[Yoimiya's phone will ring with Ajax's number coming up on her phone. It's the next day, later in the night when he's finally able to call.
He waits until she picks up, rubbing his face and hoping that she won't be too upset with him for bailing out of Mondstadt without a single word until now.]
[ As expected, the next day Yoimiya is very sore from the aftermath of fighting the dragon. She's been cooped up inside her hotel room all day, getting some much-needed rest after landing on the ground the way she did. :c
She's exiting the bathroom, coming out of a nice steamy shower when she hears her phone ringing. Her eyes light up upon seeing the number calling her. ]
Ajax! Thank goodness it's you. I know you told me not to but I still couldn't stop worrying about you when we parted ways.
[ She's a little puzzled as to why he doesn't visit her in person since they're staying at the same hotel but she brushes that thought to the side, figuring that he might need some rest after duking it out with the dragon. ]
Edited (changed dialogue bc i wasn't pleased with it.... ) 2024-10-20 13:05 (UTC)
[Glad that she picked up, that means she's both safe and nothing else bad has happened. He tries to sound as cheerful as he can, even though he knows it's anything but.]
Haha, hey, don't worry, I'm just fine. A little banged up perhaps, but otherwise all in one piece. You sound like you're in good spirits...I'm guessing everything went smoothly after we parted?
Yeah! Aside from feeling like I got hit by a truck, I'm doing OK! Once we separated, I went to the Knights and took shelter away from the chaos.
[ She's so relieved the voice on the other end really belongs to Ajax. Poor guy is probably beat and because of that, she is appreciates he took the time to call her. ]
How did the fight with the dragon go? Did ya give it a good beating?
for context: this is before any headlines went out about bennett, but the internet talks you know
It wasn't easy, [he admits,] but it went down in the end. Have you been online whatsoever today? There's some rumblings around the internet about who actually took the dragon down.
No, I didn't see him at all. I was with someone else, but it wasn't him. However, there's clips all over Warbler from people who watch his stream, saying he has special powers, so it must of been him.
[He pauses, only to sigh. What a mess...]
And honestly, I'm inclined to give him the credit for it, as much as I'd like it for myself.
[ She gets it. If she took down a huge beast, she'd want some credit for herself. ]
Yeah, Bennett does deserve a lot of credit. I don't know if you saw that strange domain that appeared near Dawn Winery but the two of us went inside and took down that armored creature I was telling you about. Bennett was the one who did most of the work when it came to fighting it! I just did the best I could to support him.
[ This is another wake-up call to improve her combat skills. She sighs, knowing she's got a long, messy road ahead of her. ]
Wait... if everyone knows Bennett has special powers, will he be okay?
[She'd gone into the domain too...that'll be something else to talk about. He didn't get in there until later himself...]
I don't know. I'm not exactly broadcasting that I'm able to use some sort of elemental powers myself. It won't be surprising to me if there's any sort of uproar about it in the next coming days. Worse comes to worse, they'll take him and send him off to get experimented on in some lab.
[ The horror in Yoimiya's voice is palpable, shaky, and filled with immense dread. ]
Ajax, do you have any advice or ideas on what I can do for him? Please, he's a friend of mine and I can't stand the thought of him being treated like some lab rat. He's a good guy, he doesn't deserve that. No one deserves that kind of fate.
[His voice doesn't sound confident at all, a departure of how he normally sounds. In his eyes, Bennett is kind of screwed.]
It all depends on how the authorities decide to handle this. He didn't hurt anyone, but that doesn't mean he won't be considered dangerous. I'd expect the Knights to try to apprehend him first, but where he goes from there...I couldn't say. There probably isn't much anyone can do for him now.
[ The tone in Ajax's voice is telling, he's usually confident and bold but this time, he sounds completely unsure of Bennett's situation. And for good reason, it's hard to help a guy wanted by the authorities unless they decide to break the law.
Break the law...
That gets the cogwheels in her head turning. She's got an idea that's definitely crazy, one that will certainly receive a scolding from Ajax if she dares to voice it out loud so for now, she refrains from saying anything further. ]
... No matter what, I won't give up on him. I don't have any plans or solid ideas on how to help him but if there's a will, there's a way.
