Given the fact that Diluc had been much more preoccupied with helping the traveler bring back peace over the wind and Mondstadt by dealing with Dvalin, one of the last things on his mind was what his so-called "brother" was up to. But, by the time Diluc returned to Mondstadt, he was met with areas of the city in shambles and several windmills torn down from the storm. However, the worst was yet to come when he heard that Kaeya had been found under some of the debris.
Despite claiming not to care much for him anymore, part of him still wanted his childhood friend to be alive. So, upon hearing the news about Kaeya, he immediately turned on his heel and ran up to the cathedral and to the medical wing. Diluc let out a sigh of relief when he saw Kaeya in one of the beds, awake and talking to Barbara. The red headed male walked over and huffed, his expression returning to his normal stoic one that he wore when Kaeya was around.
Kaeya looked at Diluc when he approached. Why did Diluc look so.. different? Was it even Diluc? Or was it- Kaeya's thoughts were cut off when Diluc began to practically lecture him "I thought you would've been more careful than to let a windmill fall on you. Even if it was just a support beam, they aren't light"
Kaeya seemed confused when the other started speaking to him "Is that what happened?" He asked. He didn't seem to be acting fully like himself, how strange. But after Kaeya had asked that question, he asked another one, though all he said this time was "Diluc?" As if he was trying to make sure it was actually his brother that was standing in front of him
As Diluc stood there with his usual annoyed expression, Kaeya's reaction just made him frown more. What was he thinking? Of course it was him, who else was there that looked like him? For now, Diluc seemed to brush it off "Yes, it is.. You seem unsure. Do you not remember? I hear that you were helping people escape during the storm and an arm from one of the windmills fell and landed on you" he said "You're lucky you didn't get killed"
While part of Diluc was panicking slightly about Kaeya not seeming to remember something that happened maybe just hours before, another part of him wasn't too worried as Kaeya still seemed fairly normal. Except for the fact that Kaeya seemed to be acting more like his younger self, but maybe that was just a result of Diluc lecturing him. That had to be it.. right?
Suddenly, Kaeya spoke again "I don't remember a storm" he said, shaking his head a bit. Though Kaeya did seem glad when Diluc confirmed that he was who he thought he was. But then why did Diluc look so different then when he last remembered seeing him?
Diluc just continued to frown as he stepped closer to the dark haired male "You don't remember?-" he said "Kaeya, you've spent the last.. what, six months? Trying to come up with a plan to subdue Stormterror- or rather Dvalin, and you don't remember?" His words carried a worried tone, it was noticeable though his normal calmness. But Kaeya merely shrugged in response "I don't know.." he answered.
Diluc let out a sigh "You're the Cavalry Captain, surely you remember coordinating something as big as that, right?" Diluc asked. Kaeya seemed to pause. Looking at the other, there was a look of confusion written on his face. "I'm not.." he started "I'm not the Cavalry Captain" he said
Diluc just continued to frown when Kaeya began to insist that he wasn't the cavalry captain "..What? No. Kaeya, you are the Cavalry Captain. Sure, Varka has taken all of Mondstadt's horses with him on his current mission, but you're still the captain.." Diluc glanced over at Barbara, who was still standing there but now had a worried look on her face. But Kaeya just shook his head "I'm not the Cavalry Captain, Diluc" he insisted
Diluc cleared his throat, deciding to test a theory "Kaeya, how old are you?" He would hope that he answered with twenty-two, his current age. However, if he were to answer anything different, then he would know that Kaeya had received more than just a bump to the head from being hit by part of a windmill. When Kaeya heard the question, he paused a bit before speaking, as if trying to remember. After a few moments he answered with "Seventeen" Though, Kaeya was unsure why he was being asked this. Was he not the age he thought he was?