[ He wouldn't have been surprised by either or from Childe, honestly. He was a fiery, vibrant young man with the world at his fingertips in a time where humans no longer needed their Archons.

Were he younger, though, he just might have thrown a very well-aimed snowball at Childe. But he's wizened, and Childe is far too adapted to the cold for any kind of snow-based retaliation to matter, anyway. Rest assured though, Zhongli Will Remember That, and even the scales in his own subtle ways.

In the interim, he took the hand and hesitated for a moment, making sure he had his footing, before hefting himself up with the offered arm. ]

Ah, thank you. [ He set right to brushing himself off, and stood perfectly still, not willing to test his luck just yet. ]

Me? No. [ It was said a little more sternly, but his tone evened out again. ] I've a tempered sense of self-control regarding alcohols. An unfavorable streak just befell me at the moment, as they are wont to do for us all from time to time.

Though seeing you here, I have to wonder if anyone else from our humble world will be forcibly entered into contracts with the Archons here.