The Next Evening, at the Cat’s Tail Tavern.
Gu Sanqiu casually ordered five of today’s special cocktails, knocking them all back in the presence of an increasingly frustrated bartender, who stared him down with her cheeks puffed out in anger.
“Mmm, not bad. But do you have anything stronger? This level’s a bit tame for my taste.”
“Hmph, just you wait!”
Diona, her beastly ears twitching with annoyance, spun around, mentally confirming one thing:
This was a boozehound worse than ten of the tavern’s regulars combined!
“Oh, oh! Look! Little Diona’s challenging the outlander!”
The patrons nearby hooted and laughed, while Gu Sanqiu offered a gentle smile, petting a small cat on his knee as he finally relaxed a bit inside.
Yesterday it had occurred to him—considering Albedo’s mental state so thoroughly… He was either a closet masochist or his sense of “normal” had completely warped.
Today’s trip to the Cat’s Tail was to confirm his preferences, so to speak.
After a thorough assessment of the young, good-humored yet mature tavern owner and the adorable, spirited bartender who looked so earnest while mixing drinks, he nodded. Alright, good to know—preferences confirmed.
No abnormalities here.
After reflecting a moment, he reasoned it was simply his familiarity with “that one old friend” that had led to his consideration of Albedo. After all, he and Albedo had once traveled the great wide world together, seeking views, looking out for one another, and rekindling the bonds of camaraderie.
“Yo, early today?”
Gu Sanqiu turned to find Tartaglia stepping through the door.
Ah, and then there was this guy.
Thinking ahead to the influence Tartaglia’s organization would have on Liyue in the near future—a slew of impacts from economic losses and civilian and Millelith casualties, to the reputational damage to Liyue’s legacy as the port of a thousand ships—Gu Sanqiu felt that not encouraging the Qixing to lock him up right now was maybe just his own fault for being too soft-hearted!
“Of course, I had to come early. They say the Cat’s Tail has an extraordinary bartender, so I simply had to experience this artistry firsthand.”
“Hey! It’s not ‘artistry.’ It’s a job, one I do so you boozehounds have something to drink and I can make some Mora to survive!”
Diona huffed, striding over with a tray wider than her entire torso.
“Hmph, give my special concoction a try—I guarantee it’ll make you regret drinking ever again!”
As Tartaglia started to pull out a chair, a nearby cat pounced with remarkable agility, claiming the seat first with a satisfied expression.
(￣ー￣)
Choosing not to battle a cat, Tartaglia swiftly commandeered another chair, keeping an eye on the other “predatory” felines glaring from the sidelines.
“Oh? So, this is a drink capable of conquering this guy? I have to see this.”
With a mischievous grin, he encouraged, “C’mon, down it!”
Gu Sanqiu picked up the oversized glass on the tray, almost as big as a Hilichurl Berserker’s bowl.
“This glass… Do you serve Hilichurl Berserkers here too?”
“Hmph! Just tell me—do you dare to drink it?”
Diona placed her hands on her hips, watching him defiantly.
“People like you, who come to Mondstadt and immediately pick up a drinking habit, need something strong to set them straight!”
“Ahem,” Tartaglia interjected, suppressing a laugh, “To be fair, I knew this guy before he came to Mondstadt, and he’s always been like this—has little to do with Mondstadt’s customs.”
“Feels like you’re being condescending,” Gu Sanqiu shot Tartaglia a side-eye. “And I have proof.”
“What?! You’re that young and already a drinker?” Diona looked at him with exasperation. “Just what we need—another doomed future alcoholic.”
“I’m a very controlled drinker, thank you very much. Don’t listen to him.”
Gu Sanqiu downed the drink in one go, the mix of blazing heat and tingling spice igniting in his throat, an intense burst of flavor culminating in a lasting warmth in his stomach.
“Heh, how’s that? That was my specially crafted Overload Brew, made just for Vision-wielders like you. Feeling that burn yet? Bet you’re craving something warm and hearty to chase that down?”
(?ω?)
“If you beg me, I’ll make you a special non-alcoholic mix to cool off,” Diona offered smugly, hands behind her back, her tail swinging proudly.
“Go on, beg~ Maybe Diona will be kind enough to grant your wish.”
“Whew—” Gu Sanqiu exhaled a long breath, then pulled out his coin pouch.
“Bring me the Shock Brew, Freeze Brew, Vaporize Brew—all of it. Not gonna lie, this really is a masterpiece of mixology!”
…
!!!∑(?Д?ノ)ノ
“You’re… you’re not feeling it?”
“Not only am I fine, but that was fantastic. My blood feels like it’s coursing anew,” he added with a grin. “How about it? I’ll pay you well.”
“…Fine! Just you wait!”
Diona stormed off to the bar, tail puffed in irritation. There was no way she’d lose to this guy!
“Alright then,” Gu Sanqiu said, taking another sip, “these are great to warm up with. Here’s the letter—remember what you promised. Make sure it reaches your Doctor with utmost speed.”
Gu Sanqiu handed the letter to Tartaglia, who inspected it carefully.
“Aren’t you going to drink?”
“Not until I’ve read this letter from start to finish. Before I walked in, I checked for any funny business—you know, in case you’d rigged something to influence my judgment.”
Tartaglia scrutinized the letter line by line. “Even a hint of alcohol won’t cut it.”
“Alright, alright. I yield.” Gu Sanqiu shrugged, accepting the next drink from Margaret.
Scene—Bartender in intense boss battle.
“Looks clear. Just seems like a collection of strange little stories: ‘Rose to the top after a Vision,’ ‘Achieved greatness through ruthless ambition,’ ‘Honed strength from personal loss,’ ‘Tapped untold power for family’s sake,’ ‘A poor student mastering higher calculus for a final boss fight…’ What even is this last one?”
“See?” Gu Sanqiu smirked. “No shady stuff, no secret proposals to collude with your Doctor. Go ahead—if you’re satisfied, keep it. I guarantee no funny business.”
“Alright, I suppose that’s true…” Tartaglia cast a suspicious look. “But something tells me you’re still up to something.”
“Wrong use of idiom,” Gu Sanqiu corrected smoothly. “That implies ill intent toward you, not that I’m up to something on the sly.”
“Oh, and tomorrow? You’re coming with me. We’ve got big things to handle.”
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