Ah, was that it? Was that the sentimental part of Morax buried deep down that day he faced the Geo Sovereign? Erosion would take everything from him eventually (even himself) but had he clung to an Azhdaha that would remember him if only in hatred over one that could be reborn in the never-ending cycle of Teyvat?
A thought for another time perhaps. ]
Yes, I am aware. Such an event would put both Liyue and Sumeru at risk.
[ That is why Zhongli had attempted to lure Azhdaha away from the Chasm, after all — filled as it was with miners and the Millelith. But even this distance would not spare either nation. Not completely. And though Liyue had proven itself to be able to stand on its own, was it not cruel to throw such a catastrophe at them so early into their newfound flight?
(But if not here, then where? Was anywhere safe for such a deed to be done?) ]
Perhaps this is rather presumptuous of me— but I hope that you might help find a solution that I myself could not.
[ Who was better equipped to do the impossible than one of the over-turners of the prophecy of Fontaine after all? Perhaps it was more than coincidence that had Neuvillette and Zhongli cross paths today. ]
Mondstadt as well, given its geographical proximity.
[ Neuvillette does think it's a bit presumptuous of Zhongli, but chooses not to verbalize that particular thought as his brow creases in thought. He begins to pace back and forth across the grassy area surrounding the mighty tree as he goes through various scenarous in his head, trying to calculate the odds of success for each one.
The piece of literal stone that is his heart feels heavy. None of this feels right, he shouldn't so readily prepare himself to kill a fellow Sovereign when he has yet to even confirm his mental state, yet here he is doing exactly that. He stops by a nearby creek, a silver chalice materializing in his hand and he crouches down to gather some water. It's cool against his lips as he takes a long sip, soothing his mind just a little. ]
Perhaps there is a way to mitigate the abrupt release of elemental power—encasing him in Hydro, maybe. Or I could attempt to redirect it into my body; I can't wield the other elements like Azhdaha can, but Hydro vishaps in general do possess some degree of elemental adaptability.
[ That would be like stepping in front of a cannon at the moment of discharge, however. Neuvillette doubts it would be enough to outright kill him when Azhdaha is far weaker than he is, but he would be gravely wounded and may need years to fully recover afterward. The Heavenly Principles may rouse from their slumber and bring devastation down upon Fontaine while its Sovereign is incapacitated; he would prefer to avoid such a scenario. ]
[ Zhongli pauses a few steps away from Neuvillette, waiting for him to take a sip from the stream. For a brief (perhaps irrational moment), he awaits for another critique of Liyue's waters so close to the mines for surely it could have only gotten worse with the most recent seismic activity. Or perhaps Zhongli was hoping for some innate understanding of Hydro to grant Neuvillette insight into a cleaner solution their current predicament. But no— he's just drinking water to calm himself.
It is as quaint as it is quirky. Something to ruminate upon later perhaps as Zhongli's eyes widen slightly at the Chief Justice's next proposal. Encasing Azhdaha in hydro— or redirecting all of that malevolent energy into the Hydro Sovereign himself?
Oh no. Oh no no no. That would not do at all. Zhongli ducks his head down briefly trying to hide his surprise behind his bangs as he composes himself. ]
My apologies. I did not mean that you should put yourself more at risk. Azhdaha's current predicament is my doing and therefore my responsibility. I do not desire to put anyone else in harm's way, especially not someone that Fontaine needs guidance now from so dearly.
I meant—
[ What did he mean? That perhaps Azhdaha could find a kindred? That Neuvillette who came to love Fontaine and her people as much as any of the original Seven of old could understand his old friend's frustrations and hopes in a way that no one else could.
That they both might find some shared experience and (dare he hope some peace) in each other. ]
That perhaps you could reason with him in ways that I could not. In ways that perhaps no one could save for a handful. Even reborn as you are, there are some bonds between souls that transcend all others.
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hydrangeabloom2023-09-16 01:51 pm
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Ah, was that it? Was that the sentimental part of Morax buried deep down that day he faced the Geo Sovereign? Erosion would take everything from him eventually (even himself) but had he clung to an Azhdaha that would remember him if only in hatred over one that could be reborn in the never-ending cycle of Teyvat?
A thought for another time perhaps. ]
Yes, I am aware. Such an event would put both Liyue and Sumeru at risk.
[ That is why Zhongli had attempted to lure Azhdaha away from the Chasm, after all — filled as it was with miners and the Millelith. But even this distance would not spare either nation. Not completely. And though Liyue had proven itself to be able to stand on its own, was it not cruel to throw such a catastrophe at them so early into their newfound flight?
(But if not here, then where? Was anywhere safe for such a deed to be done?) ]
Perhaps this is rather presumptuous of me— but I hope that you might help find a solution that I myself could not.
[ Who was better equipped to do the impossible than one of the over-turners of the prophecy of Fontaine after all? Perhaps it was more than coincidence that had Neuvillette and Zhongli cross paths today. ]
no subject
[ Neuvillette does think it's a bit presumptuous of Zhongli, but chooses not to verbalize that particular thought as his brow creases in thought. He begins to pace back and forth across the grassy area surrounding the mighty tree as he goes through various scenarous in his head, trying to calculate the odds of success for each one.
The piece of literal stone that is his heart feels heavy. None of this feels right, he shouldn't so readily prepare himself to kill a fellow Sovereign when he has yet to even confirm his mental state, yet here he is doing exactly that. He stops by a nearby creek, a silver chalice materializing in his hand and he crouches down to gather some water. It's cool against his lips as he takes a long sip, soothing his mind just a little. ]
Perhaps there is a way to mitigate the abrupt release of elemental power—encasing him in Hydro, maybe. Or I could attempt to redirect it into my body; I can't wield the other elements like Azhdaha can, but Hydro vishaps in general do possess some degree of elemental adaptability.
[ That would be like stepping in front of a cannon at the moment of discharge, however. Neuvillette doubts it would be enough to outright kill him when Azhdaha is far weaker than he is, but he would be gravely wounded and may need years to fully recover afterward. The Heavenly Principles may rouse from their slumber and bring devastation down upon Fontaine while its Sovereign is incapacitated; he would prefer to avoid such a scenario. ]
no subject
It is as quaint as it is quirky. Something to ruminate upon later perhaps as Zhongli's eyes widen slightly at the Chief Justice's next proposal. Encasing Azhdaha in hydro— or redirecting all of that malevolent energy into the Hydro Sovereign himself?
Oh no. Oh no no no. That would not do at all. Zhongli ducks his head down briefly trying to hide his surprise behind his bangs as he composes himself. ]
My apologies. I did not mean that you should put yourself more at risk. Azhdaha's current predicament is my doing and therefore my responsibility. I do not desire to put anyone else in harm's way, especially not someone that Fontaine needs guidance now from so dearly.
I meant—
[ What did he mean? That perhaps Azhdaha could find a kindred? That Neuvillette who came to love Fontaine and her people as much as any of the original Seven of old could understand his old friend's frustrations and hopes in a way that no one else could.
That they both might find some shared experience and (dare he hope some peace) in each other. ]
That perhaps you could reason with him in ways that I could not. In ways that perhaps no one could save for a handful. Even reborn as you are, there are some bonds between souls that transcend all others.