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[leaveofabsence]

[ The default voicemail message greets you. ]

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[leaveofabsence]

Perhaps another time.

I do not wish to distract you when you clearly have put so much thought into this.

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Ehe ♪ Does that mean you have time to listen?

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Of course I do. I would have shooed you out otherwise.

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Wonderful! In that case, we have an audience of eight.

[ He plucks the flute from his hip and gently lifts the cloth off the object.

It's a large, deep, brown-and-gold pot, with seven live glaze lilies curving their way out of the soil. The blossoms are all closed, of course. ]

[leaveofabsence]

[ Hey.

Hey.




Are you allowed to just come into his house and murder him like this?

Give a guy a little warning. ]

Barbatos. . .

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[ He just smiles a bit, and plays.

The performance lacks much of his usual energy, perhaps for more reasons than the subdued tune. But it's as ethereally skilled as it always is, each note perfect and lingering.

And slowly but surely, the glaze lilies begin to open their flowers to the familiar sound. ]

[leaveofabsence]

[ For Zhongli, connoisseur of the arts that he claims to be, perhaps it is because the piece is not played with Barbatos's usual jubilance that it makes the music that much more meaningful. That he would reveal a shred of vulnerability so brazenly to Zhongli for no more reason than to come cheer up his dear friend.

He does his best not to call attention to it.

Just as he hopes Barbatos will not comment on how misty Zhongli's eyes get as the performance continues. Brushing back a lock of hair back suspiciously close to his temple as the first glaze lily begins to unfurl.




Ah.

How he had missed Barbatos for those long years when he slumbered.

How he had missed this. ]

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[ Even if Zhongli is getting misty, he would never be so rude as to point it out. Not under these specific circumstances, anyway.

He doesn't stop playing until all seven glaze lilies have opened, glistening gently on the pot. Once they do, he allows to final note to linger before lowering the flute. ]

How fortunate. They're as kind an audience as I remember.

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[ Once the song is complete, Zhongli's arms move to wrap around Venti's waist from behind as he rests his chin atop of his head. ]

Unbelievable.

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[ He leans back into Zhongli's hold, tilting his head up a little like he could somehow see his face in this position.

(He cannot) ]

Eh? What's unbelievable?

[leaveofabsence]

You. Who else?

How did you even find unbloomed glaze lilies?

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Ehehe . . . you can buy them in the store!

It only seemed right for you to have some.

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[ He leans down to kiss the top of his head. ]

Thank you, Barbatos.

That was very kind of you. I will endeavor to take good care of them.

1/2

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[ oh ]

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Well, if you ever need help making them bloom again, you know who to call! ☆

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Of course.

I am surprised that you chose the Dihua flute first though. Instead of your lyre.

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You know how very fond I am of the lyre.

But still, even I can concede that some melodies are best played on their native instruments.

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Yes. It can be comforting - that kind of permanence and tradition - in the face of all that is new and unfamiliar all around us.

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Hmm . . . with talk like that, I have to wonder if you're feeling out of place these days?

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. . .

I must admit I feel a little of my age when surrounded by the young enthusiasm of my unitmates trying to shoulder the responsibilities of the world.

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Some humans have a tendency to do so, no matter where they are.

[ Jean and Diluc come to mind immediately.... ]

But I'm sure you'll do what you can to guide them, as you always do.

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[ Only because it's Barbatos... ]

I'm supposed to be retired.

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I know a workaholic when I see one!

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[ HARRUMPHS ]

It's unfortunate how well you know me.

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Ehehe ♥

It's nice, though, isn't it? Just a hint of familiarity in this sea of uncertainty.