[ Zhongli's words provoke a twinge in his chest; questions like these have been lingering in his mind like shadows cast by the setting sun ever since the trial ended. But it's one thing to have them prod at the back of his mind and another to hear them out loud from someone. ]
Once is an anomaly, twice is a pattern. [ A quiet exhale. ] If it were to happen again, it would irreversibly damage the people's faith in the judicial system upon which Fontaine is built. Every single verdict issued by the Oratrice would be met with skepticism and our laws would have to be altered to reflect that reality.
[ In a sense, he supposes that they're lucky the victim of this miscarriage of justice is a foreign national and a member of the Fatui; the public outrage has been minimal and aside from a vocal few, most of the population just seems to be shrugging their shoulders at recent events, having accepted the verdict on the basis that a Fatui Harbinger probably should be thrown into prison just on general principle. As long as it doesn't happen to one of them, life can go on as usual and the Oratrice can continue to be trusted. But had it been an upstanding citizen of Fontaine instead, people would be out protesting in the streets demanding answers from their Archon, with the resulting energy crisis potentially escalating the situation into full insurgency. ]
[ Some of the tension leaves Zhongli's shoulders. At the very least, it seemed that Neuvillette and himself were operating under the same belief. If the Oratrice was faulty, then the issue needed to be resolved sooner rather than later. ]
I trust that with your commitment to justice, you will not simply wait for the coming of the second occurrence.
[ The other option was that Tartaglia was truly guilty, which seemed implausible for multiple reasons. It was ironic that the very same Harbinger who was scapegoated for flooding a nation would be found guilty in another for what appeared to be similar and very unfortunate circumstances. ...Or perhaps it wasn't. "Normal" people did not become Harbingers. Zhongli still remembers the Abyssal taint that clung to the Golden House long after Osial had been resealed. So perhaps there was more to this story than what appeared on the surface. The connection, however, still eluded him. ]
So please allow me to do what I can in both this and in clearing Tartaglia's name.
[ A presumptuous and bold request. Archons typically remained out of each other's way, their domains sometimes leading to fundamental contradictions on how they believed they should lead their people. Morax remembers on more than one occasion getting into heated arguments with Barbatos, mostly because he was wrong but sometimes only because dealing with such a nonchalant spirit was akin to dragging sandpaper across his skin. However, Justice and Contracts were not such opposing forces. Surely he could assist in reaching a resolution if his offer was accepted.
I'm personally conducting an investigation to ascertain the reason why he was deemed guilty. Once it's been concluded to establish the full truth, I will see to it that an appropriate resolution is made.
[ As to what this resolution will be, Neuvillette isn't sure yet, but he can envision a few potential scenarios; if the Oratrice is proven to be unreliable and it turns out to really be some sort of malfunction, then the laws would have to be changed to reflect this and he would personally declare the verdict invalid. If no changes are deemed to be necessary and the Oratrice works as intended, it may be as simple as allowing a retrial where new evidence is presented before the Oratrice so it can issue a new verdict to overrule the previous one.
The third option would be to extradite him to Snezhnaya under the pretense of caving to diplomatic pressure. Were he a lesser man not committed to seeing this investigation through to completion, he might've done so already just to sweep this whole affair under a rug where he can pretend it never happened. ]
Monsieur Zhongli, you're a foreign civilian with, to my knowledge, no documented investigative experience or equivalent in a related field. [ His eyes narrow almost imperceptibly, fingers tensing minutely against the cane handle. Now that Morax has abdicated and passed his duties to the Liyue Qixing, he's nothing more than a common man in the eyes of the law, yet he thinks he can simply come here and intrude upon sensitive Fontainian affairs. ]
[ Ah. Too risky and too forward then to think that they could start to work together from the start. Heavy handed as well to think that they would invite even a retired Archon to their table.
Well, better to learn such things now rather than later. ]
You are correct on both of those observations. Though unless the Steambird misrepresented the case, your rules are not so unbending that foreign aid is unwelcome as shown by the Traveler's prominence in solving the case.
As a foreign civilian, might I walk that same path as well? The trial was public, yes, as should be the notes. If my investigative skills are not adequate, then the only loss is my own time and resources. However, if I am able to discover anything of relevance, that could be beneficial to the both of us.
Mademoiselle Lumine's involvement was indeed crucial to solving the case, but remember that the trial proceeded like any other trial until the verdict was rendered. Then it became a sensitive matter that may destabilize the entire judicial system of our nation if it isn't handled appropriately.
[ It should go without saying why he wouldn't want a foreigner with no relevant skills to stick his nose into this. Also, if he wanted assistance from an outsider, he would go to Lumine—in the span of two cases, she had both solved the serial disappearances that had haunted the nation for two decades as well as unearthed the existence of Primordial Seawater and its dissolving properties. Of course, Spina di Rosula deserves credit for that as well, but there's no denying that the young woman in white has a natural aptitude for unraveling mysteries like yarn in the clutches of a kitten. ]
While there is no law stopping you from carrying out your own investigation as long as it doesn't interfere with mine, you've demonstrated a clear bias in favor of Monsieur Tartaglia. Any discoveries you share with me could easily be misrepresented to push your agenda.
While I have been intentionally forthcoming with my bias, please do not mistake my preferred outcome as something I would willingly sabotage this investigation over. As you said, this is a very serious matter for Fontaine. If I find evidence as to why the Oratrice would return a legitimate guilty verdict against Master Tartaglia, you have my word that I would turn that over as well.
[ As Rex Lapis had turned upon those who violated the contract, so too would Tartaglia be required to serve his prison sentence should he be tied to the murder case. This fact is as clear in Zhongli's mind as the sky is blue and water is wet.
But perhaps this was not as obvious to Nuevillette. ]
Though I suppose such reassurances are empty until they actually manifest.
Is there anything I might do to help put you more at ease?
