Work Text:
Diluc is a wealthy man.
He owns the largest alcohol business in Mondstadt, possibly in all of Teyvat. A loyal company of employees, that even if he passed, could and would run the business by themselves. Lives in a country as free as the wind that embodies their archon.
He could waive his hand in an empty room and he is sure one of his maids will come running to ask what he needs. Perhaps she’ll pre-emptively guess his need for a new cup of tea, or hand him the new copy of the Teyvat Times or Mondstadt Herald so he can stay updated on local and international news (Not that those are his only sources of course).
As night approaches, he slips into his Liyuen silk robes, brushes the curls of his hair washed in soaps made in Sumeru to help manage unruly curls, and climbs into his bed carved by top carpenters in Fontaine.
One might think he has the best life in all of Teyvat.
He doesn’t begrudge those who hold that view of him. If he saw the image he portrays out towards everyone he would believe it too.
His younger self, who still had the loving protection of his father, would have looked upon those people in confused naivete, not realizing what he had was not the norm.
Back when he had a loving father (his mother passed, bless her soul), he was also blessed to receive a brother, Kaeya, from circumstance.
While not of blood, growing up side by side and supporting each other was all Diluc needed to claim him as family.
A relatively exotic-looking boy to young Diluc, if you could get past his initial scrawniness and turbulent temperament. Rich dark skin not found in the nations surrounding Mondstadt, navy hair that curled at the ends, and eyes imbued with stars.
Initially a frail and sickly child, it was obvious even to a pampered child, that Kaeya had arrived to them from an awful place. With skin tight enough to etch out his skeleton and a desolation in his eyes Diluc and Crepus fought long and hard to change.
Under their care, Kaeya had bloomed into what any child should be, and within that change Diluc found a brother.
They would attend lessons together, play together, eat together, and any issue one had the other would help them overcome it. Like when Diluc was young and picky about his vegetables, Kaeya was more than happy to eat them. Or when Kaeya would take food from the table and hide it in his room, Diluc didn’t tell the maids.
Attached at the hip, the staff would frequently tease.
Perhaps that is why, when Kaeya started to lose his strength more frequently on the very cusp of knighthood, he wouldn’t have believed you that his picturesque world started was fated to collapse.
It was hardly anything at first. A small bout of dizziness after a hard training session. A blooming headache with no probable cause. A few years into their Knighthood the issues got worse and Kaeya had to drop out of the Knights enitrely, leaving him devastated by the idea of not having his brother by his side. Kaeya, always with his smile, encouraged him onward even as he got left behind.
Diluc honored it. He hated the thought of his brother at home fighting an internal enemy he couldn’t face with him while he was busy training his cavalry, but he respected his brother not wanting to hold Diluc back from his life goals.
However, when news reached him that those little signs had devolved into fits where Kaeya could not even rise from bed without considerable effort, Diluc dropped everything to rush home.
He was met with the doctors his father had called in from all around to figure out what was wrong with Kaeya. Where the local Mondstadtian doctors failed, more were summoned from Liyue and Sumeru. Scholars who studied strange and unknowable ailments were paid tens of thousands to find a cure. Liyuen folk doctors were allowed to try their folk remedies as long as the method had proven safe.
His home was no longer the sunny place from his childhood. A suffocating miasma of uncertainty had seeped itself into the very floorboards.
It was an evening, just as the sun bled red on the horizon that Kaeya weakly tugged on his sleeve. Taking him from his spiraling thoughts. Revealing to Diluc all the answers they had looked so desperately for, but so horribly unprepared for.
It started with Kaeya’s right eye.
Blue turned into a piercing, gold iris that seemingly spilled abyssal corrosion into his veins. Trailing from his eyes into the surrounding skin and disappearing into his hairline and down his neck. With it came a more disparaging truth.
“It's a curse,” Kaeya spoke numbly, “bestowed upon people from, from Khaenri’ah. I-I was told never to speak of it because its dangerous to but-” Diluc sits frozen as Kaeya’s grasp on his sleeve tightens and pain fills his features, “I can feel my time slipping away from me and these people can’t do anything.”
“What do you mean there’s nothing that can be done? How can you be so sure?” Dilucs own hands tighten into fists.
“The curse its- its divine punishment from Celestia. Takes away our connection with the ley lines. We, we can’t re-enter the ley lines when we die Diluc. I’ve seen what happens to souls that can’t re-enter. Total erosion or falling susceptible to the abyss. I-I think I’m losing to the abyss. I’m scared, Diluc.” Kaeya rasps as breathy, silent tears fall from his face.
Diluc, desperate replies, “then we just have to find a cure before that happens!”
“No, no, you're not listening! It's too late! Please Diluc, can you just- stay with me?”
Diluc is angry and frustrated and filled with needing to do something, but when Diluc looks at Kaeya to reply, all that bluster shrivels and dies at what he sees. For the desolation they had worked so hard to destroy had returned in full to Kaeya.
It hit him in full force the meaning of Kaeya's words.
For what can doctors do against the will of the highest being of them all. The god above all gods. Who had placed her judgment on a people who had lived before Kaeya, cursing all those with Khaenri’ahn blood to the same fate. Like an inherited disease.
He felt something deeper within snap.
