It's been a few weeks since we met at the carnival! Are you settling into Reverein well? I hope that you've found a suitable treehouse to make your home - it's getting cold out!
[ she doesn't know he's mister lives in a corner of dragonspine, okay ]
If you need any assistance with anything please don't hesitate to write to me! I'm always happy to help.
[ Truly, living in a house is strange for him...sometimes he must fight the urge to sleep outside just for the familiarity of it. ]
Dear Ms. Oriphi,
Thank you for the note. I'm touched by your thoughtfulness. I am settling in alright, though it's strange for me to reside permanently within a city. That perhaps takes more getting used to than anything else.
Perhaps we could meet up for tea sometime soon and catch up.
[ Such a straightforward offer of friendship catches him off-guard - he isn't the sort that easily accumulates friends, but he's beginning to realize that is quickly changing here. ]
Certainly. Time is the one thing I have in abundance since arriving here.
Where should I meet you? I suspect you have better recommendations on cafes than I do at this point.
[ Ori has been trying hard since arriving here a year ago to make sure new folks feel welcomed; it wouldn't do to feel alone in a place like this, where dreams and nightmares and emotions and memories all intermingle in very tangible ways. She realizes that many several dreamwalkers hail from Teyvat, though, so it maybe that they don't exactly need her friendship, but...
Ah. That's right. He'd mentioned working as a Chief Alchemist or something, hadn't he... She'll have to ask about that when they meet up! ]
You're quite lucky. There are plenty more cafes and such places to choose from now compared to a year ago!
[ She'll go ahead and send the name and a brief description of the location of one such cafe. ]
[ That's right, the world has been developing all the while, hasn't it? Like a dream unfurling as they build it together. It's such a unique and fascinating process; he'll have to ask her more about it if they have the time. ]
Excellent. I could meet you there in, say, an hour, if that suits you? I just have something I'd like to finish up first.
[ Research notes, you know. He could go for longer than an hour, but that's the limit he's putting on himself. ]
Of course. That works perfectly for me as well! I have a few things to wrap up, myself.
I will see you then!
[ A few errands and some crafts to finish up ahead of upcoming festivities, on her part. But true to her word, whenever the appointed time comes, Ori will be there waiting for him at the cafe! ]
[ Difficult as it is to tear himself away from his work, he's nevertheless looking forward to meeting up with Ori again - more than he usually looks forward to social calls. To his credit, he's only a minute or two late to the cafe, stepping through the door to the warm scent of coffee and tea. ]
Good afternoon, Miss Ori. [ At least it's slightly less formal this time?? ] My apologies if I'm late.
[ It's like, two minutes at this point. But still! ]
[ Blessedly, Ori isn’t the type to keep such close watch on the time. He may be a minute or two late, but as far as she’s concerned he’s perfectly on time.
She scratches the back of her head bashfully as soon as he greets her, the other hand going up to wave a hand dismissively. ]
Please, just call me Ori. There’s no need to be so formal with me.
[ She doesn’t have any kind of fancy title, after all; maybe she should be the one calling him Mister Albedo!? ]
You’re right on time, I think? I’ve gone ahead and gotten us a pot of herbal tea, I hope that’s alright…?
As he moves to pull out the chair opposite her and sit, he offers a polite smile and a nod. ]
That sounds absolutely perfect, thank you. How did you find this place?
[ Granted, she's likely been in Reverein for awhile, but Albedo is also the sort of person who goes out to cafes once in a blue moon. He wouldn't even know where to begin finding the best spot for tea in the whole city. (Going to them all and ordering tea is a tall order, okay.)
Reaching for the pot, he pours a cup for them each, first for Ori, assuming she hasn't poured any for herself yet. ]
She has been in Reverein for quite a while now, it’s true, and normally she wouldn’t be one to frequent these sorts of places, too, but she formed a bit of a habit out of it after settling into the role of something like a regular errand girl for the townsfolk. But as for this particular spot… ]
I’ve mentioned Thoma to you before, haven’t I? He was another dreamwalker here, from Inazuma in your world. He liked to visit these sorts of places to get to know the townsfolk.
[ Ori has indeed not yet poured herself a cup, and so she offers a nod of thanks when Albedo does just that. ]
But apart from that, I spend a lot of time fulfilling requests from people. Like gathering ingredients from the Wildlands and things like that.
