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[ 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)

[ Stubbornly. Uncompromisingly: ]

No, we can't.

[ Seconds tick by as Zhongli stands there agape, electricity crackling at the base of the tree as it started to recover from the crystallization process. Whatever they decide, it has to be done quickly unless that want to go a whole other round with this tree.

Hurriedly (and perhaps against his good judgement): ]

We'll take it with us. I should be able to keep it contained for a time — to which we can search for someone who can purify it properly or transplant it somewhere it cannot hurt anyone.

[ Surely, the Guuji would know what to do even if it meant interacting with more people than Zhongli had planned on. And if not the Guuji, perhaps some of the spirits on Watatsumi Island.

Worst case scenario, they could always bury it near the skull of Orochi. No sane mortal should hang around there for too long. ]

[ Oh.. oh, is that safe for Zhongli? Ajax doesn't know, he realizes. Still, they're is not time to argue, and he made a promise to not interfere or do anything regarding the corruption so he can't break that promise to Zhongli, either. So, without further consideration (because what else is there to consider?) Ajax nods. ]

Okay. Let's do that then. [ As long as Zhongli doesn't harm himself over it, Ajax is okay with diverting to something really unconventional to make the elder adeptus happier with the results.

His tails swish earnestly, depicting the urgency at which they should move now that the decision has been made. Still, for all the agency they should have with the situation at hand, the fox youkai will only offer an encouraging smile for Zhongli to go ahead and do as he wishes rather than attempt to discourage him in any manner.

Ultimately, it would be too dangerous right now. That is all there is to it. (Yes it has nothing to do with that desire to not make Zhongli feel powerless in any way, even if he still remains unaware of just how powerful Zhongli really is.

Zhongli gave him a gift, afterall. The least he can do is give one in return. Even if it's in the form of a ball of filth-tangled memories of an old friend.) ]

Edited 2023-10-05 00:59 (UTC)

[ Zhongli turns to Ajax, nodding his agreement. Yes, they should act quickly if they had intentions to act at all.

He holds out his hands in front of him, palms open as if were parting a great sea. From the fingertips, the skin starts to blacken (or rather harden) as flesh gives way to smooth polished stone. Geometric gold lines streak across said stone like so many lines in a sage's magical array.

The air feels weighted and heavy. Oppressive. As if gravity was pulling the lightning down down down and trapping it there.

With these outstretched hands, Zhongli reaches into the heart of the tree and carefully extracts the malevolent pulsing purple energy. Once it is pulled free, the gold geo energy at his hands encases it, wrapping it round it once twice thrice before cooling like lava escaped from the heart of a volcano.

The miasma fades.

Those dark traces of memory are whisked away on the wind.

And the trees bough sways as if to strike at them again with its lightning. ]

[ Ajax's ears twitch curiously, observing the current and how Zhongli works his abilities.

It doesn't seem to hurt the adeptus, and so long as that is the case, the fox youkai remains content with not understanding the details.

His attention snaps up to the tree, however, brow furrowing. He's not sure if it's going to attack again, but it's not impossible. The tumors still reside in the ley lines and beneath the great Sakura tree, so removing this cutting is probably only a temporary fix. It could still be aggressive without the miasma directly affecting it.

without a word he reaches to grab Zhongli's arm, not pulling him this way or that but ready at a moments notice if the tree makes a sudden move. ]

Let's go, Mr. Zhongli. I don't think we can do much more for it.

[ Zhongli takes one final look at the tree before pulling the memory close to his chest. Ajax was right... this was the best they could do for it for now. ]

Yes. Let's.

[ And even if Ajax does not tug him, he will move closer to him and in his direction until they are further along the beach, the purple crackling of electro just a faint light in the distance.

It is here in relative safely that Zhongli finally relaxes his grip on the memory. It floats leisurely above his palms like a balloon with an invisible string. From this angle, it looks almost toy-like and certainly nothing like one of the painful memories of this place during the Cataclysm.

