⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ Mondstadt ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯
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╭⎯⎯【Sibling Rivalry, Adorned Vengeance & The Warden】⎯⎯╮
The evening had dawned slowly today, unusually, with more stars interspersed in the twilight sky than yesterday. And unsurprisingly with more people. She had applied midday for promised riches, a week ago, and she would see common faces more often, with more surprise, with excitement. She had gotten used to the work ethics behind Angel Shares, appreciating different palates requested by different people. It was a year back into summer of Mondstadt, with eight months delved into both Liyue and Inazuma.
The late-night summer of Mondstadt was upon the season when 'Freedom' extolled the virtues of peace. Inside Mondstadt was a serene sphere of gusty wind bolstering the vibrant dandelion seeds. Most booths were devoid of life. A conspicuously lit tavern, however, had bustled with streetlights, adjunct to the lively laughter of the residents. And she had found herself inside.
Diluc had slowly edged behind Lumine, accompanying her inside the bar counter. Diluc towered her height, gently shaking a premium; golden-platinum cocktail shaker. Diluc wore his iconic bartender attire, a fine white vest; underneath a long-black sleeved shirt with a professional business tie. His long hair messy up-front; arched up behind his back, a ponytail.
Lumine while sanitizing a tumbler cup, could feel a warm, tender; minty breath, blended with the smell of grape juice closing down her neck. It made her pale skin prickle with goosebumps. She could recount who it was immediately. Diluc, although ambivalent by the amount of customers tonight, he'd thought of thanking Lumine. Subsequent of Storm Terror being taken care of, and throughout a year of cementing a bond with Lumine, a small appreciative tease had just felt right in the bustling crowd.
Diluc's small nibble to Lumine's ear; the scent of minty; fresh grape juice had mingled once more, streaming down her neck for a moment. She'd flinched, nervously guffawing. Lumine had peeled off the cup from her hand, placing it on the counter. She took a deep breath, before confronting the beast that was her 'boss'. "Master Diluc, by Archons, you're strangely a bit opened; rather good-looking too, today. Did something good happen?" Small beads of tears dropped from her eyes, escaping her plump cheeks, laughing.
Diluc receded an inch away from her, "It's been sometime, since you came back into Mondstadt," he said, attempting to reach for spare cups behind the wooden self. "Your high spirits seem to maintain a rather warm ambience. I've come to quite yearn for it, I hope you don't mind."
Lumine shook her head with a faint of laughter dying, retrieving the tumbler cup well-in hand and continued polishing.
Diluc grabbed three handfuls of tumbler glasses, easily, placing each one of them in a linear line. The Dandelion Wine streamed in all three of them. The three anticipating customers could not look away from Diluc's elegance.
A pouch of mora slumped in the table. Between Diluc and Lumine, both were busy to notice. Lumine wore her usual attire, the beautiful white dress; coupled with her unique accessories.
"Honorary Knight," The raspy voice called, loud enough for both Lumine and Diluc to stop and heed. A clink erupted from beneath the glass base of the cup, as the ice cube anchored in. Lumine's eyes flared with amusement, while Diluc's with contempt. "I'll have one Snow Covered Kiss, from our lady of hour," the voice teasingly insisted.
The raspy voice seemed spurious for show, though it was to be expected, as his voice died down; it always melted with Kaeya's sweet tone. Positioned in the front seat, the Calvary Captain smiled, as his duties had prohibited him from meeting Lumine.
"More dazzling than ever," Kaeya said. It had seemed, he had unusually gotten a bit larger, his attire; the rompers visibly showing more skin and toned abs than anyone was used too. "A dutiful captain, can't always play with the damsel." Lumine did not heed, scrambling beneath the counter drawers for ingredients.
"Ass," Diluc chuckled under his breath. Kaeya had not heard; paying no attention to Diluc. The Calvary Captain only toyed with the ice in his tumbler cup, playfully humming; eyes closed, hoping to see Lumine once more.
Diluc was not impressed. "Far side in Mondstadt for such a hard-working Captain," he snarked. "Perhaps, you should go back to stable duty, cleaning horseshit."
"Oh, Master Diluc, I didn't even know you were here." Kaeya laughed, the ice rattled, ceased as it anchored the table. Diluc crossed arms and raised an eyebrow; the uproar of customers heaved Angel's Shares, Kaeya yawning and uninterested; Diluc intent and irritated. The ingredients slowly appeared, showering the table with the fragrance of the two juices and milk.
