he'll find zhongli standing in the midst of all the flashing lights and colors, looking wildly out of place - especially with his spear in hand, point angled down and at rest - while he watches all of the screens give demonstrations of their games, or announce what they are. it's quite a lot for an old ye olde to take in. ]
Ah, Mister Richie, one of the people I would be glad to see here today. You seem familiar with such things - do you have much experience in a place like this?
Anyway looking at a man carrying a fucking spear in a teenage hangout space. This is art.]
Please. Just Rich is fine. [Looking aside at the blinking games, hands in pockets.] Familiar is a stretch — sure, we got arcades where I'm from. But they came into play after I was already paying taxes and hitting up bars. It's kid's stuff.
[ he's respectful and ancient idk what you expect man.
also at least he hasn't stabbed anything like mizu did. he's just... cautious. ]
Rich, then. [ and he will be called this by zhongli for the foreseeable future, as he looks around at their surroundings. ] Then I can imagine that your favorite place so far is the Confessional. Their selection is rather small, compared to what I'm used to, but this place is curiouser and curiouser already.
Zee... [ it's actually. kind of refreshing? to just be treated like Some Dude, instead of a respected figure in liyue or its god. so after his bemusement he just accepts this, and props the spear against an arcade machine. ]
The beach, mostly. Liyue is not a landlocked nation and has its number of shores and small islands, and I've spent quite a few years living in Liyue Harbor itself. The instruments at the stage are so varied that the things I don't recognize have been interesting - between that and the Confessional, I think they will be where the people gather most for now.
A little, yes. Our bartender, Gabriel, is helping to add to that by seeing what they can do about getting me a wine from home.
[ absolutely fascinated as he stands close, bent forward a little so he can see what richie is doing on the controls and how it affects the little guy and his car alike.
the tap makes him blink, but he'll reach out to set gloved hands on the buttons and joystick. amused: ]
I'm going to hazard a guess that this isn't the goal of the game.
He is happy to see him take the wheel. Figuratively. There's a fair few folks here who can't seem to unclench, it's nice to kick it with a few with a sense of humor.]
I just wanted to see what would happen! [He points to the road.] But if you're playing for real, keep tight on the road and go as fast as you can. It's a racing game.
Osmanthus wine. [ it tastes the same as i remember ] It tastes a bit like peach or apricot, if you are unfamiliar. When I've gotten a bottle you may try some if you'd like.
[ despite how prim and proper he seems, he's more than happy to be included in learning new, interesting things, so he'll try to mimic what richie was doing when he was behind the figurative wheel. ]
Trial and error, I see. And better to know the limitations that are in place in some way. Oh - I crashed. [ watches the car hit a wall, in his attempt to overcorrect and stay on the road while still going at top speed. his voice is mild, but amused. ]
[ honestly rng choosing beach is wildly appropriate. zhongli can be found with polearm in hand, point angled downwards but grip tight and ready rather than absently loose like it had been for most of the week so far. he's walking the length of the beach and scanning it with brow furrowed, expression severe, like he's just - looking. for anything. where charlie was, any signs of a scuffle or struggle or fight or anything, but coming up short the entire way.
approach? he hasn't immediately registered that someone else is there with him, to be honest. ]
[Despite the fact that it's a wide open beach and he can't see shit anywhere himself. Despite how Zee looks like a tetchy animal on the prowl. We must remain hopeful.]
No. And I was even here last night, with others, before we had found ourselves trapped and then unconscious not long after. [ he gestures with a nod of his chin in the direction of the bonfire, discontent but at least not jumpy for it. ] I take it you haven't seen anything, either.
And I was with her. Up in the showers on the second floor, plus about ten other people who tried to wash up at the wrong time. We were all together the whole night, and then in the morning?
[He snaps his fingers.]
She's gone. No idea how — even Marcoh couldn't bust the door down. Marcoh plus three other guys.
knowing where she started, and then knowing that she got to the beach... ]
There were attempts here, as well, but there was a barrier that we couldn't see. Only feel. [ his hand comes up to his chin, spear raising so he can rest the end of it into the sand as he considers. ] To go from the manor, to the train station - where the ride can make one drowsy, even - before trekking across this entire isle to the beach...
