logs | ( closed ) sharp enough to kill a man

[ it's crazy just how her plans seem to be getting derailed over and over again.

step one: jump over the railing
step two: land in the middle of the crowd
step three: let the guards surround and arrest her in front of everyone
step four: raise attention to these senseless arrests happening

—or at least, that's what she had in her mind in the split second that occurred when she spotted the stairway and made a choice. maybe she should've left the brainstorming to kokomi.

the last one is wishful thinking and quite possibly pointless. lumine has no idea the kind of hold the hierarchy has over the other restless in stygia, if it's anything similar to the kind of hold the sages have over sumeru. but it was worth a shot, and she's more than certain it's not just the people she knows who are being grabbed and accused of a crime they didn't do.

still, she doesn't even get to step two, plopping into the arms of the last person she was expecting to see and staring up at him as if he's just grown a second head, his smirk not helping her disbelief at all. ]

Childe!

[ her next words die on her lips, not just because he started running away from her target and she had no choice but to cling to him but also because of the harsh cough and the white petal that just spilled out of her mouth and onto her lap. she grabs his shirt, tugging to get his attention. ]

No, wait, stop—

[ he has to put her down right now before the guards lose her. ]

[ The harsh cough, followed by the flurry of white petals, only serve to tighten Tartaglia's hold around Lumine, protective and secure. Whatever is going around seems to have affected her too so that just means he has to be careful while handling her, nevermind how difficult it is to mind his step when the harbours are pretty crowded thanks to all the arrests going down. It seems even in death, people can't help themselves but watch incoming tragedies. ]

No can do.

[ His answer is quick and brief as he keeps up the pace, wanting to put as much distance between them and the guards coming from behind. He hasn't quite figured out where to go just yet but maybe somewhere in Serene might be easier to lose them. Luckily, even with someone in his arms, his speed is something he can continuously rely on. ]

What did you even do to piss them off? I thought I was the bad guy here.

[ You know, he really shouldn't be talking so much while running, but it shows how much he isn't worried about getting caught... ]

[ oh no oh no oh no

lumine's gaze trails behind him, her expression looking increasingly desperate as childe places more and more distance between them and the guards. the crowd isn't helping either, milling in the streets and filling the gaps where they've managed to slip through, preventing her almost-captors from catching up to them.

and despite the harbinger's height towering over a number of the restless, she's slowly losing sight of the people chasing after her. this can't be ... ]

Childe, you have to put me down. [ she squirms in his arms, ignoring her body reflexively seizing to prepare itself for her coughing. ] Now, before they lose sight of me. And they soon will, in this crowd.

[ she trusts that the guards will be persistent enough to try and find her before she finds them. it wouldn't be too convincing if she walks up to them, wrists held out for a voluntary surrender. ]

I'll be fine.

[ Despite Lumine's distress, Tartaglia shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. He does, however, look incredulously at the one he's got in his arms. What does she mean by putting her down before they lose sight of her? Isn't the whole point to get away? ]

What are you talking about? I'm not going to let them catch you.

[ All that squirming is only making him hold onto her even tighter. She seems so frail, but maybe that's just a figment of his imagination. ]

Besides, you don't look so good. You've been coughing since I saw you.

[ he is misunderstanding everything, which is understandable. it isn't as if lumine bothered to explain or even say anything. but it was a choice and a risk she made, uncertain how he would react to such a plan; now she wonders if she should have said something, considering her current predicament. ]

I'm fi—

[ or so she says, whatever assurance she wants to say cut off by another spray of petals and wracking coughs from her lips, this time bright red enough to hide the blood stains on their smooth surface. windwheel asters. honestly, she doesn't understand the logic behind these flowers.

in any case, she looks up at childe to meet his gaze, dismissing any concerns he has. ]

I need to be caught, Childe. It's the only way we can get into the prison and figure how to get out from the inside.

Edited (you know what i hate, typos that i find hours after i send a tag) 2022-11-13 09:09 (UTC)

—that's your plan?

[ Maybe her plan would be going much more smoothly if Tartaglia was in the know, but it's not like there was enough time to explain everything. The arrests happened out of the blue so most of the strategic planning is happening spontaneously to mitigate as much damage as possible.

And it's not like Tartaglia is slow— he's catching on that Lumine must have something in mind if she's going to continue insisting on being caught like this. Rather than slow down, though, he cuts a corner and heads into an alleyway just to give themselves some time. Can't exactly pull off her plan now that he's gone and ruined it.

