[ 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.
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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.