you hide your face with your disguise // 'cause someone filled your head with lies

[monoceroscaeli]

[It had been a few days since the hunt for the Great Mujina Youkai had come to an end, having to say goodbye to the kids and to Yoimiya too. The ship that was to take him back to Snezhnaya would be arriving a bit later in the day, and Childe sighs as he sits back in his chair in the tent he's occupying in one such hidden Fatui camp. He had a great time in Inazuma. The country was beautiful, rich with a new culture to learn and all sorts of places to explore and fight new and more exciting enemies. All his things were in order- the gifts that he'd bought to bring back to his family, Teucer's Onikabuto in a little bug box with some food to keep it alive during the trip back- all he'd have to do is wait for the ship and he'd be on his way.

He tells himself that he'd return to the country one day, once tensions between the Fatui and the Shogunate calm down. It was a miracle that he was able to stay as long as he has, evading the Tenryou Commission. He has some people to thank for that, and he won't forget what they did for him while he's been here. Some gifts would be in order for them upon his return.

The Harbinger idly plays with a writing utensil between his fingers. He'd like to bring something from Snezhnaya for Yoimiya, too.

There's a sharp rap at his door, and Childe sighs. He doesn't really want to deal with work right now, perfectly happy reminiscing on the time he's spent in Inazuma before he leaves, but answers with a bored tone to his voice:]

Come in.

[An agent enters, bowing and standing at attention.]

Sir, we've captured a Tenryou Commission spy that was found sneaking around. We've taken her into custody and are awaiting your orders on how to deal with her.

[Childe's eyebrow raises. It should have been hard to find this camp, even by the Shuumatsuban. Somehow, doubt creeps into his mind, but stands from his chair.]

Alright, I'll deal with it myself. At least I can have one last bit of fun before I depart.

[The agent only bows once more, to lead Childe towards the prisoner. He knows better than to argue with the Harbinger, but feels sorry for the spy. The two cross the camp to another tent, the agent stopping him right before lifting the flap for his senior commander.]

She claims to be from the fireworks shop, but we've seen Tenryou soldiers stop frequently at it.

[Before he can answer, the flap is lifted to reveal a certain girl that he'd met not but a few days ago...]

Comments

[niwabi]

[ Hand-in-hand, Yoimiya feels like a princess getting led by her prince charming to the cozy winter carriage awaiting them. Greeted by the sight of the husky pack, her smile broadens, golden eyes shimmering at the adorable, hard-working bunch ready and waiting to take them to her beloved's hometown. Instead of going inside the carriage, she does a quick detour to the huskies, patting each one of them on their fluffy heads as a way to express her gratitude. They are so cute! And she can tell just from a glimpse, all of them are good doggies. ]

Oh boy, do I have some stories to share with you! I would have told you by letter but I thought it would be more fun to tell you in person. You gotta do the same! I want to hear all about your adventures.

[ Well, the stories he's allowed to tell her, anyway. Since you know, Fatui and all...

After getting her fill of floof, she excitedly steps into the caravan, getting a good feel of the heated interior almost instantly, a stark contrast to the cold dock they were just on. She gets comfy in her seat, letting out a relaxed sigh at the warm, cozy atmosphere that's made even more snug with Tartaglia's presence. Once he's inside, she cuddles up to him, nuzzling her head into his shoulder as the huskies take off. Throughout the journey, Yoimiya jovially recounts the test of courage that led to Akitsu Kimodameshi, finishing off her adventures in Sumeru with the Traveler, Paimon, and her new friend, Avin.

Now that he's up to speed with her Sumeru journey, she pulls out a certain wood carving of an aranara, handing it over to him. ]

Ta-da~! Doesn't it look a lot like me? It's Aramiya, plip-plod, plip-plod, plip-plod. [ THE SOUND OF HER ARANARA PEOPLE] I made sure to get one for you during my travels. That way if we have to part ways again, you can look at it and know that I'll always be supporting you no matter the distance between us.

[monoceroscaeli]

[Tartaglia waits a moment for Yoimiya to give pets to all the dogs before they make their way into the carriage, not being able to help but grin at her as she pets each and every one of them. The dogs in turn, love having the attention from her, their tails wagging like a helicopter before the two of them finally settle down inside of the heated transport for the trek to Morepesok. He can't wait to hear all about her adventures back in Inazuma, and he quietly listens and only interjects here and there to ask a question. But he mostly just listens and gazes at her with affection as she speaks, enjoying her company and loving that he gets to have her in his arms again.

He takes the aranara carving from her when she produces it, laughing a little at her little sound effects of what an aranara must sound like when it walks, finding it adorable (and wasn't the Doctor going on about wanting to find one of these as a specimen at some point? He can't remember...)]

Hah, it's adorable. Aramiya, is it? That's a cute name. I'm surprised how closely it resembles you...if you looked like a small, walking plant, haha.

[Just teasing of course.]

Thank you, I'll make sure to keep it safe. Sounds like you had quite an adventure. I'm still a little amazed at the whole riding on a star thing, though. That must of been the most surreal and incredible part of your dream in the land where no one used to dream, haha. Perhaps one day, you'll get to see a real meteor shower.

