niwabi | karteria ★ inbox

I wish I knew.

[The more and more his vision comes to him and he gets a good look around, the more this looks like they're in a bad situation. No doubt all the damage to the walls were from previous Augmented, and he doesn't need to be told that they're probably in Patho-Gen's care at the moment. The worst thing about it is it doesn't look like the care they're going to receive is going to be good, considering they didn't even bother to provide them with livable accommodations.]

The last I remember is being at home. No doubt that Patho-Gen's done something to us to bring us here. And...I've got a really bad feeling about this.

[He remembers the things they found shambling around in the marshlands before arriving at Kelesis. Was that going to be their fate now, too?]

[ Archons... if someone can get the jump on Tartaglia then that's a level of terrifying Yoimiya isn't sure she's ready to face yet. As her focus comes into view, she's finally able to get a better look at the place, and it's bad. Really, really, bad. Her suspicions have been confirmed; they're definitely stuck in a cell.

But judging by the dents and scratches in the wall, it looks like they weren't the only occupants of this horrifying space. There have been others... and she's not sure if she wants to know what happened to them. ]

Me too. There aren’t many people who can outflank you. I can't even begin to imagine what they did to bring you here.

[ And that alone terrifies her. ]

How are you feeling, by the way?

[He wishes he knew what they did to bring him here. He'd heard of Patho-Gen having the ability to mind control the Augmented, but he wasn't sure of how true that was. It's all very concerning, and it feels as if they'd be lucky to find out exactly what it is.]

My head is a little cloudy, but otherwise, I'm fine. For the moment, that is.

[There's no way this collar isn't going to do something to them at some point. They wouldn't of fitted it on them if it wasn't.]

I'm not sure what the meaning of these collars are, though. I understand why they'd put one on me, but why you? And are we the only ones down here?

[ Oh, thank goodness. Fuzzy head aside, she's glad to hear that he's fine for the moment. She hopes it stays that way, but considering they've been taken against their will, her hopes aren't that high. ]

It's weird that we've both been targeted. I was going to assume that maybe it has something to do with our visions, but... unless we can figure out if anyone else is down here, then there's no telling.

[ Unless there's a way to bust out and see if there are more cells, they won't be getting the answers to that question any time soon. ]

Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like we can do much to get out of here. Unless... can you use your powers in here?

[The question begs for an answer, and Tartaglia searches within himself to find the answers. There's no doubt that his elemental powers have been stripped from him, given that he doesn't have his Vision on his person anymore. That doesn't bode well for either of them too, which is something he'll have to address with her right now as well.]

I can feel that I can still shift, if I need. That also explains the claw marks and teeth marks on the walls. I think this room has been specifically made to keep in Augmented.

[Which means no matter how much he tries, getting out of here using his shifted form probably won't work.]

I am a little concerned about our Visions, though. I know you're all too aware of what happens to a Vision wielder when their Vision is forcibly taken from them?

[ Ah... it hadn't occurred to her to check what was left on her. And from the look on Ajax's face, it doesn't take much for her to surmise they've been stripped of their Visions and, effectively, their powers. Immediately, Yoimiya can feel discomfort welling up in the pit of her stomach. This whole scenario dangerously reminds her of the Vision Decree.

Sure, they could shift, but the marks on the claw paint an unfortunate story. Their Natural-Souls won't be enough to escape from this place. ]

That's right. I've witnessed what happens to those who have their hopes, dreams, and ambitions taken away from them...

[ A uncomfortable silence fills the air. For a moment, Yoimiya doesn't say anything as the memories of the Sakoku decree hit her full force. She recalls everything, from the soliders demanding everyone hand their Visions, to the practically lifeless looks in the people's eyes as they wander around feeling like they have no purpose in life.

Eventually, the silence becomes too much for Yoimiya to handle, and it's not long until she speaks back up. ]

I guess there's really nothing we can do, huh? I hate being a sitting duck, but it doesn't seem like we have much of a choice.

Edited (NOT ME HECKING UP NOW FUUUUUUU--) 2025-10-14 01:29 (UTC)

[The way Yoimiya reacts is about the same as how he feels about it. If separated from their Visions for too long, they'll become husks of their former selves. He has no idea how long they'd be stuck down here, or if anyone was going to come to save them.]

The best we can do is wait for an opportunity to escape. If we're indeed imprisoned by Patho-Gen as I assume, then they aren't going to let us die or leave us alone for very long.

[That'll be the time to strike. But, there's the issue of the collars. He tugs at his a little, but it doesn't budge.]

We've got to figure out how to get these off, too. Mind if I take a look at yours? Maybe I can see how we can get them off...

