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[dokoyou]

WIP

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action; sometime nebulously in February

[monoceroscaeli]

[It had been some time since the last time he'd seen Kokomi, having defeated a monster that could only be imagined in the most terrifying of dreams- but that's what it kind of was, wasn't it? They'd gone their separate ways, but he had been hoping for a chance to run into her again. She was clearly from his world, another Vision wielder at that. Maintaining connections with those from Teyvat had proved more than useful, and that's what his intention is the next time he saw her.

Luckily, today was that day.

He's on another visit to Willful Machine for errands, and some other business he had to attend to while he was there, when he spots Kokomi. It seems like a perfect opportunity to strike up a conversation with her, approaching with a bag in hand. Groceries, mostly, but there's also something that resembles a toy in there too if one looks closely enough.]

Hey!

[He calls out, waving a hand in greeting.]

It's been a while, hasn't it? I didn't think I'd run into you again.

[dokoyou]

Tartaglia?

[ She got his name right, didn't she? It's hard to forget someone who she's defeated that terrible monster with. A fellow Hydro Vision wielder too, which makes her feel a strange kinship with him, even outside the influence of that strange building.

Her footsteps are light when she approaches him, a bag of groceries and writing essentials on one hand. Look, she finally managed to buy a sandwich. She can't wait to have it for lunch. ]

It is nice to see you again. I am relieved to know that you are doing alright.

[ She cranes her head to the side just a bit to see what he has in his bag. ]

[monoceroscaeli]

[When she cranes her head, she'll see a little round object that looks like a plushie- red, with a little clover symbol on the side with two feathers coming off of it, the top white with ears and little red dots for eyes. It's very cute, probably something that seems strange for him to have.]

You as well. I'm just glad you remembered my name, [he admits, laughing.] I had a lot to ask you about, since it seems that you and I share the same homeworld. Kokomi, if you're not too busy, would you mind walking with me for a bit?

oh god I lost this notif

[dokoyou]

[ Now, why would he have something like that? Is he taking care of a child? Is it his child? Or is it a hobby? Does he have enough resources on this island to actually indulge in a hobby?

But yes, she will walk with him. Next to him, even. No more respectable two steps back, she can trust him enough not to do that. ]

Ask away. I shall do my best to answer.

don't worry about it, i'm not going anywhere haha

[monoceroscaeli]

I couldn't help but remember that the name Kokomi was important, [He begins, having already figured out who she was after regaining his senses from the battle they'd had.]

You're the leader of Watatsumi Island, if I'm not mistaken. Head of the Resistance, and a previous...client of ours, so to speak.

[Or at least, they used to be. He'd heard that everything had been foiled, but you know what? It doesn't even bother him.]

I assume everything's been well since?

[dokoyou]

It was not my intention to hide my identity.

[ It's pointless. The Sangonomiya name carries a lot of weight. And she is certain that while she looks like someone from Inazuma, she does not look like someone from the main islands. It's easy to figure out who she is. ]

And I am doing fine, thank you for asking. Although I do not remember asking for aide from fringe forces outside of Liyue and Inazuma.

[ But there are Fatui roaming in the beaches, not enough to constitute an invasion but enough to be a source of concern. So she has her guesses on what someone named Tartaglia would mean by that statement. But she would rather not say it for herself. ]

[monoceroscaeli]

[Perhaps things had changed in their plans in Inazuma, who's to say. She's definitely worthy of being their leader, her carefully chosen words amusing him and keeping him in the dark to what actually happened. He smiles warmly back at her, his free hand finding his hip as he walks.]

Haha, you'll have to forgive my wording. I wasn't sure how else to put it, since I wasn't exactly involved with any of that. I just knew about the general outline, nothing more. I guess that means you rejected the Fatui's help, then.

[He's not afraid of saying it- he won't hide who he is either.]

[dokoyou]

[ Kokomi isn't mad at him for this revelation. But she is disappointed in herself for believing that he was a nice man with no ulterior motives. He doesn't seem directly involved with the goings-on in Watatsumi, but still. It's hard to trust the Fatui after what they did.

