hydrangeabloom | (no subject)

[ It is a nondescript fall day with the maple leaves at the height of their deep rich red color when an attendant of the Tenryou Commissions approaches the Raiden Shogun with a crisp scroll that is distinctly of Liyuen origin. The attendant seems nervous for a moment, unsure perhaps of the reaction of their Archon or even what they are doing as it is presented to the Shogun during one of her regular meetings with the Commission.

"This was delivered to General Kujou Sara herself," the attendant speaks, that hint of confusion not leaving their features. "The individual was very insistent that it be delivered to you personally."

The letter is penned in an ancient calligraphy of Inazuma, one favored during the later years of Makoto's reign. Curious, there was perhaps only a few historians at Court who might be able to fully understand this script. The broken seal on the letter indicates that perhaps it was taken to said historian to do just that. Sara was always very precise (and protective) in such matters.

The letter reads: ]

Almighty Raiden Shogun,

I come to your court as a visitor and friend from Liyue. Long has it been since I have been able to experience the bounties and festivals that an Inazuma autumn has to offer. Truly, it is one of the most majestic landscapes in all of Teyvat at this time. In passing, I hear that the Naganohara Fireworks are putting on their final show of the season. Late even by their standards, but I am grateful for the opportunity and fortuitous in my timing.

Perhaps the Raiden Shogun could take the time to enjoy the scenery with one of its visitors.

It has been some time since our nations enjoyed the benefits of each other's company.

Cordially,
Zhongli
Consultant to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor

[ The address of one of the more pricier inns in Inazuma City is also listed where Zhongli is staying for the duration of his stay. A convenient way to reach him should she wish to send an attendant. But perhaps there is something in the tone of the letter that hints that its stubborn author might make multiple trips to Tenshukaku to gain her audience. ]

Edited 2023-09-17 00:00 (UTC)

[ The day might be nondescript, but the receipt of such a letter makes the Raiden Shogun's brows arch ever so slightly, enough that the attendant and those delegates of the Tri-Commission notice the shift in her expression.

That's the only interruption to their usual course of business for the moment; the scroll is rolled back up neatly and tied with a cord, set aside in such a way that makes it a point of interest for the duration of the meeting, but close enough to her side that no one would dare try and touch it or pry as to its contents. Once the meeting is adjourned, however, there is certain to be speculation, perhaps even a bit of gossip when the Shogun excuses herself and leaves Tenshukaku unaccompanied.

Zhongli will find that it's unnecessary to send multiple missives to Tenshukaku to get the Electro Archon's attention--she knows who he is, and while there's something a little unseemly about responding so quickly to his request with a personal visit, Ei wants to know exactly what he's doing in her country.

The innkeeper raps gently on his door, letting him know that a guest has come to call upon him and escorting him promptly to the ryokan's private garden where a low table with a full tea set and a spread of snacks has been prepared. Ei sits seiza at the table, shaded from the long afternoon sun by the bright red leaves of the maple tree beside the table.

Once they're alone, she gestures for him to sit across from her, reaching for the teapot and pouring a serving for him. ]

Your presence is unexpected but not unwelcome, Morax; however, I believe you might well understand why I'm curious as to your true intent in visiting. I doubt you came only to watch the fireworks.

[ Taking a delicate sip of her tea, she observes him over the rim of her cup with deceptively soft eyes. ]

What reason could the Lord of Geo have for paying a visit to Inazuma?

[ Zhongli must applaud the innkeeper of this fine establishment. They handle the sudden appearance of their Archon with expedience and formality, even as he is looked over once, twice (and more discreetly a third time). There is obvious confusion as to why the Raiden Shogun would be entertaining a guest from Liyue outside of the palace and on such sort notice, but as usual Zhongli provides no answers except for that which is directly asked.

With a gentle nod, Zhongli watches the innkeeper leave as he settles across the table from his old friend. Once his tea is poured, he reaches for the beautifully lacquered teapot in turn and pours a cup for her as well. Ah, Ei was certainly a connoisseur in her selection of teas and well versed in their preparation. It would be a lie if Zhongli did not admit that he was looking forward to this, seeing as it had been centuries since he had been served Inazuman tea of this caliber.

Morax tilts his head to one side as he sets the teapot down, the soft correction of his name to Zhongli on his lips before he ultimately decides against it. It was nice really. A dip into the nostalgia of old times when the seven Archons sat around a table sharing drinks, Ei ever vigilant in her sister's shadow.

