Songerein Inbox

[disdelusioned]

"Diluc, of Mondstadt. Not interested in idle chit-chat.
If you have things you want to get done, let me know."

Comments

mid december

[discourtesies]

[Learning to manifest and control these "dreamotion" abilities hasn't been an easy process thus far, but van Zieks is certain he'd find it far more difficult without the aid of others who are much more familiar with this sort of... sorcery. It still feels absurd, really. He's almost inclined to dismiss what he experienced in his first days here as fantasy, but he realizes just how foolish that would be, typical rationality be damned. So he's accepted the situation for what it is, and endeavored to do something productive with his time.

Today, that meant training with the aforementioned abilities in an unoccupied clearing where others would be unlikely to wander, alongside Diluc: one of several acquaintances who's apparently familiar with using magic in the first place. Although he's made some progress with wielding the ice that seems to come to him relatively easily, he has yet to build the sort of stamina for it he'd be comfortable with. A lack of willful dreaming, perhaps? Imagination isn't exactly his strong suit...

Either way, he can't expect himself to make progress without the proper rest, even if he might prefer otherwise; pushing himself past his limits is too much of a risk given the unknown nature of these powers, so when he finds himself exhausted, he calls it a day and takes a seat, letting out a slow breath.]

... I'm not unused to mental or physical effort, but this is something else entirely.

[disdelusioned]

[The magical abilities granted to Diluc by his Vision have not really given him an edge when it comes to harnessing dreamotion energy. He's unused to manipulating energy without a catalyst--Vision or Delusion--and is struggling with the emotional and imaginative aspects besides. Imagination comes to no easier to him than it does his newfound friend, and his emotional state can be charitably described as "tumultuous" more often than not.

He's seen what kind of monsters that kind of negativity can create, and he's self-aware enough to realize that he's much closer to crossing that threshold than he would like to be.

But none of that can be an excuse, so he's training hard and often to make it dreamotion work for him despite his limitations. Progress has been frustratingly slow, and honestly if it weren't for the influence of Barok he probably would push himself to exhaustion. As such, it's with no small amount of reluctance that Diluc goes and sits with him.]

Likewise.

[Sigh.]

You've made some clear improvements since the last time we've worked on it together, at least.

[hearthwarming]

[ A day or two after the festive dreamscape subsides and things return more or less to normal in Reverein, Diluc might find a small basket outside his door one morning. Inside this basket is a small pouch filled with vanilla cookies, another small pouch of chamomile tea, and a jar of homemade apple jelly.

There is also a note nestled in the foodstuffs which says, in carefully-written handwriting: ]

Dear Diluc,

I hope you are doing well after the excitement of the last few days. I thought I might extend the holiday spirit for just a bit longer.

Please take care of yourself and stay warm!

Oriphi

PS - I managed to brew this potion recently after finding the right ingredients. It is a healing potion which will help with injuries if you need it in an emergency. Of course, please do not hesitate to reach out to me should you need additional healing in the future as well!

[ ... There is also a small bottle filled with a red liquid in the basket, which appears to be the healing potion in question. ]

late december

[discourtesies]

Delivered to Diluc is a medium-sized box, carefully wrapped and decorated with an elegant bow, containing a kit for maintaining a sword for at least a year, if not more. Sadly, there's no name or note attached...

sender: Thoma

[burnbrighter]

[ Sometime after this - Diluc and Childe are getting identical messages because it's easier. ]

Hey, you should know that Lumine's bother is here, only he seems to come from a version of Teyvat where she was taken instead of him. As best I can tell, he remembers doing everything Lumine did. He knows who we all are and has gone through the same journey.

He also mentioned that some of the others from our world know him as well. I don't know what it all means, or how it's even possible, but I just wanted you to be aware.

[disdelusioned]

[Diluc stares at the message for several minutes before he responds. He doesn't doubt Thoma's sincerity or accuracy. But it's an unbelievable statement, and he needs time to process it.]

I appreciate the information.

If he is actually her brother, his name should be Aether. That's the name Lumine wrote on the posters that are hanging throughout Mondstadt. Is that the name he gave you?

[When in doubt, ask follow-up questions.]

sender: Gorou

[sangopearls]

Good afternoon, Diluc -- at least, I hope this makes it to the right person? Assuming this is you, I wanted to introduce myself. Thoma mentioned that there were others from Teyvat here, and you were one of those he named.

