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1 day. That was how long the famed Calvary captain had left to live. What a ditto, huh? Easily led astray by the lies of alcoholic beverages, Kaeya Alberich sat inside the Angels Tavern at 7:30 am, opening hours. No one but him was present, if you discount Charles diligently washing glasses, and whatever else be it. Sipping on a glass of the strongest death after noon, Kaeya let off a small giggle.
Look at even Charles, working hard at something so peaceful as early morning hours, and then look at him. A failed saviour of his people. He could only guess Jean would also be working her backside off with papers, like the hero she is.
She’s what Mondstadt needs. Someone kind. Polite. Someone who deserves to dream. Someone who isn’t him. Because he’s stupid and shouldn’t be alive anyways.
So that’s why Kaeya Alberich has one day left to live. For everyone’s sanity, he’ll be rid of by the time the moon comes.
Alas, he has work to do before that can happen. I mean, who doesn’t need to set their affairs in order more than him? Bidding a quick goodbye to Charles (who was given an extra tip, seeing as that would be the last tip anyway) the captain walked off to the Favonius Headquarters.
‘Jean? I’m here for todays work.’ Sauntering in with a carefully crafted smile was never easy, but he won at the game every time. Funny, maybe he should treat himself to a drink. Or two.
Snapping himself out of his thoughts, a sweet feminine voice rang through. ‘Kaeya. I hope your rest was well.’
‘I have some small commissions that I need you to…’
And he drifted off. The same things every day. But who could blame that on the girl? She was one of the kindest people he’d met.
The rest of the morning went by in a blur. Jean was given a smile, coffee and a parting wave. Lisa, some fantasy books recommendations that should definitely be put in the library, if they wouldn’t get lost by the kids. And as for Klee.. what a sweet kid. Unaware of the truths of this world, that he was all too aware of. ‘Uncle Kaeya’ was not just there to stand idly by for her to get hurt. Which is why he felt guilty, so upon seeing her in the main square, he went:
‘Ah, there goes my favourite spark knight! Klee, how are you and Dodoco doing?’
‘Mr Kaeya! You’ll never guess what happened! Dodoco and I nearly got caught fish blasting!! Klee doesn’t want to be put in the naughty corner again..
you look a bit funny today..
Why do you look so sad Mr Kaeya?’
Ha. This was gonna be hard, wasn’t it? But not to worry, he has a plan. The spark knight wouldn’t lose her spark too easily.
‘Well, you see Klee, I have to go on a long trip tomorrow.’
‘Your leaving? When will you be back? I have so many games to play,’
‘Klee, we may only see each-other again when we are older. And I mean way older, older than brother Albedo.’ Crap. His voice was cracking. Can’t have that. Keep up the act, Kaeya.
The girl didn’t look too sad, atleast.
‘So you mean next week??’
He couldn’t keep in a laugh at this. Truly, an innocent child. That’s why she wasn’t sad.
‘No Klee. A goodbye is what is happening now, where you might not see eachother again.’
‘Ever??’
‘Not ever. But a goodbye isn’t the end. It just.. a temporary leave.’
‘Oh. That’s okay then!! I’ll see you in a temporary leave.’
He couldn’t bring himself to continue on.
‘I need to go now Klee. Be a good sister to everyone, okay?’
And he was off. He hated, hated how disgusting he felt. Atleast Albedo and Klee have eachother. There’s some happiness in that.
Albedo will go on to be a fine alchemist, not that he isn’t already. A genius, even if he won’t admit it.
Unlike himself.
Someone, give him a sign. Why must he have been cursed by the gods?
No. He knows the answer. He is a sinner. And sinners don’t dream. Everyone knows that.
But it’s now 5 pm. He’s off work, the commissions were nothing but a few abyss mages near Springvale. Fighting his own again, huh? Might as well see his dear brother once more, anyways right? Best not to dwell on those mages.
And so it begins again. The tavern trap. One glass, than another. Falling down a rabbit hole to drown out his sorrows. But today, he needed it more than anything.
The dim lit ambience of the tavern made for quite a sight. Beautiful. Not that any of the drunkards would appreciate the traditional carvings on the wall anyway. Finding his favourite table in the corner, Kaeya ordered.
‘Kaeya, I told you, we don’t give out more than 7 glasses of wine at a time.’
7 glasses?? He’d drunk that much?
Oh well. Nevermind that, mind the redhead who was all too familiar serving him.
‘Diluc, but dont.. you think you could.. give me oNe more?’ A hiccup interrupted his beg.
‘No.’
An idea stirred in the blue haired man’s head. What if.. what if he could try to fix things? One last time.
‘Diluc, I need to talk to you about something..’
‘I’m sorry.’
….
‘What?’ The shorter mans expression was unreadable, but it was still clear he was put off.
‘I’m sorry, for everything. For your dad.. hah, my dad if you’ll allow it, for never being a good brother.. I-‘
‘Kaeya.’
‘Stop.’
‘And I- what-‘
‘You don’t know what you’re saying right now. You’re drunk as hell and I don’t want to hear it right now. If you don’t have something good to say, get out of my tavern.’
‘But-‘
‘Out.’
And just like that, he’s gone and messed it all up again. How. That doesn’t even matter, he’s just gotta get out of here. It’s too bright, he’s been humiliated, he’s been humiliated. He’s a sinner.
A sinner. And sinners don’t dream.
Where is he??
Windrise? Makes sense. Wait-no-it doesn’t. What god has ever answered him properly? He owes Barbatos for letting him stay in Mondstadt, but who else? Why is he in front of a statue of the.. oh.
He gets it. By the celestial gods, he gets it. What better way for a sinner to go out than to die before what they should bow down to? Maybe this is how he’s helping his nation. Laughter fills the air, and something wet slides down his face. Tears or not, there’s no time to lose. It’s a cool night, the scent of windwheel asters fills the air, it’s time.
He does it too fast to know what’s happening. The sinner remembers he still has his sword on him, so.. that’s why there’s blood. He searches for his sword. He looks down. It’s in his chest.
Dropping to his knees, the whole world starts spinning. He’s finally gotten what he’s always wanted. Peace.
So why is there a certain red haired man running towards him with deaconess Barbara?? Shouting.. something.
Oh well.
Maybe, closing his eyes, a sinner like him would finally be able to dream now.
The cavalry captain is on an adventure, Klee.