For her, he could be Morax. ]

I'm sure that word has reached the Raiden Shogun's ears that the Lord of Geo is no more. And with his final divine contract completed, he is no longer beholden to Liyue or his duties.

[ Not that Zhongli would ever abandon Liyue or ever stray too far from her for long. ]

It is a shame, really, that there was never time to fully enjoy the splendor of the kingdom of Eternity. Fleeting and far between have our meetings been. Two entire generations of mortals have passed since we last enjoyed a drink together.

[ The faint smile Zhongli wears is fond as he rests the cup in the palm of his hand, turning the intricate image painted on the cup to face him. He blows aside the puff of steam, cooling it slightly as he prepares to take a sip. ]

Beelzebul.

Would you find it strange if I said that I simply just wanted to see you?

[ Would she find it strange if his only motive was the want of her company? Surely it is not unusual for old friends to seek out one another's company, and yet she wonders if that can really be all that it is? She'd shut herself away for so long, preferring the unwavering solitude of her own mind to the ephemeral pleasure that can be found in the friendship of others. Perhaps it is strange to her, then, that anyone would choose to seek her out for any reason beyond her role as the Electro Archon.

And yet... ]

Perhaps, after my self-imposed isolation, I do find it strange that anyone might wish to seek me out for entirely personal reasons, but... I cannot deny that it pleases me you've done so.

[ Taking a sip of her tea, she sighs softly. ]

The news of Rex Lapis' passing was quite shocking when it reached us here, and even more so given my situation at the time. To acknowledge the loss of yet another of my friends was the last thing I wanted to do--it flies in the face of the eternity I wanted to craft for myself.

[ The unspoken implication, then, is that she's happy that he isn't actually dead--that he is, in fact, sitting here having tea with her after so long.

As to whether or not he's still the Lord of Geo: ]

A piece of jade will always be jade, whether or not it is called by a different name. If it is carved into a new shape, then, it will still be jade in the end.

Wise words from she who could weather the storm longer than all of us. But this old stone is no longer sharpened into blade and shield. Jade he may still remain yet more malleable than perhaps he has ever been. The world changes, yet the foundation endures as it always has.

[ Perhaps one of the most comforting things about Ei (especially for a stubborn rock like Morax) is that no matter how time carved its scars and gave birth to new and wonderous life, she remained steadfastly the same. Predictable and unbending yet dazzlingly fearsome whenever she made her presence known.

Morax had feared the worst when he had heard what had happened to Makoto, a secondhand telling from Yae Miko as the normally boisterous and cunning young youkai recounted the tale flatly, ears and tails slightly drooping though her tone perfectly retained its lilting cadence. Even with the losses that he had suffered, Morax knew that his own grief could not be as bottomless as what Ei certainly must have felt then. Losing Azhdaha had been like missing an eye, Guizhong — an arm. But for Ei to lose her other half, not even ripping out one's heart could begin to describe that kind of emptiness.

Loss. Tragedy. Isolation. Even if he disagreed with her methods, Ei's vision of eternity held a sort of forbidden wonder. (Who had not dared to dream of a world captured in a moment of time?) ]

It pleases me as well that you held audience with me so quickly.

[ The offered olive branch is received with the hint of a smile as Zhongli takes a sip of his own tea. A younger Morax certainly would not have been able to appreciate such sentimentality but now he feels no shame in fanning the flames of such heartfelt gestures. ]

And that you have once more opened your ports. Liyue has sorely missed its neighbor that dwelled across the water. Pardon my forwardness—

[ He says not sounding apologetic in the slightest. ]

But perhaps you could reacquaint me with all of the glories that Inazuma has to offer.

Hmm. Jade isn't really meant for use as a weapon anyway, in my estimation. There are materials that are better-suited for such a task. Jade represents serenity and balance, and should be treated in a manner that reflects that.

[ It's an odd metaphor, she thinks. Morax had been ferocious in his younger days, tempered over time like steel, rather than luminous jade, into the man he is today. Still, she thinks it fitting. He's not the same as he was back when the Archon War had rolled across the lands like a storm. Neither is she, for that matter, regardless of what she might hope for. Maybe that's for the better.