Well, can you blame me? How can I possibly sit still knowing my friend will end up as a lab rat?!
[ Oops, she kind of raised her voice a little bit there. The dragon, feeling like she doesn't know how to fight very well, the mark, and now Knights possibly on their tail? The stress of everything finally got to her but it's still not right for her to show her ire towards Ajax. ]
... Sorry. I'm just really worried about him, he's a good guy. I just hate the thought of someone as kind as Bennett locked away for something he didn't even ask for.
I know...it's just incredibly unfortunate that he happened to be streaming when he got his power. There are some refuges in this world that would see us as more of a blessing than a mutant of sorts...but that isn't helping him now.
I managed to get his number...I'll tell him to hide. It's really all he can do for now.
[ Poor Bennett... misfortune truly seems to follow him during his streams. He gains powers, happens to be streaming, and now he'll be on the rader of some scary people. Bad luck just keeps coming after him. ]
Thank you Ajax, I appreciate that a lot. I means the world to me that you're looking after him.
[ There's only so much either one of them can do, and even if it's something as small as hiding, it gives her hope Bennett still has a chance to survive. ]
I hate feeling so helpless but I guess... we just have to wait and see at this point, don't we? [ She sighs, detesting this feeling of dread. ] It's hard to believe so much has happened over the course of one day.
[He can empathize with her on that. He wouldn't want to see anyone he cared about be put in a situation like that. If it were one of his siblings, you might as well rip his own heart out if they ended up in the worst possible scenario.]
It's hard to believe any of it happened in the first place. Keep your chin up, Yoimiya. For now, you should focus on keeping yourself safe, too. I'm relieved to know that you're okay, and the reason I was calling is because I wanted to tell you that I'm no longer in Mondstadt.
[ Just as she's getting ready to tell him to stay safe, he hits her with news so unexpected that it renders her chatty self silent. This man didn't even wait a day, Ajax is already long gone and out of Mondstadt. ]
Oh, I see...
[ Try as she might, she can't quite hide the hurt in her voice that he didn't say bye to her in person. ]
[His voice softens, knowing that his sudden departure hurt her a little bit. They'd really hit it off during the festival, but the dragon attack really made everything go wrong...]
I had to leave. The writing was on the wall, and I can't get caught by the Knights. There was no time, and I knew that if I didn't leave immediately, there would be no chance. Surely the Knights have locked down the city, yes?
Yeah, I get it but... would it have been that much of a bother to say farewell in person?
[ Maybe it's unfair for her to be a bit upset, he has to do what he can to save his own skin. Feelings are complicated, a tangled web of emotions she's not even sure she can put into words, and it's especially tough not to feel hurt when he's the first guy she's slept with.
She breathes a sigh through her nose, trying her best to swallow down her emotions. Ajax's safety should naturally take priority over a simple bye. ]
Yes, the whole city is on lockdown, it's practically impossible to leave. Last I heard, all fights out of the city are getting canceled. I'm impressed you were able to leave as fast as you did.
[He understands that she's hurt, but he won't address it anymore, not now. He'll have to find a way to make it up to her later, but what's done is done. He left without a trace, and he won't be able to make it back yet.]
Haha, well, let me put it this way- private jets are a must. I'm sure you understand.
[There's a little bit of a laugh in his voice, hinting at her own idol status.]
As are private air fields. No need to take the three mile long celebrity detour when there's no one else there. You'll get the chance to see it for yourself sometime.
[ The implication in his laugh is loud and clear, he's definitely referencing her status as an idol. Traveling via a private jet would have been the smartest decision and ironically, she chose to take the long celebrity detour through all the stares and all the pictures being snapped just to feel like a normal person.
And yet, she felt anything but normal throughout the whole flight. However, she won't bother Ajax with a long-winded spiel of why she took a commercial airline instead. ]
That makes sense, I can see why you were able to book it out of here without any problems.
