Like one of your French girls

[groupon]

COMPROMISING POSITION MEME

Up until now, there's definitely been some tension between you two. Whether it's more romantic or flatly sexual is, understandably, dependent on the personalities involved, but the fact remains that you both have been dancing around the issue for whatever reason. Why do why say "up until now?" Well, it's simple. Somehow, either through accident or otherwise, you've end up in what can only be considered a compromising position: you're in the other's lap, you're on top of them, chest to chest, almost kissing, so on and so forth. This leads to the ultimate snap in your tension - you just can't hold it in any longer, even if you try to get out of this situation unscathed. The direction you move in, again, depends on the people involved, so things could take a turn for the awkward, the cute, the romantic, the desperate, or even the steamy. What's for certain is that whatever's between you may never be the same...unless you guys, in typical will they/won't they fashion, can repress and pretend nothing ever happened. HOW TO PLAY Reply with your character's information and your preference. If you're playing a young or teenaged character or simply don't like overly explicit themes, feel free to clarify what you'd be comfortable with. Reply to others! WHY accidental: It was a trip, an not so calculated move, or another mistake that lead you here. on purpose: You were getting closer and enjoying each others' company, planning a move...but you didn't mean to get this close right off. Or maybe you did WHAT awkward: UH UH SORRY FOR LANDING ON YOUR. UHM. YOU KNOW. But moving makes it worse, or you could be in a state of undress. cute: Ah, just kiss them already! Or at least look into each others' eyes and have a moment. romantic: A sweet, long kiss and perhaps some long-held confessions are in order. confessions: Actually, speaking of confessions, they might just slip out without anything sweet...oooor your body reacting to this new position may be all the proof the other person needs to know something's up. desperate: Oh, fuck it. You might never have this chance again and you've been wanting them so badly, you may as well snog at least, no matter what. steamy: The smut option!

Comments

[geopact]

[Zhongli closes his eyes and rests his hands on the table. He has to word this carefully. He slowly shakes his head and gestures loosely.]

No, he won’t. Moloch seeks to be the only god and will burn anything that stands in the way of that. The Cryo Archon who stands at the heart of all Fatui plans is a god herself. They will come into conflict but alliance is unlikely.

Their very ideology is in opposition. But, you will have to worry about them taking advantage of situations and circumstances the other has created. Both Moloch and the Tsaritsa will use gaps to take care of all of their enemies.

[He considers the situation as he pours more tea and looks at the restaurant. To reveal himself or not? Aether knows. But said nothing. The Captain is a survivor of that ancient city so long ago. He takes a breath and looks internally. All his contracts won’t be infringed on.

Moloch is too large of a threat. He can’t let this pass. People will suffer if he doesn’t act.

He nods once and adds,]

What you need is time to deal with the threats posed by the Fatui and Moloch both. At his present state, Moloch is no match for an Archon or even a retired one.

[He watches her face steadily.] But if one moves to stand in his way he will devote all his resources to devouring them. Thinking they are lesser merely because they have stepped off Teyvat.

[He lifts his tea to his lips but his mouth presses into a thin line. He has committed to this course. Zhongli meets her eyes, his own shining from within showing the unyielding power of the earth. Eternal. So vast that all life requires it.]

Should you agree to my aid, he will learn otherwise. I can not interfere with destiny. I am bound by contracts greater than I am permitted to speak of. But I will buy you the time you need and draw him away...for a time.

[eyechanged]

[A nod at that. No, Moloch wouldn't like that. Of course, Moloch lies and tries to woo what allies he can. He's trying with her, after all, even if that is so far from ever going to happen. But this means another faction, more conflict. And all of it is centering in Atlanta.

Because of course it is.]

More players on the board makes everything more complicated.

[She's quiet as he continues though, expression carefully neutral, though her eyes betray the faintest hint of surprise when what he's saying sinks in. This man is another god in their midst. Looking in his eyes that is more than evident.]

Interfering with destiny is one of my hobbies anyway, so you can leave that part to me.

[One hand extends across the table.] Whatever time you're offering to give, I'm grateful. There's more at stake for all of us, it seems.

[geopact]

[He stares at her hand for a moment before he reaches out and closes his hand around hers. His grip is firm but not crushing, just enough to show he is committed to his course. Then he lets go and nods, rising to his feet.]

There are many currents shifting in the heavens and all of existence will be affected. [So it has always been. All things are connected to the divine. These are the actions he can take as an individual that will be around to see it all end one day.]

I only request that you don't reveal who I am to your companion. The sun has set on my time as anything more than the mortal man Zhongli. Please assure him that I will do my part. [And there are more reasons to keep it from that one than that. But, that is a Teyvat matter.]

[eyechanged]

[Even with her sensate vision not engaged, there's almost an aura around him, like her magic needs her to see this even when she isn't looking for it. It's going to take some getting used to.

She looks faintly surprised at the request, but only for the briefest moment -- mostly that Kaeya doesn't already know than Zhongli's wish to keep the matter of who he is secret.]

Of course. [There's an almost sad little flicker of a smile.] I know what it's like to leave a life and identity behind.

