Chapter Text
The sun was still shining in the land of blizzards, yet that sun did not radiate any warmth instead a sign of mockery, empty promises and hopelessness.In Snezhnaya the region of bitterness and cold, yes this was a cruel fate indeed.The Tsaritsa once a gentle soul had to harden herself due to the world’s cruelty.It seems that everyone is a victim of Celestia, the very same haven that history depicts of that floating isle.However it’s strange, how the sun didn’t feel as cold today in this region of ice.Perhaps something was destined to happen or should I say someone was the cause of this.
A small, frail child stood by the dimly glowing lamp pole.The child’s face was flushed, and their burning scarlet hair had bits of snow on.The child shivered but seemed to be determined to stay by the pole.They wore a bright red scarf that covered the lower part of their face.Their black tailored trousers matched their fitted turtleneck which was also black.Over that he wore a white overcoat.
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Diluc Ragvinder, a boy of high nobility in the city of wind and wine.He excelled at multiple things, sword training, adequate, languages and chess.However he was only a mere 8 year old.Far too young isn’t it not? Well apparently not, Diluc was forced to grow up too soon.Although it wasn’t as intense training, why couldn’t he be a normal child and play, have fun.Not having to worry about getting dirty while playing with his friends in the woods?
Even in the Land of Freedom, you must give up something to achieve that freedom.He gave up his own freedom for the sake of his brother–?
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Bystanders couldn’t help but notice the child, yet they kept their wandering eyes away, they were ignoring him.He did wear sort of noble clothing, so not many wanted to get involved.Besides no one wanted to associate themselves with a random child in the land of ice, well except two individuals, both gingers..?
Diluc’s gaze turned to where he could feel a lingering prescance, a lady and a younger boy, maybe younger than himself? The younger boy saw Diluc staring in their direction and instinctively hid behind the lady who wore clothes of a commoner in Snezhnaya.Diluc’s eyes wandered back onto the snow.He had thought the pair left but he heard footsteps crunching on the thick snow.
A gloved hand brushed away the snow mount on the redhaired’s head.Diluc looked up to see the same lady staring at him with such… a warm expression he’d see on his parent’s faces occasionally.Confusion was an understatement on how Diluc felt in that moment.
“Hello little one, are you lost?” The ginger lady asked him in Teyvatian, and just like that something broke in him.Like he was dumped in an ice bath.
Bit by bit,the tears dripped down from his watering eyes.Diluc choked back a painful sob, and used the crook of his arm to cover his face.His shoulders were tense and his legs were trembling due to the cold and overwhelming emotions.The ginger lady didn’t awkwardly walk away just like he had thought she would instead she bent down and hugged Diluc.He quickly got into her warm and welcoming embrace that contrasted this harsh land.
The ginger consoled the young red haired boy, for what seemed hours.Once Diluc’s sobbing died down the lady picked up Diluc, to her surprise he didn’t weigh much.Did that alarm her?Most definitely but she swallowed down her question, she didn’t want to scare the poor boy.The pair made their way to the younger ginger who was drawing pictures in the snow using his ungloved hands.He to wore commoner clothes,
“Ajax!What did I say about wearing your gloves at all times?” The lady scolded the crouching ginger.It didn’t seem that she was upset, more like worried.Diluc took notice how she switched to Snezhnayaian.He thanks himself for learning most of Teyvat’s languages.
“Oh, hehe my bad!I promise I won’t do it again, but you did take a really really really really–” Ajax cheekily replied to her, however she cut him off.
“Still no excuse to risk getting sick now young man.We had to come to town and get your father medicine.I swear on the Tsaritsa you take too much after your father.” The lady dumbfoundedly spoke to Ajax.
Diluc took a small peak over the lady's shoulder to see the younger ginger from before who stared back at him with a curious gaze.Scorching red eyes met Atlantic blue eyes, one showed uncertainty while the other showed fascination.Contrasting colours..
“Ma, why are you carrying her on your back?” The blue eyed boy spoke to the lady– who now Diluc knows it’s his mother.Ajax’s mother was about to answer her son’s question however…
“U-uhm, I’m a boy, not a girl.” Diluc’s voice would’ve been silenced by the sound of harsher winds in the distance, luckily a soft breeze of wind did carry his words to both of the gingers.
“Ah?Why do you have long hair, plus you look too pretty to be a boy.” Ajax’s blunt response earned him an ear pulling from his mom.
Ajax whined about his mother scolding him and pulling on his ear.Didn’t help that his ushanka was coming off his head, from trying to escape his mother’s iron grip.
Diluc stared dumbfounded at the scene.As well as bystanders looked at the comical spectacle.Diluc felt a tinge of jealousy in him, he didn’t understand why.However Ajax and his mother seemed rather close, and radiated some warmth, the same warmth he feels when he’s around Kaeya?Wait, who's Kaeya??
A migraine, a skull breaking migraine is what Diluc felt.He’s breaths gradually became heavier and more struggled.Around this time Ajax’s mother could hear him and asked if he was alright but her question went unanswered.All while Diluc’s senses were dulling rapidly, he couldn’t hear the faintest of winds and next thing he knew he blanked out.
Ajax’s mother felt his grip loosen and quickly put both her hands under his buttocks before he could fall backwards into the snow.She then decided to carry him bridal style, she placed her arms under the passed out red-hair knees and around his back.She wasted no time to usher Ajax to follow behind her.
The two gingers quickly rushed towards the clinic which was around the block.The older ginger’s face showed signs of worry but it was clear as day about her body language that was scared for the poor boy.
Questions were floating around her head,
‘How long was he out in the snow?’
‘Where were his parents or guardians?’
‘Was he abandoned?’
However she didn’t want to alarm her son, Ajax, who was now confused and concerned.She ushered him to stick close, she really wasn’t planning for her day to go like this…