[ Besides not getting involved anyway. Even as Zhongli is doing his best to smooth over negotiations, there's still a stubbornness and rigidity that is hard to shake for those born of rock. The meddling nosy peepaw vibes don't help either. ]
[ There's a faint lift to Neuvillette's brow when he hears the name Tartaglia being preceded by Master; it raises questions regarding the nature of their relationship. Morax—no, Zhongli had said just a few moments ago that he came for a friend, but that doesn't explain why the god of contracts and now retired Archon would be calling a human being a master. Shouldn't it be the other way around? Then again, similar questions could probably be posed about his own relationship with Furina and why he defers to the mascot character of Fontaine as his boss.
He pauses for a moment, considering how to answer that. Ideally, he would prefer to just tell him to stay out of this and go home, but legally he's in the clear to investigate. ]
...Document and report, in writing, all your activities and submit it to me either in person or by certified delivery. This will establish a physical record that can be submitted as evidence in court, should you ever give me reason to suspect you're impeding my investigation by being untruthful or manipulating evidence.
[ A curious habit indeed, since Zhongli was not one to often bestow honorifics to anyone: particularly renowned craftsmen, exemplary performers of art and literature, his boss (begrudgingly) and Madame Ping who he revered with more respect than almost anyone. Tartaglia did not fit into any such category, yet received such respect all the same. Strange for someone used as a pawn in a much grander scheme.
But the world was full of strange bedfellows, one ex-Archon coming to request assistance from the Hydro Sovereign just one such example. ]
Very well. That is a reasonable request regarding the sensitivity of the matter as well as my status as a foreign operative. I shall see that all my activities pertaining to this investigation are properly documented.
[ Zhongli bows before Neuvillette, just low enough to give deference to his station in Fontaine but not enough to be considered subservient. Perhaps it was because he was familiar in dealing with such situations on the other side of things, but it was evident that any meddling on his part would be allowed only on a technicality. A sobering thought on how he should move through a country that operated so differently from his own. ]
I thank you for your time and your counsel, Chief Justice.
Good luck with your investigation, Monsieur Zhongli.
[ Zhongli turns around to leave, and Neuvillette would have resumed gazing out at the waters as the rain soaks even deeper into his clothes (not that it bothers him; he can instantaneously dry himself without a single wrinkle or a thread out of place once he heads back indoors) had he not caught a glimpse of something amber-coloured hanging from the small of Zhongli's back. He looks at it for a second or two and before he can stop it, a peal of laughter falls from his lips that lasts for a few seconds before he remembers to stifle it with his hand.
His gaze affixes itself to the object in question for another couple of seconds and he would've let out another burst of laughter had his hand not stopped it. ]
Pfhh—are you aware that the orientation of your counterfeit Vision is backwards?
It's comical really, how Zhongli almost does a 360 spin to verify if that is indeed true. However, the positioning of his Vision does not allow him to see no matter how far he cranes his neck.
(A memory of Hu Tao reaching out the grab the chain, halting him with a sharp tug as she giggled furiously comes to mind. However, when asked what was so amusing she had given no answers except for the laughter to pitch into a higher octave of amusement. Perhaps he should have pushed her more sternly on the subject, not that he could expect a straight answer from her.)
Well, at least Neuvillette had the decency to explain what the problem was, much to Zhongli's embarrassment. It's mortifying really - the equivalent to realizing one has been wearing a shirt on backwards for over a year now. ]
Is it...?
[ Zhongli raises a hand to his face as well but only to hide his own embarrassment. His voice is more quiet and subdued than it has been the entire conversation. ]
Thank you. For letting me know.
[ Who else had noticed this? The pit of Zhongli's stomach sinks slowly in dread as the list of potential people grows longer and longer as the seconds pass. ]
You're welcome. [ He is visibly struggling not to start laughing again; there's just something about the mental image of Zhongli, all polished with his well-tailored suit, not realizing that the Geo sigil on that piece of glass being inverted. How long has he worn that thing and how many have noticed it without telling him?
Perhaps he should lower his expectations of him even further. Can someone so inattentive to the details really find anything of value in his investigation? ]
Do forgive my lack of decorum, but I find it a little ridiculous that the former Geo Archon would choose to don a counterfeit Vision. Do you have no pride in the power innate to you?
[ There's a hint of geo energy buzzing in the air as if a small cluster of geo cystalflies has taken flight. That and a slight glow to Zhongli's amber eyes and now equally amber tips of his hair. It's all over in a few moments, and the geo vision is been properly "corrected," except for the glaring fact that it's still a farce of a piece of glass.
Ah.
Well.
(Maybe Neuvillette should not worry too much about Zhongli's investigative abilities. Or his deceptive ones either.) ]
I find little use for pride in general these days, save for those who have risen up to the occasion. The power of Liyue now rests in the hands of her very capable people.
Why would I wish to cling to an identity that is no longer mine?
Your powers are still yours even after abdication. I cannot comprehend why you would exercise them under false pretenses. [ Is he really that committed to playing at being a common mortal? Ridiculous. He half-turns to look out at the waters once again, signalling that he isn't particularly interested in continuing this conversation any longer than necessary. ]
Oh, well; it's none of my business. As I said a moment ago, good luck with the investigation. If you wish to read the court transcript for the trial, you can do so at the opera house.
[ And with that, their conversation comes to a close. Neuvillette remains by the shore for another thirty minutes or so while he ruminates on this meeting and the nature of Zhongli's relationship with the Harbinger before heading back to his office to go through stacks of paperwork.
Several weeks pass. Neuvillette is able to confirm that Tartaglia is in fact human and that twenty years ago he was a toddler living in the wintry lands to the north, which means the narrative Furina tried to push doesn't hold any water whatsoever. Not that he ever believed it to begin with, but it's good to have it backed up with evidence so he can focus his attention on Marcel's lackeys. The mastermind himself is dead and can give no answers regarding Tartaglia, but he didn't work alone. Several key figures involved in the distribution and production of Sinthe are arrested and Neuvillette personally questions them—but none of them have anything to say about the Harbinger.