[ Makes perfect sense but it's also... a little suspicious. What exactly does Ajax do for a living that grants him access to private air fields? From that penthouse suite in the Goth Grand Hotel to this, she can't stop wondering about his occupation. ]
You must be a pretty important person in Snezhnaya to have all those perks.
I wouldn't say that. I'm a private citizen with no fame to my name whatsoever- I just work for a company that values efficiency and results. Really no different than any other company, now that I think about it.
[He says it so nonchalantly, moving on from that line of thought to the next.]
Anyway, the reason for my call wasn't just to let you know my whereabouts...it was to ask if you had a plan to get out of the city. I don't think you should stay there, Yoimiya.
[ Yeah..... somehow she doubts that. There are just too many oddities surrounding his job for her to believe that but since he didn't press her on her job, she'll refrain from voicing her opinion. ]
Truthfully, I'm not sure. Taking commercial flight sure was a mistake in hindsight, wasn't it?
[ But then again, it's not like she could have known they'd all get strange powers and a dragon would have swooped down and caused havoc. ]
Getting out of here would be the wise decision but... I have friends who are also in Mondstadt, and I'd feel bad about leaving them behind to deal with this mess.
I understand the sentiment- believe me, if I were there under normal circumstances, I'd be more than willing to lend a hand. But both you and I are marked individuals...literally.
Mondstadt will have plenty of government backed operations running to rebuild and help the citizens. It's not like they're without resources, and they have access to ones that even a famous idol doesn't. I'd still encourage you to find a way to exit the city as quickly as possible, and not linger any longer than you have to.
I truly do appreciate the sentiment and believe me, I know the smart thing to do would be to leave. But... I'm not the type of person who leaves without a trace. One of my friends is someone I've known since childhood, I can't go back to Inazuma and face his mom knowing I left him to the wolves.
[ Kuni might be a lil shit at times but he's her lil shit, she's not about to leave her friend to fend for himself. ]
I really will try to get out of here as quickly as possible but as it stands, I will not leave my friends behind until I know for sure they'll be safe.
Nope! [ The answer is both shameless and filled with confidence. ] Probably wouldn't surprise you to hear that my parents have scolded me for being stubborn but I don't plan on changing anytime soon.
[ Yoimiya is pretty proud of who she is, even if her reckless actions have gotten her in trouble a time or two... or three. ]
Hmm... alright. I suppose we can meet up if we happen to be in the same area. No promises, because I might just up and leave before you even realize it.
[ maybe this is why she is friends with Kuni bc she too, can be a lil shit ]
Is that a little bit of a petty grudge, I hear? Hahaha! Okay, then I'll try my best to be back before that happens.
[Turns out she's a little spicy too...he can dig that. ^^]
Stay safe, and I'll see you soon. If anything happens, don't be afraid to contact me. I'll try to see what I can do from here. I've got to go for now. Work waits for no one...
[ Petty grudge???? So what if she's feeling a little spicy he just up and left her! >:T A small huff can be heard from the other end of the line... she's totally not puffing her cheeks at him at this very moment. ]
Alright, here's to hoping work won't be too much of a pain for you. Take care of yourself and stay safe too.
[ All her pettiness aside, she truly appreciates he's offering to help. She's not sure what he can do for her all the way in Snezhnaya but some aid is better than no aid at all. Without another word, she ends the call and plops on the bed, grabbing a nearby pillow to give it a nice squeeze.
This man will be the source of many pouts from her, she can already sense it... ]
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voice; the day after the dragon is killed
He waits until she picks up, rubbing his face and hoping that she won't be too upset with him for bailing out of Mondstadt without a single word until now.]
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She's exiting the bathroom, coming out of a nice steamy shower when she hears her phone ringing. Her eyes light up upon seeing the number calling her. ]
Ajax! Thank goodness it's you. I know you told me not to but I still couldn't stop worrying about you when we parted ways.
[ She's a little puzzled as to why he doesn't visit her in person since they're staying at the same hotel but she brushes that thought to the side, figuring that he might need some rest after duking it out with the dragon. ]
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Haha, hey, don't worry, I'm just fine. A little banged up perhaps, but otherwise all in one piece. You sound like you're in good spirits...I'm guessing everything went smoothly after we parted?
