A/N: Probably the beginning of Chaeya.
Due to the nature of his job, there was little that went on in Mondstadt that Kaeya did not know. So when he heard the inklings that the Harbginer Tartaglia had traveled east of Liyue, Kaeya immediately went on high alert.
"It doesn't seem right," he'd said to Jean. "Why would he come here?"
Jean, of course, had no idea which is why she set him the goal of figuring it out. Kaeya happily accepted, because why wouldn't he? His men needed a challenge even if they would loathe it.
This was the perfect kind of difficult situation to put them in and watch them squirm. For their own good, of course.
Tartaglia wasn't much elusive; he just moved quickly. Never seemed to stay in place for long. The moment Kaeya caught wind of a sighting, he was already long gone. Probably meant that the Harbinger had a very specific job to do which was a little concerning.
It would be his luck that they would meet when Kaeya was technically off duty. Visiting the Dawn Winery as he sometimes did for exclusive brews and to avoid Diluc. Mostly the latter. There was a lot of love and care there, for the man that was once his brother. More awkward than anything, though, and Kaeya didn't like awkward.
The man who greeted him near the Statue of the Seven had hair the color of the sunset and a smile that felt like daggers. He'd been waiting, leaning against a rock casually.
It took a secret keeper to know one, of course. Kaeya thumbed at his chin, regarding the man carefully. "I'm not dumb enough to think you belong here," he finally said. "Especially since you seem to be waiting for me."
"Oh, I wouldn't dream of pretending to do so." The ginger-haired man smiled wide and menacingly. "I'm too proud of what I am."
Ah, thought Kaeya. Suddenly, it made more sense. The man's general, cocky attitude and the way that he held himself so casually. Kaeya wasn't a slouch when it came to getting the job done, but he supposed that if he held such a title, he might be as much an arrogant ass as well.
"So, the Harbinger, I presume?" he asked, nonchalantly. "Tartaglia is it?"
"Seems my reputation precedes me," said the man, preening.
"No," said Kaeya, "You've just been a little loud as you stomp your way through Mondstadt. No sense of self-preservation?"
"More like unneeded." The Harginer was as haughty and vain as predicted. "And you are?"
Kaeya could tell that the man already knew who he was, just by the slight upturn of his mouth and the way he'd been waiting. Still, he said, "Kaeya Alberich, Cavalry Captain of the Knights of Favonius."
Tartaglia let out a whistle and clapped lightly. "Such a title. Much impressive."
Except that he wasn't remotely impressed. Kaeya was a little offended by that if he were honest, and huffed as such. "As much so as you."
Tartaglia laughed at that, full-bellied and loud. "Oh, that's a good one," he said. He looked Kaeya up and down, his arms crossed over his chest. Then his gaze narrowed into something of a challenge. "Want to give it a go, then? It's been a while since I've indulged in a fight."
Kaeya knew that it would be dumb to accept the invite, but he wasn't known for making the smartest decisions. His chances of survival, at least, were in his favor. Kaeya was keen at hanging on by a thread, insufferably difficult to get rid of even in the worst of circumstances.
Diluc complained about it enough.
"I'm not opposed," said Kaeya, his hand spread wide as his vision twinkled at his side in crystal-blue light. "Though, I would warn you, if I were to die it won't end well for you."
Tartaglia scoffed. "I'm not afraid of the Knights," he said dismissively.
"What of the Hero of Mondstadt? Surely he would strike fear into your heart. He's a close, personal friend of mine." Kaeya didn't like bringing Aether into it, but he wasn't above the same cheap tricks that the Harbinger no doubt used.
But then, Tartaglia smiled, the kind of grin that seemed genuine instead of haunting. Entirely different than his teasing demeanor from earlier. "Well, what a coincidence," he said, "I happened to be a friend of his as well."
That caught Kaeya off guard. Sure, he had eyes and ears everywhere, and he'd heard about what happened in Liyue Harbor. Aether had been a hero there too. But Kaeya's spies could only see so far and there was a lot that happened beyond the borders of Mondstadt that he wasn't privy to.
Tartaglia was the one who rose Osial from his watery prison and Aether was the one who brought the Jade Chamber down upon it. How could they possibly be friends?
"It's complicated," the Harbinger said, waving his hand. "Don't worry about it too much, yeah?"
