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[disdelusioned]

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

Comments

[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.]

[burnbrighter]

That's the name he gave. He also looks like Lumine's description of him. Long, blonde braid, gold eyes. I see the family resemblance.

He knew some things about the situation in Inazuma that only Lumine was privy to, as well. I'm inclined to believe him.

And he [ There's a long pause, before Thoma picks up writing again- ] seemed genuinely hurt that I didn't know who he was.

[disdelusioned]

[All of that information checks out. And while the knowledge of other worlds that he's gained from his time in Reverein makes the idea of parallel Teyvats seem a little less impossible, it's still strange to consider. Especially since, apparently, the only major difference is which sibling is traveling Teyvat in search of the other.]

I'll choose to believe him as well. I trust you.

[That Aether's feelings are hurt is unfortunate, but to be expected. If he's any bit as resilient as his sister, however, Diluc is certain that he'll be all right with some time.]

Did you tell him that the Harbinger and I also remember Lumine and not him?

[burnbrighter]

I did.

I don’t know if you’ve had a chance to meet the new arrivals, but I understand there are quite a few others here from Teyvat all of a sudden. I’ve met up with Lady Miko, head of the Grand Narukami Shrine, already, as well as General Gorou from the Watatsumi Resistance. My relationship with both is… complicated at best, but I’m pretty confident we can all stay on friendly terms.

There are some people from Mondstadt here, too.

[disdelusioned]

[Huh. That's an interesting development indeed. And while more familiar faces are not necessarily unwelcome, it does bring forth several questions that neither he nor Thoma are equipped to answer.]

I've met one recent arrival from Mondstadt, Bennett. He's a member of the local Adventurer's Guild. Nothing complicated there.

[Aside from the poor kid's terrible luck, that is. But that's not really relevant to the present conversation.

He isn't well versed enough in Inazuman politics to comment on Thoma's relationships with Lady Miko and General Gorou, so he leaves that statement alone. At least Thoma is confident that those issues can be set aside on fairly friendly terms. It's more than Diluc himself can manage, although in fairness the relationship he has with Tartaglia isn't "complicated." It's actually quite simple: he hates him on principle.]

I'll reach out to Aether so we can be re-acquainted, and go from there. And I'll keep an eye out for other recent arrivals from Teyvat.

[burnbrighter]

Oh yes, I spoke to Bennett briefly through the journals. He thought I was a ghost.

[ Surely that doesn't need any context. ]

Speaking of Mondstadt, a little birdie told me you had a hand in defeating a certain dragon. How come you never mentioned that before?

[disdelusioned]

Was this birdie of yours named "Aether," by chance?

[Thoma's intent wasn't to further confirm Aether's identity, he's certain, but Diluc takes it as further evidence anyway. The only people to know about how the Stormterror Incident was truly resolved are himself, the Traveler, Jean, and Venti. That Aether knows is a testament to the fact that in some version of Teyvat, he is the Traveler they all know.]

I never mentioned it because you never asked.

[burnbrighter]

It might be.

[ It obviously is. And no, it's not Thoma's intention to further prove Aether is who he says he is, so it's a nice bonus that he does. ]

I feel like, as your boyfriend, that's relevant information to have.

[disdelusioned]

[If Thoma is flirting with him (and he is), it's going entirely over Diluc's head.]

Why is that relevant to the fact that you're my boyfriend?

[burnbrighter]

How else am I going to get to picture how dashing you looked facing down a dragon?

[disdelusioned]

[Oh. Oh. Okay then.]

I didn't realize the idea was so appealing to you.

[Now that he's caught on, he has no issues playing along.]

[burnbrighter]

What’s not appealing about it? I bet you look amazing giving your all in battle.

[disdelusioned]

Now you're just going out of your way to flatter me.

[It's working.]

[burnbrighter]

I sure am. Is it working?

[ He knows it’s working. ]

[disdelusioned]

[There isn't a response on the journal.

Instead, Diluc makes an excuse to swing by Thoma's place in order to continue this flirtation in person. No prying eyes, for starters, and far more pleasant when accompanied with the inevitable escalation beyond just words.]