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[outofoffice]

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[leaveofabsence]

[ Zhongli also looks like he slept not at all, but has at least made an attempt to look somewhat presentable. Though the less than perfect application of his eyeliner and hair probably attests to his current mental state.

He is looking thoughtfully at a teapot he has been reheating. ]

Good afternoon, Barbatos.

[outofoffice]

[ Moving to stand beside him ]

How do you feel?

[leaveofabsence]

Terrible but much more coherent.

[ As he takes the pot off the stove. ]

Your tea will unfortunately be oversteeped as I had not properly gauged how long it would take for you to fall out of bed.

[outofoffice]

[ Points for honesty ]

Uhhhh, sorry . . . it turns out the phone's little noise isn't loud enough to wake me up . . .

[leaveofabsence]

If it had that functionality, I would be sure to bring mine back with me to Teyvat.

[outofoffice]

Ha ha, very funny . . .

[ o o f ]

[leaveofabsence]

[ Pouring the tea carefully into a cup and handing it to Venti.

Here.

It's for your hangover. ]

[outofoffice]

[ Accepting the cup carefully, taking a hesitant sip . . . ]

. . .





Thanks.

[ MORAX PLEASE THIS IS BARELY DRINKABLE ]

[leaveofabsence]

[ BUT IT'S GOOD FOR YOU. ]

I see you took quite seriously the last part of my request.

[outofoffice]

[ He'll nurse it . . . very slowly. For Morax. ]

Which one was the last part?

[leaveofabsence]

Lift your own spirits or that of another.

. . .





You did not come to this state by yourself, did you?

[outofoffice]

Nnnnooo . . . definitely not . . .

This isn't gonna be a "don't drink alone" lecture, is it?

[leaveofabsence]

Of course not.

Because you did not drink alone. Am I correct?

[outofoffice]

Correct! So there's nothing to worry about!

[ No promiscuity lectures either, today is a win ]

[leaveofabsence]

Good then.

[ And he points to one of the unoccupied tables in the dining area. ]

Shall we talk?

[outofoffice]

If this setting is okay with you, yes.

[leaveofabsence]

[ A bit of a shrug ]

The cameras have already seen everything.

[outofoffice]

Mmm . . . fair enough.

[ Wandering over to drop heavily into one of the chairs ]

[leaveofabsence]

[ Before Zhongli sits down, he leans down to properly redo Venti's braids.

It's been bugging him since Venti showed up. ]

[outofoffice]

[ Oh right, that . . .

He holds very still, eyelids fluttering now and then like the gentle, rhythmic tugging could put him right back to sleep. ]

[leaveofabsence]

[ He pats them flat when they are done to his satisfaction. ]

Did you fall asleep on me?

[outofoffice]

Nope.

[ Running his fingers over the completed braids a few times ]

I'm wide awake.

[leaveofabsence]

[ He takes a seat, crossing one leg over another as he folds his arms across his chest ]

How many dreams did you wander through?

[outofoffice]

[ Not quite the question he expected . . . ]

Only two, including yours.

[leaveofabsence]

And how did you fare in the other one? You need not give specifics if you wish to protect the privacy of the dreamer involved.