[ Hm...what an interesting approach. Not one that would have occurred to Albedo himself, hardly being the social type, but he too is keen on learning everything he can about the inhabitants of this world. What better source than the people themselves?
The idea becomes a lot more palatable when he thinks about it like research. ]
I had the opportunity to head out on an expedition in the Wildlands myself a couple of days ago. There's so much undiscovered in this world, so much possibility...that is to say, I can imagine there are many useful things out there.
[ Beyond the energy crystals that he had a hand in bringing back to the city. He'll likely be a frequent patron of the quest board as well.
He takes a sip of the tea, his features relaxing. ]
Ah, it's wonderful. What a smooth, calming flavor...
[ The tea indeed carries a smooth, calming flavor, aromatic floral tones and a subtle sweetness to it. She takes her own sip, savoring its warmth, and she can't help but sigh in relaxation. ]
Isn't it? I'm glad it's to your liking, Albedo. I wasn't sure where your preferences lie...
[ For a moment, she considers his comments on the expedition. She couldn't take part, herself, but she finds it thrilling that such forays are being made all the same. ]
Ah, that's right. You mentioned being with the Knights of... Favonius, didn't you? Are such expeditions part of their work in Teyvat?
[ Some might say he jumped in too quickly by joining the expedition, since he had hardly gotten his bearings in Reverein itself, but how could he resist such an opportunity? Already he's itching to go back to the power plant and figure out how it all works.
All in due time. ]
Indeed. The efforts of the Knights reaches over many different public needs. In fact, the organization's Grandmaster has been gone for quite some time on such an expedition. I myself am both Chief Alchemist and Head of the Investigation Team, though the furthest my work usually takes me is the frozen peaks of Dragonspine mountain.
[ When he thinks about home, it's hard to say whether the city of Mondstadt itself or Dragonspine comes to his mind first. ]
[ She seems... surprised to hear all of this, but then again, it's not as if she's gotten to talk about the Knights of Favonius with anyone other than Diluc—
"The Knights of Favonius is a toothless organization more interested in its own reputation than in effecting any change or defending our homeland in any appreciable way."
—and his feelings on the order are complicated, to say the absolute minimum. Ori's surprise, at least, is easily passed as curiosity and wonder. ]
Oh... It seems the Knights are involved in quite a lot more than I would have imagined. What is a day in the life of the Chief Alchemist like, if you don't mind me asking...?
[ Albedo and Diluc may not be more than acquaintances at present, but even so, it's...difficult to not be at least passingly familiar with his history with the Knights. And Kaeya being, well...Kaeya, Albedo is left to wonder just what sort of impression she has of the organization.
Not that he is determined to change it. Regardless of his status within it, he often feels more like a third party observer. No group is wholly good or bad in his estimation, anyway. ]
That depends on where I'm currently staying. Within Mondstadt, my days are spent most often with the Alchemists' Guild, working with my assistants to both conduct experiments and solve problems that plague the local population. When I'm on Dragonspine, my work tends to be a bit more...haphazard. There's still a great deal of experimentation, but it tends to be a bit more...specialized.
[ Spurred on by her interest, she leans forward and rests her chin on her hand as she listens to him. The more she learns from Albedo, the more she must acknowledge that these things are never so clear-cut and simple. She's well-acquainted with these kinds of situations, at least. ]
You've got quite a lot of work on your plate, then. But... "Specialized," hm...? Surely there are lots of stories around that!
I think Alchemy is such an interesting field! I have some experience with brewing healing potions, but that's about as far as I go.
[ There sure are stories...too many stories, perhaps. He spends a lot of time on Dragonspine...
Taking a sip of tea: ]
Oh, you've dabbled in it yourself? I'd like to open a workshop here. Perhaps we could trade some notes on potion-making. As long as I'm here in this world, I'd like to continue to develop my skills and make myself useful.
As far as stories go...well, I've caused a fair number of avalanches and cave-ins, to say the least.
[ She nods along easily, completely amenable to the idea of working on potions together! Maybe she'll be able to make things that are more complex than healing potions with his guidance, plus there's always new things to learn about the components that can be found here...
