Kaedehara 'Kujou Killer' Kazuha

Skewer him

Jean slammed the papers down on her desk and paced round the room. Lisa leaned against one of the many bookshelves in the room and watched her, twiddling a purple rose between her fingers. Jean finally stopped and turned to her 'What was I thinking?' she demanded. Lisa just shrugged 'You did what you thought would help'.

'So I decided to make everything worse'

Lisa folded her arms.

'You know that isn't true, what else were you meant to do?'

'I was meant to do...something!'

Lisa sighed as Jean resumed her pacing. She attempted to make light hearted conversation 'You know Kaeya recently checked out a strange book, a personal fave of mine but I can't see why it would be any interest to him, after all it's all about alchemy and chemicals, usually if he wants a drug for something he'll just go flirt with Albedo..' she trailed off when it became evident that Jean wasn't listening. Instead she folded her arms and silently watched the blonde woman pace around the room

Jean eventually paused near the huge window, looking out. She could see Diluc and she felt a pang in her heart as she remembered the hopeless look on his face when she had told him to leave. She felt Lisa's presence behind her as the brunette placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

'Have faith in Kaeya, he's never let you down before..well not too badly anyway'

Jean sighed in reply 'I know I just...' she trailed off, glancing at Lisa who just shook her head 'I know, I know. You've been friends with the pair since childhood but they're brothers Jean, and that's precisely why something like this should be left for them to sort through on their own, they're both more than capable, after all even the acting grandmaster can't fix everything' 

Jean nodded, almost to herself and leant her head against Lisa.

'but I do wish she could'

—-

Diluc stood by the fountain avoiding Margarets glare. 'How's business?' the red clad woman was now beside him wearing a sneer on her face. He hated idle chatter but attempted to stay cordial.

'Fine'.

 She seemed unwilling to back down and pasted a sickly sweet smile onto her face 'Better than family relations I assume?' he stilled, she certainly kept her ear to the ground. She watched him carefully for a moment before relenting, her face tinging crimson 'I..I overstepped I apologise I just..' he waved her apology away dismissively causing her to hesitate.

 He expected her to leave but she cleared her throat and continued 'I saw your brother a while ago he was heading out of Mondstadt..actually thinking about it, it's been a while, too long actually, I wouldn't worry though, he was with someone' Diluc turned to her fully, surprise filling his voice 'He..was with someone?' Kaeya worked alone, everyone knew that, it was common knowledge. Diluc wouldn't even be surprised if it was written in the Knights of Favonius handbook somewhere.

"Rule 34: The Cavalry Captain's missions are carried out alone. The captain refuses to work with anyone else and is as stubborn as a mule on crack, any knight who breaches this rule and attempts to interfere risks compromising and endangering ongoing investigations and may face a stampede of horses or a hoard of incredibly sharp icicles"

Margaret nodded absent mindedly watching the swirling water in the fountain as she thought. 'Not a local' she said finally 'I had never seen anyone similar before, he was wearing Inazuman attire so I assume a traveller of sorts' Diluc's blood chilled, he grabbed her shoulder, eyes suddenly wide with fear 'His hair! What colour was it?' he was yelling now, gripping her tightly. She stared back in shock, stumbling over her words

'I..well, i-it was white?'

She stood, mouth agape as she watched him curse loudly, turn, and sprint towards the city gates. She rubbed her arm from where he had held her and shook her head disapprovingly.

—

'Behold Dragonspine' Kaeya announced. Kazuha stood beside him shivering. 'What? I thought you could handle the cold,' he teased as Kazuha trembled violently. 'How the hell are you doing that' he replied through chattering teeth, Kaeya cocked his head in confusion and Kazuha nodded to his exposed chest and arms, the man just grinned and tapped the hilt of his sword 'I like to train here, I occasionally spar with Eula, I presume you haven't met her yet?' 

Kazuha shook his head in response and Kaeya nodded before continuing 'You'll meet her soon enough, try not to mind her...mannerisms' before he  could ask what he met Kaeya clapped his hands together.

"We should go, before you catch your death' Kazuha nodded gratefully at this and the two began their descent.

—-

As they reached the bottom Kaeya observed the pink and purple hues painted across the sky and motioned to the traveller

 'I have some work to do and It's getting late, you must be tired' Kazuha nodded, hanging onto his words 'I know a merchant who often travels back to Mondstad near this time, I can ask him to take you'

 Kazuha yawned and stretched 'I can walk, I think I know the way...' he trailed off at Kaeya's expression. He shook his head firmly 'You're tired, I have no doubts about your capabilities but I'd rather ensure you get home safe' Kazuha was too tired to argue and simply nodded again.

 Kaeya smiled 'Good...here' he handed Kazuha a small, pointy sweet wrapped in bright orange paper 'Windwheel wafers' he explained when Kazuha looked questioningly at him 'a personal favourite of mine, I carry a few with me' he winked and Kazuha flashed him a weary smile back, thanking him.

They sat in comfortable silence as they waited for the merchant. When he did come Kaeya waved the Inazuman traveller off. 'Is there more to the tour?' Kazuha called out, his words travelling with the breeze. Kaeya simply laughed.

--

He was sitting by windrise watching the ripples spread through the water when he heard frantic footsteps and panting. He didn't bother to look up 'Surely the dark night hero should be in better shape?' 

Diluc glared at him 'This isn't funny, that man you were with-' Kaeya interrupted in his silvery voice 'Oh? Lovely gentleman don't you think? Very pretty too, snowy white hair'

'Kaeya he tied me to a tree'

Still, Kaeya did not look up, instead choosing to run his fingers through the water lightly, a white duck swam nearby, it seemed to be taken by Kaeya and slowly drifted towards him.

'You must be mistaken, although that was quite an amusing sight, I should've called Albedo to paint it, I have a nice space on my wall to hang it'

Diluc's glare hardened 'You think everything is a game don't you'

'Hardly'

Even now Kaeya didn't look up; he just kept running his fingers through the water, smiling as the duck came closer. Before Diluc could speak there was a blast of cold air and a squawk rang out.

Diluc stared incredulously at the sight before him. The water was completely frozen and Kaeya sat placidly, snowy white feathers drifting around him. He finally looked up and grinned, pointing to the fowl

 'Want a skewer?'

Diluc didn't know what it was, maybe he was tired, maybe he could sense the gaping hole in his chest had the chance to heal but his body took control of him and he found himself sitting down. Surprise flickered on Kaeya's face before it melted back to his usual cocky smile.