songerein | closed | hooray, hooray!

[ Just as he said he would be, Trahearne is, almost all the time, at the archives!

Since their conversation over the journal, the sylvari has alerted his staff to the possible arrival of his new acquaintance (...boss-in-law? no, they're not married (yet)—), so that he will know when she arrives, regardless of what he might be up to in the moment. Knowing who is in Zhongli's life is important to him, both so he may widen his own social circle, and so that he may get to know Zhongli better.

On this particular day, luckily for Hu Tao, Trahearne is spending most of his time sorting books and putting them away in their proper spot in the main room of the archives. Though he may be occupied, he isn't particularly busy. It's the perfect chance to bother him. ]

[Meanwhile, here Hu Tao was, getting ready to go to the archives. While she might have seen him once or twice before, she never really took the time to get to know him. It seems that had to change how that she knew Trahearne is dating her employee. Being the kind person that she was, she decided to give him a present that she was sure both he and Zhongli would enjoy!

As she stepped inside, she tilted her head to the side in search of the mysterious person.]

Hello? Is anyone there?

Yes?

[ Trahearne turns, mid-reach to a shelf. He quickly puts the book away, puts the rest of the stack precariously balanced on the ladder onto a nearby table, and brushes the dust from his hands. He greets the stranger with a smile, head tilted curiously as he studies her.

He has no idea what Hu Tao is supposed to look like, so he has still no idea that he's actually talking to her at the moment. ]

Can I help you?

Don't tell me that you have forgotten about me already!

[She said before giving a dramatic sigh. As she walked closer, she narrowed her eyes before leaning closer. Indeed, that was not the introduction she was expecting! Not that she was being serious but....]

Don't you remember? It's me, Hu Tao! [All the while waving an oddly and yet wined shaped packaged.]

[ He starts to feel guilty as he wracks his memory for who this woman is supposed to be. Was this someone who came into the archives before? Recently? Was it someone he met outside of the archives, somewhere?

But when she gives her name, Trahearne immediately brightens. His posture relaxes as his brain switches away from work mode. So this is his partner's boss, hm? With a smile on his face, he peers down at her to study her briefly. ]

Hu Tao! I apologise for my lack of manners; I'm glad you came. [ He holds out a hand for her to shake. ] Welcome.

It's not a problem, I figured you might not know who I was! But thank you for the welcome!

[As she got closer inside, that's when she handed the oddly shaped package that looks like a wine bottle.]

And this is for you! I do believe that you and Zhongli would enjoy this rather well. I know he is someone who does enjoy a fine bottle once in a while.

[Because there's nothing like her hearing him say it over and over again.]

[ Trahearne's brow lifts with surprise as he takes the bottle. He really wasn't sure what sort of gift she might bring, but wine was, even still, towards the bottom of that list. He's never been much of a drinker, but he'd more than gladly partake with dear company. ]

Oh, thank you. This is very kind of you. I'll be sure to share it with him, of course.

[ He doesn't unwrap it right away. Instead, he'll place it on a nearby table, then turn back to Hu Tao with a smile. ]

How long as Zhongli been working for you?

[ Because this is the most important question-- ]

For quite sometime as he has been working when I was still a kid.

[Which wasn't all that long ago. To think, he joined right before her grandfather's death and helped her through the grieving process. Now, here he was, helping her through the parlor despite their differences.

Was it luck that he was willing to do such a thing? Perhaps but....]

...It still doesn't stop that I have to pay for some of his expenses at times.

Ah, I see.

[ Said with surprising interest. So he's been there for at least a little while, then? A sylvari's sense of time is not very long, and a sylvari can't always tell the difference between human adult and child, so Trahearne regards Hu Tao with a little curiosity. He can't glean much just from looking at her, so he puts that aside.

Still, it leaves him to wonder if this god's been working for god-lengths of time.

However— ]

You pay for him?

[ That's a genuine surprise. Zhongli???? ]

[It was then at this very moment Hu Tao had to pause. Does she dare talk what she has to go through most days with Zhongli in front of his boyfriend? Or does she go with the better route and say nice things?

Hmmmm....what shall she ever do?]

Sometimes. For you see, he has trouble paying for things and I have to be the one to help him out.

[Take that however he will as she says it with a smile.]

[ Hu Tao may smile, but Trahearne's frown grows, ever slightly. ]

Trouble paying for things? [ He repeats this, because for a moment, he doesn't quite understand what that means. The human standards he's familiar with are at odds with the knowledge that Zhongli is a god in his mind. ]

...Is he not paid enough?

[ It's not an accusatory statement, but it's the only thing he can think of. ]

[Raising an eyebrow or two, that's not what she was expecting. Crossing her arms, she tilted her head to the side as she gave a small frown.]

Hm? Of course, he is! I treasure him greatly as he is one of my most important employee! He just tends to forget his wallet and has to rely on me to pay for the items at that moment.

Edited (I'll stop gagtagging I swear) 2023-12-28 19:24 (UTC)

[ There's a bit of relief when the answer comes—no disrespect meant for Hu Tao, of course, but it was a genuine concern. As someone who was once in charge of a lot of people himself, this is good to hear.

He gives an approving nod. ]

He doesn't strike me as the type to forget his wallet, of all things.

[ ...Well. Mentally noted, he supposes?

Trahearne immediately brightens, though, because— ]

Though I suppose that's not been a problem since your life in Songerein began, has it?

No, not at all! Such things are not of any worry to me anymore but it still makes me wonder if he would occasionally forget such things!

