( continued )

[ Zhongli is not nearly so unkind or uncharitable as to be pleased by Furina's reaction. Even so, after Venti's utter lack of surprise at learning he was still alive there's something almost refreshing about Furina's comparative shock.

And she does an admirable job keeping her composure. So Zhongli, at least, doesn't feel that his trust in her has been misplaced so far—an assumption that's only reinforced when she starts to confess to the intricacies of her situation. He doesn't go so far as to interrupt her, but he does interject as she trails off. ]

I have some understanding of the circumstances surrounding your tenure as Archon.

[ News from Fontaine tends to spread far and fast, given the dedication of the journalists at the Steambird. That's without even considering a certain mutual acquaintance of theirs. ]

Such a complicated discussion can be saved for after dinner, if you wish.

[ Or saved for never, frankly. It's not like Zhongli is planning to give her all of the prolonged details leading up to his decision fake his death any time soon. ]