Chapter Text
“And done!” Jean said to herself, straightening the paperwork on her desk. Gently, she put the pages into a file folder and back into her drawer.
Okay, she thought, what’s next? Jean fished her to-do list out of the pile and her smile dropped. The to-do list was at least 20 lines long, and past-Jean had scratched even more items into the margins. She let out a groan and put her head down on the cool wood of her desk. Afternoon sunlight streamed through the windows of her office. The stained glass windows threw pale green and blue streaks across the room, and the ever-present dust particles twinkled in the sun. Maybe she could dust the bookshelf again? Or sweep the floor? The warm sunlight was making her sleepy, maybe she could just relax with her head down like this for five more minutes?
A glimmer of light across the room caught her eye. The bronze bust statute of Venessa glowed so brightly, Jean swore the light came from within like it was alive. She let out of small sigh, there was no time to relax when the people of Monstadt needed her. Venessa died protecting her people, the least Jean could do was finish a little paperwork.
She picked up the list again and started working from another file. 15 minutes later (maybe 40 minutes? She lost track of time), someone knocked at her door.
“Come in,” Jean said, looking away from her paperwork.
Lisa walked in, her black heels making a soft and low clicking sound against the floor. “I decided to buy lunch in the city today, come with me.” Lisa declared. Jean rolled her eyes. Lisa never asked for anything, she only made statements, and yet Jean always seemed to follow along with whatever she planned.
“Can’t,” Jean answered, “I’m not even halfway through my to-do list yet and it's already mid-day.”
It was Lisa’s turn to roll her eyes, “Please, I know you’re hungry and the work will be there when you get back.”
“Fine then just pick something up for me,” Jean pulled out her coin purse and handed Lisa some Mora.
Lisa waved the money away and turned to leave. “I can grab you something, but no promises for when I’ll come back with it.”
Jean’s stomach growled in protest, “How long will you be? An hour?” Lisa ignored her and walked out of the office, “Two hours?” Jean called out after her, “More? Lisa how long will you be gone?!” She heard Lisa giggle from down the hall. Between her, Kaeya and this paperwork, I’m going to go insane.
Jean grabbed the coat off her chair and rushed out of the office to join her friend, “Lisa wait for me!”
Diluc set his coat down with a thud behind the bar.
“Thanks for covering my shift, boss,” Charles said to him, “My kid’s real sick and Michelle is busy with repairs at the windmill.”
“No problem, Charles. You were due for a few days off soon anyway.” Diluc rolled up his sleeves and started prepping for the lunch rush. Although he enjoyed the peace and quiet of the winery, there was something Diluc loved about the hustle and bustle of Monstadt during the day. Liyue Harbour was crowded and too loud, what with hawkers selling food, gems, and anything else you could imagine. But the people of Mondstadt always had a relaxed air about them. As a business owner, this easygoing attitude meant consistent customers, but very little ruckus. Just the way he liked it.
“I put the two extra kegs in the back hallway, just in case you need them during service. Also, I wrote out the specials and taped it to the bar so you don’t forget. Oh and I -”
“You’ve done enough Charles.” Diluc noticed the anxious look on the man's face and softened his tone. Why were people always so intimidated by him? “I mean, thank you for all of that, I’ll be alright. Now go, your kid is waiting for you.”
Charles smiled at Diluc and gave him a quick wave, “Thanks again, Master Diluc. I’ll see you later.” With that, he walked out of the tavern.
Soon, the lunch rush began to pour in. Diluc had served the lunch crowd many times before, but still, he broke a sweat. He just finished pouring an apple cider when a smooth voice behind him said, “Hello there, stranger.”
“Hi to you too, Lisa. Though, I wouldn’t consider us strangers.” Lisa and Jean had walked through the tavern doors. Odd, as far as he could remember these two weren’t day drinkers. Well, Jean definitely wasn’t but as for Lisa on the other hand… he wasn’t so sure.
