jikan_network | Video | un: alberich (2nd week of Oct)

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Video | un: alberich (2nd week of Oct)

[The camera turns on and the first thing shown is the back of a horse's head and the slight jostle of both it and the cameraman moving. The horse is very obviously dark in color despite the grainy-ness of the video. It's clear they are also still in town although the buildings are a bit sparse as they move closer to the outskirts.

And then, the camera moves to another rider to the side. This horse is lighter in color and the rider is one Cloud Strife... looking just a little tense on the horse.

A chuckle sounds from behind the camera.]

I told you to relax, you'll make her nervous.

Wait a minute, are you recording—

[Then, there's an 'Ah!' sound as Kaeya remembered he was broadcasting.]

Hello, everyone. We are on our way to settle a commission but I thought I would share how well Cloud was doing with his first time on a horse. Not like your chocobos, eh?

[ Cloud feels. So put on the spot right now. So much so that his wide-eyed 'deer in the headlights' expression and voice catching with a stammer are well documented as he waves his hand at the camera as if wanting out of line of the shot. But from this far back, it just looks like he's awkwardly doing a jazz hand while holding the rein on his horse with the other. ]

Nope. Lot smoother.

[He turned the camera back to his own horse and pats her neck. Her ears flicker this way and that for a moment.]

Really now? Most people find the ride too bumpy during their first time. But not you, Amaya, you have always been an excellent horse.

[Amaya bobbed her head up and down, snorting in agreement. He chuckled again. He was doing this while holding the camera without too much jostle, after all.]

Anyway, the commission is an easy one so we will be back soon! Please do not be alarmed when we don't answer as we are headed out of town as you can see.

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[ The less said about their candid moment, the better. Though that may be the ~~kuudere...tsundere? kuutsun?~~ wet blanket in him talking. All Cloud really has to say to being put on camera and shown riding a horse was a more faux sigh of resignation. Their travels took them beyond the outskirts of town, into rogue Yokai and Ronin territory, but unlike his commission with the Traveler months prior, their trek was more centralized. But now that he's off camera, the Cavalry Captain doing well in dispelling the nerves from his partner's system, Cloud's back straightens upon his lighter ride, having taken to the horse at a surprising rate.

They have some time ahead of them, the trail opening up into the countryside with ample daylight to burn before they were to reconvene with their contact. Less small talk and more a chance to turn the tables on the older knight; it stems from genuine curiosity as well! He never thought to ask Jean, or even Diluc over a rousing game of tipsy ~~on Cloud's part~~ darts when the name of their city-state arose. ]

So what's Mondstadt like? I've only ever heard stories of Inazuma and a little bit of Liyue.

[They were certainly making good time once they were out of town and able to move a bit more freely. Kaeya urged them to a light trot rather than any hard gallop to save on energy for now. They weren't exactly going too far out, but it was far enough to require transportation rather than walking.

Eventually, they were back to an easy ride as they took in the beautiful countryside. It really was a beautiful place. Kaeya hummed thoughtfully at the question.]

Mondstadt is known as the City of Freedom, the archon Barbatos, had decided a more hands-off approach to his people so we largely left to our own devices. The area itself is quite peaceful, Hilichurl camps aside, so might so that our Grandmaster decided to go on an expedition and took most of the knights with him leaving me without a cavalry to captain. [His tone was playful despite the click of his tongue.] But our Acting Grandmaster has done a wonderful job keeping the peace in his absence and we've largely been without much incidents compared to other places.

[He's not trying to dig at Inazuma or Liyue or anyone else, just speaking the truth based on his intel.]

Let's see... Well, is there anything in particular you would like to know? I'm afraid for such a broad question that I would certainly miss a few things.

[ "—our Grandmaster decided to go on an expedition and took most of the knights with him leaving me without a cavalry to captain." Even from his perch atop his horse, Cloud can hear the subtle click of Kaeya's tongue as he playfully laments his lack of a 'cavalry'. His partner lets out a softer huff, the corner of his lip tugging with a smirk. He has to hand it to Kaeya. His charisma was worth noticing, and the story he weaves of his city and its people keeps him engaged as he holds a tempered yet content disposition with the captain.

Almost like when the kameras are off, he can let his guard down just a touch more. ]

Can see why you're chomping at the bit for more action.

[ What without his cavalry. And the horses. When he asks if there's anything else in particular he would like to know, the blond keeps a hand upon his horse's rein, the other settling under his chin in thought. He hums, only to realize that, with a shake of his head and still lighter tone, ]

Wouldn't even know where to begin... [ He's asked so many questions, listened to so many answers, absorbed so many stories... ] Where I come from, I only just got started with seeing the world. Won't know what's in store for me until I go back, [ A thought that, when dwelled upon, threatens to mar his lips with a frown again. But he schools his expression well enough. ] so...it's been a change of pace. Learning where others come from.

