[ She can be the first to try this new seasonal blend of tea then while he mulls over his own stipulations, of which there are presumably a few but my single-celled brain is struggling to recall them on a Monday morning. Ordinarily they would relate to the Fortress and the residents within, but given that none of that is here right now...
In the meantime, he takes back his phone and slips it back in his pocket. He can add a name later. (It will just be Arlecchino, because he doesn't want to have to answer questions if his phone gets yanked from his hands or stolen.) ]
If you could do me a favor and keep my previous occupation under wraps, I'd appreciate it. You know what they say about fresh starts and leaving everything behind.
[ Even if he would still prefer all of this to be a temporary detour on the journey of his life. Sometimes you are still overly cautious in a brand new place where no one knows you or (probably) cares about your history. ]
I'm happy to do the same for you unless you prefer otherwise.
[ She delicately sips her tea. Hmm. Acceptable, all things considered. (Lynette's brews are better.) She leaves the milk and sugar out of the mix. ]
Very well. I accept on both counts.
[ She wouldn't have minded, exactly, if he'd gone around telling people about her and the Fatui. But there may indeed be merit in a fresh start. ]
Next. In the event of a disagreement between us that cannot be reconciled with words alone, let us hold a duel. The manner of duel shall be proportionate to the nature of the disagreement, and the winner will dictate the new "rule" going forward.
[ This is a more unusual proposition, she knows. For now, she'll lay that out and see what he thinks. ]
[ His teacup is halfway up to his lips when Arlecchino proposes her next stipulation, and it hovers there for a good few seconds as he fully processes what's been said before it lowers slowly back down to the table. ]
We can't just play Rock-Paper-Scissors?
[ Just kidding. Though maybe he can propose that as one of the duel methods if the disagreement's minor enough.
No agreement right away as he turns the proposal over in his mind. Having a definite decision made is certainly better than leaving things open-ended, but jumping straight to a fight seems a little excessive. Then again, she never said it had to be a physical duel. (TCG tiebreakers incoming.....?) ]
Is that how disagreements are resolved at the House of the Hearth?
[ She doesn't say yes to rock-paper-scissors, but doesn't say no either. Who knows what the future will hold... While he's thinking, she finally goes for the croissant. Like a civilized person, she cleanly rips off its little croissant head (or tail) and manages to pop it into her mouth flake-free. ]
It's a long-standing tradition in the House. I find it an effective way of managing disputes. Any family will have its share of inner conflict; that much is normal, even healthy. But it is less than healthy when disagreements turn to resentment with no avenue for resolution.
[ The Knave picks up her mug again, resting it atop a black palm. Her expression is even as it has been all this time, her tone matter-of-fact. ]
Competition is the simplest way to address such turbulent feelings. It gives the children a stage on which to express themselves, along with a sense of agency to influence their siblings. Of course, they may challenge me as well if they are dissatisfied with my decisions.
[ It's an interesting tidbit that he rolls around in his mind and then tucks away for later. From an objective standpoint, every word she say is true. And had he not done the exact same thing with Pankration as a way to vent excess energy and frustration (after the establishment of certain rules to maintain order, of course)?
Still: ]
Am I a child in your eyes then, subject to the same laws as the kids in your house?
[ Despite being the older (?) of the two. I'll never trust Genshin estimated ages for as long as I live. Anyway, it's just a jest said lightly, something to keep the air from growing too heavy despite the overall gravity of the topic at hand. His turn now to raise his mug and take a sip of his tea. Not bad, though not his favorite either. ]
I accept. So long as we both agree on the method, all conflicts shall be resolved via a duel.
[ But first, he needs to ask something. ]
Have any of your children ever successfully beaten you in a challenge?
[ Her only response to his little joke is a mild lift of her eyebrows. Good to know that her children's reports were so faithful (not that she had any doubt); the man's dry humor is truly persistent.
Have her children ever beaten her? Simply, ]
No. So you won't need to feel too bad if your own efforts fall short.
[ A bit of arrogance, a small jest of her own. She doesn't mention the Traveler; let them save a bit of face. She takes another sip of her tea. ]
Are there any other burning questions on your mind?
[ She isn't normally one to volunteer information, but she's willing to make this a token of their budding partnership. Naturally, it's easier to trust someone if you know a bit more about them. ]
[ No offense taken though. He knows solidly where he stands and it isn't on the same level as a Fatui Harbinger resplendent with both Vision and Delusion. Hell, he doubts he could even beat Clorinde in a fight, for all that he jokes about it otherwise. It's enough to settle for whatever she's willing to offer while he still has this unique opportunity that's been granted to him. Arguably, information about the Knave is far more useful than whatever pride he might gain in beating her in a fight.
He leans back, assessing. ]
A few, actually. [ But they can start with the easiest one. ] What's your favorite kind of tea?
[ She looks at him. Really Looks at him. Most from Teyvat would curate their questions to a Harbinger very carefully. Wriothesley, on the other hand... well, he certainly seems devoted to his tea-obsessed persona. She'd be inclined to think it was just an act to put her off her guard if she didn't know on good authority that his tea accumen was legitimate.
It's tempting still to dismiss his question outright — but she answers after a brief silence. ]
I'm partial to Darjeeling, but I enjoy any tea with an honest flavor. I'm not a fan of unnecessary additives.
[ And yet not legitimate enough to be invited to one of Miss Lynette's tea parties.....
