[ Well, Sylus is used to new and unfamiliar places. He's had to venture far and wide for the maintenance of his enterprises; the procurement of both resources and knowledge. Usually, however, he's not foolish enough to wander into unknown territory without a plan and a file full of reconnaissance. And that had been his plan this time too, but— well. He's not omnipotent.
Sometimes even the best of plans can get waylaid.
So he is vaguely unprepared as he stands in this foreign city (sorry, pixi, makes you describe some random genshin city), but his demeanour certainly doesn't betray it. He looks as calm as ever as he surveys the wares of an arms dealer. ]
The make is poor. I would hardly even use this to prepare a salad. Do you really expect payment for this?
[ He might not be familiar with the design and materials, but he has a discerning eye for quality.
His condescension doesn't endear him to the shopkeep, however, whose gaze drops to the gun that Sylus has holstered at his side. Behind him, a pair of goons rise to their feet with perfect, villainous synchronicity. It seems... there might be an altercation looming imminently. ]
[The Court of Fontaine isn't Childe's favorite place in the world, he's found. He's only been here for a few days, but he'd thought, naively, that that the nation of water would be kinder to one of its wielders--that, through some unseen affinity, he'd have uncharacteristically good luck and find what he's searching for with little to no trouble. Too much to expect, it seems.
But Childe isn't an easily dispirited man. Setbacks happen--and he's here on personal business anyway, so he doesn't have any subordinates to manage, and the only nearby coworker worth his attention is too busy with her own tasks to pay him any mind. It means no allies, but it means a completely free schedule, too, which leaves him plenty of time to indulge as he likes. And what he likes, more than anything, is a good fight. (Maybe this is good luck after all?)
This exchange has nothing to do with him, but it piques his interest; the hired muscle, even more so. They're hardly the Champion Duelist he's been hounding, but he's not picky. He pays them no attention for now, though, turning instead to the man who is currently rousing the shopkeeper's ire. Not a local, clearly, which is amusing; granted, Childe doubts this man makes a habit of cushioning his words for most anyone.
He puts down the daggers he'd been examining and turns to face Sylus, resting a hand on his hip.]
You sound like you know your stuff, comrade. Care to share your thoughts?
[His tone is friendly and curious, as if he genuinely wants to hear Sylus's critiques--though whether that's true or he's just throwing wood on the fire is a mystery.]
[ His gaze slides over to Childe without hurry, taking a moment to observe him under the guise of considering the question posed, and trying to decide if he wants to incur more ire than he already has.
He's not in any hurry to make enemies in an unknown place. ]
Here.
[ Lifting up one of the daggers that Childe had just put down, he flicks his finger against the blade, and listens to the vibration. ]
There's a weak spot in the blade from uneven heating, and [ running a finger along the length ] warping from improper cooling. I wonder if the smith could tell hot from cold.
[ His posture and tone is casual, even as one of the goons whips out a sword to strike at him. I hate writing someone cool and capable, but he just side steps to avoid the hit, and jams the dagger into the henchman's arm. ]
[A normal person would probably hightail it out of this shop around this point. Fortunately, Childe is the furthest thing from normal. The nonchalance makes him laugh, which, he knows, is a surefire way to make the attackers assume he's an accomplice of some kind--but that's fine. If they knew who he was, they'd be assuming much worse. Most of it would even be true.]
Nothing quite like a live demonstration to prove the point! [The space is too narrow for him to use his own preferred weapons, so instead, he picks up the other dagger, flinging it with a flick of his wrist directly at the other goon. I also wish he would miss horrendously and look like a moron, but unfortunately, he is also highly competent... disgusting. The dagger embeds itself in the second goon's shoulder, almost concerningly deep for such a throw.] But they work in a pinch. Maybe a price reduction? Ah, but I don't know how much haggling Fontanians are used to. I've heard they're quite stubborn here.
[Meanwhile, two men are angrily bleeding all over the floor.]
[ That doesn't sound like any place that he's familiar with on Earth, so perhaps he'd wandered into space again... Somehow. Life really is mysterious like that.
He smirks a little at the that Childe lands, not bothering to hide that he's pleased this stranger can keep up, or the fact that this violence isn't inconveniencing him at all.
The shop owner's face is a deep shade of red as he screams at them to get out, and while Sylus isn't keen to be given orders by the like's of such a weakling... He's also not going to beat up a little old man. With a theatric sigh, he shakes his head and makes his way back out. ]
[Comes back here after mg looking around like confused Gandalf]
That's what shopping around is for anyway. [Hehe. He cants his head to the side, curious.] It's quite bold to cause a scene in Fontaine, though. You're not worried about the authorities?
He just blinks slowly at Childe in response, tone measured and even when he responds, not exactly arrogant, but not exactly genuinely in his curiosity. ]
[A PRETTY PRINCESS?? HELP this is so funny. Unfortunately there are clockwork meka guards all over the place in addition to the human officers, and it won't take them long to find out what just happened, especially since Childe and Sylus are, uhhh... pretty distinct-looking, to say the least. But it's fine. Childe strides along with him, then angles his head towards a narrow side street.]
