[ Just as swiftly as it appeared before him, the salad is whisked away. He would have tired to eat it, if only out of respect for his host, but now that he no longer has to, Zhongli relaxes a little in spite of himself - though he certainly feels a fool for it. The great and mighty Morax, brought to a standstill by a bit of fish.
Try to hide it as he might, it’s clear Diluc is just as chagrined by his own lack of foresight. Of course, neither one of them are truly at fault for a bit of bad coincidence, but here they both are, trying to shoulder the blame.
He’s not entirely sure why, but it brings a small smile to his face, something understanding and amused all at once. ]
Please, do not blame yourself. How could either of us have known? Apart from seafood, you’ll find I’m not terribly picky.
[Diluc takes a moment to consider, then nods. He doesn't quite smile in the same way that Zhongli does, but his expression lacks much of its usual severity. Like recognizes like, and all of that.]
I'll abide by that, but only if you do the same. And I still intend to find you something else to eat, fault or no fault.
Wait here.
[Before Zhongli has a chance to protest, Diluc slips away into the back kitchen to see what's available. There isn't much--again, it's designed to supplement drinking, not provide full meals--but it doesn't take him long to put together some skewers of chicken, mushrooms, and vegetables. Warm, plenty filling, and hopefully flavorful enough to satisfy. And, most importantly, the ingredients are all sourced from terra firma. They'll do.
Without flourish, Diluc returns to his patron at the bar and sets the plate down.]
[ He’s scarcely been in the city for a day and already he’s finding the hospitality to be quite delightful - or, perhaps, that is the doing of present company? Hard to say, but he has found Diluc easy to converse with.
While the bartender ducks into the back to come up with a substitute meal, Zhongli idly swirls the wine around in his glass, watching the liquid ebb and flow with the motion. He wonders, could the Dawn Winery perhaps-? No, it would be foolish to think any mortal might be able to recreate a beverage eons gone, no matter how perfectly Zhongli might remember the ingredients.
There’s a faraway look on his face when Diluc finally reemerges - sooner than Zhongli expected if the way he blinks up at the other man is any indication. ]
Ah, thank you.
[ It looks simple enough, but there is something to be said for simplicity. ]
You did not have to go out of your way on my account but… I appreciate it.
[The faraway look in Zhongli's expression doesn't escape Diluc's notice as he reapproaches. To his own surprise, he finds himself curious and concerned, wishing there was something he could do to ease the wistful weariness he sees there.
Diluc quickly pushes the thought out of his mind. He's probably just projecting his own issues onto Zhongli, and that's unfair to them both.]
It was nothing, really. I'd hate to see you go without supper due to a misunderstanding. And I'll waive the charge for the food altogether.
[That's not taking blame--that's just basic hospitality for situations such as these (or so he tells himself, anyway). Diluc can more than afford to eat the cost of a meal from the Good Hunter and a few ingredients from his own tavern's kitchen.]
[ He does have some money on him, but he’s beginning to suspect that he didn’t prepare quite well enough. His lodgings took far more out of his pocket than he expected.
It really is hard for him to gauge the value of mora when it has held no value for so very long. ]
I don’t mean to take up more of your time, so if you’ve business to attend to, please do not let me keep you, but-- [ but. He’s found their interaction so far to be rather pleasant, and some part of him doesn’t want to see it end just yet. ] If you do not have stories to tell me about yourself, perhaps you can tell me about the city instead?
[Honestly, there are things he should be getting to. But...]
You aren't keeping me. It's a quiet night.
But I did warn you that I'm not a great storyteller, so I ask that you keep your expectations reasonable.
[This time, he speaks easily and with a hint of self-deprecating humor rather than the clear discomfort of before. His feelings toward much of what happens within Mondstadt are complicated at best, but his love for the city itself is one of the few emotional attachments he has left that hasn't been marred by subsequent experience. It's part of why he goes out nearly every night to patrol its streets.]
As you know, Mondstadt is the City of Freedom--which is a reputation that's not undeserved. The Anemo Archon has seen fit to give us a wide berth, and we in turn are responsible for much of what happens here. ["For both good and ill," he adds in his head. He pointedly censors that part of himself for the sake of his visitor.] I'm sure it must seem strange and a bit quaint to someone from a land as devout and bureaucratic as Liyue.
[ Zhongli hums in soft agreement - he won’t be expecting any grand tales, but sometimes that’s for the better. Details can often get lost in the telling, or something small can become something so much bigger with time and enough exaggeration. He would rather hear the simple truth from the mouths of the people.
Diluc’s mouth, he thinks, eyes flicking briefly to the other man’s lips, is a good place to start.
Ah, hm. Perhaps the wine is a bit stronger than he first gave it credit for. He averts his gaze to somewhere a bit more appropriate, and pushes such thoughts from his head as he instead endeavors to listen. ]
I admit, I have not always agreed with the Anemo Archon’s methods.
