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[leaveofabsence]

[ The default voicemail message greets you. ]

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[leaveofabsence]

You're being quite thoughtful, for starters.

[ He says, carding his fingers through Venti's bangs so to not mess up the braids ]

Looking after my well-being when it was your unit who faced death both during the last game and from the guest stars.

[outofoffice]

Hmmm . . .

[ Tilting his head to the side a bit, into those movements ]

And yet no harm came to me. I wonder why that is?

[leaveofabsence]

Because that man is a coward.

[outofoffice]

[ Chuckling a bit ]

Well, I certainly don't disagree.

But after witnessing what we did, I'm grateful you didn't fight him.

[leaveofabsence]

I suppose in the end he was taken down. But at too high a price.

Ah, but that is not what I want to dwell on today, Barbatos. The fact of the matter is your unit also "died" in that strange mystery game as well, yes?

[outofoffice]

I guess . . . what's that got to do with anything, though?

[leaveofabsence]

I thought I was being obvious.

Your unit and you yourself have been through much in such a short time. I am simply worried about you.

Did you think I would not notice how you put others before yourself when you are stressed?

[outofoffice]

Oh.

[ There's a long pause where Venti merely stares up at him, wordless. ​]




Are you sure you're really Morax?

1/3

[leaveofabsence]

. . .

[leaveofabsence]

Is it so hard to believe that my words are sincere?

[leaveofabsence]

And no, I am no longer Morax. Nor am I Rex Lapis. I am Zhongli now. Normal mortal Zhongli.

[outofoffice]

[ There's a small frown, almost imperceptible. Except Zhongli knows him better than that. ]

Is that the name you would prefer I use?

[leaveofabsence]

For you? No. You may call me as you like.

But it would be remiss for me to say I am the same person that I was back then. Even mountains must bend to the elements over time.

[outofoffice]

Ehe . . . you're starting to sound your age.

Should I be the one who's worried?

[leaveofabsence]

I am fine. There is no need for you to worry about me more than anyone else who is here.

Would you like me to do the same?

[outofoffice]

Heeeeh . . .

Oh dear. It seems I may be far too selfish to say yes.

[ NOTICE HIM MORAX ]

[leaveofabsence]

Then I will simply learn to overcome your inclination to avoid being worried over.

May I see your wings?

[outofoffice]

You're full of non-sequiturs today, aren't you?

[ He shifts a bit and flutters his wings.

Helpfully(?) ]

[leaveofabsence]

[ He only hums noncommittedly in return - running his fingers lightly against the base of the wing that was injured. ]

[outofoffice]

[ The wing itself is completely healed, all the underlying bones and flesh moving exactly as expected.

Though that aside, many of the feathers are still bent, twisted, or broken off altogether.

Also he doesn't turn pink at all because why would he, shut up. ]

[leaveofabsence]

[ Can one smooth and straighten out bent feathers because by Celestia, he's at least going to try and attempt so.

While being completely oblivious to Venti's plight, of course. ]

[outofoffice]

[ It probably helps . . . a little? Though it still looks quite sad.

Zhongli tried.

And beneath his fingers, the owner of the wing starts giggling. ]

[leaveofabsence]

[ Just.

Sighs. ]

Do feathers even grow back?

[outofoffice]

[ Laughing outright.

What right does the god of contracts have to be this cute? ]

They do, eventually. It might take a while though.

Still, in the meantime, that preening will certainly help it look better ♪

[leaveofabsence]

[ Still preening. Uselessly.

And then moves to manhandling the wings and folding them this way and that to see how it looks from various angles ]

Then I will continue to do so until their return.