After Kaeya falls into a fitful slumber, Diluc runs out of the room. Runs into the storm that had developed with screams of rage towards Celestia.
His father catches him with his blade held over his vision and has to fight Diluc long and hard not to destroy his vision and life away towards eternal damnation.
It only continues to spiral.
The night terrors kept getting worse, turning to fits of madness as insomnia and mental unrest took over.
They had to make a special room for Kaeya, as limbs and body morphed into all too familiar shapes. For the protection of the staff. The guests. Kaeya himself as he broke into feral fits with no discernable triggers.
Eventually, his reverie leaves him in front of the door hidden in the cellars. Deep in the stocks meant to sit for the next few decades to age and hopefully sell for millions of mora. Dust settles deep into the stale air, and he has to resist the urge to cough as he jiggles his keys to unlock the door.
A single unassuming lock. Most would assume it to be storage for whatever is necessary to maintain the long term storage of wine. Opening the door only seems to prove as much when boxes and shelves of supplies greet him.
Another ploy.
Another door sits back, hidden behind a shelf full of tools and cleaning implements, a hidden lever revealing the door, which he pulls out another set of keys for. Opening this door reveals a homely aesthetic. A couch, desk, chairs, and a bookshelf full of books. A simple study for those with an untrained eye. Vents sit along the ceiling to help bring fresh air into this room.
However, one more door sits in the back. An average looking door if not for the two deadbolts that hinge the door more firmly in place than is strictly necessary. A precaution after an incident Diluc would rather not recall.
Opening the last door finally reveals all he hopes to hide. A considerably large cell-like room with a bed, table, chairs, rug, simple toys. All the simple necessities of a comfortable room if not for the bars in front of it all. However, all of its homeliness does little to hide the wretched creature in the center of it all.
Punitive, small for its size, and hideous. Brown, leathered skin stretches across ravished skin and bones. A face with large eyes, wrinkled skin, and pointed ears mark a very horrid creature indeed. If it wasn’t for the scant few blue hairs remaining on his head and in the sprouted mane, Diluc may have forgotten who this creature really was.
His brother.
Kaeya notices him immediately as the door opens, and Diluc can see the tension building in his frame before letting it go, a warning growl escaping his throat. Hands quickly grabbing a mask discarded on the floor. Only when its put firmly in place does the tension leave Kaeya’s body.
Slowly, Diluc goes to sit against the bars. He can feel Kaeya’s curious gaze on him, before he feels strang, cold hands grip the back of his coat. It shifts and Diluc surmises the feel of the jacket has caught his interest, for Diluc knows for the most part that Kaeya’s mind is gone. Reverted to that of a wild beast of the field. Tamable, but not to be underestimated should the mood change.
“Hi Kae. I know it's been awhile, but I promise I’ve been working hard.” He speaks, for he knows not what else to do. Who else can he tell all these secrets he’s learned and not risk discovery?
“I’ve managed to find some eccentric Sumeru scholars who study the downfall of nations, and they seem very interested in learning more about Khaenri’ah. I haven’t met them in person yet, it's just been through letters. I’ll be meeting them in Liyue in a few weeks to determine if they’ll work out.”
He doubts they will. Most have not to this point. Only a select few. One example being a surprisingly small woman named Ella Musk, and she was more interested in the language than she could ever be a cure. Even though Kaeya had learned to proficiently speak Mondstadtian, as his illness worsened, he seemed to slip back into his native tongue.
At least he was able to pick up a few words from her. Simple words like ‘food’, ‘hello’, but meaning the world all the same when Kaeya perks up in recognition. Like there's still some sliver of his brother in there he can save.
He feels Kaeya picking at the material of the coat as if fascinated by the material. Before he can cause any damage to his favorite coat he pulls away. He can feel Kaeya’s eyes burn into his back, hand hanging uselessly in the air, before turning away and start fiddling with one of the many toys lying scattered across the floor.
He turns and heads back to the door, thoughts swirling of all the things he needs to do and all the strings he has yet to pull. For surely there must be a strand out there that will finally lead to the ending he wants. Not just another dead end.
“I swear I’ll find a cure for you Kaeya.”
He may care less about the beasts he encounters out in the field. Where the rules dictate survival of the fittest. But for Kaeya he will disregard convention to defend his exception.
He finds it ironic that the blessings the gods gave him upon his inheritance as a Ragnvindr is what compels him to continue seeking treason against them.
—----------------
It would be years of pulling before he finally is rewarded with a spark.
Like an ignited flame Diluc watches as a traveler sears a mark for herself by driving away Dvalin and defying known laws of reality with her.
Bending the winds to fly. Able to deter a dragon away from Mondstadt. Able to cleanse the tears tainted by the abyss with her fire.
Diluc immediately has his eyes and ears tracking this traveler. A strange girl with eyes of liquid gold that glitters with a thousand stars, her tiny floating companion, and her ability to wield the element of anemo without a vision.
It makes him weary as much as he is hopeful. For who is he to determine her strange abilities as otherworldly or as a messenger from the gods.
He decides he needs to find out for himself. His eyes and ears can only perform so much without direct interference, and he fears no amount of mora would make them willing to expose themselves so early in the game for such a simple test.
He spies his chance when the traveler accompanies two knights to the first two temples, but has no accompaniment to the third.
