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“What’s wrong? Can’t handle the cold?” He had challenged me.
I glared at him from my corner of the room. A book which I had just recently picked up is now forgotten as I lowered my hands. Not being able to handle the cold? Does he seriously think he could simply waltze into my private quarters and challenge me in that fashion?
Was it wrong of me to want to deny his invitation to Dragonspine this afternoon? The one day I got off from my duties, I had wanted to read up on a book that Lisa had recommended for me.
As a sigh escapes my lips, I stand up from my spot on the duvet. Gently placing the book down on a desk whilst remembering to insert a page marker to where I had left off. I’ll continue the story later on as this certainly won’t take long.
“What do you have in mind?” I said, turning to him.
As per usual, a smirk graced his lips. Oh how I wished to wipe that look off his face and crush him into nothing but dust. Alas, he’s stolen my attention. There was no other option than to confront this challenge head on.
“I was thinking… Perhaps a short rendezvous through Dragonspine would prove some amusement…”
It was freezing cold, the temperature dropping severely once you step foot into this icy wasteland. Makes me wonder how Albedo could survive long stretches of time up in the mountains. I shudder slightly. Even with a coat on, it felt ultimately freezing.
“You’re just using me to complete your chores quicker…” I laugh.
“Oh? Bold of you to assume I didn’t simply wish for company. This barren land could surely get quiet and lonely sometimes.”
“I don’t think it would be as quiet as you say it is if you actually did your job and went to exterminate the monsters nearby...”
The two of us wandered around for a bit, slaying monsters that we came across on our path, watching in bemusement as tiny hilichurl shamans danced around a small fire… It was fairly enjoyable though Kaeya did tend to try and test my nerves a bit here and there. Overall, nothing too unbearable to handle.
Not as bad as trying to handle him when he’s thoroughly drunk anyways…
I stopped in my tracks by some starsilver which formed on the side of a mountain range. Albedo had mentioned that his supply had been running low lately. Perhaps I should take some back and give it to him. He’ll have to owe me a favour of sorts… I’d do anything to get a free meal from someone around here.
Sometimes, the paycheck I get just doesn’t quite cut it for more extravagant living expenses…
Just when I was about to swing my weapon at the mineral, however, a certain someone just had to tug at the back of my coat. And they tugged it hard.
I couldn’t stop myself from letting out a yelp in surprise, stumbling backwards a couple of feet. Regaining myself, I turned around sharply to face Kaeya. A smug grin danced on his lips. This is going to be my last straw…
“What?” I asked, thoroughly annoyed. “Couldn’t you have just called out to me normally?”
“Oh?” he chuckled. “What if I told you I just wanted to get a reaction out of you?”
“You-”
“Anyways, do you see that lake over there?”
I took in a deep breath, exhaling slowly. “...Yes, and?”
“How about we race to the island in the middle? Try not to fall in though~ Wouldn’t want you to be out of commission for work…”
A few cases of maneuvering over the half-cracked icy grounds and dirty cheats later, and the challenge had concluded. Indeed, one person did suffer falling into the ice cold water of the lake, whilst the victor stood safe and sound, warmed by the fire.
“What’s wrong?” I smirked at him, mimicking his tone, watching as he struggled to get out of the icy cold lake. “Can’t handle the cold?”
Kaeya didn’t hide his displeasure, rolling his eyes. He glared at me for a bit before shaking his head, a chuckle escaping his mouth. “Oh, two can play that game…”
So it appears this childish rivalry won’t be over anytime soon… How fun.
I can’t wait.