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[outofoffice]

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[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.

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[ 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. ]

[leaveofabsence]

[ He continues on, as clueless as ever to Venti's emotional state. As he always is. ]

Perhaps it is fortunate then that you have brought another instrument.

For it could not be called a Rite of Parting for Barbatos if there was not some sort of functional music.

1/2

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[ He still says nothing as his fingers trace the wood and strings of his dear old friend's lyre. ]

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[ And he continues to say nothing as he flings his arms around Morax in a crushing hug. ]

1/2

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[ Ah... ]

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[ He wraps his arms around Venti in return (though not as crushing) and reaches up to stroke his hair. ]

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[ Not pulling away, voice unusually soft. ]

Thank you, Morax.

[leaveofabsence]

You are most welcome, Barbatos.

I know that my skills of expressing such things are usually... lacking. But I wish nothing more than for you to find at least a sliver of peace and rest in this place.

You have not truly rested in so long.

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[ Keeping his face pressed against Zhongli's shoulder. He just . . . doesn't want to move. ]

I could say the same thing to you, you old blockhead.

Well good thing because it ate the original notif

[leaveofabsence]

[ Hair petting will continue, sir, until morale improves. ]

Looking after a handful of people is a much less daunting task than overseeing a nation - even if their problems are ones I am wholly unfamiliar with.

Despite everything - I have found quite a bit of escape from my usual responsibilities.

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[ He will just continue pretending morale is bad forever, then. ]

Hehe . . . I suppose that's true.

I'm glad.

[leaveofabsence]

So will you rest your wings for awhile?

I think you should be allowed that much after everything you've been through. You do not have to think about anyone but yourself for now.

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These wings don't exactly fly much anymore . . .

But for you, I will.

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Barbatos...

[ "I would rather you do this for your sake, not mine."

But small steps. This step will be enough for today.

Though he does reach for the guitar, bracing it up against one thigh as he plucks a string experimentally. ]

Someday, we will both fly again.

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[ Venti makes no move to stop him, just watches his curiosity with mild amusement ]

Someday!

For just a little while, though, I'd like to do nothing but rest here with you.

[leaveofabsence]

You may take all the time that you like. I have no plans for the rest of the day.

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I get to monopolize you for a whole day? How spoiled you'll make me~~~

[leaveofabsence]

Well a proper Rite of Parting does take a few hours.

[ And tradition will not let him skimp on a single part of it. ]

And I suppose we'll see if by the end you wish to have some peace and distance from me.

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[ Just chuckling as he demonstrates a simple series of guitar string plucks ]

I seriously doubt it~ You've always been the one to toss me out and tell me to "go home and do my job," [ said with an amount of mirth that suggests this is a hysterical proposition ] remember?

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Oh.

So you were paying attention. I could not tell.

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Why? Because I refused to leave half the time?

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Yes.

Regardless of how busy I was with my own work.

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Well, consider that it's rude to always spurn a guest who came from so far away!

[ That he was never actually invited is not an important data point ]

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You could have given me some warning or notice of your arrival so I could have better prepared for it.

...

Even regular intervals of visits would have been welcome.