[ 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.
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wk 1; saturday
zhongli walks, because it helps him think, these days, and it means that he can check on the others. there's little to do when it comes to hawke, but... there are still those, outside of the containment of the church, that might need a listening ear or some company during these times. ]
... 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.