[ hello!!! out in the gazebo area, zhongli can find taair, who is no longer sexy, sitting in the grass. he's got a big red book open in his lap, and appears to be writing something down in it, lifting his head every now and then to just inhale and enjoy his surroundings, and then resume writing.
and!! if he doesn't immediately come run over, he might hear him murmuring quietly to.... someone? something? loud enough to be heard, though. ]
This is very nice, isn't it? It was beginning to feel as claustrophobic as before, but - it's already gotten a bit better, hasn't it, my friend...?
[ it's so funny to look at his full art because his shoulders look deceptively big due to all his fabric and shit. then you look down and see how scrawny he is. love you taair.
zhongli is also, gladly, no longer sexy. he has his gift box under his arm, polearm carried in his other hand with the point down, a leisurely stroll taking him through the gazebo area. but he pauses and perks at the voice, following it and... oh.
[ what better way to get a high vantage point over the place where charlie was found dead than to go up to the lighthouse observatory?
as zhongli ascends the steps, he pauses when he notices that there's someone else there - his grip flexes on his polearm, more tightly held than it has been the entire rest of the week - before it relaxes, just so, upon seeing that it's taair rather than someone else. ]
Taair, my friend. You're alright. [ physically, at least. there's a touch of quiet relief, behind the furrow of his brow and the tightness in his jaw. ]
[ taair's out here indeed! he's leaning on the railing of the lighthouse, looking out at the water and the beach below - so completely lost in thought he didn't even realize zhongli came until he said something.
he looks back, and manages a soft, half smile even in the circumstances. ]
...yes. [ yes, he's alright. ] Though I wish that I could say the same for all of our dear friends.
I'm struggling to wrap my head around the events that could have occurred.
[ a sigh through his nose is his only answer, at first, as he comes to stand close to him. his eyes scan across the horizon, before sweeping down, down, trying to get a look at the beach for anything they must have missed. ]
... as do I. As am I. [ with a deep breath to follow his sigh. ] Even starting at the beginning, I don't recall how we fell asleep. How could we have slept through anything happening on the beach?
[ i lied about the void, taair is actually... in the garden! he's sitting on a blanket, looking up at the stars.
also there's a seagull in his lap. please don't ask. or do. it's chillin. he looks up when he hears zhongli, though, and gives him a soft, tired smile. ]
It's restorative, to sit out here. Isn't it? Hello, Zhongli.
[ he doesn't seem to outright question this, and instead comes to join him. it's nice - that the two of them can simply be taair and zhongli, rather than any other names, whether he knows it or not. so he folds gracefully down, chin lifting to look up at the stars himself. ]
It is. With the blanket of unfamiliar stars, the fresh air, the serenity... one could almost forget, as it washes over you. [ but only almost. ]
[ he says with a bit of a wry smile, looking down at the seagull - it lifts its head briefly to regard zhongli and then decides this is acceptable, laying back down. ]
...I'd have to agree. [ you could almost forget. almost. ] Though perhaps that is merely the whirlwind of events that led to this point that makes it feel so far away. As if it occurred minutes ago, and hours ago.
[ i don't know what you expect out of taair because he is, of course, in the library. actaully, he is standing on his tippy tip tip toes, struggling to reach a book - balanced out only by a pair of fluffy blue wings on his back spread to their maximum wingspan, as he is trying very hard to reach a book on a very high shelf.
he's in a section that appears to be full of history books! there's also a cart parked next to where he is standing, and it is stacked with books, and zhongli might hear a sound - ]
♪
[ a single, very excited bird cheep. ]
Edited (the mods let me do something cute) 2025-02-17 20:28 (UTC)
Taair? [ as he comes in and spots what he's doing, he does try to gently announce himself without startling him, considering he's clearly in his own world at the moment. but this is such a wonderful place to be in one's own world - zhongli takes in the books upon books, stacked within the veritable ribcage that the shelves make of the library.
so much knowledge, all in one place. all for them to enjoy. his long dragon tail gives a content flick. ] I feel that we'll find you here every single day for the next seven weeks.
