Audience: Tartaglia Childe

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Comments

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[it happens. they don't seem to mind the shift in his expression either, but they do let go of his face after a moment.]

Depends. How far are you willing to go? It's like we've been saying, you gotta indulge.

[toyska]

[What, is there something in his teeth?]

Yes, I remember. You said you had some ideas you'd be willing to share? [He pauses, then laughs, lifting a hand to brush his bangs out of his face. How does his mask stay attached to his hair? RPG PHYSICS don't ask questions.] That sounded a bit demanding. Don't get me wrong, I wanted to spend time with you regardless.

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[sir.]

I don't mind either way. [as biased as they are about wanting to spend time with people, they also know that some people just want answers.] Let me ask you something. What do you think lust means? Like in your own words and opinions.

[toyska]

[What.

"DEATH AND BLOOD" he answers-- no just kidding. He rests one hand on his hip, a thoughtful look on his face.

There's an easy answer here, but it isn't really one that applies to himself, not really. He's hardly Liyue's perfume lady. So, taking that into account...]

It's desire, yes? To an intense degree.

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...I think you're the first person not to say sex. [and they sound kind of relieved about that.] But yeah! It's desire, like insatiable desire. Even if it's something you have, you want it in a different way. There's sexual lust, blood lust...um...stuff like that. A desire for attention and taking it for yourself counts, too.

For you...[they pause.] Obviously the easiest way is having sex. Like...multiple people in a day or at a time, or in public, or with someone that slept with someone else before you. But you have a training sword now. Fight until the other person gives up, and then keep going. Or ditch the weapons entirely and get someone to do the deed for you.

[toyska]

[...He can't help it; he laughs quietly, shaking his head. He knows their comment about Greed yesterday was a joke, but--]

You know, I have to say... my, ah, alignment to you was perfectly chosen.

[But Lust probably already knew that anyway.

Sex, though... nyeeeh... he turns his head to look over the switches and buttons, though his gaze is distant; he's thinking. He'd most certainly stick to these battle scenarios if he could, but it's a fine balance to walk when you're trying to keep some of your skills under wraps. And as much as he likes a challenge, he has no plans on closing off any avenues that'll help him walk out of here with what he came for. So. This picky child will eat his vegetables.]

Two questions, then... how does that help me regain my abilities? [He gets the idea, and he'll do it, but it's difficult to grasp the connection. He earned his Vision through combat the first time, but it was a matter of survival, not pleasure.] And secondly, is there some sort of gauge I can track?

[How busy does he have to be getting here, taps watch]

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...it makes me happy to hear you say that. [and they sincerely mean that, stopping all movement in their chair to stare at childe intensely. it's hard to see, but he might see a faint pink glow from under their hood.]

You mean how do you know if other people are beating you at the indulgence game? Hmm...I dunno if there's really a gauge to track, but I think you're pretty smart and the kind of person to watch people without telling them. It's not like people are keeping things a secret around here. You'll get a sense of how people are indulging, and how often. And your abilities...um...think of it like gaining experience points. You have to keep performing the same actions to earn your points, and if you hit a certain threshold, bam! You level up.

Some actions just get you more points than others. You just kind of have to play around and find out.

[toyska]

I'm glad to know it. I think we have a lot in common. [He is not enough of a ham to wink, but he does smile in return.]

Mm, alright. I understand. [Working his way up the ranks again, then. Fair enough. It's tedious, but he'll do the job.]

A little bird told me you all are here to indulge, too. Is that right?

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You think? [they seem amused by that thought, but they don't elaborate. even if that turns out to not be so true in the end (from his perspective) they're getting along now and that's all lust can ask for.] I'll do what I can to help you out, but I think you're gonna do great on your own.

[...they spin in their chair once.] I'm interested in what else this little bird had to say.

[toyska]

[We Shall See.]

Well, I certainly won't say no to that. It's been a while since I was on my own.

[Give him a real sword and he'll Indulge all you want Lust how about that

But, hm! His smile doesn't change.]

I think this is a good opportunity to demonstrate that I can keep a secret.

