Chapter Text
Cyno stared blankly at the tall red head he had accompanied thinking about all of the questions he had asked and how much knowledge he would have if any of them had been answered.
Nothing had been shared about the questionable teahouse they had entered. The only information he held about the establishment was from intelligence gained by his informants.
Black market Genius Invokation card trades, trick dice that could turn any deal in your favor and games played with wagers enough to life dept free in the land of your choosing.
All of it was enough to have concerns, and all the more reason he felt justified in the way he studied the man from Mondstadt he stood beside. As soon as he found the man's red eyes moving to meet his Cyno exhaled sharply through his nose while moving his attention elsewhere.
He wasn't fond of the game he felt they played, but also wasn't ready to give into the need he had to sate his curiosity. The room he looked over held a table large enough for a full proper game of chance, as the rumors of the place abounded. Outside of that, the lit sconces on the walls looming over them, he found just added to the idea he had on being observed.
The ornate doors they were stood before finally shifted to allow a curved figure step through. Clad in skin tight black clothing accented in blue with the signature fur lined white coat Cyno could identify as Yelan. Outside of appearances alone though, intelligence had caught barely anything about her at all.
"I know you're probably wondering why you're here." She said casually while eyeing the Mahamatra. "And we'll get to that, but before then tell me: how many people have you brought with you?"
"I came alone." Cyno admitted giving her a wary eye before shifting to look over to Diluc with more unanswered questions in mind. "Unless you count him."
"And then," he added thoughtfully with his concerns well placed, "it could always change depending on who is asking."
"That is a good way to look at that question," she asked with a glance to his current companion, "but here I'm asking for the truth. I don't have the energy for tactics."
"Once you enter the Yanshang Teahouse the only thing that matters is what you've wagered and how well you roll the dice." Yelan claimed with a florish gestured with one hand just before crossing her arms to set her words in stone as she studied him. "How do you feel about those odds now?"
"Fine, honestly." Cyno admitted with his thoughts moving to ignore the fact that he had left his signature deck behind to separate himself from his title. "I have the skill enough to turn the odds in my favor, if you know what I mean."
"Then you were followed." Yelan announced causing concerns to rise that had Cyno recalling his trip. He had only dealt with treasure hunters and seen only the Hilichurls at the camps he had passed. "From the look on your face I take it you had no idea, which leads me to assume your destination was divulged..."
"Let's play a game with fate then" She offered with a wink and a knowing smile."if what I've found is yours we'll decide how to proceed, but...if it's not, we get to play a game to procure information, if you're up to it, of course."
"Follow me." Were the words spoken after Cyno declared he was game.
The Mahamatra tucked the concerns he had away as he moved to comply. The hall they reentered had him curious on whether he was led to the establishment because he was followed, or if it was in fact their destination. The silent red head who traveled behind him he once again silently thanked for the forewarning he was so forthcoming with.
"Here," Yelan spoke as he watched her move to adjust the blinds that covered the screened portion of one of the many rooms that exited to the hall."Is this yours? I've made my wager and I'm holding."
Cyno found it hard to pull away from the emerald eyes framed in angular black and blue tresses. As much as he hoped they wouldn't have to interrogate anyone he also feared for any of his that would be brazen enough to attempt to come along.
The ability to see through the screen he looked towards had him thinking more about the rumors gathered about the teahouse, and as soon as he took in the figure seated at a table with an armed guard his mind went completely blank.
"That's," he admitted while maintaining an even tone as he took in Tighnari's crest fallen ears and the way his counterpart had his attention to his lap where he was most likely wringing his hands. "Mine."
"Now I'll ask, " Yelan's voice cut through the turmoil he had writhing within with the unsettling discovery, "How much would you bet for his life?"
"Ooooh," she released as he glanced over to meet her eyes. "I like those odds, Cyno. Care for a game?"
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Cyno's thoughts were scattered as he took a seat across from Yelan. Everything he found had been carefully plotted and the minute details he encountered were almost unsettling.
He had guessed correctly on the package that was to be delivered to Katheryne as a decoy. After accepting Yelan's challenge he had been directed to use the contents.
The fact that he wasn't allowed to check the deck or change anything about it was a concern he held onto as Yelan informed him he had the first move. Unable to give full attention with the unknown around him he glanced over to check on Tighnari as his dice settled on the tabletop.
Tighnari, Cyno found, was just fine. His ears had perked back up, his attention was on Diluc, and from what he could tell the forest watcher was prattling on about something as the two of them were offered something to drink.
The idea that the atmosphere was simulating an unfriendly environment had him curious if the forest watcher could no longer sense the weight of their situation. The other idea that crossed his mind as he moved to ready himself for the duel was that given similar treatment elsewhere his counterpart could throw all caution to the wind and any upper hand they held would simply just be handed over.
He exhaled deeply as he took in his characters on the field before him. The statistics he ran through then as he moved to collect the cards that made up his hand.
The line up he had was made up of incredibly popular cards and for very good reason.
No expense was held back for the deck he had been given. The incredible Fontaine inspired card backs he had yet to see in person. The visage of Keqing as his active card shifted as if prepared for battle. Even the dice with a fine polished black framing the elements matching the case and the accents on the cards themselves.
"I hope the deck is to your liking," Yelan said coldly as she moved to begin her round after he had signified he was finished. "In no way will you be utilizing cards that the General Mahamatra is famous for, and why I need to test your proficiency."
"I appreciate your honesty," Cyno released as he eyed the support card Yelan set down before moving to meet her gaze, "but I wonder, when will I learn precisely what I going on?"
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The irritation Cyno possessed took on multiple forms once the cards were cleared from the table and he alone was escorted from the room. The pain that struck when all he got was meeting the gaze of Tighnari before leaving he felt was enough to tip the scales. The walk along the darkened hall he was led through the spoon that mixed the content of the pot just begging for the chemical reaction he had to keep at bay.
After being led down a narrow spiral staircase and another hall he ended in what looked to be in what could barely be considered a studio apartment. The simplistic fundamental furnishings he saw had been used to house odd and ends and packages of varying sizes.
"You're going to comply with everything." A woman with a dark blunt short bob demanded as the door he had entered closed behind him. "Or I ring this bell."
"And trust me," she continued as he watched her move to hang the bell by its long wooden handle from her belt,"you won't like what happens to you if I have to use it."