[ Or his general demeanor, or drinking habits, or… ]
But I think now I am beginning to come around. At least a little.
[After years of honing the skill of observing people, Diluc certainly notices the brief glance downward. It causes his own gaze to shift off to the side as he refuses to consider the implications. He's just as content to ignore the way something in his chest warms as a result. The feeling comes too dangerously close to exposing the mental gymnastics he's gone through, without even realizing it, to deny the full nature of his interest.
Zhongli is a visitor, a customer, and an interesting person. That's all.]
Not many outside of Mondstadt do. But I'm glad to hear that you're trying to keep an open mind, especially given the current situation in Liyue. [Not having an Archon and all.] It has its drawbacks, not least of which human hubris, but the people here have a way of rising up and self-correcting when conditions become too unacceptable.
[Exceptional individuals have a tendency to rise up throughout Mondstadt's history in response to hardships and corruption. Gunnhildr. Vennessa. Ragnvindr. And, even if he wouldn't dare place himself on that same pedestal and hopes that his name won't be remembered in the annals of history, his own work arguably qualifies.]
It's part of what makes Mondstadt... Mondstadt, I suppose.
[ In all honesty, he’s not sure what’s come over him. The other man’s company has been pleasant from the outset, but now he finds himself more and more infatuated with his every little move. It’s not typical of him at all to get so hung up on the minutiae of mortals, let alone a singular one. ]
Mm.
[ He takes a second to clear his head again, masking it with a long drink from his wine glass - which may prove to be counterproductive in the end. ]
It truly is a far cry from Liyue. I look forward to seeing more of it.
BOY IS ZHONGLI GOING TO FEEL STUPID WHEN HE REALIZES THIS IS HIS SOULMATE :V
[If Diluc realizes what Zhongli is trying to mask, he gives no indication of it.
He's rather pointedly ignoring it, as a matter of fact, and decides to focus on the conversation and finding something to busy his hands with behind the bar. There are some glasses that could do with being rinsed before going back to the kitchen for full washing, so he starts there.]
I hope you enjoy your time here.
And should you get your fill of the city, there's a small settlement south of here called Springvale. They're generally welcoming, and have an excellent chef among their number who is happy to cook for guests. It's worth a visit.
[Brook specializes in meat dishes, so there will be no issues there.]
Further southwest is the Dawn Winery, and we're always receiving visitors for both official and tourist reasons. I can't promise my own availability if you should decide to visit, but I can try.
[... not going to unpack the fact that he just invited this man to his home, nope. He's just offering Zhongli a quintessential part of the Mondstadt experience. Right.]
[ When Diluc turns away to busy himself with dishes, Zhongli finds his eyes following the line of his torso, down, down to his hips, and the instant he catches himself staring he decides he really has had too much to drink.
He starts in on his meal as a counterbalance to all the alcohol, because even if things have taken a bit of a turn, he doesn’t want to depart just yet.
When he finally feels like he can speak without making an utter fool of himself, he offers a quiet, ]
Thank you, for the advice as well as the invitation. I would quite like to see the Winery, at least.
[ The way his eyes flick back up to Diluc seems to say “and you, too” though he doesn’t offer as much out loud.
In the end, Zhongli’s stay in Mondstadt is fairly brief, but he always finds his way back to Diluc regardless. Like he’s drawn by a thread tied to the other man. Would that he could explain it, but surely it must not be anything special.
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digitizedsouls2021-10-17 04:04 pm
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Try to hide it as he might, it’s clear Diluc is just as chagrined by his own lack of foresight. Of course, neither one of them are truly at fault for a bit of bad coincidence, but here they both are, trying to shoulder the blame.
He’s not entirely sure why, but it brings a small smile to his face, something understanding and amused all at once. ]
Please, do not blame yourself. How could either of us have known? Apart from seafood, you’ll find I’m not terribly picky.
no subject
I'll abide by that, but only if you do the same. And I still intend to find you something else to eat, fault or no fault.
Wait here.
[Before Zhongli has a chance to protest, Diluc slips away into the back kitchen to see what's available. There isn't much--again, it's designed to supplement drinking, not provide full meals--but it doesn't take him long to put together some skewers of chicken, mushrooms, and vegetables. Warm, plenty filling, and hopefully flavorful enough to satisfy. And, most importantly, the ingredients are all sourced from terra firma. They'll do.
Without flourish, Diluc returns to his patron at the bar and sets the plate down.]
Your meal, for real this time.
no subject
While the bartender ducks into the back to come up with a substitute meal, Zhongli idly swirls the wine around in his glass, watching the liquid ebb and flow with the motion. He wonders, could the Dawn Winery perhaps-? No, it would be foolish to think any mortal might be able to recreate a beverage eons gone, no matter how perfectly Zhongli might remember the ingredients.
There’s a faraway look on his face when Diluc finally reemerges - sooner than Zhongli expected if the way he blinks up at the other man is any indication. ]
Ah, thank you.
