[ Primrose finds herself a bit bewildered by... all of this. It's hardly domestic, this relationship of theirs, but even the tension between them feels comfortable. As though no matter what she says, no matter how likely she is to slip away, no matter--
Childe accepts it all, with fondness and no real sense of judgment. And she doesn't ask questions pertaining to his missions, because do the answers truly matter at this point? She lets him go and returns to Orsterra, his kiss lingering on her lips far longer than she thinks is strictly necessary to reflect on the warmth of it.
She... does not expect the messages-- his way of maintaining a steady flow of contact, perhaps. He does love to write, doesn't he? And his pictures tell a story, when his words need clarity. He's showing her more than he needs to, and her replies are never as long, kept to succinct responses.
But she does reply, even as she visits Ophilia and H'aanit to purchase thicker clothing for colder climates and explains nothing. This particular answer, though, takes a little longer before it comes.
His family. This could mean nothing. He's proud of his family, surely he could bring any companion to meet them. It's just a simple offer.
She pointedly does not feel any unease at the thought of being disliked on sight. ]
Or you'll be set upon with questions. But I have no other plans, so I suppose I can cut in on yours.
[He's been gone far too long to avoid that fate, no matter how many letters he's sent along.
But it's not a no. He picks up on that right away, and he grins into his scarf. His reply, in turn, is swift and simple, easily honest.]
Then I'd like to have you, if you want to come. I have a spare coat, but you'll want to dress warmly anyway.
[They're not going to the manor, after all. And there's only so much he can do about fancy heating devices when his family has no intention of moving out of his old, decidedly not-fancy childhood home.]
You needn't be concerned. I've since prepared myself so I won't have to avail myself of your own wardrobe. I'll meet you shortly.
[ She's not one for fanfare or pomp, so unless he tells her to meet him at a later designated time, she'll make her appearance sooner rather than later. As promised, she'd clad much more sensibly, skirt and top both fur-lined, a little extra fur on the shoulders, the material thick but soft to the touch. She would have boiled in Sunshade, but this? Here, it's perfect. ]
[He's halfway through a response when she appears, and he looks up with a bright smile from where he's leaning against the outside of--something like a carriage, anyway. If carriages were wrought metal and hooked to odd contraptions akin to wheeled horses with faintly glowing eyes.]
If it doesn't, we have a trick or two that should make up for it. [Tucking his phone away, he bends down to greet her with a kiss--no hesitation, this time.] You look lovely, as always.
[Childe himself is bundled up as well, a rare sight for someone who defaults to showing skin even when he shouldn't. But it's easily obvious why; the road they're on is little more than a well-trodden ice path, flanked on each side by thick snowbanks and snow-drenched forest. Even now, flakes fall from the ever-gray sky, but they're gentle and slow for the moment.]
[ Kisses for the sake of affection, fondness... to Primrose, there's still a rarity about them. She's still far too accustomed to kisses for a purpose. Kisses as weapons, yet another thing tucked into her arsenal to get her further on her quest for revenge. This is simple and sweet and she hesitates to let herself linger on the thought of it, though the fact that she doesn't immediately pull back, that she lets her eyes close for the brief second that he's there, is sign enough that she doesn't view this as a professional or pragmatic gesture right now. ]
You're quite the pleasing sight yourself. [ It's a soft murmur as she looks around, taking in the odd vehicle he leans against, as well as the gray dreariness of the area that's nonetheless softened by snow-laden pines and the large flakes that drift from above. How the snow must glitter if the sun would be allowed to shine... ]
How close are we, to your home?
[ How much time does she have to think too hard about what it means, for him to want her to meet his family? ]
[The compliment earns her a smile, and he squeezes her hand gently before he turns back to the carriage, opening the door. There's cargo of some kind hooked up to the back, but whatever it is will have to remain a mystery for now.]
About ten minutes--maybe fifteen if we run into trouble, but I don't think we will this close to the village.
[But even if they do, it'll be minor. None of the beasts or monsters around here frighten him anymore.]
Still, we'd best get out of the cold. We might freeze if we linger outside too long.
