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[outofoffice]

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[leaveofabsence]

[ WIPES IT ON VENTI'S FACE ]

Barbatos...

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[ Cackles in open delight ]

Will you ever not fall for that one?

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

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

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Yes.

Which brings me back to my original point.

Don't talk of your death so flippantly.

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Okay, okay. I'll stop.

[ Flattening out Zhongli's collar, unnecessarily ]

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

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[ He raises an eyebrow but otherwise allows it ]

Just alright?

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

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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.

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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.

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[ He smiles warmly at that. ]

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Hehe . . . perhaps I'm simply feeling envious of Lumine's adventures.

Imagine the ballads I'll be able to write.

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And will you be able to leave Mondstadt for that amount of time?

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Of course! Mondstadt will be just fine without me, and what's life without the joy and wonder of exploration?

Really, it's the homebody here that I worry for more.

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It is a good thing I have a veteran traveler to show me the ropes then.

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And you're not worried about Liyue in your absence?

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It has been handling itself quite well in my absence.

Enough that even before here, I could venture out to the see the world as I pleased.

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Does that mean you'll finally come to Ludi Harpastum? And Windblume?

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Yes to both. I wouldn't miss them for anything.

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[ !!!

Lighting up ]

--Really?!

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Of course.

My word is set in stone - is it not?