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[outofoffice]

[ Rather than a voicemail, there's just a brief melody on a lyre ]

Comments

[cryovision]

[ahahaahahahahahHAHAHAH "sinner" is a great word and Pavo definitely doesn't flinch when he hears it]

Hmmm... Perhaps it's my future crimes that might need absolution. Is that something I can get in advance?

[outofoffice]

[ hey you said it buddy not him ]

The bad news is that absolution can only be applied retroactively!

The good news is that I'm not particularly concerned about it in this case.

[cryovision]

[CRIMES AND SINS ARE DIFFERENT OK]

How reassuring.

[but he can't actually feel reassured for SOME REASON]

...I'd ask you how you're so confident but I'm afraid that would open us to topics neither of us would enjoy.

[outofoffice]

[ He just laughs ]

Maybe it's just a bard's intuition!

[cryovision]

Perhaps.

[Pavo's... distant, a bit. He doesn't know how to voice his real fears, or how to accept venti's (or anyone's) faith in him. It feels awkward. So he's quiet now, overthinking it without saying so.]

[outofoffice]

[ Sitting up to peer down at him for a long moment

Hmmmmmmmmmmm ]

[cryovision]

...Yes?

[Why are you looking at him like thaaaat]

[outofoffice]

I know what you need.

[ Reaches down

Bops his nose ]

More wine!

[cryovision]

[??????

well that makes him blush, because it's embarrassing.]

...Ahaha... Well, I would never turn down more wine.

[outofoffice]

[ Step one of his plan: success ]

One moment and I'll be right back~

[ He disappears from the room again, but this time when he returns, it's with the bucket he'd brought to the party.

Just.

Full of wine. ]

[cryovision]

[that is so much wine... and so necessary]

Ah, now you're on the right page.

[outofoffice]

If we're to wallow in Mondstadt nostalgia for the evening, then I insist we do it properly! As the magnanimous Anemo Archon intended!

[cryovision]

Truly a god deserving of praise.

[don't mind him refilling his mug, then!]

[outofoffice]

Ehehe. ☆ That's the spirit.

[ Instead of refilling his own glass, though, he pulls out his lyre. ]

[cryovision]

I see I'm being pampered now.

[Not that he minds. He's frankly still cold and bloody and tired so he's going to let Venti pamper him all he wants.

...Until it touches his emotions and he has to run away but like it's fine. He's drinking more and intends to get very drunk.]

Are you feeling bad for this poor, bedraggled knight?

[outofoffice]

[ He begins gently stroking the lyre strings, no particular melody just yet. ]

You want my honest answer?

I'm feeling a little bad for all of us right now.

[cryovision]

...We are all having a rough time.

[outofoffice]

To be snatched from under Teyvat's beautiful blue skies and brought to this place, saccharine and sinister . . .

It's enough to drive anyone to drink.

[ like there was an agreement and all but

he's ignoring that part for now ]

[cryovision]

[Yeah that part is stupid and the consent is a little dubious anyway!]

You're right about that. I think we're all resilient enough to deal with it, but the drinking is a nice distraction.

[He says it like he isn't a hair's breadth from trying to drown himself in wine til he has no thoughts for a month.]

[outofoffice]

Resilience is certainly not a concern of mine.

Happiness, though . . . that more so.

[ Eyeing Pavo sidelong as he says it ]

[cryovision]

I for one am exactly as happy here as I usually am.

[read: he hasn't been truly happy in like 4 years]

[outofoffice]

. . . What a concerning statement, Pavo . . .

[cryovision]

[Pavo is just tipsy enough now to actually pout at that response.]

It is not.

[outofoffice]

Why don't you tell me, then?

[ Going back to lightly strumming at the lyre strings -- a peaceful Mondstadt tune now ]

What happiness means for you.

[cryovision]

That's simple. Good wine on a day off.

[surprise surprise he's full of shit]

So far, most days here have been days off.