'Chomping at the bit'? Was that on purpose? [A rather dramatic sigh, a hand on his chest.] I suppose I deserved that, I will admit.

Be the as it may, I'm not exactly looking for more action. Nippon easily fulfills that order a bit too nicely some days. If anything, Weinlesefest would be happening around this time back home and I would have loved to taste whatever new wine was concocted this year.

[You just opened up a tavern, Kaeya, do you really need new wine already?]

Oh, only just now seeing the world? What held you back?

Edited 2022-10-08 03:26 (UTC)

Maybe. [ It wasn't, but he's going to take every little victory he can get. Consider it a friendly contest. ] We'll call it even, Kaeya.

[ Weinlesefest lingers in his head...yet another festival? It seemed that the regions of Teyvat truly favored their special occasions. Everything back home felt so commercialized by comparison. Maybe it was the con of advancement... ]

Besides time looping on me? [ Smartass remark aside, his smile faintly wanes, less out of turning the topic into a depressing one, but to recollect his life. The life that he finally remembers. ] Before I joined the military, all I knew were mountains and the countryside. I went where I was told to go, and that's that.

Now that I'm not in the army anymore, I've got my own path to take.

[ And unless they catch up with a certain man in black fast enough, he had a feeling the world was going to be what it takes to get to the end of his journey. ]

Fair enough.

[Cloud amused him. Which was good considering this commission was going to take a couple days due to the ride and being annoyed with your partner was not ideal.]

You had time looping even on your world? [There was the time looping they all suffered prior to arrival here, but it sounded like this happened even before that. Unless he was interpreting things incorrectly.] Heh, you remind me of my boyfriend. He resigned from the Knights a few years ago and decided to follow his own path afterwards.

Ah- [ He must have not been clear enough. He shakes his head. ] More meant what happened to all of us. It's a long story, but...

[ One that could probably take place over the course of a horse ride, Cloud, if you're willing to open up. Just saiyan. ]

I just left one of the biggest cities in the world to start traveling. That's when I came here...

[ "Heh, you remind me of my boyfriend." ]

Mm?

[ He meant Diluc...right? The man was the definition of cool and collected. Tempered fire contrasting to Kaeya's own cool and collected ice. Cloud didn't ask of his past connection with the Knights of Favonius, so hearing that he resigned and chose to do things his own way was surprising. ]

Sounds like he's on better terms, at least.

[ He's assuming. Cloud has no idea of Diluc's distaste for how the Knights conduct their duties. ]

Edited 2022-10-10 17:49 (UTC)

Ah, I see. I suppose that would be a given, then.

[Leaving a big city to start traveling? Color him intrigued. Not that it was unheard of, to want to travel and whatnot. Diluc did it, although he doubted it was for a similarly depressing reason. Not that he would ever say as much.]

Well, I hope your journey, whenever you return to it, turns out fruitful for you. I am quite content to stay in Mondstadt.

[He huffed through his nose in amusement, even if the subject was anything but amusing.]

You could say that. [Meaning Diluc was not on better terms, but he supposed that was relative as he had no idea what Cloud's reasoning was nor was he inclined to ask. At least the fiasco that had Diluc resigning had been resolved, but there was certainly no going back.] In any case, I never planned on joining the Knights but I'm here to stay. I just hope I actually get my cavalry back soon enough.

[Was Kaeya actually bitter being without his cavalry? Eh, not really. He knew the mission was important and so far, they'd gotten on just fine. He still had his own horse back home, and he was just as capable fighting on the ground. Besides, he was here in Nippon now, so there was nothing for it.]

Did you army have a cavalry with those chocobos of yours?

Here's hoping...

[ Ahh, an interesting question about chocobos indeed! If they did use them as part of a cavalry... ]

If we did, they sure don't use 'em now. Shinra relies on advanced technology, heavy armored machines and ballistics when they're not using actual people on the ground.

[Kaeya took a moment to just give Cloud a blank stare.]

That sure was an awful lot of words that I did not quite follow. Except ballistics, but I have a feeling the ballistics of my world are not the same as yours.

[So weird to both come from worlds with swords and sorcery and yet 'heavy armored machines' was going right over Kaeya's head.

