Journey | Albedo's Descent Book 3

Chapter 22: Here and There

Albedo sighed heavily, "it's really not that big of a deal-"
"Yes, it is!" Kaeya was examining Alebdo's hand like it was a dying kitten.
Albedo tugged at his hand, "it doesn't hurt that much anymore..."
"How did you even get burned that badly?" Kaeya asked softly as he blew cold air onto Albedo's hand.
Albedo hesitated, mumbling, "I just fell in the fire..."
"You fell in the fire?!" As Kaeya exclaimed he looked up from where he was kneeling and his earring jingled, making a rather pleasing sound.
"Uh, sort of..." Albedo shifted his weight uncomfortably from where he sat on a chair in front of Kaeya.
Kaeya shook his head, "how do you even fall in a fire..." He used his vision to make his hands colder and started gently squeezing Albedo's burnt hand.
"I don't know, my legs just stopped working, I guess..." Albedo mumbled.
Kaeya quickly took his gloves off and resumed soothing Albedo, "I thought we were over this..."
"I mean, I'm still seeing that thing, so..." Albedo couldn't tell Kaeya what he saw when he fell in the fire. He didn't understand it yet... and Kaeya might think he's crazy... He didn't want that. Besides, he didn't even know why he was seeing things... though, it seemed rather obvious it had something to do with the mystery goo...
Kaeya sighed quietly, "can't we go even a few days without an accident?..."
Albedo focused his eyes on their hands. He didn't think he could handle seeing Kaeya's forlorn expression right now. Then, he noticed something, "Kaeya, your hands..." The alchemist flipped one of the captain's hands over and ran his finger over his palm.
Starting from the lowest part of Kaeya's palm and trailing upwards and outwards was an odd sort of scarring. It was a strange, pale color similar to a burn scar... but different... its shape was also abnormal, characterized by sharp lines and jagged angles...
Kaeya paused, "it's nothing serious. I just get a little sloppy with my vision sometimes."
Albedo looked up at him, "your vision is hurting you?"
"No. Not the vision itself. I don't always pay the closest attention to what I'm doing sometimes," Kaeya went back to chilling Albedo's hand.
"I'm okay now..." Albedo pulled his hand away, "thank you..."
"Albedo, don't worry about me," Kaeya smiled, "we've got bigger concerns right now, right?"
Albedo nodded reluctantly, "I just haven't seen anyone get hurt from using their vision..."
Kaeya stood up, wiping his hands together, "you should see Bennett's hands."
Albedo chuckled, "I'm surprised he hasn't lost a finger yet."
Kaeya nodded, "I know. That kid has no sense of danger... A lot like someone I know."
Albedo folded his arms, "I have a sense of danger... and a very good one if I do say so myself. I- I can sort of sense when something bad is going to happen now. I guess when horrible things keep happening to you, you just develop a sort of... ability... I know that Lisa has it, too. And Jean mentioned feeling something similar before certain events, as well."
Kaeya sighed, "then maybe listen to your senses, Albedo." He placed his hand on the alchemist's head, "you have so much knowledge in that brain, you should use it."
Albedo frowned, "I do-"
"Then how come you fell in the fire, hm?"
Albedo sighed, "I just..."
"If you can feel when something like that is going to happen, then wouldn't you move somewhere safer?" Kaeya pulled Albedo up and into his embrace, "please, try to be more careful..."
Albedo nodded, "okay..."
"I think that's enough excitement for one day," Kaeya ushered him over to the foldout couch. "And I think you should keep your glove off that hand, to keep the burn from getting irritated."
Albedo agreed quietly, "that would be logical..."
"Get some sleep, Albedo."

Albedo blinked a few times. He could feel that it was morning, but it felt odd. He couldn't quite put his finger on what it was...
But maybe that was because he was being smothered in Kaeya's arms.
Albedo yawned quietly, pushing at Kaeya's chest. Then he winced, his hand throbbing. It burned and tingled at the same time in the most uncomfortable way possible.
Albedo paused before nudging Kaeya with his unhurt hand, "hey, I'm going to go out for a minute."
Kaeya was barely conscious at all, mumbling something that made no sense.
"I'm just going to go ice my hand, okay? I'll be right back," Albedo pushed Kaeya's arm off and got up. He knew he could just wake Kaeya and ask him to use his vision, but he needed to stretch his legs anyways. He quickly pulled on his boots and coat before going out into the cold.
When the wind hit him, he shivered and missed the warmth of Kaeya's embrace. That was a weird thought that he never thought he would have...
Albedo crouched down and just put his hand in the snow. Instant relief. He breathed out deeply, trying to adjust to the temperature outside.
He sat back on his knees with his eyes closed. Why did he feel so weird this morning? Maybe Kaeya had just smacked him while sleeping or something. It seemed to be the only explanation.