[niwabi]

[ His jest earns him a silly little pout, a faux look of indignance paints her features... only for her to bellow out with laughter in zero point five seconds. She can't even pretend to be pouty, far too happy that this long-awaited reunion is real and not a dream like the meteor shower she described to him. ]

Hey! What's that supposed to mean? [ She's all giggles. ] But I guess if you put it like that, I must be the most adorable, chatty walking plant to ever exist.

[ Come to think of it. Her messy ponytail does resemble a plant ready to be plucked out of the ground. Maybe he has a point... ]

I have faith that I'll eventually get to see a real meteor shower. It'll be even more special if we get to witness it together. Oh! We should travel to Sumeru together one day! Maybe we'll even find an aranara that looks like you, so you can be a walking plant as well.

[ Gib her a carving of Arajax ]

[monoceroscaeli]

[He laughs along with her, really imagining her as this small, plant-like creature that just talks everyone's ear off without respite. Tartaglia thinks that no one could escape, because how could you possibly get away from her without feeling terrible. Abandoning something so cute that wants nothing more to talk to you and be friends...what an image. Even he wouldn't be able to get away.]

Well, I guess we'll have to see if any vendors have even seen me to think to carve one that looks anything at all like me, [he says with a wink.]

But, I'm not opposed to making a trip to Sumeru in the future. I've never been, and I've heard there's all sorts of adventure to be had, though I might have to keep a low profile while I'm there...

[Since the Akademiya's sages had all gotten in trouble by colluding with the Fatui, but he's not sure if that news had reached her ears or if she even cared to know.]

[niwabi]

[ If there isn't a carving that looks like him, she makes a mental note to look into getting one commissioned when they visit Sumeru. She can't stop laughing at the idea of a mischievous Aranara resembling him going around causing trouble and picking up fights. She can picture it in her head perfectly, a tiny plant-like creature demanding the toughest opponents to fight him while people ooh and ahh over how cute he is. Yoimiya would have no choice but to give in to his demands, who could turn down such an adorable face? ]

Ah... is this about those Akademiya folks working with the Fatui?

[ While she is not privy to the details, Yoimiya does recall hearing gossip about the sages as she strolled the streets of Sumeru. The thought of Tartaglia being involved did cross her mind for a split second but she eventually brushed it off, figuring that he would have mentioned visiting Sumeru in his letters. But still, even if he's Fatui, it's a little unfair he's forced to keep a low profile thanks to a plan he wasn't even a part of. ]

Don't worry, I'll protect you! [ Not that he needs protecting. ] And if all else fails, you can wear a disguise. I'll make sure you have a great time in Sumeru without any interruptions.

[ Somewhere laying in her room, she's fairly certain she has a fake mustache and glasses disguise he can wear. It's perfect, no one will ever figure out his true identity if he dons her silly attire. ]

Tell me all about your adventures! Knowing you, I'm sure you've been up to some wild antics during these past few months.

[monoceroscaeli]

[Seems like she did hear, but it doesn't sound like she's associating him with the incident, which is good. He wouldn't want her to think he had any hand in a scheme like that, as that goes against everything he stands for, and it makes him appreciate that Yoimiya has deduced somehow that he wasn't involved at all, so that keeps from any awkward explanations or rebuttals he has to come up with.

Tartaglia's eyes soften with amusement at her declaration, laughing quietly at the idea of him wearing a disguise. With this hair? He doubts he'll be able to make it far if anyone knows what he looks like at all. He doesn't need any of the Fatui there addressing him as Lord Harbinger in the streets, and he's not really sure what protecting she's going to do, but he appreciates it nonetheless. Silently, he commends her bravery, relaxing into her as they continue their trek to Morepesok.]

I've mostly stayed in Snezhnaya during this time, though in a few months or so I'll be heading to Fontaine. This trip really couldn't of happened at a more perfect time. Thankfully, I've had plenty of opportunities to spend time with my family, and we've gone ice fishing and...

[He goes on to describe fishing with his siblings, wandering off into the snowy wilderness to fight monsters and beasts alike, cooking for his family, etc. However, he stops for a moment, as there was another thing he feels like she should know before they have their fun here in his homeland:]

But Yoimiya, while you're here, I don't want you to run off too far. The frigid landscape here hides many dangers, and I don't want you to get hurt. You never know what one wrong step or an ill-placed encounter might turn into.

[For a brief second, there's a flash in his eyes of worry, of terror, before it's gone again only to be replaced with a simple concern. It's almost as if he senses he's expressed that, quickly letting his hand come up under her chin to press a short loving kiss to her lips, eyes closing for that moment before pulling away.]

[niwabi]

[ Yoimiya listens in rapt attention as he recounts the details of his (relatively) peaceful time with his family. Starry eyes glisten with wonder, her heart is filled with warmth, images of Tartaglia playing with his siblings, cooking for his whole family, taking care of his parents, and their bustling household being full once more flash through her head. Quietly smiling from ear to ear, she's silently attentive to every detail, only speaking whenever she has a question about his family or homeland. Although her boyfriend thrives off chaos, she's happy to see him relaxing before his next big mission. Even Harbingers need breaks too. ]

Y'all sound like a family of adventurers! I'm glad you were able to come back to your homeland after being away for so long. It's wonderful you were able to spend time with your family before heading off to Fontaine. Make sure to tell me all the details about your trip whenever you get the chance.