"What's to be found in Mondstadt?" asked Kaeya instead, changing the topic. Might as well glean as much he can before he's knocked unconscious.
"Nothing." Tartaglia shrugged. "I'm bored and itching for a fight, and the old man said he was too tired to indulge. So, I came here to loosen my limbs a little. A vacation, if you will."
Kaeya blinked at the strangely… domestic explanation of his current mission. There was a possibility that Tartaglia wasn't lying, that this wasn't a mission at all. Kaeya himself had taken plenty of reprieve in his time here to just get away.
And, part of him wondered who the old man was, morbidly curious if it was the kind of information that was worth something. Kaeya filed it away, intent on learning more. Perhaps from Aether.
Kaeya called forth his sword, cold channeling through his arm as it materialized. "So, the challenge then," he said.
Tartaglia didn't bring forth a weapon, he only stood there casually as he readied himself. "I promise that I won't kill you. I owe Aether that much."
Kaeya snorted at that. "Do your worst, then."
They met in a clash of Hydro and Cryo. Water crystallized between them, throwing needle-like sparks everywhere. Kaeya was at more of a disadvantage than he realized, it seemed, feeling blood seep down his cheek from a shallow cut. Tartaglia was holding him off with brute force and his vision alone. Not a weapon in sight.
Kaeya tried again, barely holding his own. Tartaglia met every hit with another, catching Kaeya's blade between his hands effortlessly like it was child's play. Just his luck to be without his team; it would take several men alone to stand against the Harbinger and just his raw talent.
Seemed as though the rumors were absolutely true, not that Kaeya had truly doubted them.
The fight didn't last long, but true to his word, Tartaglia didn't kill him. He barely maimed him. Only hit Kaeya where it'd bruise, but didn't render him entirely functionless.
And then, Tartaglia was leaning over him with a hand held out, waiting expectantly. He wasn't even out of breath.
Kaeya groaned from where he laid on the ground, flat on his back. His ribs burned with every breath he took and he'd feel it for days. But no worse for wear. He stared at the Harbinger's hand warily.
"Oh, just take it already. If I was going to kill you, I would've done it already."
He wasn't wrong about that. Kaeya grabbed his hand and was helped up. He brushed himself off once he was upright again.
"You know," said Tartaglia as he appraised him, "Not bad." Kaeya gave him a look. "No really. Most people wouldn't have been standing after the first it. I'm mildly impressed."
"I take it that mildly impressed is a compliment when coming from you," said Kaeya smoothly.
Tartaglia grinned back at him, wolf-like. "Not the smartest thing, gaining the attention of a Harbinger."
Most likely not. Still, it was better to play it cool and neutral than to give in to the taunt. "If you're truly on vacation-" Kaeya said the word carefully, "Then my men won't bother you much, as long as you keep to yourself."
"Noted," said Tartaglia.
"I wouldn't be opposed to you taking out Treasure Hoarder camps."
"Can do," said Tartaglia.
Kaeya leveled him with an apprehensive look. "You really are his friend, aren't you?" he murmured. "Aether, I mean."
"We adventure together from time to time. Helped me with a few things. Had a play date with my little brother."
Kaeya's mouth parted slightly at that. His little what? More information to tuck away and never forget. "Tartaglia-"
"Call me Childe," said the Harbinger. "You've earned at least that much."
Stranger things have happened, Kaeya supposed. "Childe," he started again, tasting the name. "We're watching you."
"Same," said Childe, entirely unapologetically. "But you're safe as long as you don't get in my way."
Kaeya chuckled, he couldn't help it. "Funny," he said. "I was about to say the same thing."
Childe waited for a second and then said, "Want to grab some wine? I hear there's this winery just down that way. The alcohol is probably too weak for my tastes, but, I've heard tell of your revelry."
Kaeya needed more information on the Harbinger, Jean had been incredibly clear in her wishes. And he knew that Childe needed information on him as well. They were both playing each other. Still, it's the closest Kaeya would likely ever get.
"Actually," said Kaeya, "There's a bar in the city. Small little place with great drinks. World's most surly barkeep. I bet he'd love it if we walked in together."
A Harbinger and a Cavalry Captain walk into a bar, mused Kaeya. Diluc would absolutely hate it, and as far as Kaeya was concerned, that would make his day.
Childe smirked. "It's a date."
