video; un: freelancer

[lapislazily]

WHO: Zhongli and you
WHERE: The network
WHEN: A few days after the Azhdaha plot wraps up
WHAT: The thrilling tales of dragon sealers.
WARNINGS: None, will update if necessary.

[video;]

[Normally, Zhongli addresses the network via text because that's the preferred way. But for this... as a courtesy, as a sign of respect and gratitude, he should give the announcement the weight it deserves.

The camera feed opens to a once-lush garden where the gold leaves of the ginkgo trees are still clinging to life despite the impending winter. The hardier bushes have not changed color and have retained their leaves. There's a good mixture of plants around (if not an abundance of flowers), and the stone picnic table and 'chairs' along with the tea set give a sense of serenity.

Zhongli's expression is difficult to read, stony and almost impassive. He's wearing his usual distinctive brown coat, recently mended, and cradling a teacup in his gloved hands.]

Greetings. I know it has been some time since I spoke to the network at large. For those who have not met me, my name is Zhongli.

I wanted to thank everyone who answered Shroud's call to help subdue the dragon a few days ago. His name is Azhdaha, and he has been a close companion of mine in every life I can recall. Yet the memory of rocks is only for a short time. As an elemental spirit, Azhdaha could do little to escape that fate. Eventually he forgot himself, and only remembered the pain and rage of lifetimes ago, when humans disturbed his slumber and caused him great pain.

For those of us who are exceptionally long-lived, time whittles away our bodies and minds like the waves and wind swallow the cliffs overlooking the sea. This phenomenon is known as erosion. It affects all of us differently, but it leaves us forever changed and missing something of ourselves, until naught remains.

All things have a beginning and an end, no matter how long the life lived. This is the truth of the world.

Now Azhdaha has been sealed away inside a golden dream, where he no longer suffers the pain that drove him to madness. His suffering is ended after hundreds of years. I... cannot overstate my gratitude.

[He sets his tea down. When he looks up again his draconic eyes are sharper, an intense amber framed by the gold leaves behind him.]

I am no longer with the cruel organization that chained me. I will aid those who wish to be free of their bad faith contracts, just as I will protect this city where my heart has come to rest. This is one way I may begin to repay such a debt. You have my word—not only as Rex Lapis, but as myself.

I hope you will keep it in mind.

[He reaches forward and shuts the feed off.]

Comments

un: violetsmoke; video

[infezione]

... I'm glad you're finally free of them, Nonno.

[lapislazily]

Patrizio...

[He closes his eyes for a moment.]

It was always my intention to look after you and Ash, but you found your own way.

Please excuse my lateness.

[infezione]

Well... better late than never, I would think. And nothing stopping you from looking after us now anyway, right?

video | un: captainkenway, private

[jackdawvision]

I'm sorry about Azhdaha, mate. I'm glad he's found some peace and that you've been freed from your own chains.

...do you need anything? I know that it hurts, losing someone you've already lost before. [He knows a variation of that pain himself, missing his beloved Caroline every other day.] I bought some expensive wine in Copenhagen, but I can part ways with a few bottles easily enough.

[lapislazily]

Thank you, Captain. You fought hard to see us safely to our destination. I won't forget what you've done for my family.

[He has a perfect memory, you know.]

I could use a few more days' rest, perhaps, though I've begun taking walks again. I moved into this house before the expedition, but I have spent more time without than within.

—A few bottles? [He sounds a touch amused.] I am not so vain a creature that I must ask for a whole barrel, even as a dragon.

I will settle for sharing a single bottle with a friend. If you are interested, I could tell you a story or two.

[jackdawvision]

You were on my ship, you were one of mine. Besides, I said I'd get you there, didn't I? I'd be a poor captain if I didn't.

[A hum.]

Then I'll take a bottle to your house to trade stories. Perhaps three bottles if Venti wishes to join us. Where do you live so I know where I may deliver this wine?

video; un: adagium

[scourgingstars]

Well, what a fascinating turn of events that is.

[i hope we all liked this nice sentimental network post because it's about to be ruined]

Zhongli, my old friend, I was wondering where you might have gotten off to. Imagine how surprised I was to see you return with that dragon the Order presumably thought I didn't know was in the basement. Not only that, but just yesterday when I went to file a report for once, all I got back was, 'Ardyn, who the hell is Zhongli, have you been drinking again?'.

