peaceful sensastion, but one that seems to limit your energy—as if forced to slow and calm down and behave with care. WHY IOS THIS SO SMALL NOW weight ok i fixed it lol. NO PICTURE PICTURE LOOKS BAD.
[ sometime this month at a time of your choosing, Childe will return to his humble abode to find there is a chest sitting atop one of his tables in an unobtrusive spot. there is a letter addressed to him atop it; should he choose to open it, it says only:
I leave this in your hands with hopes of a reunion nigh. - Yima
inside the chest no larger than a shoe box is a plush velvet bedding on top of which a Shard rests; it will contain the soul of one of his siblings, filling him with familiarity upon touching it. he is free to keep the chest, and obviously, the Shard is now his! ]
[ Childe had done nothing upon seeing and opening the chest beyond carefully settle Teucer's shard right next to it, and keep the shards safe (and hopefully they would feel less loneliness together ... somehow.)
He had received words of the missing Zenite soon after and made way to Alenroux.
However, now that he's returned from the mission and he's spent a day or so resting, Childe will arrive at Yima's manor and see if he is able to be granted a short audience.
If not, he'll attempt to reach out to her with communion and leave a simple thank you but not say anything else unless she replies.
If he's granted an audience, he will be respectful upon seeing her and bow with a gentle request "Lady Yima, I wish to thank you for your generous gift of the shard of another of my siblings, but also ... wondering if I could seek your guidance." ]
[ Childe is given a seat to wait by Kathova in the study; there is the impression that most people might have been re-directed - but given Childe's experiences, an exception is being made.
when Yima comes and Childe kneels, he will find her lowering herself before him, and instead of replying - she reaches out to gently take his head to her shoulder, cradling him like a small boy in the circle of her arms. there is something deeply sad in the contact, almost angry that one of her children had been hurt so. ]
[ To say that tonight was harrowing is putting it lightly.
Perhaps he should have kept his mouth shut when he was happy that something was happening, because now they all have to deal with the aftermath. He remains unaware of what befell Rosaria that night, and maybe that's for the best given what awaits him at Childe's home. He enters with all of the lights out, as if there isn't anyone home at all, but the trail of discarded clothes — with blood — leading up to the Harbinger's room tells him otherwise.
He wastes no time in approaching the closed door, knocking once, twice. ]
Childe?
[ If the man made it home, then at least he can rest assured that the worst hadn't happened, but — his heart hammers unnecessarily inside his chest. He speaks through the wooden frame and explains that he's going to enter before unlocking the door with the key, creaking it open ever so slightly just in case the other is asleep.
He treads carefully when he enters the room encased in complete darkness, approaching the bed where the telltale outline of a body underneath the blankets tells him that Childe is right there. One hand is settled lightly against the form, as if checking to see if he's still breathing. ]
[ Childe doesn't respond in any way to the touch initially, but Kaeya should be able to tell that he's indeed breathing by the feeling from the rise and fall of his chest under the covers.
After several moments though, he'll reply without any additional stirring (he is a light sleeper, so he probably was well awake by the time Kaeya approached.) His voice is lacking volume and strength like he's been run into the ground energy wise, but it's not defensive or otherwise annoyed at the sudden company. ]
Hm? To what do I owe the arrival of such pleasant company?
[ The gentle rise and fall of Childe's breathing is enough to ease the worst of Kaeya's worries from his mind. Not that Childe sounds like he's doing any good, but at least he's alive and that has to be enough for now.
Kaeya's hand doesn't move away though, not yet. ]
I didn't mean to wake you. [ The apologetic tone is obvious enough, and then his voice softens slightly. ] I'm here to see how you're doing.
