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[outofoffice]

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[leaveofabsence]

Are you writing down your repertoire of songs?

[ He picks up one of the papers ]

Perhaps we could play something together.

[outofoffice]

[ Spreading his hands, a little helplessly ]

I can't remember them.

[leaveofabsence]

[





Oh. ]

Perhaps I could play one for you.

[outofoffice]

Oh.

[ He sets the bottle aside, suddenly remembering something.

He taps the paper Zhongli is holding. ]

Can you hum it? That special song.

[leaveofabsence]

If you have an erhu, it would sound much closer to the original.

[ He starts circling around the room to see if he can find one. ]

[outofoffice]

[ The standard-issue desk is covered in all kinds of small instruments, erhu included.

Venti points. ]

Over there.

[leaveofabsence]

[ He picks up the erhu and sits on the bed, settling the instrument in front of him before he turns to pat the bed. ]

Would you like to sit beside me?

[outofoffice]

[ He plops down on the bed beside Zhongli, then sort of . . . mooshes himself and his blanket cocoon against Zhongli's side. ]

[leaveofabsence]

[ He pats his head softly before taking a deep breath and he starts playing Guizhong's song.

It's not one he plays often.

In fact, he can't remember the last time he played it in the last few centuries.

But the piece comes easily to him all the same. ]

[outofoffice]

[ Venti closes his eyes while Zhongli plays, the satisfaction of something half-remembered finally slotting into place. A peaceful but melancholy song.

And by the time Zhongli reaches the main branch of melody, a soft click comes from the far wall, a hidden door slowly sliding itself open. ]


It worked . . .

[leaveofabsence]

[ Wait, what--- ]

What just happened?

[outofoffice]

[ Venti doesn't answer, but he does hop off the bed -- exits his blanket, even -- to walk through the new doorway.

Remember how he said he had no upgrades, then accidentally admitted maybe he did . . . ]

[leaveofabsence]

[ Follows. . . ?




He always wondered what Venti kept in his subspace pocket. ]

[outofoffice]

[ The room is small, slightly larger than a walk-in closet, and non-descript aside from the amber-inlaid walls. The only thing inside is a small podium, surrounded by glaze lilies -- and Venti reaches for whatever rests there. It seems the room itself exists only to house this object.


When he turns, he wordlessly holds Zhongli's gnosis out to him. ]

[leaveofabsence]

[ The confusion doesn't abate. ]

Yes.

I gave that to you for safe keeping.

And it appears you have been keeping it very safe.

[outofoffice]

And I'm giving it back.

If I disappear, it needs to be somewhere safe.

[leaveofabsence]

[ Immediately: ]

You're not going to disappear.

[outofoffice]

I very well could.

I know you're more realistic than this, Morax.

[leaveofabsence]

[ He opens his mouth once. Twice.

As ineloquent as Barbatos has ever seen Morax. For once, words failing him.

Before he takes a deep breath, expression schooling into something neutral before holding out his hand. ]

[outofoffice]

[ There's some kind of phantom pain, one he's aware of but still doesn't quite feel properly.

Placing the gnosis in Zhongli's hand, with some reluctance. But he doesn't remove his hand from Zhongli's. ]

. . . Forgive me.

[leaveofabsence]

Forgive what?

[ And he takes his other hand to cover Venti's ]

You are looking out for me. As you always have.

[outofoffice]

But it hurts anyway, doesn't it?

[ . . . ]

You can return it to me after all this, if it's possible.

1/2

[leaveofabsence]

[ He smile is soft as he pats Venti's hand one final time before slipping his soul gem into his pocket. ]

I will keep that in mind, Barbatos.

[leaveofabsence]

[ And he takes a step back ]

Shall I tell you some stories of Teyvat?

I thought that might help your condition. That and the wine.

[outofoffice]

Okay. That sounds nice, I think.