deercountry | November Catch-All (Mostly Closed)

Venti sighs again, this one through the gap between almost closed teeth. But this one accompanies a smile, a shrug, and then another soft sound. Yes, it's worth a shot to amend some of those broken relationships. To forge new ones in a much more dangerous place is preferable compared to trying to travel far in order to do so. Sending envoys wouldn't do much, not to mention just trying to find each other...

"I might try that."

Anyway. He shakes off the thoughtfulness that threatens to weigh him down further, and exhales sharply. No reason to get any further caught up internally.

"Anyway. They smell good... the mushrooms, I mean. Almost like the ones that grew beneath the trees..."

"Come here, give them a taste test."

He quickly moves to grab a wooden spoon and scoops out a few from the pan he'd been making the filling in. Handing it over to Venti, he hopes that it'll be satisfactory to the archon, but he's very confident in his own cooking skills. He tilts his head with curiosity, to see if he'd approve.

If he makes them well enough to remind Venti of home, then he'd say he accomplished exactly what he was going for today.

"I've never had the opportunity to truly explore Mondstadt, but I'd be honored to know if I've gotten even moderately close to making something that would resemble home for you."

Venti takes the spoon, lifts the contents of it up to his nose and gives it a very careful sniff. It's all very savory and delicious and his mouth is already watering! Maybe it's just him being pretty hungry to begin with, but the longer that he keeps it in front of himself the thinner his patience is becoming. Which is why, after a few more seconds, he's more than happy to take that taste.

A few thoughtful chews later and he passes the clean spoon back to Childe.

"... I love them."

Yep, he approves. Wholeheartedly.

"It doesn't have to taste like home, you know? It just has to come from a good place. But I appreciate that you're thinking of me in that regard."

Childe hums thoughtfully back at Venti, pleased with his approval of the mushrooms. They're pretty much done at this point, so he now gestures over towards the dough that Venti had been working on. Time to put it all together before it was all thrown into the oven for a little bit.

"I'm glad to hear that. I bet you didn't think that one day, a Fatui Harbinger would be serving you a homecooked dinner, did you?"

He chuckles, the idea of that happening in Teyvat seemingly so far away, like it was a dream. A dream he'd never return to.

He starts rolling out the dough, into balls, giving Venti half of them to do himself. He shows he archon how to press them down flat into a circle and fill them with the mushroom filling. Pinching each shut, he throws them all onto a baking sheet to put them in the oven once they're done.

"Now we make the pie."

The best part, right?

"No. Not at all, actually!"

Hopefully he doesn't have to sound surprised, because he genuinely is. What the Fatui represent is still somewhat of a mystery to him; after all even if the way he watches over Mondstadt isn't as traditional as the other Archons may do their duties, he still must maintain his presence in some way. Not that they would forget who he is or what he represents, but that he promised to never allow tyranny to take hold and force the skies to become obfuscated with clouds and storms ever again.

"But I'm glad it's happening now."

He does his best to imitate what he sees Childe do. Despite being pretty good with his hands and fingers, there are just some things that require an equal amount of practice. The filling is a little uneven in some, but he does his best.

"Mm? Yeah! Pie... mmm."

Certainly makes him smile even wider. He's excited to get to the real important food...

"Hahahahaha."

Venti's expression makes him laugh. He now knows where the real priorities lie with his archon friend. Apple pie, probably apple anything for that matter. Childe makes a note to look for more apple recipes in the future, perhaps some that he could even find here in the darkest of realities. He wouldn't mind adding more recipes to his regimen.

"That's what you're really waiting for, isn't it? Don't worry, I'm going to make that pie myself. Baking is a precise art, and so I'll be taking care of it. I guarantee you won't be impressed with anyone else's after trying mine."

The little meat pies are now thrown into the oven, and he shoos Venti off for the time being.

"I'll be out shortly. Give me a moment to make the pie, and by then the food will almost be done."

Apples are the best things to him. Rarely disappointing and very versatile: if only the world could be like this all the time? That he could enjoy something sweet that puts apple in the limelight, while also something savory that the same fruit can sort of help add a slight twist to... and let's not forget that an apple here is almost the same kind of apple anywhere.

