Chapter 101
At noon, in front of the Cat's Tail Tavern in Mondstadt, Diona, Mondstadt's renowned bartender, made a new friend. She was the lover of one of Diona's friends. Despite this being only their second meeting, Diona found herself chatting endlessly with her, and even allowed her to touch the cat ears that symbolize her Kätzlein heritage, something she normally wouldn't let anyone do.
Sitting in Gokou Ruri's lap, Diona watched as Ruri continuously rubbed her face against her cat ears. Her tail swayed slightly as she patted Ruri, saying, "So, Ruri, you're from another world, and you met Hiroshi in this place called the chat group, right? That sounds so interesting."
Her ears twitched, and Diona said dreamily, "I wonder if ingredients from another world could be used to make the worst drinks ever."
"Huh?" Ruri hugged Diona's small body tighter and rested her chin on top of her head. She asked curiously, "Isn't Diona the best bartender in all of Mondstadt? Why would you want to make bad drinks?"
"Humph, alcohol is the worst!" Diona huffed loudly. "It's not a good thing; it makes people stupid! One day, I'll destroy Mondstadt's entire wine industry with my own hands, meow! I'll make the most disgusting drinks ever and get rid of all those drunkards!"
Looking at the suddenly impassioned Diona, who had her small fist raised in determination, Ruri hugged her even tighter.
'So adorable!' she thought.
"Ah! It's the Fallen Angel Black Cat!" Suddenly, a voice called out. A blonde girl in a black and purple outfit excitedly pointed at Ruri, who was sitting at the Cat's Tail Tavern with Diona. The girl hurriedly bowed to the owner of the Good Hunter, Sara, and then ran towards Ruri and Diona.
Taking a deep breath, Fischl pushed a lock of hair behind her ear, electric sparks flickering at her fingertips. She looked at Ruri and declared loudly, "This must be destiny's guidance, leading me, the Prinzessin der Verurteilung, to encounter the Fallen Angel Black Cat once again! The day and night skies are but illusions, and the threads of fate have brought you once more to my eternal midnight."
Diona, baffled by the sudden appearance of this strange, cute girl, quickly looked around to see if there was anyone else nearby.
"Long time no see, Amy," Ruri's voice came from above Diona's head. Seeing Ruri greet the strange girl so warmly, Diona looked up, seeing Ruri smiling brightly.
"Ugh!" Fischl stomped her foot in a pretend tantrum and looked at Ruri with a pout. "Don't call me Amy! I am the Prinzessin der Verurteilung, Fischl!" She then asked, "Ruri, why did you come to Mondstadt all by yourself?"
Sitting next to Ruri, Fischl took the drink Ruri handed her, savoring the iced beverage that Diona had prepared, her eyes closing contently. "Usually, you're either studying magic in that place called school or spending time with Hiroshi," she said.
Stroking Diona's head, Ruri explained, "Actually, I came to Mondstadt with Hiroshi this time. We just happened to meet Diona and became friends, so I let Hiroshi take Klee to the Knights of Favonius."
With a slight blush on her cheeks, Ruri took out an invitation and handed it to Fischl. "This is an invitation to my engagement with Hiroshi."
Seeing Fischl's face turn beet red at the mention of the engagement, Ruri smiled softly. "It will be on the third of this month. I actually came to Mondstadt today specifically to give you this."
In a daze, Fischl took the invitation, her eyes wide. A flash of electricity appeared as Oz materialized beside her.
"Oz! Look at this!" Fischl grabbed her companion, almost shoving the invitation into his face, her expression a mix of disbelief and joy. "Ruri says she's getting engaged to Hiroshi!"
"Miss, please, calm down!" Oz struggled, a few black feathers scattering around as he finally freed himself from Fischl's grasp. The raven stood on the table, holding the invitation in his beak before spreading it out.
He scrutinized the text, then looked up at Ruri, who still had a faint blush on her cheeks. "Congratulations, Lady Ruri," he said. "Thank you for inviting both the young lady and me. We will certainly attend."
"No!" Fischl grabbed Ruri's hands, her eyes full of excitement. "Ruri, if it's the day after tomorrow, then I'll help you prepare today!"
"As the Prinzessin der Verurteilung's close friend, how could I not lend a helping hand on the day when you bind your fate to your destined one?!"
"Mhm," Ruri smiled gently at the excited Fischl. "Thank you, Amy."
"Ruri, can I come too?" Diona looked up, her cat ears twitching slightly as she softly asked.
"Of course." Gently stroking Diona's tail, Ruri smiled and said, "You're my friend, Diona. I'd be very happy if you came."
"Mhm." Diona nodded happily. "I'll ask the boss for a two-day leave. I want to help too!"
"Sure thing, little Diona," said a blonde woman who walked out of the Cat's Tail. She smiled at Ruri and waved at her. Then, looking at Diona, she said, "Since it's an engagement for Mondstadt's honorary knight, and both Hiroshi and his fiancée are your friends, of course you can go."
Hearing Margaret's words, Diona wiggled out of Ruri's embrace and ran up to her, beaming. "Thanks, boss!"
"Good luck, little Diona!" Margaret cheered her on, waving her hand toward the distance.
Hiroshi was walking toward them, holding Klee's hand, with Noelle following close behind.
"Fischl, Oz, long time no see." Hiroshi greeted them with a smile. "I was planning on going to the Adventurers' Guild to find you two, but it seems you found Ruri first."
"Long time no see, Hiroshi," Oz said, flapping his wings as he landed on Hiroshi's shoulder. He observed Hiroshi closely and remarked, "Congratulations."
"Thank you," Hiroshi said, stroking Oz's sleek feathers. He then turned to Ruri and introduced, "This is Noelle, the maid and an apprentice knight of the Knights of Favonius. She will help us with some preparations."
"Lady Ruri, hello," Noelle said, bowing slightly. "I promise I will do my utmost to help with everything!"
"Thank you."
"I'm happy to help."
"Let's go home and start preparing," Hiroshi suggested.
"Yes, let's go home!" Klee cheered.