Zhongli Ideal World: Session 3

[idolpro]

"In his long life, he has met countless people, and shall meet countless more still.

As they say: the waters change course, but the mountains move not."

--The Raiden Shogun

Comments

Liyue: Marketplace

[leaveofabsence]

As expected of a hub of commerce, Liyue has a varied and busy marketplace. Shops of all types line the streets all the way up to the third story. Fancy yourself a new antique, a good meal, or to take out a loan from the Northland Bank, well — then you're certainly in the right place.

Within the market, there are three places to go:

Wanmin Restaurant: A quaint hole in the wall that boasts not only some of the best home-cooked food in Liyue but all of Teyvat. You will notice Zhongli has seated himself at one of the best tables in the house and is sharing a meal with someone.

Wanwen Bookhouse: Why do libraries and bookstores exist in rpgs? Well, that's why this one is here, too.

The Jade Mystery: Gacha. Gacha gacha gacha.

You may also travel to: the docks, the mountains in the distance, or the central pavilion.

Re: Liyue: Marketplace

[childeishly]

[ on his trip to the market he affixes his vision to his belt and tucks his delusion away for safekeeping. he stops a few steps in, craning his head back to look up at the sky and soak in the atmosphere. it feels like it's been forever since he's been in liyue, especially after he was asked to chase after scaramouche in inazuma. he sighs wistfully, almost heading straight for the northland bank out of reflex, because, wups, he got caught in a memory. ]

[ as soon as he spots zhongli he's going to head on over to wanmin. ] Zhongli Xiansheng~ [ going to act like everything's totally normal. ] You gave my spot away to someone else? I'm not *that* late.

Liyue Marketplace: Wanmin Restaraunt (Childe do not reply to this - reply to the next tag)

[leaveofabsence]

Upon nearing the restaurant, you will notice a very human-looking Zhongli and Childe sitting at a table, lacking in any sort of corruption that the Production has bestowed upon them as well as wearing attire that affiliate them both with different organizations. The aroma of delicious food wafts up from the table where various Liyue delicacies are being served and in abundance. Childe looks mournfully at a pair of chopsticks while Zhongli sips from his tea.

"Can I really not use a fork?"

To which Zhongli just raises an eyebrow from behind his cup as if the very mention of it was blasphemy.

For those with a discerning eye, there is a hint of blue ink on Zhongli's inner wrist and similar gold ink on the back of Childe's neck.

Your vision glows in this location.

Doppleganger: Childe

[leaveofabsence]

The edges of the world fade around you as you suddenly come face to face with yourself. The sound of the other Travelers and Liyue harbor become indistinct. Your doppleganger bows in a standard Liyue greeting, posture too perfect and movements too precise, making it seem uncanny for a moment.

[ "Hello, comrade. Pull up a chair, won't you? I'm sure we have a lot to chat about." ]

You also already know what the mark on Childe's neck and Zhongli's wrist already are.

A gaming menu also flickers to life in front of your eyes:

Please choose one upgrade:

• Details: You may ask your doppleganger questions until you get one answer that will assist you in repairing Zhongli's erosion.
  
• Ascend: You may add +1 to any stat (following the rule that it does not exceed +2).
  
• Refine: You will be healed to full health or can choose to be revived to 1 HP should you fall to 0 health.

[[ Disclaimer: You may get an upgrade from your doppleganger only once. Should the area your doppleganger exists in be cleansed of erosion, you will still be able to interact with them. ]]

Re: Doppleganger: Childe

[childeishly]

[ refine.
he might need it. ]

[ pulls up a chair with a smile, making sure that he's just a little bit closer to zhongli than his counterpart. ] It would sure seem like it.

[ elm 6 to see if he can get a better read on the marks on the both of them before he says anything else. ]

Re: Doppleganger: Childe

[leaveofabsence]

[ Enjoy your free rez, Childe ]

[ ELM: 6 means that Childe will notice that the vision in most prominently glowing in response to the marks. But also that dopple!Childe faintly glows everywhere. Nothing else in the restaurant glows.

Dopple!Childe also raises an eyebrow at Caeli's choice of seat but ultimately doesn't say anything about it. ]

Here to see the Rite? You never miss it.

[ And as the world comes back into focus around them, Zhongli does not seem at all bothered by their being two Childe(s). He just starts to prepare a plate of overheaping food for Caeli.

And ask for one more pair of chopsticks, of course ]

Re: Doppleganger: Childe

[childeishly]

[ going to ignore his other self glowing. he'll deal with that later. ] I'm actually here to see you, Xiansheng. I had something special planned for afterward, but it involves a lot of prep, so I thought I might recruit some help. [ and then he eyes his dopple. ]

[ this is the moment he's been training his entire life for.
going to show off his chopstick game... to himself. ]

[ eat shit, other self, he's only slightly better at this than you. ]

Re: Doppleganger: Childe

[leaveofabsence]

[ Roll SPD to impress Zhongli after months of failed chopsticking ]

Oh?

I suppose that I could offer my assistance. What do you need?

Re: Liyue Marketplace: Wanmin Restaraunt (Childe do not reply to this - reply to the next tag)

[childeishly]

[ and he's back! and covered in blood. ] Xiangling? [ takes a seat at the counter as he starts trying to make himself look somewhat presentable. hydro abilities, go! ]

Could I get some food to go? I need something to reinvigorate me, since I have a few more [ ahem. ] debts to collect before the Rite.

Re: Liyue Marketplace: Wanmin Restaraunt

[leaveofabsence]

[ He will hear Zhongli approach him even if he does not say anything.

Xiangling with or without erosion is of course happy to serve Childe and he can get whatever he wants. Maybe some Calla Lily Soup? ]

Re: Liyue Marketplace: Wanmin Restaraunt

[childeishly]

How about some Bamboo Shoot Soup?

