[CLOSED] Guess we can rest a bit.

[disdelusioned]

Who: Diluc and others
Which: Closed logs
Where: Around Reverein/Verens (at The Wild Harvest, in one case)
What: April catch-all
Warnings: Venti's probably getting drunk in one thread, so there's that.



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Sana

[disdelusioned]

[With the warming temperatures and the allure of the upcoming Flower Festival, Diluc finds himself coming up with excuses to be outside. It all reminds him of Windblume, a thought that makes him simultaneous happy and homesick. He knows he's not the only one who is thinking about it; Venti had posted in the journals about the festival back around the spring equinox.

There's also the matter of the entire town dreamshifting rather than a dreamshift pulling them away from it. It's curious and demands further attention--and since the epicenter of the change seems to be this Tree of Memories, it's a win-win situation in that he can be productive while enjoying the outside air.

A young girl is standing nearby as he inspects the tree, but he pays her no mind for the moment.]

[inveilsible]

[ Sana would be perfectly content if he paid her no mind. She's not someone she thinks is worth attracting attention, not when she's never sure if she wants the attention in the first place. What if this mysterious redheaded individual disapproved of her general presence? Her gaze darts to him, a tad nervously, and she decides not to risk it. Best to just move on.

... Except she forgets that she's been having a hard time with the enthusiastic growth attributed to springtime, and it's meant to be a quiet sneeze, a minor irritation.

Sana does not expect the ball of fire to go flying towards the stranger right on the heels of a sneeze that should not have done that?! ]

[disdelusioned]

[Diluc has enough experience with fire to act out of instinct, getting out of the way of the fireball before it makes contact. The flames land onto the cobblestone at their feet, flaring out without doing any damage beyond scorching the rock beneath it.

He whirls toward the source of the attack, blade suddenly in hand, and is ready to strike... until he realizes he's drawn steel toward a girl with water eyes and an uneasy expression. Slowly, he lowers the weapon--although he doesn't send it away entirely. Better safe than sorry.]

Was that your doing just now?

[inveilsible]

[ Oh. Oh, no.

He's gone and pulled out a sword and he's actually going to stab her or is going to consider stabbing her, and Sana forgets that this person has red hair and red eyes and could in all actuality be the man dating two people she thinks are very nice, because this is how she dies. ]

I-- I'm so sorry, my allergies have been really bad, but that's no excuse f-for almost engulfing you in flames--

[disdelusioned]

[Oh.

As soon as she opens her mouth to speak, Diluc does away with the weapon and allows it to disappear with a scattering of lights. This girl isn't a threat--on the contrary, she clearly believes him to be a threat to her.

Which, given how he reacted, is a fair conclusion to come to.]

I've heard about the effects that seasonal allergies are having on some people. You can relax.

[And then, after several awkward moments of silence, he adds:]

I'm sorry for drawing my sword. I thought for a moment I was under attack.

[inveilsible]

[ Sana remains where she is, shoulders defensively hunched. Not quite relaxed, but she's not screaming or running away, so--! Progress?? ]

No, it was my fault... I really could have hurt you. You were just defending yourself...

[ Alarmingly quick. ]

[disdelusioned]

[Diluc is a walking bundle of paranoia; alarmingly quick is just how he operates when under a perceived threat.]

You could have, but it was hardly intentional. No hard feelings, I promise.

[How can he hold this against her?]

How about we start over. [He holds out a hand to her.] Diluc Ragnvindr. And you are?

[inveilsible]

... Diluc... Diluc??

[ She pauses in the act of tentatively taking his hand, eyes widening as realization slowly dawns. ]

A-ah, you're-- you're Thoma-san's and Ori-san's--! I-I mean, my name is Sana--

[ HE'S THE BOYFRIEND???? ]

[disdelusioned]

[Diluc honestly has no idea if the girl's reaction should concern him or not. She clearly recognizes the name - it's strange to have that happen to him again for the first time in months - but he doens't know if it's for good or ill reasons. Even when she squeaks out Thoma and Ori's names, he's not entirely convinced that she's not going to run off screaming.]

It's a pleasure to meet you, Sana.

[Awkward pause.]

You know Thoma and Oriphi?

[inveilsible]

[ She might still run off screaming. It's a valid concern. Sana is easily spooked. ]

I... yes. [ Nervously twisting her fingers together-- ] They both helped me in different ways when I came here and they've been helping me ever since... I'm really grateful to both of them. Thoma-san... also told me about you.

[disdelusioned]

[Diluc can't say he'd blame her for being spooked off. Not like they started on a great note.]

That sounds like them. They're two of the kindest, most helpful people I know.

[The fondness in his voice is unmistakable.]

I hope Thoma told you nice things, at least?

[inveilsible]

H-he did! He said you were intimidating, but very kind deep down...

[ Which. Seems to be exactly as Thoma stated. Very intimidating, but he'd apologized almost immediately and it's clear enough from his tone that he deeply cares about the other two. ]

[disdelusioned]

[That sounds about right for how Thoma talks about him]

I see. I'm sorry that you had to see the intimidating part so... er, suddenly.

[The more she talks, the more bad he feels about drawing steel against her.]

If you'll allow it, I can make up for it. Do you like tea?

[inveilsible]

I... I do, but you don't have to make up for anything!

[ Indeed, she seems dismayed that he thinks he has to take responsibility at all, especially when-- ]

I-I'm the one who almost set you on fire!