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[ She's so relieved the voice on the other end really belongs to Ajax. Poor guy is probably beat and because of that, she is appreciates he took the time to call her. ]
How did the fight with the dragon go? Did ya give it a good beating?
for context: this is before any headlines went out about bennett, but the internet talks you know
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Aside from making sure people were okay, I haven't been online much. I spent most of the day helping out with the cleanup.
[ a.k.a ignore my first tag back, i'm actually a goldfish bc i have the memory of one ]
Huh? Are they saying it wasn't you...?
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No, in fact, there's nothing about me at all. They're saying it's someone else...in fact, we discussed him briefly in the field. Bennett.
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What? They think Bennett is the one who killed the dragon?
[ She's confused and after recalling Ajax's advice after they parted ways, she's also concerned for her friend's safety. ]
Why do they think he did it? Did he accompany you to fight the dragon?
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[He pauses, only to sigh. What a mess...]
And honestly, I'm inclined to give him the credit for it, as much as I'd like it for myself.
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Yeah, Bennett does deserve a lot of credit. I don't know if you saw that strange domain that appeared near Dawn Winery but the two of us went inside and took down that armored creature I was telling you about. Bennett was the one who did most of the work when it came to fighting it! I just did the best I could to support him.
[ This is another wake-up call to improve her combat skills. She sighs, knowing she's got a long, messy road ahead of her. ]
Wait... if everyone knows Bennett has special powers, will he be okay?
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I don't know. I'm not exactly broadcasting that I'm able to use some sort of elemental powers myself. It won't be surprising to me if there's any sort of uproar about it in the next coming days. Worse comes to worse, they'll take him and send him off to get experimented on in some lab.
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[ The horror in Yoimiya's voice is palpable, shaky, and filled with immense dread. ]
Ajax, do you have any advice or ideas on what I can do for him? Please, he's a friend of mine and I can't stand the thought of him being treated like some lab rat. He's a good guy, he doesn't deserve that. No one deserves that kind of fate.
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[His voice doesn't sound confident at all, a departure of how he normally sounds. In his eyes, Bennett is kind of screwed.]
It all depends on how the authorities decide to handle this. He didn't hurt anyone, but that doesn't mean he won't be considered dangerous. I'd expect the Knights to try to apprehend him first, but where he goes from there...I couldn't say. There probably isn't much anyone can do for him now.
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Break the law...
That gets the cogwheels in her head turning. She's got an idea that's definitely crazy, one that will certainly receive a scolding from Ajax if she dares to voice it out loud so for now, she refrains from saying anything further. ]
... No matter what, I won't give up on him. I don't have any plans or solid ideas on how to help him but if there's a will, there's a way.
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[He doesn't like the sound of her voice. The last thing he wants is for her to get caught up in someone else's mess.]
Don't get any ideas over there. If you try something and get caught too, you'll end up in the same perilous situation as him.
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[ Oops, she kind of raised her voice a little bit there. The dragon, feeling like she doesn't know how to fight very well, the mark, and now Knights possibly on their tail? The stress of everything finally got to her but it's still not right for her to show her ire towards Ajax. ]
... Sorry. I'm just really worried about him, he's a good guy. I just hate the thought of someone as kind as Bennett locked away for something he didn't even ask for.
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I managed to get his number...I'll tell him to hide. It's really all he can do for now.
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Thank you Ajax, I appreciate that a lot. I means the world to me that you're looking after him.
[ There's only so much either one of them can do, and even if it's something as small as hiding, it gives her hope Bennett still has a chance to survive. ]
I hate feeling so helpless but I guess... we just have to wait and see at this point, don't we? [ She sighs, detesting this feeling of dread. ] It's hard to believe so much has happened over the course of one day.
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It's hard to believe any of it happened in the first place. Keep your chin up, Yoimiya. For now, you should focus on keeping yourself safe, too. I'm relieved to know that you're okay, and the reason I was calling is because I wanted to tell you that I'm no longer in Mondstadt.