[shadowsincryo]

Prehaps one day you can reclaim it. [Zhongli says then he nods and walks away, seemingly just another man on the streets. The owner of the establishment comes out once he's gone and says to Aurelia,

'Your companion is waiting for you inside.'

Kaeya is seated at a table in the back looking still so respectable. A knight in every sense of the word. A knight feeding noodles into his mouth with his chopsticks. The dark broth is almost red in the light as he looks up and chews slowly.

He swallows and says,] I trust Zhongli is enigmatic as always but, agreed to lend us his help. Since we're here - and he just made me pay his bill - we might as well eat.

[eyechanged]

Maybe, one day.

[She agrees, watching the strange and timeless man walk away. The owner's voice draws her attention, and she murmurs a quiet thank you before heading inside to go find Kaeya.

Sliding herself into an empty seat at his table.] He's offered his help, yes, to buy us what time he can. And time... we need all we can get.

[Whatever Kaeya is having smells delicious, so Aurelia is not going to say no to eating, and she catches the waiter's gaze to put in an order for herself.]

[shadowsincryo]

[As the waiter walks away to get her order to the cook Kaeya leans back in his seat. Zhongli has this sense of timelessness to him that nags at him.

He'll figure it out one day.] I'm grateful for the added time. If my other contacts respond...we'll have sufficient distractions.

[As if Diluc wouldn't respond. Any major threat and he'd be right in the heart of the fray. It's one reason he's so reliable. It's just more fun to pin him to a problem and see him snarl.

Maybe he's a little sadistic. Kaeya accepts the pot of tea set on their table and sighs internally. Can't drink on the job. ...right now anyway.]

So, let's assume for now that the ones we want distracted will be. That leaves us free to tackle the problem of a certain scientist. First thing's first we need to figure out where they're staying.

[eyechanged]

Good. It'll be better if our attentions aren't so divided.

[One threat at a time. Distractions and borrowed time will be invaluable. She can make sure Nick's eyes are where they need to be too. Even with her new identity, she's not without allies in the city.]

All right. Any way to track them easily?

[Some particular magic signature? Purchasing habits? Strange predilections?]

[shadowsincryo]

[Kaeya pours tea for the both of them and takes his cup in hand. Some things are handled and he trusts her enough not to ghost check to be sure.

It feels so strange to willingly trust anyone else that much. He hasn’t ever done that. It hadn’t been safe. He takes a small sip of the tea.]

Not easily but, they can be tracked with my help, [He says as he lets himself feel out the taste of the tea. Faint hints of floral tones but subtly enough to make the whole unique. Hm.]

Financially, they operate through proxies. Northland bank for example is a slightly more open but they still hide some of their situation. Only one Harbinger is open and often a source of chaos. They’re not often used in anything requiring dipolmatic action.

But this one will likely have contacted research facilities, labs, mage academies with inquires but nothing concrete unless it deals with his field. Construction of constructs of magic and or the Delusions. I know your mages are studying whatever evidence they can get.

[Specifically that head of Biohazard. He has avoided him because he heard about how the man cuts through shadows and could see. Maybe that needs to change. No matter what is revealed about himself. Kaeya takes a bite of his soup and says,]

My contacts are all rooted in other fields and my usual partner who handles this...is in another city.

[Lisa is too far away to reach out and handle things like this. His bird should reach her, calling her here but not in time.]

[eyechanged]

[Her brow furrows. Northland Bank. It sounds vaguely familiar, but okay. So they've got a few legitimate faces, if an actual bank is part of this. That's interesting. If she weren't still ready to re-murder Saiman, she'd suggest an infiltration mission.]

If this Harbinger of yours would be contacting those facilities, I have a contact in Biohazard. He's a pain in the ass, but he's trustworthy. And he knows his stuff. If anyone is calling about odd magic, he'd the one that'd be put on the line.]

Most of my contacts in the City don't know they're my contacts. [They remember Julie. And Julie Olsen-Lennart has connections in every inch of the city from the Guild to the Shapeshifters to the Covens and one good-hearted vohlv of the god of death and darkness. Aurelia has Luther and Nick and Sienna and her ten year old brother. Totally stacks up.]

[shadowsincryo]

[Kaeya falls quiet for a moment as the waiter returns with Aurelia's order, laying it before her and backing away. These two are knights and their conversation had been assured to be as private as possible.

It's in the following silence as she takes in her food that he glances to the side and considers what to do. Luther. It has to be Luther.

Seeing won't reveal the totality of his secrets but they'll be open in the open than he has ever been. A bit like being naked. Kaeya snorts.]

And he'll want to see this mysterious partner you're working with, won't he? Well, it's not like I can get through official doors too often without some backing by more than the Knights of the Order.

[His shoulders are up more but his smile is just as casual as ever.] I can certainly be up for a little more scrutiny than usual. There's not much of a choice if we want to keep moving forward.

[eyechanged]

Knowing him? Yeah, he'll want to meet you.

[And Julie knows, as someone who is a keeper of secrets herself, how that could be concerning.] Luther can see a person's magic. If you're good at cloaking, it'll stop him from seeing the full extent of it, but he's good. He recognized me from my magic alone after years.