At his request to be shown around, Ei is amused in spite of herself. She hides her smile behind a sip of tea, then sets her cup down with the soft tink of porcelain. ]

In spite of my best efforts, it is not the nature of the world to remain unchanged; when I emerged from the Plane of Euthymia, things were not as I remembered them when I first entered it. Not too long ago, it was I who required a tour of my own country, if you can imagine such a thing. Even so, I would gladly take you around and show you what I have seen. You have always had a greater appreciation for the beauty of nature and art than I ever did.

Barbatos would be spitting out his wine if he heard you describe me in such a fashion.

[ "Serenity? From this old blockhead!" The screech was almost audible on the wind right now.

It is true — weapons crafted of jade are difficult to find indeed. Liyue itself only has one surviving set from the Archon War with one being relentlessly cared for by the Conqueror of Demons and the bow lost to the sands of time. Despite both of their best efforts, the world did not stop for anyone. A lesson that all of those who lived such long lives were forced to learn less the world sweep them away.

It heartens Zhongli to see Ei emerge from the other side of that understanding, even though her journey is now just beginning. ]

This time of peace has given me a chance to imagine many things that I could not previously conceive. Eternity gracefully accepting guidance from the present is just one such unprecedented scenario.

I would love to see your country, Ei. I wish to see the new that has caught your attention, whether it is inspiring or vexing. And the old which still keeps your fondness.

[ Morax and Beezlebub had been cut from the same cloth, after all. Warriors first and philosophers second who both found the mantle of Archon resting on their shoulders when it should perhaps have been belonged to another. Zhongli remembers in one of his early visits to Inazuma after the Archon War how (perhaps with one drink too many) he had whispered in Beezlebub's ear to take him to see the remains of Orobashi personally — both to see the proof of her battle prowess as well as the kinship of laying low that which threatened the land. ]

Perhaps, but Barbatos isn't here. Not at the moment, anyway--can you believe he had the nerve to come to Inazuma for last year's Irodori Festival but didn't bother to visit me?

[ Her offense is mostly feigned. Barbatos comes and goes as he pleases, much as the wind itself does. Ei knows she hasn't been very approachable over the last few centuries, so it isn't really all that surprising that the Archon of wind and freedom might not seek an audience with her.

Even so, Morax is here now--Zhongli, now, she supposes--and that means something to her. ]

Finish your tea, then, and we'll go. I have a few places in mind that I believe you'd enjoy.

[ The cup stills halfway to Zhongli's lips. ]

Ah yes. I had traveled to Mondstadt and even visited the local taverns during one of their festivals, but he was nowhere to be found.

[ Nevermind that was right around the time of the Irodori Festival.

Another beat. ]

Do you think he is avoiding us?

[ For even though Venti came to visit Liyue during the last Lantern Rite it could hardly be called a normal meeting since the two had to feign not knowing each other since Barbatos had decided a group dinner was most ideal time to barge in. ]

Hmph. He's probably up to something.

[ Ugh. Moving along. Thinking about Barbatos's antics makes him age at least a decade. ]

Then as soon as we finish our tea.

[ Zhongli says making no move to expedite his own tea-drinking. In fact, he actually hinders the process by pulling out a red box tied neatly with a gold ribbon. It's obviously from a high-end confectionery store in Liyue based on the elegant script printed on said ribbon.

Zhongli opens the box to reveal tanghulu— a specialty of Liyue made of sweetened candied fruits. He perhaps had wandered the markets a little too long in deciding what kind of sweets Ei would enjoy that could also survive the long boat ride from Liyue to Inazuma. It had been so long; surely only the best and most traditional Liyue sweets would do for such an auspicious meeting after so long. ]

And accompaniments.

[ He says with a smile as he divys them up between the two of them. ]

Edited 2023-10-02 05:48 (UTC)

If he is avoiding us, I can only assume it's because he does not wish to be known as Barbatos among his people in Mondstadt. Beyond that, I imagine he disapproves of the way I've ruled Inazuma since the cataclysm, though I would hope he'd have revised his opinion as of late. Still, if he doesn't pay me a visit in the next decade or two, I suppose I'll just have to go find him instead.

[ Morax's next little quip earns him the slightest of chuckles. ]

He's always up to something, but it's usually harmless.