He sets her down slowly, but she can probably tell he's reluctant to do so. ]

You sure came up with something crazy, girlie. [ Understatement of the year? Probably. ] Are you gonna be alright? Those flowers...

[ Even if the petals are red, he knows blood when he sees it. ]

[ it's a very effective plan!! ... on paper, not so much in execution.

lumine lets out a sigh when childe finally sets her back down, her hand quickly grabbing the wall to steady herself. it's not so much the running around that exhausted her, not when he managed to carry her around, but the slowly growing plant creeping up her windpipe. she wonders if it's possible to die from this, if anyone's died from this. ]

They're not so serious when I'm by myself, don't worry.

[ it somehow almost always acts up when she's with company. which, she knows, can be pretty alarming to see. ]

I was hoping you didn't have to see me in this state ... [ and watch the mix of expression shift on his face. it wasn't so unusual when she spoke with kokomi and with callisto, but childe especially sees her in a different light. ] Anyway, the plan is supposed to be for me to get arrested, gather intel about the guards' movements and pass it on to others who might want to break the rest out.

[ she hasn't even gotten to the getting arrested part, sigh. ]

[ They're not so serious when I'm by myself, she says, as if that's going to be any more reassuring than being told she's fine. Tartaglia looks at her with those ocean blues narrowed so sharply, not at all believing a single word she said. If anything, that just irritates him even more than her explanation of the plan she's cooked up.

Without warning, he reaches for her hand, pulling her close to him so that he could inspect her. It doesn't feel like she's running a fever, but that doesn't explain the cough. The petals, too, are a bizarre symptom. He sort of wishes he'd bothered to remember when Zhongli droned on about fantastical ailments because there's a part of him that thinks he's heard of something like this before...

But without any information, he can't say anything. So he lets her hand go. ]

That's a shitty plan. [ The myriad of emotions he just went through: from genuine concern to a simmering kind of anger. Mostly frustration, towards the whole situation rather than anyone. ] But I hope you know what you're doing.

[ He knows what she's like. No amount of trying to convince her otherwise will change her mind once it's set on something. It's similar to how he is, so—

He looks towards the mouth of the alleyway, but the guards are nowhere in sight. ]

So how do we make it look like you aren't trying to get caught?

[ lumine bites back her tongue, fighting the temptation to respond in kind to that comment. then again, she's unwilling to admit that she doesn't know what she's doing, that she's uncertain if this plan will even succeed. and she's pretty sure that would all come out the moment she opens her mouth.

not that childe gives her any chance to argue her side anyway, suddenly tugging her close and then letting go as if he's suddenly changed his mind. the movement causes her to stumble forward, her hand once more coming up to brace herself against the wall, and cough out a mouthful of petals. lumine winces at the cloying floral taste lingering on her tongue mixed with the metallic flavor of blood.

windwheel asters once more, its sharp edges stained a darker red as they flutter to the ground. ]

Thanks for the vote of confidence ...

[ she tries to avoid meeting his eyes, noting the swirl of emotions in those depths. there are no words she could say that pacify or comfort him; he'll reject those, anyway. instead, she follows his line of gaze, watching the crowd move past the alley, none of which are any of the hierarchy's lackeys. ]

... I can think of a few ways, but they all depend on if you'll allow me to hit you.

[ causing a commotion seems like the best way to attract unnecessary attention, after all. and her shadow is thrumming with the possibility of violence. ]

Seriously? Now you want to hit me?

[ Don't think he forgot about how Lumine refused him when asked for a fight back at the Hinterlands. He'd been so close to provoking the Traveler's shadow; hell, he did succeed in doing so, but Lumine's self-restraint is something else. This is why he respects her a whole lot.

Not that it spares her from his childishness.

Maybe he'd be less petulant if she was more honest about what's ailing her, but as he stares at the bloodied petals of windwheel asters, he knows he isn't going to get what he wants there. ]

[ He sighs.

The promise of impending violence is mollifying him a tiny bit, but he knows it's mostly because his Shadow thinks this is hilarious. ]

Fine. How do you want it? Are we pretending we got into a fight?

[ He isn't going to pretend. She has to know that. She should expect that of him by now. ]

[ and here she thought he'd enjoy the idea of being hit .......................... ]

If you have better ideas, I'm all ears.