As they peer into the third temple, he takes care to make his steps obvious, “Well, look what we have here. If it isn’t Mondstadts newest heroes.”
“Wahhh! Who are you!? What do you want!?” The little…pixie screeches. Toddler sized, white hair, and clothes that defy all known laws of realty stares back at him.
(He understands now what they meant by little, flying creature).
Ignoring the strange little pixie for now (could she be cursed as well…?), Diluc focuses on the traveler as she turns around to face him, “I am Master Diluc. Owner of the Dawn Winery.”
“And what would an owner of a winery be doing out here?” The Pixie replies instead.
Diluc feels nostalgia at the childish demanding tone. Reminding him of a younger Kaeya, before his words had sharpened into the finest silver tongue he knew.
He thinks he might humor this little pixie for memories sake.
“I find it quite discourteous to ask questions without introducing yourselves. Tell me your names, and I might reward you with an answer.” Diluc replies.
He watches the pixie expressively pout, but a pinch and a look from the traveler is all it takes for the creature to deflate like a hot air balloon (It reminds him too closely of Kaeya once the hard barriers had crumbled away to reveal the child within-).
“I’m Paimon, and this is Lumine. Will you answer my question now?” Paimon huffs.
“Hm… your attitude makes me want to reconsider-”
“WHAT-”
“I’m joking. No need to get your feathers ruffled.” Diluc jests, “I’m here most likely for the same reason you are. I have a vested interest in Mondstadts safety and seeing that it’s kept. I would most enjoy your company through the domain since you are already here.”
“Alright, but don’t slow us down, winery man.” Paimon speaks again, and Diluc almost has half a mind to pull out his claymore now just to see the pixie’s reaction.
Instead, he lets the pixie go. Watches as it calls out for the traveler before zipping into the domain. He is surprised instead when the traveler turns to look at him instead.
“Ready to go? I’d enjoy the company.” She states, staring straight into him, as if she was staring into his soul-
(Like Kaeya used to)
He follows.
They encounter resistance quick enough, and Diluc is able to confirm their supposed ability to command the winds without the use of the vision. Theories bouncing off the walls of his head while he slashes through the abyss's forces (were they humans once too?) with no remorse.
A farce while the vision remains hidden away? Some in other countries have more than apt reason to.
A delusion? They are surprisingly easy to obtain through the right channels.
Merely an outlander? Rare, but not the strangest occurrence in this world.
The anemo archon themselves? (She doesn’t look like the statue, but when has a work of art ever been completely accurate)
“You are able to command anemo without a vision?” He settles with a simple question.
“Yeah, isn’t it weird!” Paimon interrupts, excited to chatter away while the traveler focuses on clearing the group of Hilichurls and Mitachurls from the room. “All she did was touch the statue and the powers of anemo just flowed into her. It's the first time Paimon has seen such a thing! I’m not sure why she was able to, but maybe outlanders have their own set of rules. I’m just glad it meant we are able to help the people of Mondstadt! Even though we just arrived…hehehe.” Paimon giggles.
“Is that so?” Diluc follows, and as he hacks down the last hilichurl in the room, stares at Lumine.
Lumine stares contemplatively at her hand as she generates a gust of anemo, “I’m not quite sure why, but I’m not about to turn down a powerful tool in my search for my brother,” and lets the wind dissipate in a burst. Closing her fist around the space the wind once oscillated.
“You are looking for your brother?”
Lumine looks away as a sad expression crosses her face. “Yes, my twin. We were always together, and then we lost sight of each other when we entered this world. He means everything to me.” Her expression firms.
Diluc trusts her statement, only because he sees himself in the feelings flashing across her face. He hopes this will sway her towards his plight as well.
He lets the conversation hang as they force their way past hallways of more Hilichurls.
He wishes he could tell her why he empathizes deeply, but he cannot trust her yet. Cannot trust the wrong news to spread to other members of the Knights who might take the news the wrong way should they hear, and he cannot put their friends through that. Implant a terrible hope that would crush their souls should he fail. Should one pair of loose lips ruin it all.
So he’ll start small for now, as they walk the remaining empty hall to the center of the temple (The thought that perhaps the hilichurls had just been living here instead of actively blocking their path pains him just a little, but he does what needs to be done).
“I… had a brother once.”
A look of grim understanding crosses her face, “I’m sorry for your loss. I don’t know what I’d do if I found my brother dead.”
“Don’t think that way, Lumine!” Paimon pipes, “He has to be out there somewhere. Like you said, it would take a lot to bring him down. We just need to find him!”
Lumine gives Paimon a pained smile.
“Well,” Diluc interrupts, “if I can help with anything, just let me know.”
“Thanks for the offer. The Knights have already given us their word to spread news about his disappearance throughout Mondstadt without charge if I assist in the Dvalin crises.” Lumine says.
“Hmph. The Knights of Favonius are inefficient at best. If they are slow to deliver on their promise, let me know. I do not hesitate to get things done.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” Lumine states.
Paimon, however, is quick to comment, “What gives with that outlook of the Knights! Everyone we’ve met seems like the hardest working people ever!”
