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Diluc had heard a fresh new rumor from his patrons. A powerful vampire had just moved to Mondstadt from Natlan, seemingly one who had strong connections to the actions of the Abyss. (This rumor being directly pulled off of Kaeya when he got just slightly too drunk was not part of the equation.)
The Knights had most definitely called for a hunt for the new vampire, but as expected, over the last couple days had made no progress. From what he knew of Kaeya’s background, he would either be entirely overprotective of this new vampire, or be dedicated to eradicating it for threatening his base of operations. It seemed to be following the former, as the vampire wasn't dead yet.
So it was time to take it into his own hands. It only took about a day, but following just the abyssal traces like was standard led him to a pair of abyss mages, and no other traces to be found. Until the next evening, where he found a boy at the top of the cathedral, with no indication of how he got up there. The teen-looking vampire was not-quite-thin, not-quite-bulky, wearing gold and dark brown, a crop top, and had a long braid of golden hair trailing down his back. He had a leg extended off the cathedral with the other folded under it.
“So you’ve been the one who’s been trailing me.”
“You’re an abyssal creature, in my city. I’d prefer it if you stopped being here.”
Diluc pulled out his dagger, revealing the shine of silver in the moonlight, and the residual effects of a blessing of Anemo from Barbara.
“Aw, could you not? It's always a pain when my sister has to come get my body to bring me back. She can be a real pain, you know. Why don't you come sit with me for a little? I don't bite without consent!”
Against his better judgement, he decided to come sit next to the vampire, with the dagger remaining in his hand.
“So! Why are you coming after me? I thought I did a good job disguising where I was headed from Natlan.”
“I heard a rumor.”
“Ooh, does my sister have a spy? She’ll be pissed to hear that. Or was it the people from Natlan telling you? I knew I shouldn't have told Chasca.”
“It was from a knight. I am unaware of who informed them.”
“The Knights of Farvinus, right? I don't know much about them, just that they are really easy to shake off my tail.”
“Favonius. They were always incredibly inefficient, so I’m not surprised at how easy they were to shake.”
“Huh, I wasn't expecting a Mondstat resident to be so against your own ‘government’” He made air quotes around the word. “Well, I shouldn't be up here too long into the daylight, I might get too much attention from your deaconess, and they might try to purge me! See you around, Mr Darknight Hero!”
The boy ran down the roof, jumped off, and ran into the city where his own eyes couldn't follow. As he watched, he scoffed at the nickname he gained over the last year, and then had to clamber down the cathedral himself. It was going to be a long day, especially with the addition of a vampire to deal with.
—-------------------------------------------------
It was another three days before he saw the vampire again. This time he was sitting atop the Angel’s Share, right at the start of his patrol for Abyssal energies. The boy patted the roof next to him.
“So, Diluc, what's your plan for me?”
He recoiled at the name, not expecting the vampire to already know who he was.
“Not much, as it seems you are powerful enough to entirely cloak your abyssal signature, and probably enough to entirely be immune to the sun and potentially a holy blessed weapon.”
“Well, I am immune to the sun, as that's almost exclusive to turned vamps, and yes, I am strong enough to bounce back from most blessed weapons, but as with most vampires, Morax is the exception. It would take some significant amount of silver, and a significant blessing by the god himself to fully put me down. Anything else would just be temporary, until my sister builds up enough dirt on me to be able to bring me back and make me do at least one of my duties.”
“Duties?”
“You probably wouldn't know, because of your whole ‘no royalty thing’ you all have here in Mondstadt, but things like appearances, running an army, maintaining food supplies, and the like. When she can, she gets me to do the things she hates even though I abdicated the throne”
“What do you mean, royalty? Are you the ‘missing’ abyss prince that none have seen for the last 500 years?”
“That's me, in the undeath.” He stood just enough to take a bow, deep, with his arm across his uncovered waist. Sitting back down, he slid the dagger covered in a shirt across the roof. “Here’s your dagger back by the way, I thought you would want to keep it.”
“Why are you returning a hunter's weapon? Isn't that detrimental to you?”
“Were you not listening? I’m all but immune, but it still hurts like hell. I’d rather not be stabbed if you would please, but I like to think of myself as kind.”
He sat there, contemplating it for a while, before responding.
“Well, you promised not to bite without consent, so I guess youre okay. Try not to kill anyone though.”
“Aww, if I kill anyone, itd be someone you would, from my observations.”
“I would prefer you didnt, but I guess you have to eat. So, fine.”
“I guess I will see you later then. Bye Darknight Hero!”
He waved cheerily right as he jumped off the roof, leaving Diluc to his thoughts. Diluc was not expecting to be collaborating with a vampire, much less the ‘no-longer-missing’ Abyss Prince. If it meant there likely wouldnt be any other operatives in Mondstadt since he was here, he could deal with it.
---
It was only the previous day that Diluc had the conversation with the ex-Abyss Prince, when said prince walked directly into Angel’s Share. Diluc jumped when he walked in, however he went right back to washing glasses, only staring into the man’s golden eyes.
“Found you!”
“What do you want, Mr ‘im not telling you my name’”
“Heh, thats right! I’m Aether.”
Kaeya stood from across the bar. He held his hand as if ready to summon his blade. His half finished Death After Noon laid abandoned at his spot, and he stalked his way across the bar to Aether.
