un: lakan

[lakan]

Quick question: does the title "Archon" mean anything to anybody here? From your worlds.

[ The title of "Archon" - the supersoldiers he commanded - is immediately recognizable in his world. So it's a good lure to bring out anyone from his home who might have been here before him. He hopes that there is someone here he recognizes, or at least can relate to about their mutual world. Worst thing is that he'll just end up being a regular man in here, a stranger. ]

Comments

un: alberich

[icepatch]

Yes, it's the title of the gods of the seven nations in Teyvat.

I'm not entirely surprised the name may mean something different in other worlds, but I'm surprised someone is asking. May I ask what brought this on?

[lakan]

Well consider me a god then! Haha
It's an easily recognizable title where I'm from. Me and the soldiers under my command are called Archons.
Was hoping some of them ended up here.

[icepatch]

Ha ha, no thank you. ;)

[He may love Venti, but in general, he has no love for the gods. Long story.]

Oh, a soldier! Are you in a special group, then?

[lakan]

Ye of little faith >:(
lol
And you could say that. My Archons are humanity's best warriors.

[icepatch]

All of humanity? Goodness, that's impressive.

[lakan]

Yep, not to brag or anything.
But that is the purpose of the Archon Program in my world.
Taken from different branches of military and police service from different colonies, we pick the best out of all of them if they pass our assessments.
It's an earned title.

[ And he's their commander. His confidence in his fighting skills in well earned, and his pride towards his troops are too. ]

[icepatch]

I see, I see. May I ask what this Archon Program is?

I'm afraid we have nothing of the sort in Mondstadt, although perhaps those from other nations could chime in if they have something similar.

[lakan]

How about I show you instead? Know a good place for conversation?

[ While he's fine in divulging some info on his world, he prefers to know more about Kaeya before he does so. Mostly to get a better feel on this other person behind these words, but also perhaps someonento personally guide him through this world. ]

[icepatch]

Of course! I'm assuming you're in Kyoto? New arrivals seem to be showing here rather than Tokyo this time.

Assuming you are, there's a bar we can have a chat in.

[Insert location here, it happens to be a bar that his boyfriend bartends at as well. So, Kaeya was familiar with the owner.]

[lakan]

And I'm one of those new arrivals, so it's good to know I won't have to fly to another city.
I'll be there, and with the looks I've been given so far by the locals it should be easy to guess who I am.

[ Fly - which he can do in his armor. But he chose to be civil with the locals and not alert them with a sight of a flying man in a can.

After some time has passed, Troy eventually finds this bar. A tall man in black armor and flashy golden pauldrons tries to squeeze himself in the small door. It's so obvious he's a greenhorn with the way his helmet covered head's first instinct is to look around. His face is freed from his helmet soon enough as it retracts, folding neatly into his suit's collar as he walks toward the bar with a shy hint in his easy-going expression. ]

How was that for obvious New Arrival To Nippon, huh? I'm guessin' you're alberich?

[icepatch]

[It really was very easy to realize that the newcomer was, well, new and Kaeya lifted a hand in a wave to direct the armored man over.

He crossed his legs on the barstool and sipped his drink around a smirk.]

Very obvious. How do you get around in all that?

[He set the glass down and effected a bow as best he could while still seated.]

Kaeya Alberich, at your service.

[lakan]

I have no idea.

[ Troy shakes his head with a laugh. He suppose the yokai are wary enough to give him a wide berth, or just used to weird looking people. The worst they did so far is gawk and gossip about him to themselves.

Either way, it didn't matter to him now. Joining Kaeya and sits himself down by the bar. Despite the bulk of the armor, Troy moves around with it like it's a second skin. He gives a slow nod in return, understanding that handshakes aren't really a custom in a place similar to the Japan of his world. ]

Troy Dantes, a very human name I assure you. A pleasure to meet you, Kaeya. You look nice.

[icepatch]

You being human or not is really of no concern and, word of advice, you will need to get used to the population here being a mix of human and yokai.

[He said this with a wave of his hand, picking up his glass and taking another sip. He grinned around the sip.]

Oh, a compliment already? How nice of you. Do you do this with everyone you meet people the first time?

[lakan]

[ He acknowledged Kaeya's words with a more casual nod as his eyes drift briefly at the bar. Come to think of it, how long has it been since he had a drink? It didn't matter enough for him not to bring his attention back to Kaeya and reply ]

If they look worthy of complimenting.