She crosses her arms over her chest, puts her thumb on her chin. ]

Some of the members of the resistance have homes to go back to in Narukami. If we accepted help from groups that represent another nation's government, it would seem like we are planning to secede from Inazuma. [ The Crux is independent. The Fatui are clearly not. ] I hope you understand.

[monoceroscaeli]

[Childe only smiles back at her in amusement, his free hand spreading outwards as he explains himself.]

Ha, believe me, it's nothing personal to me if that's how it all played out. If I'm being honest, it's actually refreshing to know that things didn't work out in the Fatui's favor for a change.

[He's not sure if the whole thing blew up in their faces or not, since all of this seems to of happened in the future for him- but you know what? If it did? Good. That's karma.]

[dokoyou]

Mm. They did not leave empty handed. [ If they ever left at all. She's certain there's still Fatui biding their time in the outskirts of Watatsumi.

She walks faster now, just enough to get ahead of Childe. ]

Tartaglia, what are Delusions?

[monoceroscaeli]

I see.

[The increase in speed on her part and the fact that she is able to name the Delusions tells him a lot. Not only did they fail, they were discovered- he guesses that was bound to happen though, knowing that the Traveler had been in Inazuma and knew about the Delusions.

And well, she's probably pretty pissed about it. Understandable.]

I guess there's no harm in telling you, since it seems you've already uncovered the Fatui's little scheme, and it's not as if this information benefits you in Trench anyway. They're a product of Snezhnayan technology, able to grant the power of wielding the elements without a Vision. You may have noticed that being too reliant on them for power has its drawbacks. The ones in Inazuma were mass produced, from what I understand, so I can't imagine their quality is anywhere near the ones we Harbingers use.

[dokoyou]

[ Well, that confirms some of Kokomi's hypotheses. She will shelve her feelings about the matter, even if she can feel its toll on her energy. She can barely take a single step forward, in fear that she might stumble.

But why test these mass produced Delusions on people from Watatsumi specifically? Was it just because it's convenient or is there something else? ]

How are they made? What are they made of?

[ If Visions are linked to the Archons then Delusions might be linked to... ]

[monoceroscaeli]

[However way she moves forward or not, he'll match it.]

Honestly, I can't tell you much about how they're made. I don't concern myself with such matters. As for the what, well...

[She won't like the answer, and it's probably not a good idea to tell her anyhow, even if it doesn't actually matter if she knows or not.]

There are some things that are better left unanswered. Even I don't fully understand it myself. The Delusion is just a tool for me to use in battle, and proof of my strength as a Fatui Harbinger, nothing more.

[dokoyou]

[ It hasn't been long, but Kokomi already feels very drained by this conversation, now having more pressing questions than answers. She turns to face him, studies his face for any sign of fatigue or premature aging. ]

It must have been very hard for you, to keep using it for so long.

[monoceroscaeli]

[She can search all she wants, but there's no signs of aging to be found on him- perhaps only the highlight in his hair, but that seems more blonde than white.]

I appreciate the concern, [he says, all too well knowing this is a question to get more information,] but I only use it when I need to. So I wouldn't go that far.

[He spots a cute little tea shop, inclining his head towards it and pointing.]

We should get out of this cold and continue our conversation inside. Let me get you something. I still want to converse with you about war and battle strategies, since you are, after all, the supreme leader of Watatsumi Island and the Resistance. And, if I'm being honest, that is one of my favorite topics. Of course, I'll still field any questions you have about the Delusions as well.

[He's not trying to get out of it, but he also doesn't want to make her too mad at him also...]

[dokoyou]

[ She doesn't take her eyes off him. But her shoulders sag and she concedes that she might have to ask her questions some other time. She nods at his suggestion, says nothing else. Even if she knows she must correct him about being called a supreme leader.