Or, it would, had Khaenri'ah not created what were now called Ruin Guards. After all, they shot missiles and were heavily armored. But that could also entail describing and revealing a part of himself that Kaeya was most certainly not going to do. Cloud being from another world didn't really matter. So, Kaeya would continue to feign ignorance.

Besides, he was fairly certain Ruin Guards were not on Cloud's world, but he was curious as to what was. It would be easy enough to describe what everyone knew about Ruin Guards, after all. He can brush off the rest, after that.]

Edited 2022-11-13 18:14 (UTC)

[ That...blank stare tells him just about everything he needs to know. It seems that if not Teyvat as a whole, at least various regions were at different levels of technical advancements. ~~At least Mondstadt's drip was better.~~ It's just like how things he'd mention to Ayaka went over her head. Was his world really that far along? Or perhaps that was just a matter of relevancy. He half smiles at the captain, giving a little shrug. ]

Sorry. [ But...given what those ballistics were used for? ] Your world's prolly better off for it.

[ Militaries were important in terms of keeping the peace. But Shinra's abused their position on top for so long? It's less about keeping the peace and more keeping everyone else under their thumb. But that's a heavier topic that's not fit for this conversation. ]

You guys have something called Ruin Guards, right? [ Though judging by the name, it doesn't sound like something that Mondstadters, nor anyone from Liyue or Inazuma deploy personally. ] The kinda robots we've got back home are...

[ He has to fight to not roll his eyes thinking of the various things he's had to fought and dismantle before. ]

Ambitious.

[There was a barely held scoff at that. The last time someone thought they were "better off for it", his homeland was wiped off the face of the world 500 years ago. But he knew that wasn't what Cloud meant, so he didn't comment on it.

Instead, he nodded with a surprised look.]

Ah, so you were told about them. I should have guessed. Miss Kamisato, yes?

[Well, that certainly saved him the trouble. Not that it was going to be at all difficult or anything of the sort. He can certainly overthink things, but Ruin Guards were fairly common knowledge so it was easy to simply repeat but was already known.]

Aye, Ruin Guards are scattered throughout Teyvat. They are called that due to always being found near ruins, as though guarding. Thankfully, not too may are still active but they can launch missiles and are quite formidable to be up against.

[He can't help but chuckle.]

Without really seeing what your world has, I suppose I can only guess what "ambitious" would mean. A more advanced Ruin Guard sounds like something perhaps Fontaine or even Snezhnaya could possibly come up with.

[The latter especially so, when it comes to weaponry and the like.]

[ "Miss Kamisato, yes?" ]

Yup.

[ He'd become acquainted with many of Teyvats denizens, but never into conversations of the mysterious Ruin Guards. And the only reason the Ruin Guards came up in the first place? Was because they were discussing the 'vehicle' that Ayato won and how to describe it to Cloud. He listens intently, waiting until Kaeya is finished as he leans forward to pat his horse along its neck. The country boy in him couldn't help it, giving some recognition and all. ]

On one of my first jobs in Midgar, I had to deal with a giant robot scorpion. [ ...little half frown. ] That fired lasers.

[ So, as far as "dangerous commissions" qualifications went? Hopefully Cloud passed. It was more a conversation piece regarding their "ambitious" subject. ]

Lookin' good, Cloud!

[you got this, buddy, here's some encouragement from across the network.

He doesn't doubt that what they're doing is pretty easy, but he's practically required to say the next thing to Kaeya]

Hey man, you better bring my friend back in one piece!

Of course, of course. What kind of captain would I be if I didn't look after my fellow man?

[He doesn't sound the least offended and continues to look jovial.]

[that's good, 'cuz he meant in a friendly way! He can't help but give a brief laugh]

A captain, hm? Well, now I'm not so worried.

[Zack you weren't worried in the first place]

So trusting with just my title alone.

[Zack doesn't even know what he's a captain of! Not that it really mattered, Kaeya was truthful in that he would watch over Cloud.]

Is Cloud normally so kamera shy?

[another laugh]

If I was really worried it'd take a little more than that. What's your name, captain?

Maybe a little shy? But I don't think he's a big camera guy, mostly.

Kaeya Alberich. And you, sir?

[Well, it made sense. And Kaeya did turn it into a candid moment.]

I see. I take it you two met during your military days? Or are you two childhood friends?

Zack Fair. Nice to meet you, Kaeya.

[it's probably more on the being shy side, but Zack isn't going to say that]

We met in the military, yeah. We got assigned the same mission.

Oh? Must have made an impression to become such good friends. Can I ask what it was about?

[He's pretty curious about how different worlds operated, especially their military.]

