tabularasa_rp

[That... does make him pause. Because it's not immediately obvious what Zhongli is talking about, and also, Venti's already downed yet another glass of wine, so that's not helping. Give him a moment to rub his last two sober brain cells together.]

Ohhh... did the Rite of Descension happen already? I guess that would put you in the clear for quite awhile. [that's definitely what he means, right?? it's not like he'd fake his own death or anything crazy like that haha.]

... Oh! That's right! There was an outlander who wanted to speak with you. Were you able to meet them?

Edited 2020-12-28 03:59 (UTC)

[ No mention of the Rite of Parting. So he really doesn't know... ah well. Zhongli finds that he doesn't quite care. He can bring it up when Venti isn't completely drunk. Plus, the Anemo Archon just mentioned something unexpected ]

You are the first person I have met in this place. Did you introduce me to them already?

[ Certainly Venti's social routine would include flexing on Morax with his (fictional) pranks. ]

Here? No, no, I was talking about— oh, but I guess everyone here would be an outlander, wouldn't they? Does that mean we're also outlanders now? Man, that's going to be confusing...

[he takes this moment to refill his glass again. right, back on topic—]

There was an outlander in Mondstadt recently. Surely a great historian such as yourself keeps up with recent news as well? [Like, y'know, the rampaging dragon that was tormenting the city until recently? The one that looked suspiciously like Venti's good pal Dvalin? Surely the people of Liyue have at least been complaining about all the storms rolling over from their rowdy neighbours as of late??]

Just when all hope had seemed lost, a courageous hero appeared from a faraway land to save both the nation and dragon with a gracious hand. A strange and purifying power, they held; and by their blade was the abyssal fiend felled.

Blonde hair, about yea long— [and a bunch of other details that vary, so.] They're always with this annoying little pixie named Paimon. Can't miss 'em!

Unless you did miss them... oh well, I'm sure they'll figure something out! [not his problem lol]

[ Zhongli closes his eyes. ]

Ah, you mean that outlander. Yes, I have met them. I spent some time with them as well.

[ The Traveler was infinitely useful as a pawn, and seemed to have made many friends along the way - even enamored themselves to Tartaglia, which would keep the Fatui Harbinger off Zhongli's back for a while. Really useful. ]

I could not answer their question, but they did not find the journey to be fruitless.

[ There are some things that he can't divulge, though he is personally invested in the Traveler's tales... for when the mountains themselves crumble to dust, the truth of history would only be preserved in the minds of an outlander from another world. ]

Oh! That's good! [he didn't fuck up the timing, hooray!!! Venti can now say he was useful one (1) time before immediately going back to goofing off.]

That'd make two of us, unfortunately. But still, I'm glad! I'm sure they'll have even more great stories to tell when we next meet. [so many cool adventures to turn into epic ballads...!]

Ah, there was one other thing I wanted to ask you about... you haven't heard anything from the Tsaritsa recently, have you? I'm sure the traveller would've told you already, but...

[... he's not sure how much it matters here, but Zhongli should probably know about what happened to his gnosis.]

[ That.

Zhongli sighs. It's a very obvious, resigned, tired sigh. ]

... would you want me to do anything about that?

[ The Archons are not to interfere with each other unless permission was granted. The Tsaritsa certainly didn't ask Venti for his Gnosis at all, a completely different situation from when she was cordial enough to exchange something for Zhongli's. He definitely didn't agree with that particular decision, but she had told him it was for a greater cause. Damned if he doesn't buy into it, and damned if he does.

There's no easy way out for the Seven, who control the entire world yet are still under the yoke of Celestia. A forced contract isn't a fair contract at all, just as how humanity would never experience true freedom when Celestia's machinations still trap them to a low level of technological advancement.

There's nothing Zhongli can do about Venti's Gnosis, is the long and short of it. But he asks anyway, as some sort of consolation - he does care. ]

Well, that'd be a little hard to accomplish while we're here, don't you think? [Ignoring all the other problems with that suggestion—really, he's touched, even if the offer might be an empty one.]

It's fine, I wasn't really using it anyway. Though I can't say I agree with her methods... [Whether her plan will turn out to be good or bad for the world, only time will tell. For now, he's willing to put his faith in the traveller to see that the nations of Teyvat aren't left in too much chaos. Celestia is no longer any of his concern.]

I just hope you weren't blindsided like I was. We hadn't spoken in a long time, but I didn't expect her to go that far. And then I realized I hadn't spoken to you in a long time, either...

[If the Tsaritsa would treat him like an enemy, who's to say Morax wouldn't do the same after a thousand years?

Of course, that's a moot point now. If it weren't for all the drinking, he probably wouldn't have brought it up at all... but it's been weighing on his mind, all this time. That the world might keep changing like this every time he closes his eyes. His oldest friends might become his enemies, just like Dvalin nearly did.

He laughs lightly, slouching against the counter.] Ah, whatever! We'll just have to make up for all that lost time! Tonight, drinks are on me!

[assuming Zhongli doesn't already know they're free but w/e FREE DRINKS who cares about the reason]

Edited (wait shit i already made that joke) 2020-12-29 07:43 (UTC)

[ Where did Venti go for the past couple hundred years? He knew that if he asked that question, he would likely receive a non-answer. Barbatos did not seek out the seat of Archon out of a desire for power, he was merely there to receive Decarabian's death throes and prevent old Mondstat from being blown to pieces. This, he can understand.

Perhaps there was no other choice. Fate is rarely so kind as to provide a perfect solution. ]

I never forget. [ He pretends to straighten his tie. ] I would not go as far as to disrespect you.

[ Even if the wind never alighted at his side again, he could still look back on the times that they spent together, no matter how brief they were. On the nights where the full moon shone down on Liyue Harbour and painted the city with its pure yet melancholic light, Zhongli would stand at the peak of Mount Tianheng and go through his memories one by one.

It's been too long. Even for those with a lifespan as long as theirs. Zhongli smiles. ]

One drink a minute. You promised.

Edited 2020-12-29 23:50 (UTC)

Aha, but I couldn't drink earlier when I was singing, could I? So that means I deserve a few extra drinks now to compensate! [they gotta reach an average of one drink per minute, right?? that's definitely how this works.

(but he's still none too eager to risk it, lest he suffer the wrath of the rock...)]

If you keep taking tiny sips like that, we'll be here all night! Imagine what a shame it would be to leave this bottle unfinished.

[ What a shame it would be if he drank too slowly and Venti took the whole bottle from him. Truly, they are back to playing their old game of trying to outsmart each other, and Zhongli is unfortunately not as fast on the uptake as the Anemo Archon. ]

Well... I suppose I can allow it this one time.

[ Venti's special old friend privilege. Zhongli contemplates his glass again. ]

If I do not finish it, you will.

[ Is there a tinge of resignation in his voice? The moment passes too fast for Venti to dwell on it, but at least Zhongli has downed half the glass this time. ]

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