[He's joking. Probably.
He steps back, holding out his hand just in case she needs the assistance in climbing in.]
Ah--I suppose should warn you that it's not particularly glamorous.
[His home, he means; he doesn't really think she'll mind, or he wouldn't have invited her in the first place, but still.]
[ She does not need assistance and even if she did, she wouldn't ask for it. Likely while he's offering his hand without drawing attention to it and Primrose smiles faintly, maintaining eye contact as she steps past him and pulls herself up and into the carriage. As she does-- ]
I spent a certain part of my life in dark and dingy alleys. I don't particularly seek out glamorous, regardless of how I may come off.
[ Poised, fiery, seductive, glittering with gold to draw the light when she danced... born nobility, but she prefers simpler things now. ]
I'm more interested in your family than your home, of course.
[Whether he expected that reaction or not is difficult to say--he simply smiles and takes it in stride, climbing inside after her.
The interior of the carriage isn't so unusual--warm red gems light the interior with a gentle glow, chasing away the chill that had crept in while the door had been open. But the seats are simple and comfortable, and he keeps the curtains drawn back from the window, even though it's not much of a view.]
I'm glad to hear it, though you bring glamour along with you wherever you go anyway.
[Light, teasing, that playful tone he tends to use when he's speaking a truth that he knows sounds like false flattery. He leans forward as he speaks, pressing a small button--it only takes a moment before the carriage begins to move, rolling smoothly along the path.
It may only be a trick of the agnidus agate, but his eyes seem brighter as he settles back into his seat, reaching into his coat for something.]
They'll be interested in you too, so you'll have to excuse them if they're a little overwhelming. [He wears a warm smile, though, unashamed of how apparent his love is. From his coat, he pulls a photograph, which he hands over to her. It's obviously not new, well-creased down the middle. A family portrait of some kind, it seems, though Childe himself is absent from the picture.]
The eldest three are Damon, Janus, and Cleo. They won't be staying more than a day or two, especially Cleo--she doesn't like mother's fussing. Then that's Anthon and Tonia in the front, and that's Teucer between them, of course.
[The one she'd seen in his memory, so long ago. The way it'll be 84 years before I officially know how many siblings this man has I hate genshin]
Silver-tongued as ever. [ It's said with a faint little snort. She still is never sure whether to believe those little quips of his or not, more familiar with how lightly he words his sincere beliefs. Still, it's difficult to handle or dwell on, and most of the time she chooses not to. Much like now, even as she leans back in her seat and studies how his eyes seem to glow. Light doesn't seem to reach the dull depths very often and she hums in intrigue, turning her attention to the photo.
Six siblings. She'd been an only child, but she imagines it must make the house a lively place, to have all seven of them in one spot.
She lingers over Teucer, eyes softening a trace beyond her knowing to see such exuberant innocence, and then hands the photograph back to him. Such things don't exist in Orsterra, but she sees the value of them. ]
It seems I've got quite an important audience this time around; I'll do my best to entertain. [ She's confident in that much, at least. ] How long would you like us to stay, then?
[Her words earn her a wink--but his smile is genuine as he follows her gaze to the photo, and to Teucer.]
That's up to you, really. Harbinger business is... [A pause, before his smile turns a little rueful.] ...well, let's just say it'll be a little while before I'm needed again. I'd planned to stay for at least a week or two, to make up for not being able to send Teucer off when he snuck over to Liyue. I thought I'd take the kids along when I head back to the capital, just for a couple of days.
[But he won't force her to stay that long if she doesn't want to, of course. He never tires of his siblings, but he knows rambunctious children aren't for everyone.
He's quiet for a moment, before. he lifts a hand to rub at the back of his neck, just a touch awkwardly.]
Ah--everyone knows that Teucer still thinks I'm a toy seller, so...
[So please humor me goes unsaid, since he's pretty sure she intended to do so anyway. But still.]