"Sure. In the meantime, I'm going to go back out and check on that shed. Don't worry, I won't leave you alone for too long."

Because he also wants a little taste of what happens to be stored. Not that he's going to gorge himself on booze when Childe is the best kind of company: the kind that's teaching him how to be a better cook. Maybe in that regard, a better person as well?

Imagine a Harbinger doing that for him...

"Make sure to bring some of that wine back with you, now!"

When he says he's going out to check on the shed, he's certain that Venti's going to be drinking a little bit of his stock. Childe inwardly smiles; the lot from Teyvat that he's met here are really all quite the cast of characters, and he's enjoyed all of their company immensely. Venti of course is no exception, and he wonders if he'll come back a little tipsy from the wine.

It doesn't take long to finish the pie, and their dinner is taken out of the oven and in goes the pie while they eat. He sets a timer, before plating dinner, bringing it out to Venti's dining room table. In addition to their pirozhki and mushroom julienne, he puts out a few smaller bowls with sour cream to dip their pirozhki into. A couple of wine glasses are set as well- he just needs Venti and the wine now.

Surprise, Childe! He's as sober as he was before he left, which is to say: always a little tipsy. There's a certain line that he has to leap over when that smile turns upside down, when his words stumble and his expression tends to falter quickly. No--- in fact, he's got something special in his hands: a small bottle that he has to brush some dirt off of as he walks back inside.

"... incredible. I'm amazed by what we've accomplished together, but more by what you can do. You're just full of surprises, aren't you?"

And he hasn't even experienced Childe at his best--- with his weapons drawn.

"If you're this talented, no doubt I'll be in real trouble when I finally honor our agreement from your win."

Sitting down at the table, he eyes the sour cream and the glasses, then pops open the bottle in his hands and pours out the wine.

It looks like a wine Venti had hidden for just such an occasion, and Childe's eyes already sparkle at the idea of a fine wine and a fine fight on top of it. Though tonight was for good company and spirits, his mind always returns back to the battle, no matter what he's doing.

"Where it is indeed a rare moment to spar with a Fatui Harbinger, the scarcity of squaring off against an archon themselves feels like a once in a lifetime opportunity."

He swirls his glass after Venti finishes pouring it for him, smelling it. Ah, where he procured this, he couldn't possibly know.

"I don't often say this, but I hope that I don't disappoint you in our little bout. But I'm confident that I'll give you a challenge. And even if you ever just want to have a friendly spar, I'm always willing."

He holds his glass up, as a toast.

"To new friends, and even fiercer battles."

He raises his own glass, a glowing smile on his face.

"Aren't all spars friendly? Or do you normally fight to the death?" Venti swirls his wine and giggles. "I'd be more than happy to give you a challenge... and then some."

A slight tilt of his head and Venti taps his fingers against the bottle.

"He made it. I've liberated some. He's been testing and you know I'm going to enjoy whatever he tries to brew. Even something as young as this."

Venti sips and swishes. It's tasty.

"He's a good man. So don't worry, after we're done together, we'll both be able to have another! With some more pie, too. I hope."

The glowing smile is returned, toasting Venti, and taking his own sip from his glass. It was delectable indeed- he'll have to make sure he procures some of Diluc's wines for himself. He swirls wine glass again, looking into the spiraling liquid before looking back up at Venti.

More apple pies, more dinners, more fights. It's moments like these that make him think that being here in Trench isn't so bad, like maybe this is a home away from home where he can have everything he wants in life. Is there really such a thing, where the door to seeking endless combat is always open, yet he can still have friends, who don't distrust him on principle? He's really only missing his family, but...

They could be like family too, right?

"Haha, don't worry. There's always going to be pie."

He takes one of the mini mushroom pies they'd made, dipping it in sour cream and taking a bite. Just like home...

"This really turned out well. Please, do try it. Because speaking of pie..."

He gets up, and goes into the kitchen. It's not long before he returns with two plates, silverware on top of them and the apple pie in the other hand. He's decorated the top of the pie with the extra crust left over, and cut it into the shape of a Cecilia that sits on the edge. He thought it would add a nice touch to the pie, in addition to doing a cross stitch pattern on the top. He sets all of it down in the middle of the table, before taking a seat once again.

