausing in his movements to search the other's face for a moment, eyes sharp as a hawk's.
Whatever conclusion he comes to he seems to keep it to himself, going back to diligently smoothing his hands over Lyney's burns.]
I understand, Lyney. You don't have to explain right now, okay? [He finally pulls his hands back, but only to ask-] Now show me where else you're injured.
[Lyney looks at Heizou while Heizou searches his face, looking at Heizou's face for answers just as much as Heizou is. He knows he's probably said too much, but... it's what he feels he can tell Heizou without outright lying to him. Explaining that it's not a matter of won't, but can't, and the distinction between them.]
[Still, when Heizou gives his reassurance, Lyney nods, trying to offer a weak smile.]
Thank you.
[And he is grateful, truly. He hates not giving Heizou the whole truth, but... it's what he must do.]
[Obediently, he nods, turning a bit. There's a few more injuries on his back, not unlike the ones on his front. Including a few nasty bruises on his sides, as if caught in some kind of pincer attack. But those, too, are showing signs of healing, even slightly.]
They look worse than they are... at least, that's what I'm told.
[Heizou just smiles fondly when Lyney offers his thanks, and once Lyney has turned around he drops a little kiss to safe spot on his shoulder. Even if he's still feeling a little disappointed, it's a relief to know that it isn't an issue of trust. And whether the other meant to leave such big hints or not, Heizou's also relieved to have them. He's smart. It's one of those things about him that's equally impressive and annoying at the same time. This puzzle will come together in good time.
He hums thoughtfully when he sees those bruises, tracing a finger lightly over the still-healing marks that have been left there. There's nothing he can do for those but leave them alone, so he just gets a little more ointment and applies it to the other burns on Lyney's back.]
Who patched you up after it happened?
[He assumes it's someone from the orphanage. Or one of his two closer siblings.]
[Lyney shivers at the kiss, but he smiles over his shoulder at Heizou. He hates leaving Heizou in the dark, but the acceptance from the other man is something he's incredibly grateful for.]
One of the helpers... and Foltz, surprisingly enough. [He pauses, wincing as the ointment rubs on his burns.] He's one of the younger children of the... orphanage.
[He almost say "of the House", but stops before he does. Hopefully Heizou thinks he just paused to wince.]
[He'll get his answers one day. Heizou has to have faith in that. Has to have faith in Lyney.
...That's an odd thought, actually. Something new for him.
He's so in tune with all of the magician's reactions at the moment that he can tell when that last pause is... different. It's just one more thing that Heizou adds to his mental clue board, even as he hums softly in acknowledgement.]
Good. I'm glad you were quickly cared for.
[Heizou eventually finishes with the ointment, giving Lyney another quick little kiss to the back of his neck before he starts fishing out bandages. Just to cover up the worst of his burns.]
Though why is Foltz a surprising helper? Just because he's young?
[Lyney is as good a patient as he can be, adjusting his spot so Heizou can apply the ointment and bandages as well as he can. His cover up seems to have been bought, so he offers a smile as Heizou works.]
Oh, it’s just that his hobbies don’t quite align with health care, so it was an unexpected surprise to see him helping! I’m not sure if he’ll pursue such a path, but it’s good to know a variety of skills, isn’t it?
He's just as diligent with the bandages as he was with the burns, making sure they're properly dressed so that they'll continue to heal well. They may already be some days old, but Heizou's not going to risk anything getting infected if he can help it.
He does chuckle a little at what Lyney says, smoothing another bandage down gently before moving on to the next one.]
True! There's never any harm in diversity. Your orphanage must teach everyone a lot of different kinds of skills~
Oh yes, the kids get to learn all kinds of things while staying at the orphanage.
[He's got to be careful about what he says, but he won't deny that the House teaches a wide berth of... skills. Even if said skills are more suited towards espionage than anything honest. Lyney settles a bit as those bandages are wrapped, before looking back at Heizou.]
Thank you for your care, ma cherie. With you on the case, I won't have to worry about how my recovery goes.