The two women took a seat at the bar in front of him. Lisa crossed her arms in mock annoyance, “Really, when’s the last time you’ve visited me in the library? And don’t say you’re not a reader, I’ve seen that library of yours.”
She had a point there. Although he ran into Lisa on the street from time to time, Diluc hadn’t been to Knights of Favonious Headquarters since… well since he left 3 years ago. Even though he (begrudgingly) worked with the Knights from time to time, he couldn’t bring himself to step foot in that building again. “In any case, you’re both welcome at Angel Share, can I get you anything to drink?”
Lisa nudged Jean with her elbow, “See, he doesn’t even try to deny it. I’ll have a glass of dandelion wine and a Fisherman’s Toast please.” Jean fidgeted with her ponytail while she thought about her order. Diluc was reminded of how she looked when they were children, that exact same ponytail but a smaller, round face and wider eyes. Because of their families’ aristocratic backgrounds, Jean and Diluc played together often. Along with Kaeya, the three of them formed a merry trio of adventurers and they would spend all day exploring the woods beyond Dawn Winery. But as they got older, they began to drift apart. When Diluc got his vision at 10 years old, their playdates were cut in half. Then, once Jean’s mother started training her as the heir to the Gunnhildr clan, both of their intense training schedules made seeing each other impossible.
“Northern apple stew please, sir. And a glass of wolfhook juice.” Even though Diluc left the Knights a long time ago, Jean still kept up honorifics around him. Most of the time he ignored it, but today he couldn’t help but wonder what their relationship would be like if they had just remained friends all these years instead.
“Sure, I’ll grab your drinks first. And Jean, call me Diluc please, I get enough formality from everyone else.”
Jean stuttered, “Uh, of course, sir - I mean, Diluc. I’ll make sure to do that next time.” Diluc gave her a curt nod and went to fetch their orders. Before he could leave, Lisa not-so discreetly whispered to him, “Change her wolfhook juice to a glass of wine, she needs to loosen up.”
“Lisa!’ Jean exclaimed, “ you don’t need to do that sir- er, Diluc. I have files to sort when we get back and-”
Lisa slid a fat stack of coins across the bar to Diluc. “Did I mention I tip well, too?”
Diluc let out a chuckle, he forgot how much fun he had around these two. “Two dandelion wines coming up.” Jean groaned and glared at Lisa, but she didn’t protest. Diluc caught himself staring at her golden waves that shone in the afternoon light. Shaking the thoughts of Jean from his mind, he turned around and prepared their drinks.
“I am so full,” Lisa said, rubbing her stomach as she and Jean made the walk back to Headquarters.
“Full and.. a little drunk?” Jean quipped. She had stopped drinking after her first glass of dandelion wine, but Lisa had a couple more, ‘to wash down the toast’ she said.
Lisa giggled, “No no, just a light buzz is all. It was nice to see Diluc again, he’s a hard person to track down.”
Jean gave her a slight smile, “Ya it was nice, the last time I saw him was when we freed Dvalin from the Abyss order.” Diluc was one of the best investigators Jean knew, so she was grateful that he helped her and the Traveller with that quest. Not that she expected him to act any differently, Diluc had a sense of loyalty and responsibility to Mondstadt almost as strong as her own. Although she understood his reasons for leaving, Jean was sad when he decided to quit the Knights. She felt like she had lost a mentor and even a potential friend, though she never quite had the courage to break down those formal barriers.
“We should have brought Kaeya with us, I had to lighten the conversation all by myself,” Lisa said.
Jean shot her a look. “What, I can be light! Do you think I’m too serious?”
“Sometimes, but not in the same way that Diluc is, I think he smiles almost as much as he speaks.”
Lisa’s comparison confused Jean, “ I always thought he wasn’t much of a talker?”
“Exactly.” Lisa said practically, “Your seriousness is much more endearing.”
Jean laughed, “If that’s a compliment then I’ll take it." She was so happy after her lunch Lisa and distracted by her thoughts of Diluc, that she didn’t notice the dark figure watching them from the shadows.