TFLN overflow

[catarmy]

If you post a continuation here, please include the link back to its origin url somewhere to make it easier to go back and forth in case of needing to review what was written prior. <3

Comments

[catarmy]

I've gotten desperate before, when I was younger, and thought it would be better than an empty stomach. I don't recommend trying spoiled food.

Thanks for the pin. I'll be there soon.

[It will take them a bit to get there, but among the dilute clothing choice, Raine does, in fact, have some accessories in jewel tones. Primarily, their different neck ribbons. It just feels nice to have their neck covered. They pick a glossy, yellow-citrine neck bow to adorn themself with, not unlike some of the color tones they've seen Zhongli's clothing have, and a thinner, teal ribbon for their hair.

[It takes some effort to leave the house without giving into the temptation to run around in cat form. While faster, they'd rather not have to deal with any stray furs clinging to their clothing.

[Once they reach the wharf, they pretend that they weren't worried about getting lost, and enter the establishment. Yes-- they can smell him, even among the delicious aromas of food. They allow themself to at least be guided to where their dining partner is, and they flash a bit of a smile. Their expression looks a little tired, but not by very much.

[There's just a fair deal of other people here, and that can be a little uncomfortable for them.]

Ah, there you are. Didn't start without me, did you?

[Their tone is distinctly playful as they take the provided seat.]

[qiquan]

Ah, I see. The perils of poverty in this world... I'm sorry you've weathered such a thing. [ It's...the sort of distant regret and well-wish that only a true aristocrat can offer, but it's sincere, at least. Zhongli has been many things over many centuries, but he hasn't been wantonly cruel in millenia.

And now he gets to sit in a nice, semi-formal restaurant and wait for his latest dinner companion to arrive. And they do - and regardless of how long they might have taken, Zhongli would barely have processed it as a wait, and so he similarly has no concept of how quickly it is that they've arrived.

He looks over and smiles. ] Of course not!

I did take the liberty of ordering a few dishes for you, however, and I'm sure they'll arrive soon enough now that they know my partner for the evening has arrived. [ Zhongli's own tone is rarely playful, but it is almost always warm and content - and it still is now. ]

I didn't interrupt anything, did I?

[catarmy]

[Even without a direct experience, the sincerity is more than enough. Raine's smile gently widens, showing the faintest hint of sharper teeth, but it's a genuinely warm expression.]

You interrupted nothing at all, and I like an excuse to leave the house and visit with someone I like. I did take to heart your comment about not seeing me often with more jewel tone colors, so I hope my choices are acceptable. In fact, I remembered this particular neck ribbon, and that it reminded me of you when I bought it, so I couldn't resist.

[Never mind that the ribbon around their neck isn't even under the collar of their shirt, at least it's a flash of color?]

As I'm sure your food choices for me are more than lovely. It is a relief when I don't have to choose sometimes.

[Folding their hands on the table, they brush a slightly too-short lock of hair behind their ear again. It didn't quite make it into the ponytail.]

[qiquan]

Is that so? [ And he inspects said neck ribbon more closely; it's a hue that matches Zhongli's own eyes nearly exactly. While flattery is not the only way to his heart, it is certainly one of the more obvious ones...as is the simplicity of nice aesthetics. His smile is small but genuine. ] It looks lovely on you.

You know-- [ and here we go again, Zhongli unpromptedly ready to give a bit of a history lesson. He always intends them to be interesting (he certainly thinks they are), even if to most it's surely not the case. ] --yellow is said to represent power and prosperity. Hopefully it brings you some of those qualities.

[catarmy]

[Fortunately, most minutia of knowledge are things that Raine takes interest in, at least to some extent. It's easier when it's processed via the spoken word sometimes, rather than drab and dull writing in a book.]

Power and prosperity? Ah, I do not believe I require either of those traits. Power is useless for those who cannot or will not use it for the proper cause, and prosperity is wasted on me entirely. I have time, and I may yet work to what desires I have over the course of that time. Simply "acquiring" it feels... ill-suited.

[Raine smiles sheepishly.]

Ah-- I hope that isn't... rude of me. I dearly appreciate the compliment.

[qiquan]

[ Zhongli is a little surprised at the response, but that surprise gathers some measure of intrigued amusement as it continues. By the time they are done responding, he gives a small chuckle. ]

I'm aware of the impression I can give off, [ he starts, and he is both not kidding but likely not really aware of how deeply his impressions can precede himself; Zhongli can seem aristocratically out of touch at best, some days. ] But I assure you, I am not someone you need to apologize for if your goal is to achieve things via your own hard work and merit.

[ He considers them a moment. ] ...Think of my words as simply encouragement for achieving whatever you'd like for yourself, then, instead of prescribed symbolism.

I still think the yellow was a good thematic choice, though. [ Of course he does. Look at how he dresses. ]

[catarmy]

[Raine's smile softens, and absently they touch the yellow ribbon.]

As I said, the ribbon reminded me of you, and so I thought, perhaps, it would be good to show you. Furthermore, it allows us to match a little, don't you think?

[They seem pleased.]

Unfortunately, I'm quite lazy, so any goal I set is going to indeed be one for the long-term. I simply don't have the endurance I used to when I was younger.

[There's more to it, but that's a deeper conversation for, perhaps, never.]

Is yellow your favorite color, might I ask? For all you seem to adorn yourself with it, it really brings out the color of your eyes, too.