[ It is not rare for Childe to have visitors, high ranking Fatui official that he is. Subordinates, dignitaries, nobleman, and even other Harbingers were known to make an appearance every now and then, and Zhongli politely took his leave as Childe had sensitive work to do that a mere funeral parlor consultant had no business overhearing. But never had Zhongli witnessed a visit as informal or casual as this.
When the young woman first recognizes him, a cold sense of dread settles into his stomach that his memory has degraded again for he has no recollection of seeing her before. And certainly, he should know at least a little about someone who was so casual around Childe and who he did not seethe in silent hatred in response. However, at the admission of "meet you finally", Zhongli relaxes. Ah, so it is someone that Childe has spoke about him - and on a personal level as well. That narrows down the list of possible candidates but for fear of impoliteness (one cannot assume that every blue-eyed redhead is related to Tartaglia), Zhongli keeps those assumptions to himself.
Instead he mumbles a half-hearted insistence that he does not need any help even as the shopping basket is taken from his hands and the woman whisks herself away to the living area in the back without a proper introduction.
Maybe he can pick up context clues later to figure it out. ...Maybe.
Zhongli's fingers flex around empty air once the young woman carries off his purchases from the market, seeking something anything to do as this thoughts still careen out of his control. Awkwardly, he clasps his hands in front of him as he glances at the discarded shoes, clothing, and that section of desk that the young woman just recently vacated.
He takes a step forward, blinks owlishly and then changes course for the couch to begin tidying up the discarded clothing - folding them neatly before stacking them one by one on top of the farthest cushion. Either way he stares at them for a long while before turning back to Childe, answering the question as if he hadn't been over a full minute since he asked the question. ]
The trip was mostly successful. It seems that the continual rising tension between Monstadt and Snezhnaya still has a negative impact on trade between the two nations. Unfortunately, I was not able to procure any Calla lilies but I do believe a combination of snapdragons and lotuses from Sumeru will serve as a suitable substitute.
[ He takes a step back toward the desk, brow furrowed as he is concentrating on something. ]
Your hair is a mess.
[ Obviously from where the woman playfully kicked him in the head - and what a phrase that was when said in relation to Childe. ]
no subject
When the young woman first recognizes him, a cold sense of dread settles into his stomach that his memory has degraded again for he has no recollection of seeing her before. And certainly, he should know at least a little about someone who was so casual around Childe and who he did not seethe in silent hatred in response. However, at the admission of "meet you finally", Zhongli relaxes. Ah, so it is someone that Childe has spoke about him - and on a personal level as well. That narrows down the list of possible candidates but for fear of impoliteness (one cannot assume that every blue-eyed redhead is related to Tartaglia), Zhongli keeps those assumptions to himself.
Instead he mumbles a half-hearted insistence that he does not need any help even as the shopping basket is taken from his hands and the woman whisks herself away to the living area in the back without a proper introduction.
Maybe he can pick up context clues later to figure it out. ...Maybe.
Zhongli's fingers flex around empty air once the young woman carries off his purchases from the market, seeking something anything to do as this thoughts still careen out of his control. Awkwardly, he clasps his hands in front of him as he glances at the discarded shoes, clothing, and that section of desk that the young woman just recently vacated.
He takes a step forward, blinks owlishly and then changes course for the couch to begin tidying up the discarded clothing - folding them neatly before stacking them one by one on top of the farthest cushion. Either way he stares at them for a long while before turning back to Childe, answering the question as if he hadn't been over a full minute since he asked the question. ]
The trip was mostly successful. It seems that the continual rising tension between Monstadt and Snezhnaya still has a negative impact on trade between the two nations. Unfortunately, I was not able to procure any Calla lilies but I do believe a combination of snapdragons and lotuses from Sumeru will serve as a suitable substitute.
[ He takes a step back toward the desk, brow furrowed as he is concentrating on something. ]
Your hair is a mess.
[ Obviously from where the woman playfully kicked him in the head - and what a phrase that was when said in relation to Childe. ]