He returns to the Palais after having spent the past several hours speaking with one of these key figures and getting nothing out of it at all when Sedene informs him that a man named Zhongli came by earlier. She had told him that the Chief Justice was out on official matters, but offered to pen him in for an appointment in the last timeslot of the day. With a nod, Neuvillette steps inside his office to get some work done while he waits for the appointed hour of the meeting. He's not going to get his hopes up, but it would be great if Zhongli has found something worthwhile.
Some time later, he hears the sound of someone knocking on the door. ]
[ Days bleed into weeks and then over a month, and Zhongli is still no farther in his investigation than when he had talked to the Chief Justice on that first rainy day. It appears Childe had been mostly a loner in Fontaine (a bit of a contrast to his time in Liyue), only popping up to challenge the Champion Duelists on occasion before disappearing again. And without Zhongli's usual vast network of connections and understanding that he had amassed in Liyue, he spent more days adrift and wandering than anything else.
But then as luck would have it, Zhongli came across Nikolay — a young Fatui recruit who had been stationed at the Liyue branch of the Northland Bank while Childe had also been there. One who was had on more than one occasion seen the Harbinger skip out on his paperwork duties to catch a dinner or a show with the very distinguished consultant from the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. Even luckier, the young man had been transferred to Fontaine before the Fatui attack upon the Harbor, meaning he was none the wiser to the abrupt falling out between the two. That made it all the easier to glean bits of information that no one save for a few of Childe's confidents within the Fatui (and the Traveler) would know.
Finally, a path forward for him to take.
Zhongli waits no longer than a day to make an appointment with the Iudex, stewing on the information over a sleepless night of tea and memories. The fact that Neuvillete can meet him that very day is a fortuitous surprise indeed. So as the afternoon sun begins to descend from its zenith, Zhongli steps inside Neuvillette's office, offering a word of thanks to Sedene as he waits for her to close the door so that they might have a quiet and private conversation.
His bow is formal and respectful as he approaches the desk, fake Vision still softly jingly against the small of his back. ]
Thank you, Monsieur Neuvillette for seeing me so quickly.
I believe I might have found out something useful regarding Master Tartaglia's reason for coming to Fontaine.
[ Dipping his head in greeting, Neuvillette quickly shuffles his paperwork into a neat stack at the side of his desk before rising from his chair. There's something expectant in those serpentine eyes of his as he fixes the other man with his gaze; he really wants this to at least give him a lead on where to direct his investigative efforts and that he won't waste his time on a dead end. He's uncovered frustratingly little since their meeting by the shore weeks ago, and the diplomatic pressure is mounting from Snezhnaya. He's already received several strongly worded letters from the Knave with demands of an explanation. ]
I had assumed he was dispatched on an assignment by the Fatui. [ Either something to do with the House of Hearth, or stealing the Hydro Gnosis; that plan of theirs hasn't gone unnoticed when Furina has a vast intelligence network (for the sake of stopping the prophecy, but also for gathering information relating to the safety of the nation in general) and a right-hand dragon capable of sensing memories in water, occasionally letting him see conversations between Fatui members at the House. ]
[ Straight to business, and honestly that is what Zhongli preferred. Patient as he was, these weeks of dead-ends had left him feeling unusually anxious about the whole situation. About what, he did not know, but the sooner that they got the bottom of this, the better. For all parties involved. ]
Yes, he is currently not on assignment— a vacation in the very loosest sense of the word. Though he does check in with the Northland Bank regularly to keep up correspondence.
One of his subordinates overheard him saying he was here on a personal matter, looking for something though he did not know the specifics. They also said he was unusually... reserved here in Fontaine.
[ Which is hard for Zhongli to imagine considering the gusto and enthusiasm Childe had shown at becoming acclimated to Liyue culture. One might argue that the Vanguard of the Tsaritsa only had a taste for battle, but Tartgalia was a performer and a chameleon. "Foreign prince" the bulletin boards praised of him until he summoned Osial. The fact that he was not seen out and about the city was baffling to Zhongli. Surely every merchant should have been pestered for appropriate gifts to send back to his family at the very least. ]
And one of the only times he'd seen him truly animated was when he ran into the Traveler at the blacksmith many weeks back. The two of them are—
[ Complicated ]
They walk a line between friend and rival, understanding that they walk very different paths. Perhaps there is a place that we might start.
[ If only Zhongli knew where the Traveler was currently. That would make this much easier.
If only Zhongli knew that they were actually in the Fortress of Meropide with Childe (more or less) at this very moment. ]
[ Neuvillette listens in silence from start to finish without interrupting at any point, nodding as he takes it all in. If taken at face value, this indirectly confirms that the Knave is, at present, the sole Harbinger currently on the move to take the Gnosis. He files away a mental note that the House and its activities should be monitored more closely; Gnosis aside, he would like to find an explanation for Furina's recent odd behavior whenever the Knave is brought up. Neuvillette wanted to take an evasive stance by ignoring the letters addressed to him, but then that woman went against his advice and accepted the diplomatic meeting. ]
I see. [ He says, placing a hand to his chin in thought. ] Your timing is rather unfortunate; two days ago, the Traveler and her floating companion ran afoul of the law and were sentenced to forty-five days in prison.
[ He intentionally neglects to mention that the charges were made up and that they're actually there to investigate Tartaglia's whereabouts. Where could the Harbinger possibly have disappeared to? ]
The Fortress of Meropide operates autonomously of Fontaine, so I cannot simply walk in there to ask them about this encounter.
[ ...Well, he could ask the Duke for a personal favor, but he would rather not put their convert investigation at risk by making an appearance. A letter could potentially be an option, but the Fortress sends out and receives mail at the pace of a Slime in mud. Their sentence would likely be already over before he would receive their reply. ]
[ Considering how they almost got arrested in Liyue during the Rite of Descension, such a statement is not shocking. Such is the risk taken when one meddles with the existing powers that be in any nation. It is probably a small miracle that it did not happen sooner in Inazuma or Sumeru (not intentionally anyway). What is more surprising is that they were jailed in a nation where the Traveler seemed to be working well within the limits of the Fontaine system of justice, and 45 days seems oddly specific.
