[Making his way through the labyrinthine corridors, Zhongli keeps being attacked by even who he thought were his own hired hands—perhaps the disguise was working too well. At the end, he's exhausted, his body mindlessly working through the assaults, the narrow corridors not allowing him much to work with, his jacket gone to wrap around a knife and twist the assailer's arm. A sleeve slightly ripped at the shoulder, torn stitches, from someone else pulling at him back into the fray before he kicked them unconscious. As he rounds a corner and enters one of the kitchens, he finds Yanfei and Xiao, who has suddenly appeared as if from thin air. The telltale sound of a gunshot echoes through the building, prompting Xiao to tug Zhongli and crouch down.
Yanfei's eyes widen with concern as she takes in Zhongli's presence. "What are you doing here?!"
Zhongli shakes his head, still calm.] This place is dangerous, you should leave.
[Xiao's grip tightens on his weapon, a frown souring delicate features. 'I'll escort them. We can't afford any losses.'
With a nod, Zhongli watches as Xiao moves to lead the group, his movements swift and precise. Ganyu, despite the chaos, manages to tilt a freezer, scattering ice across the floor and out the exit of the kitchen to create a makeshift barrier. Keqing, fiddling with a panel on the wall, somehow causes the electricity to go down, plunging the establishment into darkness and giving them some leverage to get away. The half-light from a generator creates an eerie blend of shadows, casting an ominous glow over the scene.
Aware of his own exhaustion, he allows himself to rest behind the counter in the kitchen, sitting on the floor as the chaos continues to erupt around him. His breathing steady, he closes his eyes for a moment, centering himself amidst the turmoil. He should get a weapon, himself. Perhaps stop a few more agents that would cross this path.
In the dim light, Zhongli the solid crack of someone stepping on ice as they walk in. He steadies his breathing, allowing himself to be very still.]
no subject
Yanfei's eyes widen with concern as she takes in Zhongli's presence. "What are you doing here?!"
Zhongli shakes his head, still calm.] This place is dangerous, you should leave.
[Xiao's grip tightens on his weapon, a frown souring delicate features. 'I'll escort them. We can't afford any losses.'
With a nod, Zhongli watches as Xiao moves to lead the group, his movements swift and precise. Ganyu, despite the chaos, manages to tilt a freezer, scattering ice across the floor and out the exit of the kitchen to create a makeshift barrier. Keqing, fiddling with a panel on the wall, somehow causes the electricity to go down, plunging the establishment into darkness and giving them some leverage to get away. The half-light from a generator creates an eerie blend of shadows, casting an ominous glow over the scene.
Aware of his own exhaustion, he allows himself to rest behind the counter in the kitchen, sitting on the floor as the chaos continues to erupt around him. His breathing steady, he closes his eyes for a moment, centering himself amidst the turmoil. He should get a weapon, himself. Perhaps stop a few more agents that would cross this path.
In the dim light, Zhongli the solid crack of someone stepping on ice as they walk in. He steadies his breathing, allowing himself to be very still.]