[Time in Teyvat is strange. Aether isn't sure if there really is some time travel going on or if it was something else. He sometimes recalls Mavuika, the god of fire, telling him that she views time as a box, rather than a line. He's also seen people attempting to change fate, trying to escape prophecies and failing. Only a death of a god manage to make a difference.
Four's words cause the traveler to lapse in silence, his expression a deep frown, almost pained.]
Maybe... you're right.
[He remembers Direidyth, the hope she had in her eyes when she told him he could be the "savior" she wished for, one that could save them all from the Cataclysm. But in the present day, the girl was no more, cursed 500 years ago by the gods to become a monster roaming the world. He's seen that monster, too.
The more he thinks about it, the more useless he feels. He covers his face with a hand.]
[That makes Aether look at the other. His hand, slightly shaky, reaches for Four's against his arm, pressing it to his skin like he's worried his companion will pull away otherwise.]
N-no... No, I'm not upset. Sorry, I... I shouldn't focus on it too much. It's all in the past now.
[He takes a shaky breath, then his gaze shifts to what they were doing before this conversation started.]
[Met with Four's concern, Aether hesitates. Their connection helps to calm him, but it may also give the other a clear idea that the traveler is far from being fine.]
I... have to live with it. [He says eventually.] I can't do anything about this here.
[That's the truth, after all. It's the first time when he and his sisters are worlds apart.]
[Four keeps standing there in silence anyway, refusing to separate when he can sense that Aether is feeling much more than he's letting on. After a few seconds, he rests his head against Aether's shoulder. He doesn't know what he can say, or if there is anything to say, but if simply being grounding can be a comfort, he wants to offer that.]
Thank you for telling me about her. It's good you have people so important to you.
[He smiles to himself, then rests his head against Four's.
Eventually, his gaze falls back on the abandoned chocolate, but he thinks to himself that it can wait. For now, he just wants to stay close to the other even if only for a little longer.]
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Four's words cause the traveler to lapse in silence, his expression a deep frown, almost pained.]
Maybe... you're right.
[He remembers Direidyth, the hope she had in her eyes when she told him he could be the "savior" she wished for, one that could save them all from the Cataclysm. But in the present day, the girl was no more, cursed 500 years ago by the gods to become a monster roaming the world. He's seen that monster, too.
The more he thinks about it, the more useless he feels. He covers his face with a hand.]
Fate on Teyvat can't be easily changed.
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I didn't mean to upset you.
[He reaches over to brush his fingers against Aether's arm.]
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N-no... No, I'm not upset. Sorry, I... I shouldn't focus on it too much. It's all in the past now.
[He takes a shaky breath, then his gaze shifts to what they were doing before this conversation started.]
Chocolate!... Right, we should go back to it.
[Distractions. That's what he needs.]
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Are you sure?
[It can't still be in the past if it's unresolved.]
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I... have to live with it. [He says eventually.] I can't do anything about this here.
[That's the truth, after all. It's the first time when he and his sisters are worlds apart.]
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Thank you for telling me about her. It's good you have people so important to you.
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Thank you for hearing me out... I'm not good at talking about myself or my problems, but... being with you is always so soothing to me.
[He finds so much comfort in the other's presence.]
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If I can at least do that much for you... then I'm happy.
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Eventually, his gaze falls back on the abandoned chocolate, but he thinks to himself that it can wait. For now, he just wants to stay close to the other even if only for a little longer.]