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Oh, I see...
[ Try as she might, she can't quite hide the hurt in her voice that he didn't say bye to her in person. ]
Well, I'm glad to hear you're safe.
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[His voice softens, knowing that his sudden departure hurt her a little bit. They'd really hit it off during the festival, but the dragon attack really made everything go wrong...]
I had to leave. The writing was on the wall, and I can't get caught by the Knights. There was no time, and I knew that if I didn't leave immediately, there would be no chance. Surely the Knights have locked down the city, yes?
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[ Maybe it's unfair for her to be a bit upset, he has to do what he can to save his own skin. Feelings are complicated, a tangled web of emotions she's not even sure she can put into words, and it's especially tough not to feel hurt when he's the first guy she's slept with.
She breathes a sigh through her nose, trying her best to swallow down her emotions. Ajax's safety should naturally take priority over a simple bye. ]
Yes, the whole city is on lockdown, it's practically impossible to leave. Last I heard, all fights out of the city are getting canceled. I'm impressed you were able to leave as fast as you did.
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Haha, well, let me put it this way- private jets are a must. I'm sure you understand.
[There's a little bit of a laugh in his voice, hinting at her own idol status.]
As are private air fields. No need to take the three mile long celebrity detour when there's no one else there. You'll get the chance to see it for yourself sometime.
no subject
And yet, she felt anything but normal throughout the whole flight. However, she won't bother Ajax with a long-winded spiel of why she took a commercial airline instead. ]
That makes sense, I can see why you were able to book it out of here without any problems.
[ Makes perfect sense but it's also... a little suspicious. What exactly does Ajax do for a living that grants him access to private air fields? From that penthouse suite in the Goth Grand Hotel to this, she can't stop wondering about his occupation. ]
You must be a pretty important person in Snezhnaya to have all those perks.
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[He says it so nonchalantly, moving on from that line of thought to the next.]
Anyway, the reason for my call wasn't just to let you know my whereabouts...it was to ask if you had a plan to get out of the city. I don't think you should stay there, Yoimiya.
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Truthfully, I'm not sure. Taking commercial flight sure was a mistake in hindsight, wasn't it?
[ But then again, it's not like she could have known they'd all get strange powers and a dragon would have swooped down and caused havoc. ]
Getting out of here would be the wise decision but... I have friends who are also in Mondstadt, and I'd feel bad about leaving them behind to deal with this mess.
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Mondstadt will have plenty of government backed operations running to rebuild and help the citizens. It's not like they're without resources, and they have access to ones that even a famous idol doesn't. I'd still encourage you to find a way to exit the city as quickly as possible, and not linger any longer than you have to.
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[ Kuni might be a lil shit at times but he's her lil shit, she's not about to leave her friend to fend for himself. ]
I really will try to get out of here as quickly as possible but as it stands, I will not leave my friends behind until I know for sure they'll be safe.
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[Definitely not coming back to the city of Mondstadt though.]
Guess I can't talk you out of something once you've made up your mind, huh?
[Can't fault her for that though. It's admirable that she cares that much to put herself in danger, even if he doesn't like it.]
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[ Yoimiya is pretty proud of who she is, even if her reckless actions have gotten her in trouble a time or two... or three. ]
Hmm... alright. I suppose we can meet up if we happen to be in the same area. No promises, because I might just up and leave before you even realize it.
[ maybe this is why she is friends with Kuni bc she too, can be a lil shit ]
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[Turns out she's a little spicy too...he can dig that. ^^]
Stay safe, and I'll see you soon. If anything happens, don't be afraid to contact me. I'll try to see what I can do from here. I've got to go for now. Work waits for no one...
🎀
Alright, here's to hoping work won't be too much of a pain for you. Take care of yourself and stay safe too.
[ All her pettiness aside, she truly appreciates he's offering to help. She's not sure what he can do for her all the way in Snezhnaya but some aid is better than no aid at all. Without another word, she ends the call and plops on the bed, grabbing a nearby pillow to give it a nice squeeze.
This man will be the source of many pouts from her, she can already sense it... ]