#touchofdawn

Kaeya wanted to vault the counter and follow after Diluc, but he was all at once aware of the scrutiny of the remaining patrons, eyes now on him, and the vacant storeroom door. Kaeya stood, turned to Six-Fingered José and instructed him that the bar was closing early.

"Please, have everyone leave, and lock the door behind you. As for their accounts-... either leave the mora on the bar, or make a list of those who owe. We'll charge it to their tab. Thank you-"

The Cavalry Captain swept back, behind the bar and into the storeroom, blinking as his eye adjusted and he was met with the familiar smell of wood and wine. His brother was on his knees not far, braced partway against the barrels, head bowed against whatever ailment or pain was plaguing him.

"Diluc-" Kaeya knelt in front of him, urgent, a hand reaching out for his shoulder (hesitant, for a moment, lest it not be welcome, but caution thrown to the wind as worry gnawed in his gut), only for Diluc to slump forward.

Kaeya stiffened, body braced to hold the heavy weight of his brother, a cold knife of panic shooting through his chest. No, no-

He eased him to the ground, almost fumbling for a pulse, and came back with one clear beneath his fingertips. "Thank god, thank god-" One he didn't believe in, at least not in any religious sense, but in this moment, if it would help Diluc at all...

There was nothing immediate that seemed to indicate a cause for Diluc to have collapsed: no strike-through of blood, except what had dripped onto his clothes from the persistent nose bleed. Only dark circles beneath hooded eyes, and Kaeya's concerned mounted. Whatever was ailing him could be as simple as exhaustion, body driven to a brink Kaeya hoped he would know better than to cross, or it could not...

It mattered, but for the moment what was more pressing was getting him to someone who could help.

From now into memoriam, there would be nothing quite like the image of Kaeya emerging in the Cathedral doorway, Diluc in his arms.

The elder Ragnvindr had grumbled at him and wiggled as he seated him on Ru's saddle and trotted her on foot up the flights of stairs to the church, but it hadn't deterred him. He'd ensured Diluc staid safe in the saddle, though Ru herself knew to be steady.

But though there had been a low protest that didn't amount to words in Diluc's throat as he'd slid him down, Kaeya had born his weight to the door and through it.

"Sister Grace-" She was the first the Captain's eye found. He heard a low gasp from an uncertain source, "Please, find Lady Barbara."

Diluc's weight would be too much for him, but just as the thought passed and his arms burned, Rosaria appeared from the shadows of the Cathedral,

So that's how it was seen? That he didn't want to admit he was ill? Though it stung, Venti couldn't help but wonder if that was better, to be seen as childish and prideful. Well. Perhaps childish was truly accurate.

He knew Diluc meant every word of his declaration, just as he knew that no arguing could make the man change his course. It seemed to be a family trait, one that he's encountered over the span of many generations.

Instead of replying, Venti found the curve he usually slept in, and curled in on himself. Just that much work took more effort than he'd like to dwell on, and he wondered if he could even call down to Diluc if he wanted. He'd refrain from trying, instead.

Well, Xiao's day so far had been just perfect. First he couldn't sleep at all, then when he'd decided to take a walk in the morning with nothing but his phone and wallet on him, only wearing a thin, teal hoodie over a white, sleeveless crop top, a pair of light jeans and sneakers, which was, admittedly not the best idea in the still cold weather these days, some genius from his past managed to figure out where he lived and burnt the entire place down, probably hoping he burned with all his stuff.

Really, Xiao couldn't have asked for a worse day it seemed, so now, he set off towards the only place that he knew he could get helped in, to the only person he could trust, in the flower shop he'd worked in part time. He entered with a frown on his face, looking around, hoping to see Diluc around.

- sighs and pays for her bail -

With a sigh of relief, she offers Diluc a sniffle and an apologetic smile.

" As the Ministry is responsible with overseeing most processes relating to Liyue, the unfortunate outcome is that those who submit documents and other requests must wait for some time. "

He makes no personal comments concerning the workloads. The harbor of Liyue is the heart of the nation, pumping endlessly to the beat of docking trade ships or the furious scribbles of the personnel within the Ministry. Every other nation connects to it like roots spreading across Teyvat. Supplicants line the entrances of the Ministry, restless to have an audience with one of the members of higher authority poised behind growing stacks of paperwork. Xin comprehends these aspects of the situation well, and the unsaid bargaining that needed to be made as a sign of gratitude.

" Though, certain requests, if deemed of high importance, may be moved up through the queue, " he states.

There exists flexibility even in these rigid policies, after all. A person can make use of these exceptions if they possess the capabilities, and he wouldn't have uttered those words if he felt himself lacking to the task.

He's only slightly surprised at the display of Diluc's hand, eyes observing the young man across from him. Diluc is correct in assuming that Xin had already factored his wealth into this exchange. He'd have been a fool not to or pretend to be obtuse on the matter. Xin is a man of ambition through and through, only the results that yield the most success and long-standing stability appeal to him. When Diluc finishes his words, an expression of contemplation settles on his face.

" It is as you said. Liyue will receive quite a few benefits from this. The governing and administrative bodies will know this well, so they will do what they must and more. I can ensure that, " he replies.

“ Your proposal is generous. "

He sees it for what it is. They both do. Among ancient words, he recalls this saying: Helping others is helping oneself. Seeing it that way, Xin doesn’t have any ill feelings towards the options Diluc gives to him. But he already had other ideas in mind.

“ I have one of my own. "

Then, he finally acknowledges the object he feigned not to — the fabric jutting out from Diluc’s pocket. Its display had inwardly garnered some interest. Xin guesses that the intention is to invoke his appreciation as a father; it is an appeal to sentimentality, most likely. Though, perhaps the depth of his affections has been mischaracterized. In a family of lower status and less responsibilities, he could allow himself to honour the parent-child relationship normally, but being who they are, he can’t.

“ The purpose of this meeting is to discuss each party’s terms and to reach a conclusion that satisfy all - you, Liyue and myself. I also have no doubts Mondstadt would have benefits from this as well. I only have one set of terms. "

Xin sits in his chair, relaxed, as if he’s not about to show his last play in all of its implications.

“ I offer a marriage proposal. ”

He momentarily gestures to the folded handkerchief.

“ You have met my eldest tonight. You are both around the same age, I believe. ”

Snow drifts passed in silvery sprays through the cabin windows, the chugging of the train and clacking along the tracks through the deep midnight that reduced the view of Kozel to a tapestry of stars set within the velvety darkness. The din of muted conversation passed between the masked Fatui who congregated like a murder of crows roosting in the tree while the red eagle they served under stood out like a blot of blood staining the snow. Il Cavaliere, this Harbinger was called. A new face, not that Shinobu would know. Her involvement in their ranks was hardly voluntary, but indentured. Not that she could really defy in a den of lions.

That didn’t mean she didn’t fit their old entirely. A few dorms of her tenuous compatriots had been subject to hauntings by vengeful spirits, though no one could trace their doings back to her. Kuki was good at covering her tracks, especially with her expansive repertoire the Fatui weren’t entirely privy to, and she intended to keep it that way. To be a token of little misfortunes despite being the opposite for herself.