[ It's hard to tell the extent of the damage given how dark it is in Childe's room, but what he saw outside is enough to paint the picture. Still, if the other man is willing to give him more information, then that'll help him figure out how to help. ]
[ It’s a day or so after the last of the revivals in Alenroux that Childe will find himself receiving a request that might be unexpected. Cyrus, the Tribune of Springstar and leader of the Meridian, is requesting Communion. There’s a warmth that comes with the presence gently asking to talk that’s comforting, but there’s an emotion with it that’s hard to miss. He’s feeling guilty.
Ha— [ There's a breathed out laugh that comes first, and with it, a warmth that shows it's genuine. Childe's response is a little unexpected, and so with it there's also a tiny bit of... relief. ]
Nope, not a wrong number, promise. Or, hope not. You're Childe, right?
[ sometime in the late evening (perhaps she lost track of time), there is a knock at Childe's door. hopefully, he isn't sleeping... is he a night owl or more of an early bird?? ]
[ he's whatever Yima mommy wants him to be because that's how he serves his queens ok. childe, of course, isn't exactly a person who gets a lot of visitors, so while it takes a moment for him to get there, he'll open the door immediately with an apologize on his tongue. ]
Sorry, I don't usually get visit—
[ he stops as soon as he sees who it is, clearly surprised. ]
[ It feels a lot like the coming of a winter morning. Bright frost slowly crawls in and overwhelms what little light is there. It would be comforting if there wasn't the onslaught of white noise accompanying it, but that's the current state of Kaeya's mindscape nowadays.
If Childe accepts, he doesn't bother introducing himself. He goes ahead and shares what he's learned. ]
[ the only ice that can really frost over his own seas is present... so of course he accepts.
there's nothing from particular on childe's end, but the way the sound of gentle waves seems to recede back with a sudden pulling of the tide, it's clear that he's looking and absorbing this information.
finally, his voice will come through. there's no sense of emotion in his words, but it's not cold. he is concerned about the other, otherwise he would have unlinked their session to mull over the information in private before returning to offer his thoughts. this isn't a small load of information, after all. ]
Talk to me. [ he wants to know what kaeya's feeling...or not so much feeling as to why he is feeling that way. ]
[ The information he provided is a lot to process, but he thinks it's pretty cut and dry. It barely leaves any room for assumptions. His mood remains the same as ever — a flatline rather than anything that has any chance of improving.
But if Childe were to dig in any deeper, maybe he'll sense the sadness lingering underneath. ]
(nsfw 》 body horror, gore, discord-related trauma and violence, self-mutilation, etc.) [ It's been sometime since Childe has gone to his room with the dramatic slamming of the door behind him, leaving the newest family member downstairs with Zhongli. It had whimpered pathetically at being left behind but for one reason it another doesn't seem inclined to chase after it's master and has instead curled up to make good friends with Zhongli, simultaneously trying to indulge in a nap and also keep the man's lap warm. Unfortunately, it's quite small and doesn't take up enough room, but it spreads its wings like a blanket to try and make up for it!!
Although both Zhongli and the cat had initially suffered the resounding results of some banging and slamming of things, it all calmed down rather rapidly most likely Childe having exhausted himself to the point he couldn't throw a tantrum further.
Some time later, however, in the late hours of the night, the cat will wake up and start looking up from their position in the open lounge towards the upstairs, its tail twitching apprehensively enough to smack into the Liyuen in case he has failed to notice himself. There is a strange sound of dripping water, almost like a pipe has burst in between the floors and there's a leak. Where the cat looks, should Zhongli, as well, he'll find a strange black viscous liquid dripping from the edge of the railings as well as beginning to pool and blacken the ceiling of the room directly beneath Childe's room.
There's still no noise beyond that, but if Zhongli waits long enough he may feel something— a rippled wave of disgust and pain that comes and goes as it sails aimlessly on through the air. There's nothing else to accompany it, no hallucinations (unless the black liquid itself is one, but it's all very real feeling and looking currently,) suggesting it might be remnants of a projection, but it's also hard to shrug it off as anything but.
