leaveofabsence | Imeeji Inbox

[ The coffee at least better than average (at least to Liyuen tastes). Zhongli is too much of a food snob for it not too be. ]

Ah, I did not mean to come across so formally. Old habits are hard to break.

[ And he'll sit as well, picking up one of the donuts the Five has brought. ]

I suppose a part of me also wanted to make a good impression. Childe is very fond of you, and I am very grateful for all that you have done to help him through his troubles. Past, present and future.

[ He does seem surprised that the coffee is decent, but hey, that's good for him. And since Zhongli is going for the donut, he'll try the crisps ]

Well, I am just as grateful for how much you've done for him and how much you mean to him. He's always talking highly of you, and it's obvious meeting you was sort of a turning point for him. I suspect he'd get embarrassed if he knew I'm mentioning it to you, but I get the feeling he's been lonely before meeting you. Part of why he was hiding his identity here is to start fresh, so. That makes sense.

Back in Teyvat, Childe aligns himself with the Fatui, who are not well received in some areas of the world. Even with his charisma, it can be a difficult predisposition to overcome. That along with his title and own reputation -- well, for some it is much simpler to be wary of him than anything else.

[ Also partially Zhongli's fault since he scapegoated him in Liyue, but... ]

But yes, I do believe that he's not had many close confidents since before coming here.

So you can imagine my joy seeing him surrounded by people who so genuinely value his company during that last game. You, Master Alexander, Black. Even Amos is fond of him though she sometimes expresses it in her own way.

And he seems to be getting along with his unitmates too, so. Maybe it really is a good time to start over for him. At least while he's here.

With that said.

Admittedly this is a little awkward and I don't really know what is there to discuss, so. Mind if I let you start?

Childe told me you offered to help him with his Abyssal taint. Or at least temper it in such a way that it will not claim him at such a young age.

I do not know what magics or powers exist in your world, but I do know much of Teyvat and by extension the Abyss. Perhaps more than most living beings there today.

So I am offering my knowledge and services to help you in whatever way I can to achieve that goal.

[ wait ]

[ what ?? ]

[ he looks very surprised by the direction the conversation is going, but he's going to try to hide it by eating a donut and sipping on coffee, and then just clearing his throat.

So that's what he was talking about. That makes so much more sense. ]

Right. Your knowledge would help coming up with a more viable solution, the only thing I could think so far is stopping time for him the same way I accidentally did for myself.

[ Five!????

Where did you think this conversation was going?

But filing that away to address later. ]

Stopping time could be part of the solution as it would protect his body. Though I fear that would not keep his mind from deteriorating. And I can think of fewer scenarios less pleasant them him wandering the lands mad for an eternity.

[ it's fine no one needs to know where he thought it was going. it's all good. IT'S FINE ]

—I was not aware that his mind was at risk as well. He didn't mention it.

It could very well be that he is not aware. The destruction of his body would happen well before then.

But if you were to grant him longevity, then he most likely would be susceptible to erosion - as are all of the long-lived beings of Teyvat. The loss of most of one's memories. Their humanity. Only the strongest feelings and thoughts associated with them would remain.

That does complicate things. My proposed solution would indeed only stop time flowing for his body, so the likelihood of him wandering mad until he's killed is, well. High.

Are there ways to reduce or stop this corrosion?

Erosion is slightly different for each individual being. But the biggest safeguards would be to keep him well connected to his humanity - through loved ones or through a sense of duty or purpose.

And keeping him away from those beings that have already succumbed to the darkness. And definitely away from the Abyss itself.

There have been a few cases of humans granting longevity - sometimes intentionally and sometimes through a curse - though they are few and far between. I can research such matters further.

That would help. I'll ask for Alexander's assistance as well - though he already offered it.

I'm not going to let him die or go crazy.

Thank you. Truly.

I am glad that he has lovers that he can rely on.

We're not—

[ he can't say they're not lovers after all the confessions. And everything that happened ]

... Well Alexande is not his lover.

No?

They are sometimes very physically affectionate with each other in public, so I had assumed---

Well they both enjoy flirting and they're kinda touchy, but as far as I'm aware that's the extent of it. I'm sure they would both tell me if there was anything more.

I see. Thank you for correcting me. I might have said something awkward in mixed company.

But my thanks to Master Alexander all the same for agreeing to help Childe. The both of you are very generous.

We both enjoy taking on far more work than we can possibly handle.

I feel like you might share that trait.

I suppose I could argue that I have much less responsibility here than in my previous occupation.

[ Then a bit of a helpless shrug ]

But I shall concede to that point.

Must be Tartaglia's type.

In any case. How good are you at math? I can share with you the equation I used to go back in time, error and all, and a modified version that should only affect Tartaglia's body.

You won't be able to do anything with if if you can't manipulate time and space, but it's a start. The way my powers work is tied to those sort of calculations. Doing anything on the mind is out of the question because even if I could, it'd make things worse, but you may be able to come up with something that works in combination of it.

You've mentioned memories and strong ties with his humanity will help. It stands to reason that he will need to, well, not be alone. If he becomes unable to age he'll inevitably see his family die, and that's not going to make things any easier on him. So he needs a robust support system of people who will likewise be able to stay alive for that long.

[ Math... He's a visual learner. Not even book smart. Only remembers things if he lives through them. ]

Engineering is not my forte, but I do have ample free time here that could be spent polishing my understanding of the subject. As for manipulating time and space--- the God of Time has been missing for centuries now nor have I heard of any of their disciples surviving. But the ability to create spatial distortions is not so rare. I have an old friend back in Liyue who conjures dimensional teapots as a past time.

Curious. If this is successful, what do you estimate Tartaglia's lifespan to become?

Potentially, there's no limit to it. This process stops deterioration and growth on a cellular level - he would simply not grow old. If what is affecting him will get worse with time, that would stop him as he would remain as he is right now.

But that doesn't mean he'd be immortal, he could be killed.

I see. So it would keep his life force from being consumed by unnatural methods.

Yes, that does help my understanding. As for making sure he is well connected, I assume you will attempt to visit in some capacity since you also have a fairly long lifespan. I shall also keep him company. He could take comfort in the fact that being together would probably slow down both of our erosions.

That provides him with a solid foundation, and he can start looking for other connections from there, both here and in Teyvat.

... So it's a problem for you as well. I didn't know you had a longer than normal lifespan as well.

Before you put too much stock into this, however. I should warn you that I don't know if this truly would work in your world. This is all based on the assumption that my powers would work in any other - and that even if he were to visit my world for me to stop time for his, it would stay in place.

That's not guaranteed.

So I'd like to still devise a few other potential plans.

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