hydrangeabloom | (no subject)

[ A brief silence settles between the two as the Iudex considers the other man's words. Unless he's wildly misinterpreting something, it almost sounds like he wishes to spend more time with him... but why? They're not friends. Quite the opposite, in fact; Zhongli is an enemy who owes a debt of blood for his part in upholding Celestia's illegitimate regime. For sealing the rightful ruler of Geo deep beneath the earth in Nantianmen. Perhaps he mistakenly thinks they're friends and is trying to replicate the bond he supposedly shared with Azhdaha all those centuries ago. ]

I need no personal favors in return, Monsieur. [ He replies, maintaining a carefully neutral tone that doesn't betray the enmity simmering deep within. ]

Simply do what you can for Fontaine, and return home once you're satisfied. I will pay the remainder of the debt you owe the hotel.

[ He tries to frame it as his way of thanking him for his surprisingly useful assistance over these past few months, but in reality he's just looking to get the former Archon out of his hair. With how slowly he's been paying off the debt he incurred, Neuvillette is starting to think he might end up staying here for years if he doesn't step in and do something.

Meanwhile, the vishap that had been eyeing Zhongli's shoe earlier is now sinking its teeth into the heel and trying to pull it off the other man's foot. ]

[ While Neuvillette is as dignified and respectable as ever, the slight tone shift between them does not go unnoticed. It is to be expected of course that Archons and Sovereigns would have a difficult time co-existing with all that came before. The companionship he had shared with Neuvillette, while certainly unconventional at times, was one that Zhongli could share with very few beings in Teyvat. But ah— perhaps he had once again been wrapped up in his own selfishness without seeing the world as it must appear through the eyes of a still young reincarnated dragon.

Had their conversation not been fraught with the secret of the second Hydro Archon's passing and now this sudden return to formality, Zhongli might indulge in playing with the young vishap. As it stands now, however, the conversation had taken a turn that needed careful navigation, so the poor hatchling will chomp down on a jade shield that forms over Zhongli like a second skin — footwear saved from an unpleasant end for the time being.

As if in quiet apology, a small whirling ball of geo energy coalescences just to the side of the young vishap — an intricate floating cube. It spins idly in the air for a few moments before drifting off to one side in an obvious game of fetch.

A game that Zhongli currently is paying only the barest amount of attention to as he regards Neuvillette with as much composure and companionship as their months together have so tentatively forged. ]

Ah, perhaps that was worded poorly. I seek not for a exchange of favors, Monsieur. But for your company if you ever wish to travel to Liyue.

Though perhaps I have overstayed my welcome here. This, too, I understand, if you wish for our collaboration to end with the conclusion of the prophecy.

[ The vishap winces as it inadvertently bites into something solid as stone, glaring down at the shoe as though it's somehow to blame for this before it gets distracted by the cube that materializes out of thin air. It tilts its head, staring at it for a few seconds before it breaks into a sprint, chasing after it, having practically forgotten about the shoe. Neuvillette spares the young creature a quick glance before returning his gaze to the other dragon.

Well, false dragon. Zhongli may take the form of something that looks like a dragon, but Neuvillette doesn't consider someone with no relationship to the vishaps a true dragon. A hare and a rabbit may look similar but are entirely different species, after all. ]

I doubt I will leave Fontaine anytime soon. Now that the Oratrice has ceased to function, I'm personally powering the nation with Pneumousia until a viable alternative is found.

[ He deliberately phrases it in a manner that can be interpreted as him not being able to leave at all; it's true that he can't travel too far from Fontaine, but as far as he can tell he should at least be able to go to Chenyu Vale without causing any power outages. He's been thinking of perhaps going there briefly for the next Lantern Rite but Zhongli doesn't need to know that. There's no possible way they could run into each other there by chance, anyway. ]

Our collaboration has come to an end, but perhaps our paths will cross again in the future, Monsieur. [ The Sovereign will see to it that they will, once it's time to put him on trial. He then pauses, briefly, thinking back on his conversation with Skirk. ]

...There is one more thing I would like to bring up; if you are still in possession of the Geo Gnosis, I advise that you get rid of it as soon as possible.

[ It should not be strange to Zhongli that the more things change, the more that they stay the same. Whether Sovereign or Archon or Sovereign again, one seemed bound to their nation in so many more entrenched and intrusive ways than just duty. Or perhaps duty was the crux of the issue much like Fontaine was the source of all water. It is unsurprising that Neuvillette would be tethered even moreso to Fontaine after all that had transpired. But a small part of Zhongli hopes deep down that he does not have to be the nation's battery for too long. Such a system seems woefully easy (and tragic) to exploit.

