Of course you do. For as refined as you look, you enjoy the tea of the workforce.
[Which makes sense when Zhongli had been a farmer, once upon a time. Still, he appreciates the performance of this ceremony.
The bard sits back in his chair with his arms crossed more tightly over his chest. As much as Venti wants to sit there and pretend he's fine, totally unbothered by anything... this is Zhongli. His best friend. He doesn't want to hide his feelings from him, especially when the man can read him so well.
The brunet's gesture of him waking up as tiny gets a short, humorless laugh from him. He doesn't seem like he meant to do that, but it's a natural defense.]
Yeah, I woke up as a little wisp. And when I... remade my body, it had some new markings on it.
[Venti watches his friend take off his glove and roll up his sleeve. He takes Zhongli's hand in both of his as he inspects the golden lines that glow on his skin. The black-haired man brushes his fingers gently over one line before releasing his hand. His smile is dry.]
How unfortunate that my lines require me to fully strip myself. As much as I'd love to give you a show, the mood definitely isn't right for that.
[It's almost a pity. He plays with the ends of his hair as he thinks. Clearly, it's not just being an archon that has him in this emotional state, and he's debating whether or not to say it. That fear of Zhongli's reaction is still there, but... it's also hurting him a bit too much to keep it from him, now. Venti sighs deeply and rubs his face.]
This is all just... poorly timed. My being an archon again, I mean. [He looks away.] ...I'm not okay, Zhong. I haven't been okay for a couple months, if I'm being really honest with both of us.
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Of course you do. For as refined as you look, you enjoy the tea of the workforce.
[Which makes sense when Zhongli had been a farmer, once upon a time. Still, he appreciates the performance of this ceremony.
The bard sits back in his chair with his arms crossed more tightly over his chest. As much as Venti wants to sit there and pretend he's fine, totally unbothered by anything... this is Zhongli. His best friend. He doesn't want to hide his feelings from him, especially when the man can read him so well.
The brunet's gesture of him waking up as tiny gets a short, humorless laugh from him. He doesn't seem like he meant to do that, but it's a natural defense.]
Yeah, I woke up as a little wisp. And when I... remade my body, it had some new markings on it.
[Venti watches his friend take off his glove and roll up his sleeve. He takes Zhongli's hand in both of his as he inspects the golden lines that glow on his skin. The black-haired man brushes his fingers gently over one line before releasing his hand. His smile is dry.]
How unfortunate that my lines require me to fully strip myself. As much as I'd love to give you a show, the mood definitely isn't right for that.
[It's almost a pity. He plays with the ends of his hair as he thinks. Clearly, it's not just being an archon that has him in this emotional state, and he's debating whether or not to say it. That fear of Zhongli's reaction is still there, but... it's also hurting him a bit too much to keep it from him, now. Venti sighs deeply and rubs his face.]
This is all just... poorly timed. My being an archon again, I mean. [He looks away.] ...I'm not okay, Zhong. I haven't been okay for a couple months, if I'm being really honest with both of us.