comfortability

“Okay wait, my idea was not that bad!”

Certainly not bad enough to warrant an expression like that. Even if she wasn’t familiar with the area, Yanfei was more than equipped with the knowledge and tools to get there. The dark offered no issue due to her vision and she briefly had an interest in celestial navigation (which may not be too helpful - you could fill a library with all of her half-baked skills).

“Luckily for both of us, neither of those troublemakers are around… did they put you up to this?” That would make sense. Their initial meeting did seem too convenient to be happenstance. She’d be sure to give the traveler her regards next time for setting the two of them up.

Yanfei had stopped shortly after with a look of amusement. Goodness, it was like she threatened to burn down the forest or something equally as drastic. After listening to his quick explanation, the advisor wasn’t fully convinced but who was she to argue? Tighnari had just proved himself the expert in this area - plus, she had no intention of making an enemy of someone who knew what plants could kill.

❝ That obvious? ❞ he smirked, his eyes crinkling when she asked if the Traveler and Paimon asked him to be watchful over her. ❝ They care a lot about you, Yanfei. ❞

It tickled something at the base of his spine the way she teasingly said Chief Forest Watcher. Yanfei was interesting--he liked that. He smirked at her; his ears twitching in delight.

❝ We can play it by ear in the morning then, yeah? ❞ he grinned. Tighnari scooped up his own collection to put in his sack on his back. His bow was pulled out so that he was ready for anything that they might come across. Withering, mushrooms--you name it.

❝ Normally you'd be able to meet my student, Collei, and she'd happily whip us up something delicious to eat, but she's out for the day. Ever have a pita pocket before? ❞ Tighnari asked, leading them down the path towards his home. They weren't too far out, and he certainly felt much more confident about taking her to Gandharva Ville instead of the city proper. ❝ Actually, have you ever really left Liyue? Besides now, of course. I rarely leave Sumeru myself. Work aside. ❞

The ever present smile on the harbingers face falters. Turning to a frown as he side eyes the other male. Was this really his way of getting him to “talk”? It was pathetic, the ginger can’t help but roll his eyes. And here he thought they’d have a peaceful night.

“Right…” he says setting the tea down. Well there goes his mood. He’s a soldier Zhongli, feelings aren’t his thing. He expresses his emotions with fighting. Why do you think he often spars with the traveler weekly.

“What I need? And you know exactly what I need right?” He says standing up. Shaking his head he looks to the older man.

“You know what I need? A sparring session” he says turning to him. Facing the former archon as his vision glowed brightly. “What I need is for you to show me what you got old timer.”

He rest his teacup down gently, pinky first. Zhongli did not sigh in defeat, nor did he frown. After the time they had spent together, he was beginning to understand the Harbinger. He simply stared at him, neutral as he could. Eyes followed up to him as he rose to his feet, lips pressed in a flat line.

Childe was not the emotional type, Zhongli was well aware of that. Announcement not necessary. While he wasn't initially planning to prod into his wellbeing like that, he could understand where he was coming from. They were more distant than they had been in the past. What was an offering of tea if not a chance for the man to peer into his head?

A sparring session, hm? It had been quite a while since their last go about. Zhongli couldn't say he was itching to fight like Childe was, but if it would help? He stood up, hands on his own knees. He could summon his polearm at a moments notice and take him down. Could.

❝ If that will quell the fighting spirits inside you, Childe, then let us spar. Though, do NOT expect me to go easy on you. ❞

His eyes narrowed, the ghost of a smirk on his lips. While he wasn't quick to fight like he used to, the thrum of an inner rockslide vibrated under his skin. His call to geo unparalleled.

( 🌙 )   THE BLONDE GLANCED off to the side --- she almost wanted to look BEHIND HER to figure out why alhaitham's gaze was stuck on her like a hawk. she'd little time to question it when the sage instead outright asked why she was back in sumeru. the star had almost wanted to laugh , she'd missed him and his bluntness in comparison to kaveh's own .. an odd sort of fresh air she could always rely on returning here.

   ❝   ---------- OH UM .. HEH .. don't call me that it's super embarrassing .. but i've got nothing planned ; of course i'll join you !  ❞ she wondered what little he DIDN'T know about her travels .. where she'd even start that it'd be surprising.

He had already turned around, waving for her to follow him. It was always pleasant having the Traveler around. Talking of her trips, of other nations. Alhaitham often thought of where he would like to travel if he had the time off. Though, it wasn't in his best interest for random days off as the scribe. That would only mean piles of paperwork on his desk.

Like the Akademiya would set ABLAZE if he wasn't there.

❝ Where are you coming from this time? Had a moment to rest your brain to learn more of your surroundings yet? ❞

❝ Forgive the interruption,❞ he said with measured calm. ❝ I could not allow them to cause harm when the solution was so simple. ❞

He dipped his head slightly in courtesy, though his gaze lingered on Zhongli a heartbeat longer than politeness demanded, as if weighing him, or perhaps recognizing the man's carefully hidden strength, he certainly didn't feel completely human.

Something flickered in Zhongli's eyes, unreadable and quite possible inhuman. It was uncommon for others to pick up on the fact he was an ARCHON, gnosis-less or not. The Traveler, sure, perhaps a SOVEREIGN DRAGON--but another HUMAN? Albeit, a powerful one. Zhongli cocked his head to the side, a wise and polite smile back on his face.

