[ 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. ]
... Chrono. [ oh, boy. humans are so resilient, have proven this to him for millennia, now, but. they're also delicate, empathetic. he admires the duality, learned from it when he was young to become who he is today - but it's cruel in cases like this. ] How are you holding up?
[ kiddo, he's way too polite to say it and would never be so crass. but you look like shit. ]
But the bar for "better" is far lower than any of us would like. [ a gentle point, as he comes to join him. ] Would you like to talk about it, or would you rather quiet company?
[ oh yeah, they're all feeling like shit, in their different ways. but that's why he says - ]
Suffering is not a competition. [ still, gentle, but a little wry. ] And I think that, when you're hurting, even though it has not directly affected you, it is only a sign of empathy.
But I would be glad to offer a distraction. Is there something that works best for you?
[ he'll leave it at that, for chrono to turn over when he's ready to.
his eyes are almost completely golden and pupilless, in his transformed state, but there's a human gaze looking back still as he blinks. ponders. ]
Many. There are even books in the library that I've found and given to people like Taair, from Liyue, that have recounted more... storied versions of events that I've seen and experienced.
[ he did give him so much reading material when he came back from cyoa.
he considers... ]
Perhaps the Guili Assembly, to start. A tale that I told Taair, before he realized I was the god in it.
Liyue - whether by this name or not - has existed for thousands and thousands of years, now, and has seen countless years of both war and peacetime. It has changed immeasurably, though its lifeblood is still the same as ever. But the true beginning of its history comes with the creation of the Guili Assembly.
Almost five thousand years ago, the God of Contracts, the Geo Archon, descended upon the lands that would become Liyue. [ wryly, as he corrects from what he originally told chrono's roommate: ] I had been known by innumerable names. Rex Lapis or Yanwang Dijun are what my people call me, even to this day, as a sign of respect; but Morax is my true, godly name. You may simply continue to call me Zhongli.
In this time, the continent of Teyvat was rife with monsters and strife. Seeking to bring order to the region, and safety to the people, I had begun by raising the mountain range that would someday become known as Mt. Tainheng. With this protection offered to the inland, I turned to the seas that washed ashore dangerous beasts from their depths, tides threatening to overtake and flood the earth. I would have to lower the tide, pacify the seas, and defeat the sea monsters that invaded homes and wilds alike.
[ it makes him smile, a little, that zhongli was so upfront about his godliness to him, given their first conversation. that kind of honesty was nice, and valued.
chrono listens, attentive. a god of... land? earth, the elemental sense? he vaguely knew that's what "geo" meant. the tale strikes a chord, somewhere; this casual explanation of great power, ancient battle. ]
You took this on yourself? Or... "Assembly" means there was others, right?
Very astute. [ light approval, as he looks to him - but, after, ahead again. looking into the past. ]
This period was known as the Archon War. Many gods and beings sought the power to become Archon - the presiding god a nation, gifted greater powers than they already had by the Heavenly Principles, an entity that had vanquished the Sovereign Dragons of each nation long before I was even alive.
It drove many to madness, or such lengths that they would seem mad. But there were those in Liyue who would stand beside me to protect the citizens of our home that had no means to defend themselves, in the onslaught of chaos. One such god was the God of Dust, Haagentus. Guizhong.
She liked to say that she was the brains to my brawn. [ fondly, wistful. ] She is how the Guili Assembly got its name. Gui, from her name, and Li from the name that I went by then.
... it is also where I get Zhongli from, although the characters are different.
[ the praise, however light, has him shift kind of awkwardly, unused to it. but he continues to absorb the tale - history, as it was - with keen focus. ]
Why's it always dragons... [ muttered, a little bitterly. then, more clear; ] You and her were guardians, then. Lookin' after people. What... happened? At the end of the war?
[ tiny bit of amusement at the dragon comment. yeah. why's it always dragons. (is a dragon) ]
We were, yes. With the others at our side, the adepti - illuminated beasts and other gods - we were able to defend our people and give them a place to prosper.
[ ... but his smile gets a little sad. ]
I did not fight in the war with the intention to become Archon, only to defend my people. But that is what happened - I earned the title, position, and power of the Geo Archon. So I was able to do even more to ensure their safety. But we lost many allies and friends, over the few thousand years that the war raged on, because it didn't end until all Seven were named.
