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[outofoffice]

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[outofoffice]

That's true.

Knowing you're only a breeze away has always been a comfort even I, with all my pretty words, can't find
a way to describe.

[leaveofabsence]

[ A tug on one of Venti's braids again ]

And I am just a breeze away once again. Even moreso with the new gift you have received.

My balcony window is always open.

[outofoffice]

[ He beams so hard that he just about sparkles ]

Tread cautiously, Morax. I'll avail myself of it until you want to fling me off that same balcony.

[leaveofabsence]

That is the other reason why it is always open.

1/2

[outofoffice]

[ Bursts out laughing ]

[outofoffice]

[ He tips forward, letting his head rest against Zhongli's shoulder. The smile remains audible in his voice, and the fingers that thread into Zhongli's hair are borderline possessive. ]

I truly am so happy. Welcome back, dear blockhead.

[leaveofabsence]

I am glad to be here as well.

[ And he idly strokes one of Venti's wings ]

Have you fared well after returning back here to the production?

[outofoffice]

[ Yessss good. He lives here now. ]

Nothing bad has happened at all, in fact! It's downright suspicious. They're surely going to kill us all any moment now.

[leaveofabsence]

[ He places a hand over Venti's mouth ]

Please don't do that.

[outofoffice]

[ LICKS IT ]

[leaveofabsence]

[ WIPES IT ON VENTI'S FACE ]

Barbatos...

[outofoffice]

[ Cackles in open delight ]

Will you ever not fall for that one?

[leaveofabsence]

I don't know if I could handle your immense disappointment if I did.

[outofoffice]

Awww . . . thank you for always thinking of my wellbeing, Mr. Zhongli.

[leaveofabsence]

Yes.

Which brings me back to my original point.

Don't talk of your death so flippantly.

[outofoffice]

Okay, okay. I'll stop.

[ Flattening out Zhongli's collar, unnecessarily ]

But suffice to say, things here have been alright during your absence.

[leaveofabsence]

[ He raises an eyebrow but otherwise allows it ]

Just alright?

[outofoffice]

It is still hell, after all. That was a glowing review, all things considered.

[leaveofabsence]

A fair assessment.

Perhaps I was hopeful that the people you have grown close to here would counterbalance the---

[ Hand wave hand wave ]

Rest of it.

[outofoffice]

Oh, they are wonderful, that's true.

In fact, I think I managed to convince Aliza to return to Teyvat with us, rather than doing anything foolish or self-destructive. She'd do better in a world that can easily put her in check.

[leaveofabsence]

[ He smiles warmly at that. ]

I think she would do well in the City of Freedom.

[outofoffice]

Ehe, she would. But the whole world would be at her disposal. Wouldn't it be terrible if she never lived a lifetime in Liyue? Sumeru? Inazuma? She has so many ahead of her, and the god of freedom would never restrict her to one land.

[leaveofabsence]

All of what you say is true.

But what you are offering her is a home, yes? You do not have to live in that place for it to still be your home.

[outofoffice]

That's true. I'll need to ensure she's situated and comfortable before we embark on our own travels.

I haven't forgotten, you know. I've spent quite a bit of time thinking about far-flung distant worlds.

[leaveofabsence]

I never doubted you once. Not in this.

And though we've seen our fair share of travelers, it's quite different to meet so many at once. It's hard not to been enchanted by that idea of wanderlust.