un: alberich

[icepatch]

[Kaeya raised his hand in greeting and with a broad smile.]

Hello, everyone. For those who don't know, I'm Kaeya Alberich.

I just wanted to make an announcement. We don't have a date set quite yet, but Diluc Ragvindr and I will be opening a tavern of our own called Before Sunrise.

It will be located --

[THUD.

Kaeya started, shoulders hunching up and the video jerking in response to his surprise. He had no more than those two seconds of surprise and didn't even get to look at what caused the ruckus before an incredibly loud falcon cry was heard.

Kaeya let out a very undignified shriek of his own and the video flipped wildly as Kaeya tumbled right off the engawa he was sitting on. There's another audible thud as he hits the ground followed by a slightly pained groan. The device managed to land upright and said falcon was looking down at it with a tilt of its head.]

Comments

[notgrande]

I do, but only to see that you are absolutely okay.

[ Really tho? Give him - a few moments, he's going to get dressed to look cute, okay. ]

Yes, smart move. Better not leave a bird of prey hungry.

[icepatch]

Uh-huh, sure.

[Kaeya was okay, but there was a small abrasion on his nose because he certainly landed face first on the ground and there was streak of dirt on his cheek. It was still hot and humid, after all.

He rubbed his nose gently, giving off a soft whine because wow, that really did hurt. But now it was time to find some meat in the ice box to feed Aqila with until Diluc got home since he obviously would know her diet better than him.]

I'll be in the kitchen whenever you get here, Venti.

[He was cutting up some raw steak he found, sorry Once Upon a Time in Mondstadt, you will happen another day.]

[notgrande]

[ Venti appears in the kitchen looking very cute. He's wearing a white blouse and a pair of high-waisted green shorts. He has thigh-highs that stop just as the shorts begin. He wears cute, green flats. He picked up some cute western looking clothes! ]

Hey there, beautiful~!

[ Immediately flirts. ]

[icepatch]

[Wow, it's incredibly unfair how cute Venti looks right now. His hands are little busy so he leaned down to press his lips to Venti's cheek.]

Hello to you too, cutie.

[He immediately snorted a laugh because that was Lisa's line, not his, and it sounded just as weird as he thought it would. But he amused him nonetheless. He finished up with the steak and scooped it up with the knife and onto a plate.]

C'mon, time to meet Aqila.

[notgrande]

Cutie? Oh - I like that, you can say that anytime.

[ Even if it was a little funny from Kaeya, he'll take any compliment offered. He smiled up towards the other and then nodded. ]

I'd love to meet Aqila. I'm sure she's even lovelier in person.

[icepatch]

Maybe. I'm not sure I really want to borrow Lisa's vocabulary.

[He laughed softly and walked back out onto the engawa, kneeling down with the plate of cut up raw meat. He offered her the bites to which she gobbled up quite fast. So, she was hungry.]

Aqila very lovely, I agree. I'm not sure she will let you touch her, though. She's well trained but I'm not familiar enough to know how she is around strangers.

[After all, back in Teyvat, Kaeya still kept up appearances of being at odds with Diluc but Aqila remembered Kaeya from before their fight so it stood to reason she allowed Kaeya to feed her and touch her.]

[notgrande]

Alright, alright.

[ He giggled again, not sure that he'd mind if Kaeya borrowed some things. He likes flattery, and he likes when people notice that he has put effort in. It's amazing to be looked at by someone you care about, after all. ]

It's alright, I won't touch her. At least not until we're friends, right, lovely Lady Aqila?

[ He smiled towards her and then back up towards Kaeya. ]

Hm~ you look pretty lovely yourself, too. Despite what happened earlier. If I didn't see the video, I'd never know.

[icepatch]

Well, you did give me time to clean up a little.

[His nose was still a little red and it stung a little, but otherwise he was fine. Still, he couldn't resist and leaned down to press his lips to Venti's temple as he fed Aqila another piece of food.