... Guizhong included. Liyue lives on because of her inventions, her kindness, and her bravery.
[ maybe chrono heads through a door after the party, planning to clean up or go to bed or do some fiddling in the kitchen. well, he winds up going through a door into the funhouse of mirrors when it does a switcheroo on him, and zhongli is there, too!
you've been chosen for a memory of names! surprise! if you want another mem in this thread or in the week lmk i got you. ]
[ the hall of mirrors is met, at this point, with the attitude of "this may as well happen". finding zhongli there is the surprise, and when the memory begins its reflection upon the surfaces around them...
a kind god. one not afraid of bloodshed in the defense of others, but gentle and warm. the "god of contracts" had been a slight alarm, for chrono, but suddenly he understands how those binding words can be used to protect.
quietly, he approaches zhongli, raises a hand to touch his arm. for someone so long-lived, this must be even more difficult. ]
[ at least seeing xiao leaves him feeling both warmed and sad, bittersweet but proud, as the memory plays out in the ripple of mirrors. but feeling a hand on his shoulder causes him to look away, down to chrono, and...
he just gives him a small smile. ]
He is. This meeting was... mm, nearly 3000 years ago? The Archon War ended a little over 2000 years ago, now.
[ that scale of time is nearly incomprehensible to him, even as someone who had dealt with the inconsistencies of timespace before. in this case, it was a huge stretch of linear years, far beyond anything he could ever experience.
for zhongli, even, it must be a long time. but it warms his heart a little to know that at least this boy had survived along with him. ]
[ comic con is SO bemusing to peepaw, but you know what? it's fine. he's still interested in seeing all of the cars in the train, and... fortunately, it's safe for them to do that. drawing on the geo energy that he's had access to since his death, zhongli expands it out around he and chrono to keep them safe from tiny wizard attacks. depending on the frequency of their attacks, he might have to dispel and redo it, but for now.
Now then. At least these cars seem largely undisturbed, outside of our small friends. Shall we take a look around, while we are able? We have festivals and gatherings, but nothing quite like this, so I am interested in seeing what I missed out on, here.
[ god bless you peepaw you're literally the only one he'd be out here with right now. determined to avoid the rest of the messed-up weirdness from every other location, this one... seems okay? chrono had only passed through here briefly on previous trips (italy is better).
the protective bubble of zhongli's powers is only outweighed by the protective aura of his presence, so chrono tries to relax, and nods. ]
This is pretty similar to some events back home. [ ... ] Didn't you guys make a panel for this, actually?
[ he'll be glad to explore all of the train cars, to be honest. it's very novel to him! they don't have stuff like this in teyvat - the normal train is new on its own, nevermind all this stuff. thanks infinity train.
his calm aura continues, as he keeps an eye out for any actual threats, keeping close to chrono both for that and just the proximity. the shield moves with them as they walk, one hand held low to better guide it. ]
Ah, yes. The slideshow. That was to help bridge the connection between our sides - our chao helped with much of it, and I intentionally made a "slide" to distract Brimstone while he was cursed.
[ as long as he's able to keep them safe, chrono is happy to go with him. unfortunately as a normie (citation needed) with no powers (citation needed), he's a bit of a sitting duck on his own.
it's a bizarre sight to see all the tiny wizards darting around the faceless congoers. but it's so nice to have zhongli close again. it still barely feels real. ]
Oh, that was his handwriting over it? [ and the million mora question ] What was with the corndog?
[ citation big needed after that memshare. but a bunch of tiny wizards are nothing for him, and he just lets them do what they like against the barrier while checking out the various vendors and tables with mild interest.
it shifts to something exasperated and irritated, for a blip, but it could be a whole hell of a lot more volatile considering - ]
You would have to ask Claude why on earth he decided to do that, first. [ emotions back to calm again. ] But I was sending him corndogs in the mail in the hopes that he would comment on it to someone and they would make a connection.
Mm. He and I did not speak much after he joined us. I was not interested in retribution, but his answer to me when I asked him whether he was afflicted in some manner or not was not satisfactory for me.
