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[outofoffice]

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

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[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.

[outofoffice]

Hmmm . . .

That can't be the meat of it, or you'd be so happy all the time you'd be nearly insufferable.

[cryovision]

Am I not?

[but he tries so hard to seem like a cheerful but frustrating person--]

[outofoffice]

You're coy!

There's a difference, dear Pavo, but perhaps the vast majority cannot spot it.

[ from one cagey bastard to another ]

[cryovision]

[siiiiighs and shrugs

well. this is why he thought Venti would be a good person to talk to. He knows he needs to be seen through but it's still annoying when it happens!]

You've caught me, then. I'm a miserable liar.

[outofoffice]

Hmm . . . it seems there's not much I wish to do with this victory.

Well, other than to learn the answer to my earlier question.

[cryovision]

Happiness, is it?

[Hmmmmmm it's actually hard to answer that honestly. Not just because he doesn't like vulnerability, but because he's not sure what the answer is.]

Happiness is... a place where you belong, maybe.

[outofoffice]

I see.

[ Lyre pluck lyre pluck ]

And is that a place? Or a group of people? Perhaps even one person.

[cryovision]

...All of the above, maybe. But in my case, it was always a lie, so I don't suppose it matters.

[So really -- has he ever been happy in his life? He has, he thinks. Just only in moments where he let himself forget it was fake.]

[outofoffice]

Always?

And what of the Knights? Mondstadt? Noctua and Celes?

[cryovision]

...

[mmmmnnnnnggghhhh maybe he shouldn't TALK ABOUT THIS but he sort of, manically, doesn't care anymore??]

It's lies. Everything I've built with them is a lie. Everything about me is a lie.

[outofoffice]

. . . You'll forgive me for saying so, but I think your perception of the situation may not be entirely reliable.

There's their feelings to consider, for example. Their love for you is genuine.

And then there's yours too. I know how you feel for Noctua, and I saw how quick you were to lay yourself on the line if it meant the Acting Grandmaster's safety.