[ Surely nothing bad will happen in Fontaine—

Suddenly, he falls silent, which is a slight cause of concern. Although brief, the worry that lies behind those deep blue eyes sinks in, for Tartaglia to be fearful, Snezhnaya must be fraught with perilous danger, especially for someone who has never experienced such freezing temperatures. She duly kisses him back, his affection flooding her with a heat warmer than the caravan itself. Short but sweet, the message conveyed to her is clear, he'd be a mess if she got hurt or possibly worse. ]

Thank you for the warning, Tartaglia. I promise to be careful and won't stray too far away from you. If you don't mind having me as your shadow, I'll follow you every step of the way.

[ She'll be the cutest, brightest (is that even possible???) shadow to ever walk the face of Teyvat! To further seal that promise, she slots their lips together once more, tipping her head to kiss him in full. She's slightly breathless when they break, her lips offering a silent oath between the two of them that she will do her best to be careful on this trip. With Tartaglia by her side, there's nothing to worry about. ]

It's no pinky promise but hopefully that will suffice.

[monoceroscaeli]

Thanks, Yoimiya.

[Those are the only words he manages to sneak in before Yoimiya captures him in a kiss, opening his mouth just so to deepen it and letting the reassuring waves of her promise wash over him as he kisses her back. Tartaglia presses in, expressing his care and love for her through how he kisses and through involuntary whines that bubble up from him, as if it would pain him to part from her in any way. He feels a little lightheaded when they break, feeling almost like he was lost with only her as an anchor to keep himself from floating away in a haze, feeling as if he'd forgotten what a kiss from her really does to him from being apart for so long.]

Sealing your promises with a kiss seems even more binding than a pinky promise. I trust you won't go back on it.

[He shoots her a smirk, gently brushing some of her hair from her eyes as he appreciates every adoring feature of her face. It's not until there's a noise outside from the Fatuus running their carriage that he realizes that they'd be talking for a while, turning to look outside. He can see the defined outline of his hometown, turning back towards her with excitement.]

We're here. Take a look- it's not a large village by any means, but it's home. You can't see a lot of it yet, but we'll be arriving in a few minutes.

[niwabi]

Promises should always be kept! So you can trust my word. And if you're still unsure, I'll be happy to give you more promises sealed with kisses, hehe.

[ She says, sending a sly wink his way. Not that she needs an excuse to kiss him. ]

Amazing! A cozy little village by the sea... your home is so lovely.

[ As they draw closer to the seaside village, Yoimiya brightens, utterly enraptured in almost childlike wonder by the quaint town near the ocean. Without a word of warning, she suddenly opens the window to their caravan, sticking half of her body out into the cold, open air to get a better glimpse of Morepesok as they approach. Even from a distance, the small fishing village has a welcoming presence, the salty smell of the sea air reminding her of the archipelagos of Inazuma. Filled with excitement at seeing the place her boyfriend grew up at, she can no longer contain herself, shouting at the top of her lungs to give his hometown the greeting it deserves. ]

HELLOOOO MOREPESOK!

[ The Fatuus driving the carriage are startled by her loud voice, jumping in their seat as they shoot an expression of concern at the crazy blonde. A couple of them sigh in resignation, coming to the conclusion that, of course, the Lord Harbinger's beloved is just as wild as he is. ]

[monoceroscaeli]

[It's so cute to watch her reaction to arriving in Morepesok. He definitely wouldn't say that his hometown is really anything all that special, and the only reason it's on the map at all nowadays is because one of the Fatui Harbingers hails from it. But seeing her look at it with wonder, her eyes wide and bright to finally be able to see where he grew up warms his heart and even gets a bit of red to flush on his cheeks.

Till she does the thing he was not expecting- open that window, shove half of herself out of it, and yell as loud as she can. He swears he can hear and feel the snow shake off of the nearby mountains from her voice, laughing nervously at her action before grabbing her by her arms and lightly tugging at her to come back into the carriage.]

Haha, I think everyone knows you're coming now.

[And they better be prepared, because now not only is he home, he's brought someone with him who's equally as unpredictable and wild. He's sure they're going to have an absolutely splendid time. The carriage now slides through town, some townspeople coming out to see the return of their Harbinger, some waving and some looking at it like chaos incarnate just arrived.]

See that larger cabin back in the distance there? That's my home. It's a bit larger than most of the other houses here, I had it built shortly after becoming a Harbinger for my family. I can't wait to show you. Oh, and all my siblings should be home...you'll get to meet them all, including my older siblings.

[niwabi]

[ Laughing without a care in the world, Yoimiya relents to Tartaglia's request to get back inside lest she blow out a poor Fatui soldier's eardrums. For the time being, she'll try to be on her best behavior but no promises once the happy couple are out and about being the troublemakers they are.

Pulling up to a crowd greeting the Harbinger like a celebrity coming home almost seems surreal, the complete opposite of how he'd be treated in Inazuma if the Tenryou Commission got word of his presence. She still has a lot to learn about Snezhnaya and the Fatui, but she can emphasize that the people of this snow frost land view the Harbingers as heroes faithfully serving their Archon.

