Tʜᴇ ᴇsᴄᴏʀᴛ ᴡᴀɴᴛs ᴘᴇᴀᴄᴇ『ᶻʰᵒⁿᵍˡⁱ ˣ ᵐ/ⁿ ˣ ᵗᵃʳᵗᵃᵍˡⁱᵃ』

IX

Aᴇᴛʜᴇʀ ᵖᵗ2

After two days, M/n thought it would be nice to join Zhongli for a nice relaxing day listening to storytellers but he muqqch preferred to listen to Zhongli's voice but in all his boldness, he still found that too embarrassing to say aloud. M/n was very aware of the Fatui agent following behind him at Tartaglia's order after what happened but he was worried that the agent didn't have much time to relax, so without notice M/n quickly turns around and smiles. He peaks around a nearby corner, effectively startling his watcher.

"Hey, what's your name?"

"Gale...How did you notice me?"M/n smiled and mentioned that he was the only extra person that was new to the area besides the traveler.
"You can take a break, I won't tell Taglia that you did but you don't have to protect me when I'm around Zhongli."

"....As you wish."Gale quickly blinks out of sight and M/n continues his journey to third-round knock-out to listen to a storyteller. However, when he arrives Zhongli was nowhere to be found.
"Huh? I couldn't have gotten the days mixed up, right?"

"Oh excuse me!! Are you M/n by any chance?"

"Yes, and who might you be?"The waitress explained that Zhongli instructed her to lead M/n to another place where he would dine with both Zhongli and Tartaglia that afternoon. M/n shrugs his shoulders and follows the woman to Liuli Pavilion. Though the name was super familiar, M/n didn't pay it any mind and happily followed more occupied with the thought of eating than anything. The waitress parts ways with M/n just as they reach the Liuli Pavilion and he immediately heads in with but surprise...Aether and Paimon were sitting down at the table with Zhongli and Tartaglia.
"....Uh should I just leave-"

"No!"Both men yell before M/n could step away back out, Zhongli coughs into his hand for a moment then stands from his seat to lead M/n over to take his seat.
"Sorry, this was supposed to be for the three of us at first but..."

"It's fine, hello again. How you've been since we last saw each other?"

"Paimon and I have been fine! I'm sorry we nearly got you into trouble."M/n smiles at the traveler and said it wasn't a problem at all and starts to eat while they continue their discussion.
Damn, I should have known that her leading me here to Liuli Pavilion that this was happening...It was probably short notice.. How much is changing because of me...
"I'm in charge of preparing the Exuvia."

"The Exuvia..."M/n mutters while looking over at Tartaglia struggling to use chopsticks. M/n then takes it upon himself to pick up some food with his own and feed the struggling Fatui harbinger once again forgetting that Aether was across from them.
"You still struggle with using chopsticks even after I taught you how."

"Haha, what can I say? I can use any weapon but I can get use chopsticks to eat."Zhongli glares just a bit to where it wasn't noticeable to the others but Tartaglia. Though the ginger wasn't good with using the eating utensils of Liyue, he was well off after being taught by M/n. Right now, he was playing the fool to get more of M/n's attention for himself.
"About the Exuvia... I guess I should be handing this off to you then. I was assuming it would be Hu Tao but here."M/n pulls a beautifully crafted flower from his sleeve and then hands it to Zhongli.

"I hear that it's customary that brothels offer up crafted flowers to Rex lapis as thanks for his protection but since he... He's dead I would like to give this to him as a send-off. It's not perfect but I tried my best."

"It's gorgeous, M/n. You should make more of these and sell them."Zhongli almost didn't want to put the flower with his Exuvia, he felt so much pride while holding it, it was made by his darling little jewel.