But. As soon as he mentions avalanches and cave-ins, her brows hitch up in surprise. ]
[ If you're asking Albedo, it was definitely worth it, but if you ask the members of the Adventurer's Guild that like to traverse Dragonspine...probably not. ]
It was, in particular the time where I was on the wrong side of a cave-in. Fortunately, I have the benefit of wielding a Geo Vision, and was able to escape unharmed. Rest assured, I try to be more careful these days.
[ Ori continues to listen with rapt attention, trying to picture a cave-in and avalanche on the snowy peak that she'd seen in the distance in one of Diluc's dreams before... Scary! ]
Geo... I've learned that Visions correspond to certain elemental powers in Teyvat. Is that right? So Geo would be... something to do with the earth?
[ Apart from him, Gorou would have been the only other Geo user she's met, and she didn't get a chance to talk with him at length about his Vision. ]
[ She catches on quick. With a pleased smile, he nods. ]
That's correct. Perhaps its my field of study as an alchemist, always elbow-deep in learning more about the properties of earth itself, that lent me the favor of Geo in particular. I've been able to combine the two, in fact, by creating Geo constructs with the aid of alchemy.
[ In fact, he holds out his palm towards her, tightly clutched at first, but when he opens it, there's a tiny solar isotoma in his hand. ]
[ Ever eager to learn more about Teyvat, Ori retains a look of utter focus. Pyro is fire, Hydro is water, Anemo is wind, and Geo is earth. She has yet to meet those with other visions… and the names of the other types that Aether had once told her currently escape her.
When he produces that isotoma in his palm, her face brightens in awe and wonder. She leans over across the table, peering wide-eyed down at his hand. ]
Oh…! So this is a Geo construct… It looks just like a real flower!
[ She thinks she might even recognize that type of flower, even! ]
[ He looks visibly pleased by her comment, continuing to maintain the little flower in his palm before setting it down on the table. It will disappear eventually, but he can always make another, if she want another look. ]
I'm glad you think so. Ordinarily, they are a great deal larger in scale, and capable of supporting the weight of humans. This cafe doesn't seem like the ideal place for a demonstration, but I'd be more than happy to show you sometime.
[ It's a handy tool for both exploration and combat, and something he wouldn't have been able to accomplish with alchemy alone.
It's nice to have someone appreciate the smaller details of his work like this. ]
[ When Albedo sets the isotoma onto the table, Ori can't help but hunch over and lean in to look at it even more closely, a hand reaching out tentatively to touch it - but stopping just short of it. What if it disappears when she touches it...? ]
Ah. I'd like that very much! If you ever want to meet up, we can send each other messages just like we did today. I can always make time!
[ Don't worry, Ori! You probably won't be able to destroy it, unless you're a powerful boss monster that steps on it. Looking at you, Azdaha. ]
As can I. My lack of any official occupation here means I'm able to make my own schedule as I see fit.
[ And for the foreseeable future, he'll be staying within Reverein proper instead of living out of a camp in the middle of bumfuck nowhere. That will be a bit strange...but he's getting used to it. ]
By all means. It feels more like a clay figurine than a flower, but you won't be able to destroy it unless you exert a great amount of force.
[ What if... she turned into a dinosaur though. Because she could. That's close enough right? ]
I know that many dreamwalkers have struggled with this transition... So many of us lead busy lives in the waking world and find ourselves a little lost with so much sudden free time here, but it sounds like you're quite motivated to make your own mark on this world! That's good.
[ All the while, she has taken the constructed flower up in her hands, examining and scrutinizing it as she regards the way it feels - he's right, it's not too unlike a clay figurine - and marveling at its details. ]
[ He would forgive her if she turned into a dinosaur, he would love to see that?? He would offer up a whole army of solar isotomas for her do destroy. ]
I suppose...you could say I am used to making the most of new situations, in particular when there are new and undiscovered things to learn.
[ The expedition to the power plant was already stimulating enough, and he still has so much to learn about Dreamotion and all it portends.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sender: Oriphi
It's been a few weeks since we met at the carnival! Are you settling into Reverein well? I hope that you've found a suitable treehouse to make your home - it's getting cold out!
[ she doesn't know he's mister lives in a corner of dragonspine, okay ]
If you need any assistance with anything please don't hesitate to write to me! I'm always happy to help.
- Oriphi
no subject
Dear Ms. Oriphi,
Thank you for the note. I'm touched by your thoughtfulness. I am settling in alright, though it's strange for me to reside permanently within a city. That perhaps takes more getting used to than anything else.