[ so he's civil! but not planning on being friends, and clearly has sympathy and irritation alike on chrono's behalf. to go to the teens after everything he did...
he does snort abruptly at him saying it was funny, though. ]
I do not stoop low often, but I will commit to it when I do.
[ ugh. yeah, that's fair. he might try and speak to him if they run into each other, but... he won't go out of his way. ]
If you're gonna do it, you gotta commit. Deserved it, anyway. [ oh. he holds up a little dragon acrylic charm, questioningly, even as the actual topic veers elsewhere. ] What kind of stuff did you guys do over there?
[ others can still be his friend, and zhongli won't hold that against them. but they will be going separate ways and he won't find himself very upset over it. ]
Someone as old as I am has to get his entertainment somewhere. [ this is clearly a joke. but he holds out his hand for the charm, gladly, interested, even as they continue on. ] Observed and spent time together, mostly. Exploration didn't yield anything the way it does on this side, though there was a variety of things we could see and do - a movie theater appeared as one of our locations that was very interesting. We don't have such things in Teyvat. Kameras have only recently developed enough to do moving films.
[ thinks... ]
Ah, the Wednesday event before our return was something called virtual reality. We had to complete quests to help reconnect our sides - it was fun, actually. I was able to take my dragon form for it.
[ something pleased and warm settles in, as he holds the charm up to look at it. he's pulling his phone out and fiddling with it afterwards, to figure out how to attach it to that - he's seen a handful of the others with charms like that, so! ]
Ah, yes. We watched that by proxy. Terrible tragedy, but it was rather romantic all the same, and some of the reactions by the others were just as enjoyable. [ they really did just. watch you guys do shit when you were in public. ]
Of course. I'm not sure that I'm able to take it while here, even with powers returned, but I'll see when things have calmed down - or, you will know it if I find myself needing it.
[ ...peepaw do you need help attaching your phone charm. chrono will find a blue dragon in a similar style for himself, and sort of pointedly hold out his phone to attach it to the loop.
oh everyone saw him sob like a baby. cool. there were a lot of really funny reactions though, that's true. ]
It definitely holds up as a story. Did you guys watch anything fun?
[ hmm. he hopes it doesn't get bad enough for that. ]
You could show me in a different way? There's a bunch of imagery effects right now, basically.
[ 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 chrono, offering him a small, fond smile. a little sad around the edges, but... still there for chrono. might be the last time they see each other, and he will miss him so sorely. he knows it. ]
[ it's mesmerising to just watch zhongli work, the glow in his hands beautiful and captivating even if chrono can't quite comprehend what he's seeing just yet. so he stands and watches for a long moment, hands in his pockets, emotions curious and captivated over the deep sense of melancholy he doesn't have the control to hide.
but he smiles back anyway, when addressed. there's tightness in the corners of his eyes from crying earlier, but he seems to have moved past that wall now they were out of the church. he's equally fond, so grateful for zhongli's presence as always, as he takes a seat beside him on the opposite side of his wine. ]
Pretty annoyed, honestly. [ a laugh ] All this and we don't even get to spend a week all together again? Rude.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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. ]
... Chrono. [ oh, boy. humans are so resilient, have proven this to him for millennia, now, but. they're also delicate, empathetic. he admires the duality, learned from it when he was young to become who he is today - but it's cruel in cases like this. ] How are you holding up?
no subject
Zhongli. [ halfheartedly. raises a hand ] ...better, now that we're out.
no subject
But the bar for "better" is far lower than any of us would like. [ a gentle point, as he comes to join him. ] Would you like to talk about it, or would you rather quiet company?
no subject
he seems to consider this, for a moment. then shakes his head. ]
It's not fair to complain about my stuff when everyone's hurting. I think... a distraction, maybe. Would be best.
no subject
[ oh yeah, they're all feeling like shit, in their different ways. but that's why he says - ]
Suffering is not a competition. [ still, gentle, but a little wry. ] And I think that, when you're hurting, even though it has not directly affected you, it is only a sign of empathy.
