[ why wouldn't two of their martial grandpas go looking at the final stop of the train station? they're the most prepared for it - right?
zhongli is absorbed in the train ride, at first, before realizing that there's still another occupant instead of anyone else that'd gotten off previously. when he notices who it is, he inclines his head in polite greeting. ]
General, if I heard Mister Jiaoqiu correctly? Heading to the end of the rail as well?
THIS GRAPHIC IS SO FANCY SNOW!!! CRIES!!! THANK U!!!
[ OLD MEN GO TO KINDERGARTEN for the first time, probably
zhongli smiles with a bit of his own amusement. ]
Merely Jing Yuan and Zhongli, then. I can understand. [ considering, ]
Speaking with Miss Firefly, as well as directly with the angels yesterday, it seems as if we will be receiving weekly updates to our railway - and it will be eight weeks to judgement day. But if the train has yet to turn around... I'm not inclined to let these particular sights go unexplored, either.
That is an exciting prospect. I haven't had much opportunity for extended travel as of late. [ like u kno, a handful of centuries. ]
As for judgement day... A different sort of excitement, surely.
[ it's on his mind as much as anyone else, but he's more preoccupied with first getting a lay of the land. collect information first, then ruminate. rinse and repeat. as the train pulls nearer to the final stop (for now), ]
Nor have I. Before now, I had not let my home nation in quite some time. [ but this wasn't exactly his idea of a vacation.
still. zhongli nods in agreement to the idea of judgement day's excitement, before - huffing a soft laugh at the turn of phrase. ] As they often do.
I believe our final destination of the tracks is approaching, now. Shall we see what awaits us, and what it might mean for this idyllic Heaven they've made to contain us?
[ yeah... DEFINITELY HAD NOT PLANNED A VAYCAY LIKE THIS! but he offers a ready smile. ]
Then we are much alike in that regard.
[ the other obvious similarities aside. ]
Let's.
[ they disembark and enter the kindergarten. immediately, it is easy to tell there is something not quite right, here. jing yuan walks up to one of the cavities in the cliff face, hands held behind his back. ]
...This place is a far cry from all else we've seen thus far.
[ it's not dry, necessarily, but it's the closest he gets to it. as they disembark, he'll reach for where he's propped his polearm against a nearby seat and
well, be glad for it. ]
Not quite so Heavenly. I wonder if they're aware that this stop exists, or if it was out of their collaborative hands for creation. It seems quite... [ he pauses at the sound of the wind in the distance. ] ... ruinous.
If there is no changing the scenery, then the least we can do is enjoy it.
[ however, given where they are...... ]
...Though I must agree. [ it is a ruinous landscape. ] Levity does not feel so appropriate, here.
[ he is not armed, but remains relaxed for the most part. in as much as anyone can be, somewhere so ominous. he glances around at the broken machinery, and looks like he's trying to pinpoint something. ]
Are you hearing what I am? It sounds like a distant lament.
[ he remains calm, if pensive, now, as he watches rickety movement a ways off. since it doesn't come closer, just seems to keep digging as best its broken body can, he lets the point of the spear point downwards, turning to follow jing yuan's searching gaze with his eyes. ]
Hard to say if it's merely the wind, but yes. This place feels like its own ghost. [ with careful steps, he heads towards one of the human-shaped holes. ] Hm...
Are they digging these, or digging to unearth them..?
[ he nods, and wonders to himself if heliobi would even deign to haunt this place. it all feels terribly hollow. ]
It does eerily remind one of a tilled field, does it not? The spacing of these cavities is not as orderly, but there is still a sense of regularity to them.
It's as if these machines were harvesting resources, or planting them. It could very well be both your suggestions.
Given the shape of these cavities, however... [ sure looks like people! ] It is difficult for the imagination not to take a grim turn.
[ comparing it to a tilled field makes him think back 500 years ago, for a fleeting moment. but he stops at the hole and looks into it as he listens to jing yuan. ]
Not quite deep enough to become a grave, but that offers very little comfort in the face of having no answers. I doubt these machines can communicate - perhaps they could, once, but the state of this place is so decayed that I doubt it now.
Such odds against the idyllic scenery on the rest of the train ride. Are these the bones that this "slice" of Heaven was built upon?
[ zhongli will make his way up via the stairs to where jing yuan is being held, arms behind his back and polearm left behind now that the general is contained. he doesn't say anything, not at first, just walks forward and looks at him through the bars, regarding him and looking for...
he's not sure what. they are, after all, practical strangers. but whatever might have caused him to enact such violence against someone like charlie. ]
I'm sure that many people have asked you what happened that night, my friend. Would you humor another? What spurred you on?
You have entertained many guests, tonight. I would not do you the disservice of dancing around the point. You and I are both old enough to have no illusions here.
[ you did this. you deserve everyone on your doorstep so that you can't take a nap in peace. ]
Bored. [ said like it has a foreign mouthfeel, although his tone is still mild, steady. ] Was it boredom that set you off after Charlie, or had you selected her and readied your traps in advance for a specific reason?