Besides, it's only natural her beloved Tartaglia would receive such a warm welcome! He is the hero of her heart. ♥ ]

Wow... what a splendid cabin!

[ From the distance, she spots the cozy cabin he's talking about. A very impressive sight, one that warms her heart just from staring at it. She smiles to herself, imagining what it must have been like for his large family to grow up in a smaller cabin. A bustling household with all the siblings running around, a happy family full of smiles and laughter is wonderful to think about. ]

You do such a good job taking care of your family, I can imagine they are beyond proud of you. [ No doubt, he's a good son and brother who loves his family dearly. ] It looks so cozy, I'm so excited to step in and meet all of them! I have some gifts for all of them too, I hope they like it... and me.

[ Ah, the realization that she's actually meeting his family is starting to dawn on her. Normally, she's a confident go-getter but Yoimiya can't deny that she's a tad bit nervous about this endeavor. ]

[monoceroscaeli]

[The carriage slowly pulls up to the large cabin toward the back of the small fishing village, hiding the large backyard they have that has a few giant-sized toys that Teucer keeps back there. For a moment, his eyes sparkle as they arrive, happy to have Yoimiya here to finally meet his family. His arms wrap around her, pressing himself to her in reassurance as she comes back into the cabin. She doesn't know, but he's bragged about her relentlessly to them, and he's sure that they're going to love her.]

They're so excited to meet you, Yoimiya. I have no doubt that they'll love you- after all, you're a very kindhearted, fun individual- there's no way they could dislike someone like that.

[He lets the back of his hand brush her cheek before pressing a small, loving kiss to her lips, gazing into her eyes for a moment as he appreciates her. To him, he finds it impossible for his family not to like her, as it's obvious how hard he's fallen for her himself. His mother is all too aware of how much Ajax has missed Yoimiya while she's been in Inazuma, preparing for her arrival since before her son left to get her at the port.

From the cabin, a couple of pairs of young eyes peer through the window, before disappearing almost as quick as they had appeared.]

Don't worry yourself over it. My family has always been very loving and receptive. It'll feel like home for you in no time.

[niwabi]

[ She's not sure if he realizes it, his words wash away the nervousness stirring in her heart. Enveloped in his arms, she melts into his touch, pouring all of her gratitude into this breath-taking kiss. He's right, there's no reason to worry about his family not approving of their relationship. From everything he's told her through all the letters they've exchanged, all of them seem like wonderful, kind-hearted people. ]

Thank you so much, Tartaglia. Hearing that makes me feel a whole lot better, I'm so excited to meet your family.

[ Maybe it was just her imagination but from the corner of her eye, Yoimiya could have sworn she saw two small somethings zip past the window. If her suspicions are correct, she's very certain the two 'mysterious entities' are adorable little spooks.

Now that they've made it to their destination, the carriage comes to a complete stop near the cabin. Her ears perk up at the hustle and bustle that's taking place outside, the pack of huskies barking away, the pitter patter of the Fauti solider's boots crunching the snow as they run around to make preparations for their Lord Harbinger's comfy exit. Although Yoimiya has witnessed Tartaglia's scary side when she accidentally strolled into his camp, the loyalty his men hold to him is endearing, she has no doubts they wouldn't hesitate to follow him to the end of the world. ]

Ah, if it's not too much of a bother, please be careful with the big yumemiru chest. [ Once again poking her head out from the window, she calls out to the Fatuus hauling her luggage from the back. ] Some of the gifts are a little on the fragile side.

[ Now with that out of the way, she turns her attention back to Tartaglia, reaching for his hand to intertwine their fingers in hopes of easing any lingering worries. ]

All right, I'm ready. It feels like my heart is going to beat out of my chest but I'm beyond happy this day is finally coming true.

[monoceroscaeli]

[It's a relief to hear that she feels better about meeting his family. Though he's never brought a girl home before nor had to meet anyone else's family, he can understand how nerve-wracking it can be. Wanting your loved one's family to like you is important, he knows that he hopes when he officially is introduced to her parents that they will accept him, despite his Fatui background. Despite being a Harbinger...

He twines his fingers with hers, giving her a reassuring smile as the Fatuus unloads her luggage, being careful as instructed. It sounds like everything is going smoothly, and Tartaglia leans down to give her one last quick kiss to her lips before they prepare to depart.]

I'm ecstatic as well. C'mon, let's go. Everyone's waiting for us.

[The door is opened by another one of the Fatui escorting them, nodding to Childe as he steps aside to let them emerge from the carriage. Tartaglia goes first, stepping out so he can offer his hand to her to help her step out into the snow. No sooner when Yoimiya emerges from it, the door to the cabin opens to reveal three young children, blue eyes wide with their jackets, boots and hat already on.]

BROTHER!!!!!!!!

[They all cry in unison, the two boys darting forward while Tonia jogs behind them to meet their older brother. The three of them latch onto him, giving him big hugs before finally letting go to say hi to the new lady next to him.]

Is this her?! [Teucer asks excitedly,] Hi, I'm Teucer! And this is Anthon, and Tonia...

Teucer, I wanna say hi too! I'm Anthon, [He older boy holds out his hand, because adults greet each other with handshakes. That's what he was taught.]

Okay, okay, I think we're all a little excited here. Let's go inside first, guys.

