Cat's Tail Tavern
Since Noelle had gone to learn Genius Invokation TCG, Bonanus couldn't leave just yet. It was still early anyway. Waiting a little longer was no problem.
Sitting at the bar
"Diona, do you have any snacks here?" Bonanus asked casually, propping her chin on her hand. Sitting around doing nothing was boring. Eating something would be nice.
"Yes. Cat's Tail's specialty is Mondstadt Grilled Fish. We have other things too." Diona rubbed her chin.
"Then give me some Mondstadt Grilled Fish." Bonanus nodded. She wondered if the fish would attract the tavern cats once it arrived.
She just hoped they wouldn't try to steal it from her.
Diona nodded and waved at a server by the door.
"Uncle Egg, bring this lady some Mondstadt Grilled Fish and a cold dish!"
The man called Uncle Egg gave a thumbs up, pushed open a door, and went in to start cooking.
"The way you talk to Uncle Egg is different." Bonanus said curiously. When Diona talked to the drunks, she sounded like she was about to hiss at them.
"Of course. Uncle Egg never drinks. He only works here to earn money." Diona replied.
"I see. Is that the kitchen over there?" Bonanus looked at the door Uncle Egg had gone through. It had been a while, but there was no sound at all.
"That's where we cook for the customers. Sometimes everyone gathers there to eat together. Uncle Egg works as both a server and a cook."
Diona pointed at a cold dish on the bar with her cute little paw. That was one of Uncle Egg's dishes. It tasted great and could satisfy her craving.
Bonanus nodded in admiration. Doing two jobs at once was really hard work. She had seen people who did more, but it was still impressive.
That was what you called a dedicated worker.
"The soundproofing here is amazing. I can't hear anything, and I don't even smell the cooking oil." Bonanus said curiously.
Uncle Egg had been in there for a while, but she hadn't heard a single sound.
"Of course. In some ways, Cat's Tail is very well designed." Diona answered while carefully studying the rainbow drink recipe.
Bonanus watched the girl studying the recipe intently. Diona was really committed to destroying Mondstadt's wine industry.
Why did Diona hate alcohol so much?
"Diona, can you tell me why you hate alcohol? Wine is very popular in Mondstadt." Bonanus asked.
Hearing this, Diona slowly put down the recipe and looked at Bonanus seriously.
"Alcohol is something that corrupts people's hearts! It's bad. It's a terrible drink. I have to destroy it!"
"Why do you think that?" Bonanus pressed.
With Bonanus's constant questioning, Diona sighed and explained further.
"My father is the best hunter in all of Springvale. He has a strong face, sharp hunting skills, and calm judgment. He is the undisputed leader of all the hunters there."
"When I was little, I looked up to him. He was my hero. But once, he got drunk and completely changed. He was like a fool who didn't know anything."
"When he's drunk, he looks like a wild boar rolling around in the mud after eating its fill." As she said this, Diona's eyes turned red. She was clearly upset.
Yes, how could a girl who had idolized her father since childhood accept seeing him like that? But her father was too attached to alcohol. No matter how much she tried to劝 (persuade) him, it didn't work.
How could such a reliable father turn into that? It had to be alcohol's fault. Alcohol not only corrupted people's hearts, but also shortened their lives and destroyed families.
Such bad things shouldn't exist in Mondstadt.
After hearing part of Diona's story about her father, Bonanus nodded. Alcohol was indeed a scary thing. But sometimes people needed it to ease their feelings.
"I've heard people say that Diona's hands can turn terrible drinks into something delicious. I wonder if the rainbow drink can help you."
Bonanus looked at Diona's hands. No matter what Diona did, she could make bad drinks taste wonderful. That was her gift.
For someone who hated alcohol so much, that had to be a frustrating curse.
"No! There has to be a way. If I can fully understand this recipe, I'll succeed!" Diona refused to give up. She had seen the rainbow drink's power with her own eyes.
"I hope you succeed. But the more you hope, the more it might hurt if you fail. I hope you can handle it." Bonanus said with concern.
"Even if I fail, I'll find another way. Don't worry. It's not the first time." Diona's eyes dimmed. She bit her lip, her eyes full of stubbornness.
Bonanus nodded. But she had a feeling this gift would stay with Diona for life. Even as she grew up, it probably wouldn't change.
But there was no need to worry. This girl would never give up.
"By the way, let me tell you something. Never drink alcohol. Don't get addicted to it. And don't get too close to people who are involved with it." Diona's face twisted with disgust every time she said the word "alcohol."
Bonanus could only smile helplessly at that. "Don't get too close to people involved with alcohol" didn't make much sense. Diona was one of those people herself.
Diona was not only involved with alcohol, she was the star of Cat's Tail. A brilliant bartender.
"But Diona, you're involved with alcohol." Bonanus had a look that said she wanted to laugh but was holding it back.
"Ah! It's different! I deal with alcohol to destroy Mondstadt's wine industry. I'm not like those bad people who just want to make money from it!" Diona shook her head firmly.
"Especially Diluc from the Dawn Winery. He's a bad person. A real bad person. Most of Mondstadt's wine comes from him!"
Diona's attitude toward Diluc was very harsh. Diluc himself was confused by it. If it was just competition, there was no need for such hostility.
But if it involved family grudges, Diluc had no idea what that could be. What he didn't know was that Diona hated him because his family sold alcohol.
"Okay, okay. I'll try to stay away from him." Bonanus was just humoring Diona. Of course she would get close to Master Diluc. He was a rich man.
Besides, Diluc was one of the six standard characters. In her previous life, people who lost their 50/50 to him would still cheer for him.
"Good. If I find out you're drinking too, I won't talk to you anymore." Diona nodded in relief, then warned her.
"Of course. Don't worry." Bonanus gently pushed Diona back. Diona was surprisingly intimidating when she got like that.
If she ever did drink, it would only be with people she trusted.
She couldn't hold her alcohol at all. If she drank with the wrong people, who knew what would happen.
"Anyway, your Mondstadt Grilled Fish should be ready soon." Diona looked toward the kitchen. Uncle Egg should be coming out soon.