[ He's right. It's only a matter of time before the Patho-Gen return to do... whatever horrible experiments they want to perform on them. Ugh, she doesn't even want to think about what will happen next, Yoimiya can already feel a shiver crawl down her spine.

So, while they're alone, they need to take advantage of their alone time to try and surmise the situation. ]

Of course. Feel free to inspect it as much as you want.

[ And she'll start by letting him investigate her collar. Now that she's somewhat regained her bearings, she's able to easily maneuver her body close to him. She pushes a long strand of strawberry blonde hair behind her ear to give him ample room to look over the collar. ]

With these things around our necks, it feels like we're being treated like animals...

Hah, tell me about it. In their eyes, I'm sure we're anything but human to them.

[He supposes he should be thankful they even bothered to clothe them properly at this point. Childe positions himself in the most comfortable position he can muster on the cold floor, inspecting the collar and playing with it. It's on pretty tight, and he doesn't see a way to detach it either.

He begins to start to press into the skin of her neck, to see if he can at least get part of a finger between it and her collar. After several moments of poking and prodding, he discovers an uncomfortable truth.]

What the...no way. This collar, it's embedded into your skin. I don't know how deep it goes, but they've attached it in a way that you can't remove it without some sort of surgery.

[ To the Patho-Gen, they're probably seen as nothing but livestock. This whole ordeal is another reminder that she shouldn't trust them. At least now, she'll be able to take some of her power back once they get these pesky collars off their necks. And who better to remove the cursed thing than Ajax?

Except... ]

W-What?!

[ Oh no. Oh no no no no. Instantly, her eyes grow wide with horror, and she feels like puking. ]

How horrible. I thought this thing was awfully tight around my neck, but since we’re still able to breathe, I didn't think it'd turn out like this. Oh, Ajax... what kind of people are we dealing with?

Ones that seem to be far more concerned with their ability to control us than saving their own world, [he says dryly.]

Are you familiar with the Cavalry Captain from Mondstadt, Kaeya Alberich? We were just discussing at the party last night about our theories regarding Kelesis. Mine was that they're using their barrier technology to control our minds, somehow. It would explain the strange happenings there. I'm not sure how much you know about it.

[Childe continues to fidget around with Yoimiya's collar for a few more moments, until he's satisfied that he really can't get it off of her, and that it's for sure embedded into her neck.]

I'm pretty sure that the Kelesis we saw was just a hallucination projected into the minds of the Augmented. And if that's the case, and they have the ability to toy with our thoughts, it would explain how we ended up here, too.

[ Yoimiya knows Kaeya! Her face lights up at the recognition. He's sharp, reliable, and a friendly person to chat with; she likes him a lot. However, what Yoimiya doesn't like is the Patho-Gen, and as she listens to Ajax recount his findings, she's realizing that she really, really does not like them at the revelation that they're controlling their minds.

They're terrible, awful people. In the back of her mind, she always knew she couldn't trust them, and now, what little hope she had for them is gone. ]

I see. If they really are using the barrier to control our minds, then there's no telling what's actually real and what isn't. At this rate, this whole thing might just be nothing more than an experiment to them.

[ And if that’s the case... ooooh, the urge to kick their butts is rising. She swears that once this collar is off, she’s kicking ass and taking names. Well, if they’re able to get the collar off, that is. Doesn’t seem like it at the moment. She sighs in defeat. ]

That would also explain why you were brought here. I have a hard time believing that someone could knock you unconscious and bring you here. But then again, they have to be powerful if they're capable of dragging us away from Teyvat.

That's a fact that I think a lot of us tend to overlook. If you have the power to transport people across space and time, across different dimensions...mind control would be a simple matter. And to a scientist, human experimentation to discover better ways to improve your technology is never off the table.

[If anything, Dottore has taught them all that.]

Sadly, the reality of it is...we were always meant to be an experiment, nothing more. I'm not sure if I even believe in the guise of saving this world anymore.

[He's not saying it's not possible, but the feeling that the intent was more to see how they could improve their Augmenter technology, how much better they could learn how to keep the Augmented reined in. Their lives don't matter to scientists...

Tartaglia sighs, feeling betrayed, but then he supposes that he should have come to expect this- it should of been obvious from the beginning to him.]

[ Unfortunately, he's right. From the moment they were brought to this strange new world, the Patho-Gen no doubt saw them as nothing but lab rats to conduct experiments on. It's frustrating, makes her want to scream and shout until her voice turns hoarse, but that's not going to do either one of them any good right now.

The sigh that follows his declaration manages to calm the raging fire burning in her heart. ]

Hey... no matter what happens, I'll always be by your side. I also trust you to have my back in turn.

[ She scoots closer to him, placing her small hand on top of his. It's not much, but she feels as though she should at least offer him some reassurance. ]

We'll get through this together, okay? Even if we have to give the Patho-Gen a beating they will never forget.

