Chapter Text
Kaeya was bored.
Well not exactly bored, but certainly in need of something refreshing that was, for once, not in a glass.
After sitting through piles of paperwork, listening to the knight's chatter, and another meeting about the lack of resources was no doubt making things stressful, but also tediously boring. The workload was a lot, and had only increased with the increase in abyssal activity. Usually treasure hoarders were his focus, but the lack of manpower meant they were spread thin.
Meaning he, like the others, were now juggling responsibilities. Between Jean’s worries, Lisa’s gossip and Diluc’s glares, he was now meandering through the streets in an effort to find something entertaining. Klee was with Albedo, so that was off the table. This is often when he’d simply go to Angel’s Share, both to have a drink, but also to see Diluc. He may have been disowned, yet he can’t just move on, even if Diluc has. It was grating to hear his complaints of the knights despite their efforts, to feel his burning stare as he entered the tavern. It was all worth it for Kaeya though.
Which led him to now, staring at the closed sign with resignation. A displeased sigh left him, and he was now dragging himself along, when conversation peaked his interest.
“So where are you from?” A voice says with excitement. Sounds like a small commotion, may as well take a look.
“Inazuma! Now please, I have a delivery - ”
“Are you like Diona? You don’t have the ears though…”
“Please sir, I have a job to do!”
As Kaeya turned the corner to the alley, the owners of the voices revealed themselves to be one of the regulars at the Cat’s Tail, and an unfamiliar girl in green, clearly dressed in the Inazuman style. The most noticeable thing about her however was the two tails swishing in agitation behind her, and that her feet were, well, paws. The man was clearly pestering her, and she seemed to be getting increasingly irked at the lack of respect. Whatever this was, it had been going on for a bit considering the small crowd of onlookers.
Kaeya decided to step in and deescalate what was quickly devolving into an argument.
“Honestly, you again? You can’t be bothering Diona or Sucrose, so you find someone new?” He nearly dragged a hand down his face, but he stopped himself. He had an image to maintain after all.
“Sir Kaeya! I only had a few questions is all!” The man said with confidence he did not have. This was someone Kaeya was getting increasingly tired of, with his weird excitement towards those with animal features. He had his own special pile of reports for him and only him.
“Yes, and she kindly answered them. Now please, be on your way.” He nearly gritted his teeth before taking a breath as the man pushed past them in a hurry, likely trying to make distance between himself and the Calvary Captain. The man didn’t bother with manners though, as he knocked the girl’s belongings of boxes and books out of her hands in his haste, sending them crashing on the ground. The small crowd had dispersed the second it was clear nothing was going to happen, leaving the two of them awkwardly standing in the alley.
“Are you alright?” Kaeya had turned back to his charming self even though he felt nothing but frustrated and tired, and returned his attention back to the girl with a strained smile.
“Ah! Thank you, I’m fine though! That guy was just bugging me, not too unusual.” The girl had dropped, trying to gather her things. Kaeya felt an eyebrow rise.
“Is this normal?”
“Well, some people are weirdos, and as a yokai it’s basically impossible to avoid someone’s attention.” She huffed, her brow knitted as she picked up a now wet book from a puddle.
He didn’t pity her, but it was definitely a sad sight. So he knelt down to help salvage the remains of what was once a neatly organized pile. A title stood out among the books though, A Guide to the Unseen Creatures of Teyvat, with art of a fairy and werewolf on the front.
“Fairytales, huh…” He murmured, and she turned towards him before her eyes lit up in surprise at the book he was looking at. “Well, if that’s all, I’ll be off. I hope you enjoy your time in Mondstadt.”
It may not have been the best response, and if he had looked back he would have noticed her staring at him in awe, but he was tired. And mopey. He had returned to wandering around, when a voice cut out from behind, and a figure stepped in front of him.
“Hey! Kaeya right? Should I call you Sir Kaeya? Do you also believe in the existence of creatures and folklore?” It was her again, practically jumping in excitement and stars in her eyes. She shoved the book in his face, enthusiastically chattering about things that for the most part were considered nothing more than stories. “I hear there’s werewolves in Mondstadt, and that Fontaine has merpeople! Or there’s spiritlike beings which get mistaken for yokai or ghosts, or –”
“Aren’t we both a bit old for fairytales? Why don’t you find a child to talk to instead?” The response wasn’t meant to be so cutting, but the damage was done. She looked near tears, and had taken a step back, her posture deflating. He needed to backtrack and preferably fast.
“I’m sorry, today’s been… rough.” Being honest was not easy, but if it prevented her from crying he’ll do it. It’s not like she’ll spread the word to anyone that he’s not as put together as he appears. “If it means anything to you, I don’t believe in fairytale creatures, but I do believe in life beyond the sky.”
He held his breath, waiting for a response. That was a lot more of himself he let slip then he'd have liked. Maintaining the charming Calvary Captain persona had been thrown out the window, and he briefly considered if this was a blunder.
“Hah?! Aliens aren’t real you weirdo!”
Nevermind, this girl was insane.
“You’re the weird one here! I was trying to make you feel better! What, do you actually believe there are tiny people with wings?! That’s absurd!”
“You’re talking about things not even on Teyvat! Your logic doesn’t make sense!!!”
“Well it’s more plausible than monsters under the bed!!!”
“It’s more likely than star people! Plus, yokai exist and that’s close to fairies!”
“It really isn’t! There are plenty of stories of people seeing strange things in the sky and going missing only to reappear later!”
“You’re delusional! I’ll have you know my grandma hunts dangerous creatures like werewolves and demons!”
“She does not, you made that up!”
“Nuh-uh!”
They were fully yelling at each other, both too prideful or cocky to back down. The natural result when two geeks meet. Yes, his secret little hobby was his interest in stories of aliens, and technology in general, a slight conspiracy theorist. Assuming there was more than meets the eye was part of his work, and that only helped that part of him grow. This meeting had shattered the image he had kept up in one fell swoop. Unfortunately, both thought the other was crazy, and under different circumstances this wouldn’t have escalated this far. This was not under those circumstances, and the results were explosive.
“Alright, if you’re so sure, then head to the Thousand Winds Temple at midnight. I hear if you go alone, you’ll see something weird.” He taunted, sure she’d back down. “After all, if they don’t exist, then nothing to worry about, right?”
“Fine! Then you have to go to the abandoned passageway near Dawn Winery. Alone. Apparently there’s something that’ll make even the toughest people scared!” With a confident pose she declared her requirements, holding out a hand for him to shake. Kaeya stared, surprised that she actually took him up on his offer. With determined expressions, they shook hands. A deal was struck, and thus began a strange friendship.