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[ Zhongli sees Ajax's ears flatten and his tail droop and knows that he has inadvertently stumbled across something that is very unpleasant for his new youkai companion. Something that must have to do with the purification process. It should be exhausting and yet here the nine-tails is, distraught that someone has pointed out that it does not.

There's a pause from Zhongli's end as well, a reflex to reach out have to soothe his upset friend and half to see if he can tell exactly what his new friend really is. A youkai, assuredly, but somehow something more.

(Ah, he is being a terrible guest to his host. Surely Ajax was uncomfortable with his secrets being prodded just as Zhongli had dodged delving too deep into his own situation. Best leave it be for now.)

Instead, Zhongli's expression brightens at the mention of food in a clumsy attempt to draw attention away from his previous question. ]

That is quite fortunate. I did purchase some more bentos before I left Inazuma City, but they will not last long out here in the countryside. It would be best if they were eaten quickly in order to more fully enjoy them.

[ Ajax may or may not recognize that Zhongli is trying to make him less uncomfortable (he does, he absolutely does and it makes him feel something in his chest that he doesn't... quite understand. It isn't comfortable exactly but it's not uncomfortable either. Instead of s dwell though he quickly latches onto Zhongli's willingness to let him off the hook and move the subject to food. Without thinking he rushes up too Zhongli, ears perked as he clings to the Adeptus's arm, very curious and excited that he might have more bento. ]

Really ...?...! Like the ones before?

[ the fox youkai won't realize it but when he touches Zhongli, it's impossible for the retired Archon not to catch a sense of that Karmatic heavy filth of negativity that seems right now to overwhelm any identity Ajax has a youkai. Instead its just this concentrated pile of miasma that is little more than an oozing pulsing mass of the residue of all the awful things in this world. It lives in some sense, but it is nothing more than a collective negative residual from many peoples experiences and places. There's nothing else to "see" but this tumor, no one individual—

— but there is a small whimper Zhongli might catch, and in the visual phenomenon initiated by Ajax touching him, he might see a very young kit youkai encased in the tumor but barely visible. He's curled up afraid and defensively, but doesn't seem to be able to do anything except whimper and try not to sob. Unlike Ajax, he's white, but he's clearly too young to be white and he only has one tail.

Nevertheless, it definitely looks like a child version of Zhongli's youkai companion all the same. ]

[ Reflexively, one of Zhongli's hands reaches out to cover Ajax's as if he could reach out to the young suffering kit. A kit that is much younger and white but still ultimately he recognizes to be Ajax. A kit who had suffered something terrible and might still be suffering, yet he sees none of that reflected in Ajax's eyes. Only a warm smile and perked ears at the mention of a potential treat.

(What on Teyvat had happened to this poor boy? And how could anyone not be driven mad by that amount of negative energy?)

But as with all things related to the God of Contracts and fairness, Ajax will get a vision of his own. While not having racked up as much karmic debt as the other Adepti, Morax was not immune to its effects. Time and time again, he had made the lesser of two awful choices, the regret and fear and anger of the results clinging to him like a second skin that he could never shed.

In this vision, Ajax will see Zhongli robed in vibrant whites and golds. Regal and majestic with none of the bumbling warm presence that he exudes in Inazuma. His face is expressionless — no pity no remorse and no happiness as below him writhing tentacles of water cry out in anger and vengeance. "Morax." The sound is hissed like lava coming in contact with cool water. "You would side with them. You would do this to me. Are the humans with their useless lives and unending greed so precious to you? Morax!!!" Before the voice and water is silenced underneath the stone. ]

Similar but different.

[ Zhongli smiles fondly at Ajax as he leads the both of them away from the shrine and to a sun-warmed rock where they might sit and stretch out. ]

I would not be such a poor guest as to serve you the same meal twice when you have told me that you do not often get to sample cuisine from the city.

[ Once settled, Zhongli carefully begins pulling said bentos from the depths of his pack, setting it on Ajax's knees with the dreaded wooden chopsticks balanced on top of them. ]

A meal and some sightseeing would be a wonderful way to finish off the day, wouldn't you agree?

[ Ajax can almost feel that anger like it's a hot open flame. The person in white and gold is... Zhongli, but he is being called another name. Morax. Where has he heard that name before?

He can't help but... feel some sort of empathy for whatever entity fell to Morax's judgments. Humans... Yae has tried to convince him of their goodness, but Ajax has reached a point where he can only unstable their hatred, fears, and despair. He does not resent them like the entity beneath the waves does, but it does make him feel disheartened. Not that he ever expected Zhongli to want to side with him once he knew what (what, not who) he was, but the idea of him assisting with the humans that are responsible for this incredibly powerful negative force that the land tirelessly attempts to peirce its inhabitants from makes it... a shame. (A shame is the only thing he can think of. Nothing else correctly describes what he's feeling right now, and while he's sure there is a word for it, he doesn't know it.)