[The calming effect Yoimiya's presence has on him helps him think a little clearer, and Tartaglia offers a small smile back in return. The hand on his is nice, and just her touch alone helps him recenter.]

Right. We'll make them regret ever toying with us. I swear it.

[Almost as if fate had heard him, there's a sudden shock to his collar that makes his entire body seize up for a moment before he feels a sudden calm wash over him. Tartaglia goes rigid and then slouches, his body and mind suddenly pliant as two Patho-Gen employees enter the room. One glances at Yoimiya as they both go to pick him up onto his feet. They won't say anything to her, but Childe seems to be complying with their unsaid commands.

If Yoimiya tries to stop them, she'll find she'll be shocked into submission too, but otherwise, they escort him out of the room.]

[ Since he's swearing to it, Yoimiya knows there will come a day when they get to unleash all their pent-up emotions on their captors. The Patho-Gen better pick a god and pray because she's sure Tartaglia is going to make them wish they were never born. She almost feels sorry them.

Almost. Because truthfully, she won't feel the slightest bit bad for them after today.

Before she's even able to smile and intertwine her fingers with his, she notices Tartaglia's eyes growing wide and his whole body seizing up. Suddenly, he slumps over into a heap, and she quickly goes from confused to concerned. She doesn't even get a chance to check up on him when two Patho-Gen suddenly enter the room and begin taking him away. ]

DON'T YOU DARE LAY A FINGER ON HIM!

[ Yoimiya screams at the top of her lungs as she lunges at the scientists. But before she can get a single punch in, the same fate befalls her. The zap from her collar causes her body to freeze up. ]

Tar...taglia... A....jax.

[ His name is the last thing she says before passing out. ]

[He feels like he's in a daze, as they take him and drug him up more for the coming experiment that they fetched him for. He hears Yoimiya scream for him, calling his name as he leaves, but he feels resigned to this fate, whatever comes next. As the door closes behind him, he idly wonders what's in store for him, and he'll find it's far more cruel than he even imagined...]

---

[It's several, several hours later when Tartaglia is returned to the cell with Yoimiya. The condition he returns in is awful, horrific even. The left hand side of his face is burned away from acid, and luckily his eye was spared- there's a stab wound in his shoulder, and dried blood all over his head from blunt force trauma. They throw him into the room with a malice that wasn't present in the Patho-Gen employees from before, and he lands hard against the floor, eyes closed and breathing heavily.]

Nnnnghhhh...

[It's like he can barely move, let alone speak. Whatever happened to him, he's in bad shape.]

[ About an hour later, Yoimiya finally stirs after passing out. She was hoping to wake up to Tartaglia returning from who knows where with good news that he beat the daylights out of them. Unfortunately for her, she wakes up on the cold, hard floor, all alone inside this cell.

Never before has she felt so helpless. All she can do is sit, wait, and hope that Tartaglia comes back soon. And that's how it's like for another several hours until...

Suddenly, the door slams open. Yoimiya's heart nearly leaps out of her chest, but after all the waiting, she's ready to finally reunite with Ajax. But it's then, her hopes are soon dashed when she finally gets to see him.

He... looks half dead. ]

Oh my...

[ Yoimiya's heart sinks into the pits of her stomach at his state. If she had to guess, he probably tried to fight the scientists... only to end up like this. Half of his face looks like it was burned by a horrible substance; there's a notable wound on his shoulder, and the blood... there's so much dried blood. Hot tears begin to spill down the side of her face as she stares at him. ]

A-Ajax...?

[ She scoots closer to him, placing her hand on top of him to check if he's even still breathing. ]

[Tartaglia feels so out of it, like they had to do double the injections to get him safely back to this cell. The world feels like a foggy dream around him, and he barely registers that Yoimiya is next to him, nor that her hand is on his back. The only indication he gets is the sudden soothing feeling from her touch as the result of their deep imprint, and with that he's finally able to open his eyes and look up at her.]

H-Hey.

[Offering a smile, he tries to push himself up into a sitting position, only to find that his limbs were a lot weaker than he thought. He's guessing they practically dragged him back to this cell, but at least he's starting to feel better because of Yoimiya.]

Haha, don't look at me like that. I'm still alive, aren't I?

[He knows it's bad. He can't hide it, he's on the floor barely able to move. He's only sorry that she's got to see it.]

[ The lack of any sort of movement from him makes her wonder if he's even still alive. For a moment, she starts to prepare herself for the worst, but then, the bond of their deep imprint assures her that he's hanging in there. Somehow, somehow, he manages to look up at her with a smile. As much as she'd like to smile back at him, she's unable to get past his appearance. ]

I'm thankful you're alive, but you look... horrible.