"Albedo! Over here!"
The alchemist looked up. A long ways up the path to his left stood Kaeya.
"I found another Seelie!" Kaeya waved him over as he turned around.
Albedo stood up quickly, "you did?!" He wiped his hand off carefully as he started up the path. "How did you get over there so fast?"
Kaeya had moved quickly, still a good distance away from the alchemist. "It's just over this way," he kept going.
Albedo quickened his pace, trying to catch up. "How far is it? How did you get-"
Indeed, Kaeya had found another Seelie. It stared Albedo directly in the eyes. It was so unnerving that Albedo almost looked away.
Kaeya had his hand underneath the spectral being, the closest Albedo had seen anyone get to a Seelie. It floated above his palm, barely centimeters away.
"How are you..."
The Seelie started floating off and Kaeya turned to follow it, "there must be a way to that cave nearby, right?"
"Uh, probably," Albedo hurried to walk beside him. Or, near him. Kaeya had much longer legs and didn't seem to notice Albedo's struggle to keep up. "Seelie don't typically travel far from their courts, yes."
The alchemist shivered. He had been so caught up in following Kaeya and the Seelie that he hadn't stopped at any of the fires to warm himself. And now they were inside the cavern so there wouldn't be one until they were inside the alcove.
Albedo reached out and took Kaeya's sleeve at his elbow. Now that he thought about it, weren't there a few hillichurl camps inside the cavern? They should have run into one by now, right?
Kaeya looked over at Albedo, "what is it?"
"Nothing, I'm just a little cold..." Albedo spoke quietly. He didn't like how Starglow Cavern echoed. "Normally I don't mind it so much, but things have been kinda weird, anyways..."
Kaeya nodded, "stay close, we don't want to loose it." He kept up his fast pace, staying on the Seelie's tail. But they were always just far enough away from it that Albedo could barely feel it's heat.
Finally, they made it into the little alcove and returned the Seelie to its home.
Albedo let out a small sigh of relief as he warmed up. "That leaves five more to find..."
"I have some ideas of where they might be," Kaeya said.
"Really?"
He nodded, "but they're just theories."
"I'll take anything. It doesn't matter how unlikely it is." Albedo smiled, "I'm glad you want to help."
Kaeya chuckled lightly, "then, follow me..."
Albedo followed Kaeya along the icicle bridge-like formations until they were at the topmost entrance to the cavern.
He looked around, apparently unfazed by the chilly wind blowing against him. On the other hand, Albedo shivered, seething as he rubbed his arms.
The alchemist gazed down at his hurt hand, "where do you think the Seelie is?"
Kaeya turned around, placing his fists on his hips with a smile. Then, he pointed up above the cave mouth.
Albedo looked up as he moved to stand beside Kaeya. He blinked, "how... how is it even up there?..."
Kaeya shrugged, "no idea. Do you think you can reach it?"
Albedo paused, "maybe." He dug through his pocket for a dried flower. Then he thrust it onto the ground and it grew into a platform, which lifted Albedo up a considerable height. He wasn't sure how long this would hold, but hopefully long enough.
Albedo reached out to the Seelie, catching its attention.
It locked eyes with Albedo, coming closer to him for a second. Then it shot downwards, moving faster than any Seelie Albedo had ever seen.
In turn, Albedo's flower platform flickered out of existence. The alchemist was barely able to deploy his wind glider before he fell. He loosed a small sigh of relief as he landed.
"It went this way," Kaeya walked back into the cavern.
Albedo nodded and followed him in, feeling oddly out of breath.
They followed the Seelie back to its court in the small alcove.
Albedo smiled, "any more ideas as to where they might be hiding?"
"Yeah, just one." Kaeya nodded and moved to start off.
Albedo gazed around the room once more, "what do you think will happen when we find them all?"
"You'll get the other half, right?"
"I hope it's that easy..." Albedo sighed as he turned and followed Kaeya out.
This time Kaeya led Albedo down. Down to the large crystal formation by the frozen pond.
"Back here," Kaeya led Albedo behind the formation. Sure enough, over the corpse of a Ruin Guard was another Warming Seelie.
This one, similar to the last, locked eyes with Albedo the second he was close.
Albedo couldn't help but feel they might be trying to tell him something... trying to communicate... But it was incredibly unnerving...
This Seelie, thankfully, moved at a normal pace and they followed it back to its court in the alcove without any issues.
It was still a bit odd not to see any Hillichurls... but Albedo had other things to think about.
Kaeya smiled, "just three more."
Albedo began to smile as well, "yeah, we're getting close... Then things can finally go back to normal..." He rubbed his right wrist, trying to keep himself from touching the burn.