Ah well. Zhongli can ask them later when they meet up for tea next time they meet. ]
Ah, if the Chief Justice does not have jurisdiction, I cannot imagine the approval required for a foreign traveler who is neither friend nor family to either party is easy to come by.
Still, I am loathe to delay our findings for another 43 days to wait for the two of them to be released. Perhaps there might be someone else within the Fatui that I might talk to.
I assume you've spoken to the proprietor of the blacksmith already?
[ If they ran into Tartaglia at the blacksmith, then perhaps Estelle happened to overhear their conversation at least in part... on the other hand, many weeks have passed since the encounter Zhongli spoke of and the human memory is fallible, especially in criminal cases and after an extended period of time. Even if she happened to hear what they were talking about, it's likely that much of it has been lost like a river running into an unknown sea—
—River. Water, filled with emotions and memories, converging at the Fountain of Lucine. Now that's an avenue he hasn't considered before. Bringing a gloved hand to his chin in deep thought, Neuvillette mulls it over for several long seconds, not paying attention to whatever reply Zhongli gives in response to his question about the blacksmith. ]
My Hydro powers allow me to sense emotions and memories from all waters in Fontaine. If I were to find Tartaglia or the Traveler's memory of the encounter, I may gleam useful information from it. [ Another, shorter pause. ] Finding a specific memory is akin to searching for a needle in a haystack, however. But perhaps the addition of Geo could act as a dowsing rod to lead me in the right direction.
[ He has no idea if this would even work, but his powers are amplified when he comes into contact with Hydro reactions—it's worth a try, if nothing else. At worst it would just be a waste of time. ]
I did speak with Madame Estelle, and she does remember Childe and the Traveler's encounter, but understandably was more focused on the thwarted debt collection than what they discussed afterward. I'm afraid that also was a dead end.
[ Not that Neuvillette seems to be listening to Zhongli's answer as he obviously is in deep in his own mind. Zhongli doesn't mind though. As Morax, attention was paid to his every word and deed; he was in constant scrutiny from all around him whether intentional or not. Zhongli, however, was prone to ramblings that some even wandered away from mid conversation. It was quite a shock the first time it happened — that he must consider the content of his words appropriate for the person he was engaging with. Quit the shock indeed. In his retirement, however, he thinks he prefers the later regardless of how troublesome it might be. It just feels more— human, for lack of a better term.
For this particular instance, such distractions result in a solution much more plausible than trying to dig up months old overheard conversation. Zhongli has certainly heard the legends of the waters of Fontaine and has spoken with the Oceanids that live there. It should not surprise him that memories can be stored within their waters with even greater potency and recoverability than the ley lines of Teyvat.
Ah, but that means there are billions if not more memories floating adrift. Finding a particular one — even recent or significant — will surely not be an easy task. Needle in a haystack is an apt phrase indeed. ]
Then I will lend you as much geo as you need to navigate such a space.
Though such a concept is quite novel to me. Might there anything else we might use to ease the search? A possession of either person, perhaps. Or focused thoughts on our connections to them.
I don't typically use this method of investigation, so I'm not sure if there's anything that can be done to make it easier. [ The memories contained within the waters are too chaotic and he dislikes having his senses overwhelmed by an endless stream of memories belonging to people he's never met; besides, if it was easy to sift through the waters for specific memories he would singlehandedly put the entirety of the Gardiennage out of a job since he could solve all crimes in an instant. ]
But if you happen to have one of their possessions, it wouldn't hurt to bring it along to the Fountain of Lucine; all of Fontaine's waters converge there, making it a vessel of countless emotions and memories.
[ A moment's consideration, and: ] Shall we meet up outside the opera house at 10 pm? A little late, but it's best to do this after nightfall when fewer people are out.
Understood. I will make sure that I bring it with me when we reconvene outside of the opera house.
[ And by all means, at that point, Zhongli should have turned to leave, busying himself with the wonders of the Court of Fontaine as he waited for the appointed time.
But something stops him.
Zhongli sees some of himself in Neuvillette, a person who held himself to impeccably and impossibly high standards but perhaps did not afford much thought to anything that landed outside the bounds of his own self-discipline. A man who worked tirelessly for his people for years (400 years according to the townspeople who are very fond of their Chief Justice). But duty was not all there was to life even if it must take priority over everything. And Miss Sedene had told Zhongli that this was the Iudex's last appointment of the day...
Perhaps Hu Tao was rubbing off on him, pestering him to come to dinners with her friends and not spend his time doing "stuffy old man hobbies." Perhaps it was also due to Xiangling who popped her head out of Wanmin to try and coax him to try one of her new recipes. Perhaps even the Harbinger Zhongli was chasing after was to blame as he accepted all of Zhongli's oddities and invitations and ramblings (under pretense unfortunately) to enjoy their very mortal friendship.
Yes. Today was Zhongli's turn to pay the kindness of others forward. ]
If you are finished with your duties for today, might I invite you to dine with me at Hotel Debord? Their menu is quite diverse, and it lives up to all the praise and fondness the people of Fontaine have for it.
[ The pause that follows Zhongli's question is almost long enough that one might think he's not going to answer, but not quite. He considers politely declining by saying he still has paperwork to go over (not a lie; earlier today he received a document from someone within the Palais about expensing a single key cap that he has yet to properly look over) because the less time spent in the presence of one of the usurpers, the better. But as one of the Seven Sovereigns, it's his sworn duty to pass judgment on the Archons in the (highly unlikely) scenario of his elemental authority one day being returned to its rightful owner. A fair judgment cannot be rendered in haste or if the judge is moved by bitterness or anger—he must first rid himself of the taint of preconceived notions and get to know the usurpers better to properly understand their character and learn if they share his views regarding the Heavenly Principles. ]
Certainly, Monsieur Zhongli. [ He replies, nodding his head.
