Finding The Real You - Kaebedo

Chapter XV - Small Preparations

"I can see you two, you know that, right?"

Kaeya and Albedo shuffled out of their hiding place, or just around the corner of the building. And Kaeya was just dragging Albedo. Albedo didn't seem to care much for what was happening right now.

"Fine, but can you at least tell us what you're putting in the food?"

Kaeya spoke with a scoff, and ended the sentence while crossing his arms for dramatic effect. Even if there was no need for any dramatic effect. Maybe the extra movement was practice for the future? Only he'd know.

"And your reason for knowing is?"

Lisa was still bent over the stove that she borrowed from the Good Hunter, it was a mystery how she'd be able to see Kaeya in that position. It should be impossible, unless she could sense their presence or something, which would be pretty creepy but then again, it's Lisa.

"So I can know what I'm feeding this thing? What if it asks?"

Kaeya took a few steps forward, still dragging Albedo. This caused Albedo to stumble and almost fall, earning a few glances from passersby. It was unlike him, but they could all figure out what happened for him to be this way later.

"In that case, it's spaghetti and bolognese. But remember, we shouldn't discuss such things out in public."

This time when she spoke, she lifted up a hand to her face and made a 'shhh' motion with her fingers, copying Kaeya's dramatic energy, but part of it just came out of her.

When Kaeya made no snarky reply she moved to speak again, this time making an effort to look at him directly.

"If you must discuss this, then we can go to the library after I'm done."

She called over to Sara to signal that she was done using the stove and packed the food away in one of the containers she was given by Sara.

"No need, I want to get this done as soon as possible to avoid any other 'incidents'".

Lisa walked over with a sigh, then her expression hardened. It was intimidating, but some situations needed to be dealt with seriously.

"Good luck."

Kaeya was handed the food and he finally freed Albedo's forearm from his grasp, making sure to be extra careful with the food.

"Alright 'Bedo. Is there anything else you think I should do?"

Albedo inwardly cringed at the nickname for a few seconds, but made an effort to reply and be helpful.

"Flowers."

"Which kind?"

"Cecelia."

"Picked or bought?"

"It doesn't matter."

Well that was all Albedo could manage for now before he either melted or exploded, so Kaeya left with a swift goodbye.

The sound of his steps echoed through his mind, they were rhythmic and nice to listen to when the remainder of his head was empty. His mind had already blocked out the chatter of the other citizens, so the walk that would've been boring and loud instead turned out to be relaxing and peaceful. A much needed relaxation for the situation he was about to walk into.

Had he already made it to his destination? That was quick, but the walk was short and a blur, so it was only expected for him to make it there that soon.

He greeted the little girl, barely paying attention to what she or even he, himself, was saying. But through that, he somehow had managed to pick up the flowers, paid and not dropped the food.

They exchanged quick goodbyes, and Kaeya was working on autopilot at this moment. He wanted to be as calm as possible before his mind erupted with thoughts.

Would he even be able to be convincing with his act? It was only a few words, but what if something he did gave it away? He shouldn't look at "Albedo"'s neck, that would probably give it away. Everyone seemed to be depending on him, so he couldn't mess it up, yet the only conclusions that his mind could come up with were ones of failure.

But everything should be fine, right? He could just say a few words and go along with what happens next.

While he was busy thinking about all that could go wrong, he reached the start of the snow and a wave of nostalgia washed over him. But there wasn't much time to relish in it, or even process it before he stepped over the border and let the cold wind flow through him. It stung his face, the pain slowly increasing until he had to find a fire to keep warm.

The first fire was across the mostly broken bridge, and was lit by a group of people already there. Kaeya didn't want to disturb them and get himself into an unwanted fight, but he also didn't feel like dying today. He attempted to edge as close as he could, but it wasn't long before he was forced into the fight he desperately wanted to avoid, so he ended up running away.

Maybe he should've brought warmer clothes. And again, he found himself uttering a complaint about the cold under his breath, and yet again, it was more of a mean comment directed to himself than a complaint.

He found himself crossing the same annoying bridges, and he found himself taking breaks at the same fires that he did with Lisa. Maybe he should stop fueling the nostalgia.

His memories of the place were always chopped up into pieces and thrown in random orders. Sometimes he'd remember fighting a giant cryo beast and then crossing a bridge, other times he'd remember climbing up a broken bridge just to be stoned by a hilichurl at the top of it. What came first? He didn't know. Did he fight a cryo beast before or after he glided over the broken bridge? He still didn't know. Were any of these on the path to Albedo's lab? He couldn't remember.

The only thing he could remember was the beauty of Albedo's lab. Since it was in a cave, it almost looked like someone went there for shelter and built a home out of it. Half of the time there was a great mess, the other half it was clean. You never really knew what details would be there and what details would disappear. And the curiosity of that is more than enough to draw you in, to experience it for yourself. No matter how many times you go there it never gets old.

And another wave of nostalgia hit him as he found himself nearing the entrance of the cave. He would have to be flawless if he wanted this to succeed. But he wasn't perfect, so there was no way this would succeed. But the only way to find out would be to try, and he's done that plenty of times before.

:)

Sorry that this chapter is short, for some reason I left all the writing for today me to do when today me was out for most of the day, returned with a headache and already had to clean. So uh yeah, next chapter will be better I swear. Have a nice day everyone :)

Word count - 1146