[ Moving on, indeed. Ei watches with interest as Morax produces a fancy box filled with glistening sugar-covered fruit. They look delectable, and in fact, are quite the treat. Ei samples one straight from the box, enjoying the contrast in texture between the crunchy sugar shell and the soft fruit beneath. Morax always was a connoisseur of the fine things in life, acquiring a keen eye for the very best quality over the centuries. She'll have to do her best to match him on their excursion today.

But... not just this moment.

Time to ancient beings doesn't move quite in the same way that it does for more ephemeral creatures, but even though the pair of them are both quite deliberate in their enjoyment of tea and sweets, eventually their plates and cups are empty. Ei rises elegantly from her seat and gestures toward the door leading out of the garden. ]

Shall we?

[ There is, of course, no way to really disguise herself, nor does she feel the need to do so, but Morax--no, Zhongli, now--draws attention simply by virtue of his presence at her side. She doubts that anyone would guess his true identity, but there's bound to be speculation.

They walk at a leisurely pace, and she points out landmarks and businesses, commenting on the historical significance or the items that they sell. She brings their tour to a pause in front of a little stand on the side of the road, however. ]

This is Tomoki, and he is a vendor of assorted snacks and other food items.

[ The man in question looks shocked. The Almighty Shogun remembers his name??

Well, yes. Of course she does. She goes on to order a few bottles of dango milk for them, offering one to Zhongli and suggesting they find a nearby spot overlooking the water to sit and enjoy it. ]

I discovered this with the Traveler not too long ago on one of their visits to Inazuma. They were kind enough to show me around at the time, and we partook of this dango milk together. I hope you like it.

[ It has been a long time since Zhongli was able to savor the company of a friend. Even longer that he was allowed to do so without the weights of his own responsibilities tugging him back to productivity. So it is here with Ei that he allows a warmer smile as they catch up about everything and nothing. It is here with Ei that they share the fruits of each other's cultures and a moment of peace that should have stretched on much longer than it did after the Archon War.

In this, Zhongli begins to have a greater appreciation of Eternity. Just like his retirement gave him a new outlook on Freedom.

He places his finished cup upon the table, thanking the attendant who comes to clean up after them before rising to his feet and following Ei out into Inazuma City proper.

There are whispers of the foreigner from Liyue travelling with the Raiden Shogun, but Zhongli pays them no mind so enchanted he is in exploring the new modern day Inazuma. He slows down their walk to admire the silks and kimonos on sale at Ogura Textiles. He pauses again at the lacquerware shop not a few stores down.

But he does not truly partake in anything until Ei hands him a curious glass bottle of what she calls dango milk, and they sit along the water's edge to enjoy the way the sunlight plays off the lightning clouds in the distance. Beautiful and fearsome as Makoto and Ei ever were. ]

I do not share the same sweet tooth that you do, but I am intrigued by such a innovation all the same.

[ He brings it to his lips like a cup of tea, taking a generous sip. As expected, it is a little too sweet for his tastes, the sugar from both the milk and dango seeming to coat his tongue. But it is novel. And it is something that Ei favors. Perhaps for those reasons alone, Zhongli finds he favors it, too.

Perhaps if paired with some charred and slightly bitter nuts from Sumeru, it might be something he would offer to guests of his own. ]

It is good. Perhaps a little sweet as the aftertaste lingers. But I do believe it suits you. And your people. I suppose the Traveler enjoyed it as well.

Did you enjoy your time with the Outlander while they were here?

Hmm. Jade isn't really meant for use as a weapon anyway, in my estimation. There are materials that are better-suited for such a task. Jade represents serenity and balance, and should be treated in a manner that reflects that.

[ It's an odd metaphor, she thinks. Morax had been ferocious in his younger days, tempered over time like steel, rather than luminous jade, into the man he is today. Still, she thinks it fitting. He's not the same as he was back when the Archon War had rolled across the lands like a storm. Neither is she, for that matter, regardless of what she might hope for. Maybe that's for the better.

At his request to be shown around, Ei is amused in spite of herself. She hides her smile behind a sip of tea, then sets her cup down with the soft tink of porcelain. ]

In spite of my best efforts, it is not the nature of the world to remain unchanged; when I emerged from the Plane of Euthymia, things were not as I remembered them when I first entered it. Not too long ago, it was I who required a tour of my own country, if you can imagine such a thing. Even so, I would gladly take you around and show you what I have seen. You have always had a greater appreciation for the beauty of nature and art than I ever did.

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Fall of Maples

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