hydrangeabloom | (no subject)

[ 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!

[ Zhongli blinks a bit owlishly not that Childe can see it with his face covered like so. ]

Sensei...

[ Cute.

Ajax is terribly endearing. He is friendly and kind and generous and thoughtful. Which makes the fact that he speaks and moves and acts like he has been alone for such a long time sting Zhongli's heart in a way he's not sure how he should address it.

He settles for warm laughter at Ajax's mortified expression. ]

Certainly you will not die. You have survived well enough up until now, have you not? Your palate might just be... well, limited to what you have always partaken in.

[ He strokes the back of Childe's wrists, giving them a playful tug to keep him from hiding his face. ]

Come now. There is no reason to be embarrassed. And I certainly have no intentions of leaving Inazuma if you are concerned about starving.

[ the youkai perks at Zhongli's words particularly where he said he won't leave Inazuma (surely that is an extreme exaggeration but Ajax still can't help but be intrigued by it all the same, because isn't that something he's never heard from anyone ever before? That they won't leave him? And over such a superficial thing, too... Ah, Zhongli is really just such a kind person. he will peek out at the other at the tug to his wrists before letting them fall away. ]

Okay, if you really won't leave... but I can still learn really fast!

[he reaches to grasp grab Zhongli's face and pull him gently forward to place an affectionate chu kiss against his temple as a thank you. ]

Edited 2023-10-12 18:08 (UTC)

My word is as solid as—

[ Oh.

Oh dear. It appears that Zhongli has short circuited with how everything comes to a stuttered halt at the kiss to his temple. His cheeks darken just a bit as it slowly dawns on him what is happening.

Zhongli would not call himself a lonely person. Of course, he has lost many people in his long life as a natural consequence of his lifespan. But his life in Liyue is pleasant. As the mortal Zhongli, he has many friends to spend time with and as Morax, even moreso when visiting the other adepti. But none of his relationships are particularly affectionate and have not been for some time. The closest would be Barbatos who does it more to see what he can get away with (or perhaps he is a little lonely himself) than genuine affection.

This was nice. Very nice.

And probably something worth visiting when he was in the calm safety of his own company.

Oh right. Oh dear.

Just to make sure Ajax does not take his flummoxed pause as such actions being unwelcome, Zhongli raises a hand to affectionately stroke the fox youkai between the ears. ]

You have the enthusiasm for it.

[ He clears his throat as he settles down against the makeshift nest and into the fluff of the nine tails. ]

But we can save such a lesson for tomorrow. For now, I think we have both earned our rest.

[ his sensei is so very cute, he's sure of this!

this fox youkai seems terribly pleased with himself when he gets the affectionate response, his ears bending just a little along with the movements of Zhongli's fingers even if they aren't specifically touching them. It seems he likes the feeling, that much is obvious! If he understands the implications of Zhongli's initial reaction, however, it isn't clear. He may know what he did, but for some reason it would easily feel equally like that Ajax couldn't possibly know any better even if he hasn't exactly admitted to being familiar with things such as the implications and responses of affectionate gestures like such. Regardless, he seems very pleased, enough that he doesn't question any of it and instead snuggles right up against Zhongli like the other is a long lost littermate.

It's cute, if not a bit awkward for poor Zhongli. At the very least the adeptus will have no concerns that he is anything short of trusted and adored by Ajax considering how easily and affectionately the youkai is willing to share a sleeping spot with his elder without fuss.

It would also seem he is a bit more tired than he initially let on, as well, as he falls asleep quite quickly for one not affected by the various strenuous activities of the day. Then again, he could be just like a small kit still (as with any child of any species, really) and simply tuckered out from the overly exciting day he's had, too. ]

Edited 2023-10-14 16:23 (UTC)

[ Zhongli's fingers card carefully through Ajax's hair until the fox's breathing slows to something much more suitable for sleeping (or at least pretending to be asleep). It is only then that he lets out a soft sigh of his own.

He was not an expert on youkai in Inazuma. Nor was he fully aware of all that happened within this nation after the Cataclysm, so busy he was with the fallout from Liyue and Ei's withdrawal into her own realm. And yet, something still seems quite off about all of this. Why was this lone young fox yokai (not a shrine maiden and not working in any capacity for the electron archon) saddled with such a task? Why did his purification ritual seem so strange? And what was he really in charge of purifying seeing as the land was still rife with dangerous thunderstorms and memories of the past?

Well, there was no way to know until he talked to Yae. And even then Zhongli would have to parse her rather cryptic way of providing information until it was distilled into something useful.

There was nothing to do this night but sleep.

Zhongli's hand slips from Ajax's hair as he curls against the other in response, his own eyes starting to droop. Ah, he was still adjusting to losing the gnosis. For while it did not offer him too much greater power than he originally possessed, it still had been a part of him for millennia. It's absence was like a phantom limb, partially welcome as his tie to Celestia had been severed but also exhausting in a way he had not been prepared for.

So if Ajax were to wake up in the middle of the night (or even Zhongli before he rises for the next day), he'll find a heavy weight draped across his waist. At first, it's easy to mistake it for an arm carelessly tossed over Ajax as part of their close quarters.