[Something about the vagueness of that statement gives Heizou pause. Not because of what Lyney said, exactly. But because he realizes that he'd started fishing for information, looking for little clues and trying to get Lyney to let something slip. He has to mentally shake himself out of that. He really does want to hear the truth from Lyney himself, and he wants to wait for the day that he's ready or when he feels like he's allowed to share. Old habits just die hard.
He gives Lyney a warm smile once his work is done, reaching to hold onto both of the magician's hands. Everything else in his head aside, Heizou is so glad that Lyney reappeared. He's... not sure what he would've done if it turned out that he'd gone forever.]
Of course, my dearest magician~ I'll be sure to take care of everything until you're completely healed.
[And... since it is settled, Heizou leans in to give him a soft, but urgent kiss.]
[Lyney turns to fully face Heizou now that the bandaging is done, and he grasps at Heizou's hands as well. The kiss is a surprise, but he kisses back eagerly... until Heizou pulls back and speaks. A guilty look crosses his face.]
I know, I know. I'm so sorry. If I had a way to warn you, believe me, I would have. I won't leave without warning if I can help it, I promise.
[Heizou just sighs a little, letting his forehead rest against Lyney's. His shoulders even sag a little, as if he's finally allowing himself to feel relieved. If he had been earlier, it was short-lived in light of all Lyney's fresh new injuries.]
I know. We can't help this sort of thing with the rifts being the way they are...
[Which is frustrating. It makes him remember the promise he made to Freminet, about being there for Lyney if the rifts took the younger boy back. But somehow at the time they hadn't really thought about what to do if it was Lyney that disappeared first. Heizou would take care of Freminet if that happened, of course. But...
Thinking about it again makes him nervous. He banishes it quickly.]
But... at least you got to see your family, right? How's your sister?
Yeah... I know. That's why I promise, if it's within my power, I'll tell you. I promise.
[Given the way the rifts are, it's hard to plan around them, especially since this is his second time vanishing. Perhaps he will vanish back to Teyvat forever... But no. He'll have to make plans to ensure that Freminet will be taken care of in the off chance he does vanish. And, he'll have to ensure that Heizou is taken care of as well... As one of his first real friends in a long time, he owes it to the man. perhaps he should make some plans...]
[But ah, it's not time to focus on that. Instead, he blinks, before smiling and looking away a bit.]
Ah, you're kind to ask, Heizou. She's doing well... far more well than I thought. Her injuries are healing nicely as well, but she always managed to bounce back from such situations.
[Heizou smiles softly, idly brushing some of that hair out of the other's eyes.] I'll do the same. I promise.
[He gives him another kiss then, just something quick and sweet as though he's using that to seal the deal. Wandering off for days at a time to investigate cases is not new behavior for him, after all. Even here, he's sometimes found himself looking into something new that's caught his interest and has taken him away for a while. But this is probably the first time Heizou's realizing just how useful the shellphones are. No matter where he goes, it's easy to send Lyney a message and tell him not to worry.
It's a good promise to keep, anyway. For once, Heizou will make sure that Lyney can find him wherever he is -- as long as he can help it.
His smile grows a little as Lyney goes on to update him about his sister, content to play idly with the other's fingers as he talks. He mentally notes that Lynette was also caught up in whatever this "misunderstanding" was, which only further confirms the theories that he's slowly been developing... But as usual, Heizou keeps it to himself.]
Good! I'm glad. I know how much you and Freminet miss her, so... at least you know things are still just fine back home.
[Hearing Heizou's heartfelt promise warms Lyney's heart. He's learned that truth and trust is something Heizou values dearly, and while that thought can be quite terrifying for someone in Lyney's field, it's also something of a reassurance. He knows that Heizou won't give such promises lightly, and he knows that no matter what, they can both rely upon each other to not vanish on each other... so long as they can help it.]
[Regardless of Heizou's theories, Lyney is just glad to talk about his sister. His expression grows lighter and less guarded as he speaks about her.]
Yeah, it was very nice to see her again. And knowing that she's doing alright... it puts my mind at ease.
[Though, at the same time, now he wants to check in with Freminet and see if he has any new wounds he's nursing... but that can happen after.]