[ he one hundred percent realizes that he made a cheep noise and has a hand now over his mouth, but the unbridled joy on his face is unmatched. taair turns towards zhongli, and his eyes are practically sparkling.
as slowly... slowly.. he pulls his hand away.... ]
...I think that may be an understatement. [ AAAAAH ] I barely know where to start! Good day, Zhongli...!
[ coming to find him, on whatever flat surface in the mansion he's set himself up on. he's got a stack of books underneath one arm, and is bringing a tray with... a tea set on it, looks like, seeking taair out. his tail lashes behind him every now and then, more scales visible than they have been all week - even when he spots him. ]
Taair... I brought some tea and books for you, my friend, for while you're recovering. How are you fairing?
taair is sitting somewhere, staring out of a window - he doesn't really notice zhongli until he speaks up, and when he does, he manages a soft smile. ]
Ah... my friend, I appreciate you. [ weh. happy. ] I'm faring just fine. Our doctors are quite skilled.
[ he can't help with healing of the body, so he'll try to at least help with the mind! ]
That they are. We're fortunate to have them - but I hope that your mind might be fairing just fine, as well. [ he'll set books and then the tray down, carefully lifting the teapot up so that he can serve him a cup. ] What on earth happened..?
[ somehow, it feels as if it was better for them to have caught jing yuan in the final moments of trial last week. having nearly two hours to deliberate, to stew on the emotions, made it so much more... volatile.
zhongli walks, because it helps him think, these days, and it means that he can check on the others. there's little to do when it comes to hawke, but... there are still those, outside of the containment of the church, that might need a listening ear or some company during these times. ]
... Taair. [ as he comes up the steps of the lighthouse, he slows, longer - and no more elvish, pointed still but dark brown - ears twitching. he's all the more draconic after trial, but not enough to no longer appear human. ] Would you terribly mind company, or shall I leave you to your thoughts, my friend?
[ taair is indeed in the lighthouse - up high, high above. enough so that he doesn't even realize, just like before, until he is addressed. he can see that taair is curled up, his chin on his knees, a blanket around his shoulders, and fiddling with something in his hands as he stares out the window.
however, when he's addressed - he turns his head, and despite the tiredness, a warm smile spreads on his face. ]
Oh, Zhongli... [ and he scoots over a bit. ] Come. I would love your company and your thoughts both.
[ zhongli is casing out the meadow, the same as he has the past murders - as if the final resting place can tell them anything, when they're in a frozen state to preserve the scene - looking pensive. a little frustrated, too, if you know where to look in his posture.
but he does at least look up, hearing someone join him. he doesn't seem particularly surprised to see that it's taair, but at least it's a comfort that they didn't lose anyone from their group, big as it was. ]
... I fear that habit has me coming to see if there's any clues of what happened, despite knowing that the angels have preserved the scene.
[ uweh. he reaches out to gently set his hand on zhongli's arm as he comes close - soft, comforting. ]
I don't think that is a bad habit to have. [ said softly. ] If nothing else, perhaps it is a good way to reflect, and prepare for tomorrow's proceedings.
[ ... ]
Things did not stop. But... they did de-escalate. At least a touch.
zhongli makes his way up the steps of the lighthouse, hand skirting the railing as he goes - it's high up, open air, where a bluebird would roost as he reflected on a loved one that he would be forced to only hold in his memories and with little trinkets.
he's brought a coffee cup with him, filled with tea that he brewed himself. but it's not for him. he offers it, instead, into taair's line of sight as he joins him. ]
[ i'm going to drop us directly into memshare so that i can make sure we get everything taken care of. so whether they're in the funhouse or step through a doorway and find themselves there...
well, congrats! you've been chosen for a memory of names for this one! if you want another one later on in the thread or the week i've GOT you. ]
this is such a soft moment, in the midst of all this carnage. there's a lot happening here, a war between gods out of even taair's purview, but the main story beats remain true. as zhongli walks forward and frees this young man, this xiao, from his restraints, from his cage, there's a part of taair that aches with... with longing.
how nice it would be, to have a kind god free him from his own cage. he's not been forced to commit any violence, not yet, but it awaits him, and he has to swallow down the hummingbird of his own heart with each kind word out of the archon's mouth. what a dream, it would be to be free.
it takes him a long time to speak when the memory ends - taair sets his hand on his own heart, touched by zhongli's kindness amidst the chaos, by the scene that plays out before him, and he says, soft: ]
[ we're in a classroom at the academy because taair is a nerd. zhongli is, too, and he's deeply interested in the various diagrams and paperwork, looking for both familiar and unfamiliar magics and arrays. ]
Perhaps the nature of this place has protected it from corruption, as the other stops have been? Though I'm not familiar with the sigils, here... some could still be protective, or perhaps hellish if the Entity truly is a being associated with such a place. [ glancing taair's way, before flipping through some paperwork. ] I can imagine you've spent much time here, haven't you?
