[ Bolai, a merchant who with a straight face has dealt with some of the unruliest and prideful individuals that the Liyue underbelly had to offer, cannot help but form a small 'o' with his mouth as Zhongli points to that specific set of earrings. Surely, the price is something to balk at as are many of his wares — the cost of the jade usually an invitation to see his other merchandise, after all— but this, this was a veritable priceless token of information. And completely unheard of in all the time since the mantle had changed hands to its young (now retired) leader.
"A heart of stone" they had whispered about the new Rex Lapis. Not prone to vices and indulgences like many that had come before him. And yet, here he was doting on this young man (whose bloody reputation also proceeded him). One of the favored of the Ice Queen herself. Surely. Surely, he must be dreaming. He feels faint. Lightheaded almost.
And through it all, Ajax remains oblivious to every distressed thought in Bolai's spinning head. ]
Oh, this is really pretty.
[ Casually, and without asking, Ajax takes the dragon earring and holds it up to the lobe of Zhongli's ear, testing if its magnificence would hold up to Zhongli's. The jade was a darker more purer color than the baubles one might find in the tourist traps of the city proper. And as such, it nicely complimented the vibrant gold of Zhongli's eyes.
Yes, yes. Pretty indeed. ]
I gotta say I'm a little surprised that a scholar like yourself is partial to this kind of thing. But Liyue loves its rocks and dragons. Why should Mr. Zhongli be any different?
[ With one last discerning tilt of his head, Ajax swaps the dragon for the phoenix pressed against Zhongli's ear. He hums a bit to himself, waffling on whether he preferred the symbol of power on display for all to see (hot!) or the elegant and graceful tenacity of the never-dying (also hot!). ]
This one's nice, too. Not often you see this kind of bird in the local wares. And what a power combo, yeah? That which cannot be defeated and that which can never die.
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"A heart of stone" they had whispered about the new Rex Lapis. Not prone to vices and indulgences like many that had come before him. And yet, here he was doting on this young man (whose bloody reputation also proceeded him). One of the favored of the Ice Queen herself. Surely. Surely, he must be dreaming. He feels faint. Lightheaded almost.
And through it all, Ajax remains oblivious to every distressed thought in Bolai's spinning head. ]
Oh, this is really pretty.
[ Casually, and without asking, Ajax takes the dragon earring and holds it up to the lobe of Zhongli's ear, testing if its magnificence would hold up to Zhongli's. The jade was a darker more purer color than the baubles one might find in the tourist traps of the city proper. And as such, it nicely complimented the vibrant gold of Zhongli's eyes.
Yes, yes. Pretty indeed. ]
I gotta say I'm a little surprised that a scholar like yourself is partial to this kind of thing. But Liyue loves its rocks and dragons. Why should Mr. Zhongli be any different?
[ With one last discerning tilt of his head, Ajax swaps the dragon for the phoenix pressed against Zhongli's ear. He hums a bit to himself, waffling on whether he preferred the symbol of power on display for all to see (hot!) or the elegant and graceful tenacity of the never-dying (also hot!). ]
This one's nice, too. Not often you see this kind of bird in the local wares. And what a power combo, yeah? That which cannot be defeated and that which can never die.