[ curiouser and curiouser... zhongli is seated at idk a bench or something on the boardwalk, having gotten a slice of pizza that he's assessing with a small frown on his face. not unfamiliar, necessarily, but slightly bemused. when he sees ali coming down the walk, he tilts his head in greeting. ]
[Well. Given that he's reading his profile and complaining about it, probably not too well.]
"Never letting go of anything ever"? This is absurd, I don't hold grudges!
[He absolutely does and is in denial.
But as soon as Zhongli calls out, Ali stops walking and quickly shoves his phone in his pocket. He instantly changes from annoyed to polite and open, trying to forget the insults made against him as he holds a conversation.]
zhongli does not comment on the complaining, pushing aside the plate of pizza with light amusement that he keeps to himself. it sounds very much like a young immortal holding grudges. ]
Similarly. I am, however, unfamiliar with much on this pier - so it is taking even more to get used to compared to our environment of the past two days.
[ Zhongli is distracted, once everything has been taken care of for jiaoqiu. he's actually in the kitchen at the moment, waiting for water to boil in an old-fashioned kettle on the stove and simply... staring into the wall above the stove, his hands absently resting on the handle for the oven below. his stance is still just as upright as usual, but his shoulders are still tense while he lets himself be lost to his own thoughts.
it's only when the kettle begins to whistle that he rouses from his thoughts and notices ali, shaking his head and offering a small smile. ]
Tea? [ might as well offer some, as he reaches for the kettle, going to pour it into a porcelain teapot waiting on the counter. ] I thought it might be good to brew some, after that.
[It might be a testament to how shaken up he is, that he isn't persnickety about what flavor of tea or how much sugar he gets. He'll just take whatever Zhongli gives him. He's always been an overthinker, but now his mind is swirling with what's happened this weekend and how there's nothing stopping it from happening again.]
...I've never studied divinity closely, is this the sort of thing that's supposed to happen here?
Lavender and chamomile, but there is cream and sugar should you need it. [ he's got an entire tray for his tea set, brought from his and firefly's room, including the little extra containers. zhongli will serve him, first, all done with a familiar hand and into square-shaped teacups. ] Calming, and good for rest, whether one decides to sleep or not.
[ and he offers him the cup to do what he'd like with it, one gloved hand cupped beneath it. ]
I'm unfamiliar with Heaven, as Teyvat's afterlife is deeply different. But I have known innumerable gods - and it will vary, what they choose to do, and how they act as higher powers. This was not how my companions and I chose to lead Liyue, actively or in the background.
[ i had perfect, prewritten starters for anybody that asked for them at the start of this week. they were wonderful!
and then a fucking cerbegoose happened.
zhongli is seated in the lobby when everything dies down, and ali might brave exiting the safety of the interior of the mansion. he's as dressed down as it gets for him, still dragoned out - but the pointier ears that poke out of his hair twitch when he hears footsteps. so, he looks up from where he's pouring himself a drink of something amber colored in a clear wine bottle. at least it's not the ominous stomping of the goddamn goose. ]
... much too exciting for an end of the day. Did you get out of it unscathed?
[Ali's appearance has shifted since yesterday. The wings are still present, but now there are patches of deep black scales on his skin, so dark it looks almost like nothingness until he moves and the scales shift. There's some by his hairline and on the back of his hands, but any other patches are currently hidden from view by his usual 3-piece suit.
As if to answer Zhongli's question, Ali is nursing his left arm. There is no broken bones thankfully, but damn that chomp hurt.]
Not exactly, but I'll live.
[He might have hammed it up a bit in front of others, but somehow that feels improper in the presence of another dragon. Centuries-old instincts tell him not to show weakness, lest he be struck down for it.]
[ his tail twitches over the armrest of the chair he's seated in, coiled like a snake where the length of it pools to the floor. despite this, though, zhongli is largely still and taking it easy after... all of that. being tossed around by a giant, three-headed goose was not one of his finest moments. his body is sore. ]
Come sit. Have some wine with me, if you'd like, but there's no point in causing more troubles for ourselves. [ if he sees ali's injury as weakness, or his behavior itself as such, there's no indication, just a mild if observant gaze. ] Though, I wish I had an answer for that as well.
[ unhappy tail flicks, as he's doing his roaming to try and find anything. he knows that there won't be, that all traces are gone and frozen in time for them to address tomorrow.
but it's so frustrating to someone that seeks order ]
And likely not the same "reasons" that were fallen upon for what happened to Charlie and Jing Yuan.