And with that, the two of them leave the Palais Mermonia and make their way over to the restaurant inside the hotel where a waiter directs them to a somewhat secluded area in the back of the room, behind some potted ferns that will offer some degree of privacy from fellow guests who may be interested in the Chief Justice's conversation. Neuvillette reaches back to push his long hair aside so he doesn't sit on it as he takes a seat in the chair across from Zhongli, then plucks one of the two copies of the menu from the wooden holder at the center of the table. As he peruses the list of beverages, he frowns a little. ]
...They've significantly altered the menu since my last visit twenty years ago, but it still does not specify where their water is sourced from.
[ It just says "water" and "sparkling water" which is not helpful at all to a connoisseur. Why do so many restaurants omit this information? ]
[ Zhongli peeks over his own menu at Neuvillette as the man frowns over their lacking descriptions. He should consider himself quite lucky indeed that the Chief Justice agreed to dine with him if it had been that long since he had ventured into this famed establishment.
In contrast, Zhongli felt more at ease dining with someone who knew of his true identity. It let him relax into some of his more eccentric behaviors without having to worry about keeping up appearances. These few weeks he had spent in Fontaine (enjoyable as they had been as Zhongli was such a person that could hold friendly conversation with nearly anyone) still left him adrift and unmoored. He had never travelled outside of Liyue for this length of time, especially not on personal matters. Being unknown, starting from scratch — these were growing pains he had not dealt with in many millennia. ]
Perhaps we might inquire with the waiter or chef so that you might choose something to your liking.
[ Zhongli shifts in his chair as if he means to do just that— that is to say, walk right into the kitchen and query the staff personally. Certainly that would be less embarrassing than the time he wandered into the back rooms of Xinyue Kiosk and recommended that the chef source their salt from Yaoguang Shoal for its superior pairing to their high-quality seafood.
. . .
To this day, he was still still not sure why everyone at the restaurant had been so aghast when he had made such a heartful and honest recommendation. ]
[ It simply isn't for him when his inhuman palate makes it difficult for him to properly experience the food the way it's intended to be experienced, so he does not consider it worth the Mora. In his opinion, if you're not at least a bit of a gourmand, which he is definitely not unless water is involved, high-grade expensive food loses a lot of its inherent value. When he goes out for lunch, he usually gets something light like a grilled chicken sandwich from Café Lutece. Dinner is typically spent either in Furina's suite at the top floor of the Palais, where their food is prepared and served by the personal chef in her employ, or at his own place—in which case he either makes soup or simply eats raw fish paired with a glass of water. And that's really all he needs to be satisfied with a meal.
When he does eat out, it's usually in the company of Wriothesley, who prefers modestly-priced and casual places like tapas bars over anything that would be considered fancy and high-end. As he skims over the appetizer and entrée options, he looks up when he notices the man across from him shifting as if about to get up. ]
Are you going somewhere?
[ Given that he just mentioned inquiring with the chef, which would require entering the kitchen, he assumes Zhongli does not intend to take a trip to the restroom. ]
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hydrangeabloom2023-09-16 01:51 pm
no subject
Once is an anomaly, twice is a pattern. [ A quiet exhale. ] If it were to happen again, it would irreversibly damage the people's faith in the judicial system upon which Fontaine is built. Every single verdict issued by the Oratrice would be met with skepticism and our laws would have to be altered to reflect that reality.
[ In a sense, he supposes that they're lucky the victim of this miscarriage of justice is a foreign national and a member of the Fatui; the public outrage has been minimal and aside from a vocal few, most of the population just seems to be shrugging their shoulders at recent events, having accepted the verdict on the basis that a Fatui Harbinger probably should be thrown into prison just on general principle. As long as it doesn't happen to one of them, life can go on as usual and the Oratrice can continue to be trusted. But had it been an upstanding citizen of Fontaine instead, people would be out protesting in the streets demanding answers from their Archon, with the resulting energy crisis potentially escalating the situation into full insurgency. ]
no subject
[ Some of the tension leaves Zhongli's shoulders. At the very least, it seemed that Neuvillette and himself were operating under the same belief. If the Oratrice was faulty, then the issue needed to be resolved sooner rather than later. ]
I trust that with your commitment to justice, you will not simply wait for the coming of the second occurrence.
[ The other option was that Tartaglia was truly guilty, which seemed implausible for multiple reasons. It was ironic that the very same Harbinger who was scapegoated for flooding a nation would be found guilty in another for what appeared to be similar and very unfortunate circumstances. ...Or perhaps it wasn't. "Normal" people did not become Harbingers. Zhongli still remembers the Abyssal taint that clung to the Golden House long after Osial had been resealed. So perhaps there was more to this story than what appeared on the surface. The connection, however, still eluded him. ]
So please allow me to do what I can in both this and in clearing Tartaglia's name.
[ A presumptuous and bold request. Archons typically remained out of each other's way, their domains sometimes leading to fundamental contradictions on how they believed they should lead their people. Morax remembers on more than one occasion getting into heated arguments with Barbatos, mostly because he was wrong but sometimes only because dealing with such a nonchalant spirit was akin to dragging sandpaper across his skin. However, Justice and Contracts were not such opposing forces. Surely he could assist in reaching a resolution if his offer was accepted.
(But perhaps that was a very risky if.) ]
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[ As to what this resolution will be, Neuvillette isn't sure yet, but he can envision a few potential scenarios; if the Oratrice is proven to be unreliable and it turns out to really be some sort of malfunction, then the laws would have to be changed to reflect this and he would personally declare the verdict invalid. If no changes are deemed to be necessary and the Oratrice works as intended, it may be as simple as allowing a retrial where new evidence is presented before the Oratrice so it can issue a new verdict to overrule the previous one.
The third option would be to extradite him to Snezhnaya under the pretense of caving to diplomatic pressure. Were he a lesser man not committed to seeing this investigation through to completion, he might've done so already just to sweep this whole affair under a rug where he can pretend it never happened. ]
Monsieur Zhongli, you're a foreign civilian with, to my knowledge, no documented investigative experience or equivalent in a related field. [ His eyes narrow almost imperceptibly, fingers tensing minutely against the cane handle. Now that Morax has abdicated and passed his duties to the Liyue Qixing, he's nothing more than a common man in the eyes of the law, yet he thinks he can simply come here and intrude upon sensitive Fontainian affairs. ]
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Well, better to learn such things now rather than later. ]
You are correct on both of those observations. Though unless the Steambird misrepresented the case, your rules are not so unbending that foreign aid is unwelcome as shown by the Traveler's prominence in solving the case.