[Knowing that Lyney feels better about having seen his sister does make Heizou happy for him in turn. It makes his smile warm as he watches Lyney's expression shift into something a little more relaxed, casually threading their fingers together. He doesn't really think about the gesture either; he's just happy that he's able to hold the magician again. Just enjoying the weight of Lyney's hand in his.]
You're together practically everyday back home, aren't you? How long did you get to be there this time?
["This time" because he remembers Lyney mentioning this had happened to him once before. It hadn't been very long in this world, but for Lyney... Heizou can't help but be curious.
And intuition also tells him that his time back home was spent without remembering a thing about being here. About Heizou. Somehow that makes his heart feel a little tight in his chest.]
Pretty much. And times we aren't, we let each other know where we are and an idea of when we'll be back.
[Everything from Freminet's diving to a House mission, they at least let each other know where they were going. The fact he's been here with Freminet, alone for so long, without Lynette... it's still so strange for him to get used to.]
Hmm... well, for quite a while, actually. We got to spend the Lantern Rite season in Liyue for the first time... heh, but poor Lynette learned the hard way that many of the dishes there were quite spicier than what we're used to. [Said with a chuckle in his voice.] What was it again? Black-Back Perch Stew? Fortunately, the Traveller was able to help make a dish that suited even our palettes. Then after that, it was just spending time at home, until...
[Until Father caught wind of the Phantom Child. Until they met the ghost of Clervie. Until that fateful duel for their lives, in which they risked everything to prove their conviction to Father.]
...until I found that strange bottle again, and I woke up back here.
[Heizou's happy to let him talk, happy to just listen as he describes events from back home. Sure that odd discomfort is still sitting there in his chest for some reason that he can't (or doesn't want to?) think about, but... Lyney's cheerful voice helps to soothe him. It's with a smile that he lets his head rest on the magician's shoulder, eyes still on his face like he's memorizing every detail of it, tracking every nuance in his voice.
Just in case.
Which is why that tiny pause doesn't go unnoticed. Heizou can fill in the gap a little, knowing that the "misunderstanding" Lyney can't talk about goes there. For once he wishes he wasn't so curious by nature, because he almost - almost - tries to poke into that again. Another day. It'll have to wait until another day.]
...I remember your weakness to spicy food. [From when it was mentioned that time they'd drank with Kaveh, at least.] So what's your favorite dish? If you tell me I'll do my best to make it for you~
[And while Heizou is taking in Lyney, Lyney does his best to take in all of Heizou. His concerned look, his soft smile, the gentle attention he's feeding Lyney... admittedly, he doesn't think he remembered Heizou very well when he went back home. He didn't really remember anything of this world when he went back. And that thought frightens him a bit; how memories can be tampered with and changed so. And with the method Father used to "execute" the wayward members of the House so fresh in his mind, a fear takes root in his heart; of not remembering those he's befriended here, not remembering those he now shared a special connection with. It's frightening, to say the least... and it's something he isn't sure he's ready to talk about yet.]
[So unbeknownst to Lyney, he follows Heizou's lead. He chooses to focus on the here and now, on talking about lighter things, like spicy food. Things that don't make his chest tighten with fear and make his heart feel like crumbling.]
My favourite dish..? Well, truthfully, I'm a fan of fish dishes. Any kind, really... oh, but I tend to stay away from fried dishes. Our performances require that Lynette and I have matching physiques, so we have to avoid eating any oily food. That's not a huge problem for me, but it can be tough for my sister; she's much more prone to eating that which smells delicious, and the fried fish they sell tends to have quite the delectable aroma...
[He lets out a wistful sigh.]
I suppose a little bit here and there doesn't hurt, but still... did you know Lynette will eat three desserts in one day if you're not keeping an eye on her?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
book2thehead
no subject
Date: 16 Jun 2024 22:20 (UTC)[Lyney tenses, hesitating under Heizou's searching look. He clears his throat and shrugs his shoulders, waving a hand dismissively.]
I-It's quite alright! I'm perfectly fine, just a little sore is all...