[Annoying, really. Not something she'd even have considered possible, especially given how her magic had changed. But deep down at her core, apparently who she was is still in there. She thinks that might be comforting.]

[shadowsincryo]

[There's no choice. Every way he looks at it there's no way he won't be exposed. He sighs, still under the mask of a smile. No choice makes it a little easier...

He feeds more noodles into his mouth and envies Zhongli who comes and goes where he pleases in an odd serenity. Oh if only he could do the same.

But the past reaches out in threads of darkness that threaten to ensnare his present.] ...Well, we'll just have to see what he sees in me, won't we?

We have bigger things to worry about. [Yet there's something stiff about him and brittle. Like ice threatening to crack. This is just the way he has to walk. Mondstadt and the world matter. Ah well.]

[eyechanged]

We will.

[And Luther won't shy away from telling Kaeya exactly what that is. There is little subtle about that man, but Aurelia is confident that he's trustworthy, so that certainly helps.]

You're right about that. We need to handle this before it goes bad.

[She sits up straighter, nodding.] I'm still following your lead on this.

[A pause and she adds,] Are you okay with this? I can meet Luther alone, too. He's still smug enough about recognizing me that I could distract him with that.

[shadowsincryo]

[Aurelia is offering him an out. That comes as a shock and he stares at her with a wide eye and lips faintly parted. He hasn't let anyone close enough to shield him. Not since Diluc. When had her orbit and his come so close together?

He thinks back and he finds without his realizing how threads of his and hers intertwined. Shit.

By the Archons, he can't deny that this is comforting. Damn him and damn the father that gave him such a heavy burden to keep secret. He draws in a breath, holds it, then lets it out and drops all pretenses. He sits up straight but he looks tired, worn down from the inside.

His voice is low, melodious as he presses a hand to his chest.]

Yes. You have entrusted me with some of your own secrets. It's only fair I lay my own out. Secrets even my fellow knights don't know.

We're liars you and I. And not for our own hides. [He smiles then, something lonely and sad.]

So, I'll meet Luther and you'll get a glimpse behind the layers of ice. As I said, it's only fair. And I want you to see. [It's selfish. So damn selfish to want someone to know. This won't blow up on him the way he had destroyed his relationship with Diluc. After all, she knew he was a shady bastard from the start.]

[eyechanged]

[She sees the surprise on his face and her expression softens into a smile. That's right, Kaeya. Despite their best efforts, the two of them, they've wound up close. Aurelia trusts him. She likes him, and he will protect him, as she's able to, even if he may not need it.

But Kaeya's made his choice on this, so she nods. It'd be a lie to say she isn't curious about those secrets, about the things half said or half glimpsed in him.

Her smile stretches further at the 'we're liars' remark. He's not wrong, is he? she ducks her head.]

We are. Both keepers of secrets I get the feeling neither of us really asked for.

[But so it goes.] Thank you, for trusting me with that.

[shadowsincryo]

[It's terrifying. She sees right through to him wrapped in ice and beneath the deep dark waters he hid in. Yet he sees her too, astride her throne and forged of a metal not seen on this Earth in thousands of years. Not since...

Well. Best not to think of that.

He laughs and holds up his hands,] You would think they would want willing secret keepers! But, mm, that's never the case, is it?

[His laughter subsides and he leans forward, one elbow on the table, his head resting against the back of his hand. This is nice. It's scary. The winds are blowing at his back and Aurelia he'll never use like he had Diluc.

That night that changed everything he'd left his life in Diluc's hands. He was judge, jury, and executioner.]

[eyechanged]

You would think.

[She agrees with a tired sounding laugh of her own. But nope, prophecy and circumstance has left her so close to her family and her home, and unable to return even if her heart is aching to just go home.

She wonders if Kaeya knows that feeling, of places he can't go back to.]

It sounds like we have our next few steps at least. [It's been a long day somehow.]

[shadowsincryo]

Yes, yes we do. [Kaeya finishes his meal and drinks down the broth. He sets it down and gestures,]

Once you're finished we can go. I paid for it when we ordered. [Their meals and Zhongli's. Damn him for the expense. He thinks a bit and adds,]

And since we're going all in and I did contact him. That contact I was holding back...I'd like to introduce you two after we talk to your contact. I think you'll like him.

[He pauses, weighing it. Then says,] I'm sure you've heard of Master Diluc.

[The Lord Ragnvindr. Diluc to those who knew him best. He was known as the Dawn Knight to the day world, a ruthless businessman who slid his fingers easily into any avenue of business he felt like taking. Sharp, dominant, but he took good care of his people. Despite the way he moved he was no shapeshifter. None could look at him and not see flames. His other common name was The Phoenix.

His vision always hangs on his belt as a reminder that he like the knights is a vision user. Secrets gathered around him like birds. He had another name that followed him across the continents. The Uncrowned King.

And like Curran during his time as Beastlord, few saw him. Unlike Curran, he moved like a shadow, with descriptions of him silenced. Kaeya leans back, humming to himself.] I get the feeling you'll get along famously.