...Which I was, but that's not relevant to the issue at hand. Gods, you used to be fun, whatever am I to do now that you've apparently abandoned the Order entirely?

1/3

[lapislazily]

2/3

[lapislazily]

video;

[lapislazily]

[Zhongli, my old friend.

There is only one person who has ever presumed such a bond, one person who has ever tried his patience like this, and one person who needled him constantly to see if he was alive, when in most other respects he was naught but a shell of a man. Ardyn thrives on intimidation, on the reactions of other people. Zhongli resolves not to give him that.

And yet, in this fragile time, it's difficult to clamp down on the sudden anger he feels at having his vulnerability weaponized against him.

He lets very little of it show on his face, but any trace of relief he may have had is gone.]

Ardyn, [he says evenly.] How unexpected that you remember me.

[Rivals is a strong word. In the end they are two people with two different views of the same job: Ardyn, who never takes anything seriously, and Zhongli, who fulfilled an exacting contract. Both of them efficient problem-fixers for the immortal council.]

My arrangement with the Order was only ever meant to be temporary. In another five hundred years or so, you would have been rid of me regardless. I simply took initiative this time.

I must send Jusis my condolences. [You know, for putting up with Ardyn.]

[scourgingstars]

Oh, don't be like that. Five hundred years is still annoyingly long to some of us. But how unexpected indeed, that I'm the only one that seems to recall. At least, of the few I spoke to in what I feel was highly justified confusion.

[He smiled, the light words flowing like poisoned honey. Cheerful, but dangerously insincere. Ardyn could claim the sky was blue and have most of the Order checkkng the windows to be sure; the kind of factor that was barely better as the devil you knew than the one you didn't, or else the Order might have sealed him centuries ago just to make him stop talking.]

...Quite a few seemed under the impression that I purchased an exorbitantly priced instrument, which only served to confound me ever further.

video; un: goldenrose

[twofoldfury]

[This explained the month long ship voyage. The tale was given Diarmuid's utmost attention and each word tugged his heart more than the last. What an awful fate this Azhdaha was made to experience through no fault of his own. Merely the unfortunate hand fate deals to those who cannot die.

Few things could be more cruel. Respect is shown respect, Diarmuid's own preferred means of contact through the network was voice or text for his own reasons, but here he was appearing on video.]

To hold this weight for centuries and be finally freed of it only at the cost of someone you love dearly, I can only imagine how you must feel. You've broken the chains the Order used to bind you only to lose someone... but your freedom from them is regardless something to be glad for.

[All things came at a cost, didn't they? As much of a truth in the world as the eventual, if theoretical, end of a life.]

May Azhdaha find peace in his dream, may he suffer no longer from the loss of himself.

[lapislazily]

[Seeing Diarmuid appear on the network as such is rare, but it calls to mind their owed spar, their similar codes of honor.]

It has been a long time coming, much to my shame. But now it is over, and I no longer have any reason to hesitate.

[He won't let anyone else suffer like Azhdaha did because of his own indecision.]

Thank you, friend.

voice | un: kissmyash

[switchaxe]

Lemme know when I can drop off your retirement fund, Gramps.

voice;

[lapislazily]

[FJDKLSJFKLSGKLSJG]

Hahah, are you still insisting on that? Well... I suppose I am in no position to refuse. Allow me to text you the location.

You are always welcome to visit, Ash.

[He does that, but off Libra. Can't have Ardyn showing up unannounced (he's going to do that anyway, isn't he...)]

video | un: laluna

[crisantemo]

[ Lapis listens to the story, and everything about that trip clicks into place. So this was it. But words have never been her strongest point, and it takes her a moment to think of what to say... ]

I'm... I'm so, so sorry about Azhdaha. I hope he's found peace in that dream... And that you've found some too, now that you're free.

[ Even though such a steep price had to be paid, her heart sinking as she mulls over these events. But she is genuinely glad for him, that he's finally broken his chains. It must have been so long... ]

I'm still a bit, ah... disorganized since coming back, but please let me know if you need anything. I'll do my best to help.

[lapislazily]

... Thank you, Lapis.

[It was better that she didn't see that fight-- see him nearly break down at the end of it all. But she can probably guess. He is weary.]

There is little I need at the moment. A few days of rest, perhaps.

But if you wished to see Xiao, perhaps it would kindle his spirit.

[He does like her food, and Xiao's grieving in his own way.]

