The Cup approaches, and the Cat hides the Wheel it seeks after


There were several obstacles in registering Bennett as an official Cat's Tail's bartender.

The first was Margaret who insisted that hiring him would interfere with his adventuring duty.

While she brought up a good point, Diona already confirmed with Bennett that he had no issue with working as a part-timer. Her boss eventually gave in but she kept praying to lord Barbatos for some reason.

Since when was one of the Four Legendary Drunkards of Monstadt this religious...

The other issue was the customers. The idiots that the drunkards were didn't like Bennett around the tavern, so only regulars came by now, but these guys were barely drinkers. They came just for the cats. Usually, Diona would call this a success but those lost customers had been going to Angel's Share instead! How were they supposed to bring down the wine industry if their competition kept making money?!

"You okay there?" Bennett asked her as she banged her head against the counter. He had Prince cuddling in his arms and surprisingly didn't have any fresh claw marks on him.

She growled.

"Do I look okay to you? Our plan is crumbling before our very eye!" She curled her hands into fists. She'd have pound them into the wood in front of her if not for the doorbell ringing.

"Oh crud. Hide me!" Bennett whispered before sinking to the floor and crawling under the counter, Prince mewling at him. He made a shush motion and cupped his palm over the cat's maw. "I'm not here," he mouthed.

Diona blinked and turned to the customer who came in. It was the idol sister from the church. She narrowed her eyes in curiousity (and a bit of suspicion).

"Welcome to Cats' Tail," she tried greeting warmly, but eh, habits. "I didn't know you drink."

The sister frantically shook her head. "Oh, no no! I'm not here for that."

Good, Diona thought. Wouldn't do if someone of her stature turned out to be another drunkard.

"I'm actually looking for someone," the sister said.

Oh. Diona took a deep breath, realizing the situation Bennett just put her in. She was about to send a glare his way when she saw his pleading eyes.

"Mrow?"

"Not now, Prince," she said as a cover after realizing she had been looking down for too long.

She might not even have to do it actually, seeing as how the sister was fidgeting and tiptoeing as her eyes scoured the nooks and crannies of the tavern. She gave up soon after and turned back to Diona, sighing. Worried would be an understatement to describe her expression.

"Do you know any Bennett? He's my age, a bit taller, and has lots of scars over his body. I heard he comes here often. Please, I need to speak to him."

The desperation in her voice almost convinced Diona to pull her partner up. Almost.

"Look, I haven't seen him today. He's probably out there adventuring somewhere. You know how he is."

"Is that so…" The sister hung her head, defeated.

Diona frowned, feeling guilty for lying to the already distraught girl. She sighed.

"I'll notify you if I ever see him again. If that's all, I need you to leave if you don't mind. You're scaring the cats." She wasn't, but at Diona's words, they all immediately began backing off into the corners. Good cats.

The sister flinched. Perhaps she was being too harsh.

"Oh dear, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to. And thank you." The sister bowed her head and left soon after.

It wasn't until the door fully closed that Diona let out the breath she was holding. She looked down to find Bennett hugging his knees, Prince rubbing against his feet.


Diona wasn't the best at comforting people. She'd be the worst actually. But somebody had to and she was the only one available. Curse her sympathetic heart. Seeing the boy like this made her heart ache.

Mom used to say fish stew healed all ailments. Too bad there were no fish nor stew to be had here. Hopefully a cool glass of sunsettia juice sufficed.

She sat beside him at one of the tables and handed the glass.

"You look sad."

Real smooth, Diona. Real smooth.

Bennett took the glass and sipped at it, his frown slowly turning upside down. He smiled at her, though it didn't reach his eyes.

"Thanks."

Diona fidgeted with her fingers, trying to think of a better conversation opener. Thankfully she didn't have to. He took care of it for her.

"Are you sure it's okay to close the bar? I can still work, you know."

Diona waved it off. "Don't worry. This kinda works in our favor. Isn't this what we wanted to do? Get less people drinking?"

"But they're all gonna go to Angel's Shar–"

"I said don't worry." She almost growled but forced a grin on her face. "I'm sure Margaret won't mind either. She'll understand."

And if she didn't, well, what she didn't know couldn't hurt her.

But seriously, she sure was taking her sweet time looking for that replacement cabinet. This was the third day she was out. Even the white marks under the old cabinet now looked the same color as the rest of the floor.

Diona looked Bennett in the eyes. That was all it took for him to give in.

He sighed. "That girl was Barbara. She was… my crush."

If he gripped his glass any harder, there would be shards flying around.

Diona tilted her head, not understanding where this was going. "So you like her? Then were you just embarrassed or something?"

Bennett gave up on trying to break his glass and went on to try breaking the table with his head instead. Or perhaps the other way around.

"I like her. She doesn't feel the same."

Diona frowned. "She was really worried about you though."

Bennett rolled his head sideway and smiled at her like a kicked kitten. He couldn't look more pitiful if he tried.

"Yeah, she's that kind of person. Always worried about others. I guess I kinda misread her intention."

Diona opened her mouth only to close it afterwards, at lost on how to comfort him. Her only exposure to people's love life was her parents, or rather just dad, and Old Finch. Both had their own fair share of heartache so taking them as reference wouldn't help in this situation.

In the end Diona gave up trying to say anything and rested her hand on his, giving it a light squeeze.

"Look, I'm not good at this mushy stuff. But if you want company, I'm here."

Bennett sat up straight but didn't say anything for awhile, only looked at her as if he wanted to cry. He didn't though. Instead he picked up his glass and hid his face behind it as he chugged down its content.

Diona held back a snicker when she noticed the red tinge on his cheeks. She could tease him for that later. But for now, he needed a shoulder to lean on.


"One more!"

"Not that I'm complaining, Margaret, but don't you have your own tavern to waste yourself at?"

"I don't care, Charles. Just fill it up!"

"Alright, alright. Coming up. Honestly, what's gotten into you?"

"It's–hic!–my new bartender."

"Ah. I can see why."

"That Diona convinced me to hire him. Why did Lord Barbatos give her such an irresistable face?"

"There, there. Now, do I put this on your personal tab or Cat's Tail's?"

"Either. Heh, at this point I might just give all my customers to you with that boy around. He looked like a sad puppy I couldn't say no. Why must I be inflicted with such a kind heart..."

"Hm, truly sad. Anyway, we're closing soon so finish up."

"Zzzzz…"


Other people's constellation: Cool names

Meanwhile, Barbara: Cup. Take it or leave it ಠ_ಠ

(Pretends Diona's constellation doesn't mean just "cat")

Anywho, that's the chapter. Hope you enjoyed. This is half slice-of-life, half angst, so it'll take awhile to resolve the tension between Barbara and our best boi, but it'll come... after I hurt him so more ( ꈍᴗꈍ)