Morax and Zhongli... how could they be the same, though? The majestic robes figure seems so unapproachable and distant... and empty. Zhongli is so warm and kind. How can they even compare? Instinctively, Ajax clubs a little tighter momentarily (does Morax feel as empty as he looks? That can't be, but he doesn't like the idea of thinking that Zhongli may have ever been saddled with such things and ultimately alone as a result of the burden. Maybe they are similar? It's impossible, but the fox youkai momentarily nuzzles Zhongli's arm in reassurance, anyway, before being brought back to reality by Zhongli's smile. Ah ha... maybe it was just a trick his mind was playing on him from absorbing the miasma. The's no way the two could be the same individual...!]

Yes, that sounds great. We aren't far from a small beach, it would be a nice atmosphere for a meal. I think you would like it! The waves are really soothing, and the sand is so fine it feels really soft. At night, the waves even glow sometimes, too.

[ Zhongli isn't sure what to make of Ajax clinging to him suddenly nor is he very well versed in any sort of physical reassurance. But something bubbles up inside him about how he wants to offer comfort to this boy so he reaches out one hand to gently pat the fox on the shoulder. It was strange - there was no danger at present even with the miasma around so there was no need to be protective. But protective Zhongli felt all the same.

Ah, there were so many questions and no way to get answers for any of them, so best not to dwell too much on such matters until they could be addressed. ]

The beach sounds positively lovely. I'd enjoy it much if you could guide us there and also tell
me more about this glowing phenomenon.

[ Loathe to physically part from the other at the moment, Zhongli keeps Ajax's hand tucked in the crook of his elbow as he gestures for the young youkai to lead them away. Yes, best to get away from this shrine or perhaps visit it later without his new youkai companion so he could get a better sense of what he was actually dealing with.

There was more to this purification ritual than what glimmered on the surface. ]

[ For better or for worse Ajax doesn't seem to mind Zhongli's physical response (or somewhat lack thereof.) Instead he will simply refocus himself to start tugging Zhongli gently along in the direction of the beach since he still is able to have his arm.

It seems like Ajax has forgotten as quickly as he felt the need to provide that affection, already pushing to the next present situation. ]

I know a good spot!

====

[ And he takes Zhongli out into the vast beach flats where old no longer occupied huts and dwellings remain and there is little trouble to be found for them while they eat and enjoy the view of the waters that aren't subject to the perils of the Shoguns lightning storms. Ajax stays put for the Dustin of their mask and conversations and some time, afterwards too, until eventually he will start moving around the shores near the waters, looking for any fish, crabs or eels to catch (he doesn't catch any, he just chases them around like a child might have fun playing around for the most part. )

— And just like a child, eventually playing by himself isn't good enough so he's moving back over to Zhongli where he sits with his tea tries to talk him into going near the water for a walk! They don't have to swim, but walks on the beach are supposed to be good for inazumans and their health, so it probably is pretty good for a youkai and adeptus, too, isn't it?
Wading in the water seems to be most unpretentious to Ajax, content to not go swimming at such a time of evening but still willing to get the bottom of his robes wet without much care. Be wants them to walk along the water so they can find a good spot to see the waves glow, afterall. ]

It's best to see once it's twilight or later [ and it does seem to be getting there judging by the sunset that is vividly clear along the flats with very few visual obstructions. ] but we have to find a good place where the water is moved vigorously enough for waves so that they glow.

[ After they finish eating, Zhongli mostly watches Ajax from a distance, a smile creeping to his face as he observes the younger youkai frolic along the beach. He does not join him in the beginning (there are eels about, of course he wouldn't) but those pleading eyes and the tug on his hands eventually gets him up onto his feet and out onto the sand.

Zhongli slips out of his shoes and socks, rolling up the long hem of his trousers. The coat unfortunately is left to the mercy of the salt water as he trails behind Ajax. Slow and steady, he own gait is quite the juxtaposition to the fox and his boundless energy. Only once does he stray to dig something gleaming and iridescent wedged into the sand. A shell— in hues of pinks and purples rather the blue and white swirls of Liyue starconches. He does not need to open it to know that there is a small smooth pearl lodged into the center. How fortunous.

For now, he slips the shell into the pockets of his coat, planning on gifting it to Ajax later once it has been shined and tended to so that it is at its maximum glory. ]

Glowing waves?

