sixwordstories | (no subject)

I could not really forget that. I'm not much like my father at all.

That's good to hear. There are days I can't see myself in the mirror, but my father instead.

That sounds unpleasant. I am sorry.

It's a process to get that idea out of your head. But thanks.

Would it be rude to ask why the idea is in your head?

I followed in my father's footstep to prove to him that I'm not weak. Instead of going my own way.

Could you go your own way now if you wanted to?

I have been going my own way these last years. I'm not letting him shadow my path no more. But there's are times I have doubts.

...too much of anything is bad but sometimes doubts are healthy.

Sometimes. But these doubts aren't healthy.

I'm sorry. I think it's good that you are talking about it...even if it is only with a stranger.

I may not be mine, exactly. But I do get to travel around, as he once did.

[He withdrawls from his sunny smile as he'd overheard what this man has said.]

Do you and your father not see eye-to-eye?

He despised and abused me throughout my childhood. Yes, we did not get along.

I appreciate it, thanks.

[Oh... That carefree demeanor is suddenly gone.]

Men like him should've reconsidered before getting married, and having children.

You are your own person. ...and that seems to be a really nice person.

You'd think so. But the reality of things is often worse.

That's true. [He sighs.] Still doesn't make it right. The innocence of childhood is fragile.

[He's aware on being a tad sentimental around this stranger. An outlander--perhaps a local who lived within this land that was unfamiliar to Tartaglia. He's speculated about somewhere far away from a few places he knows the most.

While looking around and trying to make sense of things, he hasn't yet concluded about being on an entirely different world, apart from Teyvat.]

People come from various walks of life. Some environments are much crueler than others. [He shakes his head as disapproval and distain lingers in his tone.] At the nation I grew up in, the irresponsible and abusive aren't likely to survive on their own. Even the bravest and most daring would have to be smart to rely on others one way or another, during constantly freezing temperatures.

I'd try to be a better man than my father. But I've done many bad things too.

I didn't have much of a childhood. My father was a stern, uncompromising man. He broke down my brothers aswell. Made them his little soldiers.

Unfortunately where I'm from, individuality is put above all else. There's no help to gather from others. It's a harsh place.

[A curious brow is raised.] Even more so than endless, brutally cold weather? I'm assuming you've never been to Snezhnaya.

[He'll refrain from mentioning the dangers of the insane and savage Abyss; the worst place he knows from his own experience. That's his business and his alone anyway, to return one day and slay the beast that once frightened him.]

Which military was your old man in? Sorry to hear of your hardships.

I was speaking of the culture, rather than the climate. I have never been to Snezhnaya (he assumes that's somewhere in Russia) myself, so I can not compare. But I'd grow up in New Mexico, a desert, so I have some understanding about harsh climate.

My father was in the army, master sergeant Jesse Manes. I joined the Airforce. My brother Gregory joined the Navy. Flint is in special forces. All of us Manes men joined different branches of the military. My father insisted on that. That way he could have a finger in every branch for his own plans.

Edited 2021-08-20 18:36 (UTC)

Quite a nasty lust for power he's had, it sounds like...

[Airforce? Navy? Tartaglia frowns. He does not at all recognize these names for military organizations, nor this desert region. Nor of any place named New Mexico.

This is very strange to him. Members of the Fatui branches are stationed throughout Teyvat. Surely, they'd have knowledge about all of the different factions of armies. That's very important information to them. Tartaglia himself would want to to know more about this Airforce and Navy, eventually.

There's one more thing he could ask, in hopes of getting a clue as to where they are.]

I don't believe I've ever seen or heard of New Mexico. I wouldn't even know where that is. [A half-hearted chuckle.] So, I'll have to ask; which one of the Seven does your nation have praise and respect for?

That's my father in a nutshell. He enjoyed being in charge. The more of his sons he could control the better.

For starters, New Mexico isn't a country. It is a state, part of a union. That being the United States of America. Or USA for short.
Secondly... I have no idea whom these "seven" are. Most people in my home country praise God. But you're allowed to believe in other gods or none at all.

[Another unfamiliar location name! United States of America, or USA, doesn't ring any bells.

Tartaglia blinks, and stares at the older man. He's especially baffled to hear him say about having no idea whatsoever about the seven archons; one per nation.

How in the Abyss have the others have not known, or told me about any of this...? These portal anomaly occurrences are stranger anyone could ever imagine! How was he going to return to the Geo nation of Liyue? How would he get in contact with any of the other Fatui?]