[And then there was a dramatic pause or two...!!]

Has he forgotten anything when he is around you?

I don't think so.

[ Trahearne says this with full confidence, but he quickly catches himself. There is one large issue with this situation—

His eyes dart away, his confidence failing, but then quickly turn back to Hu Tao with a sheepish expression. ]

Though I can't say I am very...attentive to finer details when we're together.

[ He likes him.... :S ]

[And here, Hu Tao narrowed her eyes before crossing her arms. There were quite a few things that she was thinking about but she'll keep it to herself for now.

Instead, she'll give a pause or two before nodding to herself.]

Oh, I see. You were distracted by his face the entire time.

[Just saying]

[ Goodness. Does she have to put it that way. A faint brush of gold colors his cheeks, and his eyes dart away again. Oh, no. Is this going to be his life now? Teased by others?

And it's not always strictly his face— ]

He is very handsome. [ Unsaid but implied: Can you blame me?

Anyway, he can't take the embarrassment right now, so he turns to start fussing over a stack of nearby books. Hu Tao is free to talk, but Trahearne just can't keep looking at her. ]

[Get used to it. Your future boss in law will always tease him. But anyway! She'll continue to keep on talking as he minds his own business.]

Now I'm sure that you didn't fall for him based on looks alone. Want to tell me what made the two of you fall for one another?

[Hmmmmmmmmmm~?]

[ There's a little way Trahearne brightens when Hu Tao asks; it's obvious, even from the weird angle, as he faces partially away from her to reorganize the stack of books. ]

I can't speak for Zhongli, but I can speak for myself. [ Trahearne, always humble and blind to his own accomplishments, occasionally finds himself in awe that someone as magnificent as Zhongli has agreed to a relationship with him, of all people, in the first place.

He doesn't notice the little smile playing on his own lips. ] There is a draw to him I find very hard to resist. He carries himself with a quiet majesty—like the solemn peaks of a mountain, I suppose. [ —Hmm. Anyway. ] Yet he is rich in his knowledge of all things and the world, and I find there's little I like more than listening to what he has to say. There's a kindness in his eyes when he speaks, and an elegance to his words and voice...

[ Suddenly, he chuckles, more out of sheepishness than anything else. ]

Though I'm still getting to know him. I'm certain I'll have a longer list the next time you ask.

[For a moment, Hu Tao had to raise an eyebrow once more. She debated if she should let out her honest feelings about how she suspects Zhongli to be over thousands of years old given the way he carries himself. Indeed, he is a quiet majesty who holds himself well to humans.

....Well, mostly anyway. But she'll keep that to herself. No need to scare someone off when they just first met and especially when the love between two people was just blooming!]

Sounds like to me you fell for him because he is someone who you can spent time with. I'm glad, I was wondering when he would settle down with someone when he never does back home!

[She said before tapping slightly on the table before her.]

Then that tells me everything! I'll be sure that two you spend as much time together as possible regardless of what happens here!

[She might as well and especially when she doesn't have a lot to do here.]

[ It's endearing, if anything. Trahearne would most likely find Zhongli's little quirks charming, despite how those who are any closer to him might react. Blossoming love, indeed.

Though he tilts his head. Zhongli himself once told him that he's had his fair share of lovers, but maybe those happened on a timescale far beyond Hu Tao's lifespan. He opts not to say anything. ]

Of course. He even visits. [ He says this with a light chuckle as he hoists up his stack of books again, pointedly keeping his eyes away from her so as not to give away his embarrassment again. ] I find it hard to bear much time apart from him.

[ And how many months has it been...? ]

[Ah, what it must be like to be young(?) and in love. While she had a feeling Zhongli might be a lot older than he appears, it was still kind of funny to see someone like him being in love.

Not that she was complaining, it was kind of cute to see his lover be the same way and cannot stand to be apart from one another.

As she gave a small hum, she suddenly had another idea!]

Then shall I get a photo of him? That way, you can keep staring all you like at him and know he only physically apart from you!

[ Trahearne is definitely the younger of the two, by a long shot.

Though the suggestion catches the sylvari off guard. He stares wide-eyed at Hu Tao for a moment, stack of books hugged to his chest. What on earth would he do with a photo of Zhongli that he could look at whenever? ]

Oh. [ He blinks. Are his cheeks gold again? No they aren't.

He would like that, but he's too embarrassed. So— ] Only if he gets one of me in turn. That would be fair.

Then shall we find a photo of you? Or perhaps I can figure out how I can get a camera and give one to Zhongli?

[Was she planning on doing this right now? Yes, yes, she was. Looking around the area, she gave a small hum to herself before narrowing her eyes.]

Do you happen to have one here?

Not here, unfortunately.

[ Trahearne has been here long enough that he remembers, faintly, testing a dreamotion camera more than a year ago. Perhaps he should find that scholar again and reach out to them. Perhaps the camera has gone beyond prototype at this point. ]

But I do know where to get one. I can't fetch it now, but I can leave the task in your hands, if you don't mind.

[ She's Zhongli's boss, so she has Trahearne's full confidence that she is capable.

He quickly shelves the stack of books and produces a small pad of paper from one of the nearby tables. He pulls out a pen and begins scribbling down some information. ]

An individual was developing a camera about a year ago. If they've continued with their research, then it may be done at this point. [ He tears off the paper and hands it to Hu Tao. ] If you don't mind, of course.

closed | hooray, hooray!

for hu tao

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