Should Zhongli find it in himself the need to go check, the cat will remain by his tea and simply watch as the dark haired man makes his way upstairs. The first thing he'll notice is that the black liquid is puddling out from beneath the door to Childe's room and almost seems to coagulate unnaturally the further it spills out. Stepping in it will do no harm to him, but knocking on the door or any such thing like that will not yield him much answer. If he tries to open it himself— however, he'll only be able to budge the door open a little and notice that the black liquid has taken on a much more menacing form of strings that resemble the texture of sinew clinging to bones that seem to stretch over the door and prevent it from being opened. Even then, Zhongli will feel the sudden weight of someone also pushing back against the door to try and keep it closed, and Childe voice will escape wearily. It doesn't sound like he knows who he's speaking to just that he is speaking to someone and says what needs to be said. It's a warning, of course, and maybe a quite sincere one, but the one issuing the warning seems to be already getting dragged off by unconsciousness or worse. ]
Don't... come... here... ugh... gross. [ unfortunately, Childe will not offer much more communication than that, and the door will only get harder to budge— but if Zhongli persists he'll be eventually answered— by a razor sharp alien appendage that bursts through the doorway with a sickening crack and shatter of wood (potentially) right by Zhongli's head. The sharp end embeds itself into the railing behind him, proceeding to lash itself free before it suddenly drops "dead" as it seems to have been severed from its host. With it now half-hanging out the hole its created, which is technically large enough for Zhongli to slip in if he wants to, it's only a matter of climbing over pushing in by it to enter. ]
After returning with the other Zenites who were pursuing Manon, it had not been difficult to spot Childe in the chaos. That unnatural warping of electro energy grated on his senses like nails on a chalkboard even without his natural attunement to the earth. The stench of blood assaulting him soon followed, sparking a breathless dread deep within him. He'd been overprotective (unhealthily so) over the last remaining children of Teyvat. The loss of Rosaria was already a blow that he was taking much too personally, but to also lose Childe... To lose Childe -- the only one who could reminisce on how a certain tea reminded him of Liyue. The only one who stepped out of his boots at the entryway because he knew how Zhongli did not allow shoes inside (Childe's own) house. The only one who knew Zhongli (not Morax. Not Rex Lapis). He could not lose Childe.
But Zhongli finds Childe alive, covered in blood that he quickly comes to the conclusion is mostly not his own, eyes burning an ugly violet. He finds Childe and silently takes him home (or follows him home - he does not know nor care about the distinction). Time distorts messily after that. He recalls the slam of the door, steady hands petting the top of the cat's tiny head in a motion that soothes himself more than the pet itself, and eyes uselessly reading the same line over and over again as the noises from upstairs slowly quiet over time.
Later that night, Zhongli does not need to be awoken by the cat because he has not slept - eventually succumbing to lying on the couch, coat draped over the back as he watched the tiny cat curl up and drift to sleep. At first, he does nothing but try to calm the distressed creature with more soothing strokes even as the black viscous ink-like substance tugs at the very edge of his vision. If this is discord, Childe would not want anyone to see him in such a vulnerable state. Once the worst had passed, perhaps he could---
Disgust. Pain.
Feelings that are not his own roil over him just like the angry remnants of old gods that could not die, trapped in their own vicious cycles of hate and loathing. It brings Zhongli to his feet immediately, making his way up the stairs while trying to touch the black ichor on the stairs as little as possible. It squelches uncomfortably beneath his feet unavoidably as he approaches the door to Childe's room. ]
Childe.
[ The door does not open. In fact, when he rattles the handle, it feels like there is something forcing it shut. He thinks he might even hear Childe, but the words do not quite register - distant and echoed like he is holding a starconch up to one ear. Something stirs deep in Zhongli's gut - a feeling he has not felt in a long time even considering everything that has happened since they arrived in Kenos.