[ actually, jing yuan is going to find zhongli in autumn alley, when they run into each other later in the afternoon. he's seated at one of the tables at a restaurant stall, his chao perched on the table with a songlotus cake in its little mitts, judging by the periodic laughing that comes from the food it's munching on every now and then. it doesn't seem to be bothering its counterpart any with this, since he's just sitting there drinking some tea, watching chao business hustle and bustle around the place.
when he sees jing yuan, he inclines his head in greeting. there's a calm radiating off of him, overall, with distant emotions held beneath it once he's in range. ]
Jiaoqiu had shown me the inspiration for this area, in the cave. I'm surprised, but glad, to see that you've a piece of home here, in this place. Even like this it's a pleasant, fascinating place.
[ he smiles in greeting and joins zhongli at his table, taking moment to get his chao situated as well. we mutual love hot tea (literal) and calm vibes in this house 😌 ]
I'm pleased to hear it is to your liking. And, if you so desire, perhaps you might find a slice of home here as well.
[ he knows some people have complicated ties, so not making any assumptions... but, ah. there is some palpable curiosity (and concern) here. ]
[ kedou gives chaobao an offer of sharing its songlotus cake, placid and just vibing. ]
Perhaps. I'd not thought of it yet, but I do miss Liyue - it would just be a matter of narrowing down what, precisely, would be the right choice.
[ he carefully holds his own sleeve with one hand, using the other to pour another cup of tea for jing yuan. it's peaceful and... well, they need it, don't they. ]
... he's the sort who hides the depths of his emotions, isn't he. [ not so much a question as just. fact. ] Things have been hard for him, but he has many who treasure him, who will make sure that he carries no burden alone. Even if I think he has a hard time comprehending such a thing in full.
[ cute... chaobao accepts the songlotus cake and munches noisily on it. it then tries to roll one of the berrypheasant skewers at kedou, with a quiet chao noise. ]
Is there a wrong or right choice, when it comes to what you wish to see of your home?
[ asked curiously. jing yuan taps his fingers on the table in gratitude when his cup is filled, and will pour zhongli his next refill of tea in turn.
he smiles and nods at the comment about jiaoqiu. ] Yes, I believe so. [ to everything. ] It would be remiss of me not to worry after him, but from what I've been able to see, I trust he's in capable hands.
[ friendship... kedou will happily take the berrypheasant skewer, figuring out how best to hold it and looking like it's trying to eat an oversized corncob with it. ]
Mm... no, but there is a delicate balance to maintain when it comes to a few of our restaurants, specifically. One cannot have Liuli Pavilion without Xinyue Kiosk, as that would decide the rivalry for them without giving the other a chance.
[ a slight dip of his head is his response to the tap, and he's glad to take turns with pouring the tea as he considers jing yuan across from him. ]
I understand. Were another from Teyvat here - especially from Liyue - I would be in much the same position of worry. But we are fortunate that a sense of community formed quickly after arrival.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
wk 0; monday
zhongli is absorbed in the train ride, at first, before realizing that there's still another occupant instead of anyone else that'd gotten off previously. when he notices who it is, he inclines his head in polite greeting. ]
General, if I heard Mister Jiaoqiu correctly? Heading to the end of the rail as well?
THIS GRAPHIC IS SO FANCY SNOW!!! CRIES!!! THANK U!!!
jing yuan laughs softly, though not unkindly at the title. he returns the bow. ]
There is no need for such formality. I am Jing Yuan, no more and no less.
And you are Mister Zhongli, correct?
[ he nods. ] Yes, I was curious to see what awaits us at the end, though I have my suspicions there may be more sights, yet.
THANK U WAAAH ONLY THE BEST FOR THE SNEEPY GENERAL
zhongli smiles with a bit of his own amusement. ]
Merely Jing Yuan and Zhongli, then. I can understand. [ considering, ]
Speaking with Miss Firefly, as well as directly with the angels yesterday, it seems as if we will be receiving weekly updates to our railway - and it will be eight weeks to judgement day. But if the train has yet to turn around... I'm not inclined to let these particular sights go unexplored, either.
no subject
That is an exciting prospect. I haven't had much opportunity for extended travel as of late. [ like u kno, a handful of centuries. ]
As for judgement day... A different sort of excitement, surely.
[ it's on his mind as much as anyone else, but he's more preoccupied with first getting a lay of the land. collect information first, then ruminate. rinse and repeat. as the train pulls nearer to the final stop (for now), ]
Of course. Leave no stone unturned, as they say.
[ funny to say this to the ROCK MASTER ]
no subject
Nor have I. Before now, I had not let my home nation in quite some time. [ but this wasn't exactly his idea of a vacation.
still. zhongli nods in agreement to the idea of judgement day's excitement, before - huffing a soft laugh at the turn of phrase. ] As they often do.
I believe our final destination of the tracks is approaching, now. Shall we see what awaits us, and what it might mean for this idyllic Heaven they've made to contain us?
no subject
Then we are much alike in that regard.
[ the other obvious similarities aside. ]
Let's.
