Mondstadt's Cat's Tail Tavern.
As one of the most popular taverns in Mondstadt, Cat's Tail is bustling even during the day. One of the biggest reasons is its bartender, Diona.
"The super-popular bartender of Cat's Tail, the rising star of Mondstadt's wine industry, the greatest challenger to the traditional powerhouses..."
That's how Mondstadt's drinkers describe Diona.
Every time, she can mix up novel, delicious drinks that keep patrons flocking back.
But despite the high praise from patrons, Diona herself is rather unhappy.
Right now.
The cat-eared girl Diona—who has inherited a diluted non-human bloodline—was staring at the lively tavern, grinding her teeth.
Even the tail behind her bristled in anger.
Although many drinkers highly recognize her mixing skills, this isn't Diona's ultimate goal.
What she seeks is to completely destroy Mondstadt's wine industry.
So she often adds strange ingredients to her drinks, trying to make them taste awful.
What frustrates her is... due to a certain blessing on her, every single concoction she makes turns into unimaginably fine wine.
"Darn it! I put a lizard's tail in this batch. I don't believe you'll still like it!"
Diona grumbled angrily.
However—
Just as her voice fell, a nearby patron spoke up.
"Miss Diona, could I get a refill?"
Makri, a regular at Cat's Tail, came over with his glass, looking hopeful.
Re... refill?
Diona wondered if she had misheard. Shouldn't this stuff make you nauseous and retch? Maybe even dizzy enough to develop a lifelong aversion to alcohol?
Why would someone ask for a refill?
Eyes wide and lips parted, Diona couldn't make sense of it.
"Even though there's lizard tail in it, I feel refreshed after drinking it. My all-nighter fatigue vanished."
Makri praised.
Hearing that, Diona immediately bristled like a startled kitten. "Y-Your taste is a bit strange, isn't it?"
"Not strange, not strange... Miss Diona's drinks really are great!"
"And paired with Miss Diona's special dishes, it's simply the perfect enjoyment."
"Hahaha, worthy of Mondstadt's rising-star bartender!"
"..."
Watching Diona puff up like that, the surrounding patrons laughed heartily.
Anyone who comes here often knows about Diona's grand ambition.
So every time they drink Diona's fine concoctions, they can't help teasing her.
"Hmph! Don't get too smug. I already have a new idea!"
Reluctantly refilling Makri's glass, Diona said angrily.
She had already figured out that Mondstadt's great hero who saved the city, Ken, was a traveler from another world, and even had the ability to invite people as guests to that other world.
Most importantly—
This formidable gentleman was the father of her good friend, little Klee.
As long as she asked Klee nicely, Klee would definitely take her to Blue Star. Then she'd look for inspiration there and make alcohol even more undrinkable.
Seeing Diona all puffed up, everyone laughed even harder.
"So hateful!"
Diona slammed down the shaker in her hand and stormed toward the second floor to cool off by herself.
Only—
Just as she reached the second floor, she felt a stream of light pour down from the sky.
"Is this... Mr. Ken's invitation?!"
When she looked up and saw the swirling gateway in the sky, Diona wasn't surprised or scared—she instead showed an extremely delighted smile.
If she remembered correctly...
According to rumor, this was the mysterious door Mr. Ken used to invite people to Blue Star.
"Is it my turn?"
Overjoyed, Diona quickly relaxed her body, feeling that stream of light gently lift her toward the mysterious gate.
...
Magic City.
Ken sat in the living room, toying with Keqing's cat ears he'd drawn last time.
If the invited guest this time was Keqing, those cat ears might be useful.
"Hm?"
But when he saw the petite figure stepping out of the vortex gate, Ken paused slightly.
A cat-eared girl?
Diona!
Her dainty, soft figure wore a pink top paired with black shorts—small and delicate.
But what drew the most attention was the pair of cat ears nestled in her short, fluffy hair, and the cat tail behind her.
Compared to Keqing, the one before him was a bona fide catgirl.
"M-Mr. Ken? You're Klee's dad?"
Suddenly arriving in a strange place, Diona felt a bit uneasy, but when she saw Ken's handsome face, her tension slowly dissipated.
No mistake... this was Klee's dad!
She'd seen Ken's photo in Klee's little schoolbag before—he really was this handsome.
Seeing him in person now, he looked even more scholarly and refined. Not only was his temperament steady and extraordinary, he had a faint fresh scent about him—way better than her drunkard dad.
Diona suddenly felt a bit jealous of little Klee.
"That's right, I'm Klee's father, Ken. Welcome to Blue Star, Diona."
Seeing Diona calm and composed, Ken also felt slightly relieved.
This could save a lot of unnecessary explanation.
"Wow... so this is Blue Star? Mr. Ken... I've wanted to visit for so long. How's the wine industry here? Is it very developed too?"
A bit reserved, Diona looked all around, her amber eyes full of curiosity.
Blue Star was completely different from what she had imagined.
"Uh... the wine industry here is decent," Ken said with a smile.
As expected of Diona—though she came to Blue Star, her heart still clung to the wine industry.
Unfortunately, given her "100% brew-deliciously" trait, she was destined not to realize her dream.
"Mr. Ken, could you show me around? I want to see the wines of Blue Star—maybe they'll give me inspiration!"
Diona spoke excitedly.
It wasn't easy coming to Blue Star; she had to find some inspiration to bring back.