Lumine could not read the subtle tension. She'd reached out and poured every ounce of the ingredient into a standard cocktail shaker. She had noticed Kaeya's unusual attire; a pestering thought could not leave her mind. At a short moment, The Calvary Captain took notice; smiled, edging a little closer, while Diluc rolled his eyes.
So indulged in her thought, the tumbler cup perpetually streamed out milk, some pouring out to Kaeya's abs. "Oh no, Honorary Knight. How odd of you," he teased, not surprised. "Guess, I need some help, cleaning up."
"Sorry, Kaeya," Lumine replied; she looked down. Glued to her hand, a Teyvat washcloth; with some colourful embroidery, she mounted her hands almost anchored to the sharp edges of Kaeya's body; beneath the mess. Diluc loomed over her stature, imprinting a final breath on her neck. "Lumine, you can take a break for today, and have some drink with friends." Diluc whispered; chills of goosebumps sent down.
"But Captain Kaeya needs-" Lumine replied.
Diluc stopped to smile. "Captain Kaeya, can clean himself like a man and not like some diaper wearing man-child."
Kaeya was cool visibly; inside; he'd wanted to drop a wine bottle into Diluc's head. "Oh Master Diluc, grown to be so bold for someone without a father."
Diluc scoffed, getting under Kaeya's skin; he smiled. "Not so level-headed as people praise you to be. A Calvary Captain, deserting his outpost. But perhaps, a little restraint for our lady, wouldn't quail the mood."
Kaeya thought the same. "Master Diluc is correct; sorry Traveller," he replied, keeping Lumine's washcloth.
"Maybe Captain of Calvary can fill in for our Traveller," Diluc suggested. "The night is only anew for Angel Shares. Yet having the Captain of Calvary can monopolise our business. Hell, since he is here; Traveller, why don't you free yourself with some drink. I'm sure, Kaeya won't be able to compete to the standards of my drinks."
"Oh, is that a challenge, Diluc, you're going to outperform me? If I managed to win our lady's favour, I'll take a stock of the cask of your finest 'Death After Noon', you will be the one to be producing it, of course."
"And if that case is in my favour, Captain here, has to work in Angel Share's. Abstaining from wine; extra-hourly shift."
That was when they had compromised; a divide between the table counter between them, they shook hands. Kaeya surfaced from the wooden stool, smiling a devilish smile. "I hope you see the talent, m'lady." Then he'd disappeared in the crowd.
Diluc sunk into one of the wooden stools behind him; tired. "Thank you initially for participating in the Bartender's Academy Week, of course, you're no longer required to work, but please take a break for today."
"Without a trouble," Lumine said, "Hope you good wishes in your little competition, that's been rooted out." She chuckled, trotting out of the counter. Diluc laughed a bit.
The early season of summer into Mondstadt always brought dandelion seeds during noontide outside of Mondstadt wilderness. Dandelions bloom exponentially; Dandelion Wines were more recurring, which had resulted in the extravagant welcoming of the common folks.
Lumine paced herself carefully through the spaces and through the crowd, her milky; golden-heels making an uneven footing on the flat wooden floorboard. A pale complexion beamed from the incandescent lanterns, with multicoloured heterochromatic eyes; unevenly tied turquoise hair. A black leotard surfaced by the 'Wavecrest Waltz'; harpooned by silver heirlooms and delicate fabric gloves. Tipsiness permeating the loneliness.
The sullied stemless wine glass reached out, "A-A medium sized Foamy Reef, please..." her elegant voice called, as her eyes wandered.
Lumine sulked and looked down at her, concerned for her. "Eula, are you okay," she asked. "You seemed like you had a rough day."
Eula was accursed with uncertainty by then. She would've limited herself, but it was too late after a few drinks. Eula placed both her hands on the table; covered in elegant fabric and looked down.
It was when Lumine had mounted a seat next to her, "You seem, a bit worn out" she commented.
"A-A small bit," Eula replied.
Eula's heart burned; thumping to pop out of her chest as she tried to maintain a good posture.
Milky face mingled with bloody red; she continued to intermittently belch. It was then she'd noticed, blond hair; coupled with the Inteyvat flower bundled in two pairs. The hair seemed a bit messy, but still beautiful. She nuzzled her head on the outer edge of a welcoming shoulder. "Thanks for coming back," she gently belched. "I longed for a talk."
Lumine handled the mildly sobbing Eula, showered with a quick caress. Eula turned to sigh, "Sorry, I've had too much to drink." She hummed, playing with the stemless wine glass. "Just two more and I'll be fine."