Panic. ]
Childe. I am com---
[ The arm (if it could be called an arm) passes close enough that Zhongli feels the displacement of air across his temple as it digs into to the wall behind him. For a few more seconds that seem to stretch for minutes, he stands there frozen - waiting to see there will be another. He doesn't like this (he admits to himself for maybe the first time), being mortal like this in these situations. Knowing that the strength that he once had could be of no use to either himself or Childe. But that would be addressed later, under a proper contract and proper negotiations. It would not be a reaction he made under duress. It could not. There was too much at stake for something so careless.
Gloved hands press against the edges of the opening, bending the wood just a little farther so Zhongli could slip inside. He was not dexterous by any means, but he manages to stumble through the hole in the door to end up on the other side. And then wide panicked golden eyes are looking for where Childe is, holding his breath unconsciously in subtle fear (not for himself, or not only for himself, but for Childe) of what exactly he might find. ]
[ Inside is like another world, and despite the incredible dark making it hard to see there's somehow enough light from somewhere that makes it known how valuable more of it would be right now. Something or somethings are moving in the room at the edges of the shadows where Zhongli's human vision ends— maybe a trick of the light that looks like a tendril or a strange skeletal animalistic foot before its gone.
If he turns to look immediately to the door, however, he will find Childe slumped and covered in the black inklike liquid as well as his own blood. He doesn't seem to be moving, but closer inspection by pulling him away from the door will show that his entire back looks to have been ripped out (or rather, something came bursting out of it, if that is possible.) By now, though, Zhongli would also know that Childe's shard is located on his spine and is very obviously missing. He may also notice that in all the gore, besides his back most of the blood has come from gaping wounds that look similar to what would be left after cutting off a limb. Looking around confirms that as there are several severed whiplike tentacle pieces, some still squirming as if alive.
There's still something else in the room—something that may have the Zenite's shard if it hasn't been crushed into nothing (but Zhongli can still feel that same pain and disgust, so surely Childe's shard is still in tact if nothing else.) The room is only so big, though, which means it's not hard to venture where whatever is still in the room is waiting.
If Zhongli isn't the first to move, he'll find the creature will, it inconclusive if it feels a need to do so defensively or offensively. Strangely enough, the attacks come in the form of the familiar hydro element as whips of water shooting out viscously: one to knock Zhongli away and pin him to the door or the wall and the other to tear at the harbinger's corpse and drag it back towards it out of Zhongli's reach and sight. As for what to do with Zhongli... well, it doesn't seem to have any idea. It won't let him go, but it's not attacking him any further, either—
—but it will "communicate" briefly with the consultant via communion before the hydro tendril lurches back, releasing the man and returning into the inky blackness of the far end of the room. ]
Stay... Away.
[ there's a sickening crunch of bones and the squelch of fluids left as ambiance in the room, but the creature seems to only care that Zhongli keep enough distance not to engage with it versus actually force him to leave. Then again, if it's intelligent enough, perhaps it very well knows no normal human would enjoy staying in here and would leave on its own. ]
[ Once it is clear that the Blight is quickly becoming more and more of a problem, Childe will find a package containing a blue-green vial carefully tucked away with the shards that Childe safekeeps in his house. With it are elegantly penned instructions on what it is for and how to use it followed by a:
[ Childe reads the instructional notes a few times over, glancing to the vial in the now open package.
The's only one person here who could know Snezhnayan, but he wonders why he left it here rather than give it in person? Either way it's not for Childe to question. Upon further contemplating he will fold the instructions and pull the vial out to settle it near the three shards. the instructions will be tucked behind it as well as the note in Snezhnayan before its the chest is carefully closed.
At least it's in a safe place, too, for whenever they might need it. ]
[ It's a pretty unusual thing for Silco to reach out to anyone, but Childe will find a slip of paper delivered to his residence by courier asking for his presence at Draumahol. The logo of the bar complete with an eye for the "o", and instructions to present the cardstock on entering.
