#I'm eager to try the local delicacies though

[castle-rook]

I have a long flight tomorrow and I'm kinda nervous

(I'm making the Basterds on tomodachi life 💕)

[oficeandwind]

they'd seen the city from a distance, always looking on it from gandharva ville and surrounding forest. chongyun had even gotten close to it before, though never before had they properly explored it. part of chongyun feels strange in this moment, like they SHOULD be doing something productive.

chongyun isn't used to actual breaks from their career.

it's certainly warmer. chongyun had often complained about the heat in liyue, though it'd had been manageable. sumeru is different. even with a parasol over his head right now, the sun is still beaming down on the pair; chongyun can feel sweat beading on the back of his neck.

"i'm okay," they say to ren. it's mostly true. other than sleeping during the day and missing all the current activity, there's really not much TO do to fix the heat. chongyun can cope. the parasol is helping this much, chongyun can take shade wherever they find it.

"what is your favorite thing to do here? like markets, or entertainment? do you have a teahouse?" chongyun is eager to taste the local delicacies the most. they wonder if they can handle it even, but the spices can't be any worse than liyue. "or even bookstores, i suppose."

it feels like there's already way too much to see and do, but chongyun reminds themself that they aren't only here for one day, they're here for as long as they actually desire. liyue can manage without them.

still, chongyun is taking in a deep breath, using their vision to try and cool down a little more. not much energy is being used for this, since the parasol is doing most of the work. the breathing helps calm their nerves, more.

"i'm ready to go on. i'm excited for this."

sumeru  city  sprawls  before  them,  a  seamless  integration  of  flora  and  architecture  alike.  it's  the  middle  of  the  afternoon  —  that  lively  time  of  day  that  sees  the  streets  filled  with  a  myriad  of  people,  all  shopping  and  chatting  and  going  about  their  business.  ren  likens  it  to  ants,  scurrying  diligently  through  their  underground  burrows.  (  though  he  doubts  most  would  take  to  the  comparison  FAVORABLY.  )  there's  a  scent  on  the  air  —  something  savory  and  rich  and  flavored  with  fragrant  spices  that  emanates  from  a  nearby  tavern,  no  doubt  attempting  to  draw  in  hungry  souls  from  the  streets.  ren  takes  a  moment  to  observe  the  hustle,  fingertips  gently  tracing  the  gold  of  his  kasa  —  as  if  ready  to  hide  his  face  the  second  it  seems  he  might  be  RECOGNIZED.  it  would  be  AWKWARD  explaining  the  hat  guy  moniker,  and  he  wants  to  put  it  off  for  as  long  as  he  possibly  can.

❝  ...  well,  here  we  are. ❞  he  says,  turning  to  chongyun.  it's  a  bit  warm  here  —  certainly  warmer  than  liyue,  though  even  THIS  hardly  compares  to  the  desert's  sweltering  heat.  still,  it's  enough  to  compel  him  to  ask,  ❝  how  are  you  FEELING? ❞  attempting  to  (  if  somewhat  awkwardly  )  balance  being  a  considerate  guide  without  acting  downright  smothering.

❝  if  you  need  a  minute  to  catch  your  breath,  now is  the  time  to  take  it. ❞

@oficeandwind &&. semi plotted.