Oh, Zhongli, you've no idea! I almost thought I could live here.
[ oh, there is just delight in his voice - he's sitting at a desk too, looking through some papers. ]
I studied the magic of this place so much last week - and now that I've mine returned to me, I am hoping to try to put some of it into practice. There is a sense of what are called Aberrations here - creatures that are certainly unfriendly, so we ought to be careful, but for the most part, it is safe.
I love it here. [ genuinely. ] It's so different from Rodinia, I almost could not believe my eyes, after all these weeks.
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wknd 0, sat
and!! if he doesn't immediately come run over, he might hear him murmuring quietly to.... someone? something? loud enough to be heard, though. ]
This is very nice, isn't it? It was beginning to feel as claustrophobic as before, but - it's already gotten a bit better, hasn't it, my friend...?
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zhongli is also, gladly, no longer sexy. he has his gift box under his arm, polearm carried in his other hand with the point down, a leisurely stroll taking him through the gazebo area. but he pauses and perks at the voice, following it and... oh.
making his way over!! ]
You look much more at ease with yourself, now.
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anyway!!! he smiles at zhongli as he realizes he's being addressed, looking up from what he's doing and dipping his head - relieved. ]
Yes, I think a change of clothes has done wonders - if not a change of scenery. It's quite nice, isn't it...?
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wk 0; friday
as zhongli ascends the steps, he pauses when he notices that there's someone else there - his grip flexes on his polearm, more tightly held than it has been the entire rest of the week - before it relaxes, just so, upon seeing that it's taair rather than someone else. ]
Taair, my friend. You're alright. [ physically, at least. there's a touch of quiet relief, behind the furrow of his brow and the tightness in his jaw. ]
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he looks back, and manages a soft, half smile even in the circumstances. ]
...yes. [ yes, he's alright. ] Though I wish that I could say the same for all of our dear friends.
I'm struggling to wrap my head around the events that could have occurred.
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... as do I. As am I. [ with a deep breath to follow his sigh. ] Even starting at the beginning, I don't recall how we fell asleep. How could we have slept through anything happening on the beach?
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week 0, saturday
also there's a seagull in his lap. please don't ask. or do. it's chillin. he looks up when he hears zhongli, though, and gives him a soft, tired smile. ]
It's restorative, to sit out here. Isn't it? Hello, Zhongli.
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[ he doesn't seem to outright question this, and instead comes to join him. it's nice - that the two of them can simply be taair and zhongli, rather than any other names, whether he knows it or not. so he folds gracefully down, chin lifting to look up at the stars himself. ]
It is. With the blanket of unfamiliar stars, the fresh air, the serenity... one could almost forget, as it washes over you. [ but only almost. ]
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[ he says with a bit of a wry smile, looking down at the seagull - it lifts its head briefly to regard zhongli and then decides this is acceptable, laying back down. ]
...I'd have to agree. [ you could almost forget. almost. ] Though perhaps that is merely the whirlwind of events that led to this point that makes it feel so far away. As if it occurred minutes ago, and hours ago.
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w1, monday
he's in a section that appears to be full of history books! there's also a cart parked next to where he is standing, and it is stacked with books, and zhongli might hear a sound - ]
♪
[ a single, very excited bird cheep. ]
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Taair? [ as he comes in and spots what he's doing, he does try to gently announce himself without startling him, considering he's clearly in his own world at the moment. but this is such a wonderful place to be in one's own world - zhongli takes in the books upon books, stacked within the veritable ribcage that the shelves make of the library.
so much knowledge, all in one place. all for them to enjoy. his long dragon tail gives a content flick. ] I feel that we'll find you here every single day for the next seven weeks.