But I would be glad to offer a distraction. Is there something that works best for you?
no subject
[ he shrugs, not really sure where he was going with it. the reassurance feels like too much right now, almost.
he studies zhongli's face for a moment, then nods. ]
You said you're just a guy now, but you must have some cool stories from your home if you've lived so long.
no subject
[ he'll leave it at that, for chrono to turn over when he's ready to.
his eyes are almost completely golden and pupilless, in his transformed state, but there's a human gaze looking back still as he blinks. ponders. ]
Many. There are even books in the library that I've found and given to people like Taair, from Liyue, that have recounted more... storied versions of events that I've seen and experienced.
no subject
[ that explains some of the books in his and taair's room, though. ]
no subject
he considers... ]
Perhaps the Guili Assembly, to start. A tale that I told Taair, before he realized I was the god in it.
Liyue - whether by this name or not - has existed for thousands and thousands of years, now, and has seen countless years of both war and peacetime. It has changed immeasurably, though its lifeblood is still the same as ever. But the true beginning of its history comes with the creation of the Guili Assembly.
Almost five thousand years ago, the God of Contracts, the Geo Archon, descended upon the lands that would become Liyue. [ wryly, as he corrects from what he originally told chrono's roommate: ] I had been known by innumerable names. Rex Lapis or Yanwang Dijun are what my people call me, even to this day, as a sign of respect; but Morax is my true, godly name. You may simply continue to call me Zhongli.
In this time, the continent of Teyvat was rife with monsters and strife. Seeking to bring order to the region, and safety to the people, I had begun by raising the mountain range that would someday become known as Mt. Tainheng. With this protection offered to the inland, I turned to the seas that washed ashore dangerous beasts from their depths, tides threatening to overtake and flood the earth. I would have to lower the tide, pacify the seas, and defeat the sea monsters that invaded homes and wilds alike.
no subject
chrono listens, attentive. a god of... land? earth, the elemental sense? he vaguely knew that's what "geo" meant. the tale strikes a chord, somewhere; this casual explanation of great power, ancient battle. ]
You took this on yourself? Or... "Assembly" means there was others, right?
no subject
This period was known as the Archon War. Many gods and beings sought the power to become Archon - the presiding god a nation, gifted greater powers than they already had by the Heavenly Principles, an entity that had vanquished the Sovereign Dragons of each nation long before I was even alive.
It drove many to madness, or such lengths that they would seem mad. But there were those in Liyue who would stand beside me to protect the citizens of our home that had no means to defend themselves, in the onslaught of chaos. One such god was the God of Dust, Haagentus. Guizhong.
She liked to say that she was the brains to my brawn. [ fondly, wistful. ] She is how the Guili Assembly got its name. Gui, from her name, and Li from the name that I went by then.
... it is also where I get Zhongli from, although the characters are different.
no subject
Why's it always dragons... [ muttered, a little bitterly. then, more clear; ] You and her were guardians, then. Lookin' after people. What... happened? At the end of the war?
no subject
We were, yes. With the others at our side, the adepti - illuminated beasts and other gods - we were able to defend our people and give them a place to prosper.
[ ... but his smile gets a little sad. ]
I did not fight in the war with the intention to become Archon, only to defend my people. But that is what happened - I earned the title, position, and power of the Geo Archon. So I was able to do even more to ensure their safety. But we lost many allies and friends, over the few thousand years that the war raged on, because it didn't end until all Seven were named.
... Guizhong included. Liyue lives on because of her inventions, her kindness, and her bravery.
wk 3; wednesday
you've been chosen for a memory of names! surprise! if you want another mem in this thread or in the week lmk i got you. ]
no subject
a kind god. one not afraid of bloodshed in the defense of others, but gentle and warm. the "god of contracts" had been a slight alarm, for chrono, but suddenly he understands how those binding words can be used to protect.
quietly, he approaches zhongli, raises a hand to touch his arm. for someone so long-lived, this must be even more difficult. ]
...he still okay? Xiao?
no subject
he just gives him a small smile. ]
He is. This meeting was... mm, nearly 3000 years ago? The Archon War ended a little over 2000 years ago, now.
no subject
for zhongli, even, it must be a long time. but it warms his heart a little to know that at least this boy had survived along with him. ]
It's good that you have each other.
