3rd Battle | UN: Childe / Video

[monoceroscaeli]

[The video opens to a bright and smiling Childe, bandaged up across his head. The rest of the bandages are hidden beneath his clothing, because he's bundled up pretty well. You couldn't tell he was injured otherwise. He seems to be sitting on a small folding stool on a frozen lake, somewhere in the woods outside of the city. His fox Omen is holding up his Omni for him in its mouth, because this really isn't something so dire that he needs to be broadcasting it directly through other's Omens. A small fishing rod, probably the third of the size of a normal rod sits on the ice beside him, along with a few buckets, a very large backpack and some other equipment]

Hey there! As you can see, the frost and snow has really settled in now. Ah, it's breathtaking, isn't it? The way that the desolate landscape allows the snow to shine against that bright sky...but anyhow. It took a while to find the time, but I finally was able to find a few lakes out here that aren't completely dead. So, I thought it would be nice to share my favorite hobby with all of you.

[There's a hole that's clearly been drilled into the ice in front of him, a little smaller than he's used to, but it works.]

You see, where I come from, ponds and lakes are frozen over so greatly that you can tread on it as hard as you please, and the ice will never shatter. The fish in these lakes dwarf that of the ones that reside in your normal ponds. And in Snezhnaya, it's always been a great past time to go out ice fishing. It requires a little more patience, but I assure you it's always enjoyable. I'd be more than happy to go into detail about it. And if you want to come, well, I'm here now. Might as well take the few precious moments we have to relax, yes?

[He says that, though he still uses ice fishing to train. He pauses for a moment.]

Oh, and...I've already taken the time to remove some of those pesky traps left over from last month that were laid in the woods. Just the ones that are on the way to these lakes. They were of no consequence to me of course, and you should be able to travel to at least a few of the lakes around here without much issue. No guarantees though.

Comments

voice; un: yuuki

[siriusly]

What happened to your head?

[because that's obviously what this post is about, right????]

[monoceroscaeli]

[Only the ones who pay attention to the smallest details know his head is the main purpose of the post]

Let's say I got knocked around a little bit this last month.

[He got his ass beat and he beat some ass in return]

Don't worry too much about me, it's healing slowly but surely.

[siriusly]

[his eyes wince.]

A bit? Is whatever knocking you around over and gone? [...] You...didn't get dragged back to that awful factory, did you?

[monoceroscaeli]

No, no, I didn't, thankfully. Really, my recovery is coming along fine.

[Manabu, he appreciates you.]

I pushed myself a bit too hard. But believe me, I had immense amounts of fun doing so. You know me, I'm always looking for a good fight.

[siriusly]

I know you also know how nasty it can get when you get killed around here... You're not getting your skull bashed by yourself at least, yeah?

[monoceroscaeli]

No, I was always with someone else. Whenever I found myself in a spot of trouble, they were there to assist me if necessary.

You really needn't be so concerned. I've been in much worse shape before.

[siriusly]

[a shade defensive:] W-why wouldn't I be concerned, huh?! I know the consequences even more.

[monoceroscaeli]

Well now, I certainly can't deny that.

[He doesn't want to dig into that, because what a mess it was- this world sucks.]

Speaking of which, how have you been? I trust you received the gift I sent?

[siriusly]

Uoh, yeah! Yeah, I did! Why did you drop-off and dash? I couldn't thank you properly in-person!

[monoceroscaeli]

I thought leaving it as a surprise would be more thoughtful. Though it is tradition to open presents with others in Snezhnaya, I'm still very unsure how Christmas traditions are practiced. So I thought better of it. I'm very used to writing letters to my family anyhow, given the nature of my work back home.

[siriusly]

Boy, I'll say... That was the longest letter I ever got that wasn't from work!

[...]

That! That isn't to say it's bad, it's just! I'm not...used to that. It was neat to get.

But you still could've stuck around; I was making noodles!

