lapisdei: (Default)
钟离 [ Zhōnglí ] ([personal profile] lapisdei) wrote in [community profile] hugtopia_logs2021-01-06 12:07 am

Vago Mundo // OTA

Who: Zhongli + anyone!
Where: Diacht temple, other temples, shopping district
When: Jan 4th
What: Zhongli arrives on the scene
Rating: PG for language.

[a.] Temple visits

[ After waking and being introduced to the situation via the automata priests, Zhongli would spend quite a bit of time slowly wandering the halls, indulging in the artistry of the architecture, as well as the many small details that reminded him of home.

He was quite pleased to be a patron of Diacht's, given how their values aligned, though other reservations on the matter of deities was held on his tongue. Being one himself, he wondered about the burdens and machinations placed on the present deity's shoulders, and what secrets the temples held.

[ If found in Diacht's temple, Zhongli would be asking a priest about the decorations and their purpose. The priest would begin to explain, but upon catching sight of someone else, suggest that Zhongli might be better off asking another off-worlder about these customs than themselves.

[ If found in any other temple, Zhongli would be asking about the local deities and their customs, and if approached, would happily ask the other off-worlder what they think of the temple. ]



[b.] Terrible Luck

[ After leaving one of the temples, perhaps with someone else, perhaps not, Zhongli's attention was caught by a fortune teller drawing in patrons, and he couldn't help but to approach and inquire about the tellers' wares.

Upon explanation, he found it quite charming, and asked to be given a fortune. He couldn't read it, but the automata distributing them kindly read it for him and handed the paper back to him. He stood in place for a moment, looking at the illegible script, and pondered the meaning for a minute. ]


That does fit the moment--thank you for your time.

[ He turned to leave the booth, be it with whomever walked out with him, or, if he left the temple alone, so he left the booth alone, as well. However, it wouldn't be long at all before some poor unfortunate soul near Zhongli would see a very tall, resplendently dressed man promptly slip in the snow and Eat Shit with the most graceful of barks. He'd sit up and wipe the snow off of the thighs of his pants and try to brush his hands dry off one another, and did a fine job of hiding just how distraught he was.

Zhongli would then manage to stand up, but a chunk of ice caught under his heel, and down he went again, this time landing on his back with a winded grunt.

He knitted his brows, but patience was still exercised. He'd stand and dust himself off a second time, and make a few meters of progress before sliding. For the way he skated down the walkway, one might think he was clumsily cruising along on heelys, but no. The ice just really seemed to have it out for him until a light post became his unlikely savior. Zhongli cleared his throat, smoothed out his coat, and the very moment he let go of the pillar, a native of this world went running by, bumped their shoulder to his, and down he went into the snow again. ]


I'm beginning to think I'll have better luck staying down here for now. [ He seemed more resigned, though the stiffness in his tone started to betray his irritation at the sudden bout of mechanical difficulty he was having at the moment. ]


[c.] Little soldier boy come marching home

[ Zhongli had not yet chosen a home for himself. He wanted, instead, to take his time, as he preferred with all things, and give the decision due care and consideration. A kindly native of the world explained the amenities were all the same in the provided housing, and the only real available customization was to be had by choice of roommates and location.

It was a small thing, but he wanted to take the time to decide whether or not he wanted others living with him, so for now, he asked where he could get a cup of hot tea and found the described location.


[c.1] Upon finally making it to the front of the line and placing an order for ginger and chamomile tea, he was then, of course, asked to pay. Zhongli paused, thoughtfully so, but then quickly followed up the moment by asking how to pay. The barista just gave him a tired glance, but otherwise was kind enough to explain how to perform the transaction. ]

Ah, thank you. It would seem I don't have any of your currency, though.

[ Zhongli didn't seem at all embarrassed or perturbed. Only a little disappointed and saddened that he wouldn't be getting his tea, and wasted the time of those around him. ]

[c2.] A kindly patron had paid for his tea inside, and after graciously thanking them, he took a seat at one of the dainty tables and cupped the tea gently in both hands, relishing the warmth of the cup. He also took his time lingering over the rim of the cup, letting the steam rise and tickle his nose and forehead to chase away the last lingering chill of winter from outside, and to also enjoy the sweet, light aroma of ginger and chamomile. It would be some time before he took his first sip and set the cup carefully down on the table with a purposeful presence of mind. ]

Though wonderfully brewed, I will say this tea tastes...off. Not necessarily bad, and I compliment the staff's understanding of a finely brewed cup of tea, but there's a certain element to it that I can't describe. A unique quality, likely a result of the components having different qualities from those of home.

