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[outofoffice]

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[outofoffice]

[ Fwumping over so that he's leaning against Zhongli's shoulder, fingers picking out invisible guitar strings. ]

How to explain . . .

Well, consider this specific scenario: you always go with your unit or Caeli after bad games, right? This is expected behavior, nothing out of the ordinary. It's what you wish to do.

Ah, but then you say -- there's a contract. "I must go to Barbatos to fulfill my contractual obligations otherwise I'll have to wrath myself!"

[ Complete with mimicked Morax-voice, yes. ]

The first feels like a choice, borne from the deepest desires in your heart. The second feels like financial reports and treaties, a chore to be completed out of obligation and then set aside, so that you can return to those desires.

Does that make sense?

[leaveofabsence]

[ He drapes an arm casually over Venti's waist. ]

Hmmm. Yes, there is a certain amount of logic to that.

But also I also only take on contracts that have a high priority to myself personally. And desires can quickly get muddled into the wrong course of action.

But if you wish for me to follow the same path using promises instead - then I shall do so.

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Yes, that's exactly what I want.

You have to make me feel special from the deepest desires in your heart~~

[ This is a joke, Morax, don't make another contract out of it-- ]

[leaveofabsence]

I see.

[ And he digs into his basket to pull out a bottle of Osmanthus wine before holding it out to Venti. ]

Then I hope this will be a good start to fulfilling that request.

1/2

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[ Taking it on reflex ]

Ah . . .

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Morax . . .

[ His fingers tighten around the bottle slightly ]

Hehe . . . feeling nostalgic? Maybe sentimental?

[leaveofabsence]

Is this not what we always drank when one of ours had passed?

[ He pulls out two stone goblets for pouring the wine if he so desires. But honestly, Zhongli would not be surprised if Venti drank it straight from the bottle. ]

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[ He takes the goblet - but only because it's Zhongli! ]

Oh? Is this a funeral, then?

[leaveofabsence]

Yes. But more specifically - a Rite of Parting.

If you amenable to it, I have brought all the required materials.

[outofoffice]

[ THAT WAS A JOKE ]

. . . Really?

But - for who?

[leaveofabsence]

Yours, of course.

1/2

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[ . . . ]

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[ Just. Starts giggling incessantly. ]

Okay, okay. Let's send off dearly departed Barbatos, then!

[leaveofabsence]

Venti, I'm serious.

What happened to you in that game should not be treated lightly. And how the production deals with death and loss is positively atrocious.

You should have a space where you can grieve what has been lost.

[outofoffice]

[ . . .

Shifting so he can drop himself sideways into Zhongli's lap. Per long tradition. ]

Okay. Let's do it for real, then.

[leaveofabsence]

[ Per long tradition.

Well, first things first - guess he is stealing the wine back so he can properly pour it in the cups.

The first cup goes to Venti. ]

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[ Taking his goblet, but then plucking the bottle back out of Zhongli's hand so that he can pour out Zhongli's portion. ]

[leaveofabsence]

[ He takes the goblet, briefly pressing the lip of his to Venti's with the thunk of two stones hitting each other.

He takes a sip before opening the basket and digging around in it, pulling out a clay vase with a Windwheel Aster burnt into the side and three sticks of incense. ]

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[ He takes a (respectable, non-alcoholic-like) sip after the toast, but lowers the goblet in surprise once Zhongli pulls out vase ]

Oh . . . it's beautiful.

[leaveofabsence]

[ He slips one stick of incense inside, lighting it before setting it on a flat rock nearby. It smells of cedar and pine. ]

Yes, it's a very difficult pottery technique - the flash vaporizing of flowers and other items so they may permanently leave a mark on the world. I believe the craft was developed elsewhere but was perfected in Mondstadt. Or at least it was a very popular style of vase around 300 years ago.

[outofoffice]

[ He reaches out to touch the image of the windwheel aster. ]

I love it, Morax.

[leaveofabsence]

That was only meant to establish the ambiance.

It would not be a true Rite of Parting for our Lord Barbatos without authentic from Mondstadt. And I came upon a curious currency - I am told from merchandise sales - which allowed me to make a purchase of an item from Teyvat.

[ He reaches back into the woven basket but not before giving Venti an almost embarrassed look. ]

Though I am not responsible for the current state it is in.

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[ Tilting his head ]

I mean, you know I'm not a particularly picky or fancy person.

[leaveofabsence]

[ Please enjoy one extremely non-magical and also extremely broken Holy Lyre der Himmel.

That is also propped up on the flat rock where the incense and vase sit upon, makeshift altar that it is. ]

I will not ask what happened to this.

[outofoffice]

[ His mouth drops into a disbelieving, open-mouthed gape.

Please hold. This is processing. Congratulations for being one of the few in recorded history to render him speechless. ]