[ Zhongli does not answer Venti so much as immediately scoop him off of the balcony and brings him to the bed where he starts wrapping him in a swath of blankets. ]
You're freezing.
Warm up here for a bit and then I'll draw you a warm bath.
There once was an advisor hired by the emperor of the land. A very peculiar individual who was large in ambition but perhaps lacking in work ethic. While journeying to a town who had acquired quite a debt of dues against the kingdom, instead of collecting the dues, the advisor forgave all the village owed much to the people's rejoicing.
Due to other difficulties, the emperor eventually relieved the advisor of his duties and sent him away. The village welcomed him with open arms and he was allowed to stay there for a time, his needs provided for by the villagers. During his time there, he managed to convince another king to request his services though he had no intentions of actual employment. The first emperor, seeing his former advisor in so much demand wished to hire him back again - which the advisor accepted on the condition that the village would be protected. The emperor readily agreed to this proposal.
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leaveofabsence) wrote2025-03-14 08:34 am
Re: Day 517, post-game
You're freezing.
Warm up here for a bit and then I'll draw you a warm bath.
Re: Day 517, post-game
Will you join me?
Re: Day 517, post-game
If he had a hand free, he'd be counting the symptoms on his fingers. This must have been a terrible game indeed. ]
Of course. If that is your wish.
[ And he will heft up the bundled Venti - blankets and all - and stagger over to the bathroom. ]
Re: Day 517, post-game
[ Leaning his head against his shoulder, fingers curling in his coat, and letting out a slow breath ]
Thank you, Morax.
Re: Day 517, post-game
. . .
Are you alright?
Re: Day 517, post-game
I'll be fine. One of the effects of this game is particularly -- cruel -- that's all.
Re: Day 517, post-game
And that effect is in addition to the fact that you are missing one arm?
Re: Day 517, post-game
[ SHIT SIVS SAY ]
More troublingly, this one seems to have come with rather vivid hallucinations.
[ He refrains from looking around the bathroom as he says it ]
Re: Day 517, post-game
Is this place too similar to the one in your hallucinations? We could move to a different location.
Re: Day 517, post-game
[ He runs his hand down Zhongli's chest, reassuring(?)
He's silent for a long moment before admitting: ]
I keep seeing that day in Khaenri'ah.
1/2
Record scratch ]
You are seeing---?
Re: Day 517, post-game
[ He takes Venti's hand in his, lacing their fingers together and giving their joined hands a little squeeze. ]
You're not there, Barbatos. You're here - with me.
. . .
[ Ah, hallucinations and false memories. An enemy on which no weapon is really effective. ]
Would you like to hear a story?
Re: Day 517, post-game
Hehe . . . it's rare that I'm the one being told a story.
I would like that.
Re: Day 517, post-game
Re: Day 517, post-game
But what he says is: ]
No. Tell me.
Re: Day 517, post-game
There once was an advisor hired by the emperor of the land. A very peculiar individual who was large in ambition but perhaps lacking in work ethic. While journeying to a town who had acquired quite a debt of dues against the kingdom, instead of collecting the dues, the advisor forgave all the village owed much to the people's rejoicing.
Due to other difficulties, the emperor eventually relieved the advisor of his duties and sent him away. The village welcomed him with open arms and he was allowed to stay there for a time, his needs provided for by the villagers. During his time there, he managed to convince another king to request his services though he had no intentions of actual employment. The first emperor, seeing his former advisor in so much demand wished to hire him back again - which the advisor accepted on the condition that the village would be protected. The emperor readily agreed to this proposal.