Kaeya stepped towards him, "can I see it?"
Albedo held his hand out.
"I think you deserve a small reward for helping so much. You've come so far, after all, and you've received nothing," Kaeya gently took the alchemist's hand in both of his own. "You're so close..." Kaeya slid one of his hands over Albedo's palm as he smiled.
Albedo blinked and did a double take. "What?..." His hand was completely healed. It didn't hurt anymore and the scarring was gone. "How did you?..."
Kaeya chuckled, "just some old magic I've been working on."
The corners of Albedo's lips lifted, "Kaeya, you-"
"I'll race you back!!!" Kaeya darted out of the miniature cave.
"Hey!" Albedo turned and ran after him. He laughed in spite of himself, "that's cheating, isn't it?!"
Albedo chased Kaeya out of Starglow Cavern and back towards his camp. Though he was growing increasingly colder, he couldn't just let Kaeya win! He pressed on until he was worn out.
Luckily, he was only a few hundred meters from his camp, so he saw Kaeya duck inside. He sighed as he panted. How was he so fast? And how did he keep up such a consistent speed?
Albedo shook his head, panting as he entered his camp, "how do you-"
Albedo smiled, chuckling silently. Kaeya was dead asleep with a blanket over himself on the foldout couch. All that running around must have finally caught up to him.
Albedo rolled his eyes and sat down beside him, "you make no sense sometimes. How on Teyvat did you fall asleep so quickly?"
Kaeya mumbled in his sleep, sighing deeply. Albedo shook his head, "you're so weird..."
The alchemist examined his hand again, feeling the texture and looking closely at it. It felt like he hadn't been hurt there at all... He stood up and rummaged around for one of his magnifying tools.
After looking more closely at his hand, he found only the faintest traces of damage. But even that could have just been from the cold outside.
It was so odd. Since when could Kaeya do magic like that? Was Lisa teaching him? Was he learning because of Albedo?...
Albedo stared down at his hand, starting to feel guilty. He didn't want Kaeya to feel like he had to learn something completely foreign because of him.
He walked back over to where Kaeya lay and sat beside him. Albedo wondered how magic worked anyways. That was one thing he never really looked into. It was never as concrete as Albedo liked, so he hadn't taken the time to pursue it.
Though he didn't know much, he had the feeling one's magic ability was a set thing. Lisa had said that Klee had an outstanding magical ability, so that made Albedo think that it couldn't be changed...
Did Kaeya have a lot of magical ability, too? If so, was that because of his lineage? Did Albedo have any magical ability?
He had so many questions. Albedo had never seen Kaeya use magic before, then again, Albedo had never really seen Kaeya in a fight before. He felt bad for not knowing enough.
Kaeya sighed deeply, "is it time to get up?..."
"You don't have to," Albedo pat his head.
"But you're up..." Kaeya pouted tiredly.
Albedo smiled, "you can sleep for longer,"
"But then you'll be all by yourself..." Kaeya put his hand against Albedo, his eyes still closed.
Albedo took Kaeya's hand and squeezed it gently, "I don't think I've seen you so tired before."
Kaeya yawned, forcing his eyes open. Then they closed heavily, "I have a lot on my mind..."
"Like?"
"Well, you..." Kaeya paused, "I don't know how to help you..."
"You've already done so much for me," Albedo smiled wider, "I couldn't ask for anything more."
Kaeya smiled tiredly, "aw, thanks..."
Albedo giggled, "you can go back to sleep if you want. We can go find the rest of the Seelie later."
Kaeya sighed, seemingly deflating, "okay... Just, promise you won't leave without me?"
"Of course I won't," Albedo squeezed his hand.
Kaeya nodded slowly before speaking, "but... just to be sure," He swiftly pulled Albedo into his arms, "I'll just keep you right here..."
Albedo blinked, "what? But-"
"M, no. You aren't leaving."
"But I've still got my shoes on, and-"
"Relax, Albedo," Kaeya sighed as he cuddled closer, "it's not like anyone else is here." He continued more quietly, "and I'm not doing anything new..."
Albedo hesitated, "well, yes, but-"
"Then I don't see a reason for you to be so tense," Kaeya rubbed his arm, "try to sleep, too, okay? You got up way too early."
"No, it was a normal time-"
"What time was it?"
"Around 7:00, or so."
Kaeya shook his head, "Albedo, I know for a fact you didn't fall asleep until really late, you never do..."
"But I'm not that tired..."
"Stop giving me excuses," Kaeya held him tighter, "or I'll make you stay longer."
Albedo sighed, "alright..."
"Thank you," Kaeya kissed his head, "good night."
"... it's the afternoon..."
"Shhh, I'm sleeping..."
"But you aren't aslee-"
"Shhhhhhh," Kaeya smothered his face.