paradoxical | genshin impact

15 : different.

You should have known that Kaeya wasn't the type of person that can be satisfied with just one date.

There was no harm in indulging him. That was the main reason you agreed the first time Kaeya had asked. Well, that, and the fact that the sight of him practically glowing beneath the festival lanterns had cut through whatever defenses you had left. Now here you were on your sixth—no, seventh venture across the city. How did just one date turn into a semi-daily rendezvous, enjoying Ludi Harpastum to its fullest? Since when has Kaeya's presence been comforting enough to make it so easy to let him drag you along? If your seventeen year-old self could see you right now, she would've never let you hear the end of it.

But, as it turned out, there exist some things that are fated to change over the years. Your beliefs, your lifestyle...

...and, surprisingly, your skill with a sword.

"You're getting the hang of it now," Kaeya chuckled from the sidelines. "Caught Ellin off guard there, didn't you, sweetheart?"

Normally, you would have done something in retaliation whenever the Captain let slip that little pet name somewhere others could hear. Shot him a dirty look. Elbowed him in the ribcage. But Ellin, who put up a miniature sparring booth just behind Favonius Headquarters, didn't seem privy to the suggestiveness in Kaeya's address. In fact, her face was flushed red as she picked up the wooden sword you'd disarmed from her—wholly oblivious to the annoyed sparks flying between your gazes. "T-That was just a stroke of luck! I haven't been training to be a knight all this time just to be bested by an amateur!"

Ouch. An amateur you may be, but Ellin's words shot a pang of offense through your chest. You adjusted your grip on the handle of your sword, easing yourself into position. The same one Kaeya had snorted at the first time you did it earlier, but hey, this was all just part of a harmless game, right? The only reason you let him talk you into Ellin's Knightly Challenge in the first place was because the winner's prize came in the form of Favonius figurines. Also known as an easy way to fulfill the promise you've been putting off with Noah.

"Mmm. I don't doubt that one bit, Ellin, but don't you think you should try a style of your own? One that you're comfortable with?" Kaeya suggested, more genuinely than you'd expect him to as he inspected the prizes lined up on a table. "The Acting Grand Master's swordsmanship is pretty...aggressive. I'm not saying you can't do it, but as someone who mentors squires myself, I'm telling you that the first rule of sword training is to start with the basics. You can't master advanced techniques if your posture is all over the place, you know."

You half-anticipated her to fly into a rage. To offer some stammered words in her defense before kicking you both out of her booth. But instead of the flustered look you thought she'd make, Ellin sighed, letting her gaze fall to her feet.

"That's Captain Kaeya for you," she sighed somewhat miserably, yet still managing a smile. "I thought I'd get the hang of Master Jean's technique just by watching but..."

He proceeded to comfort her and dish out advice like the so-called Cavalry Captain he was. Kaeya even gave Ellin a tentative schedule of admissions at the academy he and Diluc had attended before joining the Ordo. And to wrap this little interaction up, he even promised to put in a good word for her to his old teachers and mentors if she ever got in.

"R-Really?! You'd really do that for me?" Ellin practically had stars twinkling in her eyes.

Sparing her a little laugh, Kaeya picked up one of the figurines on display—tossing it around with a single hand. "Only if you give our winner here her due reward."

"You got it, Captain!"

Once you were back wandering the streets again, you studied the hand-carved wood in your hands as you absentmindedly tailed Kaeya from behind. Whoever wielded the chisel to sculpt this thing had years of expertise under their belt. From each ridge in the little knight's breastplate to the details carved into each weave of hair—it almost looked like an actual person. You wondered how Noah would react once you gave it to him. It's been a while since his father, Guy, had dropped by the Winery, so you were willing to bet that the rascal had at least missed him a little.