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as slowly... slowly.. he pulls his hand away.... ]
...I think that may be an understatement. [ AAAAAH ] I barely know where to start! Good day, Zhongli...!
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wk 1; thursday
Taair... I brought some tea and books for you, my friend, for while you're recovering. How are you fairing?
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taair is sitting somewhere, staring out of a window - he doesn't really notice zhongli until he speaks up, and when he does, he manages a soft smile. ]
Ah... my friend, I appreciate you. [ weh. happy. ] I'm faring just fine. Our doctors are quite skilled.
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That they are. We're fortunate to have them - but I hope that your mind might be fairing just fine, as well. [ he'll set books and then the tray down, carefully lifting the teapot up so that he can serve him a cup. ] What on earth happened..?
[ altogether, there are three omnibuses: rex incognito vol. 1-4, records of jueyun vol. 1-6, mt. lingmeng gossip vol. 1-3. you don't actually have to read these but i figured i would provide actual canon books bc i knew taair would enjoy that. ]
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wk 1; saturday
zhongli walks, because it helps him think, these days, and it means that he can check on the others. there's little to do when it comes to hawke, but... there are still those, outside of the containment of the church, that might need a listening ear or some company during these times. ]
... Taair. [ as he comes up the steps of the lighthouse, he slows, longer - and no more elvish, pointed still but dark brown - ears twitching. he's all the more draconic after trial, but not enough to no longer appear human. ] Would you terribly mind company, or shall I leave you to your thoughts, my friend?
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however, when he's addressed - he turns his head, and despite the tiredness, a warm smile spreads on his face. ]
Oh, Zhongli... [ and he scoots over a bit. ] Come. I would love your company and your thoughts both.
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wk 2; friday
but he does at least look up, hearing someone join him. he doesn't seem particularly surprised to see that it's taair, but at least it's a comfort that they didn't lose anyone from their group, big as it was. ]
... I fear that habit has me coming to see if there's any clues of what happened, despite knowing that the angels have preserved the scene.
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I don't think that is a bad habit to have. [ said softly. ] If nothing else, perhaps it is a good way to reflect, and prepare for tomorrow's proceedings.
[ ... ]
Things did not stop. But... they did de-escalate. At least a touch.
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week 2, saturday
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zhongli makes his way up the steps of the lighthouse, hand skirting the railing as he goes - it's high up, open air, where a bluebird would roost as he reflected on a loved one that he would be forced to only hold in his memories and with little trinkets.
he's brought a coffee cup with him, filled with tea that he brewed himself. but it's not for him. he offers it, instead, into taair's line of sight as he joins him. ]
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wk 3; monday
well, congrats! you've been chosen for a memory of names for this one! if you want another one later on in the thread or the week i've GOT you. ]
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this is such a soft moment, in the midst of all this carnage. there's a lot happening here, a war between gods out of even taair's purview, but the main story beats remain true. as zhongli walks forward and frees this young man, this xiao, from his restraints, from his cage, there's a part of taair that aches with... with longing.
how nice it would be, to have a kind god free him from his own cage. he's not been forced to commit any violence, not yet, but it awaits him, and he has to swallow down the hummingbird of his own heart with each kind word out of the archon's mouth. what a dream, it would be to be free.
it takes him a long time to speak when the memory ends - taair sets his hand on his own heart, touched by zhongli's kindness amidst the chaos, by the scene that plays out before him, and he says, soft: ]
You did a wonderful thing, Zhongli. Truly.
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wk 7; monday
Perhaps the nature of this place has protected it from corruption, as the other stops have been? Though I'm not familiar with the sigils, here... some could still be protective, or perhaps hellish if the Entity truly is a being associated with such a place. [ glancing taair's way, before flipping through some paperwork. ] I can imagine you've spent much time here, haven't you?
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[ oh, there is just delight in his voice - he's sitting at a desk too, looking through some papers. ]
I studied the magic of this place so much last week - and now that I've mine returned to me, I am hoping to try to put some of it into practice. There is a sense of what are called Aberrations here - creatures that are certainly unfriendly, so we ought to be careful, but for the most part, it is safe.
I love it here. [ genuinely. ] It's so different from Rodinia, I almost could not believe my eyes, after all these weeks.
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