Should he choose to do so, he will find that he's escorted through to the boss's office, where Silco has something to ask of him. 😇 ]
[ Childe isn't one to turn down anything, especially if it's an opportunity to stick his nose in be business that will help his information lines. In Kenos, it's no different, especially since he has no subordinates to do the information gathering for him.
Without much thought needed, he hears to the Draumahol, flipping the card this way and that casually as if glancing to read either side as he is escorted to to make it harder for anyone to realize he's looking around and mapping out the place and anything interesting to be caught by his sight. Once he's in the boss's office, he'll want until the escorts at least pull back towards the door if not leave entirely before offering a friendly chipper smile. ]
[ The guards don't quite step aside, but they do nudge slightly away, and gesture for Childe step into Silco's office. He's not waiting -- he's too busy to simply wait for people to visit -- but he set his paperwork down when Childe entered, and picked up his decanter, tipping it back and forth in offer. ]
Ah, Childe. Excellent timing. Drink? I have a proposition for you.
[ Less thunderously than some of the others have come to experience, Set's presence within Childe's mind manifests like the press of a hand — the act of someone seeking to seize at the young man's attention. To let him know that he has not been forgotten, whether he is on the side of Meridian, or Zenith. ]
Childe. Liem and I have found the temple you saw in your mind's eye, when we all explored the Beyond.
[ No matter the alliance Childe has chosen, he deserves to receive this information. He worked hard for it, and Set will not keep him from it. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
action; Childe's residence
I leave this in your hands with hopes of a reunion nigh.
- Yima
inside the chest no larger than a shoe box is a plush velvet bedding on top of which a Shard rests; it will contain the soul of one of his siblings, filling him with familiarity upon touching it. he is free to keep the chest, and obviously, the Shard is now his! ]
action; after encountering manon in alenroux
He had received words of the missing Zenite soon after and made way to Alenroux.
However, now that he's returned from the mission and he's spent a day or so resting, Childe will arrive at Yima's manor and see if he is able to be granted a short audience.
If not, he'll attempt to reach out to her with communion and leave a simple thank you but not say anything else unless she replies.
If he's granted an audience, he will be respectful upon seeing her and bow with a gentle request "Lady Yima, I wish to thank you for your generous gift of the shard of another of my siblings, but also ... wondering if I could seek your guidance." ]
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when Yima comes and Childe kneels, he will find her lowering herself before him, and instead of replying - she reaches out to gently take his head to her shoulder, cradling him like a small boy in the circle of her arms. there is something deeply sad in the contact, almost angry that one of her children had been hurt so. ]
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> communion, about three hours after his communion with cyrus and vander.
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ᴀᴄᴛɪᴏɴ ▸ after the events of alenroux, at night.
Perhaps he should have kept his mouth shut when he was happy that something was happening, because now they all have to deal with the aftermath. He remains unaware of what befell Rosaria that night, and maybe that's for the best given what awaits him at Childe's home. He enters with all of the lights out, as if there isn't anyone home at all, but the trail of discarded clothes — with blood — leading up to the Harbinger's room tells him otherwise.
He wastes no time in approaching the closed door, knocking once, twice. ]
Childe?
[ If the man made it home, then at least he can rest assured that the worst hadn't happened, but — his heart hammers unnecessarily inside his chest. He speaks through the wooden frame and explains that he's going to enter before unlocking the door with the key, creaking it open ever so slightly just in case the other is asleep.
He treads carefully when he enters the room encased in complete darkness, approaching the bed where the telltale outline of a body underneath the blankets tells him that Childe is right there. One hand is settled lightly against the form, as if checking to see if he's still breathing. ]
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After several moments though, he'll reply without any additional stirring (he is a light sleeper, so he probably was well awake by the time Kaeya approached.) His voice is lacking volume and strength like he's been run into the ground energy wise, but it's not defensive or otherwise annoyed at the sudden company. ]
Hm? To what do I owe the arrival of such pleasant company?