[Breathy and nervous laughter starts, before he is able to speak again.] So, the next thing you might tell me is...hahahaha... We're not anywhere in Teyvat.

[He sympathies with the other man. It's not the first time he has been in a situation where things doesn't make sense. He understands the other's confusion. But all he can offer is a reassuring smile.]

I don't know where we are. But if there's a way to get here, there has to be a way to get back.

[Tartaglia knows this isn't the one other world he once fell into by accident, years ago. However, this new experience is still a shock to him.

At age thirteen, he was found, trained, and taught the art and thrill of battle by a savage and bloodthirsty warrior who dwelled in the Abyss. It's a mystery as to whether or not Master Shirk escaped. She might still be wielding her blade, slaying various beasts that would regret encountering her...

His flashback passes, and then his stunned expression quickly changes to an amused one.]

Hahahaha, I get it now... You and I must be from two very different worlds! I realize why you've never heard of me, or the people I work with.

The Fatui are everywhere on my world. And we have our own military forces as well. [A prideful smile shows as he'll gladly introduce himself.] My codename is Childe, but you may address me by my real name; Tartaglia. I'm the 11th of an elite class of members, known as the Fatui Harbingers.

And you are?

It would appear that we are from very different places.

I'm captain Manes. But you can call me Alex. I'm a Airforce veteran and Purple Heart receiver.

What are the Airforce and Navy militaries like?

What sort of beast did this purple heart come from?

Like most military I suppose. Lots of training, strict hierarchy, going on wars. I've done three trips myself to a war far away in the east. The main difference between Airforce and Navy is the vessels. Airforce uses planes, flying machines, while the Navy rides on boats and combat at sea.

It's a medal. Not an actual heart. You receive it for putting your own life at risk to save others.

[While in curiosity and interest, Tartaglia smiles as he listens to Alex explain.] Who is it you fight against in these wars?

Flying machines, huh? I wouldn't mind seeing one of those. [And then jot down some notes to share with his Fatui underlings, once he finds a way back to his world... Surely, the technical experts and machine manufactuers would come up with something good to help gain them an upper hand against those who stand in their way.]

That's an unusual name for a medal. I believe the chivalrous knights of Favonius in a nation called Mondstat for example are given their medals, and titles for doing great, noble deeds.

The Fatui simply earn some valuables they find during expeditions, and assignments.

We fight whomever those in power considers a threat. [He responds cynically] Either that or to get their resources.

They're quite the sleek machines. Fast and deadly. Built for efficiency rather than looks however.

I don't know about it being a "noble deed". A Purple Heart is given to soldiers that has gotten injured or killed in battle against enemies of the USA. Hardly "noble". I'm just lucky that I survived. There are more valuable medals to be had.

Sounds like looting.

[A fascinating conversation this is turning out to be so far.] Hahahaha, we Fatui are like that. The Tsaritsa, our archon, considers all the others a threat.

Alex, if we ever make it to your world, I'll have to see a plane for myself.

[He laughs again.] If there are abandoned ruins, then it's technically not looting.

How nice. [He responds sarcastically. He himself wasn't a big fan of USA politics.]

There are many different kinds of planes. But sure perhaps you should.

I know people whom would disagree with that. Just because something is abandoned, it doesn't mean that its "treasure" doesn't carry weight for its former owners. My people, the Navajo, had much of their history taken from them when invaders took their valuables and later on "studied" the remains of their settlements.

Which ones would you like to show me first? [He grins.]

I see. Good for them... Compared to my world, all past civilizations were wiped out, thousands of years ago. Casualties, as the gods were warring against each other. Out of them all, seven came out victorious. [Tartaglia casually summarizes this. It's common knowledge and a core part of Teyvat's history.]

There aren't many to defend what's left. There are some archeologists and researchers who would. That would make them some of our competitors. Treasure Hoarders are the others. Those who refuse to negotiate and work for any Fatui, that is.

Commercial flights would be far easier to "show" than military grade planes.

Civilizations in my world has also been wiped out over the millennia. Not due to any "gods" fighting, but war between humans. Still the people remain, descending from these old civilizations. They want to own their history.

Archeologists in my world isn't much better than looters. That they discover they keep and bring back home. Not giving it back to those whom remain. Still. I guess they don't sell the stuff to earn themselves a fortune.

There is not much you can do about things you have already done but you can already try to do better.

I'm aware. It's something I've been working on. Doing something good out of my life.

There really isn't more anyone could expect.