It makes no sense. There had to be something letting her bypass all that shit. Something with either more power or more authority than our overseers have.
Unless they're not as clueless as they seem, but. You know. [they don't seem particularly put together, so who fucking knows.]
I do not want to point fingers at their God, but that is their highest authority, as far as we know, unless there is another whose influence has slipped under that notice.
[ but who fucking knows. ]
And we don't know what state she was found in, save for simply unresponsive.
[He'll tap one out then, lighting up shortly after and offering the box his company's way too. Just in case.]
Faring? Oh, I'm doing all right. Nobody's conscience is gonna be sitting easy after a day like that, but... [He trails off, looking to the distance.] It's not the first time I've had to deal with a loss. Nor most anyone else's. Just the first I've been made to play lawyer for it. Investigator. Whatever. It's not a comfy seat to hold, I'll tell you that.
[ he seems to consider the offer, before raising his hand and shaking his head politely. maybe another time.
he listens as richie's answer comes, quiet and staring off into the distance himself. ]
... it's a far cry from justice, despite arriving at the right answer. Especially when we were made to be the ones to find the answer, and then pick the guilty party from among our own. [ frowning ]
I will be alright. Troubled, certainly, and worried for those more affected, but it's as you said. It's not the first time I have had to face loss, either, even the most senseless of it.
[ grabs your head like a grape... zhongli isn't sure if richie is going to be conscious or not, but he does go looking for where he's been holed up - luckily, hawke likes him well enough and will probably point him in the right direction. so there's a soft knock on the door, before his dragon behorned head pops in, more scales visible on his face and neck than have been all week. ]
Rich? Are you up for some company, for a brief time?
he is probably looking beat to shit. The worst damage is not front facing, being his shoulder socket and the ripe mess of his back, but he's peaky looking from blood loss and blinking rather slow.]
a little huff of a chuckle, missing any mirth to it, escapes him at that, before he comes into the room properly with a tray in hand. he uses a flick of his tail to shut the door carefully, making his way over to their poor comedian. ]
I should be saying that to you, shouldn't I? I brought tea - I was not sure if it would be something you'd want, but it might help in taking some of the tension out of your body.
[ this is a non-starter that i'm stealing the trend from flurry and aki. let me know if you want to start with baby dragon in the meadow or if you want an adult zhongli to help wrangle small children/explore dangerous with. ]
[you're so valid and you know what i am going to request baby dragon in the meadow. Also would you prefer a grown richie for more fruitful bonding or a shitty child for mindless shenanigans.]
[ shitty child is so funny i want him, kabby. he can get fruitful bonding when he changes back midthread if you like.
regardless, richie will get to find a noodle the size of a large cat stalking through the foliage, hunting the cute little bugs that cola has given us in this fine heaven. he's just a toddler of a dragon, frankly, so he's minding his business and absorbed in his prowling. ]
Richie, who perhaps should be more leery of strange beasts and weird goings on, has actually been following this weird little rustle in the grass for a minute. Then when he finally catches sight of it his amazement holds him captive. Again, this only cements his belief that the whole shebang is a profoundly visceral dream. The place feels real but none of it can be — and it's too benign and widespread to be part of It.
Richie keeps crouched low, watching the dragon stalk its prey. Stalking a stalker...kind of a hunt of his own, isn't it? Like he's on a safari in some mystic wilds.
[ i'm glad this little stinker is having a great dream today.
a wiggle, and then - like a dolphin breaching, zhongli leaps out of the grasses and dives back down to pounce on a poor, defenseless butter-fly. it does manage to escape, at least, and he doesn't eat it, but richie gets a full view of this noodly dragon that's living its best life.
and then he gets distracted by his own tail and begins chasing it in place. richie may continue his safari as this whimsical creature creates a crop circle all his own. ]
Catch Richie in the mansion lounge, legs stretched out and his glasses sat atop his head, hand over his eyes, elbow propped on the back of the sofa. Not sleeping, just persisting in the wretched vacuum of reason they call home.]