[ Zhongli also asked what his company suggested to enjoy as a snack with tea--since he was so unfamiliar with the options--and he of coursed asked politely if they would like to order some. As it sat on the table next to his cup, however, he gave the pastry(he had decided on a cinnamon roll, thinking the cinnamon would pair well with the ginger and chamomile) a curious look, then looked to his companion. ]

Will I need a fork to eat this?

[d.] Wildcard

[ Is there anything in particular you want to drag Zhongli into? Feel free to! I'll happily go along with whatever. Don't @ me for the title of the c option if you know the reference. >:) ]
callmegladio: (24)

c.1

[personal profile] callmegladio 2021-01-06 12:55 pm (UTC)(link)
[A large, tattooed arm reached passed Zhongli, a clear, rectangular object in his hand that was used to pay for the tea... as well as his own order. When it was given back, Gladio took a step away and grinned.]

When you got here, did you grab one of these things?

[He lifted the phone and gave it a little wiggle, before he shoved it into his back pocket.]

Turns out that's how you pay for things. It's got some money on it, not much. So tea's on me this time.
iustaegis: (pic#13566215)

b

[personal profile] iustaegis 2021-01-06 08:49 pm (UTC)(link)
[ It's that part of the bimonthly cycle again where new off-worlders arrive, and this poor fellow seems to have been one of them. She only happens to catch sight of his second and subsequent falls, cringing slightly in sympathy as she watches him stand, be bumped into, and then slip again. Oof, she thinks in tandem to his collapse.

She walks over to him, navigating carefully over the ice. It helps, some, that she has a presence that's unusually warm.

After his last and final fall, he'll see a hand outstretched towards him, friendly and welcoming, and belonging to a woman who bears a smile equally as soft. ]


Here. Are you alright?
callmegladio: (43)

[personal profile] callmegladio 2021-01-06 10:11 pm (UTC)(link)
Not sure about a contract... don't remember signing anythin to get here..

[He turned away and smiled, reaching across the counter to take his cup and the one for the stranger, and held his tea out to him.]

But I won't mind the company.

[Another smile, and then a nod to a table out of the way. Gladio took himself over and sat down with a sigh, his cup of sweet green tea placed on the table in front of him.]
commediadellanime: (pic#14529216)

b;

[personal profile] commediadellanime 2021-01-07 06:25 am (UTC)(link)
[Zhongli's silhouette is instantly recognizable - after all the time he's spent being led around by the man and footing the bill for everything, Childe thinks he could spot Zhongli from a mile away.

Couldn't figure out the truth of what he was, though, a fact that still burns him up if he dwells on it too long. Conveniently, it's impossible to dwell on it while Zhongli is falling over himself like a child on the ice for the first time.

He makes absolutely zero effort to hold back his laughs.]


To see someone as mighty as you bested by a little ice and snow... You've really come a long way, haven't you?

[The snow and cold doesn't bother Childe at all - he's dressed same as he was in Liyue, but he's also unaware of Zhongli's poor fortune.]
commediadellanime: (pic#14529209)

HEHEHEHE

[personal profile] commediadellanime 2021-01-07 07:09 am (UTC)(link)
[He could be useful, or he could just stand there at laugh at him some more. But, no, probably best to at least help the (ex-)archon back to his feet. Oh, he's still mad, but...

They're both in unfamiliar territory, and as much as Childe hates to admit it, he wants allies. There's no Fatui subordinates for him to order around here, and for as airheaded and forgetful Zhongli seems to be, he's... Not the worst pick.

He steps over, holding out the hand he asked for.]


What even happened to you? This seems pretty out of character, I have to admit.

[A beat.]

Are you drunk?

[Can Zhongli even get drunk? His words aren't slurred, but it's still a possibility! Drunk people don't have coordination!]
commediadellanime: (pic#14529213)

[personal profile] commediadellanime 2021-01-07 08:02 am (UTC)(link)
[Growing up in Snezhnaya makes one impervious to snow and snow based attacks - Childe's still wearing the same clothing he wore around Liyue. Part of that is because he can't afford anything else quite yet, but also partly because, yes, the cold doesn't bother him much anymore.

He doesn't even consider that Zhongli would retaliate, but not considering there's more to Zhongli than what you can take at face value was part of his downfall.

(Though is it much of a downfall if his mission still succeeds? Yes, because it was Signora who got the prize.)

He pats Zhongli on the shoulder, curious if it'll make him topple over again, before taking a step back and giving him space.]


Yeah? Seems like it was more than just unfavorable, but I'll let you keep your secrets.