As a foreign civilian, might I walk that same path as well? The trial was public, yes, as should be the notes. If my investigative skills are not adequate, then the only loss is my own time and resources. However, if I am able to discover anything of relevance, that could be beneficial to the both of us.
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[ It should go without saying why he wouldn't want a foreigner with no relevant skills to stick his nose into this. Also, if he wanted assistance from an outsider, he would go to Lumine—in the span of two cases, she had both solved the serial disappearances that had haunted the nation for two decades as well as unearthed the existence of Primordial Seawater and its dissolving properties. Of course, Spina di Rosula deserves credit for that as well, but there's no denying that the young woman in white has a natural aptitude for unraveling mysteries like yarn in the clutches of a kitten. ]
While there is no law stopping you from carrying out your own investigation as long as it doesn't interfere with mine, you've demonstrated a clear bias in favor of Monsieur Tartaglia. Any discoveries you share with me could easily be misrepresented to push your agenda.
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[ As Rex Lapis had turned upon those who violated the contract, so too would Tartaglia be required to serve his prison sentence should he be tied to the murder case. This fact is as clear in Zhongli's mind as the sky is blue and water is wet.
But perhaps this was not as obvious to Nuevillette. ]
Though I suppose such reassurances are empty until they actually manifest.
Is there anything I might do to help put you more at ease?
[ Besides not getting involved anyway. Even as Zhongli is doing his best to smooth over negotiations, there's still a stubbornness and rigidity that is hard to shake for those born of rock. The meddling nosy peepaw vibes don't help either. ]
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He pauses for a moment, considering how to answer that. Ideally, he would prefer to just tell him to stay out of this and go home, but legally he's in the clear to investigate. ]
...Document and report, in writing, all your activities and submit it to me either in person or by certified delivery. This will establish a physical record that can be submitted as evidence in court, should you ever give me reason to suspect you're impeding my investigation by being untruthful or manipulating evidence.
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But the world was full of strange bedfellows, one ex-Archon coming to request assistance from the Hydro Sovereign just one such example. ]
Very well. That is a reasonable request regarding the sensitivity of the matter as well as my status as a foreign operative. I shall see that all my activities pertaining to this investigation are properly documented.
[ Zhongli bows before Neuvillette, just low enough to give deference to his station in Fontaine but not enough to be considered subservient. Perhaps it was because he was familiar in dealing with such situations on the other side of things, but it was evident that any meddling on his part would be allowed only on a technicality. A sobering thought on how he should move through a country that operated so differently from his own. ]
I thank you for your time and your counsel, Chief Justice.
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[ Zhongli turns around to leave, and Neuvillette would have resumed gazing out at the waters as the rain soaks even deeper into his clothes (not that it bothers him; he can instantaneously dry himself without a single wrinkle or a thread out of place once he heads back indoors) had he not caught a glimpse of something amber-coloured hanging from the small of Zhongli's back. He looks at it for a second or two and before he can stop it, a peal of laughter falls from his lips that lasts for a few seconds before he remembers to stifle it with his hand.
His gaze affixes itself to the object in question for another couple of seconds and he would've let out another burst of laughter had his hand not stopped it. ]
Pfhh—are you aware that the orientation of your counterfeit Vision is backwards?
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[ Monsieur! Sir!
(Did the Chief Justice just... laugh at him?)
It's comical really, how Zhongli almost does a 360 spin to verify if that is indeed true. However, the positioning of his Vision does not allow him to see no matter how far he cranes his neck.
(A memory of Hu Tao reaching out the grab the chain, halting him with a sharp tug as she giggled furiously comes to mind. However, when asked what was so amusing she had given no answers except for the laughter to pitch into a higher octave of amusement. Perhaps he should have pushed her more sternly on the subject, not that he could expect a straight answer from her.)
Well, at least Neuvillette had the decency to explain what the problem was, much to Zhongli's embarrassment. It's mortifying really - the equivalent to realizing one has been wearing a shirt on backwards for over a year now. ]
Is it...?
[ Zhongli raises a hand to his face as well but only to hide his own embarrassment. His voice is more quiet and subdued than it has been the entire conversation. ]
Thank you. For letting me know.
[ Who else had noticed this? The pit of Zhongli's stomach sinks slowly in dread as the list of potential people grows longer and longer as the seconds pass. ]
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Perhaps he should lower his expectations of him even further. Can someone so inattentive to the details really find anything of value in his investigation? ]
Do forgive my lack of decorum, but I find it a little ridiculous that the former Geo Archon would choose to don a counterfeit Vision. Do you have no pride in the power innate to you?
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Ah.
Well.
(Maybe Neuvillette should not worry too much about Zhongli's investigative abilities. Or his deceptive ones either.) ]
I find little use for pride in general these days, save for those who have risen up to the occasion. The power of Liyue now rests in the hands of her very capable people.
Why would I wish to cling to an identity that is no longer mine?
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Oh, well; it's none of my business. As I said a moment ago, good luck with the investigation. If you wish to read the court transcript for the trial, you can do so at the opera house.
[ And with that, their conversation comes to a close. Neuvillette remains by the shore for another thirty minutes or so while he ruminates on this meeting and the nature of Zhongli's relationship with the Harbinger before heading back to his office to go through stacks of paperwork.
Several weeks pass. Neuvillette is able to confirm that Tartaglia is in fact human and that twenty years ago he was a toddler living in the wintry lands to the north, which means the narrative Furina tried to push doesn't hold any water whatsoever. Not that he ever believed it to begin with, but it's good to have it backed up with evidence so he can focus his attention on Marcel's lackeys. The mastermind himself is dead and can give no answers regarding Tartaglia, but he didn't work alone. Several key figures involved in the distribution and production of Sinthe are arrested and Neuvillette personally questions them—but none of them have anything to say about the Harbinger.