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Kaeya's hand doesn't move away though, not yet. ]
I didn't mean to wake you. [ The apologetic tone is obvious enough, and then his voice softens slightly. ] I'm here to see how you're doing.
[ It's hard to tell the extent of the damage given how dark it is in Childe's room, but what he saw outside is enough to paint the picture. Still, if the other man is willing to give him more information, then that'll help him figure out how to help. ]
How bad are your injuries?
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communion (takiltu, post-alenroux stuff!)
Does he accept? ]
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Curiosity is getting the better of Childe, for sure, especially the guilty feeling part.
Definitely worth seeing what he has to say. ]
...This isn't like a wrong number or buttdial on a phone or something, is it?
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Nope, not a wrong number, promise. Or, hope not. You're Childe, right?
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action; Childe's place! (anytime pre-event of your choosing)
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Sorry, I don't usually get visit—
[ he stops as soon as he sees who it is, clearly surprised. ]
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I am sorry to come so late and without warning. May I come in, Childe?
1/2
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ᴄᴏᴍᴍᴜɴɪᴏɴ.
If Childe accepts, he doesn't bother introducing himself. He goes ahead and shares what he's learned. ]
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there's nothing from particular on childe's end, but the way the sound of gentle waves seems to recede back with a sudden pulling of the tide, it's clear that he's looking and absorbing this information.
finally, his voice will come through. there's no sense of emotion in his words, but it's not cold. he is concerned about the other, otherwise he would have unlinked their session to mull over the information in private before returning to offer his thoughts. this isn't a small load of information, after all. ]
Talk to me. [ he wants to know what kaeya's feeling...or not so much feeling as to why he is feeling that way. ]
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[ The information he provided is a lot to process, but he thinks it's pretty cut and dry. It barely leaves any room for assumptions. His mood remains the same as ever — a flatline rather than anything that has any chance of improving.
But if Childe were to dig in any deeper, maybe he'll sense the sadness lingering underneath. ]
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𝐧𝐨 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 ◧ closed ▪︎ zhongli r18
[ It's been sometime since Childe has gone to his room with the dramatic slamming of the door behind him, leaving the newest family member downstairs with Zhongli. It had whimpered pathetically at being left behind but for one reason it another doesn't seem inclined to chase after it's master and has instead curled up to make good friends with Zhongli, simultaneously trying to indulge in a nap and also keep the man's lap warm. Unfortunately, it's quite small and doesn't take up enough room, but it spreads its wings like a blanket to try and make up for it!!
Although both Zhongli and the cat had initially suffered the resounding results of some banging and slamming of things, it all calmed down rather rapidly most likely Childe having exhausted himself to the point he couldn't throw a tantrum further.
Some time later, however, in the late hours of the night, the cat will wake up and start looking up from their position in the open lounge towards the upstairs, its tail twitching apprehensively enough to smack into the Liyuen in case he has failed to notice himself. There is a strange sound of dripping water, almost like a pipe has burst in between the floors and there's a leak. Where the cat looks, should Zhongli, as well, he'll find a strange black viscous liquid dripping from the edge of the railings as well as beginning to pool and blacken the ceiling of the room directly beneath Childe's room.
There's still no noise beyond that, but if Zhongli waits long enough he may feel something— a rippled wave of disgust and pain that comes and goes as it sails aimlessly on through the air. There's nothing else to accompany it, no hallucinations (unless the black liquid itself is one, but it's all very real feeling and looking currently,) suggesting it might be remnants of a projection, but it's also hard to shrug it off as anything but.