[ POUNCES on top of his new dragon friend with a little baby roar, in the middle of their game of tag, although he's careful not to hurt his wings as he commences a play fight. ]
[And then suddenly he poofs back to an adult, going back to his human form in the process. He's confused, but after a moment he tries to catch the tiny dragon to keep from squishing it accidentally.]
[ the noise of alarm that this god of liyue in his toddler years makes is so squeaky, all limbs flailing everywhere before trying to affix to ali's hands to try and stabilize him. his tail also wraps around a wrist. cling. ]
[ fresh outside air... zhongli is just standing out here looking upwards, at the sky, arms folded behind his back as he does. ali can come join him and he will give a small hum of acknowledgement to him being there, but doesn't say anything right away. ]
[ 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 dust for this one! if you want another one later on in the thread or the week i've GOT you. ]
Seeing that brings about such a raw feeling of sadness and loss that it triggers one of Ali's own memories.]
"Hey there stranger!"
Ali is so startled by the words that his shaky grasp on his transformation is lost and he immediately drops back down into his dragon form. He scurries away, hiding in some nearby brush as if that will protect him at all.
The human- a younger adult human, by Ali's guess, though Ali still isn't great at telling how old a human should be- chuckles at the sight. He crouches down to about Ali's height, offering a hand out to Ali. "It's alright, I'm not looking for trouble."
Ali lowers his head a bit, peering out at the human through the gaps in the leaves. Golden blonde hair like the wheat fields the humans are so protective of, with blue eyes like the rain that nourishes said wheat. It's a rarity around here, most humans have brown eyes and brown or black hair. How curious...
Carefully, Ali scoots towards the edge of the bush, so that just his snout is peeking out. The human laughs once more and holds his hand close to Ali's snout, allowing Ali to smell him. He smells of dirt and plants, so nothing like the hunters who smell of the strange tools they use to hunt dragons. Ali scoots out a bit more, this time letting his whole face be seen. He's still ready to scamper off if this human threatens him, but he's giving the human a chance.
The human takes this chance to bridge the gap between the two of them. He pulls his hand back and rests both hand on his knees, taking a relaxed crouching stance. "You're trying to take a human form, aren't you?"
Ali gives a quick nod. At least that form of communication is universal.
"If you want, I can help you get more practice."
Ali quirks his head to the side questioningly. How can this human help him?
Recognizing the gesture, the human continues. "I'm looking to end the Eternal Freeze in the territory across the mountains, and once I do I'm going to found a city right at the base of the mountain. That way trade between the north and east can spread. Plenty of humans coming and going, most not staying long enough to notice any irregularities in your behavior. What do you think about that?"
He has to admit, that does sound like an ideal situation. Practice is the only way he'll master his transformation, and right now it's hard to get practice in while the risk of hunters on the trail is very real. But in a city, where he's well-protected by the walls, that's a different story. Hmm.
He does a 'go on' gesture with a clawed hand. There has to be a catch to all of this.
"You're right, I'm going to need something in return," the human says, "It is said that only the fire of a dragon can protect someone as they go into the Eternal Freeze. If you can provide that fire, I can provide you with a home. What do you think?"
It still seems like too good of a deal. Fire is easy for him to make and pass on, and he's not sure how a bit of dragon fire will stop the Eternal Freeze. This human could very easily just take the fire and never return.
But, well...what's there to lose? If this human really does never return, then all Ali loses is a bit of fire.
Ali crawls out of the bush and then shifts to the human form he had been working on. It looks much like the locals in the area, with inky black hair and a thinner frame, but his bright red eyes are impossible to conceal. Dressed in a plain shirt and pants with no shoes to speak up, Ali looks more like a beggar than a dragon. And when he speaks, his voice is raspy and unsure. "Name?"
The human smiles at Ali. "Ulrych."
Ulrych proved to be a man of his word a hundred times over. With Ali's dragon fire he quickly put an end to the Eternal Freeze and brought spring to the land. And he invited Ali along right away, moving him into one of the first dwellings of the newly-formed town. He helped Ali dress properly and learn to speak more clearly. He taught Ali how to act more like a human. He also introduced Ali to many new and exciting things, like wine and smoked meat. Though the start had been tenuous, the friendship blossomed quickly.
In those first days the castle was more of a cave with stone walls covering the fourth side, but it quickly expanded over the decades. The town became a city, and the city became a small nation. Before Ali knew it, he and the others working for the now-king had to think about things like establishing currency and armies and such.
