crescentview | CATCHALL ⬦ 欲买桂花同载酒

Your hobbies? Things you can't share with anyone else. [ For all that he's coming around to camaraderie, Childe fixates on the wrong things. Only had the foresight to bring a single pair of gloves today, after all, held out to Zhongli alongside the fishing pole. ] ... Tell me why you didn't reveal you were the Geo Archon sooner. Because Her Highness willed it?

[ Premeditation from even the Tsaritsa, hinged upon the expectation that he'd fail her. How bitter. Idly lifting his hand, Childe points to Zhongli's chest. ]

It never crossed my mind to aim here. [ Couldn't even conceive reaching inside of that ribcage and forcibly ripping the gnosis out of him. ] What would happen if I did now?

[ What's with this list? Zhongli doesn't appear frazzled, but he is surprised by how quickly Childe starts shooting off questions of interest.

Fortunately for the both of them, he flashes his own pair of fishing gloves–Childe can keep his. Tools aren't things he forgets to bring along. It really is only money. ]

Some of my hobbies you are already familiar with... Meditating, taking walks, sampling teas, reading books, fielding restaurants and stands, but lately I've found myself enjoying birdwatching. [ He just sounds old. There's a pause as he takes the fishing pole after his hands are covered, inspecting it despite thoughts elsewhere. ] For my plan to succeed, pieces had to stay hidden and truths needed to be obscured. The Cryo Archon and Signora's silence was but another condition to our contract.

[ This shifts more blame onto him, less on the Tsaritsa, which he has no qualms. The game was rigged from the beginning.

Bait hooked, the line gently descends into the hole. ]

If you were to try it now... You would be trying to break my sternum and ribcage.

No point trying it, then. There's nothing in there for me. [ Mildly spoken, Childe takes the gloves back, turning them over in his hands before pulling them on. Bird-watching, huh. His fingers close and then open wide, but he still can't visualize cracking open the ribcage to tug out the heart. ] It didn't have to be that way. If you'd asked, I would have given you the chance you wanted.

[ As if it's unfeasible that it could be any way otherwise. Tossing the lure in, he refrains from saying anything else on the subject, biting down on his own tongue instead. ]

... It's about the pursuit. Fishing tests my patience. How long I can last. I like it, because it's worthwhile. If I'm determined to keep going, then I'll get what I want the most.

[ Don't question his methods. Childe hardly questions himself, unwilling to relent or look away when it matters. No break to these thoughts. ]

Your turn. Ask me whatever interests you, Zhongli. I'll answer.

[ He stays quiet while his gloved hand presses over his other for warmth... With the topic dropped, he doesn't pursue it. There's no point in relaying the many variables and that perhaps how all of this fell into place is destiny manifesting itself.

It's all in the past now, untouchable and set, yet Zhongli daydreams some of a different tale—one where he colludes with someone else. It's a blip on his mind before he swerves right back. ]

Hard work and patience are parts of the formula for success, in many cases. [ Though he'd simply accept that Childe just likes fishing. He hums... ] I'll throw the same question back at you. What do you do in your spare time?

[ Hopefully, it isn't stalking people and that's just a part of espionage. ]

Well, I'm partial to people-watching. [ Any reports that he's quit chasing randos since the incident in Liyue may be greatly exaggerated. ] Besides that, I usually train. Maintaining my reputation is pretty important! [ Off-the-clock, it comprises the bulk of what he does. ] I also like performances.

[ Dedication to one's craft is beautiful. So many times, he's stood outside the grounds of street fairs and opera halls alike to observe the dancers and theater actors and musicians, all of them immersed in the heights of passion. Just for a short while. Without any emphasis, Childe's gazing down into the water, staring at nothing in particular. ]

My father would often tell me tales of glorious heroes when we went hunting. I have a soft spot for them.

[ After all, he has to carry around this birthright with him at all times: Ajax coming to one harbor after the next like blood trailing through water, a portent of absolute death. Several years have passed, and he's still no closer than before to what he seeks. ]

Does that answer it?

[ Zhongli sees nothing wrong with people-watching despite my meta comment. It's a hobby he has grown fond of with old age, when before he had little interest in mortal matters. With some shifts, he adjusts his line, hoping he'll have better luck. ]

It does. [ As predictable as some of this was, it's different to hear it from the source. ] I hope you find formidable sparring partners here. As a harbinger, you can't afford to return rusty.

[ Zhongli doesn't offer himself since Childe should choose whom he fights and his pathway to heroism—odd considering the Fatui's current role in their world. However, he's open-minded. Heroes and villains are sometimes divided by a fine line, seen through the eyes of the beholder.

Still humorous. The mention of stories has him reminisce. An afterthought... ]

I haven't heard a Snezhnayan tale in a long time.

[ Maybe he should, that shit's fucked up. ]

I'd heard plenty about you, too. How many revered gods you'd slain. In battle, you were reputed to reign undefeated. [ Tantamount to death, he'd expected nothing but greed and bloodlust from Morax, who wielded enough power to even overtake the world. ] Honestly, I didn't think you'd be this way.

[ So normal as to evade his notice completely, and then playing him for a fool. All of this ambition Childe can't put to rest, and he's just out here fishing on the ice with the much-esteemed archon of contracts and commerce. Several times over, he'd even stepped in to pay on Zhongli's behalf. Is this guy just messing with him? ]

How can I convince you to fight me? Win you over with a story from my homeland?

[ Look, Childe can't help snickering into his hand, the other one left steady on the rod. It's too much to handle, almost like real friendship. ]

Those tales paint me in a different light, even if the events they regale are true. [ Some translations describe him as the god of war, but he wouldn't apply that to himself. He was not barbaric. He was just a musclehead. ] I do admit that I've changed across the years.

