idolpro | Zhongli Ideal World: Session 3

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.

Edited 2022-01-01 18:11 (UTC)

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. ]]

[ 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. ]

[ 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 ]

[ 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. ]

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

Oh?

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

[ NAT 1 BECAUSE OFC. +2 = 3... NOT IMPRESSIVE AT ALL. ]

[ and he'll probably get smacked for this too, but he points his chopsticks at zhongli. ] We can't talk about it here. It'll spoil the surprise. [ also he doesn't want to ruin this part of the ideal world just yet, because it makes him really happy. ]

[ Smoothly as if he has done this many times before, Zhongli places his hand over Childe's and help him sample some of the salt and pepper pork.

Sorry, dear. You tried.

Continuing the conversation as if nothing had happened. ]

You and your surprises.

[ Said very fondly ]

But very well, just call for me when the time comes. As long as it is not during the Rite itself, I should be able to attend.

[ he tried. he looks a bit more disheartened than usual, shoulders sinking inward as zhongli offers him some much needed help. ] I'm just hoping you'll enjoy it. [ hums, trying to move on from this immense failure. ] I'm aiming for right beforehand, actually! [ chirps, eying his other self again. ] So can I count on your helping hand, comrade?

[ His doppleganger smiles back oh so sweetly with a grin all teeth and that doesn't reach his eyes. ]

Of course, comrade. I'd be delighted.

[ Meanwhile, Zhongli pats Childe hand with a slight wrinkle of his brow. ]

Childe, is everything all right?

Of course, Xiansheng. Just some things to take care of. Some work related and some preparations for later. [ he gets up from the table. ] We'll be back later. [ probably not so much as 'we' but... we'll see. ]

Let's make a stop at the Northland Bank, comrade, I'll explain everything there. [ i know this isn't an area, but shhhh. ]

[ Zhongli looks a little disappointed that Childe is leaving, but work is still paramount. Even in his ideal world. ]

Do return before your food gets cold.

[ And since it is during the day, Nadia is more than happy to let her boss in through to the lobby.

For once, Childe may notice that there are not any harsh whispers or cold looks in the direction the entire way there. It seems Liyue is 100% accepting of the Fatui - as if they were any other guest of Liyue. ]

[ it's hard not to notice. he might block out a lot of what is said about him and the fatui, but he can't ignore it all. this is nice. real... nice... ]

[ zhongli subconsciously tailoring a part of his ideal world to making him feel welcome hits harder than the marks the two of them are sporting. ]

[ but, ok, he can feel things later... when the overarching threat of erosion is no longer looming overhead. ]

I think you'll enjoy the proposition I have for you, Tartaglia.

[ He crosses his arms, leaning up against one of the teller stations ]

Will I? Well then. Let's hear it.

[ this, he assumes, is going to be a hard sell. ] Zhongli Xiansheng is beginning to suffer the early onset effects of erosion, and a lot of what we're seeing isn't exactly... real. [ like you, but nevermind that. ]

I couldn't think of anybody better to help me clear away the problems of this world, since I assume they're not going to go away easily. [ implying that there will be murder involved to feebly try to entice him. ]

Erosion? Never heard of it.

[ Since erosion does not exist in Zhongli's ideal world. ]

And if Xiansheng was ill, he would tell me.

But--

If there is something that is going to be a problem for him and a little violence is the answer that I can sweep under the rug with diplomatic immunity---

Then of course I'm going to help you.

[ it's the devil and it should not exist at all. ]

I don't think it's something he'd bring up... even to us. [ insert brief erosion explanation here. ] Hopefully he'll bring it up sometime. [ manages a small smile, because, look, even if this childe is part of the problem he still wants him to be happy. he wants to be happy. why is this happiness fake and in need of cleansing. ]

[ clamps a hand on his shoulder and grins like a little shit. ] I'm glad to have your help, comrade. Let's head out. I'm sure we won't have a problem doing this quickly. [ an obnoxious laugh. ] No doubt our food will still be piping hot when we return to Zhongli Xiansheng.

[ NAT 6 on CHA means that Childe is on board for destruction and murder. A hard sell, I know. ]

Sure, partner.

[ And there might be the gleam in his eye like a kid being offered the entire candy store. ]

We wouldn't want to keep him waiting, now would we?

Re: Liyue Marketplace: Northland Bank

childeishly - 2022-01-01 19:26 (UTC) - Expand

Re: Liyue Marketplace: Northland Bank

leaveofabsence - 2022-01-01 19:29 (UTC) - Expand

[ 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.

[ 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? ]

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. ]

"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.

[ 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.

I will wait for you at the end of it all then.

[ And Xiangling happily returns to the counter with Childe's soup ]

I'll be there. [ I HOPE. ]

[ takes his soup to go and heads off to the gatcha. ]

Zhongli Ideal World: Session 3

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

Doppleganger: Childe

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Liyue Marketplace: Northland Bank

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

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