[ Nacht may be awful, but he knows when he's beaten. He's just not as much of a sore loser as he could be. He takes the coffee from Lapis with another huff, clearly displeased at being outmanuevered. However, he lets Lapis have her moment of satisfaction. It's an equivalent trade for letting him stay here and giving him coffee. ]
I'll take a look after I've had my coffee.
[ He takes a long draught of the burning hot coffee with seemingly no ill effects. Nothing like the taste of dark acrid suffering to accentuate his day. But speaking of which - Nacht didn't bring much with him to Kaisou, so his next order of business is to rebuild his wardrobe. ]
[ Lapis will savour her victory, especially considering their habit of back-and-forth; who knows how long this will last? So she sips on her coffee once more, wrinkling her nose just slightly as Nacht downs that terrible concoction - sometimes she wonders if it's his immortality that lets him drink something so bitter. And also burning hot.
But it's another one of those things about Nacht she's gotten used to. Which is why she simply takes another sip of her own, more palatable drink after the brief moment of distaste... Only to then blink at his question. Well, he doesn't have anything on him, so the question makes sense. ]
There's a shopping district with a lot of variety, with a big selection of higher-end stores in the upper district. [ She knows how he is. ]
[ He places a finger to his lips with a smirk, then glances around the room again. He'll have to get some boxes to store his own things, and some more toiletries... hmm. ]
I wouldn't mind having dinner, I guess.
[ Nacht takes another draught of his coffee before turning his attention to Lapis again. ]
[ Lapis raises both her brows at his smirk, but she doesn't say more beyond that. She does notice how he glances around, imagining he's probably thinking of things he needs - so long as her plants and clothes remain unharmed, he can do what he wishes with the place. She isn't particularly fussy. ]
Then we can see what places aren't too busy after you're done shopping. There's some nice restaurants around there.
[ Unsurprisingly, considering the kind of clientele it serves. His question gets her to pause though, and she cants her head as she considers. ]
Honestly, not doing much. Since there's no missions at all this month, I've mostly been exploring the city. There's a Gate, but it's not anything to worry about. [ Pause. ]
Oh, there was a potluck not too long after I arrived. It was arranged by Zhongli. [ Another pause. ] I think we traumatised his son.
[ Nacht had just started thinking about what he would prefer for dinner when Lapis mentioned the potluck. Ah, Zhongli - that man who always lacked money. Nacht didn't quite have an opinion about him yet, but given how he treats most people with some measure of disdain, his lack of an opinion doesn't imply anything positive. ]
Yes, it was... Hmm.... [ How to describe... whatever the hell happened there... ]
Velvet - she's another one of the Guardians, I've worked with her a few times - was surprised Zhongli had a son, since he's not the... best with money. [ To put it mildly. ]
They aren't biologically related, though; Zhongli and his son, Xiao. Which Velvet said was better than "thinking about this guy getting someone pregnant." [ Her words end in an amused huff, before she shakes her head. ]
There were some other things said that I'm not repeating, but I'm pretty sure Xiao won't be coming to another gathering. [ He also turned into a tiny bird at the end of it all, which probably didn't help. ]
[ The sound Lapis makes into her coffee is between a cough and a snort before she muffles a chuckle. Very inelegant, but she has no pretences to keep up here. ]
Aha, I don't think Xiao wanted to think about his dad doing that, though. [ She has not said "fucking" before and she's not starting now. ]
I did. I made some desserts, and they were more popular than I was expecting. [ Which she is very proud of! ] Though apparently gatherings like that are very rare, so we'll still be mostly operating individually unless something comes up.
[ He absolutely swears enough for the both of them - the only time she's ever come close to swearing is some grumbling in Italian. ]
You make it sound so underhanded. [ Though she knows what he means. And she does genuinely like this group, as eccentric they may be; it's not like she's much better, anyway.
And there's another twitch of her brow as he drains some more of that probably blistering coffee, before she hums in agreement. ]
We are. But working together when needed won't hurt. [ Speaking of hurt - ] Also you can wait for that to cool down, you know.
Bitter hellfire tends to make me feel a bit more alive.
[ There's probably a reason why he's a little more flippant and annoying than usual, but it's a topic that he doesn't want to touch on yet. Maybe later. ]
Are you tired?
