A Barkeep And His Poet

Grape Juice

"Master Diluc?" Adelinde asks behind me. "Master Diluc, Sir Kaeya has come to see you. Shall we send him away?"

"Yes, thank you, Adelinde." Walking away from the window I turn to face her. she's pretty. The maid uniform isn't mandatory, but she insists that every girl that works under her wears one.

She nods, turning to go slam the door in my brother's face. I can smile at the thought.

I'm tired. Waking up early after patrolling the city all night is getting to me. I'm starting to wonder if I should take the bard up on his offer. Take a night off. The Traveler is a trustworthy person.

I won't though. I won't give in to that kind of weakness. A break would be nice, regardless. I'll relax today. Taken the day to myself before tonight.

Hmm, what shall I do?

Chess is always a safe choice, but it doesn't seem to be enough for today.

A walk around Windrise? No, too far out. I might lose track of time.

Wolvingdom would be nice, but all of those trees make it hard to walk around. I wouldn't want to injure myself.

I think I'll stay at the winery. I'll help Elzer make my favorite grape juice. Maybe I'll take some to Diona as a gift.

Finding Elzer isn't a hard thing to do. I watch him for a moment. Fluttering around the room, dusting, straightening books, wiping down his desk.

"Elzer, how is the wine production?" I don't care to be honest. The tavern is just a cover for information. The black market of information isn't an easy thing to become a part of.

"It's going well Master Diluc. Is there something you wish to check on?" His voice is formal, I wonder if he takes any days off. My people here choose their work schedule. As long as they're reliable I don't care.

"No, I was just thinking about helping today. Making a fresh barrel of grape juice." He searches my eyes. What is he thinking?

"Of course sir. I will have the grapes picked immediately." He starts to walk away but I stop him.

"I said I wanted to help. I'll start picking the grapes. It doesn't have to be done quickly."

He nods. "I'll grab you a basket." I let him go this time, waiting in the room. I take a moment to look at all of the books in here. How many of them have I actually read?

There are more books in here than I could read in my life. I don't like to be surrounded by my father's books anymore. I am no longer a child.

Leaving, I go to meet Elzer. It's sunny in the vineyard. A good day to be doing this.

"Would you like help, Master Diluc?" I'm asked on several occasions. I say no to all of them.

It's a gentle, tedious task, picking grapes.

"Master Diluc!" I look up from my basket to see Traveler and Venti walking up the path.

"Hello Traveler, Venti." I nod at them and then go back to work. I'm looking forward to the juice this will make. It's been so long since I did this process myself.

"Whatcha doing?" The Traveler asks, eyeing the basket of grapes.

I smile softly, "Making grape juice."

"Can we help? Venti wanted to do something fun today and this sounds amazing." Traveler asks.

I'm flattered, really. But Venti wants something non-alcoholic? Unrealistic. But it's the Traveler, no one in Mondstadt can say no to them.

"Of course. Let me show you which grapes are best."

They both walk over to me while I explain which grapes are best and why.

I have to explain to Traveler a few times, but they get it soon enough.

The picking goes much faster with the extra help. They both joke and play around. Though they don't harm my vineyard, so I find I don't mind.

"You two look like children who look like they should be playing in the water." I laugh.

They both look over to me. Looking shocked.

"What?"

"I've never heard you laugh before." Venti says.

I think about it for a moment. When was the last time I laughed? I don't remember.

"Don't get used to it." I say, but there is a laugh in my voice that I'm sure they both caught. They smile at me and go back to horsing around.

Taking the grapes to the water to wash and destem them doesn't take as long as the picking did. Traveler and Venti help with this task more then they did with the picking.

When we finish, I have Elzer get the materials to make the juice. Someone else insists on smashing the grapes so that we didn't get to dirty.

I was going to argue but the man looked so excited to help the Traveler.

When the man is done mashing the grapes, we grab a cheese cloth to strain the mashed grapes.

While the grapes strain I rest in the sun next to the water while the other two play.

We lose track of time, but when the grapes are done, Elzer brings us a pitcher of juice.

A successful day if I do day so myself.