[closed] with kia

[toyska]

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[toyska]

Only sometimes.

[SHE IS CORRECT.

And by now, their walk has led them down another side street--this one, though, has two Fatui agents stationed at the end of it, guarding what appears to be an ornately wrought metal box with a thick stone platform at the bottom. His MURDER BOX (no) it's just a fancy metal version of the Wangshu Inn elevator.]

Ah, this is the other way back to manor, by the way. It's slower, but easier to manage when your hands are full.

[And probably more polite than making guests climb a mountain, even if he probably got bullied into adding a staircase somewhere too]

[femmefinale]

I was wondering if we were meant to scale the area you jumped down from. But it seems you've prepared for everything.

[ She would have climbed it, granted. She's not as hardened to the whims of nature as H'aanit, but she's traveled long enough to make due. ]

[toyska]

That is usually what I do! It's good exercise. [Shocking.] But it's not for everyone--and I'll admit this has been here longer than I have. I've made some changes to it, but I didn't build the house myself.

[femmefinale]

I could be impressed, regardless. Between yourself and whoever constructed it, it would seem you've taken several things into consideration.

[toyska]

Something like that. It's for safety, mostly--it was a nobleman's house before it was mine, and his security was lacking, to say the least.

[


don't ask what happened to him]

[femmefinale]

[ she doesn't have to.

Though she does pause, opting to ask something else. ]

Did he have family?

[toyska]

[He glances at her, raising an eyebrow.]

Are you asking me if I killed innocent people?

[He doesn't seem offended by this.]

[femmefinale]

[ She lifts an eyebrow. ]

I am asking if you left anyone behind who might seek vengeance.

[toyska]

[Oh--he has to push down a laugh, at that. He only really does it out of respect for her and what she stands for, honestly.]

Not that I'm aware of. But if they're out there, then I'm sure they'd have to get in quite a long line.

[He has plenty of enemies, but very few are worth his concern. Still, he isn't a fool. A careless, arrogant mistake is not how he wants to die.]

But if they were to be strong enough to make it to me in the first place, then I'd welcome the fight.

[femmefinale]

[ Listen, a small part of her is concerned for innocent people he might also be killing, but also, who is she to judge, given how many people she's used? ]

I might say it would be a wise to always be prepared for someone to seek you out, though as you say, I'm certain you'd be delighted if they could make their way to you by then.

[toyska]

[Playfully--]

Are you worried about me?

[femmefinale]

I won't do you the dishonor of being worried about you.

[toyska]

[He laughs brightly as the platform slides into place, the back of the manor visible. It's a much closer walk from here. She'll probably notice staff patrolling the walls as they approach.]

Then I'll thank you for the support, and return the sentiment.

[femmefinale]

[ She's once again taking note of them, though also once again chooses not to speak of it. ]

You'll refuse to worry about me, then? I do so appreciate that.

[toyska]

Hmm... it would feel a little too arrogant of me to worry, I think. As if I thought myself more capable than you.

[And he definitely can be arrogant--but it's generally in regards to his own abilities in contrast to his opponents. Not always, but generally.]

You have my support, but I doubt you need it. That's how it looks from my perspective.

[femmefinale]

...

[ She breathes out something that sounds a little like a laugh. ]

I won't say you're incorrect. I would be rather offended if you thought I couldn't fend for myself at all.

[toyska]

[Yeah, that doesn't surprise him. Also, frankly--]

It would be awfully foolish of me to forget which one of us survived the station.

[And unappreciative, to boot.]

[femmefinale]

Yes, well, my choice of target was selected carefully for certain reasons. And I did try to take care so as not to be targeted myself.

[ And she lightly nudges his side. ]

However, I too would not be foolish as to not give you proper credit for your dedication to your wish and your amount of preparation.

[toyska]

Haha, thank you. If it had been up to me, the whole arrangement would've been different, but... even the pickiest children must eat their vegetables sometimes.

[So he made due, even if it wasn't to his tastes.]

It's a shame, really. I think Miss Lenore could've given me a decent fight, under different circumstances.

[But, well. He had an advantage at hand, so he used it.]

[femmefinale]

I'm sure she could have and would have been delighted to.

[ Someone who drank human blood? Yeah. ]

I'm almost disappointed you didn't target me. It would have been quite a time.

[toyska]

[He laughs brightly, nudging her as he leads the way inside. To the kitchen they go.]

I considered it! But I thought that between the two of you, you were more likely to have plans and traps in place. You certainly had people willing to take revenge for you.

[And he ultimately decided that he wanted to win more than he wanted to have fun.]

[femmefinale]

[ She shakes her head, looking quietly amused as she follows along. ]

Not something I would have encouraged of anyone, coming to care to that extent. Though you're right, I would not have let you attack me and leave unscathed.

[toyska]

I agree. I tried very hard not to, but...

[A light shrug. He's still human, at the end of the day. Caring was inevitable, no matter how hard he fought it.

He grins; with a light wave of his hand, a small bubble of water forms between them, floating gently over and bursting against her cheek.]

Ahaha, I don't doubt that.

[femmefinale]

Every plan will always have a weakness, no matter how small such a flaw may be.

[ She, too, had a very small group of people she had come to care for there. Though, she tells herself, she had chosen to let those attachments remain where she had left them. Yuri and his future with Luca, Harrow and Vira supporting each other, Gu Yun and Molly.

Childe, much as she's loath to admit it, is still so much of a mystery to her that she is even more reluctant to delve into. She's not Cyrus; the prospect of knowledge, of knowing what others may not, is not something that drives her. Why had he invited her? Why had she accepted? What does he expect, going forward? Does he expect anything?

Is she ever going to be able to trust that someone won't want something from her or that she isn't being lured into a trap?

The bubble gently pops against her cheek and she gives him a side glance, looking for all the world as though she wasn't poised to react and treat that as a threat, if need be. Old habits die hard, if at all. ]

You may have forsaken your opportunity to rid me of my life, but I should very much like to try a new dance with you, given our abilities have returned. At a later juncture, of course.

[toyska]

[Was it small? There's a bit of a distant look in his eyes--thinking back over the damage he caused, the relationships he sacrificed in favor of, not only pursuit of his goal, but the desire to protect someone who had done so much to protect him. How differently things would've gone, if Iris hadn't saved him--or, well, given him the power to save himself, if only for a little while.

Let them believe it, he'd said, it's close enough to the truth. It's a choice he stands by, even now. Accepting their ire was no hardship for him, compared to the effect it would've had on her. He'd tried not to treat her maturely, but in the end, she'd reminded him too much of a sibling.

A small flaw, indeed.

Her words draw him out of his thoughts, though, and he grins brightly, immediately.]

I'd be delighted! I know all the best spots for a good spar, it'll be fun. [OF COURSE HE DOES. And he doesn't miss the implication, either--of a second visit, or for this one to be an extended stay. Either option is fine with him.]

But for now-- [INTO THE KITCHEN. It's surprisingly rustic, compared to the rest of the house; hints of advanced technology can be seen in some of the appliances, but a wood-fire stove crackles merrily in the corner, and some perfectly plain kitchen utensils sit neatly atop a regular cutting board.] --you can put your coat wherever you'd like, and have a seat.

[He's not going to make her help him cook their food, but as much as he likes her, he doesn't really want her wandering freely around his house either, so. Hopefully she doesn't mind hanging out for a little bit.]