Perhaps we could meet up for tea sometime soon and catch up.
Sincerely, Albedo
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You're very welcome! And please, you can just call me Ori. Ms. Oriphi feels a bit formal, and I would love for us to become friends!
Coincidentally, I would be free this afternoon for tea, if you have the time.
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Certainly. Time is the one thing I have in abundance since arriving here.
Where should I meet you? I suspect you have better recommendations on cafes than I do at this point.
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Ah. That's right. He'd mentioned working as a Chief Alchemist or something, hadn't he... She'll have to ask about that when they meet up! ]
You're quite lucky. There are plenty more cafes and such places to choose from now compared to a year ago!
[ She'll go ahead and send the name and a brief description of the location of one such cafe. ]
no subject
Excellent. I could meet you there in, say, an hour, if that suits you? I just have something I'd like to finish up first.
[ Research notes, you know. He could go for longer than an hour, but that's the limit he's putting on himself. ]
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I will see you then!
[ A few errands and some crafts to finish up ahead of upcoming festivities, on her part. But true to her word, whenever the appointed time comes, Ori will be there waiting for him at the cafe! ]
no subject
Good afternoon, Miss Ori. [ At least it's slightly less formal this time?? ] My apologies if I'm late.
[ It's like, two minutes at this point. But still! ]
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She scratches the back of her head bashfully as soon as he greets her, the other hand going up to wave a hand dismissively. ]
Please, just call me Ori. There’s no need to be so formal with me.
[ She doesn’t have any kind of fancy title, after all; maybe she should be the one calling him Mister Albedo!? ]
You’re right on time, I think? I’ve gone ahead and gotten us a pot of herbal tea, I hope that’s alright…?
no subject
As he moves to pull out the chair opposite her and sit, he offers a polite smile and a nod. ]
That sounds absolutely perfect, thank you. How did you find this place?
[ Granted, she's likely been in Reverein for awhile, but Albedo is also the sort of person who goes out to cafes once in a blue moon. He wouldn't even know where to begin finding the best spot for tea in the whole city. (Going to them all and ordering tea is a tall order, okay.)
Reaching for the pot, he pours a cup for them each, first for Ori, assuming she hasn't poured any for herself yet. ]
no subject
She has been in Reverein for quite a while now, it’s true, and normally she wouldn’t be one to frequent these sorts of places, too, but she formed a bit of a habit out of it after settling into the role of something like a regular errand girl for the townsfolk. But as for this particular spot… ]
I’ve mentioned Thoma to you before, haven’t I? He was another dreamwalker here, from Inazuma in your world. He liked to visit these sorts of places to get to know the townsfolk.
[ Ori has indeed not yet poured herself a cup, and so she offers a nod of thanks when Albedo does just that. ]
But apart from that, I spend a lot of time fulfilling requests from people. Like gathering ingredients from the Wildlands and things like that.
no subject
The idea becomes a lot more palatable when he thinks about it like research. ]
I had the opportunity to head out on an expedition in the Wildlands myself a couple of days ago. There's so much undiscovered in this world, so much possibility...that is to say, I can imagine there are many useful things out there.
[ Beyond the energy crystals that he had a hand in bringing back to the city. He'll likely be a frequent patron of the quest board as well.
He takes a sip of the tea, his features relaxing. ]
Ah, it's wonderful. What a smooth, calming flavor...
no subject
Isn't it? I'm glad it's to your liking, Albedo. I wasn't sure where your preferences lie...
[ For a moment, she considers his comments on the expedition. She couldn't take part, herself, but she finds it thrilling that such forays are being made all the same. ]
Ah, that's right. You mentioned being with the Knights of... Favonius, didn't you? Are such expeditions part of their work in Teyvat?
no subject
All in due time. ]
Indeed. The efforts of the Knights reaches over many different public needs. In fact, the organization's Grandmaster has been gone for quite some time on such an expedition. I myself am both Chief Alchemist and Head of the Investigation Team, though the furthest my work usually takes me is the frozen peaks of Dragonspine mountain.
[ When he thinks about home, it's hard to say whether the city of Mondstadt itself or Dragonspine comes to his mind first. ]
no subject
"The Knights of Favonius is a toothless organization more interested in its own reputation than in effecting any change or defending our homeland in any appreciable way."