[Tonia stands with her arms akimbo, looking at her younger brothers.]

Leave poor Yoimiya alone, she just got here! Miss Yoimiya, come inside! We made snacks for you!

[niwabi]

[ Taking his hand, she slides her fingers in-between his, interlocking them together as she hops onto the snow covered ground, careful to not slip. The cabin is even more lovely in person, almost like a cozy oasis in the middle of the frosty lands of Snezhnaya. All starry-eyed, she glances up at his family's house in awe, her breath visible in white puffy form as she marvels at its design, unlike anything she's seen in Inazuma. The happy couple aren't even two steps away from the caravan when they're suddenly greeted by three adorable bundles of joy and energy.

Big blue eyes, curly ginger hair... the three kids are beyond precious. Her heart feels like it's going to melt into a puddle of mush as she watches them excitedly greet their older brother, clinging to him as if he's been away for a while. She's all giggles, her smile broadening once they turn their attention to her. ]

Hello Teucer, Anthon and Tonia!

[ She beams in excitement, making sure to greet each one of them individually, giving them equal amounts of attention. In the face of blistering cold weather, the kid's sweet responses fill her with warmth. Taking note of their personalities; Teucer must be the baby of the family, Anthon seems like he's trying to act older than his age judging from the way he extends his hand out to her, while Tonia is doing her best to wrangle the boys and be the responsible one among the three. They're all so cute! Kids really are a gem. She can't stop smiling as she happily takes Anthon's hand, giving him a hearty handshake fitting for an 'adult'. ]

Your brother has told me all about each one of you. I've been so excited to meet y'all.

[ Snacks sound really good right about now, once she got word they were closing in on Snezhnaya, Yoimiya was too consumed with excitement to eat. ]

Really?! You made snacks for me? Thank you so much! I can't wait to try it. I've never had Snezhnayan treats before.

[ Tartaglia and Tonia are right, they should go inside before they all catch a cold or frostbite from talking outside. ]

I've brought some treats for you all as well, we can have a snack exchange once we get inside.

[monoceroscaeli]

[At first, he wasn't sure if he was going to have to take care of introductions and get everyone organized and together for when they arrived, so he's pleased to see that the kids and Yoimiya are already happily getting to know each other without his help. Tartaglia chuckles quietly as they converse, shooting the Fatui who'd brought them here a glance to make sure everything has been taken care of, receiving nods of affirmation from them. He waves a hand silently to dismiss them, the carriage taking off with Yoimiya's luggage being set in front of the door. Childe would take care of that from here.]

Yes, a nice snack exchange sounds like the exact thing we need right now. If you all go inside and get things ready, I can give you all that secret surprise I was telling you about.

[The children's eyes widen with glee, remembering the promise their brother made to them once Yoimiya arrived.]

Okay! I've been waiting all day for this!

[Naturally, Teucer is the one who turns around first and runs inside, excited to finally see what the secret was. The other two follow suit, running inside to prepare for the snacks, and Childe just laughs as his head falls into his palm.]

Those little rascals...I knew they were going to make a whole scene when you got here, so to get them to behave I promised them I'd have a surprise for them once you got here. Worked like a charm.

[He winks at her, gesturing for her to come inside and get out of the chilly Snezhnayan weather.]

I'll grab that chest from here and put it upstairs. You don't mind sleeping in my room with me, do you?

[He asks with a grin- it's almost rhetorical, but it's still nice to ask.]

[niwabi]

[ And off the three bundles of energy go! They're so adorable with their eyes shimmering from pure joy as they bounce into the house full of excitement at their brother's surprise. Yoimiya can't stop the giggles bubbling out as she watches them, placing a hand over her chest where her heart should be. The smiles of children are precious and must be protected at all costs. ]

Hm, I wonder who they picked up those rascal traits from. Couldn't be their older brother. [ Sorry boyfriend, she couldn't help herself with that one. ] They're so sweet and precious. I can already see why you're so fond of them, they are wonderful children. I'm also really curious about the surprise you have in store for them.

[ Like a child herself, Yoimiya is also looking forward to the secret surprise he has in store for his siblings. Since it's Tartaglia, his creative mind is bound to make it fun and exciting for the kids. He's an expert at shaking things up and catching everyone by surprise.

A prime example is the question thrown at her. Admittedly, she had been assuming that she'd get her own room, unsure if it would be appropriate for them to sleep together in his family's house but looks like there wasn't a need to worry. She happily nods her head, already excited at the prospect of snuggling up together as they watch the snowfall. ]

Of course! I'd love to share a room with you. Hehe, I'm gonna be nice and cozy and in for a good night's sleep with you by my side.

[monoceroscaeli]

[He only returns the rascal comments with a bright smirk of his own. He knows that he's a little troublemaker himself, and he's sure a little of that has rubbed off on the kids too, to an extent. How else would Teucer think to hop on a ship and sail from Snezhnaya to Liyue? Definitely a result of being spoiled coupled with the troublemaking trait...

His smile softens as Yoimiya praises his siblings, happy that they'd gotten off on the right foot to start. Not that he had any doubts, but it warms his heart to see it all the same. He takes the compliments for them to heart, leading her to the front door and opening it before picking the chest up to take it inside.]