[ pivots, turning to face zhongli. ] Hey there Xiansheng. I'm sorry this is taking a while. There were a few... complications. Nothing I couldn't overcome, but... [ surely zhongli understands the blood. ]

Re: Liyue Marketplace: Wanmin Restaraunt

[leaveofabsence]

"Coming right up!"

[ Zhongli still continues to say nothing, just watches Childe for a few more moments before he puts a hand on his shoulder.

The Jade Shield hums to life around him like a second skin.

The next damage he takes will be absorbed by the Jade Shield. ]

I know.

Re: Liyue Marketplace: Wanmin Restaraunt

[childeishly]

[ childe smiles, reaching to set his hand atop zhongli's. ] ...thanks, Xiansheng. [ he appreciates this like nobody's business. ] Just two more stops to make and then we can meet up. I'm looking forward to it.

Re: Liyue: Marketplace

[heavyliesthecrown]

[ The place is entirely unfamiliar, not like home at all, but the architecture is pleasing if old-fashioned. He's a little intrigued as he glances around. This sort of place is his home...?

There is little time to wonder about that, however, when he spots the person he was hoping to find in question himself! ]

Zhongli-san...?

[ He crosses over to the Wanmin Restaurant ]

I had wondered where I might find you. And here you are eating so casually.

Wanmin Restaraunt

[leaveofabsence]

Upon nearing the restaurant, you will notice a very human-looking Zhongli and Childe sitting at a table, lacking in any sort of corruption that the Production has bestowed upon them as well as wearing attire that affiliate them both with different organizations. The aroma of delicious food wafts up from the table where various Liyue delicacies are being served and in abundance. Childe looks mournfully at a pair of chopsticks while Zhongli sips from his tea.

"Can I really not use a fork?"

To which Zhongli just raises an eyebrow from behind his cup as if the very mention of it was blasphemy.

For those with a discerning eye, there is a hint of blue ink on Zhongli's inner wrist and similar gold ink on the back of Childe's neck.

Your vision glows in this space.

Also, there seems to be two Childe(s). The one sitting closest to Zhongli is very obviously Caeli.

Tsukasa, I did not know you were coming. Please ---

[ Zhongli points to a vacant seat ]

Join us.

[[ Sorry for the million and one edits ]]

Re: Wanmin Restaraunt

[heavyliesthecrown]

I...

[ He's not only distracted by the way his vision suddenly glows, a strange sensation to say the least but the fact that there are two...Caeli's. Well. Of a sort. ]

How are there two of you?

[ It's a dream he supposes, but... he's still a little thrown. That must mean the one without the difference in appearance is merely a figment. He takes a seat uncertainly, but there's no choice but to investigate a little. Though that's only a 3 ]

Re: Wanmin Restaraunt

[childeishly]

[ clears his throat. ] Brothers. [ he looks at himself, cha 5. ] Twin Brothers.

[ he swears he'll explain later. maybe. ]

Re: Wanmin Restaraunt

[heavyliesthecrown]

Ah-- aahh. How splendid. I am an only child, so I can only imagine what it would be like to have a sibling, let alone a twin.

With the exception of your corruptions, you would be impossible to tell apart.

[ Then again, Tsukasa is sporting a new look himself. ]

Re: Wanmin Restaraunt

[childeishly]

[ his own ears and tails twitch. ] It would be a real shame if you were to mix us up. [ an absolutely 110% lighthearted laugh. ] But we come from a big family... siblings both older and younger. [ he smiles, but this, in contrast, is infinitely more friendly. ]

I don't think I can imagine being an only child. [ definitely eying him. ]

Re: Wanmin Restaraunt

[leaveofabsence]

What are you talking about?

Re: Wanmin Restaraunt

[heavyliesthecrown]

It would have been nice to have a younger brother or sister, I think. Alas, I will content myself with spoiling my cousin instead.

[ His tail swishes from side to side. At least thinking of his adorable younger cousin is always a bright spot. ]

Please tell me more about your family one of these days.

Re: Wanmin Restaraunt

[leaveofabsence]

[ Zhongli does not seem to mind that there are two of them. Or notice really.

Unfortunately, with a 3, Kasa cannot find the source of the issue, but feel free to roll every tag. ]

Hmmm?

[ And then distractedly ]

Oh, I do not believe I ever asked. What kind of food do you like, Tsukasa? Or shall I order for you?

Re: Wanmin Restaraunt

[heavyliesthecrown]

[ To be quite honest, he has no idea what sort of food they might serve here. Considering the environment, he assumes some may be similar to home, but- he cannot be sure. ]

I do enjoy a great deal of traditional Japanese cooking. I am a little spoiled at home and enjoy a variety of different meals. The servants are always exploring different recipes for me. ♪

While I am prone to enjoying sweets I am not so picky when it comes to a proper meal. I would be delighted to take your recommendation? Though perhaps not anything too spicy.

[ However, this time around, he rolled a 4 ]

Re: Wanmin Restaraunt

[leaveofabsence]

[ The marks on Childe's neck and Zhongli's wrist glow the brightest. (INT roll to inspect more closely). But also everything of Childe seems to glow.

Caeli, on the other hand, does not glow. ]

Not spicy. Hmmmm.

[ And Zhongli will order a pot of Adeptus Temptation for the table.

For your next attack only, you may have +1 STR ]

Re: Wanmin Restaraunt

[heavyliesthecrown]

I look forward to trying it. ♪

[ Might as well enjoy some food while in the strange place before breaking it down. But hmm... he's... more than a little concerned that the man himself is glowing. Just what is he supposed to do with.... with this?

Remove..........him? Anyway, a 3 does him no good. Ugh. ]

Caeli-san's twin...? How long have you known Zhongli-san for?