Who ⬤ xingqiu & friends(?) What ⬤ mingle prompts, substories, closed starters. When ⬤ september, october, etc Where ⬤ around the city Content Warnings ⬤ will update as necessary.
( ooc: open to all but if you prefer a custom starter send me a PM )
[As Hu Tao looked at the various colorful mugs, she gave a giggle. Even though the job of finding new recruits wasn't what she wanted, it was something she had to do. However, she wasn't complaining when she found herself amused at the inventory.
That said, as she looked at the mugs, she stared at the mysterious liquid before looking back at Xingqiu.]
[ Naturally he follows her gaze to the array of mugs he had selected to serve beverages in. Again, it is all he could find on such short notice therefore there is no point in complaining. As for what is contained inside. That's not so mysterious. Not to Xingqiu anyway as he had served the drinks. Although now he realizes that perhaps it's not something his friend has picked up on.
That slowly causes a smile to form on his face, even if it is marked by weariness. Perhaps, once in a while, for a cause that he sees merit in, Xingqiu does give his best effort. This time, not wanting to burden new recruits with such a heavy workload he had made his way to the warehouse. ]
I have no fear. Not of what's contained within these mugs anyway.
[Again, she kept looking at the liquid before leaning a little further back against her seat. It was no secret that she knew what it was but she was curious to see if he was willing to repeat what happened a few months back.
However, the last thing she wanted was for the both of them to drink on the job. Instead?]
Then is that a yes or a no? You're not giving me a straightforward answer.
[She said before narrowing her eyes at said liquid. She wanted to believe her alcohol tolerance had gotten slightly better and yet...? She couldn't hide her own disappointment that she may or may not be able to handle it.]
If I must peel away words for you to understand meaning then I must say that I am severely disappointed in you, apprentice Hu Tao.
[ Much like her, Xingqiu himself arrived at the same quandary the moment he found the refreshments made available to those within the warehouse. Surely anyone with enough logic could see that this is a conflict of interests. What could be regarded as a reward could lead to inefficiency. And he does suspect not many are content with the workload assigned to them. This leads him to wonder what exactly the other factions are engaging in to welcome their new members. Not that it matters all that much. ]
Have noticed?
[ It may not be apparent to those new to the city, or anyone who is focused on work, but with time it does become obvious. He is sure she has picked up on the fact that not everyone is present. Honestly, he can't completely fault them for being absent yet all the same — well he never had a great impression of leadership within their faction so really it makes no difference. ]
It's not like I want to be here, either.
Still contemplating your decision. There is water available.
Oh woe is me for these long hours I am working! Between managing my business and having to find new recruits? My mind is about to fall on itself.
[But then again, she was never one to take a moments rest when it came to her jobs. Even when she was spending less time focusing on Sutoku, she does make it a priority to ensure that she fulfilled her contract. That said, she had to admit, she was starting to feel herself slightly tired from how much she was working.
Not that she would admit it out loud. Not yet anyway.]
Even so, I'm still impressed that you decided to take up this role. After what happened a couple of months ago, I figured you would try to do something else.
[With that, she kept on staring at the drink. Giving a slight frown, that's when she took a quick sip before looking back at him.]
But I like to think that I've build up my tolerance! Maybe just a little.
[ There is an understanding that for some people maneuvering through an array of tasks may be difficult. Xingqiu is not such a person, though he may avoid some work, it isn't due to exhaustion but rather disinteresting. Working within this warehouse has to be one of the least fulfilling things he has ever done. It's compounded by the lack of organization, and leadership, things he considered tackling himself but ultimately opted against.
There are people who should be taking those positions. But what does he knows?
So far, he has done his share of work. Although he not only searched for merchandise in adequate condition, he also started cataloging it and packing it neatly by type. Which makes sense for the son of a guild manager. ]
Mind manners, will you? Besides, I could very much say the same thing about you.
[ There is a reason why he is here and it isn't the work. For Xingqiu, who wants to do good and right, it doesn't feel just to leave a bunch of new recruits to toil away on their own. Besides, this isn't his first time doing some form of manual labor. ]
Oh. And what's this? Hu Tao, are you drinking on the job?
[ He is teasing, of course, they've been here long enough to deserve a break of sorts. ]
Well, that's one of us building some resistance. I can't say my tolerance has changed.