I'm glad. I wouldn't want it any other way.

[Hefting it up into his arms, he holds the door open for her to enter first.

The door opens into a large, cozy living room with a large window towards the back of it, allowing Yoimiya to see the coast of Morepesok where the fisherman go every day to bring in their catches. The fireplace throws soft light against the pine wood used to construct the home, with plenty of space for people to settle into for a nice warm family gathering. A few large, cushioned couches surround a mahogany coffee table in front of the fireplace, under the high ceiling of the cabin, with a few hallways that seem to lead off to other parts of the home.

Tartaglia turns his head towards one of them, hearing the shuffling of children from it, calling out to them as he turns towards a different hallway.]

Make sure Yoimiya feels right at home! I'm going upstairs! Yoimiya, [he says before he heads off,] I'll be right back. Go ahead and take a seat, the kids will be out momentarily with snacks.

[It won't be but a second after Tartaglia disappears that his siblings reappear, all carrying plates of all sorts of different treats on them to set them down on the table.]

Miss Yoimiya! Do you like nuts? Come on, come on, come try them!

[Teucer comes to grab her hand to drag her over towards the table, excited to share his creation with her.]

Look. I made these little cakes, all by myself. Tonia only helped me a little bit.

And I made these!

[The older of the two sons presents his treat, looking proud.]

I thought we needed some chocolate, because what's having dessert if you don't have chocolate?

Don't forget me! [Tonia interjects, letting Yoimiya see her dish.]

It's called vareniki! It's got cheese in it, and you eat it with jam and sour cream! Brother thought this would be a good choice, and I agree. I hope you like it too!

[They all beam at her, proud of their work, waiting with baited breath to see what their brother's girlfriend thought of it.]

[niwabi]

[ One step into the cozy living room is all it takes for Yoimiya to feel a surge of happy warmth flooding through her. The outside view of the cabin was spectacular but the inside is simply marvelous, as if got summoned right into a winter storybook. Despite this being her first visit, she already feels so comfortable and welcomed inside of their lovely home. Her gaze briefly flickers over to the massive window, in awe at the quaint seaside view displayed for them, very much looking forward to watching brave fishermen catch those underwater monsters she's heard harrowing tales about.

Watching Tartaglia go upstairs, she responds to him with a nod before she's suddenly swept up by the children. The pitter-patter of their little feet is precious, Yoimiya is all giggles, giving Teucer's hand a gentle squeeze as the rambunctious Mini-Tartaglia gets her settled on the comfy couch, each of them presenting her with their homemade dessert. One by one, she tries each of the treats, her golden eyes shimmering and shining from their wonderful gesture. ]

Mmm...! All of them are delicious. All by yourself? That's so incredible, you did such a great job, Teucer! The cake was so soft and melted right into my mouth. [ She turns her attention to the older son. ] You got that right Anthon! Chocolate desserts are actually kind of a rarity in Inazuma and so I'm thrilled I got a chance to try these cookies, I couldn't get enough of that crunch. [ And finally, Tonia! ] The vareniki was delightful and you were right, the combination of the cheese with jam and sour cream tasted heavenly. I couldn't stop eating them...

[ All of the kids deserve nothing but the highest amount of praise. Her heart is filled to the brim with pure joy, rewarding them with gentle head pats. ]

Thank you so much! I can tell the three of you worked so hard. Thanks to y'all, my tummy already feels so warm and full. Before I eat any more, the three of you deserve treats too.

[ Before they continue on with the feast, Yoimiya doesn't forget to keep her end of the deal to the three sweethearts. Inside of her carry-on bag, she produces boxes and bags full of goodies she made sure would make it through the boat ride to Snezhnaya. ]

First off we have, karinto. It's a deep-fried flour snack coated in brown sugar. Then in this box, we have mochi! [ she opens it to reveal a variety of mochi, all shapes, colors and sizes. ] They're a sticky rice cake with red bean paste filling. The white ones are made with milk and are a little more chewy than the others. The pink ones are sakura mochi made with Inazuma's prettiest and tastiest cherry blossoms, hehe.

[ To finish off the cultural snack exchange, Yoimiya places various bags of senbei onto the table. For the kids, she made sure to have zarame, kuro goma, and kawara prepared for them. ]

And finally, we have senbei, an Inazuman rice cracker that comes in many different flavors. There's zarame, which has big sugar chunks, the black dotted ones are called kuro goma and they have sesame seeds that give it a nutty flavor and last but not least, we have kawara which tastes more like a cookie wafer than a cracker.

[monoceroscaeli]

[The kids look on in wonder as Yoimiya tries each of their desserts they've made, glowing as she showers them in praise for their hard work. Nothing makes them more happy than to see that they've done well in giving Yoimiya a warm welcome to Snezhnaya, something that will surely make their older brother proud. The pats to their heads is reward enough, but Yoimiya did promise them that she brought snacks too as well, and upon the mention Teucer lights up especially. This is the kid that used to eat too many snacks, and now is no exception. It's worth ruining dinner and getting in trouble with Father to gorge on new Inazuman food.

Their eyes grow as wide as saucers when she reveals each snack. It's a fight just to keep themselves in check, to not dive in and be patient, oohing and aahing at each dish. But boy is it hard, and they listen intently to everything Yoimiya says about each food. Once she finishes, the kids finally can't help themselves, partaking of each and every single one of the snacks.]

