Commission To Slay a Black Dragon

Chapter XIII: Empty Room

"Care to join me for a meal, honorary knight?"

No was the initial - and immediate answer that flashed in bold. But his face probably did the talking for him, because the Captain slyly followed with a "My treat". A tiny palm shoves his face to the side, squealing in an excited string of yeses as her head bobbed in tandem with her enthusiasm.

Instead of questioning the scowl on the traveller's face, Kaeya merely chuckles at it. When he turns, Aether sticks out a petty tongue at him before he grudgingly trudges behind.

"Thanks for humoring me, Traveller," Kaeya hums without turning, "Sister Rosaria isn't around to lunch with me today you see."

.

Aether had braced himself for the most unpleasant, tension-filled meal to come, but to his surprise, here he was, laughing and speaking with fervent ardour with his inner arch enemy about their- his favourite alchemist.

"-you should've seen him! The first day he arrived at Mondstadt, he dove straight for the library," Kaeya began, watching the traveller nod in eager anticipation,

"That guy, he was too short to reach the alchemy books on the rack. See, before he came, Mondstadt wasn't exactly known for its alchemy, so most of our books regarding its practice were chucked at the highest shelf out of sight. So, when I saw the poor thing perched up on a stool, arm stretching up yet barely brushing a finger across a book, I went to lend a hand, of course. And beyond that tiny shoulder, I received the iciest, most sarcastic 'Thank you' of my life - can you believe that guy?! And I thought I was the one with a cryo vision!"

The captain swung his beer mug about in a frustrated fit as Aether heartily laughed at his dramatic performance.

"And that, Traveller, was how the lift function of his solar whatever came about. You should've seen his face when he first used it in front of me. Cheeky little devil," he scoffs, finally resting his mug on the table with a sigh.

"Yes, he's like that. Always unwilling to receive help," Aether frowns as his words bring forth his own recollections of the stubborn alchemist, pushing him away whenever aid was offered, like a child refusing medicine.

"He thinks that he can do everything by himself."

Kaeya grinned at his remark to highlight his consensus, bringing the mug to his lips before continuing with an exhale, "Not that we doubt his abilities of course - bright fellow he is. But it's worrying, isn't it?"

Aether offers an ardent nod, drawing another smile from the Captain at his empathy.

"I wish he knew that we're all here for him-"

"He knows." The grip tightens around his mug as Aether feels unfolding concern knitting his brows closer, "He knows."

"...Well, that makes things all the more complicated then."

Another sigh was released, setting in a layer of sombreness. But reacting as if he was allergic to gloom, Kaeya quickly dismisses it with a 'Oh well' , before hastily moving on to other less worrisome topics to converse over, which of course still involves the precious alchemist.

.

After the unexpectedly pleasant lunch, the group left the tavern to bid their farewells. The meal has forged within Aether a sense of camaraderie towards the Captain, as a fellow victim of a certain prince's never-ending psychological warfare.

"Thank you for the meal, Sir Kaeya. I've misjudged you," Aether breathed, looking into the Captain's eye with immense contrite,

"You're not a complete scum after all."