#viindicators

The younger dragon was still, clearly, hesitant when it came to seeking out the High Elder's attention, and yet still she sought whatever time she could spend with him all the same. There was hardly a true reason behind doing so that day, and while Ishtar knew she likely should have been resting ( considering she was feeling somewhat under the weather ) her first instinct was to find him. While Dan Heng seemed focused on his work Ishtar simply curled herself up nearby, dark tail held to her chest as she quietly watched him from where she lay.

Getting back on the Astral Express, at least for Dan Heng, meant going back to the usual duties. He didn't want things to change just because they knew who he was now. So that meant he was back to his duty of archiving the goings-on of the crew, among other things.

He'd heard Ishtar appear in the archives, and he'd greeted her but left her to her own devices. It was only when he realized she was still watching him that he finally turned, ears slightly twitching as he locked eyes with her.

"... Bullshit."

He had no other way to explain the spectacle before his eyes. With sweat beading his face and drenching his clothes in all kinds of uncomfortable spots, he felt like every little bit of effort he'd put in moving around since waking up in this place only served to punish him further.

He was not on some kind of very big beach as he'd initially surmised. In fact, there wasn't the slightest hint of the sea here. Or any water at all. That could be a problem soon...

No. All he'd been rewarded with by climbing past that massive dune had been to witness the majestic view of a pyramid... yes, like the ones in history books. But also, not quite. He'd never heard of a pyramid upside down atop a bigger one before. It was something that defied too many laws of physics for Saruhiko to even wrap his head around. Therefore...

Therefore, bullshit. This couldn't be planet Earth. This couldn't be real at all. Was he dreaming? Trapped in some kind of illusion, maybe?

Maybe it was partly because she was tired, but it hadn't taken long for the effects of the alcohol to start kicking in. Eyes flickered between usual deep blue and silver as she moved herself closer to the General Mahamatra's side, biting bottom lip as her hand came to rest atop his own.

" General ... " She hesitated, soon pressing a kiss against his cheek. It was probably the best she could do without feeling like she was pushing her luck.

Cyno would hardly call himself drunk. He would admit to tipsy, enough so that he's feeling far less tense than normal. It helps that he's not drinking alone, he's with Ishtar, and she seems to be responding well to the atmosphere.

Up until now, Cyno had been content with letting loose, making light conversation and even working up to pulling out his card deck to pull Ishtar into the world of Genius Invocation. He feels like she'd enjoy it.

However, she has far different ideas in mind. The kiss on the cheek is unexpected, and Cyno's eyes widen in reponse. Cyno also isn't sure if it's the alcohol in both their systems that's causing his face to flush, or the feeling of being flustered. Maybe a combination of both.

"Ishtar..." He turns to look at her, wondering exactly how to respond. A returned kiss in the same manner doesn't feel quite so appropriate. So, Cyno decides to let the wine in his stomach speak for him.

The sounds...the sounds!

They won't go away!

No, not like this! Wait...

NO!

He screamed out before jolting awake, his mouth quivering as he began to grasp his surroundings. He broke out in tears before slumping back down, clutching his left shoulder where the lichtenberg figure scars now reside.

The inflammation was acting up as usual as he struggles to apply his special serums to help soothe it but some spots, he just couldn't reach so he tolerated it before laying back down on his bed.

His sleep deprived eyes close shut, praying to the archons for these nightmares to be over.

grumbles as she leans against him. that's how she demands love.

Even traveling from the harbor to Sumeru City takes a couple of days at least, longer if Chongyun is trying to avoid the sunlight and the warmer climate of Sumeru. Still, Chongyun manages to make it.

After asking around, they manage to find Ishtar inside the akademiya, more specifically, near the House of Daena. Right now it seems to be empty, save for a few lingering scholars, but Chongyun pays them no mind.

"Sorry I'm late," Chongyun says, sliding up to her. They wrap their arms around her. "I know I missed your birthday, but I know exactly how I want to make it up to you."

Ishtar was hardly unaware of the eyes upon her that night.  The Matra's own gaze turned,  locking with Zhongli's own. It wasn't the first time she'd crossed paths with him, no, but she was... Sometimes unsure of just how to approach him.

“ ... You look like there's something on your mind ,  Zhongli Xiansheng . ”  She stated,  head tilting slightly in a show of mild curiosity.  They were,  at least,  in a rather quiet area of the Harbour  -  meaning they could converse without the worry of someone interrupting.  “ Can I help you ? ”