zhongli walks through the mansion, pauses, and glances over the back of the couch at him before he disappears up the stairs. a few minutes later, he returns, footsteps heavier so that he maybe doesn't startle richie as he comes around - and then taps something against his arm.
when he looks, it's a wineglass filled with golden wine. ]
[ 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 stone for this one! if you want another one later on in the thread or the week i've GOT you, though i apologize that this is 20 minutes of genshin cutscenes. it's easier to watch than read because there's so much dialogue and lore i'm sorry. ]
[ we are... somewhere in the neighborhood? the gazebo, maybe, so that zhongli's easy to find for those that are coming and going through all of, well. this. there's a light, golden glow coming from his hands - and as part of his hands, as well - as he can be found manipulating geo energy quietly. his emotions are still distant enough to not really be there, but his thoughts are filled with shapes, and brief blips of peoples' words or faces as he works.
a bottle of osmanthus wine sits next to him, but no glass. so he's probably just been drinking from it directly while doing his task at the moment. on his lap is a velvet-lined box, with a few things in the bottom of it already. what they are isn't immediately apparent, but they're the same color as whatever is in his hands right now.
without looking up right away: ] The final day comes tomorrow. How are you feeling about it?
[ the light fades, and he deposits his work into the box - then looks up at richie, offering him a small, fond smile. a little sad around the edges, but... still there for richie. might be the last time they see each other, and he will miss him so sorely. he knows it. ]
Richie cants his head at the little light. He's got his own, a wee cigarette light between his fingers, but it's clear who's winning the human glow-stick competition.
Looking down to the box, curious. Feeling forty kinds of ways about today but his interest in the magic crafting takes the forefront.]
Like I won the lottery and found out my dog died. [We got feelings. Juts his chin at the box.] What's all this for?
Ha. [ mirthless, but - richie always has had a way with words that has brought humor to zhongli, one way or another. he'll be missing it, look forward to it on chipper where they can steal those digital moments in their coming days. ] I don't think you'll find many that will disagree with you.
[ but he gently sifts through whatever is in this box, until he finds the one he wants so that he can hold it out to him.
a charm, made of pure cor lapis. the bracelet and knot are made of red chord, but for richie... he's woven green, like the accents of his chao, into it. ]
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wk 0; monday
he'll find zhongli standing in the midst of all the flashing lights and colors, looking wildly out of place - especially with his spear in hand, point angled down and at rest - while he watches all of the screens give demonstrations of their games, or announce what they are. it's quite a lot for an old ye olde to take in. ]
Ah, Mister Richie, one of the people I would be glad to see here today. You seem familiar with such things - do you have much experience in a place like this?
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Anyway looking at a man carrying a fucking spear in a teenage hangout space. This is art.]
Please. Just Rich is fine. [Looking aside at the blinking games, hands in pockets.] Familiar is a stretch — sure, we got arcades where I'm from. But they came into play after I was already paying taxes and hitting up bars. It's kid's stuff.
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also at least he hasn't stabbed anything like mizu did. he's just... cautious. ]
Rich, then. [ and he will be called this by zhongli for the foreseeable future, as he looks around at their surroundings. ] Then I can imagine that your favorite place so far is the Confessional. Their selection is rather small, compared to what I'm used to, but this place is curiouser and curiouser already.
Have you been to the beach or the stage yet?
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Oh yeah, both. I live next to a beach, and I'm all about the sound. What about you? What's calling to you so far, Zee?
[meanwhile he's going to idly fiddle with a joystick on a racing game. Gently crashing this car, repeatedly.]
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The beach, mostly. Liyue is not a landlocked nation and has its number of shores and small islands, and I've spent quite a few years living in Liyue Harbor itself. The instruments at the stage are so varied that the things I don't recognize have been interesting - between that and the Confessional, I think they will be where the people gather most for now.
[ watches the car crash again. ]
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[He tests it out further. Can we crash into this water feature? Oh! We can! There's even little polygonal splashes to go with it.
He reaches out and taps Zhongli in.]
You give her a whirl. I'm giving our man so much brain damage.
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[ absolutely fascinated as he stands close, bent forward a little so he can see what richie is doing on the controls and how it affects the little guy and his car alike.
the tap makes him blink, but he'll reach out to set gloved hands on the buttons and joystick. amused: ]
I'm going to hazard a guess that this isn't the goal of the game.
