Finding The Real You - Kaebedo

Chapter XVIII - Pointless Argument

"My, I must applaud you for your persistence in this quest, but a detailed explanation of all the events that happened would be appreciated too. After all, it's not everyday that our dear Cavalry Captain passes out at the Mondstadt gates."

He should've expected to be back in the same library sideroom. The mere sight of it made him grimace, but instead of more planning, this felt like some interrogation. In some way, it had him more ticked off than how a normal interrogation would, he found himself annoyed at the situation until he realised what she said.

"Mondstadt gates? But wasn't I ambushed at Albedo's lab? What.." Kaeya stared down, deep in thought. He uncrossed his legs, instead leaning his elbows on the table, resting his head on interlaced fingers and again trying to pick apart reality and dream. "I don't remember such a thing." He relaxed one arm into his lap, letting the other fully support his head with his palm up.

"But the guards reported you found at the Mondstadt gates? Dear me, it seems we've got a case here."

Lisa leaned back in her chair while she spoke, resting her hands in her lap. She closed her eyes, but only for a moment before opening them again with a smirk, awaiting the next questions.

"Was some spell cast on me or something? So that I don't remember?"

At that Lisa giggled. She shifted to sit up and remembered to cover her mouth while laughing.

"Gods no, did you eat or drink anything that could have been drugged?"

Kaeya just stared at her, he'd already mentioned how he couldn't remember anything past showing up at the lab, so why should he repeat himself? They sat in silence for a couple of seconds, until Albedo decided to speak.

"After Kaeya's first visit, I bought some wine and placed it in my lab for him, perhaps that could be something he had at the time of his stay?"

Lisa and Albedo made eye contact, but only for second before one spoke again.

"Well, you do reek of alcohol, I figured as much."

It wasn't as bad as expected, but he was still offended in a playful manner.

"Ouch, that hurts. I'm sure it's not that bad, right Albedo?"

"I beg to differ, though I apologise for my discourteousness."

Kaeya rolled his eyes at that, that hurt a lot more than Lisa's comment, but his face painted a different story.

"Jeez, so formal."

He muttered it under his breath, hoping to lessen the pain he felt. Why did it hurt when it was just a simple comment? It wasn't any insult, so why did it feel like the world had rejected him?

"Alright alright, that's enough teasing him now. Right Albedo? I believe it's time for a well deserved break. We caught the culprit, did we not?"

Lisa spoke with a smile in her voice and on her face, only for it to vanish once Albedo started speaking.

"I'm afraid not, we have yet to seize the real culprit. Kaeya, the one you caught was the mimic."

Kaeya hadn't moved an inch since he determined the position he'd be sitting in for this 'session'. It was only now that he chose a much more closed off position, crossing both his arms and legs while questioning what they both were speaking about.

"I caught one?"

Three simple words had the other two realising how much they'd have to explain to him. They both shifted their positions, getting comfortable as they could foresee this being a long conversation.