But, ah, it seems that perhaps these next meetings were to be their last for quite a while unless Zhongli came to Fontaine again. For even if he did visit, what reason would he have to find a spot on the Chief Justice's very busy calendar? All questions with no answers at the moment.

The sudden shift to bringing up the gnosis catches him off guard, and thus Zhongli defaults to his most tried and true strategy — revealing little to none of his own hand as he does not at first answer Neuvillette's question. ]

Might I ask why you would suggest that?

[ Zhongli's response doesn't say anything whether he still has it or not, but that's fine. Neuvillette doesn't particularly care if the former Archons prefers to keep his cards close to his chest regarding this matter; he simply wishes to share what he personally considers to be deeply unsettling information. What Zhongli does with it is ultimately up to him. ]

After defeating the All-Devouring Narwhal, Lumine and I encountered Tartaglia's master, Skirk. She said she could smell the presence of something similar to a god's curse and then asked if I had "the remains of the Third Descender" on my person.

[ He explains as the vishap in his arms wakes, blinking groggily as it begins to squirm in his arms to be let down, which Neuvillette obliges immediately. It chirps happily and then wanders off to the side to instigate a play fight with one of its peers. ]

I do not know who this Third Descender is or how they died, but their corpse was carved up into the seven Gnoses. I don't think it's a good idea to hold onto the remains of the deceased; sooner or later, it will invite misfortune.

Thank you for letting me know.

[ A god's curse— well, isn't that one way to put it mildly.

Zhongli nods solemnly as he receives this information, his own tangled web of duty and contracts severely limiting what he can say or do in response to this situation. It seemed so unfair though, after all that Fontaine had gone through and how it had to struggle on its own to thwart prophecies and curses— that they should be rewarded with being kept further in the dark.

And was this not an olive branch offered to Zhongli himself? Rex Lapis was dead — so Neuvillette could easily assume that the gnosis was no longer in his possession. And yet, here he was offering a warning and for what — the safety of an ex-Archon wished by a reborn Sovereign?

(How everything was changing so fast as it all spiraled down to the quickly approaching conclusion.) ]

Monsieur Neuvillette.

[ He watches the vishap scurry off to play with its peers. Watches the other drag the glowing bit of rock to the other in its mouth, tailing thumping happily. ]

Do you know what a Descender is?

I haven't been told what it means, but I assume it refers to an individual originating from beyond Teyvat. Presumably, they must also possess a particular quality or characteristic to be called a Descender.

[ He's been mulling it over from time to time ever since his conversation with that mysterious woman, and this is the conclusion he's arrived at based on the minimal amount of information he currently has. Not all who come from outside of Teyvat are necessarily Descenders; if that were the case, wouldn't the All-Devouring Narwhal also be one? So there must be more to the title than just being a foreign entity. ]

The Traveler said she's the Fourth. If we take Descender to mean something along the lines of "outlander capable of disrupting the present world order," then the Heavenly Principles is likely the First.

[ And if this line of thought is correct, then there's only one obvious candidate for the Second: the invader who showed up to instigate a great war against the first usurper, ravaging the earth and rendering the skies asunder in the process. ]

[ Zhongli's nod is non-committal neither affirming or denying Neuvillette's line of reasoning. The logic was sound and the conclusions reasonable. ]

It seems that you are well-versed in this world's history.

[ Perhaps all then that was needed was a small nudge. ]

Should your responsibilities wane enough for you to investigate further, I believe the help of a neighbor might provide more wisdom.

[ Whether he means the newly freed Dendro Archon or going to visit fearsome (and grumpy) Apep is purposefully vague. But at least there might be less hostilities there between Sovereign and Archon, seeing as Dendro's own Sovereign still wandered the mortal plane. ]

As for your warning, I fear I'm a bit too old to deal with such misfortune. So I shall take your words to heart.

[ Or empty chest-cavity equivalent. ]

[ Neuvillette nods. He's far too busy to conduct an investigation into the matter at this time, but one day he will pay Buer a visit in the nation of wisdom; he wants to meet with her in person before rendering any judgment, so that would be a good opportunity to ask the little God of Verdure if she knows anything about these Descenders. ]

Unless there's anything else, that's all I wanted to discuss with you. I hope you will enjoy the rest of your stay here in Fontaine, Monsieur Zhongli.

[ To be continued... ]