[Since they warned him against blabbing about powers and all.]

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Flying solo's not so bad. It'll be kind of fun, I think. [you gotta earn it!!!

except hm. well!]

It's not really that we have to indulge or anything...just that we can if we want to! We're here, so if we feel like it, we're allowed to.

[toyska]

[Yeah, it'll be fine. Compared to the last time he had to do this, he's living in luxury.]

Mm, I see. [Interesting.] And what's your favorite way to indulge? If you'd like to share.

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I think I'm still deciding. There's a lot of ways to indulge and it gets boring to indulge the same way all the time...but some of my favorite ones don't really match with lust either. Like eating a whole pizza by myself, or playing video games all night long.

[hm.]

[toyska]

[Lust for pizza is totally valid.

And actually since mushroom pizza is a thing in Genshin--]

I don't know much about games, but I can probably make you a pizza, if you want. [It's not his specialty but it probably wouldn't be bad. Childe will gladly buy his way into favoritism.]

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[mmm....mushroom pizza...]

You mean it? [bribery, what bribery, just give lust the pizza.] You don't have to if you don't want to, I can just get it from the vending machine! But a homemade pizza sounds sooo good...

[toyska]

Of course. It's been some time since I had to, but I'm used to cooking for my family.

[(childe's sister voice) HE'S A GREAT HOUSEWIFE]

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Did you have to do it often? What's your family like? [i'm so sorry childe just wants to win and lust is asking him basic bitch questions.]

[toyska]

[Who says this isn't winning?]

Mm, I haven't been home in a while, and Liyue has some fine restaurants. [His Zhongli dinner dates...] But yes, I help out my parents when I'm home.

[Which is like never because they don't like him but. He can cook. It's fine. He grins, resting a hand on his hip.]

It's quite a large one! I have six siblings. Three older, three younger. [Unless Genshin has ADDED MORE. GOD.] They're great kids. I'm very proud of them!

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[childe your zhongli!!! but lust seems to be hanging on to every word he's saying, letting the chair swivel side to side but mostly paying attention.]

That's so many...and you're right in the middle. It must've been kind of crazy growing up with that many people. Do you ever miss it? Being home.

[toyska]

[I just want you to know that the combination of Childe's honesty and his blatant lies is already exhausting me how do people braincell

BUT ANYWAY.]

Well, I was only there until I was around fourteen. But large families aren't unusual in a small village, like mine.

[Country boy Childe... not that he carries himself like one. He smiles, though.]

Of course! Once my business here is finished, I'd like to go see them, actually.

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[unrelated I just realized how tall childe actually is, god. anyway. sorry for your braincell but lust doesn't have a braincell which means they are taking all of this at face value.]

I hope you do. It'd be a nice reward once you get out of here and achieve your goals. A lot of people are focused on getting what they want and they should, but I think people should remember what happens after that, too. It'd save a lot of trouble.

[toyska]

[HE IS WHICH IS WHAT MAKES THE FACE GRABS SO FUNNY

But he is not lying about any of this! Congrats, Lust. Honestly, he'd much rather stay here and chat about his siblings than go bang people, but alas, he's a government-assigned slut.]

Trouble? How so?

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[stop the first time they were on someone's shoulders and this time i have no excuse. maybe they stood up in their chair. it's fine. lust would also be cool with childe hanging out and spending time with them but alas, sometimes you have to go out and bang.]

You know...like not knowing how to use whatever they earned, or not thinking about how it could really change their future. Maybe having a plan for afterwards isn't such a bad idea. That's all.

[toyska]

[Lust is doing their best.

But, ah, heh. Yeah, he can see that.]

Mm, I understand. [That certainly won't be the case with him, but he has a feeling he doesn't need to say that. Instead--] Are you all the ones who provide us with it?

[Power and strength, in his case.]

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[are they.]

That's not the real reason you're gonna make me a pizza, is it? [it's still just teasing, but also...slightly curious? maybe a little insecure? they just want to be Sure. if childe is being nice because he thinks they give them power and strength, then it's better to know ahead of time.]