But no, that is definitely Zhongli's tail, thick and heavy, curling around his waist with the golden tuft of fluff at the end brushing against the back of Ajax's calves. The golden antlers are back, too, as Zhongli is much too tired to keep up his mortal form in his exhaustion and in the presence of the youkai. ]

[ Ajax does not sleep well, but he has come to at least control his worst nightmares in terms of acting out— when he wakes suddenly there are no loud noises or truly startling movements, just forcing his eyes open suddenly to clear them as quickly as possible. The nightmares have become by now so overdone and consistent that he finds it hard to be truly moved— at least beyond the emotional toll they take on him that he also ignores the cumulation of.

For this fox youkai does not merely deal with the nightmares of his own experiences but all of the memories of Inazuma lost to their hosts, as they scatter like leaves only to be tumbled into the filth that sickens the land of the electro Archon. Many are Lady Saiguu's, but far many more are unnamed victims that have lost their lives to the miasma itself indirectly or directly that creates a constant cycle of pain and suffering. Ajax stares off with unfocused eyes, the nightmare he's roused from still echoing at the edges of his wakeful reality, clawing and freezing the boundaries to the point he has to wonder when does one become more real than the other. Will there be a point ever where those memories make up not of him than the reality that he faces every day?

(Someone's parents don't come home one night. They grow up orphaned, scared, bitter and alone and only wishing to get revenge on the ones that took their family away from them, that took their entire life away and made it nothing more than a means to an end. They never succeed, either because they can't identify the people, they agree killed by another, or bad luck catches up to them, too, in their quest and they die unfairly and unfulfilled.)

Ajax doesn't know why, but memories like these upset him the most. That suffering is always so raw, so real, so simplistic it's impossible not to sympathize with the victim as if... as if he could really empathize what having a family taken away would be like. What a joke, maybe even a vile despicable thought to think he could understand that suffering in any way.

(But as he glances up and notices Zhongli also asleep, head bowed peacefully as he's curled in against the fox youkai, Ajax feels a sliver of dread he doesn't quite understand. He knows what it is because he's felt it through others so many times before— the dread of losing this person. This adeptus does not belong to him or his life in any sense, though, he has no right to feel anything like (because even if Zhongli merely goes back to Liyue, Ajax will lose him. so why would he feel so strongly attached as if he understands what it feels like to not be alone that going back to it would bring sadness? )

If he's honest, he very much has come over this short trip to not want to be alone anymore since meeting this adeptus. Maybe because Zhongli treats him too much like a living being that has his own life and right to exist with the rest of the. That's an impossible future for him, though, so why does his mind linger on such a thing, regardless? Letting his gaze wander he glances to the large tail and how the way it's curled about him makes him feel like he could be safe. He's never felt safe with anyone before. Is it because Zhongli is such a powerful being that he feels a strange comfort in that or is it something else?

(Again he can't... be killed like a real person or by the miasma. And no matter how powerful and entity only be very specific individuals could destroy him, so there's no reason to feel unsafe. He isn't even sure how he could feel safe, but his mind tells him that's what he feels and so he goes with it. )

Not wanting to disturb the other, Ajax simply remains as he is short of snuggling a little bit closer once again. His elder is asleep and unaware, but it's all more than enough Ajax can pretend for some pmoments that's he's being consciously held. It's nice... maybe too nice to the point it shouldn't feel nice at all. Ajax is stubborn about what he wants to feel and how to perceived things, though, so he manages to rather easily focus on the positive he wants out of it.

(Even so, the youkai can't help but wonder why Zhongli is being so accommodating to him. He's not unhappy with it at all, but he has never particularly been able to make long term relationships really beyond face value.of course, to want to have relationships when something like himself... he guesses is only natural to want and feel things from the memories of others no matter how corrupted they have become.)

His curious blue eyes drift up to the antlered horns, quietly admiring them even as they catch the gleam and gentle glow of flowers and plants in the cave. Everything is peaceful enough until the sounds of wolves are picked up by his large ears. They flatten nervously but he only goes to move so he can make sure his tails cover them both efficiently. Regularly wolves aren't an issue, but the spirit realm ones that prowl about can be obvious and sneak attack if they don't recognize what they are dealing with. There's no way they will pick a fight if they sense either of their strengths normally but if they find them vulnerable they just might try their luck. A Ninetails with all his tails on display even while not needing to have them present, white or otherwise, should be enough to keep the spirits from trying anything though. Even so, Ajax shifts to protectively test his head against Zhongli's antlers now.

He will finally drift back to sleep after a few minutes if Zhongli stays asleep. ]

[ As Ajax starts to drift back to sleep, the earth beneath them warms even though the many layers of blankets and padding that the kitsune had prepared for the two. It warms like stone being left out in the sun, glowing lines of amber criss cross along the cavern floor and then up the walls almost to the ceiling. They form a lattice, thin and delicate but obviously a barrier of some kind. One that does not appear to take much effort for Zhongli to conjure at all.

It is only then that Zhongli opens his eyes, nuzzling a little against Ajax's face as he blinks at him still half asleep. ]

You are restless. And expending your energy needlessly.

[ He pulls Ajax closer, tucking him underneath his chin even though it is Ajax who is providing them with the majority of the warmth. The snuggle of before becomes more of a protective hold as if he was shielding Ajax from the world.

Zhongli would be embarrassed if he was more awake, given that the nine-tails could definitely fend for himself. But on this border of consciousness and dreams, his instincts take over. ]

Rest. I will keep watch and make sure no creature can enter this cave.

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