What an answer though. He looks down at their ordered cups of tea, then back up at Arlecchino. Hmm. He really would have chosen something different had he known. But what's life if not an endless road of learning experiences? (Besides, if she'd really had strong opinions, she could and should have made them known earlier.) ]
I'll keep that in mind for next time. [ Then, without a pause, the same easy expression still on his face: ] Did you really think you would get past the Fortress's defenses by sending children?
[ The tea is good enough. She sips it again and everything as he moves into his next question.
The Knave lowers her mug, wrist settling comfortably on her thigh. She smiles at the provocation — that's more like it. ]
I don't believe the question warrants asking. The results speak for themselves.
[ In the end, what more could she have asked for from that trio's little excursion into the Fortress of Meropide? They uncovered valuable information — granted, with assistance from the Traveler. But Wriothesley's question is more loaded than his easygoing demeanor would suggest. ]
What is the true nature of your complaint, Wriothesley?
[ There are a couple things she can think of... but she'd like to hear what's bothering him most. ]
no subject
In the meantime, he takes back his phone and slips it back in his pocket. He can add a name later. (It will just be Arlecchino, because he doesn't want to have to answer questions if his phone gets yanked from his hands or stolen.) ]
If you could do me a favor and keep my previous occupation under wraps, I'd appreciate it. You know what they say about fresh starts and leaving everything behind.
[ Even if he would still prefer all of this to be a temporary detour on the journey of his life. Sometimes you are still overly cautious in a brand new place where no one knows you or (probably) cares about your history. ]
I'm happy to do the same for you unless you prefer otherwise.
no subject
Very well. I accept on both counts.
[ She wouldn't have minded, exactly, if he'd gone around telling people about her and the Fatui. But there may indeed be merit in a fresh start. ]
Next. In the event of a disagreement between us that cannot be reconciled with words alone, let us hold a duel. The manner of duel shall be proportionate to the nature of the disagreement, and the winner will dictate the new "rule" going forward.
[ This is a more unusual proposition, she knows. For now, she'll lay that out and see what he thinks. ]
no subject
We can't just play Rock-Paper-Scissors?
[ Just kidding. Though maybe he can propose that as one of the duel methods if the disagreement's minor enough.
No agreement right away as he turns the proposal over in his mind. Having a definite decision made is certainly better than leaving things open-ended, but jumping straight to a fight seems a little excessive. Then again, she never said it had to be a physical duel. (TCG tiebreakers incoming.....?) ]
Is that how disagreements are resolved at the House of the Hearth?
no subject
It's a long-standing tradition in the House. I find it an effective way of managing disputes. Any family will have its share of inner conflict; that much is normal, even healthy. But it is less than healthy when disagreements turn to resentment with no avenue for resolution.
[ The Knave picks up her mug again, resting it atop a black palm. Her expression is even as it has been all this time, her tone matter-of-fact. ]
Competition is the simplest way to address such turbulent feelings. It gives the children a stage on which to express themselves, along with a sense of agency to influence their siblings. Of course, they may challenge me as well if they are dissatisfied with my decisions.
no subject
Still: ]
Am I a child in your eyes then, subject to the same laws as the kids in your house?
[ Despite being the older (?) of the two. I'll never trust Genshin estimated ages for as long as I live. Anyway, it's just a jest said lightly, something to keep the air from growing too heavy despite the overall gravity of the topic at hand. His turn now to raise his mug and take a sip of his tea. Not bad, though not his favorite either. ]
I accept. So long as we both agree on the method, all conflicts shall be resolved via a duel.
[ But first, he needs to ask something. ]
Have any of your children ever successfully beaten you in a challenge?
no subject
Have her children ever beaten her? Simply, ]
No. So you won't need to feel too bad if your own efforts fall short.
[ A bit of arrogance, a small jest of her own. She doesn't mention the Traveler; let them save a bit of face. She takes another sip of her tea. ]
Are there any other burning questions on your mind?
[ She isn't normally one to volunteer information, but she's willing to make this a token of their budding partnership. Naturally, it's easier to trust someone if you know a bit more about them. ]
no subject
Ouch.
[ No offense taken though. He knows solidly where he stands and it isn't on the same level as a Fatui Harbinger resplendent with both Vision and Delusion. Hell, he doubts he could even beat Clorinde in a fight, for all that he jokes about it otherwise. It's enough to settle for whatever she's willing to offer while he still has this unique opportunity that's been granted to him. Arguably, information about the Knave is far more useful than whatever pride he might gain in beating her in a fight.
He leans back, assessing. ]
A few, actually. [ But they can start with the easiest one. ] What's your favorite kind of tea?
no subject
It's tempting still to dismiss his question outright — but she answers after a brief silence. ]
I'm partial to Darjeeling, but I enjoy any tea with an honest flavor. I'm not a fan of unnecessary additives.
no subject
What an answer though. He looks down at their ordered cups of tea, then back up at Arlecchino. Hmm. He really would have chosen something different had he known. But what's life if not an endless road of learning experiences? (Besides, if she'd really had strong opinions, she could and should have made them known earlier.) ]
I'll keep that in mind for next time. [ Then, without a pause, the same easy expression still on his face: ] Did you really think you would get past the Fortress's defenses by sending children?
no subject
The Knave lowers her mug, wrist settling comfortably on her thigh. She smiles at the provocation — that's more like it. ]
I don't believe the question warrants asking. The results speak for themselves.
[ In the end, what more could she have asked for from that trio's little excursion into the Fortress of Meropide? They uncovered valuable information — granted, with assistance from the Traveler. But Wriothesley's question is more loaded than his easygoing demeanor would suggest. ]
What is the true nature of your complaint, Wriothesley?
[ There are a couple things she can think of... but she'd like to hear what's bothering him most. ]