[ It looks simple enough, but there is something to be said for simplicity. ]
You did not have to go out of your way on my account but… I appreciate it.
no subject
Diluc quickly pushes the thought out of his mind. He's probably just projecting his own issues onto Zhongli, and that's unfair to them both.]
It was nothing, really. I'd hate to see you go without supper due to a misunderstanding. And I'll waive the charge for the food altogether.
[That's not taking blame--that's just basic hospitality for situations such as these (or so he tells himself, anyway). Diluc can more than afford to eat the cost of a meal from the Good Hunter and a few ingredients from his own tavern's kitchen.]
no subject
[ He does have some money on him, but he’s beginning to suspect that he didn’t prepare quite well enough. His lodgings took far more out of his pocket than he expected.
It really is hard for him to gauge the value of mora when it has held no value for so very long. ]
I don’t mean to take up more of your time, so if you’ve business to attend to, please do not let me keep you, but-- [ but. He’s found their interaction so far to be rather pleasant, and some part of him doesn’t want to see it end just yet. ] If you do not have stories to tell me about yourself, perhaps you can tell me about the city instead?
no subject
You aren't keeping me. It's a quiet night.
But I did warn you that I'm not a great storyteller, so I ask that you keep your expectations reasonable.
[This time, he speaks easily and with a hint of self-deprecating humor rather than the clear discomfort of before. His feelings toward much of what happens within Mondstadt are complicated at best, but his love for the city itself is one of the few emotional attachments he has left that hasn't been marred by subsequent experience. It's part of why he goes out nearly every night to patrol its streets.]
As you know, Mondstadt is the City of Freedom--which is a reputation that's not undeserved. The Anemo Archon has seen fit to give us a wide berth, and we in turn are responsible for much of what happens here. ["For both good and ill," he adds in his head. He pointedly censors that part of himself for the sake of his visitor.] I'm sure it must seem strange and a bit quaint to someone from a land as devout and bureaucratic as Liyue.
no subject
Diluc’s mouth, he thinks, eyes flicking briefly to the other man’s lips, is a good place to start.
Ah, hm. Perhaps the wine is a bit stronger than he first gave it credit for. He averts his gaze to somewhere a bit more appropriate, and pushes such thoughts from his head as he instead endeavors to listen. ]
I admit, I have not always agreed with the Anemo Archon’s methods.
[ Or his general demeanor, or drinking habits, or… ]
But I think now I am beginning to come around. At least a little.
no subject
Zhongli is a visitor, a customer, and an interesting person. That's all.]
Not many outside of Mondstadt do. But I'm glad to hear that you're trying to keep an open mind, especially given the current situation in Liyue. [Not having an Archon and all.] It has its drawbacks, not least of which human hubris, but the people here have a way of rising up and self-correcting when conditions become too unacceptable.
[Exceptional individuals have a tendency to rise up throughout Mondstadt's history in response to hardships and corruption. Gunnhildr. Vennessa. Ragnvindr. And, even if he wouldn't dare place himself on that same pedestal and hopes that his name won't be remembered in the annals of history, his own work arguably qualifies.]
It's part of what makes Mondstadt... Mondstadt, I suppose.
no subject
Mm.
[ He takes a second to clear his head again, masking it with a long drink from his wine glass - which may prove to be counterproductive in the end. ]
It truly is a far cry from Liyue. I look forward to seeing more of it.
BOY IS ZHONGLI GOING TO FEEL STUPID WHEN HE REALIZES THIS IS HIS SOULMATE :V
He's rather pointedly ignoring it, as a matter of fact, and decides to focus on the conversation and finding something to busy his hands with behind the bar. There are some glasses that could do with being rinsed before going back to the kitchen for full washing, so he starts there.]
I hope you enjoy your time here.
And should you get your fill of the city, there's a small settlement south of here called Springvale. They're generally welcoming, and have an excellent chef among their number who is happy to cook for guests. It's worth a visit.
[Brook specializes in meat dishes, so there will be no issues there.]
Further southwest is the Dawn Winery, and we're always receiving visitors for both official and tourist reasons. I can't promise my own availability if you should decide to visit, but I can try.
[... not going to unpack the fact that he just invited this man to his home, nope. He's just offering Zhongli a quintessential part of the Mondstadt experience. Right.]
no subject
He starts in on his meal as a counterbalance to all the alcohol, because even if things have taken a bit of a turn, he doesn’t want to depart just yet.
When he finally feels like he can speak without making an utter fool of himself, he offers a quiet, ]
Thank you, for the advice as well as the invitation. I would quite like to see the Winery, at least.
[ The way his eyes flick back up to Diluc seems to say “and you, too” though he doesn’t offer as much out loud.
In the end, Zhongli’s stay in Mondstadt is fairly brief, but he always finds his way back to Diluc regardless. Like he’s drawn by a thread tied to the other man. Would that he could explain it, but surely it must not be anything special.
Right? ]
no subject