Soon, it was all gone and she seemed content. Kaeya leaned back on his hands.]

Diluc should be home in about an hour, why don't I take you out when he does? You're already dressed up.

[notgrande]

[ He closes his eyes and gives an easy smile at the kiss on his temple. There's a soft, relaxed laugh when it happens. ]

True. But you always seem to have this effortlessly attractive air about you.

[ It comes so naturally to him, Venti thinks. He means every word of it, although it certainly comes across as flattery. ]

Oh, I'd love to do that once Diluc is here to take care of his young lady. And I'd never tell you no to going out. I love to spend time with you.

[icepatch]

Well.

[He leaned back on his hands, absently reaching out to gently stroke Aqila's chest feathers.]

It actually takes a bit of effort, but please keep that between you and me, hm?

[Well, Diluc knew as well. Kaeya was more or less always putting on airs back home in Mondstadt and a bit of the time here as well, when he needed. It was a different kind of way of protecting himself. But after having done it for four years straight, it was a little effortless due to practice.]

Any particular place in mind you would want to go? Or shall we just wander about and see what catches our fancy?

[notgrande]

[ He knew well the effort that it took to put on an air about oneself. As someone who often put on a face and a good act, he knew all too well. Being vulnerable here with people he'd otherwise not allow himself to be such has been difficult. Not that he regrets it, of course. He lets out an easy, small laugh and nods. ]

I'm great at keeping secrets.

[ Might even be a master of it. ]

I think wandering around to see what we can find would be fine. After all, it's not always about the destination, it's about our time spent together.

[ Look at that sap. ]

[icepatch]

[So sappy. But he was all for that. He wasn't exactly starving yet anyway, so the walk could help them work up a healthy appetite. It was about an hour later that Diluc returned home, so Kaeya and Venti left for their impromptu date.

He held the smaller man's hand, lightly swinging it as they made their way towards the commerce area.]

Honestly, I think I am in the mood for something sweet. Like, perhaps, Invisible Apple Cake? What say you?

[Oh yes, he had very fond memories of that time he had been turned into a child.]

[notgrande]

[ Venti held Kaeya's hand happily, letting his arm swing with the other's and smiling up towards him when he made that recommendation. He has such fond memories of the time when Kaeya was small, too. ]

You were so cute when you were small. Diluc was lucky I didn't just keep you the whole time.

[ It was so tempting! He would have spent hours, days, weeks with that child. He was sweet, adorable company. He adored him! But this Kaeya is his. He loves him through and through. ]

But it sounds good. I think the last time I had it was with you, even.

[icepatch]

I think I made things a little awkward when that happened, honestly. [He did feel a little bad about it even if there was nothing that could have been done since his memories had regressed too.] What with the being scared and all.

[Still, the day had ended well enough and now it was just a fond memory. He smiled and squeezed Venti's hand.]

Thanks for taking care of me, though.

[notgrande]

It wasn't at all awkward. [ Venti didn't mind the fear that Kaeya had as a child. He understood in many ways why he had it at all. Still, the two of them had a very good time. He treasured it. ]

I will take care of you anytime, Kaeya.

[ He looks ahead, then up towards Kaeya. ]

You don't even have to ask. It looks like we're getting close.

[icepatch]

Maybe not for you. [Kaeya tsk'd lightly, but he wasn't annoyed. He was amused.] It would appear so. I'm actually excited, I don't think I had that cake since that time.

Although, I'm not sure I'll have apple juice with it as well. Too sweet with the cake. What would you recommend?

[notgrande]

Maybe. But I love you all the same. [ Nothing would change that, though. He's certain Kaeya knows that much. ] I haven't had it again, either. It's our little treat.

[ He considers Kaeya's question. ]

Well, there's some wines that go good with apple flavored sweets. Apples are my favorite thing, so you came to the right person.

[ He drinks a lot of wines, too. ]