He returns to the Palais after having spent the past several hours speaking with one of these key figures and getting nothing out of it at all when Sedene informs him that a man named Zhongli came by earlier. She had told him that the Chief Justice was out on official matters, but offered to pen him in for an appointment in the last timeslot of the day. With a nod, Neuvillette steps inside his office to get some work done while he waits for the appointed hour of the meeting. He's not going to get his hopes up, but it would be great if Zhongli has found something worthwhile.
Some time later, he hears the sound of someone knocking on the door. ]
You may come in, Monsieur Zhongli.
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But then as luck would have it, Zhongli came across Nikolay — a young Fatui recruit who had been stationed at the Liyue branch of the Northland Bank while Childe had also been there. One who was had on more than one occasion seen the Harbinger skip out on his paperwork duties to catch a dinner or a show with the very distinguished consultant from the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. Even luckier, the young man had been transferred to Fontaine before the Fatui attack upon the Harbor, meaning he was none the wiser to the abrupt falling out between the two. That made it all the easier to glean bits of information that no one save for a few of Childe's confidents within the Fatui (and the Traveler) would know.
Finally, a path forward for him to take.
Zhongli waits no longer than a day to make an appointment with the Iudex, stewing on the information over a sleepless night of tea and memories. The fact that Neuvillete can meet him that very day is a fortuitous surprise indeed. So as the afternoon sun begins to descend from its zenith, Zhongli steps inside Neuvillette's office, offering a word of thanks to Sedene as he waits for her to close the door so that they might have a quiet and private conversation.
His bow is formal and respectful as he approaches the desk, fake Vision still softly jingly against the small of his back. ]
Thank you, Monsieur Neuvillette for seeing me so quickly.
I believe I might have found out something useful regarding Master Tartaglia's reason for coming to Fontaine.
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I had assumed he was dispatched on an assignment by the Fatui. [ Either something to do with the House of Hearth, or stealing the Hydro Gnosis; that plan of theirs hasn't gone unnoticed when Furina has a vast intelligence network (for the sake of stopping the prophecy, but also for gathering information relating to the safety of the nation in general) and a right-hand dragon capable of sensing memories in water, occasionally letting him see conversations between Fatui members at the House. ]
He came here on personal matters, then?
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Yes, he is currently not on assignment— a vacation in the very loosest sense of the word. Though he does check in with the Northland Bank regularly to keep up correspondence.
One of his subordinates overheard him saying he was here on a personal matter, looking for something though he did not know the specifics. They also said he was unusually... reserved here in Fontaine.
[ Which is hard for Zhongli to imagine considering the gusto and enthusiasm Childe had shown at becoming acclimated to Liyue culture. One might argue that the Vanguard of the Tsaritsa only had a taste for battle, but Tartgalia was a performer and a chameleon. "Foreign prince" the bulletin boards praised of him until he summoned Osial. The fact that he was not seen out and about the city was baffling to Zhongli. Surely every merchant should have been pestered for appropriate gifts to send back to his family at the very least. ]
And one of the only times he'd seen him truly animated was when he ran into the Traveler at the blacksmith many weeks back. The two of them are—
[ Complicated ]
They walk a line between friend and rival, understanding that they walk very different paths. Perhaps there is a place that we might start.
[ If only Zhongli knew where the Traveler was currently. That would make this much easier.
If only Zhongli knew that they were actually in the Fortress of Meropide with Childe (more or less) at this very moment. ]
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I see. [ He says, placing a hand to his chin in thought. ] Your timing is rather unfortunate; two days ago, the Traveler and her floating companion ran afoul of the law and were sentenced to forty-five days in prison.
[ He intentionally neglects to mention that the charges were made up and that they're actually there to investigate Tartaglia's whereabouts. Where could the Harbinger possibly have disappeared to? ]
The Fortress of Meropide operates autonomously of Fontaine, so I cannot simply walk in there to ask them about this encounter.
[ ...Well, he could ask the Duke for a personal favor, but he would rather not put their convert investigation at risk by making an appearance. A letter could potentially be an option, but the Fortress sends out and receives mail at the pace of a Slime in mud. Their sentence would likely be already over before he would receive their reply. ]
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The Traveler and Paimon are in prison.
[ Considering how they almost got arrested in Liyue during the Rite of Descension, such a statement is not shocking. Such is the risk taken when one meddles with the existing powers that be in any nation. It is probably a small miracle that it did not happen sooner in Inazuma or Sumeru (not intentionally anyway). What is more surprising is that they were jailed in a nation where the Traveler seemed to be working well within the limits of the Fontaine system of justice, and 45 days seems oddly specific.
Ah well. Zhongli can ask them later when they meet up for tea next time they meet. ]
Ah, if the Chief Justice does not have jurisdiction, I cannot imagine the approval required for a foreign traveler who is neither friend nor family to either party is easy to come by.
Still, I am loathe to delay our findings for another 43 days to wait for the two of them to be released. Perhaps there might be someone else within the Fatui that I might talk to.
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[ If they ran into Tartaglia at the blacksmith, then perhaps Estelle happened to overhear their conversation at least in part... on the other hand, many weeks have passed since the encounter Zhongli spoke of and the human memory is fallible, especially in criminal cases and after an extended period of time. Even if she happened to hear what they were talking about, it's likely that much of it has been lost like a river running into an unknown sea—
—River. Water, filled with emotions and memories, converging at the Fountain of Lucine. Now that's an avenue he hasn't considered before. Bringing a gloved hand to his chin in deep thought, Neuvillette mulls it over for several long seconds, not paying attention to whatever reply Zhongli gives in response to his question about the blacksmith. ]
My Hydro powers allow me to sense emotions and memories from all waters in Fontaine. If I were to find Tartaglia or the Traveler's memory of the encounter, I may gleam useful information from it. [ Another, shorter pause. ] Finding a specific memory is akin to searching for a needle in a haystack, however. But perhaps the addition of Geo could act as a dowsing rod to lead me in the right direction.