This is greaaaaaat!!!!! Oh wow, it tastes so good!

[Teucer's unabashed praise is practically yelled, loud enough that Tartaglia's ears upstairs catch it as he makes his way back down to their living room.]

Hehe, yeah, I really like mochi! Thanks, Miss Yoimiya!

[Tonia happily scoops up one of each mochi, while Anthon is just digging into anything he can get his hands on along with Teucer.]

Miss Yoimiya, will you make us more of these before you go? They're so good...

Now now, the three of you can't get all filled up on snacks before dinner. You don't want to get yelled at by Father, do you? Besides, you have to make room for the surprise.

[Childe finally strides back in from upstairs, setting an unmarked box down on the table where there's still room, taking a seat next to Yoimiya with a wink. This is the surprise, and he's sure that everyone's going to love it.]

But before that, don't mind if I do...

[He picks up a few of the senbei, trying each of the different kinds, chewing on them thoughtfully.]

Oh, these are quite good. You made these, Yoimiya?

[niwabi]

[ This is by far the warmest welcome she's ever received. Glittering golden eyes widen with pure joy at the children digging into her mini Inazuma snack buffet. She knows they shouldn't be eating this much food before meal time but they've been so good and sweet to her, she can't help but want to spoil them. ]

I'm so happy y'all are enjoying them. [ She nods her head at Anthon's question. ] Yes! I also brought some other Inazuman ingredients with me so I'll be able to make even more snacks that are best enjoyed when made fresh.

[ Matcha castella, taiyaki, her special goldfish-shaped dango... she can't wait to spoil these adorable children rotten with a smorgasbord of Inazuman delights. But, oops! As the older brother makes his way down the stairs, all four of them are reminded they need to save room for meal time ... and the surprise sitting on the table! Yoimiya catches wind of his wink, giggling at him. He's a great brother, always working hard to make them happy, it's no wonder why his siblings adore him so much. If their conversation back in Inazuma is anything to go by, she can imagine he showers them with gifts from all over Teyvat. ]

I did! It's a relief they still turned out tasty after the long trip. Along with these flavors, there's also a spicy one made with red chili powder. You're welcome to try that later, if you can handle the heat, that is.

[ Likewise, she winks at him, issuing a little challenge at him for later. She purposefully kept the togarashi senbei away from the kids, just in case they couldn't handle the spice. But, she has a sneaking suspicion Tartaglia might enjoy the heated punch it will pack into his mouth whenever he gets a chance to taste it.

Teucer, Tonia, and Anthon are not the only children in this room. The blonde is practically bouncing in her seat, clapping her hands in excitement, face aglow in childlike wonder to see the long-awaited surprise he has planned for the kids. ]

How exciting! Shall we let the three of them open it up?

[monoceroscaeli]

A spicy one, huh? I think I can handle that...

[Tartaglia catches that wink, sending a sly smile back to her. Asking him if he can handle the heat...he'll have to prove it to her by eating several of them at once. If dining in Liyue helped him with anything, it was appreciating spicy food. Between Chef Mao and Xiangling's cooking to the high end restaurants like Liuli Pavillion and Xinyue Kiosk, he's got a whole new set of tastebuds for spiced foods. If only he could return to Liyue...maybe on the DL on a vacation or something. One where he can get by without anyone realizing who he was.

But he can marinate on that later. Now, it's time for the surprise.]

I think it would be best to let them, wouldn't you guys say?

[As if he really needed to ask. All the kids get excited, having already been eyeing the box with curiosity. He could tell that they were dying to open it, and he's sure that they, including himself and Yoimiya, were really going to enjoy what he's gotten prepared for them.]

Ohhh! Oh, yes please! Let us open it!

[Tonia's cute voice punches him right in the heart, he loves his little sister so much...]

Alright, go ahead you guys. Make sure to lay it all out nice once you take it out, since we're going to use it.

["Okay!!!!" is the resounding answer from the three of them, quickly moving to the box and opening it. They begin to pull out what seems to be foldable wooden slabs, with some extra pieces inside. He smiles as they start to try to work out exactly what it is that they've discovered, turning to Yoimiya and keeping his voice low.]

It's a board game, I found it at a shop in Snezhnaya City. It's all handcrafted, stained wood. It's quite an interesting game, the shop owner explained the rules of it to me. You'll see.

[Teucer suddenly cries out in a joyous tone, holding up what looks like a little wooden toy ship that has a few prongs sticking out of the bottom.]

Woaaaaaaaaah!!!!! There's a whole ton of these pieces in here! What is it, what is it?!

Now Teucer, you need to be a little more patient. Let your brother and sister put it all together and you'll see. I'll explain the rules soon.

[They continue to pull out more pieces, still confused, but very much in awe with the nautical theme. Tartaglia leans back to Yoimiya, to whisper:]

Well? What's your guess on what kind of board game it is?

[niwabi]

[ A wooden board, foldable slabs, and small pieces that resemble ships... Yoimiya didn't know what to expect, she never does when it comes to Tartaglia but a board game wasn't even on her radar. Like the children, she's oohing and aahing alongside them as they put together their new discovery. Their precious voices and sparkling eyes bolster her excitement, eager to find out what they'll be doing with the surprise once it's complete. No wonder he spoils his siblings, they're all so adorable...

