Midnight Library

(F/R) :: Diluc

Competition
(Word count: ~2.3k )

Synopsis:
Diluc catches wind that another winery is moving into Mondstat from Fontaine, so he goes to scope out the competition.

...

The past few days seemed a little off to Diluc. In particular, he took note that two very annoying presences who were usually always stopping by the tavern had stopped. As one may have already guessed, he was referring to Venti and Kaeya. Beyond just them, he also noticed that the number of people in general has decreased, and by quite a noticeable amount at that. The two previously mentioned vision holders not showing up was enough to raise flags in Diluc's head but he could brush that off as them being busy in their own endeavours, but the regular, vision less drunkards who were always at the bar 24/7 suddenly disappearing? That was definitely not normal.

As both the owner of the most successful business in the wine industry as well as Mondstat's Dark Night Hero, he was rightfully concerned. Was someone kidnapping civilians in broad daylight? Diluc was sure that he patrolled every corner in Mondstat at night so there could've been no way it was done then. If his theory was true, 'the Nights of Favonius are certainly useless' he'd think to himself.

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A few days passed since the initial realization and now, it is safe to say that Diluc was truly and utterly baffled. Just this morning, he remembers seeing one of his regulars... or, ex-regulars, roaming the streets of Mondstat. Therefore that means his customers wasn't forcefully taken away. Then what was it? Diluc was sure the quality of their drinks didn't go down, and all the staff were just as nice as before. So what changed?

While Diluc was pondering all by himself at the empty tavern bar, Kaeya suddenly walked in.

"Oh it's you. What are you doing here?" The redhead spoke sharply.

"Damn, with that icy tone, I would've mistaken you for a Cryo user instead!" Kaeya heartedly laughed, to which Diluc only narrowed his eyes.

"Just tell me what you're here for."

"My my, I was just being nice and coming to see how my dear brother's business is doing. Considering the competition, it must have been hard lately."

Competition? As far as Diluc knew, he was the only place besides The Cat's Tail that offered wine, to which he has been outselling them for years. "They never stood a chance before, so what's so different now?" Diluc would go on to ask.

"Oh no no no, not The Cat's Tail. That old place is probably struggling more than you. I meant Bar Lupin. It's a bar originally started in Inazuma and recently became popular from their branch in Fontaine and now just opened one in Mond not too long ago. Geez, for someone so prominent in the wine industry, I would've though you'd be the first to know." Kaeya teased.

"Well what's so special about it? I mean there were countless taverns who looked to overtake Angel's Share, but so far none of them have succeeded. What's so different about this one?"

"Well at first it was just their reputation from Fontaine that piqued everyone's interests, but as people went and actually tried their drinks and food, we soon know it was just... something about the drinks that makes it so nice and refreshing. Even I can't quite put my finger on it but there's just something so pristine and delicate about it. No wonder people from Fontaine enjoy it so much. Not to mention, the bartender is quite a sight to see as well."

All Diluc did was frown. What kind of reason was that? 'Delicate' and 'pristine'? Did his drink not have the same finesse?

"Oh, how about we go there tomorrow? I'll take you. Consider this a sort of... bonding time for us, yeah? Beaides, you'll get to know your competition a little better." Kaeya smirked slyly.