[ they disembark and enter the kindergarten. immediately, it is easy to tell there is something not quite right, here. jing yuan walks up to one of the cavities in the cliff face, hands held behind his back. ]
...This place is a far cry from all else we've seen thus far.
no subject
[ it's not dry, necessarily, but it's the closest he gets to it. as they disembark, he'll reach for where he's propped his polearm against a nearby seat and
well, be glad for it. ]
Not quite so Heavenly. I wonder if they're aware that this stop exists, or if it was out of their collaborative hands for creation. It seems quite... [ he pauses at the sound of the wind in the distance. ] ... ruinous.
no subject
[ however, given where they are...... ]
...Though I must agree. [ it is a ruinous landscape. ] Levity does not feel so appropriate, here.
[ he is not armed, but remains relaxed for the most part. in as much as anyone can be, somewhere so ominous. he glances around at the broken machinery, and looks like he's trying to pinpoint something. ]
Are you hearing what I am? It sounds like a distant lament.
no subject
Hard to say if it's merely the wind, but yes. This place feels like its own ghost. [ with careful steps, he heads towards one of the human-shaped holes. ] Hm...
Are they digging these, or digging to unearth them..?
no subject
It does eerily remind one of a tilled field, does it not? The spacing of these cavities is not as orderly, but there is still a sense of regularity to them.
It's as if these machines were harvesting resources, or planting them. It could very well be both your suggestions.
Given the shape of these cavities, however... [ sure looks like people! ] It is difficult for the imagination not to take a grim turn.
no subject
Not quite deep enough to become a grave, but that offers very little comfort in the face of having no answers. I doubt these machines can communicate - perhaps they could, once, but the state of this place is so decayed that I doubt it now.
Such odds against the idyllic scenery on the rest of the train ride. Are these the bones that this "slice" of Heaven was built upon?
wk 0; saturday, post-trial
he's not sure what. they are, after all, practical strangers. but whatever might have caused him to enact such violence against someone like charlie. ]
I'm sure that many people have asked you what happened that night, my friend. Would you humor another? What spurred you on?
no subject
Yes, though you're the first to ask me outright.
[ he smiles lazily, and for a moment looks as if he's in contemplation...
and then he shrugs. ]
Simply put, I was bored.
no subject
[ you did this. you deserve everyone on your doorstep so that you can't take a nap in peace. ]
Bored. [ said like it has a foreign mouthfeel, although his tone is still mild, steady. ] Was it boredom that set you off after Charlie, or had you selected her and readied your traps in advance for a specific reason?
no subject
no subject
wk 4; monday
when he sees jing yuan, he inclines his head in greeting. there's a calm radiating off of him, overall, with distant emotions held beneath it once he's in range. ]
Jiaoqiu had shown me the inspiration for this area, in the cave. I'm surprised, but glad, to see that you've a piece of home here, in this place. Even like this it's a pleasant, fascinating place.
no subject
I'm pleased to hear it is to your liking. And, if you so desire, perhaps you might find a slice of home here as well.
[ he knows some people have complicated ties, so not making any assumptions... but, ah. there is some palpable curiosity (and concern) here. ]
Jiaoqiu... How is he faring, if I may ask?
no subject
Perhaps. I'd not thought of it yet, but I do miss Liyue - it would just be a matter of narrowing down what, precisely, would be the right choice.
[ he carefully holds his own sleeve with one hand, using the other to pour another cup of tea for jing yuan. it's peaceful and... well, they need it, don't they. ]
... he's the sort who hides the depths of his emotions, isn't he. [ not so much a question as just. fact. ] Things have been hard for him, but he has many who treasure him, who will make sure that he carries no burden alone. Even if I think he has a hard time comprehending such a thing in full.
no subject
Is there a wrong or right choice, when it comes to what you wish to see of your home?
[ asked curiously. jing yuan taps his fingers on the table in gratitude when his cup is filled, and will pour zhongli his next refill of tea in turn.
he smiles and nods at the comment about jiaoqiu. ] Yes, I believe so. [ to everything. ] It would be remiss of me not to worry after him, but from what I've been able to see, I trust he's in capable hands.
[ everyone in heaven has been good beans ]
no subject
Mm... no, but there is a delicate balance to maintain when it comes to a few of our restaurants, specifically. One cannot have Liuli Pavilion without Xinyue Kiosk, as that would decide the rivalry for them without giving the other a chance.
[ a slight dip of his head is his response to the tap, and he's glad to take turns with pouring the tea as he considers jing yuan across from him. ]
I understand. Were another from Teyvat here - especially from Liyue - I would be in much the same position of worry. But we are fortunate that a sense of community formed quickly after arrival.
no subject
also that gets a quiet laugh from him. ]
Ah, it wouldn't do to invite strife into heaven. Though, considering where we are, this may be the one place they can peacefully co-exist...?
[ por que no los dos? but he nods again. ]
It has been reassuring to see everyone take care of one another. It is only a shame that our time here is marred with tragedy.
[ his mood stays calm though, reflective. there's a sense of both gratitude and sympathy. ]