xxvii

                                    

                                          
• third person •
                          
"It's been a while since I last saw you here."
                          
His blue eye twinkled in amusement as he sat down, relishing in the warming songs of the bard. 
                          
Kaeya waved at Charles, before turning his attention back to the woman, her blonde hair covering her face as her head rested on the counter.
                          
Kaeya shot a glance back at Charles. Charles shook his head. 
                          
She hasn't drank anything at all yet?
                          
Is she asleep?
                          
"Hello~" he sang. "Maria? A... are you okay?"
                          
"Please don't talk to me."
                          
Kaeya raised an eyebrow. 
                          
"...If you say so."
                          
Kaeya eventually ordered a drink, before examining her in silence. 
                          
There were definitely some things Kaeya knew about her that he hadn't told Diluc. 
                          
Kaeya had gotten to know her relatively well from the times they'd meet in the tavern. In fact, he'd known her name for a while now. 
                          
No, she wasn't Kaeya's friend. In fact, if he had the choice he wouldn't associate with her at all. After all, she's after his best friend. And... she really had to bring up bad memories to his brother that she shouldn't have known in the first place...
                          
But someone needed to find out her ulterior motives. And Kaeya was in the perfect position to do so.
                          
Kaeya was about to talk again. His mouth shut immediately. 
                          
...This is awkward...
                          
He sipped the drink Charles had mixed for him quietly, before running his hand through his hair. Maria's head still lay on the table, facing away from him.
                          
"Can I have the usual?" she muttered after a while. With a raised eyebrow, Kaeya exchanged eyes with Charles again, before he immediately began preparing the drink. 
                          
Death After Noon. 
                          
A Mondstadt classic. Very strong. Kaeya knew that if his brother were to have a sip he'd be out for at least a day.
                          
Though, as much as Kaeya loved it, Kaeya couldn't let himself get that drunk around her again. He didn't want to end up... oversharing anything to her again.
                          
As soon as it had been given to her, Maria sat up, quite literally downing it all in one go. Kaeya's eyes widened. The glass clinked back onto the table, before her head fell back into her arms. 
                          
He cleared his throat, looking away. 
                          
"Have you ever been compared to someone?" she asked suddenly. 
                          
Kaeya looked around. "Me?"
                          
Maria was silent. 
                          
"I suppose," Kaeya smiled in reminisce, "though it were a friendly rivalry. Neither of us took it seriously, or do as of now."
                          
It wasn't long until Maria's senses began to numb. Her mind already began to cloud. 
                          
"I hate... being compared. Being compared to that... bitch... Being compared to incompetent brats is even worse... Fucking..."
                          
Kaeya's eyes narrowed. 
                          
Is (Y/N) the bitch or the incompetent brat? Because I'm not liking the sound of either.
                          
"Who? I'm... sure you're better than who you speak of."
                          
"I'm not." Maria chuckled. "I'm not better than her at all. Stupid... Fatui... I hate Fatui... Stupid..."