leaveofabsence | Imeeji Inbox

Well . . .

I'm quite disgusted with many things, but that was the aim of a game like that, right?

[ He offers his arm as if they were about to walk through the streets of Liyue, instead of out into a fake-Tokyo where people were recently eaten ]

I know that Heart won, but not what you endured to get there. Aside from . . . ah, well . . .

[ Aether? ]

[ Zhongli takes the offered arm and sets them off in the direction of the Love Hotel. Even if it's a bit of a walk, it is better to be under the cool night breeze than traveling by vehicle anyway. ]

He was given a choice, and that was his wish. I will not belittle him that.

...Though we were all starving at the time.

[ He glances over at Venti ]

Is that the strongest emotion that remains --- disgust?

No, not only that.

[ A long, weary sigh ]

But I assumed the anger was obvious, given how successfully they forced everyone to act against their will.

Yes.

Hurricane had informed us that the last time this game occurred, it ended when a certain number of units had been eliminated.

It was quite a shock to see it go past the first round.

It seems the producers simply wanted a bloodbath this time around.

They must be quite satisfied, then.

[ He squeezes their joined arms, briefly. ]

Are you alright?

[ Needing to put down one's own friends is not a pattern that's escaped his notice. ]

I would not say alright. But I have accepted that which has happened during the game.

Despite all that occurred, I do not see how a better outcome could have resulted from our unit's decisions.

Ehe . . . I guess that is a very Morax point of view.

If it's not worse than that, I'll consider it something to be grateful for.

[ Another long pause ]

I saw you and Xiao during the intermission.

Ah . . .

That's right, Little Morax was keeping an eye on things, huh?

I will not press if it a story you do not wish to tell. But if you wish to talk about it, I am here.

I assume it greatly affected Xiao himself as he made a swift retreat from the Game Tower and I have not heard from him since.

. . . I'm more worried for Xiao, to be honest. I've been too cowardly to speak to him yet, since . . . there's very little I could say.

I'm not angry, though. None of us were in our right minds after being brought back.

You being angry is the least of my concerns regarding this.

Then . . .?

I am more concerned of your hurt, Barbatos. And what you might be telling yourself in regards to how it could have been avoided.

Ahhh, well . . . I think that's where some of my earlier feelings of disgust come in, if I think on it too long. But Xiao is efficient, which is a mercy in such a situation.

I'd never like to repeat it, but it won't be foremost on my mind on long nights . . . does that make sense?

Very much so.

I would say --- that is very Barbatos logic.

Hehe . . . if anyone would know, it would be you.

[ A considering pause ]

Though, I do have to ask. . .

You don't really think I'm indifferent to your thoughts and opinions, right?

Do you believe that I do not care about you?

No.

I may be greedy and shameless, but not quite so that I would put myself out for something that one-sided.

Then my answer is the same.

Though I do not always understand your logic, I respect it for the adherence to the principals which you hold so dear.

[ Giggling a little ]

That's the most diplomatic take on our ideological differences I've ever heard.

Perhaps those differences are less important now than they were before.

Yes, maybe so.

[ Venti pauses their stroll so that he can tug Zhongli into facing him ]

Some of the things said back then were my true feelings, and I'm hoping you know which. Your companionship has always brought me happiness, for thousands of years now.

[ Just the hint of a smile ]

We would not be the people we are today had we not been in each other's lives. Of this, I am quite certain of. I have and always will be pleased to know that I am a cared for companion of Barbatos.

Though I must apologize also for my own words.

I cannot say the same - if any of what I said then were my true feelings. Perhaps insecurities would be a more accurate description.

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