[When Heizou pulls the covers back, though, unfortunately, another story becomes present. He'd woken up in the same state he had when he fell asleep before vanishing, meaning not much clothes on his body... which puts the painful-looking bruises and angry red burns on proud display. Burns that are healing, mind you, but still angry and red.]
no subject
Date: 16 Jun 2024 22:37 (UTC)What... happened?
[Lyney told him that this has happened before. Disappearing for not all that long here, but being home for much, much longer. Even so, these are very fresh injuries, and it makes something in Heizou's chest constrict painfully to see them and not know how they got there.]
What did you return to?
no subject
Date: 16 Jun 2024 22:56 (UTC)It's nothing... nothing serious.
[He bites his lip, trying to think of something to answer Heizou with. Because he knows his promise to the other man, but... it's hard to give a truthful answer when there's so much he can't say. Eventually, he settles on something that sounds weak even to his own ears.]
It was... just a misunderstanding. But things have been sorted out, and all is well now. I promise.
no subject
Date: 16 Jun 2024 23:38 (UTC)It makes his gaze soften slightly, even as he turns that attention onto the worst of Lyney's burns with a little frown. He understands, but he's still... just a bit disappointed.]
...Tell me more about it sometime, okay?
[And to show there's no hard feelings, he leans over to press a kiss to Lyney's forehead before getting up to his feet.]
First, I'm gonna get you some bandages and ointment.
no subject
Date: 17 Jun 2024 00:49 (UTC)Alright...
[He remains where he is, sighing as he looks down at his wounds. Truthfully, they do look like they're healing, obviously being taken care of... but still there on his body. Lyney sighs, and when Heizou comes into the room, a troubled expression is on the magician's face.]
I'm... sorry I can't tell you more. If I could, I would, but...
[His gaze turns downcast, looking away a bit.]
But... I'm not lying when I say things are okay now. Everything is fine now.
no subject
Date: 17 Jun 2024 01:14 (UTC)When he comes back and sits down next to the other on his side of the bed, Heizou can only blink in surprise at the apology. And then he smiles softly, turning his attention to applying some ointment to Lyney's burns.]
I believe you, dearest. I... I do wish you felt comfortable enough to tell me more, but I understand. Thank you for at least being honest with me.
[He means it, too. And if it isn't obvious from his tone, hopefully it is in the very gentle way Heizou rubs the medicine over his skin, taking his time to make sure it won't hurt too much.]
no subject
Date: 17 Jun 2024 01:41 (UTC)[Lyney can tell that Heizou means his words, but Lyney's frown remains. He still wants to tell Heizou so much... and yet, he's afraid. Afraid of what he can tell, afraid of how Heizou will react... he lets out a weak breath of a laugh, though it fades into a wince.]
Were it... only about me being comfortable...
[He bites his lip as he tries to stifle a wince, but Heizou is being quite gentle. He sighs before continuing.]
Truly, it's less about what I'm comfortable with and more... what I'd be able to say.
[It's kind of an empty answer, but at the same time it speaks volumes to why Lyney is so secretive.]
no subject
Date: 17 Jun 2024 02:21 (UTC)Whatever conclusion he comes to he seems to keep it to himself, going back to diligently smoothing his hands over Lyney's burns.]
I understand, Lyney. You don't have to explain right now, okay? [He finally pulls his hands back, but only to ask-] Now show me where else you're injured.
no subject
Date: 17 Jun 2024 02:38 (UTC)[Still, when Heizou gives his reassurance, Lyney nods, trying to offer a weak smile.]
Thank you.
[And he is grateful, truly. He hates not giving Heizou the whole truth, but... it's what he must do.]
[Obediently, he nods, turning a bit. There's a few more injuries on his back, not unlike the ones on his front. Including a few nasty bruises on his sides, as if caught in some kind of pincer attack. But those, too, are showing signs of healing, even slightly.]
They look worse than they are... at least, that's what I'm told.
no subject
Date: 17 Jun 2024 02:54 (UTC)He hums thoughtfully when he sees those bruises, tracing a finger lightly over the still-healing marks that have been left there. There's nothing he can do for those but leave them alone, so he just gets a little more ointment and applies it to the other burns on Lyney's back.]
