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[leaveofabsence]

[ The default voicemail message greets you. ]

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[leaveofabsence]

If there is ever a danger that it would break and you are able to, would you let me know so that I may be there?

[childeishly]

[ nods. ] If I'm able.

But... Xiansheng... [ sighs, combing his fingers through his hair and taking out his phone as fingers catch the edge of his mask. ] Here. [ he offers the phone and the entire golden house scene plays out, from when the traveler walks in up until childe summons osial and fucks off as a water sphere. i'm at work so i'll write this up later. ]

I think you'll be dealing with something like this.

[leaveofabsence]

[ Zhongli watches the memory with a blank expression. After all, this is what he wanted when he made the deal with the Tsaritsa in the first place. And Childe had performed his part admirably. What a stunning performance.

And yet--- ]

That power.

It comes from the Abyss.

[childeishly]

It absolutely does.

[leaveofabsence]

Childe. . .

You must know that the price is not worth it. Even for the power it grants you.

[childeishly]

...that had been for me to decide. [ and dying had been the other option, so. ]

[leaveofabsence]

. . .

Then know if you change into that form involuntary or not with the intent to harm others, I will subdue you.

[childeishly]

...you might regret not killing me.

[leaveofabsence]

That is but one extreme method of subduing someone. And one I will invoke if it becomes necessary.

I take it this means I have your blessing.

[childeishly]

Make a contract with me.

[leaveofabsence]

I---

Childe. I no longer have the power of contracts here. Not as the god of contracts nor as just an adepti. Those powers have been stripped from me.

All I can offer you is my word.

[childeishly]

Is that not what a contract is, Xiansheng, at least among humans... a promise.

[leaveofabsence]

. . . Then what would you have me promise?

[childeishly]

...that if this mask should break that you'll do right by me. I'll leave it to you to decide what, exactly, that means in any given circumstance. I... trust your judgement, Xiansheng. [ but his concerns don't lay in how other people could/would become casualties. sorrynotsorry. ] It seemed like my deteriorating mental health caused the mask to crack, but the cracking of the mask, in turn, seemed to further agitate my mental health... and endless and very detrimental cycle, no, so...

[leaveofabsence]

[ Zhongli takes Childe's face in his hands again. Tips his head back so that they can look at each other eye to eye. ]

Then I promise to do right by you. I will not allow you to suffer, Childe. Nor will I allow you to hurt those that you care about.

On my word and my honor as your friend, Zhongli.

[childeishly]

...h- hah. Now doesn't that seem like something impossible, Xiansheng, because if you're the one trying to stop me, then I may end hurting you, and there's nobody here I care more about. [ leans into his hand and closes his eyes, smiling. ]

[leaveofabsence]

Then perhaps you're looking for a simpler promise.

A promise to stop you should you lose yourself.

[childeishly]

No, I just found it funny that you added that stipulation... I said nothing about anybody else.

[leaveofabsence]

Childe...

I have seen how you interact with your coworkers at the Northland Bank. And with members of your unit.

While I do not doubt you would do anything to achieve your personal goals, I also do not believe you would purposefully endanger any of them recklessly.

Didn't that memory say just as much?

[childeishly]

[ don’t call him out like that. ] ...it’s just going to make it harder for you to keep, is all. [ looks aside, ruffling his own hair. ]

[leaveofabsence]

I have never made a contract based on how easy it was to fulfill. And I have no intention of doing so with promises either.

[childeishly]

...it's more about me hurting you in some capacity. I guess that's inevitable though, especially if you're going to attempt to keep me in line. [ sighs. ] But thank you, Xiansheng... and try not to go overboard. I won't forgive myself if I hurt you too much.

[leaveofabsence]

It would be in violation of the contract if I were to be grievously injured in the process. So do not worry. I will also keep this is mind.

[childeishly]

[ gives him a lopsided smile and offers a pinky. ] Alright, Xiansheng, let’s seal the deal.

[leaveofabsence]

Not quite yet. We have not discussed your end of the contract.