Imeeji: IC Continuations

[leaveofabsence]

Includes:

Day 415: Monster Bingo

Comments

[outofoffice]

Do you know where you're going, Morax?

[leaveofabsence]

Yes. Somewhere private.

[outofoffice]

[ Glancing around them a few times.

Like.

]

. . . Okay.

[leaveofabsence]

[ He continues a few steps.

Stops.

Looks around.




And then turns back to head toward the hotel again. ]

[outofoffice]

. . .



[ Trembling in Zhongli's arms with what are, evidently, barely-suppressed giggles. ]

[leaveofabsence]

[ EVENTUALLY.





They will make it to the elevator and on their way to Heart Soldier. ]

[outofoffice]

[ Venti's mirth does not subside, even after the giggles do. ]

Am I that distracting, Mr. Zhongli?

[leaveofabsence]

Your song...

[ Said kind of listlessly as he shuts the door behind him and heads for the hallway to his room. ]

It was unlike the other siren song I heard earlier today.

It was very---

Relaxing. Peaceful.

[outofoffice]

Well, naturally!

[ Reaching up to ruffle Zhongli's bangs as they cross into his room. ]

Is there any question I would be the greatest siren, too?

[leaveofabsence]

[ He just looks at Venti a little cross-eyed as his bangs are ruffled. ]

A siren does not perform for others. They perform for themselves.

That is not what you do.

[outofoffice]

[ Sir . . . ]

That's surprisingly philosophical of you.

[leaveofabsence]

[ One eyebrow raises ]

Surprisingly?

[ Said oh so nonchalantly as he traverses past his room to another doorway leading to a luxurious open bath that is---

Well.

Something that the god of wealth might own.

With an abundance of lush flowers and greenery. ]

[outofoffice]

[ Gawking quite rudely ]

This is your bathroom?!

[leaveofabsence]

. . .

Is it not too your liking?

[outofoffice]

No, no, it's fine, it's just--

. . . So big and fancy . . .

[leaveofabsence]

But of course.

[ And he sets Venti down at the edge of the tub next to some tall growing stalks of bamboo. ]

There is no reason to not take advantage of the comforts the producers offer us.

... Have you not upgraded your room?

[outofoffice]

[ Draping himself over the edge of the tub in a way that suggests he plans to make himself at home no matter how fancy it is. ]

No? I've never really thought about it at all . . .

[ Well.


Except for the one thing. ]

[leaveofabsence]

[ Zhongli starts stripping and neatly folding his clothes to set on the vanity until he is in nothing but a thin silk inner robe meant for bathing. He then joins Venti at the edge of the tub, dipping his feet into the warm water. ]

To be honest, I never thought much of it myself. This was a gift as was my room.

But it is relaxing, and so I can only recommend that you treat yourself to something as equally soothing to you.

[outofoffice]

[ Oh, good. Then he's going to shift in the water to rest his head against a silk-clad thigh. ]

I guess . . .

I've never had a "place" before though, so I don't even know where I would begin.

[leaveofabsence]

[ He reaches over to stroke his fingers through Venti's hair ]

What kind of places bring you comfort?

You do not have to think of it as owning something. Just as a place for you.

[outofoffice]

[ Closing his eyes with a satisfied sigh ]

And if it's people rather than places?

[leaveofabsence]

You do not have to limit yourself to either one or the other. You can find comfort in both.

[outofoffice]

Hehe . . . that's fair. I never thought about it like that.

[ He climbs out of the water (a touch reluctantly) because being in Zhongli's lap feels more appealing ]

[leaveofabsence]

[ He raises an eyebrow but says nothing as Venti deposits himself in his lap. Doesn't a siren want to be near the water?

And without further discussion, he simply slips forward so that both of them are at least waist deep in the bath. ]

I find that hard to imagine.

[outofoffice]

[ Descending back into the water does earn a pleased trill from somewhere in his chest, but from the arms that wrap around Zhongli's neck, it seems being close it still the #1 priority. ]

I'm full of mysteries, you know!

Shall I sing for you~?