[ Zhongli asks nonchalantly as he sidesteps more of the ocean tide and dips in the beach now that it is getting darker. It is colder, too, but Zhongli seems to not mind the chill, and he can't imagine Ajax does under all that fur.

Still, he reaches out to adjust he scarf around Ajax's neck so it warms him more thoroughly. ]

That sounds rather dangerous here in the land of eternity where the sky is more often filled with angry lightning bolts than it is not.

[ He's teasing mostly as he shows no resistance in following Ajax wherever he is leading him. ]

[ Just like a child would react to being teased when not realizing, Ajax quickly reaches to hold onto Zhongli's hand once he's finished fixing that scarf to squeeze and reassure him that it it's all completely fine! ] Ah, no it's really okay, I promise! And I would protect you anyway!

[ he can sense Zhongli is easily more than capable of taking care of himself even though he's not experienced enough to recognize really just how powerful Zhongli actually is, but it is reflective for him to want to reassure and offer protection as reassurance!]

It just glows from the algae present. The glow is a defense mechanism for them so when the waves are tumultuous like a predator disturbing and eating it they react in the same way.

[ As if to make a point, the fox youkai will kick one of his feet up to significantly displace some water and the flickering trees in the water momentarily become far more illuminated and obvious for the first time versus most of the fainter ones. It is a pretty blue rather than the dangerous purples of Inazuma and its archon. ]

[ Zhongli clasps Ajax's hand in return, a soft chuckle on his lips. ]

Then I leave myself in your capable hands.

[ He's supposed to be an aged adepti from Liyue after all. Strong but nothing special.

Zhongli watches the blue light catch from the root of the trees to their leaves, marveling at their beauty before— ]

I'm not sure if I understand how that is a defensible measure. Do they not attract more predators in such a fashion? Or perhaps they are calling out for the aid of the apex predator to take care of whatever may be causing them harm?

[ Though curious himself, he also does lean over to disperse a bit of the water with a quick flick of his wrist. Ah, leave it to Ei and Makoto to make the most dangerous things the most beautiful. ]

Uhm, well ... maybe they get scared that their food lights up? [ But apparently Ajax recognizes his point judging from how he asks his suggested explanation to Zhongli rather than tells him. He realizes he's not sure what eats the algae and if they maybe like light? Or does the algae give little zaps maybe instead that they can't feel because they're no trying to eat it themselves? He is very uncertain now, but in a curious manner rather than in a discouraged one. ]

Ah but yeah, good point... maybe it flags something to help out that could make a lot of sense, too! [ his tails perk joyously at finding an acceptable answer. As for the tress.... He didn't realize it but they do have a similar color too, don't they? Ajax's two visible tails swish curiously as he watches it now. he wonders if it is a tree that needs cleansing. It seems that from here, at least, it does not really matter as it is harmless from where they are, but the fox youkai does make sure to keep it in mind since he's not sure if the other would be familiar with the defiled trees and their aggression. ]

[ The urge to pet those swishing tails is positively distracting. Suddenly Zhongli has a new appreciation of how Ganyu and the others nestled for a nap in the fluff of his own tail whenever Morax found himself at that low stone table pouring over contracts and treaties for hours and hours.

(Ah. But he never had an urge to pet the Guuji's equally fluffy tails...) ]

I suppose we will not know until a stray predator attempts to take advantage of such algae.

But thank you for showing me. You are correct. It is quite beautiful and like nothing that I have ever seen along the shores of Liyue.

[ Zhongli watches Ajax's attention drift over to that tree. Is there something special about it? Inazuma is full of dazzling displays of lights, some benevolent and some deadly. He does not know to think that violent nature might be due to it needing cleansing. The weather in Inazuma was already needlessly violent in some areas. Why not the vegetation as well?

But also seeing that said tree has caught Ajax's attention, Zhongli takes Ajax's hand in his once again and continues their meandering pace towards it. ]

[ Oh... Ajax looks to Zhongli as he starts leading them towards the tree, concerned that the other might not know—oh but he will probably send something wrong with it once they get close enough but Britt they come into its range. Nevertheless, Ajax goes to move close to Zhongli. ]

Mr. Zhongli, be careful... it's really not friendly. It's... sick, as well. [he doesn't know how else to properly describe it. ]

Hmmmm...?

[ Zhongli stops for a moment, turning to face Ajax with one hand pressed to his chin. ]

Then should this not be healed as well?

[ Ah, but Ajax had already purified one source of miasma today, the darkness clinging to his fur and skin like so much smoke and ash. It would not do for him to overexert himself on this one, too.

