At that moment the door to Angel’s Share swings open, instantly garnering everyone’s attention. A Calvary Captain with a disarming smile steps across the threshold. His presence helps the tension in the tavern to release. In his hand he clutches a mug with little cat print designs etched along it. Accompanying him is a woman from the church judging from her wear, though she looks the farthest from a nun anyone could imagine. 

 

“Come now, why such an atmosphere? I wouldn’t have come if I had known everyone was going to be so glum. How about a round of drinks for everyone? Courtesy of me.”

 

That offer does wonders for the atmosphere, and a new cheer goes up while people reach for their cups to finish their drinks and request more. Kaeya saunters to the bar and leans against it, looking quite pleased. With the way his chin tilts and his steps sway, it is clear he is already several drinks in. “Can I trouble you to be so kind as to pour me the usual, Master Diluc?” he requests confidently.

 

Diluc’s demeanor has steadily gotten less thrilled with the new addition to the tavern. “Finish what you have in your hand now,” he responds. “After, I expect you to pay for all the drinks you just offered away, then you can ask about another drink.”

 

Kaeya looks taken aback. He dismisses the other’s words casually with a flick of his wrist. “Come now, just put that on my tab, and I’m almost done with this. Surely there are no laws about finishing a drink fully before ordering another?”

 

Diluc gives him the most unimpressed look he can muster, which is very impressive in how unimpressed it is, really. “No.”

 

Kaeya tilts his head back and gives a little laugh. “Whatever do you mean? You can’t possibly think you can just deny me my patronage?”

 

Rosaria had been surveying the other drunkards around them suspiciously, though that was usual behavior for her. The tavern was the best place for people to let their guards down, and for individuals with questionable goals to sneak around and get away with things. If anyone did want to try something under her watchful eye tonight, they were out of luck. Rosaria was not going to allow such things. She does, however, need a drink, and seeing as her companion is getting nowhere on that front, she steps forward beside him and with both arms folded leans on the bar. 

 

 “Give me the house special,” she requests.

 

Diluc nods and starts to mix her a drink. 

 

Kaeya gasps in startled indignation. “I can not believe that I am receiving such prejudiced treatment. Do you see this?” He leans to his side and waves his cup in Dainsleif’s face to get his attention. The poor man was trying to sit quietly and enjoy his drink only to have to look at the mug Kaeya was waving around. He reaches with swift precision and swipes it out of the knight’s hand, then sets it on the bar for him.
 

“Perhaps if you finished your drink like the bartender asked, then you could try requesting another round,” he points out. “However I think we have a more pressing matter that I would care to discuss.” The importance he places within his words mellow out the antics from a few moments prior. At this Kaeya’s expression too grows more serious. Diluc and Rosaria are the types to always have a severe expression, so theirs do not change, though they both are attentive.

 

“You were both outside,” Diluc starts the switch in conversation topic. “Did you notice anything off putting?”

 

Kaeya dips his chin in a slight nod. “It was as if a sudden gale engulfed the tavern. And we saw all of the lights go out. There was wailing and laughing.”

 

“And we saw a dark shadow seem to dash by through the squall,” Rosaria added. “When the wind cleared, all of the tables and barrels in front of the tavern were overturned.”

 

Dainsleif confirms that they experienced similar things while being inside the building.

 

After they spend a moment to consider it, Rosaria continues, “It reminds me of a few incidents I have been investigating. There was a treasure hoarder’s camp I came across. At first I thought they had been attacked judging by the state of disarray the camp was in. However there were no signs of fighting. Though tents seemed to have been turned inside out–so to speak–and items were strewn everywhere, nothing seemed to have been stolen either. At least nothing of value. I found valuables left behind in chests and thrown on the ground. I have also found two other camps not belonging to treasure hoarders that received a similar scouring treatment.”

 

“It is rather funny that you should mention that.” Kaeya takes a sip from his drink, then frowns down at the nearly-empty container. The cup gets set aside dejectedly as he speaks. “The Knights of Favonius have been getting several reports from people living in the surrounding areas to the city. Such reports are of their houses being ransacked as well. It is as if someone has torn through, looking for valuables to rob but none have been taken. The only things that have been reported missing are children’s books and toys, and such things as those. Though I do wonder Rosaria, why you haven’t shared the findings of your investigations with the Knights yet? It could be useful to combine forces.”

 

Rosaria rolls her eyes and leans her chin into one hand. “Then I would have to work with the Knights of Favonius, and they are almost as unbearable to work with as the Church.” Across from her, Diluc nods his silent approval of her statement. In response, Kaeya shoots Diluc the dirtiest glare his eye can muster. To Kaeya’s own dismay, Diluc does not indicate that he has noticed.

 

Rasaria clears her throat. “I did find some interesting tracks in one of the camps. I am not sure if it was by coincidence, or if it was left by the perpetrator, though it is something worth considering.”