[ if he can think of another way to catch the hierarchy's attention without resorting to violence, then she's willing to try it out. but knowing childe and knowing his proclivities, a tussle—a very flashy, very conspicuous tussle—in the middle of the harbor is also something he'd suggest. if only because it'll get him what he wants: a fight with her.

it's annoying and truth be told, she'd rather not do it, her own shadow becoming more and more excited at the prospect despite how stupid this all is unfolding. but what else could she do other than short of walking up to the guards and asking to be arrested? ]

You can't fight back, though. [ and before he protests, she continues. hear her out before you start whining, childe. ] Because then, we'll both get arrested and I can't have that.

[ and again, before he can protest: ] Think of it as punishment for catching me and running away from the guards.

[ Normally, yes. He'd be overjoyed by the prospect of getting hit. ~~Considering he's a maso—~~ But as it is, he isn't impressed by the plan Lumine is enacting, and he's annoyed because she keeps telling him she's fine even when he can clearly see that she isn't. Whatever.

At least he's getting a fight out of this, because he doesn't have a better idea on what she should do. Other than just walking up to the guards and letting them arrest her on the spot, but that's lame and it doesn't suit her. A hero needs something more grandiose than that, and what better way than to...

You can't fight back, though.

Cue the record scratch. ]

Wait, what?! What do you mean it's punishment?

[ Wasn't he just trying to be a good boy by saving her?? And this is how he gets repaid? Now he's even more annoyed. ]

[ ... at this rate, she might as well surrender to the guards.

lumine supposes that the request is very unreasonable, considering who she's talking to. but the last thing she wants is for him to get arrested, too. that will be additional work for her to bail him out, seeing that it's her fault, and there are other things he could do out here to help those inside the gallows. not that childe would ever see that, though.

she takes a deep breath, stifling any reflex to cough. he's already getting annoyed by the condition; she doesn't need to aggravate it further. ]

Tartaglia.

[ her gaze meets his squarely, lips pressing to a thin line. she doesn't want to prolong any argument they have here, not when she needs to catch the guard's attention asap and her throat is starting to seize again. ]

Please trust me on this. [ if he has any inkling of belief in her, even if her plan is very shitty in his opinion. ] I promise I'll make it up to you when I get out.

[ see? she says when, not if ]

[ Once something gets him going, it's usually difficult to avoid a full-blown tantrum because of the way he is. It doesn't help that there were already a bunch of other things that frustrated him earlier, but now that he's reaching this point, it's quickly becoming apparent that he's about to make it everyone else's problem.

That is, until Lumine calls him by that name. It catches his attention almost immediately. The tension dissipates, leaving him with narrowed eyes, but at least he isn't about to continue being childish anymore.

It's hard to say whether it was that or her promise that placates him more. ]

... Fine. [ His shoulders are slumped. Another sign he won't argue about it anymore. ] And you will get out. I'll break into the Gallows myself if I have to.

[ That's a promise, by the way. ]

Hit me.

[ there's a long beat as she waits for his response, her expression expectant but at the same time apprehensive of what his reaction would be. it wouldn't surprise her if childe didn't relent, obstinate and strong-willed as he is; it's very much like him to dig his heels in, unmoved by her or anyone's words.

when his shoulders fall, lumine lets out the sigh she didn't realize she was holding, her lips tugging upward to a faint smile. he almost looks like a kid denied dessert prior to dinner. ]

Come pick me up if I still haven't gotten out after a week.

[ because she's more than confident she'd escaped by then. this plan can't last very long, after all.

in any case, lumine pulls back a fist to punch him in the face, summoning anemo energy around her hand. she'd normally use her sword for this but she doesn't really want to hurt childe more than necessary. instead, the winds should hopefully launch the harbinger across the alleyway and into the streets. ]

[ A part of him still wants to throw a fit, but he's slowly realizing that maybe it's all thanks to his Shadow continuously whispering things that easily incite his anger. Sure, the situation is shitty, he knows that and won't deny it. It's just that there's now that added layer of annoyance thanks to this voice inside his head telling him about all the ways Lumine is going to go back on her word.

He shuts it up by ignoring it, or at least he tries to. And if he can't, well, the anemo-fueled punch coming his way is enough to rattle him free of such obtrusive thoughts.

His body is sent flying, crashing right into a few people who were just minding their own business. Oops. That catches the attention of everyone else, especially the guards who make their way over to the area to see what the commotion is all about. Tartaglia, meanwhile, tries to get up to his feet, wiping the part of his face that Lumine hit. ]

Wow. So that's how you repay someone trying to be nice, huh.