Ah, right. [ toy seller. Primrose's lips twitch in thinly-veiled amusement and she leans forward, ponytail draping down her front with the sway of her movement. ]
I will make no promises as to the duration of my stay. I'm not entirely certain your parents expected another body. [ and one who would stay so long? It seems presumptuous of her, and she's also not sure how well she'll handle children. Tressa was young, true, but also 18. ]
But I will keep your actual identity to myself. And I will not be mentioning space stations or how intimately I've come to know you, under certain circumstances.
They don't, but it's no trouble. Cleo usually brings her wife, but she couldn't make it this time. [I will sprinkle some lesbians into this family, as a treat.
But Childe laughs as the carriage rounds a corner, the treeline outside slowly starting to give way.]
Yes, they don't need to know about any of that. [PLEASE DON'T TELL HIS PARENTS ABOUT THE FURBY FUCK STATION. HE WOULD DIE.] It would be easiest to tell them you're from Sumeru, I think--Teucer won't know any better, and the others won't question it. [They'll just make inaccurate assumptions that she's Fatui, probably, but that's fine. It's safer than the truth.] I'll follow your lead on the rest.
[On whatever else she decides to share about who she is, if anything. Childe doesn't particularly like lying to his family, but he won't contradict her if she wants to craft a new identity for them. He's not that much of a hypocrite.]
[ He'd mentioned the place before, and if she's seen (and lived in) one desert, she's seen (and lived in) them all. So she can probably make that work, nodding pensively as she formulates the scenario in her head.
Also, lesbians! Good for them. ]
You're going to follow me in a dance you don't know, one whose steps I'm still forming? Very reckless of you.
[ It's not chiding or judging, just teasing-- lightly so. Of course he would. When he's not leading his own impulsive charge, of course. ]
[ Shameless indeed, and Primrose is still far too accustomed to disguising any more genuine displays of amusement as crooked smiles beneath the delicate shield of her fingers over her mouth. He doesn't need encouragement or to realize she finds it oddly endearing. ]
I don't think you've danced with me properly enough for that, though I will admit you can follow my cues rather nicely.
[ But an actual dance... how would he fare, she wonders. ]
[He absolutely does not need encouragement, she is correct. But he's paying too much attention to her to really miss the sparkle in her eyes, and his grin widens, because of course it does. He is his own source of encouragement. Terrible.]
You flatter me! A peculiar little comrade of mine gave me a ringing endorsement recently, you know.
[ In the tone of voice that suggests that Primrose really does not think it was a ringing endorsement but is curious enough to humor him, as poor an idea as that usually is. ]
[WOW WHAT'S THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN... he didn't even jump onstage last time she came to visit!!!]
They wanted to celebrate after a grueling excursion through beast-filled dungeon! We had a very talented young musician with us, you see, and my other companions could think of no one better to accompany her than me. Unfortunately, I had to decline, but the request alone was quite high praise.
[What actually happened was that Xinyan rocked out after they figured out the last pieces of the Onmyouji puzzle and Paimon went "hey can't Tartaglia dance--wait where'd he go" because Childe slipped off to investigate for Scaramouche clues while they were distracted
[ She tilts her head at him. This doesn't seem to be the truth of the matter, not entirely, but all the same... it's got enough of a sheen of truth to it, from what she can tell. ]
That's surprising. I thought you enjoyed giving a good performance of your own. Does that I mean I should similarly expect a refusal if I were to make an offer in front of your family for a dance?
I do enjoy it! But it was poor timing--duty called, and I am more responsible than you might think.
[It's the truth, and probably one of the more surprising things about him, really. As much as he throws himself into the things he loves with fervor, be it fighting or performance, he's not nearly as reckless as most people expect him to be.
He grins at her, then.]
But that shouldn't be a problem this time, so we can dance to your heart's content. [A wink! But brightening up, immediately after--] And don't be surprised if Tonia asks you for lessons, or if Anthon concocts some elaborate tale about how you're a magical runaway princess.