But as the town grew, Ulrych aged. It wasn't until Ulrych turned down a night of drinking that Ali noticed just how old Ulrych had gotten. Age marked his face, and his golden hair had been taken over by grey. He needed a cane to get around and slept far more than he had in his youth. Then, he stopped leaving his bed entirely.
One day, near the end, Ali sat in a chair at Ulrych's bedside. Ulrych was so sick and weak, and nothing seemed to make him better. Life continued around the country, but in this room Ali was at a standstill.
"This can't be how it ends," Ali said, voice cracking a bit despite years of practice at control, "It's only been 60 years. The country has only just started."
Ulrych turned to look at Ali and offered him a weak smile. "I'm 86, Ali. Most humans dream of living this long. No matter what we do, death will catch up with us eventually."
"But there's still so much to do!"
"The others that come after me will continue the work. Concord will choose a new king, and life will go on." Sensing Ali's distress, Ulrych moved a shaky hand over to cover Ali's, offering some comfort. "Humans will come and go, but you will always remain. That's what you wanted, isn't it? To look over the people who live in this country?"
Even with that small bit of comfort, Ali feels his throat tightening. "I'm not ready to do it on my own."
"None of us are ever ready. But nothing will change if you wait for 'ready' to happen." The elderly king pauses to breathe, but soon he gives Ali a warm smile. "Besides, you won't be doing it alone. Concord will be right there with you."
Even in such a serious moment, Ali frowns as soon as Concord is mentioned. "He's an ass." An insult with a double-meaning, due to Concord being both an asshole and a unicorn.
The king suddenly laughs at the insult, which devolves into coughing. Ali starts to fuss over him, but, Ulrych waves Ali off. "I'll be fine. I'm prepared for my final sleep. Look after Concord and the country the three of us built, will you?"
"...alright." Ali could never disagree with his first and dearest friend.
A week later, King Ulrych, the first king of the country that would eventually be named after him, was buried in the capitol's cemetery.
The legend of 'the king who used the fire of a dragon and the magic of a unicorn to end the Eternal Freeze' persisted into the modern era.
[ the passage of time is always a cruel one, when you remain so unchanged compared to the world around you.
zhongli is quiet as the memories chase each other across the mirrors, god and human alike. dragon. death. always loss, and always something so deeply ingrained into memory, now. a scar left behind because of love. ]
[ you get to find zhongli at the always hotel, one ankle propped on the opposite knee as he sits at the bar counter. he's got a bottle of osmanthus wine at his elbow, a half-filled glass along with it, and is watching the living while also scrolling on his phone to follow their text conversations. in his other hand is the motivational pen, which he's tapping absently against the journal he has opened - he's taken down the morse code messages, as well as any important observations so far.
the emotions here are well-deep, instead of distantly down a hallway, but calm. steady as stone. there's a bit of a pensive undernote, but he's focused and no longer tense. ]
... care to join me? [ said once there's a blip of realization. hi ali. ] It's been a long weekend.
[He has a lot of mixed feelings about ending up among the dead, but here he is and he might as well get used to it. Life isn't out of reach yet, he just has to change his plans a little.
He hops up onto a chair next to Zhongli, resting his arms against the bar.]
[ well. they've all been dead for a hot minute now, buddy. better be prepared for getting double un-dead. ]
Notes, from the past conversations on Chipper and what we've learned from both observation and what Kiraman has said to us. [ he'll turn the journal around for ali to see, since he wasn't around for the first town hall. ]
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wk 0; monday
Mister Ali. How are you fairing this morning?
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"Never letting go of anything ever"? This is absurd, I don't hold grudges!
[He absolutely does and is in denial.
But as soon as Zhongli calls out, Ali stops walking and quickly shoves his phone in his pocket. He instantly changes from annoyed to polite and open, trying to forget the insults made against him as he holds a conversation.]
Ah, you know. Getting used to un-life. Yourself?
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zhongli does not comment on the complaining, pushing aside the plate of pizza with light amusement that he keeps to himself. it sounds very much like a young immortal holding grudges. ]
Similarly. I am, however, unfamiliar with much on this pier - so it is taking even more to get used to compared to our environment of the past two days.
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wk 0; sunday
it's only when the kettle begins to whistle that he rouses from his thoughts and notices ali, shaking his head and offering a small smile. ]
Tea? [ might as well offer some, as he reaches for the kettle, going to pour it into a porcelain teapot waiting on the counter. ] I thought it might be good to brew some, after that.