Without turning to look at Ajax: ]

She deserves better than to have what is left of her destroyed simply because it is inconvenient.

[ This is the first time he can recall anyone speaking about the filth in such a way. It's fascinating, but he also has to wonder if he's misunderstood others or Zhongli is just that unique.

(Ajax likes the idea of Zhongli being special.)

Labelling destroying the filth as a convenience in this case is further surprising to the fox youkai. although Zhongli isn't speaking about Ajax, the fox can't hello but feel a flutter in his stomach.

(Would he also not deserve such a fate or is it different because she was corrupted rather than being the corruption itself? He holds he never has to find out. ) ]

Okay, we will figure out what to do then. Don't worry. Where do you want to start looking? You won't be affected by the corruption keeping it contained, either, right?

[ Zhongli looks across the water at the moon as it slowly starts climbing into the sky.

So focused he is on the sealed memories in front of him, he does not catch any sign of Ajax's reaction to his handling of the situation. Not that Zhongli ever paid much attention to how others viewed how he operated, confident as he was in how he conducted himself. ]

It is after sundown. If tradition holds, then surely the Narukami Shrine has shuttered its doors for the evening. Perhaps we should find a place to rest for the night and head there first thing tomorrow morning.

[ Finally, he turns to Ajax with just he hint of a comforting smile. Ah, he should be a little bit more courteous to his host. It probably is a bit of a disappointment that Ajax wanted to show him something nice and they had got caught up in more purification work instead. ]

I will be fine. But thank you for your concern.

And thank you for showing me everything. It was a truly lovely evening.

[ Ajax laughs good naturally and it's a smile in return. He does not show any disappointment if there is any. ]

Ah ha! I thought the same about this evening, too. Thank you for sharing it with me.

As for a place to rest... why don't we head to a village nearby so you can get a place to stay. There's no need to sleep outside if you don't have to.

[ Zhongli blinks slowly, thinking about the possible outcomes of bringing corrupted (if contained) memories into a human settlement. He also is quite aware that Ajax means to send him off to the village alone. ]

I would prefer to stay away from any villages. Nor do I want to stray too far from you since you seem to know a least a little of the forces at work here in Inazuma.

If it is amenable to you, I would rather spend the night with you. If not, I can find my own way and meet you in the morning. Sleeping out among the stars is not something new to me.

[ Even if it had been centuries since there had been a need for him to do so. ]

Of course you can stay with me, if that's what you want. [ although Ajax seems to almost contemplate how he can make sleeping outside more comfortable for him in case he's not used to it even if it's been done before.

He'll reach out his hand now to offer it to Zhongli with a smile. ] hm... I know a peaceful place! Come with me.

Edited 2023-10-08 02:35 (UTC)

[ Zhongli smiles softly back in return. Even if it also the most logical setup for the evening, he can't help but want to be able to steal more of these quiet private moments with Ajax. Alone would be a poor way to spend his journey through Inazuma and the blooming friendship between them was more comfortable than trying to integrate himself into a country he had not visited for centuries.

Surely an old retired god like himself is allowed to indulge like so.

The filth gets tucked under one arm carefully, opposite of the side facing Ajax, as he reaches to grasp that hand tightly. ]

Then it seems I will be in your care a little while longer.

[ it doesn't take long for them to reach their destination: a cave with an underground "garden" with the beautiful plants and flowers. Ajax will let go of Zhongli's hand to start looking for a soft place to sleep and find a nice soft mossy area along the grass before he'll start picking up leaves from nearby trees that have fallen or otherwise blown into the cave from the outside to start making a nest of sorts. it's not much but when he's done it will give them a place to rest that is cushioned a little for more comfort. he'll beckon Zhongli over.. ]

Here. It's not like human beds which I hear are quite comfy but it should be pretty okay anyway.

[ Ajax flips onto the leaves and waits for Zhongli to come, too. And as soon as the fox youkai sees the adeptus seems comfortable enough, Ajax'll roll over to face towards Zhongli. His nine tails come into view and immediately move to stretch over them both like fluffy blankets. (Ajax has very soft and nice fur, better than most fox youkai so it should be plenty comfortable for Zhongli. ] ...There. I'll keep you warm since we have no blankets and the like.

