ᴏᴘᴇɴ ▸ with the world as my anchor.

[subsist]

WHO: Kaeya & you.
WHAT: Bird shenanigans and more.
WHERE: Various.
WHEN: All throughout Sekiseri.
WARNINGS: None, will update if needed. Only silly things allowed.

i. morning breeze.
achamoth

[ It's the beginning of a new month. Do you know where your Kaeya is at?

Rather than the charming, handsome young pirate that he is (no), he is reduced to a small bird, one that is growing increasingly confused and alarmed the longer this goes on. He doesn't know what's happening. He doesn't know how it happened. Why is he a bird? He was never able to do something like this before, so it makes no sense for him to suddenly wake up as a tiny feathered creature with no way to revert it all back.

This is bad. This is so bad that he can't even fly around, or chirp properly, or be a normal bird, but instead he is simply just. Jumping around on the floor to get from point A to point B, no matter where he is. Sometimes he might have figured out how to climb a desk or a chair, but most of the time, he is by your feet, desperately trying to get your attention.

Is he pecking at your shoe? Probably. Does he try to peck your fingers if you try to pick him up? Absolutely.

What's worse is when you catch him in a frenzied moment, because that's how you get your fingers frozen. A small burst of pure cryo energy originating from this tiny little thing is the culprit. Oops. At least he looks sorry about it — if a bird can look sorry, anyway. ]

ii. in flight.
achamoth / godsblood

[ After a while, and with a few lessons of how to be a bird under his wing (shut up, Candace!), Kaeya takes flight and allows himself to wander.

He doesn't have a particular destination in mind — only that it's somewhere far away from the Citadel. There are certain points where he stops in random areas within Achamoth, but for the most part, he's more interested in being further out. He goes past Venera, because he can't quite get over the heartache he experiences whenever he thinks about what happened there, and he isn't ready to step foot in that city just yet. Perhaps one day, he thinks, it will feel less impossible.

It takes some time, he's lost count of how many days along the way, but eventually, he reaches the city of Godsblood. There are far too many things to explore around here. First, he catches some well-needed rest, nesting somewhere hidden or somewhere in plain sight. Maybe it's by your window, on the awning of one of your favourite stalls, or even on a tree branch like most normal birds do. He's usually awake during the godawful hours of the morning, so here's hoping you don't mind the chirping.

If someone hasn't killed him by then, he'll be found everywhere else. Stealing your food. Divebombing you for fun. Nesting in your hair. No matter what, he's going to be a menace, and he can't be stopped.

(Please stop him.) ]

iii. state lines.
godsblood

[ During the days he spends as himself, he is a lot more discreet. Subtle. While he doesn't bother making use of glamours to hide who he is, he does wear a hood over his head to make himself less noticeable. It's chilly over here in Godsblood, so it isn't too strange to have an outsider try to bundle up. Or so he hopes. He isn't all that interested in causing a scene so he'll be mostly looking around, listening to conversations where he can.

And since this is Kaeya, you can most definitely find him in one of the bars, enjoying a drink or two. He'll usually be sitting at the furthest corner where he has a good view of the place, including whoever goes in and out. Is his back against the wall? Absolutely. Maybe someone is a little paranoid, but you can never be too careful.

It's better to be overly cautious than to be caught off guard when you least expect it. ]

iv. wildcard me, baby.

( ooc. i'm happy to write custom starters if none of these work. kaeya can also be seen around achamoth in various places, but he'll be on the move constantly. in godsblood, you're free to assume he could have flown into your room/shop/etc. as a bird, or you might catch him walking around the streets, observing people, taking notes. things like that! feel free to pm me, contact me on plurk, or ping me on discord if you'd like to chat more. 💜

ALSO!! as a general note, pls let me know if your character would likely use true sight to perceive that he's an aion. mostly for my own references. )

Comments

[subsist]

[ The faint rustling from beyond the closed door does earn a raised eyebrow from Kaeya, but it's gone by the time Howl greets him. He doesn't bother trying to sneak any glances at whatever the other Aion might be trying to hide since there are far more pressing matters. What he does take note of, however, is how different Howl looks compared to the last time he saw him — well, before the Sanctifier's fight, anyway. That was a completely different version of Howl that he'd never had the chance to witness until then.