[ Yes, that's right. Sylus is a riot. He's also not so arrogant that he's going to fight an entire city's law enforcement, following along Childe as offered. Granted, Childe could also be leading him into a death trap, but he can probably fight his way out of it if need be.
[Yeah he leads him into an alley and shoots him with a hidden gun--no he doesn't do that. But he does lead the way towards a path that slopes downwards, ending in a set of gated doors.]
Something like that. [He probably actually has diplomatic immunity in quite a few places, but Fontaine has a billion insane and weird laws and it's not his "territory," so he's operating on the assumption that he's automatically an enemy of the state. This does not stop him from canonically punching a dude out in the street later, but then he gets falsely arrested so he will never give a shit about Fontaine's obsession with performative justice. It's fine. NONE OF THAT HAS HAPPENED YET.] Though, to be honest with you, I haven't been down here myself. So it might not be quite what I'm expecting, ahaha.
[ He doesn't mind that too much. It puts the two of them on more even footing in the event that he has to turn on Childe. Regardless, it's not like he has many options, so he might as well follow along down the path and to the doors.
Gives Childe an amused look. ]
I do my best to play by the rules, but apparently I just have the look of a troublemaker. [ Second part is true, the first part is not. ] So I've had to make a getaway or two.
[To the gate! There's a brief blue glow as Childe does something with his hands, and after a bit of finagling, the doors swing open. There is then a very slow loading screen--no I'm kidding it's just a long path, continuing to slope downward. It is darker and damp down this way, but not, like, suspiciously pitch black or anything. Childe will even courteously step in first, since this guy is obviously just as paranoid as he is, and Childe won't be bothered by a sudden attack.]
Haha... in that case, I'm not surprised you've run into trouble here. Fontaine's a beautiful city, but I've heard its people are fond of quick judgments.
[Down they go... wahoo... there are no branching side paths for now, just a straightforward descent.]
It's my first time visiting, actually. A... colleague of mine is from here, though, and she visits fairly often, so I've heard a few stories.
[Up ahead, there are faint sounds! Some voices--muffled with distance--and various other noises of people moving around, though nothing particularly specific.]
[ Should he get ready to beat them to death with his fists?
Haha. Joking. ]
Isn't it obvious? [ One might think that it's unwise to reveal that he's totally lost, but Sylus is just that arrogant. ] But yes, you could say I'm new in town.
[ Looking at Childe thoughtfully. ]
You certainly hesitated before calling her your colleague.
Haha, you never know! I've heard a thing or two about troublemakers being such anywhere. [It was very obvious, but assumptions can be dangerous just as much as responses can be telling.
Even so, Childe doesn't particularly care to lie when he doesn't have to--he shrugs as the ground beneath them shifts from stone to metal. Rounding a corner puts them parallel to a low waterway... almost as if they are in the sewers, but a fantasy version of sewers that are clean and well lit for some reason.]
Well, we don't work together often--she spends most of her time with her kids. But calling her a friend would be a bit much.
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no subject
Sometimes even the best of plans can get waylaid.
So he is vaguely unprepared as he stands in this foreign city (sorry, pixi, makes you describe some random genshin city), but his demeanour certainly doesn't betray it. He looks as calm as ever as he surveys the wares of an arms dealer. ]
The make is poor. I would hardly even use this to prepare a salad. Do you really expect payment for this?
[ He might not be familiar with the design and materials, but he has a discerning eye for quality.
His condescension doesn't endear him to the shopkeep, however, whose gaze drops to the gun that Sylus has holstered at his side. Behind him, a pair of goons rise to their feet with perfect, villainous synchronicity. It seems... there might be an altercation looming imminently. ]
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But Childe isn't an easily dispirited man. Setbacks happen--and he's here on personal business anyway, so he doesn't have any subordinates to manage, and the only nearby coworker worth his attention is too busy with her own tasks to pay him any mind. It means no allies, but it means a completely free schedule, too, which leaves him plenty of time to indulge as he likes. And what he likes, more than anything, is a good fight. (Maybe this is good luck after all?)
This exchange has nothing to do with him, but it piques his interest; the hired muscle, even more so. They're hardly the Champion Duelist he's been hounding, but he's not picky. He pays them no attention for now, though, turning instead to the man who is currently rousing the shopkeeper's ire. Not a local, clearly, which is amusing; granted, Childe doubts this man makes a habit of cushioning his words for most anyone.
He puts down the daggers he'd been examining and turns to face Sylus, resting a hand on his hip.]
You sound like you know your stuff, comrade. Care to share your thoughts?
[His tone is friendly and curious, as if he genuinely wants to hear Sylus's critiques--though whether that's true or he's just throwing wood on the fire is a mystery.]