❝ It is quite the pleasure to make your acquaintance, Angel. It was fortunate you were here to protect myself and that passing merchant. I am sure he would be most thankful to you, ❞ Zhongli said, giving him a little nod of his head.

One hand snatched one, then another, offering them to the other as he went on with picking them up. Strangely enough, there seemed to be a hesitant reach for the fruits he had gathered, and as odd as it struck Kaveh he maintained his position as the friendly helper. Perhaps it was someone who had a rough day, or someone who found it difficult to talk to strangers? The latter, naturally, was something Kaveh wouldn't put past him. To find oneself face to face with someone they didn't know could be rather uneasy as one never quite knew who one would be dealing with. Not that he considered himself someone that came off as a thief or a scammer, of course. He liked to think that he looked different than that.

"That should be every single one," he'd smile as the man accepted the fruits back with a gentle nod. Whatever uneasiness lingered in him didn't seem to vanish, and as Kaveh had been about to ask him some more questions (kneeling back up from the ground) he found himself... cut off.

❝ Heya! Couldn't help but notice the spill you took over here. Everything okay? ❞

As if the stranger hadn't been uneasy enough to begin with, the approach of a second face only seemed to worsen it. Eyes flickered back and forth, visible tension caught in the moment the stranger's shoulder found itself gripped onto. Who ... was this guy?

"He's alright," Kaveh would cut in, retracing his steps to fetch the toolbox that had remained idle in the background. Latching onto its handle he returned to the conversation, gaze shifting between the dark clad man and the stranger he held onto. "However, you seem to be –"

Oh, this wasn't quite his field now, was it? He didn't know who these men were, nor did he know what sort of relation they had. All Kaveh could do was to judge by the sight before him. Shifty eyes, an all too polite smile offered by the other ... He had seen similar settings with Cyno and people he had in his interest back in Sumeru, but unlike the mahamatra this one carried cuffs and had a far more hands on approach. Seemingly, at least.

" – you seem to be holding a bit too tightly on the stranger's shoulder," and there he went ahead and did it. He meddle, but with a gentle smile that was offered to the dark-clad man. The remark caught the attention of some passing individuals, whispers sparked as they'd pass the situation (Kaveh didn't pay attention to them). "He doesn't seem to be okay with the way you are holding onto him either, wouldn't it be wise to consider to let him go?"

Or perhaps he could've started this differently.

❝ Forgive me, but this is a dear friend of a friend of a friend. Happen to notice his spill, y'know? ❞ Wriothesley grinned as he lied, as POLITE as ever. He couldn't startle Stéphane with threat of his trial; he'd just try to run like last time. Icy eyes watched the blond's movements, hoping to catch any hint of body language that would give him away. He was quick to defend Stéphane, but that didn't mean they were familiar.

❝ Like you said though, he's alright. Was there anything else you needed from him Mr... ? ❞ Wriothesley asked, cocking his head to the side. Stéphane tried to wiggle out of Wriothesley's grasp, but he readjusted from a grip to an arm wrapped around his shoulders.

Day one of drawing Wriothesley until he gets his rerun ^^

Alhaitham

"I   dare   you   to   try."

"Do   you   always   get   close?"

"You’re   pushing   my   limits."

"Stop   looking   at   me   like   that."

"I’m   losing   control   here."

"You   have   no   idea,   do   you?"

"I   can’t   resist   you   anymore."

"Stay   back,   or   don’t."

"I   know   what   you   want."

"This   is   getting   dangerous   now."

"You’re   too   tempting   for   me."

"I   shouldn’t   want   this,   but…"

"I   don’t   play   fair,   remember?"

"Careful,   you’re   testing   me."

"You’re   just   making   it   worse."

"You’re   too   close   for   comfort."

"Do   you   always   push   buttons?"

"Stop   before   I   kiss   you."

"You’re   making   it   too   hard."

"I   can’t   stop   thinking   about   you."

"I   want   you   too   much."

"You   know   exactly   what   you’re   doing."

"I’m   not   playing   games   here."

"You’ve   crossed   the   line   now."

"Keep   pushing,   and   you’ll   regret   it."

"This   is   dangerous,   isn’t   it?"

"I’m   trying   not   to   care."

"Don’t   make   me   regret   this."

"You’re   playing   with   fire."

"You   don’t   know   what’s   coming."

"I   shouldn’t   be   this   close."

"We’re   getting   dangerously   close   now."

"I   can   feel   the   heat."

"Don’t   test   me   right   now."

"I   want   you   too   badly."

"Don’t   make   me   chase   you."

"You’re   distracting   me,   you   know."

"I   won’t   fall   for   this."

"I   want   you,   but…"

"What   do   you   want   from   me?"

"I’ll   never   give   in."

"I’m   trying   not   to   care."

"You’re   playing   with   my   patience."

"Don’t   make   this   harder,   please."

"I   can’t   stop   this   feeling."

"I’m   already   in   too   deep."

"You   won’t   walk   away   unscathed."

"You’re   walking   a   fine   line."

"I’m   trying   to   stay   calm."