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[leaveofabsence]

[ The default voicemail message greets you. ]

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[leaveofabsence]

Then might I suggest the scenic route?

[childeishly]

Of course! My morning's all yours, Xiansheng. [ he starts heading for the front doors, folding his arms behind his head as he does so. ] ...how are you feeling anyway?

[leaveofabsence]

[ Zhongli guides them through the park then, opting to choose a slightly farther away train station so they might enjoy a walk. ]

I am fine.

As I told you last night, it is my unit I am concerned for. They have been through much in just a few short days and the continuous losses are starting to take a toll.

[childeishly]

...might need to rethink whatever strategy you guys have going into games, assuming there even is one. Kind of sounds like that's a no. And if you don't figure out something quick you're just going to continue tanking.

[leaveofabsence]

You speak as if some of these games were games of strategy instead of games of chance.

[childeishly]

...maybe not this one specifically, since it sounds like it hinged on knowing teammates and stuff, but that Wed, Bed, and Behead. That Instead card had been put there to force people to make the decision to Live or to Die. Like, it's obviously not *that* simple, but... if not for our using it we would have lost. And you guys could have saved yourselves too if you'd used it.

Not every game can be played to win, since they're clearly meant to just fuck with us, but clearly there's some disconnect with you guys... not that you're the only ones. Seems like a lot of shit's been tearing at people recently.

[leaveofabsence]

The problem is not disconnect. I would say it is the opposite.

Everyone on the team has distressingly similar ways of wishing to take the brunt of everything for the sake of others and feel guilt when others are injured. Especially those on the unit.

That means that each loss cuts twice - once for the loss itself. And once for the feeling of failure and helplessness for not being able to protect the people they care about.

[childeishly]

...so self preservation isn't a Heart Soldier thing then, huh? [ so much to hoping he could convince one of them to turn their losing streak around, sobs. ] I doubt there's any unit that doesn't feel some kind of helplessness when seeing one of their own get tortured in front of them, but instead of splitting that 8 different ways why not take turns? I know that might not always be possible, but... I'm really not sure what else to tell you. I'm sure everybody's got their reasons for wanting to be the martyr, so you could start there and ask why I guess.

[leaveofabsence]

Yes. I suppose that is as good a place to start as any. I will take your words under advisement.

[childeishly]

...good luck, Xiansheng. [ reaches for his hand, albeit a bit hesitantly. ]

[leaveofabsence]

[ His fingers flex when he feels Childe's glove brush against him, but then they curl around his without hesitation.

His expression lightens. ]

I should apologize for troubling you with this, but yet these troubles feel lighter being able to talk about them.

[childeishly]

It's not good to keep this sort of stuff to yourself. [ squeezes his hand and takes a step closer. ] ...so if you ever need somebody to talk to, even just to listen, because I can't say with certainty that my advice is any sort of good, but... I'm here for you.

[leaveofabsence]

Of course I know that, Caeli.

You've always indulged me and my stories. Why should this be any different?

[childeishly]

Because you're the one hurting as a direct result of this bullshit. I guess I'm just worried you're going to try to be a stone wall holding up everything your own... [ especially since your team looks like it's kind of a mess x: ]

1/2

[leaveofabsence]

In my defense, that was exactly my function for many thousands of years.

[leaveofabsence]

Ah, though I never held it up by myself. No one person ever could and hope to succeed.

I suppose I am just not used to navigating these spaces without proper contracts in place. Or from a human's perspective.

[childeishly]

...exactly. It’s not like you’re Morax anymore. You’re Zhongli. And while you can make contracts or even promises there’s not much you can do beyond trust the other party to keep them. [ little do they know!!! ]

[leaveofabsence]

[ Little do they know!!! ]

Ah yes... contracts.

That power belongs to another unit.

[ Is there just a touch of jealous in his voice? Maybe... ]

[childeishly]

[ jealous zhongli is cute. ]

I doubt anybody would want to cross you when it comes to contracts anyway, Xiansheng, so you probably have nothing to worry about.

[leaveofabsence]

That is not the issue. I do not worry that they would be able to outmaneuver me in my own domain.

My concern is that they will not uphold fairness while enacting them.

[childeishly]

Humans aren’t like gods... they’re always looking to screw each other over, so yeah... of course. Five mentioned that it does require a somewhat balanced exchange of goods, but what’s written can obviously be lopsided to one party. [ if he’s not already holding his hand he’s going to reach for it, take it, and squeeze. ]

[leaveofabsence]

[ Then enjoy that hand slowly clenching into a fist until Zhongli exhales deeply, forcing the tension out of his body. ]

You were in no state of mind to be signing a contract, even if the conclusion we reached in the end was a favorable one.

[childeishly]

I’m glad you found me, Xiansheng. [ curls his tail around zhongli’s waist. ] ...always keeping me out of trouble.

[leaveofabsence]

[ He glances over at Childe at that statement, but quickly looks away to pet at the fur around his waist. ]

We were tethered together. There were not many places for you to go that I would not notice.

[childeishly]

Hah, true, but still... [ enters the restaurant and swipes a menu to take to the table, since no one is there to bring them one. ] I feel like I owe you for all the trouble I caused.