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[It might be a testament to how shaken up he is, that he isn't persnickety about what flavor of tea or how much sugar he gets. He'll just take whatever Zhongli gives him. He's always been an overthinker, but now his mind is swirling with what's happened this weekend and how there's nothing stopping it from happening again.]
...I've never studied divinity closely, is this the sort of thing that's supposed to happen here?
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[ and he offers him the cup to do what he'd like with it, one gloved hand cupped beneath it. ]
I'm unfamiliar with Heaven, as Teyvat's afterlife is deeply different. But I have known innumerable gods - and it will vary, what they choose to do, and how they act as higher powers. This was not how my companions and I chose to lead Liyue, actively or in the background.
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and then a fucking cerbegoose happened.
zhongli is seated in the lobby when everything dies down, and ali might brave exiting the safety of the interior of the mansion. he's as dressed down as it gets for him, still dragoned out - but the pointier ears that poke out of his hair twitch when he hears footsteps. so, he looks up from where he's pouring himself a drink of something amber colored in a clear wine bottle. at least it's not the ominous stomping of the goddamn goose. ]
... much too exciting for an end of the day. Did you get out of it unscathed?
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As if to answer Zhongli's question, Ali is nursing his left arm. There is no broken bones thankfully, but damn that chomp hurt.]
Not exactly, but I'll live.
[He might have hammed it up a bit in front of others, but somehow that feels improper in the presence of another dragon. Centuries-old instincts tell him not to show weakness, lest he be struck down for it.]
I wish I knew what happened there though.
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Come sit. Have some wine with me, if you'd like, but there's no point in causing more troubles for ourselves. [ if he sees ali's injury as weakness, or his behavior itself as such, there's no indication, just a mild if observant gaze. ] Though, I wish I had an answer for that as well.
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Week 1, Friday
Two this time...
[He is not looking forward to the trial tomorrow.]
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but it's so frustrating to someone that seeks order ]
And likely not the same "reasons" that were fallen upon for what happened to Charlie and Jing Yuan.
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[He hopes it isn't that again. Though he's good at pattern recognition, and if another killer is apathetic he's going to be ready to call bullshit.]
wk 2; monday
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wk 2; saturday
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Man, what a day.]
We have five more weeks of this to go.
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[ his eyes scan for anything up there. there's no answers, no familiar stars, nothing - but maybe something will stand out one of these days. ]
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wk 3; monday
well, congrats! you've been chosen for a memory of dust for this one! if you want another one later on in the thread or the week i've GOT you. ]
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Seeing that brings about such a raw feeling of sadness and loss that it triggers one of Ali's own memories.]
"Hey there stranger!"
Ali is so startled by the words that his shaky grasp on his transformation is lost and he immediately drops back down into his dragon form. He scurries away, hiding in some nearby brush as if that will protect him at all.
The human- a younger adult human, by Ali's guess, though Ali still isn't great at telling how old a human should be- chuckles at the sight. He crouches down to about Ali's height, offering a hand out to Ali. "It's alright, I'm not looking for trouble."
Ali lowers his head a bit, peering out at the human through the gaps in the leaves. Golden blonde hair like the wheat fields the humans are so protective of, with blue eyes like the rain that nourishes said wheat. It's a rarity around here, most humans have brown eyes and brown or black hair. How curious...
Carefully, Ali scoots towards the edge of the bush, so that just his snout is peeking out. The human laughs once more and holds his hand close to Ali's snout, allowing Ali to smell him. He smells of dirt and plants, so nothing like the hunters who smell of the strange tools they use to hunt dragons. Ali scoots out a bit more, this time letting his whole face be seen. He's still ready to scamper off if this human threatens him, but he's giving the human a chance.
The human takes this chance to bridge the gap between the two of them. He pulls his hand back and rests both hand on his knees, taking a relaxed crouching stance. "You're trying to take a human form, aren't you?"
Ali gives a quick nod. At least that form of communication is universal.
"If you want, I can help you get more practice."
Ali quirks his head to the side questioningly. How can this human help him?
Recognizing the gesture, the human continues. "I'm looking to end the Eternal Freeze in the territory across the mountains, and once I do I'm going to found a city right at the base of the mountain. That way trade between the north and east can spread. Plenty of humans coming and going, most not staying long enough to notice any irregularities in your behavior. What do you think about that?"
He has to admit, that does sound like an ideal situation. Practice is the only way he'll master his transformation, and right now it's hard to get practice in while the risk of hunters on the trail is very real. But in a city, where he's well-protected by the walls, that's a different story. Hmm.
He does a 'go on' gesture with a clawed hand. There has to be a catch to all of this.