Who patched you up after it happened?
[He assumes it's someone from the orphanage. Or one of his two closer siblings.]
no subject
Date: 18 Jun 2024 02:39 (UTC)One of the helpers... and Foltz, surprisingly enough. [He pauses, wincing as the ointment rubs on his burns.] He's one of the younger children of the... orphanage.
[He almost say "of the House", but stops before he does. Hopefully Heizou thinks he just paused to wince.]
no subject
Date: 18 Jun 2024 15:26 (UTC)...That's an odd thought, actually. Something new for him.
He's so in tune with all of the magician's reactions at the moment that he can tell when that last pause is... different. It's just one more thing that Heizou adds to his mental clue board, even as he hums softly in acknowledgement.]
Good. I'm glad you were quickly cared for.
[Heizou eventually finishes with the ointment, giving Lyney another quick little kiss to the back of his neck before he starts fishing out bandages. Just to cover up the worst of his burns.]
Though why is Foltz a surprising helper? Just because he's young?
no subject
Date: 19 Jun 2024 19:54 (UTC)Oh, it’s just that his hobbies don’t quite align with health care, so it was an unexpected surprise to see him helping! I’m not sure if he’ll pursue such a path, but it’s good to know a variety of skills, isn’t it?
no subject
Date: 19 Jun 2024 20:17 (UTC)He's just as diligent with the bandages as he was with the burns, making sure they're properly dressed so that they'll continue to heal well. They may already be some days old, but Heizou's not going to risk anything getting infected if he can help it.
He does chuckle a little at what Lyney says, smoothing another bandage down gently before moving on to the next one.]
True! There's never any harm in diversity. Your orphanage must teach everyone a lot of different kinds of skills~
no subject
Date: 22 Jun 2024 22:52 (UTC)[He's got to be careful about what he says, but he won't deny that the House teaches a wide berth of... skills. Even if said skills are more suited towards espionage than anything honest. Lyney settles a bit as those bandages are wrapped, before looking back at Heizou.]
Thank you for your care, ma cherie. With you on the case, I won't have to worry about how my recovery goes.
no subject
Date: 23 Jun 2024 00:36 (UTC)He gives Lyney a warm smile once his work is done, reaching to hold onto both of the magician's hands. Everything else in his head aside, Heizou is so glad that Lyney reappeared. He's... not sure what he would've done if it turned out that he'd gone forever.]
Of course, my dearest magician~ I'll be sure to take care of everything until you're completely healed.
[And... since it is settled, Heizou leans in to give him a soft, but urgent kiss.]
I'm glad you're back. I... I missed you.
no subject
Date: 23 Jun 2024 02:39 (UTC)I know, I know. I'm so sorry. If I had a way to warn you, believe me, I would have. I won't leave without warning if I can help it, I promise.
no subject
Date: 23 Jun 2024 03:09 (UTC)I know. We can't help this sort of thing with the rifts being the way they are...
[Which is frustrating. It makes him remember the promise he made to Freminet, about being there for Lyney if the rifts took the younger boy back. But somehow at the time they hadn't really thought about what to do if it was Lyney that disappeared first. Heizou would take care of Freminet if that happened, of course. But...
Thinking about it again makes him nervous. He banishes it quickly.]
But... at least you got to see your family, right? How's your sister?
no subject
Date: 23 Jun 2024 04:43 (UTC)[Given the way the rifts are, it's hard to plan around them, especially since this is his second time vanishing. Perhaps he will vanish back to Teyvat forever... But no. He'll have to make plans to ensure that Freminet will be taken care of in the off chance he does vanish. And, he'll have to ensure that Heizou is taken care of as well... As one of his first real friends in a long time, he owes it to the man. perhaps he should make some plans...]
[But ah, it's not time to focus on that. Instead, he blinks, before smiling and looking away a bit.]
