In truth, Gabrielina had never drunk alcohol. Not a single drop.
At least, that had been the case when she was "Tang Xue."
She had splashed the cash and secured a room with a big bed. All she needed to do was sweet-talk Lumine a little more, and it should have been a wonderful night.
...How on earth did I end up here? And why...is he here too!?
"Beautiful miss, here is your cider."
The red-haired young man calmly handed her a glass. Amber liquid gently swayed inside it, with tiny bubbles clinging to the cut apple slice on its rim.
Though his movements were elegant and refined, and his clothes were clearly anything but ordinary, that iceberg of a face was hard to appreciate.
Gabrielina carefully accepted the glass. "Thank you...but I only ordered one."
"Oh, this one is mine," Diluc said in a completely flat voice. "Did you come alone?"
The girl nodded blankly. For some inexplicable reason, she felt like a child who had sneaked into a bar at midnight and been caught by an elder.
She stole a glance around-
Sure enough, quite a few patrons had gathered to whisper among themselves, their gazes drifting toward her.
...It must be because he's so stern, standing here like some guardian statue...and he just had to be this handsome, drawing everyone's attention over here!
Lumine, save me!
"...If you don't mind, would you like to sit down first?" Gabrielina asked, steeling herself.
Diluc seemed to smile, yet the corners of his lips did not move at all. "You jest."
He elegantly pulled out an oak chair and sat down, his leather gloves making a faint sound as they brushed against its back.
"To receive an invitation from such a beautiful lady is, of course...my honor."
Diluc raised his glass to his lips and gave Gabrielina a slight nod. The amber liquid slid down the glass and into his mouth.
"One of the finest drinks in Mondstadt." Diluc swirled his glass, the ice clinking crisply. "The fragrance of apples blends perfectly with the alcohol, using the oldest brewing method still practiced today."
"And, of course, the bartender is excellent too."
The girl hesitantly examined the still-bubbling liquid in her glass, then glanced at Diluc's impassive face. She brought the glass to her lips and took a small sip, but did not swallow.
Yet even with the drink merely held in her mouth, Gabrielina could already sense something remarkable about this Apple Cider.
Namely, it did not taste alcoholic at all.
Or rather...it was just fairly pure apple juice!
Why does this plain water have no flavor?
"Idiot! Have you forgotten what kind of constitution you have now? I'll send you two bottles of Water of Life later!" The system's familiar snark erupted amid electronic crackling.
Having finished half his glass, Diluc noticed the girl's dazed expression and suddenly asked, "Is it not to your taste?"
At the sound of his voice, Gabrielina startled, instinctively swallowed the drink in her mouth, and parted her thin lips.
"...It's delicious! I was just, uh, savoring it?"
Gabrielina studied his unreadable face, her fingers frantically twisting her skirt beneath the table. "Um, I haven't learned your name yet?"
"Diluc Ragnvindr. Just call me Diluc."
"Hello, Mr. Diluc. I'm Gabrielina~"
"You look like a nobleman. Are you here to unwind?" The girl feigned curiosity. "It feels like everyone's attention has been drawn to you, Mr. Diluc..."
Diluc glanced at the surrounding patrons. Indeed, many of them kept looking their way, but...
Unfortunately, he did not think this bunch of drunkards was interested in him.
"Miss Gabrielina...are you interested in alcohol?"
The angel tilted her head in puzzlement. "Why do you ask?"
"To be frank, most of our patrons are men." Diluc tapped his fingers lightly against the table, producing a crisp sound. "Young, beautiful ladies such as yourself are an even rarer sight than bards."
"Ah...I did hear there would be a bard performing tonight..."
Almost the instant Gabrielina mentioned the "bard," she clearly caught a flicker of irritation in Diluc's eyes.
...So he's really going to sing to pay off his debts?
"...My apologies. That bard is probably running late...hmm, that's rather unusual."
By now, however, Gabrielina had largely stopped worrying about the Anemo Archon.
Sure, that ehe-spouting weirdo would have his heart snatched out in a few days, but he and the Cryo Archon were both willing participants. Even La Signora was just part of their little game, so why should she get involved?
What interested her now was the pair of idiots roaming the streets in Fatui masks.
And...
"Mr. Diluc, do you serve any food to go with the drinks?"