At first, she's not even sure what this object is until he turns and speaks to her in a hushed voice. When she thinks of tabletop games, the first thing that pops into her mind is shogi. However, as the kids continue pulling out parts, it becomes even more clear that it's unlike any game she's ever played. Never before has she seen so many intricate pieces and parts, it's so intriguing! She makes a mental note to ask her beau to show her the shop later, maybe she can purchase her own copy to bring back to the kids of Inazuma.

When Tartaglia raises his question, she muses to herself while Tonia and Anthon are hard at work assembling the game. Studying the wooden pieces, she attempts to make heads and tails out of this fascinating new game. There's definitely a nautical theme to it and the little parts look like boats for sure. Contemplating to herself, she leans in to whisper into Tartaglia's ear: ]

Hmm... the little pieces remind me of boats and the wood looks like it's painted like the ocean. Oh! Do you go out and blow up other enemies like in waveriders?

[monoceroscaeli]

[Leaning into Yoimiya, he sneaks a happy smirk to her, impressed that she was able to put it together already. It's not so obvious just from looking at the pieces themselves, but Tonia has already managed to put one of the boards together to look like a radar screen. He's pretty sure Inazuma doesn't possess that level of technology yet, as Snezhnaya barely does either. Having the greatest military on the continent gains him access to many wartime technological secrets, so he's a little impressed that a toy company might have some sort of idea of what radar looks like- even if the ships look like normal Fatui naval battleships. Might be worth looking into...

He whispers back to her, but keeps the explanation simple. He's going to explain it to the kids anyway, so she'll be able to listen.]

That's right. You've got to destroy your opponent's ships before they destroy yours. Simple, isn't it? It looks fun, I hope you're ready to play a few rounds. I'll explain it now to everyone.

[Turning towards the kids, who have now figured out how to put it all together and are playing with the small wooden ships, he smiles proudly at them.]

Well done! Looks like you guys got it all put together. Ready to hear the rules?

Uh huh!!!

[Three bright, excited faces turn back towards their older brother, ready to listen. They know whatever brother has in store for them, it'll be fun, so they should be good and listen.]

Alright, good. Now, the name of the game is Dreadnaught. You put your ships on the board where you want them to be positioned, on the bottom, like this. And then you use the top part here to put markers in where you guess where your opponent's ship is. You have to sink all of your enemies' ships to win. You keep track of where you guessed with these little markers, see?

[He demonstrates by setting some ships up, and putting markers in the top portion. He also puts a marker in one of the ships, in the designated holes.]

Each ship can get only so many times, but you have to guess all of the spots on each ship. You can't just hit a ship in the same spot multiple times in a row. Do you guys understand?

[They nod eagerly, wanting to try it. Tartaglia laughs as his eyes soften. They really are good kids.]

Okay. One person has to sit out, so I'll join up with Teucer to help him get into the swing of things. You two will be fine without me, won't you? Teucer, want to face Yoimiya?

Yeah! Miss Yoimiya, come play us! It'll be loads of fun!

[Childe looks at Yoimiya, grinning and giving her a soft elbow with a challenging gleam in his eye. He's got a feeling she'll love it...]

[niwabi]

[ Is investigating a toy company next on his Fatui agenda?

Oh! Looks like her lucky guess based off the boat shaped pieces is partially correct, instead of enemy boats she was imagining monsters but attacking each other's ships sounds positively thrilling. Straight and to the point, Tartaglia's explanation of the game is spot on. Very simple, indeed! She files a mental note in the back of her head to ask him about a few of the unknown parts that are unidentifiable to her. The boards Tonia put together to create a circular-like object is fascinating, she's never seen such a unique device before...

Right alongside the kids, she's all starry-eyed while attentive to her boyfriend's explanation. Even after hearing it from him, she still can't help but be excited for them. Their big bright blue eyes and infectious enthusiasm is too precious, they are such wonderful kids. Her heart swells with pure joy watching their adorable heads eagerly nod at their brother. As if her heart couldn't feel any more full, Teucer's invitation makes her want to combust with jubilation. She was more than happy to watch the kids play with their older brother. ]

Yes! I'd love to play with you. We're gonna have a great time.

[ Catching wind of Tartaglia's elbow, Yoimiya shifts her gaze to meet with his competitive shimmer. Oh? So he's going to pair with his younger brother. That'll be interesting, she's looking forward to seeing how the two cute foxes work together. ]

Are ya ready, Teucer? Did you know that back when your brother was visiting Inazuma, I beat him in an onikabuto hunting game. [ SORRY BOYFRIEND, SHE'S NEVER LETTING YOU LIVE THAT ONE DOWN 😂 ] Hehe, but you look like a really strong opponent that's gonna give me a run for my mora.

[ And with that declaration, she finishes placing the last of her pieces on the board, grinning from ear to ear. By uping the ante, she hopes to add an extra layer of excitement for Teucer... that, and she kind of wants to goad Tartaglia a little bit. Just a bit. ]

I think you have what it takes to avenge your brother from the Queen of the Summer Festival.