[monoceroscaeli]

Oh, don't make me regret it now!

[It's so infrequent for someone to cook for him nowadays, at least outside of going out to eat.]

I'd still love to try them nonetheless, if you're ever making them again. I'm not picky either- a warrior must never deliberate so unnecessarily over their food choices.

[siriusly]

Well, I mean...you don't gotta set your standards that low... I grew up above a noodle restaurant, you know!

[no, Manabu, he didn't. but look, he forgets who does and doesn't know his life.]

I'm getting better at improvising tsukemen, thanks to the haul I got off those boats a while back, so if you feel like trying that, let me know, yeah?

[monoceroscaeli]

It sounds delectable. I didn't know you were so knowledgeable about food. You should have told me, cooking is another activity that I enjoy.

If you're up for it, I'd be more than happy to show you some traditional Snezhnayan noodle recipes to add to your repertoire. Since I'm trying to take it a bit easier this month, I have a lot more time on my hands.

["Taking it easier" isn't that much easier for him though, don't believe him.]

[siriusly]

Eh, really? [his tone is definitely more perked up at the prospect.] You found some decent seasoning tricks, you mean? That's really what's holding me back.

[that and not being as talented a cook as his mom, but like. we make do here.]

[monoceroscaeli]

[He nods back.]

I don't know what kind of noodles you generally prepare, but I might be able to help you out there. Sometimes less is more. I learned that one the hard way, hahaha.

[He's ruined a few dishes himself in his day...]

[siriusly]

But less is also pretty bland, so...finding the middle ground is kind of the hard part.

I won't say no to the help. [...] Or any decent fish you manage to catch out there? So long as they don't look sick or...likely to kill someone. [as Trench does.]

[monoceroscaeli]

Don't worry. If I catch anything that looks strange, I'll make sure to find out if it's something edible or not. Honestly, I'm expecting more than one poisonous fish.

Speaking of which, have you ever had the chance to go ice fishing? Since I know you've lived your life in space for a while, and now above a noodle shop.

[siriusly]

Ha, uh...no, no I haven't. I didn't grow up where it snowed or had a whole lot of standing water for ice.

[monoceroscaeli]

That's too bad. I suppose you've never had the opportunity to gaze upon the snowy white landscape that threatens to devour all who become complacent in while in its grasp...ah, but luckily, such an opportunity has risen for you.

[He reminisces on that fact, despite how doom and gloom it is. Snezhnayans are a weird bunch. Or maybe, that's just him.]

I do hope you'll enjoy it as much as I do. The snow really is quite beautiful.

[siriusly]

[flatly:] Childe, I've been gazing upon a snowy landscape that's full of threats for like two months now!

[is that sass? sorry, he's working with Diluc a lot lately.]

[monoceroscaeli]

But for the first time, yes?

[He only laughs- the sass doesn't even phase him.]

That just means you're getting used to it then. Excellent! Perhaps a bit of training is in order then...

[Which is a great next point he's been meaning to ask about.]

How goes your exploration into your blood powers anyway? Last I saw, you were still working things out.

[siriusly]

[he sounds a little faltering, wanting to apologize for being so brazenly sassy, but there's no opening for it.] Uh...it--it's getting better. I mean, it's definitely tied to my feelings, based on...everything I've noticed and done. I'm not sparking as much, not unless I get caught by surprise...

I dunno if I'm ever gonna master it perfectly, because...I mean. How do you master feelings perfectly?

[monoceroscaeli]

It's not easy, I'll admit.

[Childe, even after endless training and meditation, still loses his temper in rare moments.]

Even I don't have an absence of emotion in combat, though that is usually a feeling of excitement and glee. Perhaps seeing the enjoyable side of combat might help you out.

[Hey, it works for him.]

[siriusly]

['excitement and glee'...

yeah...

or just craziness? he doesn't know, Childe buddy...]

I mean--it's more fun when there's no chance of someone getting killed, in my experience...