[ It seems he doesn't want to go without Lapis, so if she's tired, he'll wait. ]
Throwing ice water on you would probably have the same effect.
[ Though she is noticing the change in this attitude, with him being more annoying than usual, but it's not her place to pry. When he wants to tell her, he will. ]
Mm? A little, I did work out a bit earlier. But I was checking if you were, since you only just arrived... [ A pause, before she shifts closer to him with an almost smug smile. ]
[ The sight of his scowl only makes her smile all the more, and she leans in close enough to nudge her arm against his - gently, so that the coffee isn't jostled. ]
Oooooh, is that it? I'm not entirely sure I believe you.
There's a long, low hum as she raises her brows - before she leans back as she finishes her coffee. ]
Whatever you say. [ She still looks way too smug, but she'll let him have some of his dignity. ] Anyway, did you want to rest a bit before heading out or... ?
[ Nacht will never say it, but he's grateful to be left alone for a bit while he recovers his dignity. Once he's done with his coffee, he makes his way to the sink and will wash his cup if it's not taken from him first. ]
We can go now.
[ Totally not because he doesn't want to go alone or anything like that. ]
[ The cup is absolutely taken from him first, Lapis plucking it from his hands as she washes it with the other. Once done, she's quick to dry them before turning her attention back to Nacht. ]
C'mon, it's not too far so we can walk.
[ Plus it'll help him get a better idea of the city layout, if they walk.
So once her shoes are back on, she leads the way outside again; slinging her purse over her shoulders. ]
Though if you buy too much, I'm not helping you carry it.
[ Nacht is quite observant, so walking would help him memorize the area as well - bound to be important, since they'll be here for quite a while. ]
I'm not that weak. [ A huff. ] I can do it myself.
[ This kind of pointy banter is per the norm for them, so he doesn't take her ribbing too seriously. While they walk, he glances around to assess the city and their surroundings. ]
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[ Nacht may be awful, but he knows when he's beaten. He's just not as much of a sore loser as he could be. He takes the coffee from Lapis with another huff, clearly displeased at being outmanuevered. However, he lets Lapis have her moment of satisfaction. It's an equivalent trade for letting him stay here and giving him coffee. ]
I'll take a look after I've had my coffee.
[ He takes a long draught of the burning hot coffee with seemingly no ill effects. Nothing like the taste of dark acrid suffering to accentuate his day. But speaking of which - Nacht didn't bring much with him to Kaisou, so his next order of business is to rebuild his wardrobe. ]
How's the shopping here?
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But it's another one of those things about Nacht she's gotten used to. Which is why she simply takes another sip of her own, more palatable drink after the brief moment of distaste... Only to then blink at his question. Well, he doesn't have anything on him, so the question makes sense. ]
There's a shopping district with a lot of variety, with a big selection of higher-end stores in the upper district. [ She knows how he is. ]
Going on a shopping trip later?
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[ Only God knows how he is able to keep his expensive clothing flawless in battle. Maybe he mends them in secret. Maybe. Probably not. Unless? ]
I suppose you can come if you want to.
[ It's totally not because he wants her to show him around. Absolutely not. ]
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[ Maybe it's because he's more sneaky than her? Maybe? Possibly. It's one of those mysteries of life...
And she can't help but raise a brow at his words, managing to hide her amusement as she takes another sip of her coffee. ]
Aha, then I can give you the grand tour. [ She knows what he means. ]
But sure. Then depending on how late it is, we can grab something to eat after.
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[ He places a finger to his lips with a smirk, then glances around the room again. He'll have to get some boxes to store his own things, and some more toiletries... hmm. ]
I wouldn't mind having dinner, I guess.
[ Nacht takes another draught of his coffee before turning his attention to Lapis again. ]
So, how have you been in my absence?
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Then we can see what places aren't too busy after you're done shopping. There's some nice restaurants around there.
[ Unsurprisingly, considering the kind of clientele it serves. His question gets her to pause though, and she cants her head as she considers. ]
Honestly, not doing much. Since there's no missions at all this month, I've mostly been exploring the city. There's a Gate, but it's not anything to worry about. [ Pause. ]
Oh, there was a potluck not too long after I arrived. It was arranged by Zhongli. [ Another pause. ] I think we traumatised his son.
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... traumatized?
