[video] un: theballadeer

[lyingstars]

[There is a hatless Scaramouche laying back against the floor. He seems to be contemplating something, hand outstretched above him and idly playing with an odd looking purple and gold chess piece - a Gnosis for those that are familiar with them. There are no introductions here, just a question.]

I'm curious... Tell me about your gods. Who they are, what they do. Whatever.

[A pause.]

Just what is a god to you?

Comments

[negeotiation]

I am saying that the Gnosis you hold is not yours, and there is only one group I know of collecting them.

[Stated so casually it might seem ridiculous.]

Am I wrong?

[lyingstars]

If the Gnosis was given to me, I'd argue that means it's mine.

[He sighs.]

But fine, I'm The Balladeer, No. 6 of the Fatui Harbingers.

[Would you look at that, Zhongli gets to be the lucky person to be the first to get an actual introduction from him.]

[negeotiation]

Hmm, I suppose that is true. Has another decided to hand over their gnosis freely, then?

[Said as if this is a rather curious development, but not unexpected.]

'The Balladeer'. Not a title I've heard of before. Is there an alias you prefer, or shall I merely call you that?

[And--]

For my part, you may call me Zhongli.

[lyingstars]

Something like that.

[It being traded to him by someone who didn't even own it just so he wouldn't kill someone is basically the same thing, right?]

That would be because that is my alias. If you want anything more I'm afraid you'll have to work for it. Or just figure it out yourself, although that's probably harder since we aren't in Teyvat anymore.

So tell me Zhongli... How is it that you know the exact number we've collected so far?

[negeotiation]

['Something like that'.

Hm... He is not surprised to hear that Ei would give up her gnosis, but the phrasing...]

... I suppose I could ask Childe, but that would be terribly rude of me. I suppose I shall have to maintain my curiosity, then.

[He cradles his chin in one hand, smiling slightly.]

I am sure you should be able to guess on your own, shouldn't you?

[lyingstars]

[Mom said it was his turn with the Gnosis, it's fine.]

Childe.

[The venom in which he says that name.]

Of course it's that incompetent idiot, can't keep his mouth shut about anything. Go ahead and ask Tartaglia then, I don't care.

[He rolls his eyes, already done with the direction this conversation is going. Did Zhongli mean to imply something that didn't put all the blame on Childe? Opps.]

[negeotiation]

Ah, I would not call him incompetent. He did complete his mission in Liyue quite well, in fact.

[Zhongli don't say that when you're the one who deceived him?]

I will not ask him. While I am sure he would tell me as we are quite close, It would be rather pointlessly rude to demand a name you do not wish to give.

[After all, having a name to call someone would only be useful if they were on conversational terms-- something he doubted the Balladeer would consider them to be if he pried.]

I must admit, I had heard that most of the Harbingers did not get along, but seeing it is always surprising.

[lyingstars]

He was a pawn, anyone could have done his job.

[Wait how would Zhongli know how well Tartaglia did? Even if the idiot went around telling people what happened, he wouldn't exactly call it a job well done.

Wait wait wait. He sits up and stares at the communicator.]

Quite close?

[Eyes narrow.]

Why would we get along?

[negeotiation]

You may feel free to think so, but I am free to think otherwise.

[He tilts his head slightly.] And yes, I believe we became quite close over his time in Liyue.

[As for his last question...] To all work towards a common cause, beneath the banner of a single leader is one that most would assume to breed camaraderie. But it seems that is not the case, with the Harbingers.

[lyingstars]

What makes you think he did such a good job then?

[Over his time in Liyue. Not a recent thing. Hm.]

And he wonders why we all think he can't be trusted to do his job. He'd rather go around making friends and fighting anything that moves, than focus on what's required of him.

[He scoffs.]

We all have our reasons for being there. The Tsaritsa doesn't need us to play happy family too.

[negeotiation]

Personal opinion, I suppose.

[really?

...But that's really most of what he can say, without saying too much.] But in all truth, there is always merit in making connections when in Liyue. 'Making friends' is why the Northland Bank has done as well as it has. People trust that they keep their word, for better or worse.

[--And picking fights is how they ensure their loans are repaid, among other things.]

I suppose that is true, however. Though it does make me wonder about how internal conflicts are handled.

[lyingstars]

Right.

[He taps the Gnosis against his chin.]

I don't disagree that it has its uses, however Tartaglia's methods... leave much to be desired.

[Literally any other Harbinger could do a better job than the Eleventh. Unless of course the job required an attack dog, then maybe Tartaglia might have the advantage.]

It gets handled. Does it matter how?