[ Zhongli recalls one other that he knew which such an affliction. During his first Lantern Rite upon the surface, where Liyue had been little more than ramshackle wood structures on the sandy shores of the beach, Morax and the other adepti had been rather adamant about taking him to each and every stall to sample their wares. This included such sweet delicacies as moon cakes, treats made of spun sugar, and Xiao's favorite almond tofu. It would be many years later (and after many samplings of the festival food) that Azhdaha came to admit that he could not understand the appeal of the desserts. It took much longer to realize it was because he could not taste the sweetness that made up so much of their flavor.
Zhongli tilts his head curiously as he processes this information. He had his theories about who (or perhaps more accurately what) the long-lived Chief Justice could be. But it had never been important and he had been busy with dealing with matters of Liyue, so for the most part he had left it alone. Now, here in Fontaine, those thoughts and questions were free to simmer and conclusions change based on new information. Right now, all he had to go on were hypothesis and a series of coincidences — Rex Lapis rarely jumped to conclusions unless he was absolutely certain.
But the roads are narrowing all to a single path, and he's not quite sure how to tread upon it if it turns out his assumptions are correct.
Luckily, the arrival of their food cuts off the awkward situation by introducing another one.
What is that monstrosity on Neuvillette's plate?
Zhongli folds his napkin carefully in his lap, breaking off a piece of bread to place in his side plate. He nods in deference to Neuvillette's as he picks up his utensils. ]
It has a very unique appearance. One that will indeed be remembered.
[ And then Zhongli proceeds to not make direct eye contact with the poor unfortunate octopus for the rest of the meal. ]
no subject
[ Zhongli recalls one other that he knew which such an affliction. During his first Lantern Rite upon the surface, where Liyue had been little more than ramshackle wood structures on the sandy shores of the beach, Morax and the other adepti had been rather adamant about taking him to each and every stall to sample their wares. This included such sweet delicacies as moon cakes, treats made of spun sugar, and Xiao's favorite almond tofu. It would be many years later (and after many samplings of the festival food) that Azhdaha came to admit that he could not understand the appeal of the desserts. It took much longer to realize it was because he could not taste the sweetness that made up so much of their flavor.
Zhongli tilts his head curiously as he processes this information. He had his theories about who (or perhaps more accurately what) the long-lived Chief Justice could be. But it had never been important and he had been busy with dealing with matters of Liyue, so for the most part he had left it alone. Now, here in Fontaine, those thoughts and questions were free to simmer and conclusions change based on new information. Right now, all he had to go on were hypothesis and a series of coincidences — Rex Lapis rarely jumped to conclusions unless he was absolutely certain.
But the roads are narrowing all to a single path, and he's not quite sure how to tread upon it if it turns out his assumptions are correct.
Luckily, the arrival of their food cuts off the awkward situation by introducing another one.
What is that monstrosity on Neuvillette's plate?
Zhongli folds his napkin carefully in his lap, breaking off a piece of bread to place in his side plate. He nods in deference to Neuvillette's as he picks up his utensils. ]
It has a very unique appearance. One that will indeed be remembered.
[ And then Zhongli proceeds to not make direct eye contact with the poor unfortunate octopus for the rest of the meal. ]