jikan_network | video; un: ragnvindr

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video; un: ragnvindr

This is Diluc Ragnvindr, speaking to anyone from Teyvat who might know me.

[He's been here for around a week. A few people have noticed. He hasn't made a point of making his presence known otherwise - quite the opposite, in fact. Now he's there for all to see, with distinctive bright red hair and red eyes. Diluc is a handsome young man, but the expressions of annoyance or exasperation that are almost always on his face do their job of making him look relatively unapproachable.]

For those from Teyvat who don't, I'm the current head of the Dawn Winery in Mondstadt. [The way he says this makes it sound like he considers himself a person of little consequence outside of this, but Diluc knows the weight that particular title - and his surname alone - carries.] I'm sure I'd be glad to make your acquaintance.

[And this... does not go for everyone. There's a reason he kept quiet for so long - he already knows the identities of most of the people who are here from Teyvat. For some, this is little more than a prod to see if they'll raise their heads.]

And for those not from Teyvat, I may come to know some of you in the weeks ahead.

[That's all. Diluc dislikes small talk, so he sees that as quite enough and ends it there.]

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I'm happy to meet you, Diluc~

[ a wink ]

How are you finding yourself here?

Tch--

[Venti, why are you the way that you are?]

There's no need to act like we haven't already spoken.

But I thought the introduction was really nice! So I wanted to say hello!

But how are you liking it here so far, friend?

If I said I liked it much at all, I'd be lying.

[He sighs.]

Am I supposed to?

Only if you mean it, Diluc. I'm not going to make it happen, though. But, if it means anything I really am happy to see you.

[Well he hasn't enjoyed it too much so far, but he thinks he's made that clear and so doesn't belabour the point.]

I'm sure you are. You know I can't get you free drinks at any of the bars I'm working in, don't you.

Aw, I didn't even get to ask and already shot down!

[ But -- ]

Well, it's good I know a few bar owners around town! I'll earn my keep like usual.

[ Music for drinks. ]

You assume that you need to ask. Remember that I already know you.

[Suspicious bard.]

I'm not at all surprised to hear you're already getting friendly with the bar owners.

Maybe I wasn't going to ask at all!

[ He definitely would have. ]

I'm a very friendly guy, Diluc. Plus I'm great at music and draw attention. The people here are pretty fond of people like us who came from other places. So they're excited to see things like this.

[ And no one is calling him tone-deaf. ]

[If he hadn't asked, it would have been a surprise. Diluc figured he'd just head it off before he could even think about it.]

Good. Then you'll have your own money and won't need to anything from me.

[Good to know that's sorted.]

I'll keep that in mind.

All I need from you is your friendship, Diluc.

[ He gives a good ol' Ehe at that, too. ]

[Hmn.

It's such a simple thing to want, and yet such a strange concept for Diluc. He used to have a lot of friends. People charmed by his easy smile and mischievous nature, along with his constant companion Kaeya. When his father died, and after he came back from his years away, having friends like that again had felt...

Somehow disingenuous.]

... That's all, is it.

That's it. I know, it's so simple, right?

It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Ragnvindr. We have not met, but I have certainly heard of the Dawn Winery.

[He offers a calm, polite smile.] My name is Zhongli. I am from Liyue myself, though a friend of mine often brings Mondstadt wine when he visits.

[He doesn't make the connection immediately, but when Zhongli mentions where he comes from alongside his name the metaphorical puzzle piece slips into place.]

Ah. You work for the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor? [It's a distant memory to be sure and he knows little more than that small connection, but...]

The reputation of the winery often far precedes my own. I've already noted an unfortunate lack in our signature product that I may need to take some steps to remedy.

Ah yes, I am a consultant there. You've heard of it?

[There's a bit of surprise in his voice at that. Diluc certainly didn't look like he'd need funeral arrangements anytime soon, so perhaps there was another connection...?]

You are referring to dandelion wine, yes? My friend is partial to it, and I must agree that it is quite excellent.

In my travels, yes, I've heard of it.

[One doesn't step through Liyue without hearing of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor and its enigmatic consultants. 'Heard of it' is a complete understatement given his mission at the time, as he had paid some particular attention to the place before he moved on. The names of the people working there hadn't been ignored either, though it had been some time since he'd thought about it.

But on to more pleasant topics...]

But the wine, yes. It shouldn't be too much of a problem to make some myself, though the quality would be improved by more professional processes. [He thinks about it for a moment.] It should do as a start. It sounds like our friends have similar tastes.

Interesting. I would not think one as young as you would need to ask after it.

[...He does hope Hu Tao did not approach the man trying to 'drum up business'...]

Professional processes do have their value, but there is something to be said for small batches made by a professional's hand, I think. Why in years gone by, families would often have their own spirits they fermented at home, each a unique recipe.

[He sounds intrigued at the idea, actually.]

I would certainly be interested in seeing what you manage to make, as would my friend I think. He happens to be here as well.

I had my reasons.

[That's really all he's going to say to that, to a stranger at least, but he does agree with the man's evaluation of unique brewing when done by someone who knows what they're doing.

It's definitely something Diluc is going to try, and then he can see if the wine interests any of the bars he's currently working at.]

But this friend of yours. [There was only so long this could go on, really.] Would he happen to be a bard who calls himself Venti?

I suppose that is fair.

[Hm... he is not in a position to ask after or potentially apologize for the director's indiscretions, but he does hope the man's opinion at large isn't poor...

More importantly--]

Ah, yes. That would be my friend. We've known each other for quite a long time now. [Said with a smile that is equally wry and a tiny bit fond.] Somehow it is not surprising that a man in the wine industry would also be his acquaintance.