[local man distracts himself from flirting with pretty girl because he can't shut up about his siblings]
[ pretty girl is amused by local man's one-track mind over his family. ]
Though I would be inclined to believe she could find a more suitable dance instructor with a more proper background, I've certainly taught more hopeless students. To the best of my ability, at the very least. [ Cyrus should just maybe never dance. Like. Ever. ]
And I'm certainly not a magical runaway princess, but I'll let them believe what they'd like. [ A minor concession, but rather major for her. Which means she isn't going to linger on it at all. ] Which is not an excuse for you to spin additional tales about me.
Ahaha, don't worry! She's incredibly smart, she'll be an excellent student. Much better than I've ever been.
[Of course he would say that, his bias... but at least it's probably true in this case. Also this is my headcanon until proven otherwise.
For the rest, he winks at her, mischievous--but!]
Don't worry! I said I'd follow your lead, didn't I? [Sure but how effective will that even be against children he spoils rotten... only time will tell.
But they're clearly approaching the village proper, now; as they talk, the natural landscape further gives way to small, rustic buildings, the scent of the ocean slipping into the carriage. The path they're on seems to have shifted into a proper road, if only just. It's not long before people are visible, too, all of them bundled up in simple clothing as they run errands or man their stalls. Even from the carriage window, Primrose will be able to tell that this is little more than a small fishing village, quietly forgotten by the seaside.]
I just so happen to believe your biases may lead you in another direction, afore too long.
[ She says it lightly though; she's not going to be affronted if such a future comes to pass, and her teasing soon turns to curiosity as she peers at these new surroundings from the window. A bit like Tressa's seaside home, if much colder; there, the sand had glittered like gold in the ever-present sun, earning the town its name.
She doesn't state an opinion just yet, but it's clear her attention rests entirely on the village now. ]
[He says that, but he's laughing... at least he's self-aware.
He seems mostly content to let her observe, after that; he'll chat or answer questions if she seems to want him to, but otherwise, he leaves her to her observations.
She'll probably recognize the now-familiar Fatui uniform here and there, but the number of people wearing it is far smaller than it was in the city. Similarly, almost no one wears a Vision like the one resting in its usual place at Childe's hip--this is a village that's almost painfully civilian.
Notably, perhaps, almost every adult seems to avoid looking in their direction as they pass.
The main road, if it can be called that, is short--it's not long before they're past every scrap of commerce and back to scattered houses. They turn down a side path, then, back onto a dirt road with nothing but snow and trees to see--it only takes a few more minutes before the carriage slides to stop. It's hard to see the house from the window, but she'll at least be able to spot part of a fence, and the hint of a few massive objects beyond it.]
We're here! Ah, but, before we go in--[Uncharacteristically, he hesitates, like he's trying to figure out what he wants to say.]--my parents... they won't be rude, but please forgive them if they're a little wary, at first. They're likely going to assume you're... well, you are dangerous, but in a different way than they'll be imagining. I'll speak to them in private when I get a chance.
[To reassure his parents that she is not a secret high-ranking agent come to scoop up more of their children, or something equally foreboding.]
[ Ah. So his parents don't quite approve of the Fatui, it seems. And the people in the village seemed wary of the carriage, too. There's a story to be told there, but Primrose doesn't ask for it. She can figure things out on her own and even if his parents are cautious of her, will that trouble her?
... It does that she has to think about that for longer than one whole second, but it would just be... inconvenient if they treated her with wariness, she thinks. It ought to be fine. People were cautious of dancers just for their nature. This is nothing new. ]
My feelings shall not be harmed by caution. I'll do my utmost to prove I mean them and their family no harm.
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Childe accepts it all, with fondness and no real sense of judgment. And she doesn't ask questions pertaining to his missions, because do the answers truly matter at this point? She lets him go and returns to Orsterra, his kiss lingering on her lips far longer than she thinks is strictly necessary to reflect on the warmth of it.
She... does not expect the messages-- his way of maintaining a steady flow of contact, perhaps. He does love to write, doesn't he? And his pictures tell a story, when his words need clarity. He's showing her more than he needs to, and her replies are never as long, kept to succinct responses.
But she does reply, even as she visits Ophilia and H'aanit to purchase thicker clothing for colder climates and explains nothing. This particular answer, though, takes a little longer before it comes.