"You need to dilute the alcohol content from your body, I don't think two drinks will help," says Lumine, earnest, ordering a Foamy Reef with water. "Let's settle down first."
"Perhaps, you are right," Eula replied. "Stay a little longer... please."
Lumine frowned. "It's been a year already, Eula," she said. Eula seemed to snicker. The weight of the climate inside Angel Share became heavier. "It's been rough, yes, without you. Even though Amber was there to support me; it doesn't last long."
"Did something happen? It doesn't last longer, what do you mean?" Lumine asked, afire with interest but with wariness. "Drinking alone, hunting alone, dancing alone and sleeping alone; it seems, the foundation of my fate is built on a landscape of loneliness because of my name."
The almost bare hand towered Eula's hand; bearing the top surface of the chromatic blue; black glove. She pressed her hand and clenched Eula. A small sobbing, a vulnerable wit, delicate and soft as snow.
A soft sniffle paused the sobbing. Lumine looked at the once elegant women; uneasily; guilt loomed over her, abating her desire to speak. She could feel her longing, pain. As her brother had been missing for time as well.
Eula reclined straight, panting intermittently while still being held by Lumine. "I'm sorry for that, I should've had some restraint," she lightly belched. She did not seem to mind her intimacy with Lumine.
"Don't be hard on yourself," Lumine ushered. "My deepest sympathies, I know what it feels like."
"It doesn't matter, I've been through it already," Eula said, "How long until you go back again, I know you aren't here for reals."
Lumine shrugged, stopping to reconsider her words properly.
"My dorm is free, as Amber is currently on an outrider odyssey with some of her members," Eula recounted. She drew and quaffed on her Foamy Reef beverage; it was mostly water. "You can say no, Lumine, I'm just happy to see you again."
Eula seemed a little open on the idea, with the alcohol being flushed out. "I'll think about it," Lumine peeled her hand off Eula's. "I was mainly here to talk to the Acting Grandmaster; this work was for some income."
The bright complexion died off. Eula looked to her eccentric; unique and blonde partner but got only a furrowed look of a smile; half-hearted smile. "You are correct, Traveller. Sorry if it came in as too forceful."
"No, not that it was too demanding." She could feel the sadness watering inside of a vulnerable Eula; she thought for a moment. But she wasn't here for anyone in particular either, except the Acting Grandmaster.
Eula's persistence surrendered; still intoxicated. "Amber will be back in fortnight's time," she said. "The request didn't sound as ludicrous in my head."
"I could do it for a day until you feel better, like a fun sleepover."
"You can?" Eula asked. An unusual notice it was to see her so open; happy. A week or two would mean, Eula had to put up with Paimon's bullshit; but she seemed grateful with a small smile.
"I'll see you tomorrow in my dorm then, we can do lots of things together."
Lumine saw a intoxicated Eula as a bit clingy; the formal etiquette had seemed to be arbitrary. She hadn't meant much but, seeing a rare sadness made Lumine guilty. "It's a bit late, will you be safe?" Lumine asked. "I'll be fine, I need to write everything for tomorrow, so it'll stick in more," Eula said.
As Eula left; a dying crowd had followed on. It was certainly late, a few customers came in and by, while most had left. But there were still hidden surprises.
Lumine saw herself with a burly hand wave, a physically daring woman; exchanging afire glances. She could smell the faint bouquet of an open sea and the hint of an open voyage. Even, if it mingled with the scent of a Dusk beverage, Lumine was quite happy. Often, omitting the common faces there would be mixture with the unique ones.
She understood well what the women was signalling. Approaching, her milky; golden heels were at even footing, each click more elegant than the last. She smiled, "Captain Beidou and Lady Ningguang?"
"Ahoy, Traveller. Fancy seeing you here," Beidou said. "Care to join us for a blitz drinking?" She continued, blending some of her other alcohol for some a nice palate; kind enough, Beidou nuzzled Lumine next to her.
Ningguang was identically ecstatic to see a winsome face; welcoming a wholly smile. After her duties in Liyue, Ningguang grew to like Lumine more. Even in the moment, Ninguang understood and saw her as invaluable to the politics of Liyue.
The Tianquan saw an opportunity fit. "Traveller, would you like to come with us tomorrow to Liyue," Ningguang said with a wry enthusiasm. "I understand, you may not want to harken on my request. But there is a Warden approaching to Mondstadt, you may be cautioned, as she may not be safe around her."