Should Zhongli find it in himself the need to go check, the cat will remain by his tea and simply watch as the dark haired man makes his way upstairs. The first thing he'll notice is that the black liquid is puddling out from beneath the door to Childe's room and almost seems to coagulate unnaturally the further it spills out. Stepping in it will do no harm to him, but knocking on the door or any such thing like that will not yield him much answer. If he tries to open it himself— however, he'll only be able to budge the door open a little and notice that the black liquid has taken on a much more menacing form of strings that resemble the texture of sinew clinging to bones that seem to stretch over the door and prevent it from being opened. Even then, Zhongli will feel the sudden weight of someone also pushing back against the door to try and keep it closed, and Childe voice will escape wearily. It doesn't sound like he knows who he's speaking to just that he is speaking to someone and says what needs to be said. It's a warning, of course, and maybe a quite sincere one, but the one issuing the warning seems to be already getting dragged off by unconsciousness or worse. ]
Don't... come... here... ugh... gross. [ unfortunately, Childe will not offer much more communication than that, and the door will only get harder to budge— but if Zhongli persists he'll be eventually answered— by a razor sharp alien appendage that bursts through the doorway with a sickening crack and shatter of wood (potentially) right by Zhongli's head. The sharp end embeds itself into the railing behind him, proceeding to lash itself free before it suddenly drops "dead" as it seems to have been severed from its host. With it now half-hanging out the hole its created, which is technically large enough for Zhongli to slip in if he wants to, it's only a matter of climbing over pushing in by it to enter. ]
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After returning with the other Zenites who were pursuing Manon, it had not been difficult to spot Childe in the chaos. That unnatural warping of electro energy grated on his senses like nails on a chalkboard even without his natural attunement to the earth. The stench of blood assaulting him soon followed, sparking a breathless dread deep within him. He'd been overprotective (unhealthily so) over the last remaining children of Teyvat. The loss of Rosaria was already a blow that he was taking much too personally, but to also lose Childe... To lose Childe -- the only one who could reminisce on how a certain tea reminded him of Liyue. The only one who stepped out of his boots at the entryway because he knew how Zhongli did not allow shoes inside (Childe's own) house. The only one who knew Zhongli (not Morax. Not Rex Lapis). He could not lose Childe.
But Zhongli finds Childe alive, covered in blood that he quickly comes to the conclusion is mostly not his own, eyes burning an ugly violet. He finds Childe and silently takes him home (or follows him home - he does not know nor care about the distinction). Time distorts messily after that. He recalls the slam of the door, steady hands petting the top of the cat's tiny head in a motion that soothes himself more than the pet itself, and eyes uselessly reading the same line over and over again as the noises from upstairs slowly quiet over time.
Later that night, Zhongli does not need to be awoken by the cat because he has not slept - eventually succumbing to lying on the couch, coat draped over the back as he watched the tiny cat curl up and drift to sleep. At first, he does nothing but try to calm the distressed creature with more soothing strokes even as the black viscous ink-like substance tugs at the very edge of his vision. If this is discord, Childe would not want anyone to see him in such a vulnerable state. Once the worst had passed, perhaps he could---
Disgust. Pain.
Feelings that are not his own roil over him just like the angry remnants of old gods that could not die, trapped in their own vicious cycles of hate and loathing. It brings Zhongli to his feet immediately, making his way up the stairs while trying to touch the black ichor on the stairs as little as possible. It squelches uncomfortably beneath his feet unavoidably as he approaches the door to Childe's room. ]
Childe.
[ The door does not open. In fact, when he rattles the handle, it feels like there is something forcing it shut. He thinks he might even hear Childe, but the words do not quite register - distant and echoed like he is holding a starconch up to one ear. Something stirs deep in Zhongli's gut - a feeling he has not felt in a long time even considering everything that has happened since they arrived in Kenos.
Panic. ]
Childe. I am com---
[ The arm (if it could be called an arm) passes close enough that Zhongli feels the displacement of air across his temple as it digs into to the wall behind him. For a few more seconds that seem to stretch for minutes, he stands there frozen - waiting to see there will be another. He doesn't like this (he admits to himself for maybe the first time), being mortal like this in these situations. Knowing that the strength that he once had could be of no use to either himself or Childe. But that would be addressed later, under a proper contract and proper negotiations. It would not be a reaction he made under duress. It could not. There was too much at stake for something so careless.