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He's not in any hurry to make enemies in an unknown place. ]
Here.
[ Lifting up one of the daggers that Childe had just put down, he flicks his finger against the blade, and listens to the vibration. ]
There's a weak spot in the blade from uneven heating, and [ running a finger along the length ] warping from improper cooling. I wonder if the smith could tell hot from cold.
[ His posture and tone is casual, even as one of the goons whips out a sword to strike at him. I hate writing someone cool and capable, but he just side steps to avoid the hit, and jams the dagger into the henchman's arm. ]
But I suppose toys can be useful too.
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Nothing quite like a live demonstration to prove the point! [The space is too narrow for him to use his own preferred weapons, so instead, he picks up the other dagger, flinging it with a flick of his wrist directly at the other goon. I also wish he would miss horrendously and look like a moron, but unfortunately, he is also highly competent... disgusting. The dagger embeds itself in the second goon's shoulder, almost concerningly deep for such a throw.] But they work in a pinch. Maybe a price reduction? Ah, but I don't know how much haggling Fontanians are used to. I've heard they're quite stubborn here.
[Meanwhile, two men are angrily bleeding all over the floor.]
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[ That doesn't sound like any place that he's familiar with on Earth, so perhaps he'd wandered into space again... Somehow. Life really is mysterious like that.
He smirks a little at the that Childe lands, not bothering to hide that he's pleased this stranger can keep up, or the fact that this violence isn't inconveniencing him at all.
The shop owner's face is a deep shade of red as he screams at them to get out, and while Sylus isn't keen to be given orders by the like's of such a weakling... He's also not going to beat up a little old man. With a theatric sigh, he shakes his head and makes his way back out. ]
Well, looks like we're both leaving empty-handed.
[ Which he guesses is his fault. Oops. ]
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That's what shopping around is for anyway. [Hehe. He cants his head to the side, curious.] It's quite bold to cause a scene in Fontaine, though. You're not worried about the authorities?
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He just blinks slowly at Childe in response, tone measured and even when he responds, not exactly arrogant, but not exactly genuinely in his curiosity. ]
Should I be?
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That depends on how you feel about being in the so-called nation of justice.
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[ Amused, he will look around Fontaine, trying to detect just how many enforcement officers there are patrolling. ]
So I wouldn't say I'm too worried. [ ... ] But I'm not interested in being foolish either.
[ So, uh, walking away from the scene of the crime now. ]
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This way. I know a place where you can lie low.
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Off they go! ]
A regular at evading the law?
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Something like that. [He probably actually has diplomatic immunity in quite a few places, but Fontaine has a billion insane and weird laws and it's not his "territory," so he's operating on the assumption that he's automatically an enemy of the state. This does not stop him from canonically punching a dude out in the street later, but then he gets falsely arrested so he will never give a shit about Fontaine's obsession with performative justice. It's fine. NONE OF THAT HAS HAPPENED YET.] Though, to be honest with you, I haven't been down here myself. So it might not be quite what I'm expecting, ahaha.
[DON'T JUST LAUGH ABOUT IT.]
And yourself?
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[ He doesn't mind that too much. It puts the two of them on more even footing in the event that he has to turn on Childe. Regardless, it's not like he has many options, so he might as well follow along down the path and to the doors.
Gives Childe an amused look. ]
I do my best to play by the rules, but apparently I just have the look of a troublemaker. [ Second part is true, the first part is not. ] So I've had to make a getaway or two.
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Haha... in that case, I'm not surprised you've run into trouble here. Fontaine's a beautiful city, but I've heard its people are fond of quick judgments.
[SYLUS CLEARLY STARTED THE FIGHT]
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Also, Childe is funny. He quirks a smile. ]
You spend a lot of time in this city?
[ Fellow troublemaker? ]
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It's my first time visiting, actually. A... colleague of mine is from here, though, and she visits fairly often, so I've heard a few stories.
[Up ahead, there are faint sounds! Some voices--muffled with distance--and various other noises of people moving around, though nothing particularly specific.]
Yourself?
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Haha. Joking. ]
Isn't it obvious? [ One might think that it's unwise to reveal that he's totally lost, but Sylus is just that arrogant. ] But yes, you could say I'm new in town.
[ Looking at Childe thoughtfully. ]
You certainly hesitated before calling her your colleague.
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Haha, you never know! I've heard a thing or two about troublemakers being such anywhere. [It was very obvious, but assumptions can be dangerous just as much as responses can be telling.
Even so, Childe doesn't particularly care to lie when he doesn't have to--he shrugs as the ground beneath them shifts from stone to metal. Rounding a corner puts them parallel to a low waterway... almost as if they are in the sewers, but a fantasy version of sewers that are clean and well lit for some reason.]
Well, we don't work together often--she spends most of her time with her kids. But calling her a friend would be a bit much.
[So "colleague" it is]