—and his feelings on the order are complicated, to say the absolute minimum. Ori's surprise, at least, is easily passed as curiosity and wonder. ]
Oh... It seems the Knights are involved in quite a lot more than I would have imagined. What is a day in the life of the Chief Alchemist like, if you don't mind me asking...?
no subject
Not that he is determined to change it. Regardless of his status within it, he often feels more like a third party observer. No group is wholly good or bad in his estimation, anyway. ]
That depends on where I'm currently staying. Within Mondstadt, my days are spent most often with the Alchemists' Guild, working with my assistants to both conduct experiments and solve problems that plague the local population. When I'm on Dragonspine, my work tends to be a bit more...haphazard. There's still a great deal of experimentation, but it tends to be a bit more...specialized.
[ That's when the questionable science happens. ]
no subject
You've got quite a lot of work on your plate, then. But... "Specialized," hm...? Surely there are lots of stories around that!
I think Alchemy is such an interesting field! I have some experience with brewing healing potions, but that's about as far as I go.
no subject
Taking a sip of tea: ]
Oh, you've dabbled in it yourself? I'd like to open a workshop here. Perhaps we could trade some notes on potion-making. As long as I'm here in this world, I'd like to continue to develop my skills and make myself useful.
As far as stories go...well, I've caused a fair number of avalanches and cave-ins, to say the least.
no subject
But. As soon as he mentions avalanches and cave-ins, her brows hitch up in surprise. ]
O—Oh! That's... That sounds very dangerous!
[ was it worth it?? ]
no subject
It was, in particular the time where I was on the wrong side of a cave-in. Fortunately, I have the benefit of wielding a Geo Vision, and was able to escape unharmed. Rest assured, I try to be more careful these days.
[ ...The keyword here being "try". ]
no subject
Geo... I've learned that Visions correspond to certain elemental powers in Teyvat. Is that right? So Geo would be... something to do with the earth?
[ Apart from him, Gorou would have been the only other Geo user she's met, and she didn't get a chance to talk with him at length about his Vision. ]
no subject
That's correct. Perhaps its my field of study as an alchemist, always elbow-deep in learning more about the properties of earth itself, that lent me the favor of Geo in particular. I've been able to combine the two, in fact, by creating Geo constructs with the aid of alchemy.
[ In fact, he holds out his palm towards her, tightly clutched at first, but when he opens it, there's a tiny solar isotoma in his hand. ]
Like so.
no subject
When he produces that isotoma in his palm, her face brightens in awe and wonder. She leans over across the table, peering wide-eyed down at his hand. ]
Oh…! So this is a Geo construct… It looks just like a real flower!
[ She thinks she might even recognize that type of flower, even! ]
no subject
I'm glad you think so. Ordinarily, they are a great deal larger in scale, and capable of supporting the weight of humans. This cafe doesn't seem like the ideal place for a demonstration, but I'd be more than happy to show you sometime.
[ It's a handy tool for both exploration and combat, and something he wouldn't have been able to accomplish with alchemy alone.
It's nice to have someone appreciate the smaller details of his work like this. ]
no subject
Ah. I'd like that very much! If you ever want to meet up, we can send each other messages just like we did today. I can always make time!
[ A beat, as she looks back down at the flower. ]
Is it okay if I touch it...?
no subject
As can I. My lack of any official occupation here means I'm able to make my own schedule as I see fit.
[ And for the foreseeable future, he'll be staying within Reverein proper instead of living out of a camp in the middle of bumfuck nowhere. That will be a bit strange...but he's getting used to it. ]
By all means. It feels more like a clay figurine than a flower, but you won't be able to destroy it unless you exert a great amount of force.
no subject
I know that many dreamwalkers have struggled with this transition... So many of us lead busy lives in the waking world and find ourselves a little lost with so much sudden free time here, but it sounds like you're quite motivated to make your own mark on this world! That's good.
[ All the while, she has taken the constructed flower up in her hands, examining and scrutinizing it as she regards the way it feels - he's right, it's not too unlike a clay figurine - and marveling at its details. ]
no subject
I suppose...you could say I am used to making the most of new situations, in particular when there are new and undiscovered things to learn.
[ The expedition to the power plant was already stimulating enough, and he still has so much to learn about Dreamotion and all it portends.
He nods to the solar isotoma in her hands. ]
What do you think of it?