Kokomi needs time to think, to piece together all the conflicting thoughts in her head. ]

[monoceroscaeli]

[Leading her over, they walk inside the quaint little shop. There are a few patrons in the store, and Childe selects a table next to the window for a nice viewing of the snow that still falls from the sky, setting his bag down next to the table. At least now she can eat her sandwich too, as he goes up and orders them tea- the specialty of the shop of course.]

Here, [he says as he hands her the cup,] I thought it might be fun to try something new. If it's not to your liking, I'll be more than happy to get you something else. Now.

[He takes a seat across from her, sipping the tea thoughtfully. Something he learned in Liyue, to appreciate good tea.]

If there's anything else you'd like to ask, ask away. Otherwise, there's plenty of other things to address- like what I'd mentioned before, or I can direct you to others who are here as well. From home that is.

[dokoyou]

[ She lets the tea's scent waft before taking a sip. It does pair well with a simple meal. Warm, comforting. At least superficially.

Kokomi has no more questions for Childe for the mean time, not when he's shot down the one that concerns her the most. ]

Thank you for your offer. I have already met Lumine, Albaedo, Kaeya, and Master Diluc. If you have any more questions for me, I shall do my best to answer them. [ Within her limits. ]

[monoceroscaeli]

I see. There are a few more, though none of them are from Inazuma, unfortunately. I'm sure you'll meet them in time, too. Haha, in fact, I've got a gift for one of them with me right now. She's just a kid, but, I think you'll like her.

[He takes a sip from his tea, thinking for a moment. He has things to say, but how he says it matters.]

Is it surprising to you? That so many have been stolen away to this place?

[dokoyou]

That there is more than one child taken from their world to this one is definitely a cause of concern. As is the possibility that someone from Inazuma can show up at any given day.

[ That means Kokomi can never let her hair down. Repressed and stressed, 24/7. ]

Have you noticed any similarities to the people who found themselves here? Maybe we all share something in common. [ And maybe that would help her prepare for the possibility of someone from the Resistance or the Shogunate finding their way here. ]

[monoceroscaeli]

[For a second, at the mention of children being taken from their world, there's a flash in his eyes of sadness, but it's gone as quickly as it came. He understands that sentiment all too well. He takes another sip of tea, nodding to her, though he thinks the little information they'd managed to gather isn't going to be all that helpful.

A frustration that irritates him, but they're doing what they can.]

As far as those from Teyvat, we're all vision wielders. It's the only common link, besides the Travelers and the Seven themselves joining us.

[He continues quickly, because he isn't trying to betray both Venti and Zhongli's identities right off the bat.]

Her Excellency the Raiden Shogun was here for a short time, if I'm to confirm your suspicions about those from Inazuma. I'm sure that's not a face you'd be terribly ecstatic to see at the moment. [Who knows what would happen if they were to meet...he has no idea.] Otherwise, there doesn't seem to be a pattern if you include everyone who is pulled here. I've met countless people from other worlds at this point. Strong, weak, it doesn't matter- they're all susceptible, it seems.

[dokoyou]

I can work with Her Excellency if needed. [ Her feelings are immaterial. If she held a grudge then this would influence Watatsumi citizens to have a similar sentiment. ] After all, is she not close to the Traveler?

It seems that my duties as Divine Priestess must continue here as well.

[monoceroscaeli]

It may very well have to, in due time. As you are the only Inazuman here presently, I'd suggest taking the time to relax as much as you possibly can before you need to don that mantle once again.

[He laughs, the parallel between himself and her doesn't escape him.]

Take it from me, I've enjoyed my little 'vacation' from acting in any official capacity as a Fatui Harbinger. If it weren't for all the horrors that occur here, it would actually be quite enjoyable.

[Sounds like everything went smoothly in Lumine's favor though. That good to hear. Perhaps he'll have to ask her about it sometime.]

Though I must warn you. I actually have no idea if the Traveler is close to the Electro Archon. That's a situation that hasn't transpired yet from the time I left home. I'd ask her about that.