Rainy Day Tavern // A Chaeya Fic

Couldn't Think of Anything Worthwhile To Say

Summary: A trip to Liyue

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In some odd turn of events, Ajax finds himself back in Liyue, though this time not on Harbinger duty. Ajax walks along the familiar streets once more, admiring the views he had long since accustomed himself to. A home away from home (Mondstadt wasn't a home yet). He was here on Favonius duties, just to visit the Funeral Parlour and negotiate. Why did it have to be him of all people? If anything, Ajax thought his Captain would avoid him going at all costs.

Of course, he can't argue anymore, since he was already here, and Diluc looked almost smug sending him off, like he knew that his relationships with Funeral Parlour were rocky (he wouldn't put it past that guy). Whatever, Ajax would do his damned business, enjoy the sights, and get the heck out of Liyue afterwards. Oh, and maybe kill the local enemies.

He was surprised news hadn't spread to Liyue as he made his way to Northland Bank. His underlings still referred to him as 'Lord Tartaglia', offered him a place to stay, and then proceeded to stay ten feet away from him like he had the plague. Well, at least some things never changed. It was nice, considering all of these twists and turns in his life, that at least the other members of the Fatui were the same.

Ekaterina brings him tea, and Tartaglia thanks her. After that, he proceeds to sit in his room for the entire day, at least until it was time to go meet the 77th Director of the Funeral Parlour's employee and negotiate... Something that Ajax forgot. Probably something like money, though Ajax can hardly fathom why. The economy in Mondstadt was great, considering how Dawn Winery was monopolising it...

What's he supposed to ask anyway? 'Can we have some of your coffins in return for wine?'. Argh, he was never good at this diplomacy, and this wasn't even diplomacy! Why was he chosen again?!

Ajax shifts through his paperwork. You'd think that being under a Cavalry Captain of all things meant that you'd be perfectly safe from paperwork. Seems not, if he's seen the number of papers on Diluc's desk. Being a Knight was a lot more boring than he thought... Was it like this when he first joined the Fatui? He doesn't remember this much paperwork...

"Paperwork, huh?" Kaeya says in an amused tone and Ajax slumps over the counter and orders for a bottle of Firewater, having forgotten that this tavern didn't supply that. Kaeya mixes up a Death After Noon for him anyway.

"Yep," is all that Ajax can muster. He grabs the drink that slides into his hand, drinking it all in one go. The cup is refilled before he can ask for more. Ajax doesn't take it this time, instead just savouring the flavour of the previous one. Kaeya chuckles slightly.

"My brother is constantly swamped with paperwork, I think his imagination of what the Knights were like was crushed once he saw the amount of paperwork," Kaeya chuckles. "He came home one day moping about it, I felt a little more relieved I hadn't joined."

"Where'd you learn how to be a mixologist anyway?" Ajax asks quietly, finally going to grab his drink again. Kaeya looks away, far, far away.

"My adoptive father."

Ajax shakes his head, trying not to think of Kaeya. There was work to be done, and Ajax needed to concentrate. His hands reach out towards the by now cold tea, grimacing a bit as he takes a sip. He'd never appreciate the art of tea, or whatever it is that makes people like tea. It was just... Flavoured water.

"Why'd you want to join the Knights?" Kaeya asked. Ajax looks away with a shrug.

"I guess I wanted to imitate my old position as a Harbinger," Ajax mumbles. Kaeya nods, cleaning Ajax's glass after he hands it back. The ex-Harbinger spends more time talking to Kaeya than actually drinking. It helps clears his thoughts more than the alcohol did, but it tasted nice...