Imeeji Inbox

[leaveofabsence]

[ The default voicemail message greets you. ]

Comments

[leaveofabsence]

[ Tokyo is hell.

Though there is a slight smile as Venti catches the wisp on one finger. ]

Hopefully the trees are as comfortable as back in Mondstadt.

[outofoffice]

Oh! About that -- you can't comfortably sleep in a tree, can you?

[leaveofabsence]

I'll bring pillows and blankets from elsewhere. It matters not if it is here or anywhere else.

[outofoffice]

You sure have gotten adaptable in your old age.

[leaveofabsence]

These are extraordinary circumstances.

Do not get too used to it.

[outofoffice]

Oh . . . ? What circumstances are those?

Unless you're suggesting I need a near-death experience any time I want you to nap in a tree with me.

[leaveofabsence]

I would rather not make a habit of that.

But I am sorry --- that you had to experience such a thing. Even after all of your precautions.

[outofoffice]

It is Hell, after all. How unfortunate that we've both experienced much worse.

Still -- I owe you one.

[leaveofabsence]

[ His eyes flicker again to the still injured wing. ]

You owe me nothing.

We have been allies for far too long to keep score of the individual battles.

[outofoffice]

[ Just smiling to himself for a moment ]

Hehe . . . if you insist.

[leaveofabsence]

Of course I insist. And by your concession, I also know that I am correct.

[outofoffice]

I simply know better than to argue with the god of commerce and contracts on the topic of debts.

[leaveofabsence]

Another different concession.

[ And he places his both hands on Venti's waist. ]

Shall I give you a lift?

[outofoffice]

--Eh??

[ STAY COOL, BARBATOS ]

What's this? Such stellar service!

[leaveofabsence]

But of course. Liyue hospitality is unmatched, after all.

[outofoffice]

[ Shoulder angel (Diluc) and shoulder devil (Kaeya) wage a war in his head for a moment.

Then he leeeeans back a little into that contact. ]

Well then, by all means~~

[leaveofabsence]

[ Zhongli just nods in affirmation before lifting Venti high into the air.

Even if he is not quite a wind spirit anymore, it's easy to get him over his shoulders and near the lower branches. ]

[outofoffice]

[ He manages to grab hold and hoist himself up onto the branch easily -- suggesting a certain prowess at tree climbing, even without the cheating wind powers.

He then scoots aside, fully expecting Zhongli to follow. ]

[leaveofabsence]

[ Oh.

He glances up.

Then back at the door. ]

Are you sure?

I have not yet prepared anything. I do not wish to be a bad host.

[outofoffice]

I didn't come here for things, you oaf. I came here for you.

[leaveofabsence]

And you will always have me.

But the past few days have been particularly... unkind to you. I would like to make sure you are comfortable.

[outofoffice]

[ Huffs a bit, more fond than exasperated. ]

Oh, fine. Then I'm willing to part with you for exactly ten minutes, but no more than that.

[leaveofabsence]

No one can make tea worth drinking in ten minutes.

[outofoffice]

[ Slumps against the trunk of the tree in defeat ]

Morax . . .

[leaveofabsence]

Very well.

[ And he climbs the tree with significantly less grace because he used to just kinda--- float everywhere. When he wanted to.

Like you do. ]

After then.

[ And he scoots his way to sit next to Venti. ]