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[outofoffice]

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

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[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.

[cryovision]

I'm not denying that I care about them. But I already know it won't last. Other than Noctua, none of them know they've been deceived. Their love is for the face I chose to show them. As for Noctua...

[That one he at least can't say is fake. But that's still not okay!]

...He's the last person who should invest in me. He knows it's only temporary.

[outofoffice]

[ Reaches out




Flicks his forehead ]

[cryovision]

Ow! You...

[He tries to make a grumpy face but it's just kind of pathetic.

...Instead, he's going to go for another drink. That's the clear answer here.]

[outofoffice]

[ I mean that's why the bucket of wine is here ]

He has free will, just as anyone else.

What he should or shouldn't do, he decided for himself. And Master Noctua isn't one to make his choices lightly.

[cryovision]

[yeah and he's gonna drink the whole bucket]

Master Noctua seems to be under the impression he can rewrite fate by being stubborn. And you of all people should know that's not true.

[outofoffice]

I of all people don't believe in predetermined fate.

And I know exactly how powerful stubborn people can be.

[cryovision]

Hmph. Then when I fall, it'll be my own weakness. Either way, I'm just a sinful existence. And last time he realised that, he left.

[outofoffice]

Not if you choose to be one of those stubborn people yourself.

[cryovision]

[He is not quite drunk enough to just say "I can't because I SUCK". Therefore, his only recourse is to just say nothing at all and make faces at his wine.]

[outofoffice]

[ Reaching out to tug on a lock of his hair ]

Besides, they'll drag you back by the ear no matter what, and then all you'll be able to do is pout cutely!

[cryovision]

[does not have the heart to swat himmmm]

...Well, you're right that if I did pout, it would be cute.

[outofoffice]

[ Laughs, dropping it ]

Of course! I would never accuse you of being uncute, Pavo.

[cryovision]

Good. I work very hard on it.