#//Of what Khaenri'ah looked like in her heyday; of the countless people lost because of the Cataclysm living their daily lives

[dutybcrne]

Kaeya oftentimes wonders what it must have been like, living in Khaenri'ah. Reading the tales of Khaenri'ahn heroes Jean's shared with him, of things he remembered his father mentioning, helped him picture it all. As did knowledge the Akademiya has of Dahri ruins he managed to get his hands on one way or another years later, during his visit to Sumeru.

#hc; kaeya #//It was really after meeting Dainsleif that the thoughts increased exponentially; and became almost painful #//Thoughts of what it could have been like; had he grown up a 'proper' Alberich; surrounded by family & the culture he'd been wrenched from #//Of what Khaenri'ah looked like in her heyday; of the countless people lost because of the Cataclysm living their daily lives #//He wants to learn so much more; no matter what it means #//He loves Mond dearly; but it hurts feeling that emptiness from being denied that connection #//Of losing his mother tongue the longer it went unused; of not knowing the traditions he ought to have celebrated #//Rites of passage he must have missed in favor of Mond traditions; holidays; family customs #//Could he have had siblings? Cousins? Aunts; uncles; GRANDPARENTS??? #//What would his upbringing have been like? Strict? Lenient? Would they have accepted him as he was? No mask necessary? #//Could his father have truly loved him so closely; instead of keeping him at arms length like he KNEW they'd have to part soon? #//That he didn't want to grow too fond of his own child because he could lose him any moment? (is it a wonder kae does the same at times?) #//What would it have been like; being a Knight of Khaenri'ah? Surely he would have given Khaenri'ah his heart; like he had for Mond #//If Khaenri'ah still stood to this day...would he; Diluc and Jean have still been friends? As fond and close as they once had been? #//Logically; he doubts that; but his foolish heart likes to think the three were MEANT to meet; one way or another #//MEANT to have that friendship they'd once shared (before he went and ruined everything with Diluc) #//Surely they would have found a way to make it work; no matter the distance from Khaenri'ah to Mondstadt #//Maybe they could have bridged the gap between the godless nation and the people of the Anemo Archon #//Ahh; but that's wishful thinking; now wouldn't it be? #//He likes to wonder how it would have felt; having that certain loyalty to his nation; not torn between his family's past & his current on #//Would he have been happier; had he been born to and raised in that nation? Rather than left to live in this one? #//Though he'd have to wonder if that would be true; considering the Archons' treatment of them in the end #//No doubt war would always be looming on the horizon; and if Dahri records were right...Celestia wasn't their only issue #//Still; he can't help but dream; and with a certain; aching longing at that