hydrangeabloom | (no subject)

Of course! What kind of poem shall you grant me, oh wise consultant?

[Whatever he had to for her, she will dish it right back. Crossing her arms, she gave a smirk or two. She was fully prepared for whatever will come her way!]

[ Perhaps Zhongli is cheating more than a little when he recites his next poem. Through his age, meetings with those outlanders beyond Teyvat, or even amidst the piles and piles of secrets he keeps, one of the things that he has always treasured is the stories told, the cultures preserved, and the ideas exchanged. Xiao — the beloved name he presented to one of his yaksha did not come from this world. And so it is only fitting that Hu Tao (clever as she was with her unlimited potential) be offered a similar gift.

So for his next poem, he borrows one from a world beyond. One that seems to fit the somber mood of their journey no matter how this road to see her grandfather ends. ]

The red beans grow in southern land.
In spring they overload the trees.
Gather them till full is your hand.
They would revive fond memories.

[Which was why Hu Tao raised an eyebrow or two. She had heard of poems like those before but they were rare. In the back of her mind, she had to wonder just how much he had read before he decided to work at the parlor.]

....Thank you. That means a lot to hear.

[While she could give a poem of her own, she'll leave it be. Not when Zhongli had given her something some beautiful.]

You have been much too kind to me.

[ Zhongli does not comment on the lack of returning poem. Hu Tao will manage to do it in her own way in her own time and on her own terms. That was her charm and the charm of her grandfather before her— two people who refused to bend to that which was conventional to allow the world to experience something new. ]

I do not believe I am doing anything particularly out of the ordinary. But I'm glad that you approve of it.

[ And as if the very heart of Liyue knows that they have reached the end of their friendly competition, the both of them find themselves on the final approach to the border. The leyline energies here are erratic here as they always are, perhaps eager to swallow up any memories that those departing leave behind.

The air here is damper and the air alight with fireflies and other small radiant buzzing insects. While neither of them are looking, a geo crystalfly carefully finds perch on top of the late director's (and now Hu Tao's) hat. ]

You might say that but I truly believe in giving credit when it is due.

[Because at the end of the day, Zhongli didn't have to do any of this. She could have simply gone to The Border by herself without anyone accompanying her. But to know that her grandfather employee was helping her out was more than enough. Perhaps this might be a way for her grandfather to say that he was watching over her.

Giving a slight chuckle, she shook her head. Whatever it might be, she'll just have to talk to her grandfather once she sees him! But now that they were at the gate, she gave a huge smile to him.]

Any last words before I venture off?

[ The smile, real or not, prompts a small smile from Zhongli in return. There are many predictable things that he could say: "Do not do anything reckless or foolish." "I'll be here waiting for you."

But instead, he ultimately decides to go with something a little less predictable. ]

Act in accordance with the will of the next Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. I believe the rest shall then fall into place.

[ He tilts his head to one side, almost as if asking for her approval. ]

[As she looked at Zhongli and then back at the gate? All she could do was stare. She wasn't expecting an answer like that, she fully expected him to wish her luck at The Border. However, at the same time, she also wasn't surprised either.

Knowing him, he was aware of her abilities and what she could do.]

Then very well, I shall bid you farewell for now! Until then, I shall see you when I see my grandfather!

[She said as she turned around and walked toward the gate. Giving one last look at Zhongli, she gave a faint smile before she wandered off.]

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