My name is General Gorou of Watatsumi Island in Inazuma. I'm a recent arrival, so I'm still getting the hang of things around here, but I wanted to at least make myself known in case you're ever in need of anything!

[ He's writing this like a letter... It's what he's used to, okay-- ]

That's all I wanted to say, though if you'd be amenable to sharing more about your time here in Reverein, I'd be happy to hear it. Or read it -- whichever method of communication you prefer.

- Gorou

[disdelusioned]

[Diluc has no qualms in receiving this like a letter and responding in kind. Part of him appreciates the formality, actually--it's much more familiar than a lot of the quickly-jotted notes that people tend to share through their journals.]

Good afternoon, General Gorou. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Thoma has mentioned you, but I'm afraid that my knowledge begins and ends with introductions.

[And the fact that Thoma referred to their relationship as "complicated," but he's not about to mention that here.]

If you are interested in hearing more about my time in Reverein, discussing in person would be a more effective way to go about it. Let me know when you are free, and I can find the time to meet you.

-Diluc Ragnvindr

🌠

[hearthwarming]

( from here! )

[ After she and Diluc manage to have a moment together during the winery's opening, Ori spends a bit more time attempting to mingle with the crowd before she falls into helping clean up again. This time, however, she's motivated slightly by her own selfishness; perhaps if she helps now, Diluc will be able to finish his own work faster, and the sooner they can go home.

When the festivities end, she takes her leave of the bar along with the rest of the customers who are still around, but not before telling Diluc that she'll be waiting for him in the vineyards. Once outside, she finds a spot in said vineyards not too far away, and where he'll be able to find her gazing up at the stars as she walks slowly along rows of grapevines.

Moonless as it is, the sky is at once unsettling yet still beautiful, especially when Ori thinks about the fact that it is a sky in an entirely different realm than the one from which she came. That the moon is gone isn't the only thing that's different about this sky, after all. The stars are, too. But just like home, they are quiet, twinkling beacons in the night, and she is blessed to be underneath this sky with the most incredible people. ]

✨

[disdelusioned]

[Diluc notices that she's back to cleaning up soon after their all-too-brief moment together at the bar, but he doesn't dare try to encourage her to stop. She has a mind of her own and a strong inclination to be useful. And it's not like he can't use the help, given how busy a night it is.

After her and Van Zieks finish closing the bar up for the night (and talking about how recent events have affected them both), he goes out looking for her. He sees her wandering among the vines, gaze tilted upward and expression filled with wonder, and can't help but simply watch her for a few moment before approaching. She's an amazing person, beautiful inside and out, and he's very lucky to have her and Thoma both so close to his heart.

When he does finally approach, he slips an arm around her shoulders.]

Sorry to keep you waiting.

delivery april 30;

[concierto]

[Did Diluc think he wouldn't be receiving anything on this very important day? A certain archon isn't one to pass over it. So, Diluc will find a package left to him on this very important day!

Inside is a simple musical notebook with some music notes written inside for a song meant to be played on the piano.]

You’re the force the world needs,
Daily as it cries for its reed.
Without which no sound can yield.
Soft though, but the ground
On which the world can stand.
Happy birthday, friend.

[disdelusioned]

[Aside from Thoma and Ori, who only just now learned about the significance of the date, there are two people that know that today is Diluc's birthday. Given the music and poetry, he has a pretty good idea which person this is.

And so, later on there will be a message in Venti's journal:]

Thank you, Venti.

delivery 30th of April

[startraveler]

[A package will be delivered to Diluc on this very special day. Inside it he will find a bottle of grape juice and a small, homemade fruit cake, perhaps just big enough to be shared with two other people.

Along with this gift there is also a note:]

Happy Birthday, Master Diluc.
Please make sure to rest well today!

[disdelusioned]

[And here is the other person. Like with Venti's gift, Diluc eventually responds with a message to Aether's journal.]

Thank you, Aether. The gift was very much appreciated.

I had no idea you could bake.

sometime a day or two into June

[burnbrighter]

[ Thoma really had planned to go to bed and wake up like normal that one day back in early May, but it seems fate had other plans. On the one hand, it's probably the best rest he's gotten in a while, on the other, if he were aware of just how much his partners would worry over his unconscious form, he'd wake up in an instant.

But it's not an instant. It's a whole, long month spent soundly sleeping. And somewhere in there, there's a little trip home, too.

Then, one June morning, the figure on the bed who has lain still for weeks, save for the gentle rise and fall of his chest, suddenly stirs. It starts with a groggy noise, then the slow opening of green eyes, a tired look around the room. When he catches sight of a familiar shock of red hair, Thoma smiles, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. ]

Mm. Good morning.