Still, the other looks alive and well, and that's all one can ask for, really. (When your standards are so low…)

Anyway. Time to get right to the point. ]

You're able to turn yourself into a bird, yes? I was wondering if you'd be able to… show me a few tricks.

[ He figures the best way to explain why is to simply show Howl what's going on, so— within the next split-second, there's a puff of cold mist that covers the entirety of him before revealing a small magpie where Kaeya used to stand. This tiny thing is looking up at Howl with what could almost be taken as an imploring look.

Please teach him how to be a bird. ]

[galdorleod]

[ Show him a few tricks? What is he — oh.

Howl blinks down at the little bird, looking just as desperate for answers as it does. There is a moment of hesitation, and then the slightest raising of his shoulders in a shrug, as Howl accepts what just happened before him.

Bending down, he holds out his hand vertically, offering the side of his thumb for Kaeya to use as a perch. ]

Well. This is new. You wouldn't be coming to me for 'tricks' if it weren't.

[ ...can Kaeya talk like this? He blinks again at the magpie, waiting. ]

[subsist]

[ When Howl states that this is new, all Kaeya can do is nod because he can't say speak like this at all. It's one of those things that makes this whole deal unfortunate but he supposes he can make do with simple body language for now. At least, if he's asked simple questions. Harder ones can... take a few more charades.

He looks up at the offered perch, head tilting from side to side. With his wings spread, he flaps them in an effort to fly, but ...

He is practically like a baby bird. How does one fly? It's almost comical the way he struggles, but he is looking at Howl for help. These are the kinds of tricks he needs!! ]

[galdorleod]

[ Watching the theatrics, Howl finds himself succumbing to a grin. This is cute. And, in a certain way, nostalgic. ]

Never been in a body different from your usual one, I take it?

[ Instead of helping Kaeya, he briefly withdraws his hand so he can go from a kneel to being fully seated on the hallway floor. He then holds his hand back out. ]

You'll have to master the basics before I can teach you any tricks, friend. The first of which is the most essential: comfortable, tight control of your new limbs. Acclimation to your new weight and balance. Adjusting to the change in your senses — both the typical Five and those more subtle and instinctive.

[ You're going to have to get up onto his hand on your own, Kaeya. ]

You're a bird now. You've got the spindly, stringy legs of a bird. They might be fragile but they are all you need to do this. Take your time, focus, and jump up.

[subsist]

[ It is so strange to think of himself as a bird, but Kaeya thinks he understands what Howl is trying to get at. His wings fold over himself, an odd attempt of crossing his "arms," as it were, which ruins the whole point of him being a bird, but hey. He's thinking here. Maybe judging the distance of how far he needs to jump now that Howl has repositioned himself.

Hmm. Howl says to rely on his new limbs, namely the spindly, stringy legs of a bird. Easier said than done when you've never been a bird your whole life, but— here goes nothing.

He takes one look at the offered hand, backing up a few steps before just going for it. His tiny body leaps forward and somehow manages to land — not too gracefully, sadly — on Howl's hand just like he said he would. That...

Deserves a shrill chirp!! Amazing!! He's so pleased with himself, feathers ruffling with pride. ]

[galdorleod]

[ If he could, Howl would clap his hands in delight. But... well, obviously, that would be a bad idea at the present, so he simply grins down at Kaeya and keeps him steady as he rises back to his feet. ]

Excellent job! You wouldn't believe how many young wizards took ten times as long to do the same thing.

[ With magpie in hand, Howl starts down the hallway, towards the stairs closest to the doors leading outside. ]

How do you feel? Balancing alright? [ he pauses, considering. ] Raise your right wing for yes, and left wing for no.