[ A smirk lingers on the edge of his lips, flavoring his words with flirtation. But he's ready to get down to business as well, whichever direction Kaeya feels like going. ]

Anyway, you asked what the Program is, and I'm an example of it. We're soldiers, wearing armor like this. We fight things that no ordinary human can match. Like knights, you could say. Or Samurai, even.

[icepatch]

[Troy only gets a flirtatious smirk right back, full on and Kaeya rested his cheek on his hand, elbow on the counter.]

I suppose I should thank you for finding me worthy then!

[He raised his glass in a cheer and drained the rest of it. He signaled the bartender for a refill and then turned a questioning gaze to Troy.]

Would you like a glass? It's just plum wine, my treat.

[At the explanation, Kaeya nodded in understanding although he did have one caveat to the description being likened to knights and samurai.]

As a knight myself, I would have to disagree on the notion that we fight only things no ordinary human can match. We are from different worlds, of course, it could be as simple as that.

But the Order of the Knights of Favonius are comprised of ordinary humans and those with Visions. [He gestured to said Vision at his hip (and probably bring to attention his stupid tiny waist despite the corset).] I may have an advantage, but we don't discriminate as keeping Mondstadt safe should be for everyone to participate on should they want to.

[lakan]

[ Troy brightens at Kaeya's appreciation of the compliment. As mundane as the way he rested his cheek on his hand is, it looked cute from Troy's perspective. ]

I normally don't drink, but waking up in a crazy world full of fox people who want to jump my bones, sounds like a drink is called for.

[ Troy gestures to the bartender that he too wants a glass before turning his attention back at Kaeya. That eyepatched gaze calls his attention as he listens to him speak, nodding and glancing at the Vision on Kaeya's hip ]

And yeah, we definitely live in different worlds. What I meant with the comparison is more that we're an elite group. But our way of doing things is not about discrimination. Anyone able bodied can become an Archon if they pass the tests. If they fail, they can try again. It's just a difficult world where I'm from. We fight things that are just far beyond human understanding, like invasions from outer space, monsters the size of skyscrapers, and even recently - a god.

[ He sees the plum wine be served, taking his cup after a nod of thanks to the bartender. He looks at the liquid with a very brief solemn look before it's back to an easy-going face. It's just that said god that had to be put down happened to be his ex-girlfriend. It's a long story ]

[icepatch]

[Kaeya nodded and grinned wider as he found he had a drinking buddy for the time being. The plum wine itself was becoming one of his favorites due to its sweet flavor that wasn't too sweet with the slight burn of alcohol to let it all go down smoothly.]

I see, I see, then I stand corrected.

[Kaeya couldn't help the eyebrow raise at the blink and you'll miss it look on the man's face.]

That certainly sounds like a story to tell. Care to share or too soon?

[He had no idea what a skyscraper was, but it sounded big nonetheless. Kaeya knew that what he was asking was probably too much for first meetings, so he firmly expected not to hear the story.]

[lakan]

Well...

[ He glances aside a bit, but more in a deciding manner than letting his feelings about the whole mess show. Troy has gotten very good at hiding his feelings, to the point that he himself is surprised by them sometimes ]

I don't mind sharing it, but you've probably heard a lot of crazy ex-girlfriend stories by now. She's uh, happened to be that very same god I mentioned. Yeah, your boy Troy here dated a god.

[ He laughs, choosing to look at the bright side and take pride in the fact that he dated a deity rather than the fact that she did some questionable things ]

[icepatch]

Ah.

[Kaeya looked fairly nonplussed at the revelation, taking a casual sip of his wine.]

So am I, but I daresay he is not a crazy-ex. But you are correct, I have heard quite a few stories. Men sure do speak freely once enough alcohol is in them. But really, if you would rather keep your story to yourself, I won't pry.

[lakan]

It's a long and boring story. You're going to have to buy me dinner first, instead of a drink.

[ He laughs. Troy means it that he's not opposed to sharing the story, but it doesn't feel like the right place for him to dump a lecture's worth of his personal drama and the lore of his own world that's too advanced compared to this one, on to Kaeya. Or maybe he's also in denial, not wishing to share it because it's too painful - something Troy himself doesn't realize. The sudden awakening here wildly threw him off his game more than he notices. ]

I can answer questions about it, in parts. Whichever parts you're most curious of. Otherwise, we can talk about something more interesting - like you.