#cocagoat

|| Salty Munday ||

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“It’s a real shame Lady Ningguang is not here to join us, but I can’t say you’re bad company haha,” he feeds only sweet plastic words for the sake of appearance, especially at a time like this. The plan was that he would come to Liyue to speak to Ningguang since their diplomats aren’t getting anywhere with the Liyue Qixing now that they’re in full ruling over Liyue after Rex Lapis’, quote unquote, death. Scaramouche is no idiot and he made sure to send a request in ink before he came and at the time he got the go-to, but at the moment that he did arrive he was left hanging out to dry. That damn greedy woman, conniving no doubt, and now he’s in hostile territory. The scuffle with Osial left everybody with a bad taste on their tongue when it comes to the Fatui.That damn Ningguang is milking the fault to be on them as much as she can, he now sees. Their diplomats have no sound arguments against what happened with Tartaglia who, unbeknownst to him at the time, was nothing but a mere poppet for Signora’s grand scheme. She played him like a fiddle, it’s quite laughable and he’ll give it to his junior for being so good at manipulating those around her.

But now the seniors have to assist on the grounds to level the political tension, because, again, their diplomats aren’t getting anywhere quick. “I have to say it’s quite rude to accept a request to only say that she can’t afterwards,” he speaks as if he’s owed anything, but he knows the type of game she plays. “However I understand she’s a busy woman,” he shrugs with a smile.

“You’re her secretary correct?” He can only assume, but how pathetic to see an adeptus slave away for humans. Depressing even. “Do let her know I can wait, that’s no problem for me.”

“Ganyu,” she utters, half-voiced. Her wide eyes are even wider. The breath that ensues is moreover a gasp ... and her cheeks — they’re burning, more blatant than the red that envelops Liyue Harbor during the annual Lantern Rite. 

To say that this gesture was ... unexpected would, unfortunately, be an understatement.

A few moments pass the pair by. The Yuheng exhales, more deeply — more steadily — this time. Her gaze cautiously hovers over the other’s features, struck by the stars alight in her eyes and by her lips ... pink petals blossoming into a smile she wished to commit to memory.

Cue the absent-minded smile imposing itself on Keqing’s own visage. “Ganyu,” she repeats in earnest. “You are ... too good to m— us. The Qixing.” Her smile widens and she forces out a giggle, so to obscure her miswording (since when did she stutter?). One hand lifts to claim the box of chocolates, which is then used to temper the residual flush of her cheeks.

“ ...Thank you. I have no doubt that our best will be more than sufficient enough.”

    THEY KEEP SILENT,  allowing ganyu to approach... albeit cautiously. although he doesn’t partake in it, xiao is aware that many mortals celebrate an event referred to as  ‘ valentines’ day ’  on this day each year.  (  it’s difficult for them to see the appeal from a personal standpoint, but they understand the concept.  )  for all his years on this planet, he would be lying if he were to say her gift didn’t surprise him.

    “ ... ”  he hesitates, given barely any time to take hold of the boxed gift before having a swift kiss pressed to his cheek. xiao fumbles with the box for a moment,  not quite sure  how to react. they take a step back,  &  fix their uncharacteristically rattled gaze on the gift. away from ganyu. he doesn’t need to open the box to discern its contents.  ‘  almond tofu ...  why did she go through the trouble ? ’  he pauses.

    “What-?! No!!” It was perhaps a rather childish move, hugging his bottle to his chest as he looked at the secretary with despair.

SMASH OR PASS / ACCEPTING

↳ @cocagoat​ said: sending for the teehees. Smash or pass --Ganyu.

[ x - accepting / @cocagoat​ ]  “ don’t give me that look. ”

     “ What look? Oh, do you mean the look of someone who's right? ” Smug was the smile to curve his lips. The joyful candor of one so certain of their own speculation that there could be no error. " C'mon, there's a festival going on right outside this door! There's sights to see, delicacies to feast our eyes and stomachs on, pranks that may or may not go off in our general vicinity but couldn't possibly be because of us. "

     All the while, round and round did the quill spin betwixt dexterous fingers - the very same he had promptly stolen from her moments prior. Spiraling to a silent beat… only for one small misstep from its maestro to send it up and out of his grasp, careening for the far wall. Whoops. The sound of its collision caused him to flinch, the silhouette of a grimace flashing across fair features, before it vanished without a trace. The bard marching onward to the beat with renewed vigor. " Aha... besides! A bard like me, I'll just get lost. In the wine, to be more precise, " he confessed, with all the shame of someone who lacked even the tiniest shred of it. " And the harbor. That too. " For even though the role of the inconspicuous bard was a mere act, it had indeed been quite some time since he had strolled through the streets of Liyue in its entirety. He would manage, of course, but where was the harm in playing up the helpless tourist act if it meant he'd have a friend at his side to show him themselves - and one who so desperately needed a break, to boot.