Action

[noblerise]

[Jusis won't take any chances by contacting Zhongli about this topic while he's still in The Order. He's not about to fuck this up for the brunet, who has given up so much not only for freedom but for love. While the outcome is bittersweet and hard fought, he's glad that The Order no longer has Zhongli chained to their will. Though the blond didn't sign a contract with Morax in full, necessarily, he still acted as if he had. He keeps his word, his promise, and he hopes that helps the old Geo Archon.

He's listened to Zhongli's announcement, which is what prompts him to teleport on the older man's doorstep. Jusis gives a solid knock on the door with a small parcel in hand.]

[lapislazily]

[Zhongli hears the knock and makes his way to the front door. He's surprised to see Jusis there, but the surprise turns to a faint smile.]

Jusis. It's good to see you.

[He steps aside.]

Welcome in. I have a pot of oolong, freshly-brewed, if you would like a cup.

video: un: Kore

[aslowburn]

[She kept her distance from the dragon. People were talking on the network about how this was a family matter. She tries not to involve herself in other people's family matters. She knows how messy those are first-hand, her own are bad enough without adding more to the mix, thank you very much.

And now here this man is. With an explanation. Both of the situation and of himself. She knew she wasn't alone here, and now here's proof of it. He's not an Idol, but beggars can't be choosers. ]

Hm. Idols in my world have much the same. Each time we pass on our Eidelon, when we put ourselves into a new life, we lose some of our oldest memories. It is a necessity, to protect our minds from fates such as that. Overloading them until they snap. I am sorry it caught up to your companion. You are right. The end is inevitable for all of us. It sounds like you gave him as good of one as you possibly could.

[Being freed of chains strikes a chord with her, deep and resolute.]

Good. Freedom is something that should never be taken from you. Do you have plans to raze those to chained you to the ground?

[Murder is always a really good way to resolve these sorts of problems, okay? ]

video --> private;

[lapislazily]

[Oh, she is interesting. He listens carefully. There is terminology he hasn't heard before, and she looks new. Maybe she appeared in the city while he was out at sea.

In the end, he decides to make this conversation private.]

So you understand...

Then the situation in this world may not be unfamiliar to you. Our worlds are long destroyed, and the lost souls were funneled into this one to be reincarnated. As one with near-perfect memory, my burden is... heavier than most.

His suffering is ended. Such things weigh on the heart more than years ever could.

[He pauses.]

I place great importance on contracts for several reasons. Those who have used tainted agreements to imprison and subjugate others will know no peace.

video, un: regina.

[majeste]

[ the dragon a few days ago (hydro dragon hydro dragon don't cry), images of neuvillette's injuries, of the way he dismissed it as a simple altercation with his brother, flash past her vision. she can only assume they are one in the same which means... ]

I am sorry for your loss, Zhongli. [ from the way he talks it is clear that it was a heavy loss. ] I hope his dreams are gentle ones.

[ she looks off to the side, shifting in the bed she has spent the last couple of days (sans the bear incident) curled up in. ]

Maybe sometime in the future, you could tell me about him? I wouldn't mind hearing about the man he was before erosion took him. [ she could write a song dedicated to the man azhdaha was, or get someone to aid her in writing it, as a way to further immortalize him. she has wanted to do something for zhongli as a thank you for his help when she arrived, maybe this could be it? ]

[lapislazily]

Miss Furina...

[He isn't expecting to hear from her, but it's welcome. She's a sweet girl.]

Thank you.

[He gathers himself for a moment.]

Ah... In that case, I would love to tell you some stories. [Things are still a little too fresh at the moment, but perhaps in a little while.] You are a friend of Neuvillette's, are you not? He would benefit from hearing those tales as well, though I will have to prevail upon you to repeat them.

[He isn't sure what she's heard of their situation...]

video | UN: Zoltraak

[beyondtheend]

[Frieren just arrived. She doesn't know this dude. This isn't her business, and even if it was, she's not sure she would care to interfere.]

[But she can't stop herself. The pain of loss is all too real.]

As time passes, people forget. Such is the nature of humanity.

[She shakes her head.]

But as long as you remember, your friend's spirit will stay alive. The lessons he taught you, the memories you've made together--those things don't just disappear.

[lapislazily]

[She looks like a recent arrival...]

I would not soon forget him. We raised a child together. If I am in any way gentle, it is because of his persistence in sanding down my rough edges... Truly, he was an incredible person.

[He closes his eyes for a moment.]

Thank you for the reminder, Miss...? I don't believe we have met.