(no subject)

[sharethememory]

[ What's a Hoyo franchise without one nostalgic-loving 4D chess playing general with a closet full of dead(?) friends? ]

Comments

Some stars are not fake

[sharethememory]

[ The Traveler and their sibling were not the first outlanders to come to Teyvat, nor would they be the last. That much was a given. However, less predictable would be the fact that the fifth Descender would not be a person or persons but actually an entire city.

Zhongli startles when he feels the presence of something ancient and powerful beyond the fake stars, ink streaking messily across parchment as the energy settles to a stop. He tenses, expression impassive as he waits for it to flare up again, for something or somethone to appear, even for the stars to rain down from the sky. But whatever and whoever it is remains quiet and peaceful, no hostility or really any sort of activity apparent for days as Zhongli stands at the very peak of Mt. Tianheng day by day, watching the skies for something that cannot be seen.

First contact is someone that looks like she could be Yae Miko's long lost cousin with her elegant dress, long ears and tail and disarming smile. A merchant and the welcoming party— or so she says. Zhongli (among others) are invited to return with them to the ship. Discreetly. As guests.

Zhongli, with a sense of responsibility that will always weigh heavier than retirement, accepts.

And thus, he finds himself on the the Xianzhou Luofu, labeled as just a ship but is as vast and varied as all of Inazuma put together. The technology is more advanced than even Snezhnaya or Fontaine, incomprehensible to Zhongli with their blinking lights and automated voices. The third glass box calls out to him, peddling its wares. It was a shame really that he had no understanding of how to complete that purchase (nor currency for that matter). They would have been nice gifts for his friends back home.

Equally overwhelmed and intrigued by the sites and sounds, Zhongli wanders. None seem too concerned about his appearance as beings of all kinds walk the city streets. Eventually, the retired Archon finds refuge in a cluster of low tables near a food stall where people are playing a game that at least looks familiar. Chess. Or at least it looks enough like chess after silently observing a few matches that Zhongli believes he can understand the rules. Perhaps it would be best to start his understanding of this strange new world here in this familiar setting.

He takes a seat across from someone seated alone, Zhongli's posture straight and hands resting on his knees in comparison to the more lax position of his new companion. A wren that looked like it was going to make the next move in the game titters before hopping up to rest on Jing Yuan's shoulders, beady eyes fixed on the new challenger.

Zhongli smiles faintly, raising one hand in greeting. ]

I do hope that I am not interrupting anything. Do you mind if I step in for the next match?