[Was this what it was like to be seen as 'old'? Was this the the reason why Zhongli and various older people like to drink a lot? While she was aware that drinking was a past time most would enjoy, she never saw the appeal of it.
Right now, as she felt her face flaring up a little from a sip, a slight frown was seen.]
I'm afraid so, how silly of me. I suppose this is what happens when one is growing older as they feel the need to drink to drown the hardships of life!
[Was she joking or was she being playful? That was up to Xingqiu to decide. But as of right now? All she could do was narrate to herself a small little poem before tapping the tip of her finger against the cup.]
Let's see, how did that poem go again? I do believe it goes something like this...!
[With that, she cleared her throat.]
The hundred rivers flow east towards the sea, When will they come back to the west again? If the young and vigorous do not work hard, In old age, they will be sorry in vain.
[ Her pale complexion makes her flushed face all the more obvious, his smile settles somewhere between amusement and concern. It's a tug-o-war, difficult to settle on a single emotion at the moment but she had made a choice when he had a variety of beverages available. He would not admonish her, no, she is a reasonable and responsible adult, and that much he is aware of.
A few months apart, yet in an odd sense, there is a boundary. It's almost comical the more he considers it. She is an adult, he remains a child. Yet they're both trapped in this city where anything her hand can reach so can his.
Slowly he reaches for a mug of his own, hand hovering over a selection of alcoholic drinks but ultimately he settles on some tea. Not hot, not cold, tepid. Akin to his sentiment regarding this task of theirs.
He listens, he doesn't interject. He understands a joke when it comes from her (most of the time anyway). Presently, however, he wouldn't blame her if she wanted to drown away wariness, but their job is not done. A poem is recited, although he isn't certain if the reference made can truly allude to them at work. No. There is another poem that may be more suitable. ]
That is very well recited. But given our present situation. I believe there may be a more appropriate poem.
In her humble cottage, fragrant silks are things unknown. She grieves that go-between refuse to help her, for who would fall for homely skills and honesty? Frugal dress and simple make-up gather only pity.
She can boast of agile fingers, clever with a needle, but can’t compete with painting comely eyebrows. More desperate every year, she embroiders golden thread on bridal gowns for other girls to wear.
[Despite feeling the warmth on her face, she could already feel herself getting lightheaded. However, this time, she was going to take her time and pace herself with her drink. It was funny, she was 18 and yet, she felt as if nothing has changed. She was an adult but she felt no different.
She was definitely getting older but it seems like she hasn't changed. She once remembered something her grandfather had told her. People only felt as old as they feel and age shouldn't hinder ones ability to enjoy life. And here, she found herself chuckling as she saw Xingqiu with some tea.
Not that she meant to tease him, she just felt that rather old in comparison to him at the moment. That was, of course, before she heard the poem. For a moment, she gave a frown as she leaned in slightly closer. Narrowing her eyes, she hoped to give off a somewhat intimdating look.]
Oh? Are you suggesting that I'm old? That's rather rude. Don't you know it's impolite to say that to a girl?
[Not that she meant it, she wanted to see what his reaction would be.]
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Grossery Gang - E
That said, as she looked at the mugs, she stared at the mysterious liquid before looking back at Xingqiu.]
That depends. Are you willing to drink with me?
no subject
That slowly causes a smile to form on his face, even if it is marked by weariness. Perhaps, once in a while, for a cause that he sees merit in, Xingqiu does give his best effort. This time, not wanting to burden new recruits with such a heavy workload he had made his way to the warehouse. ]
I have no fear. Not of what's contained within these mugs anyway.
no subject
However, the last thing she wanted was for the both of them to drink on the job. Instead?]
Then is that a yes or a no? You're not giving me a straightforward answer.
[She said before narrowing her eyes at said liquid. She wanted to believe her alcohol tolerance had gotten slightly better and yet...? She couldn't hide her own disappointment that she may or may not be able to handle it.]
no subject
[ Much like her, Xingqiu himself arrived at the same quandary the moment he found the refreshments made available to those within the warehouse. Surely anyone with enough logic could see that this is a conflict of interests. What could be regarded as a reward could lead to inefficiency. And he does suspect not many are content with the workload assigned to them. This leads him to wonder what exactly the other factions are engaging in to welcome their new members. Not that it matters all that much. ]
Have noticed?
