AUDIENCE FOR: Kaeya

[guestservices]

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[guestservices]

[ they glance at the cup. ]

... It's baiju. [ and then offer him the glass to try a little. ] Someone recommended it to me.

Sort of takes the edge off, doesn't it?

[callalilies]

Enough of it.

[ he takes a sip of his own drink. ]

Hua Cheng? Or someone else?

[guestservices]

Hua Cheng. [ they agree, easily, and sip from the drink. ] He has good taste.

[ the liquor is very strong which they don't seem to mind. ]

Though, you're not just here for pleasure today, hm? Your task. For a healing task, you don't have to be as secretive. The faster you get it done, the faster it frees me up to heal again next week, so it's best to get it done quickly.

If it's not completed after a week, you won't like the results. Got it?

[callalilies]

As long as I've known him, [ which isn't long, but sometimes having someone who has seen your every move and motive kind of speedruns it. ]

But in any case, don't worry. I don't want to hold anyone up or keep you from your business, I'll make sure it's done quickly.

[ he glances over. ]

So what will it be?

[guestservices]

[ they snort a little. ]

You're not really holding me up. Between you and me, I like your company a little better than Dimitri's. Kind of a stick in the mud.

[ that's a little lighter, but they tap their clawed fingers against the glass they're holding after, thoughtful. ]

Tell your group tonight a story with a beginning, a middle, and an end: something entertaining. Tell another story to a different group of people, using other guests from the hotel as the stars. You can do that one before tonight or later in the weekend, but I'd do it by the end of the weekend, just in case.

[callalilies]

He's a bit uptight, isn't he?

[ he chuckles a bit at that. dima can be a bit of a stick in the mud, it's true. but he's got some weight on him. ]

Dokja is going to like that one. Hopefully... he came back to us a little off. Maybe it'll bring him back just a little.

Two stories. I can get it done. Will you be listening in?

[guestservices]

[ they nod a bit, and then, he can hear a smile in their voice. ]

You want me to?

[callalilies]

[ nudges their ankle softly under the bar with his boot. ]

Might be talking about a few important things besides that story... [ you know how much of a hornets nest they are ] but... Yes.

[guestservices]

[ they return the nudge easily. ]

If you want me to play deaf to that part, I can probably do that.

[callalilies]

For the best.

[guestservices]

[ they snort. ]

Are you planning on doing it?

[callalilies]

[ ??? ]

Doing what? Telling a story to them? Of course. I'll make sure it's... suitably riveting.

[guestservices]

[ they fix him with such an unimpressed look you can feel it through the veil ] You know that's not what I meant.

[ sir your hornets nest ]

[callalilies]

[ hee hee :) but his face does draw serious a moment before he covers his mouth with his glass. ]

We'll see, [ he says into the cup. ]

[guestservices]

Just remember you have a job to do.

[ they take a long sip of their wine. ] Whatever you decide is your own choice.

[callalilies]

So I do.

[ he undoes the hood and reveals that his hair is! white! ]

Don't worry, I'm familiar with that sentiment.

[guestservices]

[ uh

they reach over and just like tug his hair. ]

What the hell happened here?

[callalilies]

[ just a vibe ]

They're going to turn me into an old man.

[guestservices]

[ they

laugh, a little. ]

Hahh. I get the feeling. Well - it's not too bad on you, captain, stress notwithstanding.

[callalilies]

[ he joins in, taking another sip. ]

It will pass. It's just because of...

[ waves a hand ]

You know what night it is. Won't sleep until this place puts me to sleep...

[guestservices]

Yeah, I do.

[ they tilt their head a bit. ]

Have any hopes for the evening? Or the morning, I suppose.

[callalilies]

[ kaeya looks at them for a long moment, right at the veil and how it gives away nothing. only sensation from time to time—the faintest smile or a look here and there. he hums. ]

I have... hope.

[ he takes another drink, longer. ]

Even if I don't find anything, then I try again. Whatever it takes.

[guestservices]

Good answer.

[ they seem satisfied with that, reaching for their drink to finish it off. ] Always darkest before the dawn, isn't it?

[callalilies]

So it is, my dear Eagle.

[ his own glass is emptied at last. he said one drink, he tells himself that as he pushes the glass itself away, fingers drumming on the bar top. ]

I have an old story I want to tell tonight. I think you'll like it. It's about precisely that.

[guestservices]

We'll see.

[ they laugh, though. ] Impress me, captain.