But realizing she was too excited, Diona quickly steadied herself—though the tail behind her wouldn't stop swishing, betraying her joy.
"Of course. Come with me."
Ken wasn't surprised by Diona's natural closeness.
He was a man with a charisma bonus, after all—plus Klee's father and Mondstadt's great hero. Diona naturally trusted him more.
With that, Ken took Diona down to the basement of his villa.
Two walls of the basement were lined with an array of wines, including many rare vintages.
"Mr. Ken likes drinking this much?"
Seeing so many bottles, Diona felt a twinge of disappointment.
"I'm not that into drinking. These came with the house when I bought it, so I just left them here," Ken explained.
Since he knew she disliked alcohol, of course he wouldn't admit he liked it.
Who wouldn't want to build goodwill with a catgirl?
"I see..." Diona's tail swayed lightly, her favorability toward Ken ticking higher.
Picking out a few bottles, Ken poured them into glasses. "Want to taste?"
"Sigh..." Diona sighed.
Though she despised drinking and usually had others taste-test, as a bartender—even one who wanted to make bad drinks—she still needed to take tiny sips.
Looking at the flashy liquids before her, Diona's cat tail drooped. Bracing herself, she took tiny sips of each.
"Mmh... Not what I expected, but not bad."
After tasting more than a dozen different wines, Diona's cheeks were flushed and her mood a bit down.
She didn't expect Blue Star's wines to have such character. Wouldn't it be hard to find inspiration here?
Thinking that, Diona looked at Ken. "Mr. Ken, you're amazing—do you have a way to make wine taste especially awful?"
"There's something here called ghost pepper. Maybe try adding that. Combining it with bitter melon might have a special effect," Ken said with a straight face.
Though he knew Diona's trait would turn things tasty, that combo would be hard for most to find delicious.
"Ghost pepper? Bitter melon? Never heard of them... but sounds good! Thank you, Mr. Ken!"
Diona's eyes lit up. She hopped off the high stool to thank Ken...
But the moment she landed, she suddenly swayed.
"Diona?"
Seeing her wobble, Ken immediately caught her.
But as he steadied her, Diona's face went bright red, and she let out a soft "Eep."
"D-Don't... don't touch the tail!"
Diona's sweet voice turned soft and syrupy.
Only then did Ken realize that when he caught her, his hand had accidentally pressed on her swaying tail.
Fluffy, with a great feel.
Except...
Seeing Diona's strange reaction, Ken suddenly realized something.
No wonder Diona forbade others from touching her tail.
"Sorry." Ken withdrew his hand and cleared his throat. "Klee's upstairs—want to play with her for a bit?"
"Mmh... okay..." Diona's voice sounded odd. She didn't blame Ken—if anything, she hated alcohol even more now.
She hadn't kept her balance because she'd tasted too many wines in one go, making her a bit dizzy.
Ken was just trying to help when he accidentally touched her tail.
But being touched there by someone else for the first time—that feeling made Diona feel strange.
Especially with the alcohol, that feeling was magnified.
"Darn alcohol... I'm definitely taking ghost peppers and bitter melon back to research properly!"
Diona clenched her tiny fists in frustration.
"Mhm, you could also try adding some condiments... soy sauce, vinegar, that sort of thing," Ken suggested helpfully.
Head lowered, Diona murmured, "Okay!"
...
Third floor of the villa.
Little Klee was tinkering with a Jumpy Dumpty. Seeing Ken bring Diona up, her eyes lit up immediately.
"Diona?"
"You came to visit Blue Star too!"
After a brief pause, Klee scampered over to Diona.
"Mm..." Diona lightly bit her lip. "Mr. Ken invited me to visit Blue Star."
"Eh? Why does Diona sis's voice sound so weird? Before, Diona sis didn't talk like that." Klee blinked, put her hands on her hips, and mimicked, "Before, Diona sis would definitely say, 'That's right! Klee! I came to Blue Star too!' So why is it weird today?"
That voice was soft and syrupy—like someone easy to bully. How was that like Diona sis?
Watching Klee mimic her, Diona's face flushed even redder.
She couldn't exactly say... it was because Ken touched her tail, right?
Though Diona wasn't that prim or prudish, this kind of thing was still hard for the little catgirl to bring up.
Fortunately, Ken spoke up then. "Diona just arrived at Blue Star and isn't used to it yet."
"Oh! Then Diona sis, don't be scared. Klee and daddy will protect you!" Klee said, perking her little butt and showing off the plushie on her bag. "Dodoco will protect you too!"
Diona puffed her cheeks. "I-I'm not scared!"
Afraid Klee would think she was timid, even her cat ears stood upright as she said it.
"Ooh—then Dodoco will protect Diona sis anyway!" Klee clenched her tiny fist. "Also, you don't need to call my dad 'Mr. Ken.' That sounds so serious... Diona sis can call him 'uncle.' That's more affectionate."
Uncle?
Diona's mouth twitched. "Wouldn't that be... a bit rude?"
If she remembered right, many people didn't like being called "uncle" or "auntie."
Like a certain lady of the Knights of Favonius.
Klee tilted her head up. "It's fine. Daddy won't mind, right, daddy?"
"Of course not," Ken answered with an increasingly kindly smile.
Being called "uncle" by a catgirl wasn't bad at all.
"Uncle!"
Diona called once—though she often looked fierce, she was still polite.
Ken's mood improved greatly at once. Looking at the two adorable cuties, a sudden idea came to him.
...
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