Hah, I don't mind. We were trying to track a couple of people down and got a lead on where they might be, so we got sent there to look around. Real middle-of-nowhere place up in the mountains.

[he grins briefly, wide and fond] Cloud was the only one who could keep up with me. Our ride crashed, so we had to hike the rest of the way - and we're both country boys, so we're both pretty used to stuff like that. We hit it off pretty quickly.

[ Ayaka would be tense on a horse too. And even now, she seems tense for Cloud. But she tries not to show too much concern. He's a grown man! And in the presence of another person, Ayaka doesn't feel comfortable enough to speak her mind in full honesty. ]

I wish you two all the best.

[ There! Polite and cordial, not too familiar, but still friendly!

She'll save the rest in a text message... ]

Why thank you, Miss Kamisato. Your encouragement is certainly appreciated! Now, don't look so tense, Cloud has certainly ridden before. It's just a different animal, so he is taking it like a duck to water, I would say.

[The emphasis on ridden might mean something. It might not. Kaeya certainly isn't telling, besides his grin anyway.]

[ Ah, Kaeya sees right through her. The horse isn't the reason for her unease, but it's better to pretend that it is than give the real reason. ]

I have never ridden a horse before, so I don't really know how easy it is. Please guide Cloud with what you know, is all I ask.

[ She's gonna miss him. 😔 ]

Edited 2022-10-07 22:40 (UTC)

Really? I am quite surprised. I believe your brother told me he was experienced, may I ask why you have not?

[Aw, how sweet.]

Of course I will, Miss Kamisato. We are on a mission, after all, and it would be in poor manners to not ensure we both come back with nary a scratch!

It was not an activity deemed fitting as the eldest daughter of the Kamisato Clan.

[ Besides, she was more interested in the arts... ]

... Thank you very much.

[Jean laughs.]

The Calvary captain never rests, does he?

He most certainly does not! You should join me on one of these commissions, they can be quite fun as well and lucrative.

Really?

Well, I may take you up on that offer sometime. I need to get out and about a bit more.

Then, you will be the first to know if anything should arise. I have to plan around the tavern these days, but I don't mind still taking on a commission or two.

Understood.

I told Diluc I would help at the tavern also, so we both will need to watch that.

So, you will also be the acting bartender?

[He sounds very amused but also excited.]

I won't be there as often as Diluc, I handle most of the paperwork. But I'll be behind the bar some days, so don't worry.

Whatever Diluc thinks I'd be good at. I probably couldn't match him as a bartender, really.

I just want to make sure I can help out in someway.

Well, he's always going to use the help, so he will probably have you learn to make some of the drinks. Probably just the more popular ones, first.

[He hummed in thought, camera bouncing lightly from the horse's walk. It was a really lovely day out, after all, so why not a leisurely stroll?]

Definitely help with the general management of the place, especially on busier days. He knows what you're good at, but you can have a say in what you want to do too, you know.

That sounds like him. [She chuckles.] He mentioned bartending, and maybe helping you and... Chuuya? with the paperwork?

I figure the two of you might have that covered, tho.

My, my. I do so hope Cloud has been a most... excellent student, hm?

[OH HOW HE'D WISH HE WAS THERE TO WATCH HIS BABY SISTER'S BOYFRIEND SUFFER A LITTLE.]

Don't be too easy on him - how will he learn, after all?

Why do you say it like that, is there something I'm missing between the two of you?

[He chuckled mildly as they moved along, but he offered an offhand shrug.]

He has some prior experience on those chocobos of his, so aside from getting him to sit properly in the saddle, he took to the horse pretty quickly. I dare say he is a good student.

Do you know how to ride a horse?

Oh no, nothing of the sort. [he's just dating my SISTER............ HISS.......] We have a warm, friendly acquaintanceship and I wish him all the best in learning this new skill!

[smile smile smile. is he telling the truth? no. and it's so obvious.]

I do, though I doubt I'm nearly as skilled as the cavalry captain himself.

[Very obvious. Ayato, please. Unless that's on purpose and if that's the case, shouldn't he make sure this was a private call? Wouldn't want Miss Kamisato or Cloud getting wind of it.]

Well, well, I should like to see.

[Kaeya learned from the best, in his opinion. After all, it was his boyfriend who had the position before Kaeya did, and at 14 no less. He was skilled on horseback and had taught Kaeya everything he knew.]

[cloud knows he's on THIN FUCKING ICE. ONE WRONG MOVE, MISTER, AND HE'LL REGRET IT.]

Oh? Then perhaps we ought to ride together. Just a simple one, with no particular distance in mind.

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Video | un: alberich (2nd week of Oct)

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