[ at least, he hopes they still do. ]
wk 7; monday
be protected. ]
Now then. At least these cars seem largely undisturbed, outside of our small friends. Shall we take a look around, while we are able? We have festivals and gatherings, but nothing quite like this, so I am interested in seeing what I missed out on, here.
no subject
the protective bubble of zhongli's powers is only outweighed by the protective aura of his presence, so chrono tries to relax, and nods. ]
This is pretty similar to some events back home. [ ... ] Didn't you guys make a panel for this, actually?
no subject
his calm aura continues, as he keeps an eye out for any actual threats, keeping close to chrono both for that and just the proximity. the shield moves with them as they walk, one hand held low to better guide it. ]
Ah, yes. The slideshow. That was to help bridge the connection between our sides - our chao helped with much of it, and I intentionally made a "slide" to distract Brimstone while he was cursed.
no subject
it's a bizarre sight to see all the tiny wizards darting around the faceless congoers. but it's so nice to have zhongli close again. it still barely feels real. ]
Oh, that was his handwriting over it? [ and the million mora question ] What was with the corndog?
no subject
[ citation big needed after that memshare. but a bunch of tiny wizards are nothing for him, and he just lets them do what they like against the barrier while checking out the various vendors and tables with mild interest.
it shifts to something exasperated and irritated, for a blip, but it could be a whole hell of a lot more volatile considering - ]
You would have to ask Claude why on earth he decided to do that, first. [ emotions back to calm again. ] But I was sending him corndogs in the mail in the hopes that he would comment on it to someone and they would make a connection.
no subject
[ he's still sore over it all, himself. that was a rough fucking week.
he'll pick through things, holding up a couple of g*npla kits with some fascination. mecha... cool ]
You just kept sendin' them? [ pff ] That's pretty funny.
no subject
[ so he's civil! but not planning on being friends, and clearly has sympathy and irritation alike on chrono's behalf. to go to the teens after everything he did...
he does snort abruptly at him saying it was funny, though. ]
I do not stoop low often, but I will commit to it when I do.
no subject
If you're gonna do it, you gotta commit. Deserved it, anyway. [ oh. he holds up a little dragon acrylic charm, questioningly, even as the actual topic veers elsewhere. ] What kind of stuff did you guys do over there?
no subject
Someone as old as I am has to get his entertainment somewhere. [ this is clearly a joke. but he holds out his hand for the charm, gladly, interested, even as they continue on. ] Observed and spent time together, mostly. Exploration didn't yield anything the way it does on this side, though there was a variety of things we could see and do - a movie theater appeared as one of our locations that was very interesting. We don't have such things in Teyvat. Kameras have only recently developed enough to do moving films.
[ thinks... ]
Ah, the Wednesday event before our return was something called virtual reality. We had to complete quests to help reconnect our sides - it was fun, actually. I was able to take my dragon form for it.
no subject
he's bright and pleased when zhongli takes the charm, and finds a similar one for himself. he is also a dragon guy, after all, if not as literally. ]
Oh, that's great. Movies are really good when you can get into then. We had a movie night here, too.
[ wow vr......... ]
That's cool. Virtual reality is pretty new and undeveloped even where I'm from. [ ... ] Can I see it, sometime? Your dragon form.
no subject
Ah, yes. We watched that by proxy. Terrible tragedy, but it was rather romantic all the same, and some of the reactions by the others were just as enjoyable. [ they really did just. watch you guys do shit when you were in public. ]
Of course. I'm not sure that I'm able to take it while here, even with powers returned, but I'll see when things have calmed down - or, you will know it if I find myself needing it.
no subject
oh everyone saw him sob like a baby. cool. there were a lot of really funny reactions though, that's true. ]
It definitely holds up as a story. Did you guys watch anything fun?
[ hmm. he hopes it doesn't get bad enough for that. ]
You could show me in a different way? There's a bunch of imagery effects right now, basically.
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 chrono, offering him a small, fond smile. a little sad around the edges, but... still there for chrono. might be the last time they see each other, and he will miss him so sorely. he knows it. ]
no subject
but he smiles back anyway, when addressed. there's tightness in the corners of his eyes from crying earlier, but he seems to have moved past that wall now they were out of the church. he's equally fond, so grateful for zhongli's presence as always, as he takes a seat beside him on the opposite side of his wine. ]
Pretty annoyed, honestly. [ a laugh ] All this and we don't even get to spend a week all together again? Rude.