[Not at all surprised by his stance on liquor, tbh. He seems like a buzzkill, so to speak.

His easy grin gets sharper at the mention of Havenwell's gods, and he lets out a cold laugh.]


Yeah, they've got some guts dragging us into this, huh? Can't say I'm too keen to worship any of them.

[He belongs to the Tsaritsa and the Tsaritsa alone, and none of these gods can compare to the Archon.]

Not sure anyone else would, with how important the Archons are for most people. And with you being a god yourself... Are you going to bend to their whims?
commediadellanime: (pic#14529218)

[personal profile] commediadellanime 2021-01-07 08:50 am (UTC)(link)
[He's a buzzkill who probably wouldn't appreciate some good, classic Snezhnayan firewater. Not that it's something Childe appreciates often, between how rare it is to find it outside of Snezhnaya and how strong it is.

He raises an eyebrow at Zhongli, considering his words for a moment.]


It's not much of a contract if we didn't get to negotiate beforehand. Shouldn't you be angrier?

[He's pretty angry, after all. And he's more than ready to blaspheme - as far as he's concerned, these gods don't need his worship. They should have brought in somebody else, if they wanted someone to sing their praises and believe in them.

Not to mention he doesn't buy half the things the machines here say. He keeps hearing things about restoring the world, but... The methods are suspect.]


But, yeah, sure, I can talk to 'em - it's not every day you get to see the God of Contracts in action, so I can't miss that!

[He falls into step with Zhongli, still watching to see if he's going to fall. It was really funny, okay?]

What have you found out so far? Four gods, city's in a bubble, we need to bring life back to the world, that's all a given.
commediadellanime: (Default)

[personal profile] commediadellanime 2021-01-07 09:32 am (UTC)(link)
[Childe doesn't have nearly a refined palette - maybe some of it is his age, but it's mostly that Childe doesn't see the point in being so particular. All food and drink serves a function, and if he gets what his body needs out of it, or it helps him loosen up, then it doesn't matter what it is.

Which is probably why all of the tea he's had with Zhongli was just bafflingly expensive to him and he didn't appreciate it nearly as much as he should.

He also hates it when Zhongli has a point, more so now than before. He rolls his eyes and waves a hand.]


Yeah, yeah. Can't exactly go storming the palace when there's no palace to storm.

[He's still unused to gods and Archons being so distant... He's well aware that Barbatos leaves Monstadt to its own devices, and Morax was supposed to keep far away from Liyue all but once a year, but the Tsaritsa was always there. As a Harbinger, he could see her whenever he wanted to, but even before then, when he was just Ajax, he knew she was in the Palace and was looking out for their home.

He hasn't heard of much contact from these gods, yet, and he's not sure what to make of that.]


...Liyuan New Year?

[That's... Not what he was expecting. His brow furrows, and he thinks he's heard of the holiday before when he was doing research on Liyue, but he didn't get the chance to experience it himself.]

You're - Seriously? We're seriously going to throw Liyuan New Year?

[...He can't be surprised, but also, he's kind of surprised.]
iustaegis: (pic#13580077)

[personal profile] iustaegis 2021-01-07 01:14 pm (UTC)(link)
[ With a slight tug, she lifts him to his feet, and she’ll continue to hold onto his hand, with her other arm hovering just behind his back, as they carefully make their way off the ice. Then and only then, because she’s not sure exactly how much (as a newcomer) he wishes to dedicate his touch to the gods, she feels the need to ask if he’d be willing to hold hands as they walk. ]

Oh, I don’t mind— as if I could say no to someone who’s just arrived! [ Perish the thought that she would just abandon him otherwise!

To solidify this sentiment, she smiles kindly again, her tone sincere and catering. Not everyone is so calm about being plucked from their world into this one; that he remains so polite speaks to his personality. Still, she wishes to make this transition as easy as possible for him. ]
I’m here for you.

[ Then, she inclines her head towards their held hands. ] But do you mind this? It helps the world and the gods here. [ Supposedly, as they’ve been told. ]
commediadellanime: (pic#14529214)

[personal profile] commediadellanime 2021-01-07 06:55 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm not sure a festival is a better option, if I'm being honest.

[He watches the natives passing by, everyone who's from another world like they are sticking out like sore thumbs. He's still not quite sure what to make of the natives themselves - it seems strange, to make yourself a machine, but they're nothing like the automatas he's found roving Teyvat. Nothing at all like Ruin Guards Dottore was researching, and he's not sure if it's because they used to be people or something else.