He spoke in a strained whisper. “What are *you* doing here, Abyssal Prince.”
In a similar volume, Aether responded. “Well thats *ex*-Abyssal Prince, since I stepped down as I am *sure* you know. Couldnt deal with the murders, and mage managing, and merciless meanderings. So, I’m here now, preferably *without* dealing with the consequences for actions not my own. How has your station here from Lumine been? I read the reports when I visit, and it sounded fun!”
“*Not here, not now*”
Returning to the regular volume, responding “Ohhhhh, its *THIS* Ragnvindr, I thought there was another one!”
With that sentence, he grabbed Kaeya by the collar, pulled him outside, and did not return for the rest of the night.
---
The next night, Aether returned. Kaeya was already at the bar, definitely drunk. The Death After Noon in front of him was empty, along with 4 empty glasses. Diluc grabbed them to begin washing them when Aether walked in. He didnt jump this time, fully expecting it to happen. After all, he was a creature of the night, and it was expected he would follow a strange sleeping schedule even if he was supposedly ‘immune to the sun’.
“So, whatcha got here? I realized ive been here four times now, and I have yet to actually order anything!”
Wait, four? “When have you been here four times?”
“You tend to not work during the day, and your bartender is the most lovely guy. I must say you make great hiring decisions.”
“Charles is wonderful but I would rather you not involve him in the buisness between us.” Diluc slides a menu across the bar. “Here’s our selection.” He turned away, heading over to Kaeya to retrieve his glasses and get Charles to cover the bar so he could bring Kaeya upstairs. Returning after a short while, he found Aether chatting with Charles, and seemingly ordering something. “Thanks Charles. Enjoy your night.” Charles left, as his shift had ended. Turning to Aether, “What did you order, Ill make it for you.”
“A virgin Bloody Mary, extra blood please.”
“No blood in a bloody mary, and I dont have any behind the bar. Here it is.”
“Aww, dang. I actually got someone to stop serving me by asking that question once. Thought I was a minor.”
“And when and where was that?”
“I believe Liyue, about 200 years ago. Thanks for the drink, heres your money, Goodbye!”
Aether all but dashed out the back door, seemingly running from something. Right as he left, Venti walked in the front, moving directly to the bar. “One dandelion wine please Master Diluc! Oh, and are you aware that your establishment was playing host to a powerful abyssal creature up until a few moments ago?”
“Venti.”
“What! I just wanted to make sure you were aware! And I would love that glass of wine soon.”
“How are you paying me this time.”
“How about a song? It would probably dissuade more vampires from entering your establishment, since it would be very cheery!”
“Venti.”
“Fine!” He pats his pockets, pulling out just enough for a single drink. “here you go Master Diluc. Let me know when you want a song to dissuade vampires from coming in!” He chugged the entire glass, placing it back on the bar, and wandered out.
---
The cycle continued over the next few days, with Aether ordering a bloody mary, nursing it for a couple minutes, then chugging the whole thing and running out just before Venti entered. Eventually, Aether decided to try the wine selection, and ended up half drunk on the counter, resulting in them being in the same room for the first time.
“Oooh, so this is the abyssal creature thats been hanging around your tavern. Diluc, I cant believe you never told me!”
He did not respond, instead choosing to wipe down the glass Aether had finished after nursing for the better part of an hour.
Aether decided that that moment was the best to half wake up, slurring his words. “yourree alcccchol is tooooo stronnnnng.”
“Well, my abyssal friend, would you like to be cleansed? One free release from your unnatural existence!”
“Bartobasssssss, you cant do anyyyythinnnnng permannnent to meeeeeeeeeeeee” It seemed he was picking up Venti’s sing-song speaking style. Venti reeled back in shock.
Diluc picked up on Venti’s confusion. “If what he told me is true, Morax himself would have to purge him from said ‘unnatural existence’”
Aether had fallen back asleep in the moment it took for him to say that. Venti was patting his head, staring at Diluc in confusion. “Who exactly is this creature you’ve picked up? Considering he has been in here about every single day this week, I would assume you or your network has picked something up on him.”
“I do believe he would be fine with you knowing. His name is Aether, and he calls himself the Ex-Abyss Prince. He supposedly stepped down, which is why he vanished when he did.”
“Oh, you found the long-missing abyss prince? Wow Mr. Ragnvindr, you have really found something here! He is correct, I wouldnt be able to do anything permanent unless we locked up his body where the Princess couldnt find it.”
Aether awoke again, significantly less slurred, but still sounding just barely drunk. “She could find it wherever you hid it.”
Standing, Aether decided that was the moment he wanted to leave. He poked into Venti’s chest, saying “you should leave me alone mr barsibato, I like living here.” Immediately after saying this, he walked out.
Diluc stood there at the interaction between the apparent god, considering Aether’s naming of him (Barsibato, did he pick that up from Rosaria?), and the Prince of the Abyss, (proven powerful vampire by the admission of previously mentioned god). Kaeya was nowhere to be seen tonight, and so he decided to leave the rest of the night to Charles, and go home.
---
Diluc was watching his tavern. It seemed that Aether had become a decently common regular, sometimes with Kaeya, other times with Venti, and every once in a while by himself. He supposed that it was time to add him and the others to a list, so that Charles and other bartenders hired eventually would know how to deal with the pile of abyss creatures and gods that would regularly waltz their way into the tavern.