His family. This could mean nothing. He's proud of his family, surely he could bring any companion to meet them. It's just a simple offer.
She pointedly does not feel any unease at the thought of being disliked on sight. ]
Or you'll be set upon with questions. But I have no other plans, so I suppose I can cut in on yours.
[ There. Casual. ]
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[He's been gone far too long to avoid that fate, no matter how many letters he's sent along.
But it's not a no. He picks up on that right away, and he grins into his scarf. His reply, in turn, is swift and simple, easily honest.]
Then I'd like to have you, if you want to come. I have a spare coat, but you'll want to dress warmly anyway.
[They're not going to the manor, after all. And there's only so much he can do about fancy heating devices when his family has no intention of moving out of his old, decidedly not-fancy childhood home.]
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[ She's not one for fanfare or pomp, so unless he tells her to meet him at a later designated time, she'll make her appearance sooner rather than later. As promised, she'd clad much more sensibly, skirt and top both fur-lined, a little extra fur on the shoulders, the material thick but soft to the touch. She would have boiled in Sunshade, but this? Here, it's perfect. ]
Will this do?
[ With a slow turn, for effect. ]
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If it doesn't, we have a trick or two that should make up for it. [Tucking his phone away, he bends down to greet her with a kiss--no hesitation, this time.] You look lovely, as always.
[Childe himself is bundled up as well, a rare sight for someone who defaults to showing skin even when he shouldn't. But it's easily obvious why; the road they're on is little more than a well-trodden ice path, flanked on each side by thick snowbanks and snow-drenched forest. Even now, flakes fall from the ever-gray sky, but they're gentle and slow for the moment.]
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You're quite the pleasing sight yourself. [ It's a soft murmur as she looks around, taking in the odd vehicle he leans against, as well as the gray dreariness of the area that's nonetheless softened by snow-laden pines and the large flakes that drift from above. How the snow must glitter if the sun would be allowed to shine... ]
How close are we, to your home?
[ How much time does she have to think too hard about what it means, for him to want her to meet his family? ]
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About ten minutes--maybe fifteen if we run into trouble, but I don't think we will this close to the village.
[But even if they do, it'll be minor. None of the beasts or monsters around here frighten him anymore.]
Still, we'd best get out of the cold. We might freeze if we linger outside too long.
[He's joking. Probably.
He steps back, holding out his hand just in case she needs the assistance in climbing in.]
Ah--I suppose should warn you that it's not particularly glamorous.
[His home, he means; he doesn't really think she'll mind, or he wouldn't have invited her in the first place, but still.]
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I spent a certain part of my life in dark and dingy alleys. I don't particularly seek out glamorous, regardless of how I may come off.
[ Poised, fiery, seductive, glittering with gold to draw the light when she danced... born nobility, but she prefers simpler things now. ]
I'm more interested in your family than your home, of course.
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The interior of the carriage isn't so unusual--warm red gems light the interior with a gentle glow, chasing away the chill that had crept in while the door had been open. But the seats are simple and comfortable, and he keeps the curtains drawn back from the window, even though it's not much of a view.]
I'm glad to hear it, though you bring glamour along with you wherever you go anyway.
[Light, teasing, that playful tone he tends to use when he's speaking a truth that he knows sounds like false flattery. He leans forward as he speaks, pressing a small button--it only takes a moment before the carriage begins to move, rolling smoothly along the path.
It may only be a trick of the agnidus agate, but his eyes seem brighter as he settles back into his seat, reaching into his coat for something.]
They'll be interested in you too, so you'll have to excuse them if they're a little overwhelming. [He wears a warm smile, though, unashamed of how apparent his love is. From his coat, he pulls a photograph, which he hands over to her. It's obviously not new, well-creased down the middle. A family portrait of some kind, it seems, though Childe himself is absent from the picture.]
The eldest three are Damon, Janus, and Cleo. They won't be staying more than a day or two, especially Cleo--she doesn't like mother's fussing. Then that's Anthon and Tonia in the front, and that's Teucer between them, of course.