[A soft huff of amusement escapes him. Of course they'd be talking about the same person. He hadn't made the guess until Zhongli had mentioned the friend was here, and Diluc knows no one here from Teyvat who enjoys dandelion wine quite as much as Venti does.]

Nor is it surprising to find he has such interesting friends.

[He'll leave it hanging as to what exactly he means by 'interesting'.]

Venti and I are only fairly recently acquainted, but he's already taken to occupying a seat in my bar and trying to pay for drinks with a song.

That does seem like him.

[Venti was like the wind: unbound by convention, and more than happy to live life trading song for food and drink.]

There as much for the alcohol as the company, I expect. He is a troublemaker, but he does value [He pauses, briefly, barely noticeably, a quick change of words as he catches himself.] his friends.

['All I need from you is your friendship, Diluc.'

Venti had said that, only moments ago, and it had struck him in a peculiar way only exacerbated by what Zhongli chooses to say now. He's quiet for a moment, considering silently, then he gives a minute nod.]

I know.

[Then he lets out a little sigh.]

He's an impish nuisance, but he's harmless. And his dedication to the people of Mondstadt isn't one I would call into question.

Hm... Harmless is not a word I would use, exactly.

[Said in an oddly knowing tone.

None of the victors of the archon war were harmless. Zhongli knew that better than anyone alive. But harmless to Diluc and Zhongli? Of course.] But in all other regards you are correct. He is a good, loyal sort, for all his troublemaking. Unconventional, but kind.

[Not the sort of person Zhongli could be, but still admirable.]

[This guy is... not subtle.

Diluc lets out a soft sound, just a quiet huff through his nose that might have been a laugh if laughing was something he was ever really heard doing.]

You know him well, then.

[And though the redhead couldn't really claim the same, he has a feeling that there's more here.]

He is all those things, and I would say harmless enough when it comes to his friends. And his people.

[Took a bit to figure out the device but she's got it now. Beidou quickly decides that something like an official introduction requires face to face contact (as face to face as this is). Thus the feed flickers on to reveal the Captain adjusting the angle of the frame before sitting. Once settled she gives a lazy wave at the camera.]

Mondstadt huh? Well, alright, Diluc. Nice to meet you. Name's Beidou... You ever hear about the Crux fleet? Well, I'm the Captain of it.

[There's something about the way Diluc underplays his role as the head of an entire nation's wine industry. Naturally, Beidou follows suit with the trend. That's where the similarity stops, though, because she's not afraid of idle chit chat. At least it's because she's sharing an observation though.]

You sound like the kind of guy that likes to get right down to business. That right?

I've heard of them.

[One doesn't pass through Liyue without hearing of the Crux and their famous exploits. Though they hadn't passed within the range of his interests at the time, he'd certainly heard about them in passing and knows well enough that their reach lies far outside of Liyue's borders.

Had he not been focused on the fatui and his own anger at the time, he might have been more curious about them.

Her evaluation of him draws a brief twitch of one corner of his mouth.]

And that's right. But lacking any business to be getting on with, for the moment, I find myself with a little more time on my hands than I'm used to.

Restless when you've got idle hands eh? Hey, I get that. But taking a head count... that's pretty prudent, actually, for anyone who is willing to go to the effort.

[Her gaze slides downwards and narrows. Vision's are few and far between... yet now that she thinks about it just anyone she's run into from Teyvat has had one. Huh. Interesting coincidence. She'll worry about it if it ever actually becomes relevant.]

Something tells me that things will be getting interesting. Let's call it intuition.

[He shoots her a sharp smile in reply to her observation.]

I didn't need to do this to take a head count.

[But it... helps, somewhat. He knows about several Teyvat natives already but some will have undoubtedly escaped his notice so early into his private investigations. This was, really... just a way of seeing which ones of them might reach out to him in turn.

The response has been interesting.]

But as for things getting interesting, of that I have no doubt. Whether it's for good or ill remains to be seen.

Hah! Confident aren't you? That's not a bad thing. You really don't seem like the kind to be using that information for something devious either.

[Recent political events would suggest that there are people who would do harm with that information. She's got a good eye for people though. It's looking like Diluc is passing the vibe check for now.]

Whichever it ends up being- I have no doubts that we've got enough capable people to keep everything on track.

If you want to see it that way, I won't deny it.

[His confidence comes from a place of self-assurance, and she's not wrong in taking note of it. As for what he might do with information he manages to glean... Whether he uses it for something devious really depends on the perspective of other people.

He appraises her quietly for a moment, his expression almost unreadable.]

What makes you think all the capable people are going to agree with which 'track' everything should be kept on?

[He looks so serious about it too. Her expression crumbles into amusement just before she breaks out into a boisterous laugh.]

Hahaha, you ever been in charge of a bunch of people before? Of course they won't all agree. I think we're all the better for it!

[There's not enough time in this world to go through the long list of ways Beidou has pissed off the Liyue Qixing every time she's done something that disagreed with their governance. It'd be fun, though.

In comparison Beidou's expression isn't guarded at all-- as if she's perfectly comfortable being open here. She's got a knowing smirk on her face as she crosses her arms over her chest before she casually lounges backwards. There's a bit of a challenge glinting in her eye too.]

That's why it's good to have people looking to keep their ducks in a row.

[Like taking a headcount on the public network. How about that buddy?]

[Diluc is quite serious, and his expression doesn't change when she laughs.]

As a Cavalry Captain of the Knights of Favonius, I would say that I have. [And he gives no further explanation as to that, but clearly - at least in his mind - his idea of being in charge of people differs from hers. Given what little he does know of her though, he doesn't find that surprising.]

But I don't find that kind of work suits me these days. [Her challenge isn't visibly answered, but then Diluc isn't the kind of person to rise to such things.]

So I'll be happy to leave it to you to command the rabble should it come to that.

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