Gloved hands press against the edges of the opening, bending the wood just a little farther so Zhongli could slip inside. He was not dexterous by any means, but he manages to stumble through the hole in the door to end up on the other side. And then wide panicked golden eyes are looking for where Childe is, holding his breath unconsciously in subtle fear (not for himself, or not only for himself, but for Childe) of what exactly he might find. ]
cw: graphic mutilation
If he turns to look immediately to the door, however, he will find Childe slumped and covered in the black inklike liquid as well as his own blood. He doesn't seem to be moving, but closer inspection by pulling him away from the door will show that his entire back looks to have been ripped out (or rather, something came bursting out of it, if that is possible.) By now, though, Zhongli would also know that Childe's shard is located on his spine and is very obviously missing. He may also notice that in all the gore, besides his back most of the blood has come from gaping wounds that look similar to what would be left after cutting off a limb. Looking around confirms that as there are several severed whiplike tentacle pieces, some still squirming as if alive.
There's still something else in the room—something that may have the Zenite's shard if it hasn't been crushed into nothing (but Zhongli can still feel that same pain and disgust, so surely Childe's shard is still in tact if nothing else.) The room is only so big, though, which means it's not hard to venture where whatever is still in the room is waiting.
If Zhongli isn't the first to move, he'll find the creature will, it inconclusive if it feels a need to do so defensively or offensively. Strangely enough, the attacks come in the form of the familiar hydro element as whips of water shooting out viscously: one to knock Zhongli away and pin him to the door or the wall and the other to tear at the harbinger's corpse and drag it back towards it out of Zhongli's reach and sight. As for what to do with Zhongli... well, it doesn't seem to have any idea. It won't let him go, but it's not attacking him any further, either—
—but it will "communicate" briefly with the consultant via communion before the hydro tendril lurches back, releasing the man and returning into the inky blackness of the far end of the room. ]
Stay... Away.
[ there's a sickening crunch of bones and the squelch of fluids left as ambiance in the room, but the creature seems to only care that Zhongli keep enough distance not to engage with it versus actually force him to leave. Then again, if it's intelligent enough, perhaps it very well knows no normal human would enjoy staying in here and would leave on its own. ]
cw: graphic mutilation, corpses
cw: eldritch body horror
cw: body horror
Re: cw: body horror
cw: eldritch horror
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cw: eldritch horror
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cw: eldritch horror, brief vomitting
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cw: graphic mutilation
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❖ If it’s not your disease I guess it must be mine ❖
Take care
written in Snezhnayan. ]
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The's only one person here who could know Snezhnayan, but he wonders why he left it here rather than give it in person? Either way it's not for Childe to question. Upon further contemplating he will fold the instructions and pull the vial out to settle it near the three shards. the instructions will be tucked behind it as well as the note in Snezhnayan before its the chest is carefully closed.
At least it's in a safe place, too, for whenever they might need it. ]
action; early in the month
Should he choose to do so, he will find that he's escorted through to the boss's office, where Silco has something to ask of him. 😇 ]
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Without much thought needed, he hears to the Draumahol, flipping the card this way and that casually as if glancing to read either side as he is escorted to to make it harder for anyone to realize he's looking around and mapping out the place and anything interesting to be caught by his sight. Once he's in the boss's office, he'll want until the escorts at least pull back towards the door if not leave entirely before offering a friendly chipper smile. ]
Hello, you called?
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Ah, Childe. Excellent timing. Drink? I have a proposition for you.
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crawls in a million years later... again...
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BACKDATED TO LATE WARQU, PRE-BEACH.
Childe. Liem and I have found the temple you saw in your mind's eye, when we all explored the Beyond.
[ No matter the alliance Childe has chosen, he deserves to receive this information. He worked hard for it, and Set will not keep him from it. ]
Okok I'm here
[ He sort of almost forgot about that. ]