[ Far from human, he was quite different before he tangled with them. As much as he taught and influenced them, they taught and influenced him (but not enough).

I rolled an 8, so there's a little nibble from Zhongli's line, but it goes still shortly after. He doesn't yank at it at all, instead deep in thought. In the end, it comes down to combat with Childe. ]

For that price, I'd ask for a story of a different nature.

[ First time he's haggling? ]

It wouldn't be strange if you kept changing. Isn't that how life is? Even you couldn't stay the same forever. [ Retirement came out of left field, but Childe still isn't the least bit aware of how erosion devours the mind. Sitting in the confines of his thoughts, he answers the thrashing on his line with a sharp tug of his own, the reel of the rod spinning around what's ensnared on the other end. ] And— besides that, was suspense always your strong suit? Afraid I'll refuse?

[ Obliqueness, like chance, has no place here. RNG never even factors in when Childe hooks the fish, glass-thin fins wriggling as it lands in the bucket. No insensitivity here for what ultimately loses out to him. The world merely belongs to those strong enough to possess it. ]

Name your price?

[ Covering the costs is what he's used to? ]

Within an exchange, every person would get their turn on the floor.

[ Which is usually why he tends to pause, go silent, and merely listen... Granted there are many people in this world that enjoy filling the silence simply with their voice. Maybe too much.

Anyway. ]

A story from childhood will do.

[ Stop calling him a loudmouth, wtf. Anyways, time to be noisy with this anecdote. ]

... I wasn't nearly so outgoing back then. See, I was afraid of getting hurt, so I'd stay inside while my siblings ventured outdoors. One day, I decided I'd had enough, and struck out from home for an errand. It wasn't a long trip. No more than a mile and a half away, at most.

As I'd sought to surprise my family, I told no one I'd left. But I spent far too long wandering about the village instead. It'd grown dark and begun to snow, so I couldn't tell where I was going... nor where I was headed. I kept going, and lost my way. I remember thinking that I should have brought a compass, since I couldn't consult the stars.

Hours passed before I saw a fox pawing at the ice. I realized I was standing on the river that ran from outskirts of town to my home. At that time of the year, it was completely frozen. If I followed it, I'd be able to return home.

So I walked across it, and found my way back. After that, I was laid up in bed for a week. But I wasn't nearly so fearful, from that point on. Because I promised myself... I'd never be caught unprepared again.

[ Here, he pauses, in case Zhongli is inclined to offer his input in these trying, trying times. The pile of fish Childe's caught while rambling on and on is steadily forming beside him. ]

[ Childe is a loudmouth... The guy just walks into rooms and his voice is loud? It cuts through conversations and makes them stop? ]

I see... [ He wrangles in one fish which is sizable, a bit of a chubby one. ] Your troublemaker streak started at that point.

[ Says something rude without the intention of it being rude. That's just how he sees it. ]

Hey! I resent that accusation. [ Rude?! ] As long as I'm your favorite troublemaker, though, I'll find it in my heart to overlook that offense.

[ Referring to him as a rascal behind his back is incredibly telling? May as well play for keeps. ]

Anything else weighing on you? Tell me when you're ready to call it quits. We shouldn't stop before you're satisfied.

[ Not like everything between them has to pertain to battle or squares or mutuality. Push comes to shove and Childe could go at it for hours more, fishing until he's seized the clarity that he's so badly sought out. But it's enough seeing the lengths Zhongli's gone today. He couldn't ask for more. ]

[ Did Childe catch that somehow while on the run from the Millelith. ]

Unfortunately, you have formidable competitor.

[ But he doesn't go into detail. It isn't too difficult to come to conclusions, however. Sometimes you (are forced to) hang with the same people. Patience rewards Zhongli with another sizable catch. ]

We have a good number of fish, but we can linger if you're feeling lucky. [ They can continue conversation wherever. ] I remember seeing a boy wandering around Liyue some time ago. He looked like you.

[ It's an opportunity to gush about family. ]

[ Something like that. ]

Oh, so there is someone special. You'd have me settle for second place? Pretty heartless of you!

[ Packing up it is. Unsubtle with stashing away with the fishing equipment and the icebox, crammed cold with fish, he approaches Zhongli's dog with friendship at the forefront, ruffling behind the ears only long enough to scoot the mat out from underneath those paws and roll it up to join the rest of his belongings. ]

Let's go, Jiaotang. We'll disown Mr. Zhongli together. He didn't even learn my kid brother's name. I was going to praise him for that nice catch, too...

[ As if. This bow-wow won't betray his master; he remembers who holds the leash. Poking fun is the only way to get around his own curiosity, though. Fresh out of orthodoxy and decorum, Childe's unsubtle with his staring. Such a duality in you, old man, running him out of Liyue but taking notice of that little boy who kept asking around about toy factories and an older brother who could only lead him astray. ]

What'd you think of Teucer? Was he a rascal in your eyes?

Edited 2023-01-08 18:16 (UTC)

... I was referring to Director Hu.

[ Which he doesn't think of more than possibly his version of a granddaughter. Child? He suffers under her gremlin ways and it reminds him he's old. Still, he's fond of her, and this may be the only times he admits to it. Normally, he'd express grievance being her employee.

Jiaotang allows Childe to do what he needs, then happily barks in response. No, he doesn't understand what's being said. ]

The boy was quick to move on. [ He didn't get a chance??? To learn anything??? ] There's a resemblance in more ways than appearance.

[ So. Yes. Rascal (small). ]

Edited 2023-01-16 21:53 (UTC)

CATCHALL ⬦ 欲买桂花同载酒

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject