[ A flash of recognition crosses his features when he's able to discern what he's staring at. Childe has always been rather poor at hiding his emotions, wearing them like an open book no matter his circumstances. It was a by-product of rushing into things headlong, chasing after the thrill of the battle more than anything. Any prospect of victory was just an added bonus.
That's besides the point, however. If he's is heading to the alleyway now, then that gave Childe a prime opportunity to see just what it was that kept drawing the stranger down there.
Even without the sudden revelation that this man knew just who Childe was talking about - which earned him a quick flinch backward, fingers curling readily on the hilt of his weapon - there was no way Childe was going to let him out of his sight so readily. It was obvious that even if he wasn't Rex Lapis, this Zhongli character had ties to him. Important ones, if the talisman he suddenly offered out was to be believed.
That didn't keep Childe from accepting and pocketing it after giving it a quick once-over in the light. ]
My name is Tartaglia. But most people call me Childe. [ In most circumstances it would be a bold move to give his name to someone with close ties to the person he was contracted to kill. Perhaps that was what separated Childe from the others; he had boldness in spades.
After Zhongli finished deliberating and laying out the very loose terms of what was essentially a bargain of sorts - even though Childe was pretty sure the man had no need or desire to bargain for his life, given the backing of the Family - he's already off, and the Snezhnayan has to scramble to keep up with him. Zhongli's legs are long, his stride sure, and while initially Childe has a bit of difficulty trying to match pace with him he falls into something of an easy rhythm. They're roughly the same height, he thinks, but it still feels like the man is taller in some respects. Perhaps it's the way he's holding himself, confident and charismatic, perfectly in his element despite his outward portrayal of a forgetful old man that didn't even know how to use a GPS correctly.
He supposed if one knew their fair share of funeral ... practices and was aligned with a criminal syndicate, one didn't need to be smart in other respects.
... he supposes that also explains away how fast he is. Maybe he's good at slipping away before things get too messy?
They emerge out in front of what looks like... a toy store, and Childe can feel his excitement peak. He wasn't sure how Liyue underground worked, but he can only imagine that this is a front of sorts for more nefarious activity. Maybe it's a gambling den. Perhaps they're selling poached animal parts. A secret drug manufacturing laboratory, even? It made sense, if maybe this Zhongli was also a courier of sorts, ferreting different packages between locations.
It was all starting to come together, he thought.
And then Zhongli points to a large, overstuffed whale plushie. From here it looks so big that even someone as tall as the funeral parlor consultant would have to tote it around in both arms.
He's trying not to let the confusion show on his face, he really is. But he has so many questions. ]
Uhm...
[ Zhongli really is playing up the old man schtick, isn't he. ]
I hope you don't mind my asking, but... just how old are you, again?
[ Because if he has a generalized age, then maybe Childe would be able to resist him just that much more. It's not as if the man is unattractive, and if this were another type of situation where he wasn't out to kill his boss, then sure, maybe he'd play around a little. He'd be lying if he said he wasn't wondering what that absentminded expression would shift into under an assault of pleasure, if the man was quick and slippery enough that he could escape Childe pushing his legs to his chest as he -
Ah. He should probably nip that thought in the bud right now. He didn't need any distractions if he wanted to get back to Snezhnaya sooner. ]
Do you seriously expect me to shell out -- [ And here he cranes his head to peer at the price tag. ] -- thirty thousand mora? Really? For a stuffed animal?
no subject
That's besides the point, however. If he's is heading to the alleyway now, then that gave Childe a prime opportunity to see just what it was that kept drawing the stranger down there.
Even without the sudden revelation that this man knew just who Childe was talking about - which earned him a quick flinch backward, fingers curling readily on the hilt of his weapon - there was no way Childe was going to let him out of his sight so readily. It was obvious that even if he wasn't Rex Lapis, this Zhongli character had ties to him. Important ones, if the talisman he suddenly offered out was to be believed.
That didn't keep Childe from accepting and pocketing it after giving it a quick once-over in the light. ]
My name is Tartaglia. But most people call me Childe. [ In most circumstances it would be a bold move to give his name to someone with close ties to the person he was contracted to kill. Perhaps that was what separated Childe from the others; he had boldness in spades.
After Zhongli finished deliberating and laying out the very loose terms of what was essentially a bargain of sorts - even though Childe was pretty sure the man had no need or desire to bargain for his life, given the backing of the Family - he's already off, and the Snezhnayan has to scramble to keep up with him. Zhongli's legs are long, his stride sure, and while initially Childe has a bit of difficulty trying to match pace with him he falls into something of an easy rhythm. They're roughly the same height, he thinks, but it still feels like the man is taller in some respects. Perhaps it's the way he's holding himself, confident and charismatic, perfectly in his element despite his outward portrayal of a forgetful old man that didn't even know how to use a GPS correctly.
He supposed if one knew their fair share of funeral ... practices and was aligned with a criminal syndicate, one didn't need to be smart in other respects.
... he supposes that also explains away how fast he is. Maybe he's good at slipping away before things get too messy?
They emerge out in front of what looks like... a toy store, and Childe can feel his excitement peak. He wasn't sure how Liyue underground worked, but he can only imagine that this is a front of sorts for more nefarious activity. Maybe it's a gambling den. Perhaps they're selling poached animal parts. A secret drug manufacturing laboratory, even? It made sense, if maybe this Zhongli was also a courier of sorts, ferreting different packages between locations.
It was all starting to come together, he thought.
And then Zhongli points to a large, overstuffed whale plushie. From here it looks so big that even someone as tall as the funeral parlor consultant would have to tote it around in both arms.
He's trying not to let the confusion show on his face, he really is. But he has so many questions. ]
Uhm...
[ Zhongli really is playing up the old man schtick, isn't he. ]
I hope you don't mind my asking, but... just how old are you, again?
[ Because if he has a generalized age, then maybe Childe would be able to resist him just that much more. It's not as if the man is unattractive, and if this were another type of situation where he wasn't out to kill his boss, then sure, maybe he'd play around a little. He'd be lying if he said he wasn't wondering what that absentminded expression would shift into under an assault of pleasure, if the man was quick and slippery enough that he could escape Childe pushing his legs to his chest as he -
Ah. He should probably nip that thought in the bud right now. He didn't need any distractions if he wanted to get back to Snezhnaya sooner. ]
Do you seriously expect me to shell out -- [ And here he cranes his head to peer at the price tag. ] -- thirty thousand mora? Really? For a stuffed animal?