[ He doesn't even seem to realize he's been out for so long. ]

[disdelusioned]

[Diluc knows better than to be fully alarmed at Thoma's prolonged sleep. He's been in this dream world long enough that sleep comas happen, seemingly without cause or reason, and that eventually he should wake up without issue. But there's still a large part of him that's ill-at-ease over the whole thing. There's always the chance of something not happening according to pre-established patterns, given how unpredictable Songerein is as a whole. And there's the fact that Thoma is totally vulnerable in this state, open to attack and Archons know what else. Diluc's paranoia has basically demanded that his beloved be monitored at all times as a result.

Those anxious feelings have only increased in the days since Ori has left to tend to things back home. He doesn't regret insisting that she go - he greatly understands the need for answers and closure - but he hates how quiet and lonely the house has become now that both his sun and stars are absent.

The relief that floods through him when Thoma finally regains consciousness is nearly overwhelming, and he doesn't even try to hide it when he turns to look at Thoma and smiles.]

Goodmorning, sunshine.

[If it looks to Thoma like Diluc hasn't slept in a few days, it's because he hasn't. He's been getting by on caffeine and brief catnaps to keep from completely keeling over.]

🌙☀️⭐️

[hearthwarming]

[ The three of them fall asleep together as they would have on most any other night, and yet everything has changed by the time the night is over and dawn breaks. The sun may be rising in Reverein this morning, but as far as Diluc and Oriphi are concerned - sunshine is nowhere to be found.

She's just had the strangest dream. It was warm and bright, full of life and love just like Thoma himself, and yet at the same time the dream was unmistakably heartbreaking in what it truly was: a goodbye.

Her eyes flutter open in a start, a gasp given as she rouses and finds a seemingly vast, irreparable void between herself and her moonlight. Her face is already damp with tears, like she's been crying in her sleep, and that absence immediately answers all of the questions that the dream had left her: what do you mean, are you leaving us, Thoma?

It wasn't just a dream.

Slowly, and as if she's just found herself weighed down by the world, she sits up and reaches over the space where Thoma would have been laying, towards Diluc. ]

Diluc...? Thoma, I think he's...

[disdelusioned]

Gone. I know.

[Diluc is currently staring at the ceiling, quietly going over the dream he's just had in his head. Although it would be more accurate to say it's the dream that they have just had. His dream was the same as Ori's, full of sunshine, a bittersweet goodbye, and the promise that some way, somehow, the three of them would be together again eventually.

Without Thoma here to reinforce that optimism now that they're awake, it's difficult not to let pessimism in. And although he always knew that it's impossible to expect that their time together in this world of dreams would last forever, he had hoped for at least a little while longer.

His chest tightens at the thought. Damn it.

The watery tone of Ori's voice requires his attention, and it's easier to focus on soothing her hurt than worrying about his own. Slowly, he scoots over to close the distance between them before rolling to gather her into his arms.

He doesn't say anything. He doesn't know what to say.]

[startraveler]

[It's been some time ever since Thoma disappeared form this world. He's greatly missed by all who knew him, that's for sure, but Aether knows this sudden disappearance must have taken a great toll on both Diluc and Ori. They loved him dearly, after all.

The traveler knocks softly at the door, hoping that he'll find someone home. He's brought homemade cookies and some grape juice. Nothing big, but maybe it's good enough to take one's mind off any worries.

Silent, he's waiting and listening in for any sounds from the inside.]

[disdelusioned]

[There are sounds from within after Aether knocks, and it isn't long before Diluc opens the door.]

Oh, Aether. This is a nice surprise. [He steps aside.] Come in, make yourself at home.

i'm already sorry

[hearthwarming]

[ Although it's been a few weeks since she'd spent some time writing limericks with Venti, it's not until much later that she thinks to share them with Diluc. They both have had more important things to deal with, the silly little words that remain written into posterity in her journal left unshared in the face of their beloved Thoma's departure and the subsequent aftermath.

Nowadays, though, both she and Diluc are slowly striving for something that could resemble normalcy without their sun. Ori is currently out and about, but taking a short break while running errands for people in town. When she finds the forgotten limericks while idly flipping through her journal, she decides to tell Diluc about them this time. Maybe they'll bring a smile to his face! ]

Good morning, dearest! There's breakfast on the table for you, for whenever you wake up and see this. I hope you slept well!

