Me too. [ drops into a seat and smiles across at zhongli. ] I am grateful too, Xiansheng. Even if we're stuck in this place, it's made slightly better because you're here.
[ Zhongli also takes a seat but he moves to place one hand over Childe's. ]
Caeli.
I will admit that your adamancy to not see a healer was concerning, but everything else that happened that day was outside of your control. Do you really believe that such things would trouble me?
I know things aren't exactly a walk in the park for you here, Xiansheng. Having to get used to being a mortal and then simultaneously being stripped of what power you did hold onto and thrust into hell to be the play thing of some demonic overlord is... well, it's obviously pretty shitty, and the last thing I want to do is make everything that's going on even the slightest bit harder.
It is... not an ideal situation. But I did want to remove myself from the governing of Liyue and learn what it was like to live as mortals do. In addition --- after everything had calmed down, I spoke to the Traveler and told her of my wishes to be able to bring the stories of Teyvat beyond our stars. So in that sense, I suppose I am getting what I wished for.
And while I am more grateful for your company than I have any right to be---
I am more concerned that you were brought here when I know there is much you left unfinished in Teyvat. Rather than the next logical step, it appears that your life has been put on hold for the time being.
...mm. But I did just finish up in Liyue, yeah, and though I hadn't been the one to deliver the gnosis to the Tsarista she *is* getting it, and that's what she wanted, so I would have likely been returning to Snezhnaya. Why not just consider this a little detour, y'know, a vacation?
How about after this, once we've returned home? I bet you'd have some pull with the Tsaritsa, or perhaps you can just follow me to wherever my next mission is and vacation there for a little bit.
[ And Zhongli flips through the menu a couple times, short as it may be. And he eventually orders a variety of foods. More than enough for two people? Definitely. But it's best to try out the whole menu to get a feel for the place.
He even orders a few dumplings filled with seafood since it should be well minced. ]
[ a laugh because this is MORE than enough. it almost feels like they're back in liyue and sharing a meal with the traveler and the floating garbage disposal. ]
I think that'll do for now, Xiansheng. [ he's going to get all the food as it... starts to coming out of the kitchen? how this works, NOBODY KNOWS, but it probably takes him some time to bring everything over. ]
[ Should Zhongli move to help get the plates? Probably. But he also enjoys being spoiled by Childe so instead he will deftly start picking up a variety of dumplings and piling them high on Childe's plate for him. ]
I suppose we can take whatever we can't eat back to the dorms.
[ Though he wrinkles his nose slightly at the idea of the food not being as fresh as it could possibly be. ]
Hah! I brought my A game, Xiansheng. I ate a light dinner last night and just had a cup of coffee this morning, so I could try anything and everything you ordered for us. We're not going to have to worry about leftovers.
[ he finishes bringing over the last couple of dishes and drops back into his seat, taking out a pair of chopsticks. there's nothing fancy about them, but he bought them to be able to practice with them. ]
[ he is already attempting to grab a dumpling so he misses zhongli’s brief yet distant expression. ] See, look at th- [ plonk. he drops it, chopsticks trembling a bit as he tries to keep them in position. ugh, it always feels so weird. ] That didn’t count.
[ he readjusts the chopsticks in his hand and grabs another, this time with ease! and brings it right to his mouth for a taste. ] Hah, look at that, perfection.
[ he’ll make it through the remainder of their meal without dropping anymore food, so that’s something he’ll be proud of... but perhaps one day he’ll be even half as good as zhongli. ]
Food here isn’t bad, though I still do think Liyue’s cuisine is better.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
leaveofabsence) wrote2025-03-14 08:34 am
no subject
I was very grateful to have your company that day even if both of us were not at our best.
no subject
no subject
Caeli.
I will admit that your adamancy to not see a healer was concerning, but everything else that happened that day was outside of your control. Do you really believe that such things would trouble me?
no subject
[ overturns his hand and squeezes zhongli's. ]
no subject
And while I am more grateful for your company than I have any right to be---
I am more concerned that you were brought here when I know there is much you left unfinished in Teyvat. Rather than the next logical step, it appears that your life has been put on hold for the time being.
no subject
no subject
If we are speaking of proper vacations.
no subject
no subject
Ever the optimist.
But yes. I would like that.
no subject
[ it takes him a moment to pull himself out of staring with what’s probably a dopey smile, but eventually he slides the menu over to zhongli. ]
So what are you going to order for us? I’ll have you know Ive made sure to keep practicing with my chopsticks.
no subject
Let me see. . .
[ And Zhongli flips through the menu a couple times, short as it may be. And he eventually orders a variety of foods. More than enough for two people? Definitely. But it's best to try out the whole menu to get a feel for the place.
He even orders a few dumplings filled with seafood since it should be well minced. ]
That should do it, don't you think?
no subject
I think that'll do for now, Xiansheng. [ he's going to get all the food as it... starts to coming out of the kitchen? how this works, NOBODY KNOWS, but it probably takes him some time to bring everything over. ]
no subject
I suppose we can take whatever we can't eat back to the dorms.
[ Though he wrinkles his nose slightly at the idea of the food not being as fresh as it could possibly be. ]
no subject
[ he finishes bringing over the last couple of dishes and drops back into his seat, taking out a pair of chopsticks. there's nothing fancy about them, but he bought them to be able to practice with them. ]
You ready to see how much I've learned?
1/2
no subject
Oh yes. Of course.
I do indeed wish to see your progression.
no subject
[ he readjusts the chopsticks in his hand and grabs another, this time with ease! and brings it right to his mouth for a taste. ] Hah, look at that, perfection.
[ not even close, but certainly an improvement. ]
no subject
[ Zhongli says as he takes a bite out of his own dumpling with probably an infuriating amount of ease and grace. ]
no subject
Food here isn’t bad, though I still do think Liyue’s cuisine is better.