[ He has no idea if this would even work, but his powers are amplified when he comes into contact with Hydro reactions—it's worth a try, if nothing else. At worst it would just be a waste of time. ]
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[ Not that Neuvillette seems to be listening to Zhongli's answer as he obviously is in deep in his own mind. Zhongli doesn't mind though. As Morax, attention was paid to his every word and deed; he was in constant scrutiny from all around him whether intentional or not. Zhongli, however, was prone to ramblings that some even wandered away from mid conversation. It was quite a shock the first time it happened — that he must consider the content of his words appropriate for the person he was engaging with. Quit the shock indeed. In his retirement, however, he thinks he prefers the later regardless of how troublesome it might be. It just feels more— human, for lack of a better term.
For this particular instance, such distractions result in a solution much more plausible than trying to dig up months old overheard conversation. Zhongli has certainly heard the legends of the waters of Fontaine and has spoken with the Oceanids that live there. It should not surprise him that memories can be stored within their waters with even greater potency and recoverability than the ley lines of Teyvat.
Ah, but that means there are billions if not more memories floating adrift. Finding a particular one — even recent or significant — will surely not be an easy task. Needle in a haystack is an apt phrase indeed. ]
Then I will lend you as much geo as you need to navigate such a space.
Though such a concept is quite novel to me. Might there anything else we might use to ease the search? A possession of either person, perhaps. Or focused thoughts on our connections to them.
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But if you happen to have one of their possessions, it wouldn't hurt to bring it along to the Fountain of Lucine; all of Fontaine's waters converge there, making it a vessel of countless emotions and memories.
[ A moment's consideration, and: ] Shall we meet up outside the opera house at 10 pm? A little late, but it's best to do this after nightfall when fewer people are out.
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[ And by all means, at that point, Zhongli should have turned to leave, busying himself with the wonders of the Court of Fontaine as he waited for the appointed time.
But something stops him.
Zhongli sees some of himself in Neuvillette, a person who held himself to impeccably and impossibly high standards but perhaps did not afford much thought to anything that landed outside the bounds of his own self-discipline. A man who worked tirelessly for his people for years (400 years according to the townspeople who are very fond of their Chief Justice). But duty was not all there was to life even if it must take priority over everything. And Miss Sedene had told Zhongli that this was the Iudex's last appointment of the day...
Perhaps Hu Tao was rubbing off on him, pestering him to come to dinners with her friends and not spend his time doing "stuffy old man hobbies." Perhaps it was also due to Xiangling who popped her head out of Wanmin to try and coax him to try one of her new recipes. Perhaps even the Harbinger Zhongli was chasing after was to blame as he accepted all of Zhongli's oddities and invitations and ramblings (under pretense unfortunately) to enjoy their very mortal friendship.
Yes. Today was Zhongli's turn to pay the kindness of others forward. ]
If you are finished with your duties for today, might I invite you to dine with me at Hotel Debord? Their menu is quite diverse, and it lives up to all the praise and fondness the people of Fontaine have for it.
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Certainly, Monsieur Zhongli. [ He replies, nodding his head.
And with that, the two of them leave the Palais Mermonia and make their way over to the restaurant inside the hotel where a waiter directs them to a somewhat secluded area in the back of the room, behind some potted ferns that will offer some degree of privacy from fellow guests who may be interested in the Chief Justice's conversation. Neuvillette reaches back to push his long hair aside so he doesn't sit on it as he takes a seat in the chair across from Zhongli, then plucks one of the two copies of the menu from the wooden holder at the center of the table. As he peruses the list of beverages, he frowns a little. ]
...They've significantly altered the menu since my last visit twenty years ago, but it still does not specify where their water is sourced from.
[ It just says "water" and "sparkling water" which is not helpful at all to a connoisseur. Why do so many restaurants omit this information? ]
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[ Zhongli peeks over his own menu at Neuvillette as the man frowns over their lacking descriptions. He should consider himself quite lucky indeed that the Chief Justice agreed to dine with him if it had been that long since he had ventured into this famed establishment.
In contrast, Zhongli felt more at ease dining with someone who knew of his true identity. It let him relax into some of his more eccentric behaviors without having to worry about keeping up appearances. These few weeks he had spent in Fontaine (enjoyable as they had been as Zhongli was such a person that could hold friendly conversation with nearly anyone) still left him adrift and unmoored. He had never travelled outside of Liyue for this length of time, especially not on personal matters. Being unknown, starting from scratch — these were growing pains he had not dealt with in many millennia. ]
Perhaps we might inquire with the waiter or chef so that you might choose something to your liking.
[ Zhongli shifts in his chair as if he means to do just that— that is to say, walk right into the kitchen and query the staff personally. Certainly that would be less embarrassing than the time he wandered into the back rooms of Xinyue Kiosk and recommended that the chef source their salt from Yaoguang Shoal for its superior pairing to their high-quality seafood.
. . .
To this day, he was still still not sure why everyone at the restaurant had been so aghast when he had made such a heartful and honest recommendation. ]
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[ It simply isn't for him when his inhuman palate makes it difficult for him to properly experience the food the way it's intended to be experienced, so he does not consider it worth the Mora. In his opinion, if you're not at least a bit of a gourmand, which he is definitely not unless water is involved, high-grade expensive food loses a lot of its inherent value. When he goes out for lunch, he usually gets something light like a grilled chicken sandwich from Café Lutece. Dinner is typically spent either in Furina's suite at the top floor of the Palais, where their food is prepared and served by the personal chef in her employ, or at his own place—in which case he either makes soup or simply eats raw fish paired with a glass of water. And that's really all he needs to be satisfied with a meal.
When he does eat out, it's usually in the company of Wriothesley, who prefers modestly-priced and casual places like tapas bars over anything that would be considered fancy and high-end. As he skims over the appetizer and entrée options, he looks up when he notices the man across from him shifting as if about to get up. ]
Are you going somewhere?
[ Given that he just mentioned inquiring with the chef, which would require entering the kitchen, he assumes Zhongli does not intend to take a trip to the restroom. ]
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