[ Ah. Has Ajax never slept in a human bed before? It seems like that is the case yet he is going to such lengths to ensure that Zhongli is comfortable even if he's not quite sure what he should be doing. It's equal parts endearing and concerning. Just where did Ajax sleep normally? ]

It is quite comfortable. Thank you.

[ Zhongli takes the sealed corruption and nestles it in a patch of earth as far away from both of them as well as the flowers and plants. Contained as it may be, there was no way to tell what prolonged exposure would do to the living. Best to be safe rather than sorry and also try and find its proper resting place as soon as possible.

He lays down in the makeshift nest of leaves next to Ajax, a little sound of surprise escaping as he is draped in all of his nine fluffy tails. Much warmer and cozier than most blankets indeed. Zhongli strokes one tail idly as he shifts to a more comfortable position.

He turns to face Ajax as well, asking a question that he suspects he already knows the answer to. ]

Is it not a strain on you to manifest all of your tails. While I do greatly appreciate their warmth and comfort, I promise you that I am well used to sleeping on nothing but the cool earth. Even this location you have found is quite the luxury.

[ Ajax looks sheeoish but shrugs it off with a smile (and his answer is quite non committal)] if it does, I have never really noticed it. It's actually easier for me since I can't control my trails very well. Besides, we are going to sleep so even if it is somehow a strain it will be fine !

[ there's a pause now, though, his tails hugging around them both as he thinks if he should say something. He's sure Zhongli already noticed, anyway, but...]

Besides, I'm an orange Ninetails, which I know you know is really strange. I've been told it's because I'm too young to be an elder Ninetails and turning white is related to age... except in very rare cases which are mutations. Those kinds of fox youkai start from birth white but they are often killed out of fear they are an elder mavelont Ninetails and tactics that would only make an elder retreat are fatal to them. So I guess I'm a reverse or something. My color matches how old I am but my tails don't, and since I have a hard time concealing them, I stay away from interacting with humans as to not scare them. I can conceal them well enough by now but still... [ his ears point straight forward as a pout colors his expression. ] I really ....don't like dogs. They can still startle me enough I might turn back into a fox unintentionally if I'm not mentally prepared for them. [ he starts mumbling quietly now. ] So I can't try human abura-rage much which really is no good... maybe in another 30 years and I'll be good to go.

Edited 2023-10-10 01:18 (UTC)

[ It is the answer Zhongli suspects, but yet he finds himself nodding in response. His hand idly strokes over the tails as Ajax speaks, shifting them slightly in order to cover both of them in their softness. ]

I must admit I did find it strange to find an orange Ninetails. However, I have not been to Inazuma in a very long time. It would not surprise me if the population densities of youkai would have shifted over the centuries, especially if certain features gave one group an advantage over another.

[ Fear of the unknown was always a motivating factor, moreso for humans but even other beings were not immune to losing to their more base emotions. Zhongli briefly wonders if the rest of Ajax's family were also orange kitsune. If not, perhaps this anecdote hits a little closer to home than he realized. And what a dreadful thought that is... Certainly that is too personal of a question to ask at this point anyway. Perhaps as the budding friendship and trust continues to grow, Ajax will feel comfortable enough to talk about his family (or reason for lack thereof). ]

I should hope it would not take another 30 years for you to master your mortal form. Perhaps I could help teach you as I have experience in walking undetected among human settlements.

[ And then, perhaps a little teasing: ]

The alternative solution would be for me to go fetch your favorite mortal foods myself.

[ Ajax's expression lights up at the offer to being taught. ]

Really? You would?

[ there a flustered huff at the teasing, cheeks puffing a bit even as he brings his hands to his his face in embarrassment. ] —!!

N-no, I can do it if you teach me, Zhongli-sensei. Otherwise I'll die when you're away in Liyue, you know!