Zhongli squeezes Ajax's palm in his. ]

Not that I am asking or wishing for you to do such a thing. Will you allow me the honor this time? I certainly will not be able to purify it but perhaps I can soothe its anger for just a while.

It should, but ...Are you sure, Mr. Zhongli? [ is that okay? Is that neglecting his duties? Does this make him—~~weak~~ ~~useless~~— but he is pretty sure it would be so rude to assume that Zhongli is not easily capable of dealing with the danger, especially as he is an older adeptus.

Ajax's ears flit rapidly a moment before stilling and he squeezes Zhongli's hand in return without thinking about it. he glances to the tree again before back to the adeptus. ]

Uhm, it will attack with the Shogun's lightning but I think it can only focus on one target at a time. Do you want me to distract it so your concentration is not bothered?

[ he had no idea that Zhongli has those shields of his. ]

[ This boy...

The type is not unknown to Morax. Young, (lonely), and eager to prove themselves to the world without regards to their own personal safety. Or perhaps there is a debt to pay or guilt to outrun. Either way, dismissing such help could send them spiraling or worse cause them to be more reckless in their quest for acceptance and attention.

All signs pointed that Ajax was such a creature.

Best to install good habits and fair give and take when the opportunity presented itself. ]

Are you sure you are up to such a task? You absorbed much of the miasma of the last shrine, and I do not wish to see you harmed in my ambitions to purify another.

We could wait until tomorrow if you think your body needs the rest.

[ Nevermind, that Zhongli's shields and his powers as the Prime of the Adepti could solve the issue without Ajax's intervention. This was Ajax's home and Ajax's duty. One he took very seriously.

He would not see such devotion tarnished by himself swooping in to solve the problem. ]

[ Those tails start wagging a bit at not being rejected and he laughs good naturedly in reassurance to Zhongli's concern. ]

Oh, yes, it will be fine. I will only run and leave the rest to you, promise.

[ He doesn't want Zhongli taking on the debt of the miasma, but he also knows that it's not common to absorb the filth like he does as for most it would eventually lead to their death in one way or another. So, he's hoping that an elder adeptus has ways of doing it that are much friendlier to their health. (And if not... well, he will just make sure not to let the other do so again... not when there was no consequence of Ajax himself doing it despite the worries. ]

[ The answer is as he suspects, but Zhongli still considers this a small victory that Ajax would allow him to assist in his sacred duty.

With a small smile, he reaches out to take the ends of Ajax's scarf and tucks them carefully around his neck and into the folds of his robes. It wouldn't do if his gift snagged on a branch or other jagged surface and caused him to trip up. ]

Thank you.

It is a great honor for me to be allowed to assist you in this task.

[ He smooths the fabric once more before taking a step back. ]

I leave the rest in your care.

Oya, is it? Mr. Zhongli's help is certainly valuable, though, so maybe it should be me honored for your assistance.

[ He waits until Zhongli is done (and later he'll realize he took far too quickly to being doted on concerning his gifted scarf and the other adjusting it for him and such; it's a gesture that reminds him of how he sees parents with their children, so it's sort of a novel idea to experience it.)

Once the other is done, Ajax will turn to wade through the water to hit shallow ground and enter the Tree's territory. He still hasn't figured out if this is an aggressive maneuver by the tree over being corrupted or if the tumor is actually using this method as a self defense to keep people away.

He takes a step into the shallow tides on the sand before feeling his fur stand on end from the sudden static electricity being generated as the attack is called down. It's luckily not as instant as normal lightning or things would be a little trickier. Ajax doesn't bother pausing or shaving still, instead choosing to continue to move along on the beach at a very well neutered speed that has lightning strikes trail behind him menacingly instead of skipping forward too far because he's trying to move too fast. ]

[ As Ajax had predicted, the tree only has enough energy to keep track of and attack one target. So as Ajax skips across the beach, bright bolts of violet lightning arcing across his footprints in the sand, Zhongli has no problem approaching the tree.

When he's little more than two arm's lengths away, it begins to crackle menacingly at him— the tree sparking itself as if it were a live wire. But Zhongli pays the threatening aura no heed as he holds a hand out toward the trunk palm facing outward. Even if it were to turn its full attention to him now, it was already too late.

As lethal as the tree's electro was, that's all it was in the end— electro. An element. One of the fundamental forces of nature that still ultimately had to interact within the rules in this world. Unlike Ajax, who absorbed that hate, that anger, that filth— Morax had a different one method. One that had served him time and time again and left him relatively free of the karmic debt that many other adepti faced.

