[ Wilbur is sitting in the hotel lobby, so hopefully Zhongli exited his dorm to check there. Wilbur raises a hand in greeting, rather than rising to meet him. one of his legs is stretched out onto a foot rest, though Wilbur isn't otherwise reclining or spreading out on the couch. ]
Yo! The man of the hour! Or the man of a lot of hours ago. Same fucking difference. How's the aftermath treating you?
[He will eventually make his way out there. He's bad at texting anyway.]
Ah...
All is well. I've heard there were no fatalities, and while I regret the injuries sustained, it does look like the populace will recover. Furthermore, we have much yet to ponder over the results, haven't we?
I was considering, heavily considering taking credit. The warden knows, of course.
But now that we've proved we're more than talk, that we're ready to take action, well. I think we might be a more attractive prospect. For all that everyone talks a big game, who actually made strides forward? Us.
We did, you and I, we've proved we're men of action. Us, and the rest of the Solidarity.
I will not attempt to deceive others in my involvement, should I be asked.
[He did not participate in the lying game for a reason.]
We should also prepare for the possibility that this will result in retaliation from the Warden, rather than her being more open to negotiation. Tell me, Wilbur, what would your immediate demands be? I may be currently in your employ, but as our contract stipulates, we must all be made aware of the movements of the group.
[ Now that the game is over, he doesn't have to avoid poor Zhongli anymore! And that is a relief, because Cerberus is pretty tight-knit--so Minato's going to be shooting Zhongli a message. ]
Hey, Zhongli-san. Do you want to try some of the new soft serve ice cream from the beach with me?
[He's in his room in any case, so it isn't far for him to go. He'll dress himself and try to make himself presentable before exiting to the common area.]
[Zhongli takes the spoon carefully, tasting each flavor in turn, humming to himself with some surprise at the taste. He supposes he should have guessed fruits due to the color.]
Yes, this one is a more complex bite. I do not dislike the sweeter "banana", but it is only sweet. It could be a good ingredient in a dessert but I think the mild sourness in the "pine apple" makes it a little more satisfying.
Existing is not something one needs to apologize for, be it in one place or another. Certainly not in your own home base, whether or not you know something dangerous may be there. It is far from your fault that I was unable to control this body of mine, and furthermore, you were hindered by your own possession.
It is uncouth of me, as a God, to allow my form to be misused in such a way.
Though one day I may lose myself to that kind of violence, I'm still far from that level of erosion, and so it is still my responsibility to keep control over myself, and for as long as it is foolish enough to want to inhabit me, this beast as well.
[ Minato's quiet for a moment, sticking his spoon into his soft serve for a moment as he thinks.
And then he offers a weak smile. ]
... Okay. I understand.
But in that case... please don't blame yourself either. It wasn't you--and the task was making the monsters act even stranger. I don't want you to feel guilty for that.
[Zhongli would hug Minato if he were more of a hugging person, but he isn't, so instead he will simply relax his posture a bit.]
...Of course. It would be hypocritical of me to acknowledge the circumstances for you and ignore them for myself.
I am simply... To lose myself that way... It is something I fear, and think about quite often. In addition, an associate of mine has arrived here recently and I feel I must live up to his expectations of me.
[Anyway he's talking too much and the ice cream is VERY soft, so he shuts up for a bit to eat some more.]
"Friend" may be not quite the right word for our relationship. He is a powerful ally, a subordinate, someone I hold dear, and someone I feel an obligation to help as best I can as well. He appears to be a short young man with a slight build, and fierce eyes.
His name is Xiao, you will know him when you see him.
[He's hard to miss, except if he REALLY doesn't want to be seen. But then, he would simply not be where he does not want to be spotted, Zhongli supposes.]
... Ah, which reminds me. I have offered him the use of my room if ever he is overwhelmed. Being social with humans is new for him, and I imagine will stress him greatly.
Perhaps it is complex... But maybe it is best to simply say that he is loyal to me as a god, and as the one who freed him from a dark fate, and I repay his loyalty by caring for him to the best of my abilities.
Yes, golden eyes and dark hair with a shock of bright emerald. You've met him, have you?
I've known him for many centuries now. He is the Conquerer of Demons, The Vigilant Yaksha, a fierce warrior who slays demons in my home to keep the nation I created safe.
... I hope he was polite.
[He hopes he was, but frankly does not expect that he was.]
I would not know what to do with your ire if you did.
There were no winners in those cages, only those who died and those who were given a trinket for having lesser injuries. Granted, I do recognize that Cerberus has performed the tasks well enough to keep receiving those 'prizes'.
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lonesummit) wrote2022-02-18 09:12 pm
Day 28 or sthing. A day or two after the bombing
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I'm afraid the reference is lost on me, my friend.
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Zhongli doesn't respond right away, quickly grabbing his coat to wear it over his shoulder, obscuring his arm.]
I see. One moment, I'll be right there.
[Well he supposes he'll go and check the door.]
Hello?
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Yo! The man of the hour! Or the man of a lot of hours ago. Same fucking difference. How's the aftermath treating you?
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Ah...
All is well. I've heard there were no fatalities, and while I regret the injuries sustained, it does look like the populace will recover. Furthermore, we have much yet to ponder over the results, haven't we?
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They were quite overwhelming in number and strength.
[He pauses then to think on that.]
So what are your plans going forward?
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But now that we've proved we're more than talk, that we're ready to take action, well. I think we might be a more attractive prospect. For all that everyone talks a big game, who actually made strides forward? Us.
We did, you and I, we've proved we're men of action. Us, and the rest of the Solidarity.
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[He did not participate in the lying game for a reason.]