[ Zhongli has a son? Huh. ]
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Velvet - she's another one of the Guardians, I've worked with her a few times - was surprised Zhongli had a son, since he's not the... best with money. [ To put it mildly. ]
They aren't biologically related, though; Zhongli and his son, Xiao. Which Velvet said was better than "thinking about this guy getting someone pregnant." [ Her words end in an amused huff, before she shakes her head. ]
There were some other things said that I'm not repeating, but I'm pretty sure Xiao won't be coming to another gathering. [ He also turned into a tiny bird at the end of it all, which probably didn't help. ]
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How else would people get babies if they weren't fucking? Some kind of alchemical transformation?
[ It seems rather logical to him - but maybe this is because he wasn't at the gathering. Whatever. He's not interested in other people. ]
Did you cook?
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Aha, I don't think Xiao wanted to think about his dad doing that, though. [ She has not said "fucking" before and she's not starting now. ]
I did. I made some desserts, and they were more popular than I was expecting. [ Which she is very proud of! ] Though apparently gatherings like that are very rare, so we'll still be mostly operating individually unless something comes up.
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He'll have to think about it eventually. [ ANYWAY, ] Hm, at least you're getting in their good books.
[ That's his way of giving a subtle compliment. He takes another sip of his coffee despite it being visibly steaming. ]
We're strong enough to operate without them, probably. [ They're used to working together. ]
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You make it sound so underhanded. [ Though she knows what he means. And she does genuinely like this group, as eccentric they may be; it's not like she's much better, anyway.
And there's another twitch of her brow as he drains some more of that probably blistering coffee, before she hums in agreement. ]
We are. But working together when needed won't hurt. [ Speaking of hurt - ] Also you can wait for that to cool down, you know.
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I know. I simply relish the taste of despair and suffering.
[ ???
At least he didn't say whose despair and suffering... ]
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It's only the fact they're holding hot drinks that stops her from punching him again. ]
Well, at least it's up to your suffering standards. [ She doesn't want to consider whose suffering it is, though. ]
So did you want to go shopping after you burnt your mouth and took a look around, or did you want to stay here for a bit longer first?
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[ There's probably a reason why he's a little more flippant and annoying than usual, but it's a topic that he doesn't want to touch on yet. Maybe later. ]
Are you tired?
[ It seems he doesn't want to go without Lapis, so if she's tired, he'll wait. ]
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[ Though she is noticing the change in this attitude, with him being more annoying than usual, but it's not her place to pry. When he wants to tell her, he will. ]
Mm? A little, I did work out a bit earlier. But I was checking if you were, since you only just arrived... [ A pause, before she shifts closer to him with an almost smug smile. ]
Oh, did you not want to go without me?
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[ Gah, this is embarrassing. Nacht scowls. ]
You arrived earlier, so it's your job to show me around. [ Clearly this is the only reason. He's conserving his energy. It makes sense!! ]
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[ The sight of his scowl only makes her smile all the more, and she leans in close enough to nudge her arm against his - gently, so that the coffee isn't jostled. ]
Oooooh, is that it? I'm not entirely sure I believe you.
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[ He's still going to try and grab onto his dignity regardless. ]
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There's a long, low hum as she raises her brows - before she leans back as she finishes her coffee. ]
Whatever you say. [ She still looks way too smug, but she'll let him have some of his dignity. ] Anyway, did you want to rest a bit before heading out or... ?
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[ He pointedly turns away and huffs before sipping on his coffee again. Surely the bitter flames of hell will make him less annoyed... ]
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[ Lapis is still feeling smug, since she can absolutely tell that he's annoyed. She regrets nothing.
For now, she'll drain the rest of her coffee before going to clean up, humming softly as she washes the cup. ]
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We can go now.
[ Totally not because he doesn't want to go alone or anything like that. ]
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C'mon, it's not too far so we can walk.
[ Plus it'll help him get a better idea of the city layout, if they walk.
So once her shoes are back on, she leads the way outside again; slinging her purse over her shoulders. ]
Though if you buy too much, I'm not helping you carry it.
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I'm not that weak. [ A huff. ] I can do it myself.
[ This kind of pointy banter is per the norm for them, so he doesn't take her ribbing too seriously. While they walk, he glances around to assess the city and their surroundings. ]
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