[The one she'd seen in his memory, so long ago. The way it'll be 84 years before I officially know how many siblings this man has I hate genshin]
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Six siblings. She'd been an only child, but she imagines it must make the house a lively place, to have all seven of them in one spot.
She lingers over Teucer, eyes softening a trace beyond her knowing to see such exuberant innocence, and then hands the photograph back to him. Such things don't exist in Orsterra, but she sees the value of them. ]
It seems I've got quite an important audience this time around; I'll do my best to entertain. [ She's confident in that much, at least. ] How long would you like us to stay, then?
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That's up to you, really. Harbinger business is... [A pause, before his smile turns a little rueful.] ...well, let's just say it'll be a little while before I'm needed again. I'd planned to stay for at least a week or two, to make up for not being able to send Teucer off when he snuck over to Liyue. I thought I'd take the kids along when I head back to the capital, just for a couple of days.
[But he won't force her to stay that long if she doesn't want to, of course. He never tires of his siblings, but he knows rambunctious children aren't for everyone.
He's quiet for a moment, before. he lifts a hand to rub at the back of his neck, just a touch awkwardly.]
Ah--everyone knows that Teucer still thinks I'm a toy seller, so...
[So please humor me goes unsaid, since he's pretty sure she intended to do so anyway. But still.]
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I will make no promises as to the duration of my stay. I'm not entirely certain your parents expected another body. [ and one who would stay so long? It seems presumptuous of her, and she's also not sure how well she'll handle children. Tressa was young, true, but also 18. ]
But I will keep your actual identity to myself. And I will not be mentioning space stations or how intimately I've come to know you, under certain circumstances.
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But Childe laughs as the carriage rounds a corner, the treeline outside slowly starting to give way.]
Yes, they don't need to know about any of that. [PLEASE DON'T TELL HIS PARENTS ABOUT THE FURBY FUCK STATION. HE WOULD DIE.] It would be easiest to tell them you're from Sumeru, I think--Teucer won't know any better, and the others won't question it. [They'll just make inaccurate assumptions that she's Fatui, probably, but that's fine. It's safer than the truth.] I'll follow your lead on the rest.
[On whatever else she decides to share about who she is, if anything. Childe doesn't particularly like lying to his family, but he won't contradict her if she wants to craft a new identity for them. He's not that much of a hypocrite.]
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[ He'd mentioned the place before, and if she's seen (and lived in) one desert, she's seen (and lived in) them all. So she can probably make that work, nodding pensively as she formulates the scenario in her head.
Also, lesbians! Good for them. ]
You're going to follow me in a dance you don't know, one whose steps I'm still forming? Very reckless of you.
[ It's not chiding or judging, just teasing-- lightly so. Of course he would. When he's not leading his own impulsive charge, of course. ]
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I don't know what you mean. Isn't a wise for a student to follow a master of their craft?
[This coming from the same man who wanted to do a dance-off on a street corner. But hey, at least he acknowledged he'd lose.]
Besides, I think we naturally dance quite well together.
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I don't think you've danced with me properly enough for that, though I will admit you can follow my cues rather nicely.
[ But an actual dance... how would he fare, she wonders. ]
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You flatter me! A peculiar little comrade of mine gave me a ringing endorsement recently, you know.
[That is not what happened]
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[ In the tone of voice that suggests that Primrose really does not think it was a ringing endorsement but is curious enough to humor him, as poor an idea as that usually is. ]
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They wanted to celebrate after a grueling excursion through beast-filled dungeon! We had a very talented young musician with us, you see, and my other companions could think of no one better to accompany her than me. Unfortunately, I had to decline, but the request alone was quite high praise.
[What actually happened was that Xinyan rocked out after they figured out the last pieces of the Onmyouji puzzle and Paimon went "hey can't Tartaglia dance--wait where'd he go" because Childe slipped off to investigate for Scaramouche clues while they were distracted
But hey it's close enough!]