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[Like he's ever heard of it.
He is happy to see him take the wheel. Figuratively. There's a fair few folks here who can't seem to unclench, it's nice to kick it with a few with a sense of humor.]
I just wanted to see what would happen! [He points to the road.] But if you're playing for real, keep tight on the road and go as fast as you can. It's a racing game.
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[ despite how prim and proper he seems, he's more than happy to be included in learning new, interesting things, so he'll try to mimic what richie was doing when he was behind the figurative wheel. ]
Trial and error, I see. And better to know the limitations that are in place in some way. Oh - I crashed. [ watches the car hit a wall, in his attempt to overcorrect and stay on the road while still going at top speed. his voice is mild, but amused. ]
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I'd be interested. Usually I prefer a dry wine but I'm not opposed to the sweet stuff.
[Watches him beef it.]
Ah, you've killed him. That's okay, he's got about a million lives to spare. Look! He's back on the road already!
[RESPAWN. try again Zhongli]
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Gabriel made it sound that it would be ready this week, so we shall see how they faired with it.
[ he'll give the joystick a little wiggle and get the car moving again. rip to this driver just stuck in a groundhog day loop of death. ]
It takes some getting used to, I see. We don't have vehicles like this in Teyvat, nevermind games like this, so it's all new.
wk 0; friday
approach? he hasn't immediately registered that someone else is there with him, to be honest. ]
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Find anything?
[Despite the fact that it's a wide open beach and he can't see shit anywhere himself. Despite how Zee looks like a tetchy animal on the prowl. We must remain hopeful.]
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No. And I was even here last night, with others, before we had found ourselves trapped and then unconscious not long after. [ he gestures with a nod of his chin in the direction of the bonfire, discontent but at least not jumpy for it. ] I take it you haven't seen anything, either.
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And I was with her. Up in the showers on the second floor, plus about ten other people who tried to wash up at the wrong time. We were all together the whole night, and then in the morning?
[He snaps his fingers.]
She's gone. No idea how — even Marcoh couldn't bust the door down. Marcoh plus three other guys.
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knowing where she started, and then knowing that she got to the beach... ]
There were attempts here, as well, but there was a barrier that we couldn't see. Only feel. [ his hand comes up to his chin, spear raising so he can rest the end of it into the sand as he considers. ] To go from the manor, to the train station - where the ride can make one drowsy, even - before trekking across this entire isle to the beach...
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Unless they're not as clueless as they seem, but. You know. [they don't seem particularly put together, so who fucking knows.]
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[ but who fucking knows. ]
And we don't know what state she was found in, save for simply unresponsive.
W0 SECOND SATURDAY
...So he really bungled that getaway ride, huh?
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But no limitless lives like our little driver, I'm afraid.
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[ha ha.
Richie looks down at his hands. They're steady, even if he doesn't feel it. He pats his pockets, looking quick to Zhongli.]
Mind if I smoke?
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[ it doesn't particularly bother him, and he doubts richie is going to blow it into his face. ]
How are you fairing? Humor aside, or with it, I don't mind which answer you give.
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[He'll tap one out then, lighting up shortly after and offering the box his company's way too. Just in case.]
Faring? Oh, I'm doing all right. Nobody's conscience is gonna be sitting easy after a day like that, but... [He trails off, looking to the distance.] It's not the first time I've had to deal with a loss. Nor most anyone else's. Just the first I've been made to play lawyer for it. Investigator. Whatever. It's not a comfy seat to hold, I'll tell you that.
What about you?
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he listens as richie's answer comes, quiet and staring off into the distance himself. ]
... it's a far cry from justice, despite arriving at the right answer. Especially when we were made to be the ones to find the answer, and then pick the guilty party from among our own. [ frowning ]
I will be alright. Troubled, certainly, and worried for those more affected, but it's as you said. It's not the first time I have had to face loss, either, even the most senseless of it.
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Right. I can't imagine you can escape it, living as long as you have.
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But when it comes so senselessly, so mercilessly... it's always harder to swallow.
wk 1; thursday
Rich? Are you up for some company, for a brief time?
