[Praesi, he echoes mentally, skimming through his memories. The name does not resurface from the depths; Xiao has never heard the word before. It’s…strange. There was so much of his own world that he is unfamiliar with. To now encounter someone from an alien civilization feels almost overwhelming, like his mind is desperately trying to account for an entire universe’s worth of possible lifeforms and customs. Just how different are some of these people here? And to think, he already found any attempts to assimilate into Liyue culture difficult enough.]

Xiao, [he informs her, solemn.] And I don’t consider it rude to be cautious, given your background.

[A few seconds pass as he gazes out at the partying people before them. Despite his grave countenance, there’s almost something…lonely looking in his eyes.]

You seem better equipped in understanding such things, so I’ll ask—what will happen to the current Tribune? I’ve heard whispers that his position is for life. Do they plan on assassinating him?

[A bold question to ask a stranger, maybe (especially when he hasn’t bothered to ask for her name in return yet)—but one warranted from someone like Xiao, who survived the Archon War’s power struggle between gods.]