“My concerns about them are merely personal. As an organization they function well enough. However, they lack a certain finesse in the more political realm that causes them to come off weak to our adversaries. Especially since our valiant leader Varka took off on his little expedition. I can only hope the results of that mission justify his absence. On that note, it looks like we’ve reached the end.”
And indeed they have. The control pedestal sits in the middle of the room they have entered. Along with a cryo abyss mage.
It screeches as if startled by his presence, “You’re the interlopers?! But I thought-”
Diluc rams into the cryo abyss mage without a thought. He cannot let it spread who some of his contacts wind up being. Not here by either parties present.
Lumine is quick to add her support. Swirling his fire in a deadly spread. Searing quickly anything in its way.
It winds up being a shorter fight than it could have been if he was alone.
“Thanks for the support. I suppose its up to you now to finish the job.” Diluc states.
“I suppose so.”
He watches her approach the pedestal, with him and Paimon following behind. He waits for some show of power, some strange force to come emanating that makes her defy this world-
But with a touch to the poisoned core of the temple, it seems to dissipate back into a crystal teal. As if it had never been corrupt in the first place.
And he is filled with the most hope he’s had ever since his life first turned upside down.
It makes him want to ask so bad. Ask if she can come and try placing her hands on Kaeya too. To see if it will miraculously cleanse him of his curse.
But he can’t. Not now.
He can only hope that the end of this crises ends soon.
He can only hope that his internal turmoil isn’t showing on his face.
—----------------
The next few days are slow despite how manic he feels. To buzzed the rest. Time fizzles and snaps around him, and he finds himself taking more shifts at the Angel’s Share to pass the time as slow updates filter their way in.
It is one of these days that he meets a peculiar young bard. His(?) profession is obvious by the way he dresses in the most ostensibly garish clothing he’s ever seen. Bright colors, tights, and pantaloons. As if he had just stepped out of some old folktale. His dark hair is tied into two short braids in the front. Spring green eyes bright and full of mirth.
He comes waltzing into the tavern like he owns the place and immediately demands a drink.
“I hear your dandelion wine is to die for! I’ll be taking one to start my evening.” His tone is chipper and grates on his ears.
“It is a popular choice for those looking for the quintessential Mondstadt taste. However, I can only serve to those of age. Do you have some sort of proof to identify your age?”
“Come now. Is my age so opaque? Well then, I’ll apprise you with the information you desire. For I’ve enough time to travel the nations and learn the tales of many along my journey. Surely enough time that I am now of age. Maybe I can pay my way with a tale or two?”
Diluc makes no effort to hide his stare as his eyes criticize the bard. Pays attention to the playful lilt of his voice and way he seems to move as if putting on a play.
Its the strange sense of deja vu he gets when he stares into the eyes, the strange sense of being older than he could ever, know, that makes him give.
“Fine. As long as you have the mora to pay, I won’t take issue.”
“Splendid! Let me see if I have some change on hand.” The bard then makes a show of pulling out his obviously empty pockets, irritating Diluc even further when his eyes trail over to Diluc in a knowing glint, “It would seem I have no mora. How about I put on a performance or two to earn my keep, eh?” The bard smirks and Diluc has half a mind to kick him out completely. However, before he can do anything the bard is off the bar stool and off bothering the current performing bard and making a whole performance of it. Stealing the show entirely.
With a knuckled grip on the counter, Diluc about tells him he needs to leave when the bard gives Diluc an apologetic smile, obviously speaking to the master of the bar, “Trust me. You’ll want to hear this one.”
The bard then turns to the surprised crowd, “Sorry to interrupt your scheduled programming folks! But today I have a tale just dying to be told.” And with a knowing look thrown towards Diluc, the bard adds “And I can’t wait any longer.”
And the lyre strums fill the room. Each pluck a melodic pair with the next set of notes. Filling Diluc with a strong sense of nostalgia of older times.
The bards next words, honeyed over like the sweetest candy, fills the room. His lyre strings filling the room with a nostalgic tone.
“Long ago, in lands not far or strange, a kingdom stood, steadfast in its range. And there two princes, side by side, were bound by fate and brotherly pride.
The first, a prince of flame and light, raised on duty and born for right. Though crowned with weight upon his brow, his laughter warmed the coldest vow.
The second, calm, composed, and wise, with quiet fire behind his eyes. Not born of blood, but love instead, he stood where fate and kinship led. Though not the heir, he earned renown with battle’s plan and tactful crown.
Together they, like sun and moon, made morning rise and calmed night’s tune.
But deep beneath the joy they knew, a shadow slowly closer drew. The younger bore a hidden blight, a curse that stole both strength and light. A sickness passed through blood and bone, that turned warm flesh to brittle stone. He hid it long, through pain and strife, to spare the ones who gave him life.
But truth, like spring, will rise from snow, and so his heart let sorrow show. With tears he knelt before the king, and told of fate’s unyielding strings.
The king sought cures in every land, but none could match the sickness’ hand. The elder prince, heart fierce and brave, refused to watch his brother’s grave. Through storm and fire, he wandered wide, with hope and love his only guide.
And when the stars grew dim and low, a stranger came, with eyes aglow. He’d studied long, through endless night, and claimed to know the cure’s true light. Together then, both friend and kin, they fought ot keep the darkness in. And when the final spell was cast, the younger’s pain was gone at last.
