Video | un: traveler

[brilliantdiamond]

[Although the video quality on magi-comms isn't great, there's enough detail to show a young man with blonde hair and cat ears, looking a bit tired as he speaks into the device.]

Has anyone ever had a reoccurring dream? Or a dream that feels so real, you can't tell if it was just a dream or a memory?

Or maybe I should be asking... how do you make them stop?



[Note: Aether is experiencing a gradual canon update! Comments will include spoilers for the Genshin Impact 3.0 Archon quest!]

Comments

[brilliantdiamond]

[Aether is no stranger to kindness, and yet it catches him off-guard all the same. Though, perhaps given his own experience with time surges, and now artificial time loops, the weight of what could be lost simply feels heavier.]

[Is this how the people of Nippon felt when they realized the time loop of their world had spread to so many others?]

I know I'm still missing a lot of memories leading up to all of this. I said before I was traveling to each nation-- but as far as I can remember, I still hadn't left the last one I was in. And I can't remember anything past this, either.

But I think... I think some of the dreams I had a few days ago were out of order. Some things make more sense now, but...

[He pauses, bringing a hand up to his head. Through his memories, he knows the mental fatigue is due to experiencing the festival over and over again, but that on top of his lack of sleep here is wearing on him more than it was before.]

...am I not going to be able to sleep until I figure it out?

[fullgrownturnip]

[So it's possible they'd have to do this again. That's not easy and doing so alone isn't going to be good for Aether's health. He can see that already. Making a decision, he tilts his head forward so he can look at his face better.]

If you will allow, I will go contact my elders and my boyfriend to let them know where I am. Then I can stay until you can figure this out. And when it is finished I will use the music to make sure you can truly rest and recover your strength.

[But, he won't push him either. He does want this to be Aether's choice as much as he wants him to know he doesn't have to face this alone. He's ready to be here for him to get him through this if that's what he wants.]

[brilliantdiamond]

[He manages to return his gaze with a smile, tired as it is.]

Of course. Please, don't feel like you need to stay here the whole time. Now that I know for sure that it's a time surge, I have more leads I can follow. I already know a few scientists at the NRL I can ask about it, and maybe get some advice. Everything I know about time surges, I learned from them, after all.

[...]

[Once more he seems about to say something, but instead drops his gaze down to his lap.]

And... I think I'd like a little time alone to gather my thoughts, if that's all right. It was a lot to take in all at once.

[fullgrownturnip]

[Sizhui nods and moves back.]

Please take the time you need to gather your thoughts. If you would still like my aid please call me and I will come immediately. If you would prefer to only have me come back when it's over to help you truly rest then I understand.

[He offers him a polite bow and a smile.]

You're not alone in this. I will support you in whatever way you call me for. You have my word as a member of the Gusu Lan Clan.

[brilliantdiamond]

Thank you-- you're very kind.

[Though he's too tired to truly convey how grateful he is, Kizuna can do that for him -- and as he nods in understanding, the ends of his hair start to tint to the same shade as Sizhui's.]

I'll ask around and get back to you when I have more answers. If I can't force these memories to a conclusion, then maybe I can at least find a way to get some sleep until then.

[And regardless, it wouldn't feel right to leave him in the dark when he's already helped this much. As terrible as he feels from the exhaustion, perhaps it was only thanks to his music that he could dream deeply enough to process so many days worth of memories?]

[fullgrownturnip]

Of course. I will make sure that I'm ready for when you call. Please take care as best you can until then.

[Sweeping his instrument into the bag again, he tucks it away then gets to his feet. He offers another bow to him as he heads for the door. Already he can feel closer to this person. The bond there between them and evident in Aether's hair.]

I hope to see you soon.

[With that he leaves him so that way the other can do whatever he needs to. But one can be sure he will be ready to answer the call no matter what he is called for in the future.]