"You're right, I'm going to need something in return," the human says, "It is said that only the fire of a dragon can protect someone as they go into the Eternal Freeze. If you can provide that fire, I can provide you with a home. What do you think?"
It still seems like too good of a deal. Fire is easy for him to make and pass on, and he's not sure how a bit of dragon fire will stop the Eternal Freeze. This human could very easily just take the fire and never return.
But, well...what's there to lose? If this human really does never return, then all Ali loses is a bit of fire.
Ali crawls out of the bush and then shifts to the human form he had been working on. It looks much like the locals in the area, with inky black hair and a thinner frame, but his bright red eyes are impossible to conceal. Dressed in a plain shirt and pants with no shoes to speak up, Ali looks more like a beggar than a dragon. And when he speaks, his voice is raspy and unsure. "Name?"
The human smiles at Ali. "Ulrych."
Ulrych proved to be a man of his word a hundred times over. With Ali's dragon fire he quickly put an end to the Eternal Freeze and brought spring to the land. And he invited Ali along right away, moving him into one of the first dwellings of the newly-formed town. He helped Ali dress properly and learn to speak more clearly. He taught Ali how to act more like a human. He also introduced Ali to many new and exciting things, like wine and smoked meat. Though the start had been tenuous, the friendship blossomed quickly.
In those first days the castle was more of a cave with stone walls covering the fourth side, but it quickly expanded over the decades. The town became a city, and the city became a small nation. Before Ali knew it, he and the others working for the now-king had to think about things like establishing currency and armies and such.
But as the town grew, Ulrych aged. It wasn't until Ulrych turned down a night of drinking that Ali noticed just how old Ulrych had gotten. Age marked his face, and his golden hair had been taken over by grey. He needed a cane to get around and slept far more than he had in his youth. Then, he stopped leaving his bed entirely.
One day, near the end, Ali sat in a chair at Ulrych's bedside. Ulrych was so sick and weak, and nothing seemed to make him better. Life continued around the country, but in this room Ali was at a standstill.
"This can't be how it ends," Ali said, voice cracking a bit despite years of practice at control, "It's only been 60 years. The country has only just started."
Ulrych turned to look at Ali and offered him a weak smile. "I'm 86, Ali. Most humans dream of living this long. No matter what we do, death will catch up with us eventually."
"But there's still so much to do!"
"The others that come after me will continue the work. Concord will choose a new king, and life will go on." Sensing Ali's distress, Ulrych moved a shaky hand over to cover Ali's, offering some comfort. "Humans will come and go, but you will always remain. That's what you wanted, isn't it? To look over the people who live in this country?"
Even with that small bit of comfort, Ali feels his throat tightening. "I'm not ready to do it on my own."
"None of us are ever ready. But nothing will change if you wait for 'ready' to happen." The elderly king pauses to breathe, but soon he gives Ali a warm smile. "Besides, you won't be doing it alone. Concord will be right there with you."
Even in such a serious moment, Ali frowns as soon as Concord is mentioned. "He's an ass." An insult with a double-meaning, due to Concord being both an asshole and a unicorn.
The king suddenly laughs at the insult, which devolves into coughing. Ali starts to fuss over him, but, Ulrych waves Ali off. "I'll be fine. I'm prepared for my final sleep. Look after Concord and the country the three of us built, will you?"
"...alright." Ali could never disagree with his first and dearest friend.
A week later, King Ulrych, the first king of the country that would eventually be named after him, was buried in the capitol's cemetery.
The legend of 'the king who used the fire of a dragon and the magic of a unicorn to end the Eternal Freeze' persisted into the modern era.
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zhongli is quiet as the memories chase each other across the mirrors, god and human alike. dragon. death. always loss, and always something so deeply ingrained into memory, now. a scar left behind because of love. ]
... saying goodbye is never easy. Never kind.
wk 4; sunday
the emotions here are well-deep, instead of distantly down a hallway, but calm. steady as stone. there's a bit of a pensive undernote, but he's focused and no longer tense. ]
... care to join me? [ said once there's a blip of realization. hi ali. ] It's been a long weekend.
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[He has a lot of mixed feelings about ending up among the dead, but here he is and he might as well get used to it. Life isn't out of reach yet, he just has to change his plans a little.
He hops up onto a chair next to Zhongli, resting his arms against the bar.]
Working on something?
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Notes, from the past conversations on Chipper and what we've learned from both observation and what Kiraman has said to us. [ he'll turn the journal around for ali to see, since he wasn't around for the first town hall. ]