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[ She tilts her head at him. This doesn't seem to be the truth of the matter, not entirely, but all the same... it's got enough of a sheen of truth to it, from what she can tell. ]
That's surprising. I thought you enjoyed giving a good performance of your own. Does that I mean I should similarly expect a refusal if I were to make an offer in front of your family for a dance?
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[It's the truth, and probably one of the more surprising things about him, really. As much as he throws himself into the things he loves with fervor, be it fighting or performance, he's not nearly as reckless as most people expect him to be.
He grins at her, then.]
But that shouldn't be a problem this time, so we can dance to your heart's content. [A wink! But brightening up, immediately after--] And don't be surprised if Tonia asks you for lessons, or if Anthon concocts some elaborate tale about how you're a magical runaway princess.
[local man distracts himself from flirting with pretty girl because he can't shut up about his siblings]
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Though I would be inclined to believe she could find a more suitable dance instructor with a more proper background, I've certainly taught more hopeless students. To the best of my ability, at the very least. [ Cyrus should just maybe never dance. Like. Ever. ]
And I'm certainly not a magical runaway princess, but I'll let them believe what they'd like. [ A minor concession, but rather major for her. Which means she isn't going to linger on it at all. ] Which is not an excuse for you to spin additional tales about me.
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Ahaha, don't worry! She's incredibly smart, she'll be an excellent student. Much better than I've ever been.
[Of course he would say that, his bias... but at least it's probably true in this case. Also this is my headcanon until proven otherwise.
For the rest, he winks at her, mischievous--but!]
Don't worry! I said I'd follow your lead, didn't I? [Sure but how effective will that even be against children he spoils rotten... only time will tell.
But they're clearly approaching the village proper, now; as they talk, the natural landscape further gives way to small, rustic buildings, the scent of the ocean slipping into the carriage. The path they're on seems to have shifted into a proper road, if only just. It's not long before people are visible, too, all of them bundled up in simple clothing as they run errands or man their stalls. Even from the carriage window, Primrose will be able to tell that this is little more than a small fishing village, quietly forgotten by the seaside.]
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[ She says it lightly though; she's not going to be affronted if such a future comes to pass, and her teasing soon turns to curiosity as she peers at these new surroundings from the window. A bit like Tressa's seaside home, if much colder; there, the sand had glittered like gold in the ever-present sun, earning the town its name.
She doesn't state an opinion just yet, but it's clear her attention rests entirely on the village now. ]
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[He says that, but he's laughing... at least he's self-aware.
He seems mostly content to let her observe, after that; he'll chat or answer questions if she seems to want him to, but otherwise, he leaves her to her observations.
She'll probably recognize the now-familiar Fatui uniform here and there, but the number of people wearing it is far smaller than it was in the city. Similarly, almost no one wears a Vision like the one resting in its usual place at Childe's hip--this is a village that's almost painfully civilian.
Notably, perhaps, almost every adult seems to avoid looking in their direction as they pass.
The main road, if it can be called that, is short--it's not long before they're past every scrap of commerce and back to scattered houses. They turn down a side path, then, back onto a dirt road with nothing but snow and trees to see--it only takes a few more minutes before the carriage slides to stop. It's hard to see the house from the window, but she'll at least be able to spot part of a fence, and the hint of a few massive objects beyond it.]
We're here! Ah, but, before we go in--[Uncharacteristically, he hesitates, like he's trying to figure out what he wants to say.]--my parents... they won't be rude, but please forgive them if they're a little wary, at first. They're likely going to assume you're... well, you are dangerous, but in a different way than they'll be imagining. I'll speak to them in private when I get a chance.
[To reassure his parents that she is not a secret high-ranking agent come to scoop up more of their children, or something equally foreboding.]
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... It does that she has to think about that for longer than one whole second, but it would just be... inconvenient if they treated her with wariness, she thinks. It ought to be fine. People were cautious of dancers just for their nature. This is nothing new. ]
My feelings shall not be harmed by caution. I'll do my utmost to prove I mean them and their family no harm.
[ And she does mean that. ]
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what the heck when did this post image happen and kill me
hehehehehe
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