"I figured we could have dessert at the same time."

Of course he'll try the pie. He'll try anything that Childe has made, has offered, and will make and will offer in the future. Life has been spent in an alcohol-fueled buzz where it's easier to find the extremes of feelings that he needs in order to cope. To forget the bad before it comes up in waves and swallows him up! But also find peace in those he might've seen as hostile, even those as friendly, and find the ability place trust in them all?

It would be nice.

"Ah ha! That's a Cecelia, isn't it? I'd know it from anywhere. I still have one around at all times... a way to remember and go the right direction when I can."

His mouth is watering again. Even after inhaling one whole mini-mushroom pie, his taste buds are screaming for more.

"... Childe," said in between some thoughtful and thoughtless bites (whenever a crumb might spill out from between his lips), "I'm glad you are here. Not because of all you've done for me today, but because... I think I understand you better."

"Really? It's very rare that I hear that statement made towards me," he says, taking another mushroom mini pie and taking a bite out of it. He supposes there are few that get to see this side of him though, as most people he meets aren't really ones that he'd consider the kind of people he'd enjoy being around.

"But, I should tell you, Childe is just my codename. I also go by Tartaglia. Though I'll respond to either, of course." Another dip into the sour cream, another thoughtful chew. "And I don't just tell anyone my name, haha."

He smiles through another bite, before he starts cutting the pie. He serves a piece to Venti, before taking a slice for himself, letting the aroma fill his nostrils. He hasn't had a good pie in a while.

"I'm actually quite surprised though, if I'm being honest. I was certain after Signora's actions in Mondstadt, that you and I would be enemies purely by association. Not that I would have minded, I would still leap at the chance to fight you," he adds, smirking. "But here we are, and I have to say this is quite pleasant. I'm glad it worked out this way instead."

"Tartaglia, huh? It certainly has a nice ring to it!"

And he means it. Resting his elbows on the table and leaning, he watches Childe with a gentle and relaxed smile. Maybe it's the food? The drink? The company? Or perhaps it's all three of these things, putting him at an ease that he wishes that he could've had years ago. Not quite the same as his tea and snacks with the other archons, but very close.

"... but Childe sounds more innocent. I know you're not. Nobody is, especially here. I can't even claim to be that myself."

Now he leans back, lets the pie be served, then immediately goes for a piece. Crust and apple, sweet and savory, mingles in his mouth and nearly takes his breath away.

"No. Not at all. I'm... listen. I don't want to have enemies. That comes with the territory. That doesn't mean I want to make enemies. Either way, I won't submit. I will always fight for my home's freedoms."

Pointing at Childe with his fork, his smile sharpens.

"I rather this than the alternative, but I won't deny you your fight. I promise that. I promise over this pie."

"A true warrior is always ready to meet any challenge with his blade," he says, taking a bite of the pie now. It really came out nicely, and he chews on it while savoring that taste. Ah, just like home, in the rare instances when apples were in season in that frigid climate.

"Don't make a promise you can't keep though. I'm not saying you won't, I'm just giving you fair warning. I don't break my promises lightly, and neither should you."

Not that he's broken a promise ever in recent memory. It reminds him of that little rhyme that he grew up with.

"But for now, let's enjoy the night, and the food. Our battle will come another day." He takes another sip of the wine, another mushroom pirozhki, and eats- the food is great and the company greater.

Promises...

"I won't break a promise. I can't."

... even if they didn't make a spoken one, Venti's ideals are forever tied to those of the nameless Bard. That he would never let his dreams of a free Mondstadt die, and that the sky would stay blue for as long as it could.

"And I agree! We should enjoy all pleasant times as long as we can. Who knows when the next one will come to us?"

There is a fear that these moments will be very brief. Maybe the last one? He wants to be able to make these pies, drink his booze, and have the best company for it.

November Catch-All (Mostly Closed)

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we can jump ahead to dinner after this, and maybe start to wrap it up?

sounds good to me!

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wanna end it here?

shore!