[Video]

[unmelting]

[The video opens on the smiling, eye-patch-wearing face of Kaeya Alberich. He looks cheerful enough, but more than that, there is something decidedly smug about his expression too. Not that that’s surprising, given who he is as a person. And besides, he has excellent reason to be smug at the moment.]

Tell me friends, are you the gambling types? Ever make any interesting bets or wagers that you won? Or, maybe more interestingly, lost? I’d love to hear your stories.

[Kaeya’s one visible eye is near sparkling.] You see, I’ve recently entered into such a bet. And I won, of course. Isn’t that right, Diluc?

[The view pans to the narrow shouldered Diluc Ragvindr with his arms crossed over his chest. A white cloak with a soft fluffy ruff. An open shirt that shows off his well-muscled chest that’s marred by scars. In short, he’s wearing Kaeya’s clothes. He sighs and pushes away from the wall, walking towards the Omni.]

Yes, and now you get to have your fun until two weeks are up.

[Despite his words he doesn’t seem all that bothered by Kaeya gloating. He seems quite calm and aloof as ever..]

As I told you, you wear this better. [Then he focuses on the view.] My questions are different from his. What interesting things have you discovered here?

[Kaeya laughs and lifts one shoulder in a shrug.] I don’t know, I think you pull it off quite well. I’m sure everyone would agree. [Right? Right everyone?]

Comments

[unmelting]

Perhaps not, but he didn't put up too much of a fuss anyway.

[And now Kaeya grins even if it's not video. The expression can probably be heard in his voice.]

Oh I have my reasons. Mostly it involved an excuse to show off how handsome my lover is. I'm a simple man with simple motivations.

[Okay that last sentence is the biggest lie he's ever told, which is saying something, but the rest is true.]

[entreats]

... ah.

[ Judging by the way Ange lets out that single sound, it actually sounds like she's more than willing to believe that last part.

Though a lot of that has to due with her views on men in general, really. Sorry to generalize you like that, Kaeya. ]

So you're just bragging. I've never really seen the point of that. [ Not when it comes to lovers, anyway.

(But then again, Ange is easily embarrassed, so it's not like she'd get it.) ]

[unmelting]

I see. I wonder if you have an allergy to fun even more severe than Master Diluc's. Which would be very impressive.

[He laughs as though to dismiss the teasing. And he actually sounds quieter, almost dangerously sincere]

But... mm. In my case, I can't help but being proud, knowing that someone like Diluc Ragnvindr chose someone like me. It's hard not to want to share.

[entreats]

[ At least the girl doesn't seem too offended at what the other is saying here. Maybe because Kaeya is kind of right, which makes it a valid call out.

Or maybe she's just a little embarrassed at the latter half of what he's saying, and she just doesn't want to admit to that. Which means she needs a faint moment to ensure her speech is still flat and deadpan rather than flustered by the time she speaks up. ]

He seems like a sensible guy. [ She'll give Diluc that much. ] Even if he's making dumb bets with the wrong people.

[ .. but she apparently just couldn't resist adding that part, huh. ]

I'm sure he would've had a good reason to choose you.

[unmelting]

[He knows the type. Clearly. He'd dating the type.

A laugh as he nods his agreement.] Well, I can't disagree with either of those assessments, can I?

[He's exactly the wrong sort of people to strike a bet with.]

Diluc seldom acts without reason. [And most often it's even good reason, so maybe there's that.]

[entreats]

[ Ah.

That's confirmation on the bet thing, isn't it. Ange will make sure to keep that in mind. Just in case. ]

He's very interested in investigating stuff about this place. [ There's the tiniest pause, and then she adds: ] Just like me.

[ Hence why they've already spoken with each other, she seems to imply. ]

[unmelting]

I see. Well, I can't say I'm not interested in exactly the same.

[Despite the fact that Kaeya does his best to seem casual and frivolous, he's used to being the unofficial spymaster of the Knights of Favonius and sees no reason not to behave similarly here.]

So you and Diluc are acquaintances then. Pardon the observation, but you seem very much like the serious type he'd take a liking to.

[entreats]

[ Hm. Ange definitely notes that she didn't see him as the type to be interested in that.. but then again, it wouldn't be the first time she met a type who seems too careless to really think about that stuff, only to find out they actually do.

She takes his word for it for now, instead focusing on what he says after. ]

We haven't exactly spoken a lot before, but we met at Wu and Mako's wedding. [ Because they were being wallflower nerds who needed some time away from the crowds..

.. but she can just not say that part, right. ]

And while we were talking, I guess our conversation did mostly gravitate towards more serious topics, despite the setting. He mentioned you too.

[unmelting]

Serious is Diluc's nature these days often enough. It's not always easy to get him to take it easy. So I do like taking the chance when I can get him to agree to something fun.

[Like ridiculous bets. But!]

Oh did he? Glowing praise of my character no doubt.

[entreats]

Well, he just briefly mentioned his husband.

[ ...

A brief pause. It seems intentional, like it's meant for timing's sake here when she continues with her deadpan tone. ]

Which I assume means you, unless there's something strange going on here. [ Like other people Diluc is not married to wanting to show off his chest to the population as a whole. ]