Also: do you enjoy limericks?

you shouldn't be!

[disdelusioned]

[Early mornings are more of a forced behavior than something that comes naturally to Diluc. He rises fairly early to make sure he has the waking hours necessary to complete everything he needs to, but Actual Morning Person Oriphi usually is up and out before he even stirs.

The greeting in the journal isn't terribly unusual from her, and it makes him smile as he reads it. The question, however...]

Thank you, starlight. It looks wonderful.

What's this about limericks all of a sudden?

for Ori

[disdelusioned]

set sometime in the nebulous future time is fake okay

[disdelusioned]

(( burying the pwp for the sake of top-level viewers >_> ))


[Typically, bouts of passion between Diluc and Ori are rather spontaneous. One of them will make the first move, the other will reciprocate, and they'll fall into it together in whatever manner suits their mood. It's a comfortable pattern that still allows for flexibility and variety, and he is more than content with it. For someone like him, who typically overanalyzes and plots out everything, it's something of a freeing feeling to simply follow where the wind--and his feelings--take him.

What they're preparing to do this evening, however, is anything but. There's been plenty of discussion, negotiation, and planning. Supplies have been procured and carefully laid out on the bed: oil for lubrication, a strap-on harness, and a dildo. A bath has been drawn for them to sink into afterward, covered and only needing to be heated with Pyro or dreammotion when they're ready for it.

And, most importantly, one of the two loves of his life is sitting next to him, ready and willing to indulge him in this desire. They're still dressed (for now), having just finished cleaning up from dinner and seeing to the last-minute preparations. Fondly, he leans in and kisses her.]

I suppose there's nothing left but to get started. When you're ready.

end of august, after the noctstace-ness of everything

[hearthwarming]

[ It has been an incredibly long night.

Ori has departed rather hurriedly, accompanied by one of Eustace and Tifa's dogs who had frantically called out for her at their door. Like Diluc has seen before, her quiet strength steels her in the moment, bidding her to act in spite of the fears and uncertainties in her heart.

"Stay here, in case something starts happening in town. I'll be back soon," she tells Diluc before she takes the form of a giant owl and flies away into the night, towards a snowy peak in the distance around which a storm swirls relentlessly.

But it's a long, long while before she finally returns, the appearance of a circle of arcane light appearing in their living room the only signal before she appears along with Eustace, Tifa, and everyone else who had been spurred into action. The moments after seem to happen in a blur: Ori and others checking on everyone, Eustace declaring that he and Tifa can no longer marry, and the collective displeasure it earns from everyone who'd just risked their lives to help the two, because they all believe that the two deserve a chance at happiness here.

Before long, they all seem to disperse, eventually seeking solace and space in their own homes, needing to process everything they were made to experience tonight.

For her part, Oriphi feels... exhausted, perhaps more than she's anticipating given how accustomed she is to long journeys and arduous combat. There's a nagging pain at her side that she's pointedly ignoring; perhaps she simply twisted something, because she's already cast healing spells to take care of injuries... Still, it doesn't stop her from rummaging around in the house, trying to collect various ingredients for healing potions, even as her body is beginning to slow and shut down. ]

If I start now, I can have potions ready for everyone by the morning...

[disdelusioned]

[True to Ori's instructions, Diluc has remained on alert in Reverein in case something makes its way into town from where the fighting is happening. Luckily, all that's required is his vigilance. The town remains peaceful, and most of its residents sleep through the night completely unaware of what's transpiring.

It's not until the group of them arrives, battered and exhausted, that he learns the full truth of what's happened. From there, he stays out of the way except to help Ori tend to wounds and make sure everyone is offered food and water. He wasn't there for the worst of it, and it isn't his business besides. Although he quietly hopes that Eustace and Tifa figure things out from here, for their own sakes, he says nothing to the effect. He doesn't know Eustace well, and he knows Tifa less.

Gradually, their home empties until it's just the two of them and Ori can finally get some much-needed rest. When his beloved begins to gather supplies instead, he walks up behind her and gently takes hold of her arms.]

You should be doing no such thing. You need to rest and recover.

sender: Oriphi

[hearthwarming]

[ just casually taking over this inbox... ]

My darling,

Trahearne introduced me to a drink today. It was warm and comforting and really quite sweet, so it made me think of you. I thought maybe you'd like to try it too, some time.

It's called a pumpkin spice latte!

oh hello there ♥

[disdelusioned]

I can't say I've heard of such a thing, but I'm curious to try it based on your review.