A breeze rose above the Angel's Share, gently caressing it as though it were its own child.
Yet the winds enveloping Mondstadt tonight seemed a little less lively than usual.
Who was that girl who had stopped Dvalin?
Her power felt so familiar, yet her appearance was so foreign.
Even after searching all his memories, he could find no trace of her in three thousand years of flowing winds, or even further back.
And so, Barbatos stopped thinking.
He decided to have a drink first! Then he would offer the most classic, most beautiful, most magnificent poetry to the bartender who would waive his bill and the audience who had come on the wind!
All right, what shall I drink tonight? Apple Cider? Dandelion Wine? Or...hmm!?
The breeze abruptly intensified, and a green figure appeared in the shadows of an alley.
Venti pushed open the tavern door. Before he could respond to Charles's greeting, he swept his gaze across the room and froze upon spotting Gabrielina.
Hmm? Why did she come here by herself? Could she have...come specifically to hear me perform?
As Venti pondered this, he suddenly noticed the young man seated across from the angel. Every muscle in his body tensed as though he faced a formidable enemy.
"Charles, Charles..." Venti quietly called to the busy bartender and immediately received a disdainful look.
"Looking for another drink?" The man folded his arms across his chest. "Not just alcohol-apple juice is off-limits too. See our young master over there?"
"You still haven't paid for those ten bottles of Apple Cider from last time!"
"..."
"Hmm...Diluc, want some?"
Diluc silently shook his head as he watched the girl put meat into her mouth while looking at him with a strangely expectant gaze.
She seemed...just a little different from what he had imagined.
Gabrielina certainly did not think so. After all...after all, this was just too delicious!
It was not sold in the game, and she had never had a chance to try it herself. Only today had she learned that the Angel's Share had not only great drinks, but delicious food to go with them.
The firm meat had just the right balance of fat and lean, springy without being dry. Beneath the rich fragrance of the premium braising spices was just enough numbing heat to tease the taste buds and whet the appetite. Beyond that, there seemed to be other ingredients too...
Unfortunately, Diluc had hardly left her side. Otherwise, she really would have asked the system to get her a couple of bottles of something strong to try.
Ingredients this fine, coupled with that...bold, sky-high spirit! They made her want to devour meat, gulp down liquor, and shout with utter satisfaction, "Damn, that hits the spot!"
Diluc watched Gabrielina with some concern. "That's already your third glass of Death After Noon. Are you sure you're all right?"
"Of course...if you have work to do, go ahead. Thanks for your hospitality." Gabrielina nodded and tucked a few strands of hair behind her ear. "I'll stay a little longer and wash the taste of the sauce away with some alcohol."
"What's wrong?"
"...I think I've snuck out to eat without my sister. But, uh, she probably doesn't like drinking."
Paimon: If you're calling us sisters already, what else is there to say?
"...Then I wish you a pleasant evening. I'll be working at the counter." Seemingly remembering poor, overworked Charles at last, Diluc picked up his empty glass. "I'll have a server bring you something to sober you up later."
"Mm-hmm...hope business booms!"
However, just as she drank her fourth kind of "beverage," a green figure entered her field of vision and stopped beside the table.
Both turned their heads and froze for a moment when they saw who it was.
"Hehe, Master Diluc, and...beautiful miss, good evening~"
"Good evening, good evening!"
Diluc frowned slightly. "This is Venti, the bard who will be performing at the tavern tonight."
"Thank you for the introduction, Master Diluc." Venti smiled at Diluc and gave a slight bow before looking toward Gabrielina and the mere three glasses of alcohol left beside her.
"It's a little crowded at the bar. Could I buy a glass from you, Miss...?"
"Gabrielina. It's on me. Help yourself~"
The Anemo Archon buying drinks? Maybe when the Geo Archon starts bringing Mora when he goes out...
At the sight of the girl's selfless generosity, Venti hastily thanked her, having already forgotten how dangerous she had looked during the day and labeled her a "good person."
Smack-
"Ow~"
Diluc coldly withdrew his hand and glanced at Venti, who was clutching the back of his hand and staring at him pitifully.
"Stop bothering my guest. Go buy apple juice at the counter yourself!"
"...Pfft."
Before you continue