That certainly wasn’t what he expected to receive from anyone.. a letter– no, an invitation. What a way to start the day off, irritation already settling inside him. The nerve… honestly though, Childe couldn’t say he wasn’t intrigued. The way their last conversation ( if you could call it that ) ended, there was a lot of questions that he demanded answers to. It wasn’t as if Signora was going to answer them, seeing as some privacy to the contents of their contract were keeping her from informing him. What a whole mess that was.. and being on the losing end of a stick ; as well as being blamed for it all. Not that he faults anyone for doing so.. Admittedly, he may have gone a tad too far- but results were results, no matter the method.
Sighing, he took out a small pad of paper he kept with his other belongings ( how else did you think he wrote Teucer about his.. toy company ) along with a nearly worn down pencil and began his response:
I will meet with you on a few strict conditions, and only then.
- First, you may choose the location, but it must be somewhere that would be accommodating to.. private events. I’d rather not go through the struggle of being hounded by the Millileth while trying to enjoy a meal.
- Second, you WILL answer ANY and ALL questions I have for you.. Seems only fair to enlighten an old friend, does it not? In turn, I will provide any funds needed for the meal.
These are my only terms. I eagerly await your response, Zhongli.
Silently noting the emphasis he put on the Archon’s name, he re-read the words he had just sprawled out. Nothing seemed unreasonable in his requests, and since he knew Zhongli as one to focus on fairness when agreeing to something, Childe had little doubt the other would refuse. After finishing the note, he folded it in half and put it in his pocket before walking out of the tiny room he had taken a rest in. Heading towards a heavily blocked off front desk, he leaned forward- resting both of his elbows on the wooden surface.
“ I have something I need passed along to our dear Funeral Parlor Consultant.. ”
Work at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor does not resume until several days after the Qixing’s presentation at Yujing Terrace, finally laying to rest Rex Lapis, and leaving Zhongli with an influx of paperwork now that citizens of Liyue are pacified by the belief that the departed will receive the Geo Archon’s blessings from Celestia on high. Young Hu Tao tackles the challenge with the boundless enthusiasm he has come to expect from her. He feels a fraction of his age, for once, watching her organize burials and perform ceremonial rights. It keeps his mind occupied long enough that nearly a week has passed since he exchanged his gnosis with the Fatui’s Eighth Harbinger, Signora, for a quiet life of retirement.
The first time he thinks of Childe again is over dinner in his study alone. Before stepping out, Hu Tao had supplied a rather cheeky comment suggesting he would experience loneliness in her absence, and Zhongli had simply shook his head politely and assured her he would not want for company, that a peaceful evening in every so often was welcome. It occurs to him only after searching his recent memory that neither he nor Childe had been in contact since Osial had been, again, sealed beneath the tides. His priority had been in ensuing a smooth succession, but it stood to reason that with the matter dealt with, there was nothing preventing him from reaching out so long as he was stationed in Liyue. Zhongli had, through word of mouth, some awareness that the Snezhnayan diplomats were not long for the harbor and though he had no evidence of Childe to be among those departing, the likelihood was high considering his actions.
That next morning, he decides to write to open a correspondence with the Eleventh Harbinger. His thoughts to paper are as they always are, unhurried and measured, neatly scripted characters that do not touch the parchment until they have been carefully considered. Expressed in the letter are cordial sentiments and a desire to share in a meal as they had just weeks prior before Childe returns to Snezhnaya, be it in the near or far future.
The letter he received in reply had been all business, stipulations resembling a contract despite their relationship never having been characterized by them before. He has no reservation against quelling Childe’s thoughts whatever they may be or clearing any misunderstandings that have arisen and there is no denying it well within the right to Childe to ask. They had sat in these same seats not even a month ago when he made the acquaintance of the traveler following the final Rite of Descension. To call it a lifetime ago would be an exaggeration yet he had still been Rex Lapis then. Zhongli, at the head of the table, stands as is proper and acknowledges the newly arrived. Something akin to fondness washes over him as Childe steps through the entrance of the Yuehai Pavilion and into sight.
“Thank you for meeting with me,” he says by way of greeting. “I trust that you have been well. It has been some time.”
Although two places have been set, the banquet is fit for a king. A variety of dishes have been laid out across the circular table, delicacies that had been sampled on their many excursions and others new items that many would claim one could not take leave of Liyue without trying. No expense had been spared in selection. Zhongli was, after all, a man of discerning tastes who surveyed quality before the price tag attached to it.
“I know you are seeking answers, however I would be remiss in not informing you that per my agreement with the Tsaritsa, I am unable to discuss the details of our contract in full. That said, you are free to ask all the same and I will tell you as much as I am able. Please, sit.”