Though the old king now slept in stone, the crown sat not on one alone. The younger healed, the elder crowned, together still, by love they are bound. And so, remember: fate may bend, when love and will and hope ascend…”
The bards voice fade to silence, and Diluc notices that in the middle of all this, the bard had kept the direction of his gaze towards Diluc. Eyes flitting around often enough throughout the crowd to make it discreet, but everytime his eyes land on Diluc they change, become knowing, and Diluc finds himself scared that somehow the bard knows-
“Hey mister bartender, have I earned my wine now?” His annoying voice cracks the atmosphere and shakes Diluc from the strange hold. Once again approaching his counter, his eyes returning again to a joking brightness.
Diluc thinks maybe he doesn’t mind this particular bard drunk.
“You wished for the Dandelion wine, correct?”
Venti’s eyes brighten, “Everyone kept recommending it! The sweet and refreshing flavor is supposedly renowned. Now come on!”
“One glass of dandelion wine, coming up.” Diluc states, keeping it short.
If he pours more in than what is procedure no one will know, and even if they did, he's the owner.
The bard grabs the glass, sipping at it momentarily before dumping the whole glass back.
“Ahhh, now that's the stuff! Can I have another- oh, and while you're at it, just put the bottle on the counter.”
Diluc obliges because he really wants this bard drunk, out of it, and leaving.
However, glass after glass is pulled back and the bard never moves beyond buzzed.
A new bard takes up the podium, music blending into the background instead of stealing the whole attention of the bar. Patrons filter in and out in various forms of drunkenness until finally closing is near and only he and the now slightly more buzzed bard remain.
“We are about to close.”
The bard lifts his head and looks around, “Is it that time already? Seems like I only just got here.”
“Senses are typically blurred when one imbues alcohol. Nevertheless, it is time to leave.”
The bard finishes looking around, before he stares back at Diluc, “I sang that song today just for you, you know. It can be really hard to be discrete, but thats what's nice about telling a fictional story. No one thinks it's real. I’m looking forward to the solution you find.”
Diluc freezes, but before he can respond the bard is at the door, “I’ll be rooting for you, Diluc Ragnvindr.”
And he is gone. Leaving only the open bar of the door and a strange breeze that tickles his skin.
He thinks he should be scared. Someone knows his secret. Knows and has reason to be rooting for his success as well.
He hopes he sees the bard again.
—----------------
A lot happens over the next few days. The traveler doesn’t do anything of note other than join the adventurers guild and try to find clues towards dealing with Dvalin.
He sighs, wondering how much Kaeya would have enjoyed sinking his teeth into such a mystery. He always had a knack of getting himself into things he should know nothing about and then finding a solution his own way.
He finds himself busy with the strange increase of Fatui in Mondstadts borders anyhow. While he hates what the organization does for Mondstadt, certain murmurings from weaker soldiers have led him to believe they have some dark design for Mondstadts archon. What exactly they mean to do, he is not sure, but he will be careful to not miss when they send something more meaningful than a pawn into play.
Things only seem to escalate from there when he finds the traveler, Paimon, and Venti run like fugitives into his bar whilst talking accounting with Charles.
“What do you think your-”
“Hey, master Diluc! Fancy meeting you again!” Venti interrupts quite quickly, “Can you point us in the direction of your, uhh… least conspicuous table.”
Diluc glares at Venti, but acquiescences, “Second floor. Mostly used for overflow on busier nights. I’d sit up there.”
And its not much longer after they scurry up the stairs that two knights burst into the bar and look around. Their eyes catch Diluc and Charles.
“Ah, Master Diluc. Have you seen two thieves around?” The first asks. Otto, if Diluc remembers correctly.
Diluc replies, “What happened. Why have you mobilized so many guards?”
The second knight, Miles answers, “Haven’t you heard, Master Diluc? Two thieves were trying to steal the Holy Lyre!”
“Oh? How odd?”
“Isn’t it?” Miles says, “The Holy Lyre is a treasure that was played by the God of Anemo themself! Such a precious piece of cultural heritage-”
Diluc interrupts, “Why would one want to steal something they can’t sell off? Would pay better to steal from my cellars…”
“Huh?” Otto chokes.
“Sorry, off topic. Believe they headed that way.” Diluc points out his door and towards the main exit of Mondstadt.
“Understood, thank you Master Diluc!” Miles replies before they are both off.
When the knights are good and gone, he hears the Traveler, Paimon, and venti trying to quietly make their way out the back door.
“Now hold on you two. Tit for tat. I want answers. What did the two of you get up to that you would have these guards chasing you down? For the record, I like your guts for trying to steal the Holy Lyre der Himmel, even if you are fools for trying.”
“It wasn’t us!” Paimon cries, “The real thief is still out there!”
“Yet, you were still at the scene of the crime. You don’t just find yourself where the Lyre is stored” Diluc conjects, “Now why did you try to steal it?”
Venti responds, “You sure you want to know? It could implicate you in the affairs of the knights of Favonius.”
“It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve been implicated.”
“If I tell you the story with a performance, will you believe me?”
Diluc starts at that, remembering the last time he let this bard sing, “You think I’d let you after that stunt you pulled with me last time?”
“What if I promise I’m just doing it this time to portray the story a little better?” Honest eyes meet Diluc’s this time.