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he is probably looking beat to shit. The worst damage is not front facing, being his shoulder socket and the ripe mess of his back, but he's peaky looking from blood loss and blinking rather slow.]
...Sure? If it's no trouble to you chief.
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a little huff of a chuckle, missing any mirth to it, escapes him at that, before he comes into the room properly with a tray in hand. he uses a flick of his tail to shut the door carefully, making his way over to their poor comedian. ]
I should be saying that to you, shouldn't I? I brought tea - I was not sure if it would be something you'd want, but it might help in taking some of the tension out of your body.
wk 2; monday
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regardless, richie will get to find a noodle the size of a large cat stalking through the foliage, hunting the cute little bugs that cola has given us in this fine heaven. he's just a toddler of a dragon, frankly, so he's minding his business and absorbed in his prowling. ]
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Richie, who perhaps should be more leery of strange beasts and weird goings on, has actually been following this weird little rustle in the grass for a minute. Then when he finally catches sight of it his amazement holds him captive. Again, this only cements his belief that the whole shebang is a profoundly visceral dream. The place feels real but none of it can be — and it's too benign and widespread to be part of It.
Richie keeps crouched low, watching the dragon stalk its prey. Stalking a stalker...kind of a hunt of his own, isn't it? Like he's on a safari in some mystic wilds.
What's it gonna do now?]
no subject
a wiggle, and then - like a dolphin breaching, zhongli leaps out of the grasses and dives back down to pounce on a poor, defenseless butter-fly. it does manage to escape, at least, and he doesn't eat it, but richie gets a full view of this noodly dragon that's living its best life.
and then he gets distracted by his own tail and begins chasing it in place. richie may continue his safari as this whimsical creature creates a crop circle all his own. ]
W2 SUNDAY
Catch Richie in the mansion lounge, legs stretched out and his glasses sat atop his head, hand over his eyes, elbow propped on the back of the sofa. Not sleeping, just persisting in the wretched vacuum of reason they call home.]
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zhongli walks through the mansion, pauses, and glances over the back of the couch at him before he disappears up the stairs. a few minutes later, he returns, footsteps heavier so that he maybe doesn't startle richie as he comes around - and then taps something against his arm.
when he looks, it's a wineglass filled with golden wine. ]
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For me? Gosh, Zee, I didn't think to get you anything. Want half a pack of Marlboros?
[He will reach for the glass though, you are so kind.]
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[ fond and amused, even being tired, but he'll come to perch on the opposite arm of the couch with his own glass and a bottle under his arm. ]
You looked like you could use a drink. If you like the taste of peaches, or apricots, osmanthus wine is a bit like that.
wk 3; wednesday
well, congrats! you've been chosen for a memory of stone for this one! if you want another one later on in the thread or the week i've GOT you, though i apologize that this is 20 minutes of genshin cutscenes. it's easier to watch than read because there's so much dialogue and lore i'm sorry. ]
wk 7; endgame
a bottle of osmanthus wine sits next to him, but no glass. so he's probably just been drinking from it directly while doing his task at the moment. on his lap is a velvet-lined box, with a few things in the bottom of it already. what they are isn't immediately apparent, but they're the same color as whatever is in his hands right now.
without looking up right away: ] The final day comes tomorrow. How are you feeling about it?
[ the light fades, and he deposits his work into the box - then looks up at richie, offering him a small, fond smile. a little sad around the edges, but... still there for richie. might be the last time they see each other, and he will miss him so sorely. he knows it. ]
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Richie cants his head at the little light. He's got his own, a wee cigarette light between his fingers, but it's clear who's winning the human glow-stick competition.
Looking down to the box, curious. Feeling forty kinds of ways about today but his interest in the magic crafting takes the forefront.]
Like I won the lottery and found out my dog died. [We got feelings. Juts his chin at the box.] What's all this for?
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[ but he gently sifts through whatever is in this box, until he finds the one he wants so that he can hold it out to him.
a charm, made of pure cor lapis. the bracelet and knot are made of red chord, but for richie... he's woven green, like the accents of his chao, into it. ]
Protective charms. This one is for you, Rich.