He scratches the bridge of his nose, considering. It did seem like a big deal, which was strange. New Years in Snezhnaya was the same time as everywhere else, but luckily or unluckily you'd get a week off work until the next holiday. It had been decided that working and toiling when there was another holiday was around the corner was foolish, or something. The decision had been made when he was a child, but his family, at the time, had been too poor with too many children to feed to take advantage of the break.

But the Liyuan celebration sounds so much more like an actual celebration, which means...]


And, well, I'm mostly curious how you're planning on funding this whole thing if the priests don't give you a budget - or in the more likely case, if your plans exceed the budget you get. Mora doesn't exactly carry weight, here.

[Not that he woke up with much on him - all he had was his uniform, his Vision and Delusion, and the Mr. Cyclops action figure he swore he gave to that traveler to give to Teucer.]
callmegladio: (15)

[personal profile] callmegladio 2021-01-08 01:35 am (UTC)(link)
[A wordy bastard this one. Gladio found he really had to pay attention to what the guy was saying. He was using way too many words to say the simplest of things, but he guessed that was just the kind of person this must be.

Time would tell.

Gladio reached for his tea, blowing lightly he took a sip. Pretty good. Alright, maybe this place would be acceptable. For now.]


I've nothing better to do. Sure. Though I grabbed a place yesterday. Other than checking out this city and workin out what makes it tick, I've no business. [Which is why agreeing to accompany a stranger is so easy to do.]
lunaelucem: (UcEQAgd)

c2;

[personal profile] lunaelucem 2021-01-09 06:21 pm (UTC)(link)
[Lunafreya smiles behind her cup.]

If you'd prefer. But I believe half the appeal is to eat it with your hands and unravel it.

[Compared to his single, huge cinnamon roll, Lunafreya opted for a single tray of high tea snacks, ranging from a tiny versions of two kinds of puddings to macarons and tarts.]
monklookslikealady: (23)

c.1

[personal profile] monklookslikealady 2021-01-10 06:12 am (UTC)(link)
[There's a cough from beside him before a blonde reaches forward with his phone. He makes his own order before paying.]

Don't worry, I have it.

[He tucks the phone away in his robes before smiling at the other man.]

I'm assuming you're new here, yes?
iustaegis: (pic#13598751)

[personal profile] iustaegis 2021-01-11 04:35 am (UTC)(link)
[ Hand in hand, they make their way to safer, non-slippery ground. Her hand holds his as a clasp, neither imposing nor faint, but there is a bit of a pleased sway of their arms as they walk. ]

Speaking so calmly like that... [ And, again, in such a polite manner, while clearly still well-put together after a fall. ] —would lead me to believe there’s nothing chaotic at all.

[ Now that she gets a better look at him? He’s wearing garb that’s certainly not from the Havenwell boutiques. She’s never seen a suit quite like his. There’s something fantastical about it, yet sleek.

Now, she peers at him with curious, crimson eyes. ]


What is your name?
commediadellanime: (pic#14529221)

[personal profile] commediadellanime 2021-01-11 05:17 am (UTC)(link)
So you're just doing exactly what they want.

[He gives Zhongli a critical looking, sizing the man up and down. He would have liked to think he's gotten to know the man over his time in Liyue, but considering how the man played him like a fool... He might be better off considering them back at square one.

It just makes him more curious, though.]


What kind of services can you even offer? Lessons about the history and culture of country they never knew existed?

[...Not that there's many skills Childe has to offer that would be useful here. Hm. It seems he might have to get comfortable with touch really quickly.

And then Zhongli asks if he wants to live with him and - yep. Definitely knows nothing about the man. He stares at the side of his head, ignoring the odd foreign house they're in front of, as if he stares long enough he'll be able to read his mind.]


...You want to live together. With me. [...] I'll cook and keep the place tidy, but I am not paying for everything or doing maintenance around the place.
callmegladio: Image @ <user name="fontech"> (64)

[personal profile] callmegladio 2021-01-11 02:31 pm (UTC)(link)
You think so too, huh?

[Gladio looked the guy over, tall, dark and handsome but looks could deceive and Gladio wasn't one to judge. So he nodded.]

Care for some company? I'd planned on working my way that way eventually.
lunaelucem: ([ the rising morn)

yw~ it's a very cute prompt

[personal profile] lunaelucem 2021-01-14 11:32 pm (UTC)(link)
[It's a very charming sight. Lunafreya's sure she was also like that when she tried her first cinnamon bun, after so many years of having fork and knife etiquette drilled into her.]

I'm afraid I don't. I'm from a world called Eos where no such place exists. But cinnamon buns are quite a common pastry in my world, along with many others like it.