We should also prepare for the possibility that this will result in retaliation from the Warden, rather than her being more open to negotiation. Tell me, Wilbur, what would your immediate demands be? I may be currently in your employ, but as our contract stipulates, we must all be made aware of the movements of the group.
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day 34 -- slides in here IF THAT IS OKAY
Hey, Zhongli-san. Do you want to try some of the new soft serve ice cream from the beach with me?
YOU'RE ALWAYS WELCOME IN MY INBOX♡
Still. He thinks he'd feel worse if he ignored Minato or turned him down.]
I have never heard of such a thing, but I would like to see it, certainly.
♡♡♡
Let's meet at the dorm? It'll be less crowded there. I'll bring the soft serve.
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[He's in his room in any case, so it isn't far for him to go. He'll dress himself and try to make himself presentable before exiting to the common area.]
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Oh--Zhongli-san. It's good to see you.
[ !! ]
Which flavor do you think you'd like more? Banana or pineapple?
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[He looks at Minato with a smile, but with no thoughts behind his eyes. Minato might as well have spoken in another language.]
I have no way of knowing.
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[ Minato will just go ahead and lead the way towards The Conversation Pit(tm), since that's the coziest place to chill and chat anyway. ]
I'm glad you can try soft serve here... it's really good, so never getting to have it feels like missing out.
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Is that so? And 'banana' and 'pine apple' are the flavors, are they? What kind of flavors are they?
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Both are gonna be sweet... banana is a lot sweeter. Pineapple is, hmmm... tropical, with a tiny bit of a bite? It's hard to describe.
[ He just offers Zhongli a spoon. ]
You should just try them.
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Ah... alright.
[He is hesitant, but will reach out to take hold of the spoon.]
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Let me know what you think--and which your favorite is.
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Hmmm...! Hmmmmmmm...
Which one is this one?
[He points to the pineapple one.]
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[He nods.]
Yes, this one is a more complex bite. I do not dislike the sweeter "banana", but it is only sweet. It could be a good ingredient in a dessert but I think the mild sourness in the "pine apple" makes it a little more satisfying.
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[ He looks a little amused, and then nudges the pineapple towards Zhongli, taking the banana for himself. ]
You can have that one then. I'm glad you like it.
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Hah, so it does. I'm glad for that.
My thanks...
... I know you are not upset with me over what happened, but I am sorry, even so.
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And then quickly, he shakes his head. ]
No... I mean--you don't have anything to apologize for. I was... actually going to apologize.
[ he dips his head in a small bow. ]
I'm sorry. I knew that your monster had some problems with mine, so I shouldn't have tempted it by sticking around.
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Minato.
Existing is not something one needs to apologize for, be it in one place or another. Certainly not in your own home base, whether or not you know something dangerous may be there. It is far from your fault that I was unable to control this body of mine, and furthermore, you were hindered by your own possession.
It is uncouth of me, as a God, to allow my form to be misused in such a way.
Though one day I may lose myself to that kind of violence, I'm still far from that level of erosion, and so it is still my responsibility to keep control over myself, and for as long as it is foolish enough to want to inhabit me, this beast as well.
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[ Minato's quiet for a moment, sticking his spoon into his soft serve for a moment as he thinks.
And then he offers a weak smile. ]
... Okay. I understand.
But in that case... please don't blame yourself either. It wasn't you--and the task was making the monsters act even stranger. I don't want you to feel guilty for that.
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...Of course. It would be hypocritical of me to acknowledge the circumstances for you and ignore them for myself.
I am simply... To lose myself that way... It is something I fear, and think about quite often. In addition, an associate of mine has arrived here recently and I feel I must live up to his expectations of me.
[Anyway he's talking too much and the ice cream is VERY soft, so he shuts up for a bit to eat some more.]
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I see... I'm extra sorry that you had to go through that, then.
[ Dealing with a personal fear is... not ideal, that's for sure.
... A beat, and he perks up a bit. ]
A friend from home showed up?
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His name is Xiao, you will know him when you see him.
[He's hard to miss, except if he REALLY doesn't want to be seen. But then, he would simply not be where he does not want to be spotted, Zhongli supposes.]
... Ah, which reminds me. I have offered him the use of my room if ever he is overwhelmed. Being social with humans is new for him, and I imagine will stress him greatly.
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[ ... short young man. Fierce eyes... Slight build... ]
... Does he have gold eyes? I think we've met.
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Yes, golden eyes and dark hair with a shock of bright emerald. You've met him, have you?
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[ a firm nod. ]
We've met. I'm looking forward to getting to know him better. It's even better that he's someone you know from home.
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... I hope he was polite.
[He hopes he was, but frankly does not expect that he was.]
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He was fine. I didn't think he was hard to get along with at all.
[ Conquerer of Demons... those are some crazy titles. ]
He seemed to be concerned for the people around him, mostly, so... I'm sure he's a kind person.
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He carries a heavy burden, so he is not always cordial. If you ever come across him and you can tell he is in pain, please contact me.
[Xiao is like a cat and he will try to hide it but he feels like Minato could feel it out alright, if anyone could.]
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... Okay. If it seems like he's in pain, I'll be sure to let you know.
In the meantime... I'll do what I can to help with that burden too, even if it's only a little bit.
73/74
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And to be clear, I have no ill will about this.
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There were no winners in those cages, only those who died and those who were given a trinket for having lesser injuries. Granted, I do recognize that Cerberus has performed the tasks well enough to keep receiving those 'prizes'.
Is Yatagarasu well?
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As for Yaragarasu, we’ll, they seem as fine as could be.
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Are you well, too? Any injuries that I could help you with? I am afraid I am no healer, but there are a couple of healers on my team if needed.
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And I thought about asking you much the same. After all, aren't I due for our contract?
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Truly, I could use the release of tension. Would you like to meet at the hot springs or the clinic?
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