“Fine. Get on with it then.”
Venti smiles, and this time his playing is just that. A strums while he speaks of an ancient tale of dragons and ancient foes. Of a once loved dragon who awoke to no more love and the abyss that took advantage of it to corrupt the dragon.
At the end, Diluc finds it doesn’t add anything to what he already knows. Unfortunately he’s already all too aware of what abyssal corrosion can do, but doesn’t begrudge Venti, “That is confidential information, you know. You’re lucky I don’t have any customers this early in the day. Why did you let me know?”
Venti smiles, “Why? Hmm… Perhaps the winds are changing. What say you, Master Diluc?”
Between his previous message and this one, Diluc receives Venti’s silent challenge loud and clear, “...Give me some time to organize some contacts. We’ll reconvene after closing tomorrow. You should probably all stay here until then. I have a room upstairs. I can come get you then and you can hang out here after I close. Also, Outlander.”
She turns and looks intently at Diluc, “I- Once Dvalin is taken care of, I have a small request I’d like to have you look into. I’m happy to pay you either in mora or by promising to have my contacts look into your brother for you. I have a vast network spread throughout Teyvat. Is that a request you can accept?”
“Well, I cannot promise anything until I know more details, but you give a good offer. I can come.”
—----------------
The next day Diluc makes the hard decision to head to Jeans office.
He hates having to be at the Knights of Favonius.
The pitying looks of the knights, who whisper the shame of having to discharge him after what happened to Kaeya. The ghosts of memories that haunt the halls.
At least no one has the heart to stop him when he arrives in front of Jeans office with little fanfare. It is habit that has him knock before he opens the door anyways.
“Give me just a moment-” Jean’s voice calls pleasantly as he opens the door, “-Diluc?” and immediate shift to surprise and apprehension.
“...Jean.”
The use of her name alone immediately has her shift from acting grandmaster mode to just Jean. That and the fact he was willing to come here instead of waiting for her to leave for the day tells her he’s here for something important. Something personal.
“Are you ok, Diluc?” Genuine concern as she stands from her desk and walks over to the large table in her office. Gently grabbing Diluc’s arm on the way as she goes, “Are you having a hard day again? I know its getting close to the anniversary of his death.”
Diluc sighs, “I apologize Jean, I didn’t mean to make you think I was here for that. I haven’t been like that for awhile-”
“But that doesn’t mean they can’t still happen. I haven’t forgotten what your therapist said-”
“-I know Jean, but I swear it isn't that. I swear letting you have access to those sessions after my father died really made you too overbearing.”
“And I don’t have any plan to stop anytime soon. Someone has to keep you and your hot head in line.”
“Just-” Diluc puts a hand to his face to hide his embarrassment, “I promise it's not that this time. I came because I have learned vital information on the Dvalin situation and time is of the essence.”
Its a relief to see Jean switch back into the Acting Grand Master he’s seen her grow into, “If that’s the case, I guess I need to thank you then. Have you been able to find a way to help Dvalin?”
“I believe so. A potential answer fell into my lap yesterday afternoon. I’m assuming you were made aware of the Holy Lyre der Himmel being stolen yesterday?”
“Yes. I’m assuming someone involved has contacted you?” It's Jean’s turn to sigh. Most likely giving in to another classified piece of information Diluc somehow just knows.
“It would appear who you put a bounty out on was actually there to prevent the actual thief from stealing the lyre. Sounds like they tried letting the church know, but they didn’t believe them-”
“I know what your opinion on the matter is Diluc,” Jean interrupts, “Though can you blame them? I believe the words you spoke to the on duty knights that visited your establishment were “I would pay someone better to steal from my cellars?””
Diluc has the decency to look properly chastised, “In any case, I would like to invite you to my tavern after you finish work for the day. If you would like to learn more please come as just Jean. Will help prevent you from implicating yourself in who you’ve put out a warrant for. Please do try to come in a timely manner.”
Jean smiles, “I look forward to seeing what you’ve managed to cook up. I think Kaeya would be proud.”
Diluc doesn’t hide the blush that alights his face this time.
—----------------
Diluc watches events unfold from there. Allows them to utilize his combat prowess as they regain the Holy Lyre, follows them up to Starsnatch Cliff where they attempt and fail to calm the dragon with the lyre alone. Holds his tongue from the questions that threaten to spill forth when its all but revealed Venti is the anemo archon. Follows them to fight the damned thing because he has to know how this ends. Whether they wind up having to kill it, or whether they really can save Dvalin from the abyssal corrosion.
To his surprise, he watches the traveler with something akin to desperate hope as he watches the traveler approach the defeated dragon to use a power to purify the corrosion.
He follows mutely when the dragon awakes and all are invited for a ride on the dragons back.
Watches the traveler as Jean excitedly thanks them for what they’ve done.
Watches Venti, no, Barbatos exchange words with Dvalin like an old friend.
The fact that apparently Barbatos might have known because of his godhood status, scares Diluc most of all.
He catches Barbatos’ eye and the god has the gall to smile back, like he could read his damned mind. He feels the anger clawing its way back from the pit he’d cast it into so long ago. An anger that started with knowing Kaeya’s fate and re-emerged when his father died.