[ It may not be apparent to those new to the city, or anyone who is focused on work, but with time it does become obvious. He is sure she has picked up on the fact that not everyone is present. Honestly, he can't completely fault them for being absent yet all the same — well he never had a great impression of leadership within their faction so really it makes no difference. ]
It's not like I want to be here, either.
Still contemplating your decision. There is water available.
no subject
[But then again, she was never one to take a moments rest when it came to her jobs. Even when she was spending less time focusing on Sutoku, she does make it a priority to ensure that she fulfilled her contract. That said, she had to admit, she was starting to feel herself slightly tired from how much she was working.
Not that she would admit it out loud. Not yet anyway.]
Even so, I'm still impressed that you decided to take up this role. After what happened a couple of months ago, I figured you would try to do something else.
[With that, she kept on staring at the drink. Giving a slight frown, that's when she took a quick sip before looking back at him.]
But I like to think that I've build up my tolerance! Maybe just a little.
no subject
There are people who should be taking those positions. But what does he knows?
So far, he has done his share of work. Although he not only searched for merchandise in adequate condition, he also started cataloging it and packing it neatly by type. Which makes sense for the son of a guild manager. ]
Mind manners, will you? Besides, I could very much say the same thing about you.
[ There is a reason why he is here and it isn't the work. For Xingqiu, who wants to do good and right, it doesn't feel just to leave a bunch of new recruits to toil away on their own. Besides, this isn't his first time doing some form of manual labor. ]
Oh. And what's this? Hu Tao, are you drinking on the job?
[ He is teasing, of course, they've been here long enough to deserve a break of sorts. ]
Well, that's one of us building some resistance. I can't say my tolerance has changed.
no subject
Right now, as she felt her face flaring up a little from a sip, a slight frown was seen.]
I'm afraid so, how silly of me. I suppose this is what happens when one is growing older as they feel the need to drink to drown the hardships of life!
[Was she joking or was she being playful? That was up to Xingqiu to decide. But as of right now? All she could do was narrate to herself a small little poem before tapping the tip of her finger against the cup.]
Let's see, how did that poem go again? I do believe it goes something like this...!
[With that, she cleared her throat.]
The hundred rivers flow east towards the sea,
When will they come back to the west again?
If the young and vigorous do not work hard,
In old age, they will be sorry in vain.
no subject
A few months apart, yet in an odd sense, there is a boundary. It's almost comical the more he considers it. She is an adult, he remains a child. Yet they're both trapped in this city where anything her hand can reach so can his.
Slowly he reaches for a mug of his own, hand hovering over a selection of alcoholic drinks but ultimately he settles on some tea. Not hot, not cold, tepid. Akin to his sentiment regarding this task of theirs.
He listens, he doesn't interject. He understands a joke when it comes from her (most of the time anyway). Presently, however, he wouldn't blame her if she wanted to drown away wariness, but their job is not done. A poem is recited, although he isn't certain if the reference made can truly allude to them at work. No. There is another poem that may be more suitable. ]
That is very well recited. But given our present situation. I believe there may be a more appropriate poem.
In her humble cottage, fragrant silks are things unknown.
She grieves that go-between refuse to help her,
for who would fall for homely skills and honesty?
Frugal dress and simple make-up gather only pity.
She can boast of agile fingers, clever with a needle,
but can’t compete with painting comely eyebrows.
More desperate every year, she embroiders golden thread
on bridal gowns for other girls to wear.
no subject
She was definitely getting older but it seems like she hasn't changed. She once remembered something her grandfather had told her. People only felt as old as they feel and age shouldn't hinder ones ability to enjoy life. And here, she found herself chuckling as she saw Xingqiu with some tea.
Not that she meant to tease him, she just felt that rather old in comparison to him at the moment. That was, of course, before she heard the poem. For a moment, she gave a frown as she leaned in slightly closer. Narrowing her eyes, she hoped to give off a somewhat intimdating look.]
Oh? Are you suggesting that I'm old? That's rather rude. Don't you know it's impolite to say that to a girl?
[Not that she meant it, she wanted to see what his reaction would be.]