[ There's a notable quiver in her voice as she leans in to inspect his wounds. She's careful about touching the acid burns on the side of his face, not wanting to add to the excrutiating mount of pain he's in. ]

What did they do to you?

Heheh...not as much as they could have, at least.

[He doesn't want to burden her with the details. His face may be burned, but what burns him more is the idea that eventually they'll come for her, too. They'll come and drag her off and there won't be anything he can do about it. Then she'll be the one getting her skull cracked open for the sake of their experiments.

The anger that rises inside of him is like a volcano exploding, but he has to try to tamp it down so it doesn't needlessly worry her. There's nothing they can do, and he's failed once at escaping already.]

Yoimiya...just please, be prepared for the worst. They truly have no regard for our well-being.

[He's already got to begin to mentally prepare himself for what might happen to her. One thing is for certain, after this, he'll kill more than just a few npc scientists if he can help it.]

[ Be prepared for the worst... those words shake her to her core. She's already upset and ready to drag someone through the mud for putting him in this condition; she doesn't wish to think about what they'll do to her.

Almost as if they heard him, the door swings open to another set of Patho-Gen employees entering the room, no doubt here for her. She immediately backs away, feeling like a scared animal trapped in the corner by a vicious predator. But naturally, she's not about to go down with some kind of fight. As soon as one of them grabs her, she begins to thrash around. ]

Let go, let go of me!

[ But even she knows there's not much she can do with the shock collars kicking in. Soon enough, the collar zaps her, causing her to faint right on the spot. The two scientists don't even pay any mind to her cellmate, because there's nothing he can do in his current condition, they only spare a passing glance at Tartaglia before taking her away. ]

[It's not the same pair that threw him in here, he knows that. Tartaglia's head snaps around the second the door opens, and he instantly knows what's about to happen. They're here for Yoimiya now, to take her off and do unspeakable things to her, and to leave him to rot alone in this cell.

As if they were prepared for him to retaliate, his collar shocks him first, sending his body into a full seize before the calmness of acceptance floods him. Childe never gets the chance to even get off the floor, looking up helplessly as they grab her, shocking her into unconsciousness.]

No...Yoimiya...please don't...

[His words are weak as she gets dragged away, and soon the door closes, leaving him alone. Tartaglia lies on the ground, feeling hopeless and weak, with the control of the collar manipulating him into no longer wanting to fight. He already feels sick to his stomach thinking about how she'll return to him, guilt instantly creeping in because he was powerless to stop them.

His mouth hangs open as he blankly stares at the floor, with the mind-manipulating drugs and power Patho-Gen has on him the only thing from keeping a choked sob from coming out of this throat.]

[ Likewise, Yoimiya doesn't return for a good, several hours. Fortunately, it doesn't seem like she's sustained any major external injuries outside from some bruising but the expression on her face paints a different story. From the glazed look on her face, and the dark bags forming underneath her eyes, it's clear she's been the subject of experiments that targeted her psyche.

When Patho-Gen bring her into the cell, the blonde is far from her usual chipper self, quite the opposite. She looks catatonic, like she's seen horrors horrors beyond her own comprehension. Even as the scientists discard her onto the floor like a piece of a garbage, she doesn't move from her spot, barely managing to curl up into a ball and hug her legs.

The only indication he'll get that she's even still coherent is a choked sob. ]

[Tartaglia has had to endure many terrible situations in the past before, between the Abyss and missions with the Fatui. He's even been closer to death than right now, but this is easily in his top-ranked most terrible times he's ever had in his life, right up there with Falling Into the Abyss and Getting Lost With No Hope, and Sustained An Injury That Left Him Hanging Between Life and Death.

But the several hours he's left alone in that cell, unable to sleep well and left to deal with the pain of his injuries was torture. His heart aches knowing that Yoimiya was gone, being tested and tortured all the same. All he can do is prepare for what she'll look like when she gets back, hoping that they don't hurt her too badly, swearing that he'll redouble his efforts to keep her safe. But the fact that she's gone now is like a knife getting twisted into his heart every second she's away.

When she finally returns, Tartaglia's barely moved from his own spot on the floor, and when he sees her he can feel rage grip him. She may not be injured physically, but he can tell instantly that they've done terrible things to her. Throwing her to the ground unceremoniously, he watches on helplessly as they leave the room, scrambling over to her with anguish washing over him.]

Yoimiya...!

[She looks awful, as if they'd broken her completely. No longer is she the happy, upbeat girl he knows, and he shudders in both fear and anger.]

I'm here. It's okay now, I promise. I'm right here.

[On his knees, he scoops her into his arms from the floor, to hold her even as she hugs her knees to her chest.]

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