[ He's supposed to make it sound like his good deed was just thrown right at his face (quite literally, in fact), which is hopefully enough to convince the guards that she's trouble. If it doesn't, well, he'll take matters into his own hands.

So here's hoping it's enough. ]

[ there's a distinct laughter at the back of her head, a giggle that she can't seem to dismiss as she watches childe fly across the alley and into the crowd on the streets and walks after him. her pace is deliberately slow, almost like a predator stalking after her prey, her eyes fixed on him as her fingers uncurl and curl back into her palm. she feels the prick of electricity against her skin as it pulses in her hand, burning through whatever sliver of concern she has after hitting him.

it's fun, oh so fun, to land a punch on one of the tsaritsa's harbinger, powerless in this world. and he agreed, too, to not fight back, putting his faith and confidence in her as she had naively done so long ago. he's always been arrogant, unthinking; now look where that's gotten him.

she says nothing in response to his gripe, her sword materializing in her hand instead as her reply, the blade dragging along the ground. the restless scramble away from the imminent fight, the guards fighting through the crowd to get to them. ]

Do you truly believe she'll keep her promise?

[ "lumine" points her sword beneath his chin before he can get up completely, the blade pressed against his skin. ]

You have no idea of the secrets she keeps, the truth behind the lies she tells. Even now, there are things she doesn't tell you. Even now, she doesn't trust you, Harbinger.

[ It doesn't take Tartaglia too long to realize that something is different about Lumine. Her whole demeanour has changed, replaced by a familiar chaotic energy that simply draws out an amused smirk from him. Is this what it's like to encounter someone else's Shadow? That's interesting— maybe he should figure out more ways to lure them out.

Even so, the things her Shadow says is enough to make him curious. He doesn't doubt the validity behind them, because it's not like she would be the only one keeping secrets, but it does make him wonder. What is she trying hide?
The blade underneath his chin doesn't scare him. If anything, his own Shadow is now jumping for the opportunity to fight. ]

That's fine. I told her that she shouldn't trust me.

[ After all, who would willingly put their faith in one of the Tsaritsa's Harbingers? ]

Besides, if that happens, that just means I get to have some fun, yeah? [ This time, his smirk is much sharper. ] So listen up, girlie.

If you don't keep your promise— you'll get more than what you bargained for.

[ That's a threat. ]

[ there's a long beat, almost as if his words induced a sense of thoughtfulness in "lumine". she even tilts her head just a bit, a curious child contemplating the idea of stomping an anthill.

but eventually, a smirk tugs at her lips and mirrors his, one that looks quite out of place and deranged on her expression. his challenge, she'll accept it on behalf of his favorite traveler, currently screaming in their collective thoughts to wrench back control. ]

Well then, amuse us, Harbinger. And don't you dare disappoint.

[ her shadow yields control back to lumine with a laugh, the traveler staggering for a moment as she tries to compose and steady herself.

but even before she can do so, several pairs of hands seize her, roughly shoving and pinning her to the ground, her sword falling with a clatter and disappearing all too quickly. one of the guards grabs her arms, twisting them behind her back to cuff her. a groan escapes her as pain lances through her twisted limbs and lumine struggles to get up, only to receive a knee between her shoulders.

you're under arrest for assault, public nuisance and conspiracy to murder members of the hierarchy, restless. fight, and you'll only get more hurt.

from her situation on the ground, she throws a pointed stare at childe. stand down for now, please. ]

[ Tartaglia can only watch as the guards finally manage to catch their target.

Gone is his usual friendly demeanour, replaced by a cold and unreadable expression that doesn't waver even as the guards begin to roughhouse his favourite traveler. One of them bothers to ask what happened, because they did see him carry Lumine away from the guards at first, but he shrugs and says something about how he made a mistake.

He was only trying to be a good samaritan, you know? How could he have known that she would end up turning on him like this— it's not much, but it seems to be enough for the one that asked. ]

Better lock her up now before she tries to get away again.

[ The guards don't need to be told twice. They'll leave the scene with their prisoner in tow before the crowd becomes any bigger than it already is.

If Lumine happens to look back, she might catch a determined look on Tartaglia's face. It's there and gone within the next second, and soon enough, he turns to leave the other way too. ]

( closed ) sharp enough to kill a man

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(1/2)

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poor lumine

all she wanted was to die peacefully

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