They finally land just outside of Mondstadt. Barbatos giving Dvalin one final goodbye before the dragon flies off again.
Something about that makes Diluc feel desparate. He decides its time to make good on that fatui chesspiece he knows has arrived in Mondstadt.
—----------------
“Well, well, well…what an honor it is to finally meet Mondstadt’s kingpin in the flesh.” A voice, surprisingly dulcet, greets him as he is lead into the room. Despite Diluc’s affinity to pyro, he feels the chill in the room the second he enters.
He immediately takes stock.
Three fatui flank the walls on each side to the left and to the right. They stand masked and at attention, as if ready to strike at any time. In the center sit two chairs, a small table covered in rich treats and tea, and a conventionally beautiful woman Diluc immediately pegs as his greeter and as the Fatui Harbinger La Signora herself.
That quick glance is all he needs to know that she is strong. Potentially as strong as any nations strongest warriors. He can tell in the way she stands completely sure of herself even in the complicated white, black, and red dress she wears. In how her platinum hair is styled to perfection in two rose buns and the remaining hair tumbling down her back. In how her cherry stained lips smile innocently while her eyes pick Diluc apart from where she stands. An indescribable sense of unearthly danger that eminates off her is more than enough to keep him on guard.
Despite the very obvious threat, he tries to take this presentation as a compliment towards his strength.
“Likewise. It has come to my attention that we are…long overdue for a discussion.” He replies.
“In that, I quite agree. I received your message with your proposal. Of course I cannot give you an answer yet, as any agreements of that nature will have to be discussed with the Tsaritsa first, but I am happy to take you up on your offer. If the intel you have brought with you actually brings us to our goal here, we will give you a chance to come to the negotiation table and…put aside, temporarily, all we know you’ve done to hinder us here.”
“That is reasonable. I will keep that in mind should we, hopefully, arrange for a more formal meeting.”
“Now then, I hear you know where the little mouse we’ve been trying to smoke out is?”
With his mind made even before coming here, Diluc doesn’t hesitate to reply, “The anemo archon is currently heading to the Cathedral with the blonde outlander you’ve surely been keeping tabs on. He is taking on the identity of a bard named Venti. He is dressed in green, black hair with teal highlights. He’s hard to miss.”
“Just like that…?” She almost has the gall to looked surprised before a bemused grin graces her face- “I do like men who are straight to the point. I’m interested to see where that enthusiasm will go. If all goes as planned, we will reach out to you in a future time and date with a meeting place. For now,” She holds out a gloved hand, a sweet smile, yet the look of a predator in her eyes “we look forward to discussing our future collaboration.”
“...Likewise.” Only habit has his arm reaching out to close the handshake despite how sick he feels at collaborating with his father’s killers.
—----------------
Diluc really has to do his work running around in order to snatch the traveler up in the aftermath of the Dvalin crises. Amidst the common folk celebrating and the knights running around, he assumes they’ve been making the traveler and Paimon run around on errands in kind. In any case, he finds them enjoying a sticky honey roast with Amber at Sara’s.
“Hello traveler, Paimon, you’ve been difficult to pin down these past few days.”
Amber almost chokes on her roast to one side of him, “Master Diluc?! What are you doing here?”
He barely gives her a glance as he pins down the traveler and Paimon with a stare, “I was promised a little assistance from our dear honorary knight after we took care of Dvalin. Yet, she has been surprisingly difficult to track down, no thanks to the knights I assume.”
The traveler has the audacity to look abashed. Paimon does look guilty as she replies, “It’s not that we’ve been purposefully avoiding you. We’ve just gotten caught up in hanging out and helping people. We want to head on to Liyue soon now that we know her brother isn’t here, and we’ve been trying to give goodbye’s to everyone, but then it's like everyone is stalling us with all these chores!”
“Oh?” Diluc looks back over to Amber, causing her to blush.
Amber just as quickly tries to pull herself together, “On behalf of the knights, I apologize, Master Diluc! If we had known we would have sent her over your way. Traveler, I know you wanted to assist me with my patrol, but I can do it on my own. Sounds like you have a commitment with Diluc that you should take care of!” Amber replies, and as if to state her point, quickly inhales the rest of her food before hopping up to leave.
“Well, then. Now that it's just us, I recommend both you and Paimon finish your food. My request will be taking us back to the winery.”
The traveler fixes him with a stare, “Are we able to discuss the request here before we head off?”
“...No, but I will be able to once we get to the winery. I apologize that I cannot give you any more details before then.”
The traveler and Paimon finish off their roast, “Then let us get going.”
The walk to the winery is uneventful, with Paimon managing to fill the silence between him and the traveler with her mundane conversation topics. Reminiscing on the landscape they pass and the people and experiences they’ve had here in Mondstadt. It almost reminds Diluc of a more innocent time.
Yet the view of the winery all but causes that feeling to disappear.
Finally they arrive at the winery’s main doorstep, Adelinde is there to greet him, “Master Diluc, it is wonderful to see you safely home. I have already prepared everything for your arrival. If you or the traveler would like some refreshments, I have left them in your office.”
“Thank you Adelinde. I do not know how long I will be with the traveler, please make sure no one disturbs us until we are done.”