Ah, you're kind to ask, Heizou. She's doing well... far more well than I thought. Her injuries are healing nicely as well, but she always managed to bounce back from such situations.
no subject
Date: 23 Jun 2024 06:33 (UTC)[He gives him another kiss then, just something quick and sweet as though he's using that to seal the deal. Wandering off for days at a time to investigate cases is not new behavior for him, after all. Even here, he's sometimes found himself looking into something new that's caught his interest and has taken him away for a while. But this is probably the first time Heizou's realizing just how useful the shellphones are. No matter where he goes, it's easy to send Lyney a message and tell him not to worry.
It's a good promise to keep, anyway. For once, Heizou will make sure that Lyney can find him wherever he is -- as long as he can help it.
His smile grows a little as Lyney goes on to update him about his sister, content to play idly with the other's fingers as he talks. He mentally notes that Lynette was also caught up in whatever this "misunderstanding" was, which only further confirms the theories that he's slowly been developing... But as usual, Heizou keeps it to himself.]
Good! I'm glad. I know how much you and Freminet miss her, so... at least you know things are still just fine back home.
no subject
Date: 4 Jul 2024 02:32 (UTC)[Regardless of Heizou's theories, Lyney is just glad to talk about his sister. His expression grows lighter and less guarded as he speaks about her.]
Yeah, it was very nice to see her again. And knowing that she's doing alright... it puts my mind at ease.
[Though, at the same time, now he wants to check in with Freminet and see if he has any new wounds he's nursing... but that can happen after.]
no subject
Date: 4 Jul 2024 05:52 (UTC)You're together practically everyday back home, aren't you? How long did you get to be there this time?
["This time" because he remembers Lyney mentioning this had happened to him once before. It hadn't been very long in this world, but for Lyney... Heizou can't help but be curious.
And intuition also tells him that his time back home was spent without remembering a thing about being here. About Heizou. Somehow that makes his heart feel a little tight in his chest.]
no subject
Date: 10 Jul 2024 03:11 (UTC)[Everything from Freminet's diving to a House mission, they at least let each other know where they were going. The fact he's been here with Freminet, alone for so long, without Lynette... it's still so strange for him to get used to.]
Hmm... well, for quite a while, actually. We got to spend the Lantern Rite season in Liyue for the first time... heh, but poor Lynette learned the hard way that many of the dishes there were quite spicier than what we're used to. [Said with a chuckle in his voice.] What was it again? Black-Back Perch Stew? Fortunately, the Traveller was able to help make a dish that suited even our palettes. Then after that, it was just spending time at home, until...
[Until Father caught wind of the Phantom Child. Until they met the ghost of Clervie. Until that fateful duel for their lives, in which they risked everything to prove their conviction to Father.]
...until I found that strange bottle again, and I woke up back here.
no subject
Date: 10 Jul 2024 04:03 (UTC)Just in case.
Which is why that tiny pause doesn't go unnoticed. Heizou can fill in the gap a little, knowing that the "misunderstanding" Lyney can't talk about goes there. For once he wishes he wasn't so curious by nature, because he almost - almost - tries to poke into that again. Another day. It'll have to wait until another day.]
...I remember your weakness to spicy food. [From when it was mentioned that time they'd drank with Kaveh, at least.] So what's your favorite dish? If you tell me I'll do my best to make it for you~
no subject
Date: 10 Jul 2024 05:40 (UTC)[So unbeknownst to Lyney, he follows Heizou's lead. He chooses to focus on the here and now, on talking about lighter things, like spicy food. Things that don't make his chest tighten with fear and make his heart feel like crumbling.]
My favourite dish..? Well, truthfully, I'm a fan of fish dishes. Any kind, really... oh, but I tend to stay away from fried dishes. Our performances require that Lynette and I have matching physiques, so we have to avoid eating any oily food. That's not a huge problem for me, but it can be tough for my sister; she's much more prone to eating that which smells delicious, and the fried fish they sell tends to have quite the delectable aroma...
[He lets out a wistful sigh.]
I suppose a little bit here and there doesn't hurt, but still... did you know Lynette will eat three desserts in one day if you're not keeping an eye on her?
(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From: