***
Soon enough, Yomite returned with two beer mugs, one for himself and one for Rosaria, but soon noticed Kaeya was missing, and frowned upon seeing the empty chair on the balcony.
"I guess the sneaky fox left...He didn't even say goodbye. Nor did he pay!? What a bastard!" Yomite grumbled as he raised his beer in salute to his friend's departing back. "A great brother indeed," he added.
"What a bore. He was just talking about how he had a date planned after all that alcohol." Rosaria rolled her eyes as she took the mug from Yomite's hands, "Either way, thanks for the beer." She raised it and clinked her mug against his, before downing half of its contents at once.
"We'll have a conversation when I drink more of it. I'll tell you my story."
"Nah, I'm good. I'm not really interested."
"I said I'll tell you my story. If you refuse to listen to my tale, I'll force you to hear my side through pain."
"..."
Was he being threatened into listening to someone's backstory? Was this real life?
Rosaria gulped the remaining half in one go and let out another satisfying burp, "This is the life~"
She sighed deeply with a contented expression, her tongue poking through the corner of her mouth, which gave off an obscene look when she licked the foam stuck to her lips.
It was hard not to stare at her like this; there was no doubt in his mind that tongue action like this would be highly arousing to any male's thoughts.
"You sure make...an interesting expression when you drink like this..."
"Hm? What do you mean? Does it seem disgusting that a woman is enjoying a beer like a man would? I was raised to not waste food and drinks, and to enjoy them while they lasted."
"No...I think it suits you really well...like an attractive cold woman. It seems fitting for you since you're good looking."
"...I see. That was the first time somebody told me I'm 'good-looking'. Usually, people are afraid to even look at me." Rosaria looked straight at him with those dead fish eyes and said, "Thanks though. You've got an insignificant plus from me for that remark."
"Well, I was simply stating a fact. I guess alcohol can loosen my lips sometimes. But I wonder about you, do you never get drunk at all? You drank so much wine, and even mixed it with beer. I'm not that strong when it comes to alcohol."
He had seen how strong Rosaria could drink, but he still couldn't believe that she could take such massive amounts of alcohol without showing any signs of intoxication whatsoever.
"I can get drunk, but I would never allow myself be vulnerable in public, I'm not an idiot. Mondstadt is a peaceful city, but that doesn't mean people wouldn't take advantage of you on a whim. Then again, I'm so ugly and terrifying they might stay away rather than try something." She stared back blankly before continuing, "Either way...you asked me before what my reason was for attacking you earlier today. It was because I wanted to know your true strength, and also whether you would be able to protect...Barbara."
"You know Barbara? Oh, right. You work in the same church as her. My bad."
"Precisely. I don't know what it is about the girl herself, but the lass has quite the impressive power in her that can brighten the day of even someone like me," she replied while looking at the ceiling.
"I used to dislike her a lot, simply because she was annoying and always nagged me when I ditched choir lessons. But later on, when we started spending time together, I grew curious about her...and now, even though I don't recognize this sensation...I assume I deeply care about her. It's a bit strange." Rosaria closed her eyes slowly, seemingly lost in thought for a moment.
When she opened them again, her face regained its usual emotionless expression, "Anyway, you were the only thing she ever talked about with me during our first few weeks spent together. She would often talk about how you saved her life and she made a miraculous recovery all thanks to you."
"Well, I don't mean to brag, but I'm quite well known in Mondstadt for that, so wouldn't the reputation be enough for you? Same for the dragon. Why did you attack me even after all of that?"
Rosaria shook her head lightly before explaining, "Rumors and reputation is usually exaggerated by those who heard of it from others...but there are many things that cannot be fabricated easily or hidden entirely...such as your strength which I came to personally experience."
The way she spoke sounded genuine; the kind that was completely lacking in sarcasm or pretentiousness. The tone of her voice also gave off an aura of sincerity—a convincing explanation to back up what she said. If anything, she was being overly cautious in hiding her emotions.
"Anyway, as you're the first person to ever call me a gorgeous beauty, I want to know what you like about me."
"..."
'I never called her that...I called her good looking...where did this "gorgeous beauty" come from?' Yomite wanted to say something, but ended up remaining silent regarding that.
Sometimes, it was better to just stay silent...
"Why are you interested in it all of a sudden? I just like what I see."
"Just answer the damn question." Rosaria leaned closer and placed one hand on his shoulder, "Tell me why you think I'm beautiful and then we can move on to talk about another topic without you, losing your neck...we shall talk about my past next. You have no choice. You hurt me badly today. This would be my revenge."
'This woman...is she actually drunk at last? What happened to not being vulnerable in public, huh!? She's not going to attack me here, right?' Yomite swallowed hard upon seeing how close her lips were getting to him.
He could smell the strong scent of booze emanating from her mouth, yet she smelled rather attractive too—a mixture of sweet scent, alcohol and cigarettes mixed together into the perfect fragrance for her personality.
He didn't know she was a smoker, but he could smell something similar to a cigarette. In the end, it was a combination that suited her well.