“Of course, Master Diluc.” Adelinde smiles. However, before she leaves he catches a knowing look in her eyes as it flicks between him and the traveler. He nods at her, promising he’ll notify her of everything once he is done.
The walk up to his office is quiet. He can feel the questioning eyes of both the traveler and Paimon, but he does not let it bother him.
Finally, they are in his office and he shuts the door. He notices the snacks and juice that sit on a snack tin on the smaller table by the door of his office, “I know you two just ate, but should you feel it there is tea cakes and grape juice here by the door. Though with what I want to discuss, it may be fitting to wait.”
“After that sticky honey roast, I don’t think I could eat another bite.” Paimon comments, a contented smile gracing her lips at the memory of the roast.
“Can’t eat another bite? That doesn’t sound like the Paimon I know.” The traveler replies, a teasing look on her face, “In any case, what do you need help with?”
He walks to his desk, putting a hand on a picture only he can see, one of the few he still has from when he still had his brother and his father, “First a question, if you will Outlander: I know you have not been in this world long, but what do you think of this world?”
“Well… It seems to have its fair share of issues, but I have seen the resolution of the people of Mondstadt to make sure it stays a good place.” The traveler replies.
“And what are your thoughts on Celestia?” Diluc pushes, hand on his desk tightening.
“The most I know is from what I’ve heard. She is the ruler of Teyvat, with the 7 archons an extension of her will. Other than that, I have only heard people sing her praises in the streets along with that of the anemo archon.”
Paimon interjects then, “That sounds about right from what we’ve heard, but Diluc? Where are you going with this? How does this relate to the issue you have?”
“In due course, Paimon. I needed to know how much you knew. As expected, there is still much you need to learn, and I am unsure if you are ready for such knowledge. In Teyvat, you will come to learn certain truths. Such knowledge always comes at a price. I had someone very close to me suffer the cost of that price innocently, and while I need your help, I do not wish for you to befall the same fate.” It crushes Diluc, but they are not yet ready.
It must show on his face because the looks of pity he gets from the Traveler and Paimon speak volumes.
“I do not need your pity. For now, I merely ask for you to send me any interesting you learn about Hilichurls.”
“Hilichurls?” Paimon says baffled.
“It is…very relevant towards what I need. I cannot tell you more now, but eventually you may know enough that I can tell you in more detail. I apologize, but hopefully it won’t be too much to ask to send any information by post? Just give any letter to any postal service and mark it for the Dawn Winery for me. I will make sure to reward you handsomely for anything you come across. Does that sound reasonable?”
“Hmm… Seems easy enough. Anything specific you’re looking for?” The traveler asks.
“Just, anything unique. You will know once you come across such knowledge. Trust me on that matter.”
“As cryptic as always, Master Diluc, but that sounds easy enough!” Paimon replies.
“Then that is where our discussion ends for today. Feel free to partake in the snacks Adelinde provided, but otherwise you are free to go. I know you still have a few things you need to wrap up before heading to Liyue. I hope that you find what you’re looking for on your journey.”
“Thank you, Master Diluc.” The traveler smiles back at him.
—----------------
“Were you able to discover anything talking to them, Master Diluc?”
“No, it was too soon. As much as I desperately wanted to lay it down, I do not wish to see them suffer the same fate; especially with how innocent they still are to this world's truths. You know the danger it would put them in knowing information like that too early. However, seeing how things went with Dvalin, I have a suspicion they may be a descender, Adelinde.”
“A Descender?”
“Those with the ability to change the fate of this world. I believe, with enough time spent in this world, they will uncover the information we need to change Kaeya’s destiny, but we cannot push too early. Lest Celestia smites down this dandelion seed that has barely flown from its parent. For now, I have tasked them to look for and send any strange pieces of information about Hilichurls my way. When they have uncovered enough, we shall call for them once again to return.”
“For now?”
“We wait and hope for clearer skies.”
—----------------
It wouldn’t be long after the traveler leaves that Diluc finds himself beset with Venti becoming a regular to his tavern. It always seemed to be on the few days he manned the bar too.
It would be a quiet evening where it seemed to be just him and Venti left to while away the quiet evening.
“You made the right choice, you know.” Venti would say.
“And what would you be going on about now?” Diluc would reply, taking inventory since he had nothing better to do.
“The traveler was not ready. As a dandelion seed that has barely taken off from the flower, it would have been so easy to snuff them out. To pluck them from their newfound flight. It is best to allow them to plant and grow naturally into the real perils of this world before introducing a detectable poison. It will allow them to grow strong to it prior.”
“...How do you always seem to know these things? Don’t you know not to pry into a private conversation, oh anemo archon?”
“I can’t help what the winds whisper to me.” Venti replies unabashedly. “But Diluc.”
Diluc finally turns to look at the wayward bard.
“I’ll do my best to make sure everything is alright until that time comes. Both you and Kaeya are beloved children of Mondstadt. Despite everything.”
Diluc has to turn away when he hears that statement, to hide the tears he cannot stop.
“...How would you like some dandelion wine, on the house,” he says instead.
“On the house, you say?” And that mirthful tone is back.
Diluc doesn’t reply, but the hopeful expression on his face tells Venti all he needs to know.
Somehow, at least for the moment, he feels as if everything will be alright. He just needs to give these seeds of hope time to grow.