A tendril of geo energy rises up to meet that sparking electro, wrapping around it, trapping it, grounding it and giving it no purchase to land. In a sparkling burst of violet-gold dust, the electro energy crystallizes on the wind and scatters. To blanket the wet sand. To be lost forever at sea. To be washed up against the shore and buried under the tide. Who knew where all that malevolent energy went? And did it matter if in the end it was lost from the realm of mortal and youkai?

More geo rises up to smother the electro with sharp sizzling pops and bright bursts of color like fireworks. This is not purification —so it does not heal the tree. Does not soothe it's anger. This is just but a cleansing of the symptoms, wiping away the grime and dirt to look directly at the gaping raw wound that remains.

One that Zhongli takes another step toward once the tree has no energy left to try and deter him. ]

[ Ajax turns when he doesn't feel the prickle of heat at his fur's tips, wondering if Zhongli had really already done something to the tree . To the see the Geo energy clash back and scatter the electro bolts has the fox youkai in awe. It's been a long while since he has seen geo energy in such action and even longer, if ever, since he's seen it used in such a way. He watches it scatter off glittering violet crystals that show no hints of the miasma and karma that each attack was infected with, whisped away including by nature to move on. Even moreso is realizing that ultimately the adeptus exhausts the tree into dormancy, rendering it harmless to both of them.

It's not long after now that the fox reappears behind the dragon, coming to move around and with hope to get a glimpse as if he might see something that he had never witnessed before with the tree in such a state. He wants to compliment and praise Zhongli, but it will have to wait as even he knows now is not a time to be distracting either of them from being alert while the situation is still at hand.

He wonders if Zhongli will also be able to clean the wound now that he's stripped away all of the corruption's defenses and, if not, what he plans to do, instead, to treat it. ]

[ The tree still crackles when they approach though it has no energy left to attempt to attack them. It's a sad pathetic sputtering of violet sparks as both of them will be able to peer straight into the rot of the tree.

And what a rot it is. A swirling mass of malevolent purple that sits near the heart of the trunk, pulsating as if it were alive. Writhing and whispering in hushed tones as if it were sentient. Ghostly and haunting as anything that can be seen in the graveyards of Wuwang Hill. Lightning crackles along the back of Zhongli's hand as he reaches out.

A white fox youkai with eyes of gold coughs up something purplish black, scrabbling at her throat as it splashes sickeningly against the ground. The white and red robes of the miko are tattered and torn on her frame, streaked with blood and ash. "Filth," she spits out before she falls to her needs, sinking into the miasma and the image fades away.

Oh.

These are memories. Whatever this sickness is, it lies intertwined with the Ley Lines. Zhongli has nothing in his arsenal that can purify this. Nor would he wish to attempt to considering how both fragile and important they are.

He turns to glance at Ajax over his shoulder. ]

This is not something I can heal.

[ The next question goes unspoken (Zhongli not knowing what to think if Ajax answers in the affirmative).

"Can you?" ]

Hm... [ Ajax's brow furrows as he observes the tumor-like cluster. It's only when Zhongli says he can't purify it that he also reaches out.

His ears lower, perhaps because he sees the memories, too, before he speaks up almost hesitantly. ]

I can remove it from the tree so it can heal, but I can't purify the filth. It'll have to be destroyed. [ So the memories must go with it when the time comes. ]

Destroyed...?

[ The word is spoken quietly, hushed in a way that one might whisper a secret. ]

But the memories—

[ And was it not a secret— to speak of destroying memories instead of letting them find their way naturally to Irminsul.

Zhongli shakes his head, shoulders straightening in determination. That was something that he could not allow. Not as the God of History. Not as a retired Archon. And not as a friend to those who died so that Inazuma might survive the Cataclysm. ]

No. No, we can't destroy it.

[ Ajax blinks, never really having thought much about it. No? Can't destroy it? What else can be done, then? Still, the fox youkai can't help but be intrigued by this response. There exists someone who sees something that doesn't belong in this world and should be eradicated but still insists it should not be done?

(Maybe he's being a little too hopeful. Maybe he is assuming far too much by the adeptus's words. Still, he can't help it, because it's the first time he's met someone would rather leave the filth in existence than purge what has been defiled.

It's something truly fascinating, Ajax thinks. Does that mean just maybe that if what he is ever comes to light, Zhongli won't want to get rid of him, too, even if that's what should be done? Is that too hopeful? Yes, most likely, but—) ]

We can't? What do we do with it then? [ is also very good that Zhongli doesn't want to destroy it, because Ajax can't do such a thing and would have to make Zhongli do it, so that would be awkward explaining, wouldn't it? ]

Edited 2023-10-02 16:51 (UTC)

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