[ "Meticulous care" from someone who has forgotten the concept of a savings account and the logistics of retirement. When given permission, he lifts up the phone so he can properly look through it. Childe's description makes sense to him? It's like when he wants to send visions to people in the form of dreams, right? Except, you know, not like heavenly messages. Possibly more... Lowkey.
Somehow, some way, Zhongli finds the camera, though he doesn't take a picture. Next, he finds contacts, but also leaves that be. He chooses not to snoop. His curiosity doesn't falter, gold eyes still glowing with piqued interest. ]
This could serve as a good alternative to recording history on stone tablets. [ Mention of worlds draws his attention back to his initial guess. ] And the ability to cross worlds is powerful.
[ His gaze lifts off the phone, meeting Childe's. ]
You must have gone through many trials to receive such a boon.
[That's because savings accounts and retirement only count as treasures to us sad millennials in the future... it's fine.
Also fine is Zhongli going through the phone as thoroughly (or not) as he pleases; mostly because, even if he had snooped through Childe's messages, he wouldn't have found anything particularly exciting. Childe's been Fatui for far too long to put any trust in unsecured methods of correspondence.]
So it is! If I'd had it before Her Majesty set her plan into motion, perhaps our paths never would've crossed, you and I.
[Well, maybe that's not true. The Tsaritsa's goals are specific to their world, after all, and the gnoses are a key factor that wouldn't be found in other worlds. Still, maybe it would've meant actually involving him? NOT SIGNORA? God. (He's not salty you're salty)
Ah, but there's no sense in dwelling on what-ifs. He smiles, though his eyes are as dull as ever.]
Ahaha, please, I don't ever want to hear that word again! ["TRIALS". GOD. FUCK YOU MILES EDGEWORTH, WHEREVER YOU ARE.] You're more correct than you know. By the way, dying is only a novel experience the first time--I really don't recommend doing it twice.
[ You’re right. CEO of GEO doesn’t see them as luxuries. Zhongli’s expression only grows more inquisitive as Childe paints a what-if, but doesn’t comment on it. Either he feels he isn’t in the position to do so or it’s that his silence is import.
Yeah, maybe it has to do with Signora.
Then Childe just says THINGS and the smartphone in Zhongli’s hand is an afterthought. He blinks with some surprise tinting his features.
Like. A part of him thinks this is funny and very Childe, but also…
Uh. ]
You died, Childe? [ ??? ] All comes to an end, but… I had always thought if something were to persevere against the elements and the odds, it would be you.
[ Zhongli means like a cockroach, but not derogatory if that’s even possible. ]
[Yeah that's fair. He hears the comment for what it is and laughs, leaning back in his chair.]
I'll take that compliment, thank you. But yes--twice, in fact. Apparently death and I don't get along.
[Childe really does have a track record of surviving things he shouldn't. Granted, the second revival at the station hadn't been exclusive to him, but still.
He takes a minute to enjoy the surprise on Zhongli's face before he continues.]
Shortly after we parted ways, I was given an invitation of sorts. I'd anticipated some kind of deadly trap, and I suppose it was meant to be, in a roundabout way... our hosts intended to betray us in the end, to free themselves from some kind of technological beast. [And to get their wishes but he's not telling Zhongli about that part.] Before that, though, we were rewarded for killing each other--so long as you covered your tracks, and you were able to get away with it.
[ Are you trying to impress him with dying and reviving twice…? He only grows more concerned as Childe describes his little escapade.
Zhongli looks back down at the smartphone, seeing it in a different light. This was part of a murder ring!!!! ]
I see.
[ What a violent and underhanded game, but he can’t judge—he doesn’t know the circumstances. Also, Zhongli is sure Childe probably killed a little. ]
There’s no reason for you to accept unless it serves the Tsaritsa’s interests. [ At least, that’s what he thinks. Worldhopping is the initial scope. ] Was it worth it?
...Well. Not intentionally, anyway. There is, of course, that underlying thread of hard-earned arrogance, the kind only a particularly audacious mortal can possess--and hey, if it's undercut by that lingering, unspoken desire for acknowledgment, then it's not something he's consciously aware of.)
AND YEAH, SURPRISE!! IT'S A MURDER PHONE. The response makes him smile, for how loyal it makes him sound--but he doesn't particularly want to talk about how he'd mostly been hoping for a big violent battle royale to shake off the events of their parting, so he just inclines his head like he's thinking about it. Besides, Zhongli isn't wrong--even the things Childe does for his own gain, he freely offers to his own Archon too.]
Yes, I'd say so. It was a disappointing experience overall--far too many civilians were involved for my tastes. [They weren't even civilians they just didn't want to fight him for fun tch] But I got what I went for, and I'm here now, so I can't say it wasn't a success.
[He also adopted yet another a sister but like it's fine ("what about the rest of his cr" what about them)
His gaze turns distant, then, thoughtful.]
I was cut off from my Vision there, you know. I hadn't realized that was possible.
I wonder why the invitation was extended to them then... Perhaps their desire is as strong as yours. [ He isn't sure. It's a curiosity. ] Now that you've returned, I'm sure you'll find a worthwhile brawl.
[ As if the traveler didn't tattle on Childe, though Zhongli has been somewhat aware. Still, to drag civilians in such a setting doesn't sit right. Childe is a war criminal with little regards to his limits and he's being told a regular John Smith had to deal with him?
Zhongli closes his eyes for a pause, silently sending his condolences to all those civilians for suffering an extremely heterosexual execution. He crosses his arms, expression edging grim. ]
To be without one's Vision is to be without dreams and ambitions. It's good to see the severing didn't have lasting effects, or else you'd be a hollow shell. [ ... ] You are well?
You'd think so, wouldn't you? I can't agree, but perhaps you archons would see it differently.
[Of course he can't... but Childe left the station with the same opinion he had when he entered. If you aren't willing to kill and die for it, do you want it that badly?
AND LISTEN... yeah. It isn't like he wanted it that way--he'd almost rather watch paint dry than waste his time cutting down weaklings--but he's always been one to adapt to a situation.]
It's alright, though. There were a handful of people there whose strength stood up to mine. [THAT'S NOT WHAT ZHONGLI CARES ABOUT CHILDE you dumb fuck.
But--ah. He looks at Zhongli for a long moment, and there's a flash of something conflicted in his eyes--but it's gone quickly, and he lifts a hand to form one of his favored Hydro blades. He doesn't point it at Zhongli, instead simply twirling it comfortably to show that it's just as stable as it was before.]
I'm fine, don't worry. I felt it return just before I left the station.
[
...Okay maybe he has some Thoughts about Zhongli asking after him like this but listen he doesn't want to think about it. It's fine!!! Ignoring that to instead grin at him and quip--]
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no subject
Somehow, some way, Zhongli finds the camera, though he doesn't take a picture. Next, he finds contacts, but also leaves that be. He chooses not to snoop. His curiosity doesn't falter, gold eyes still glowing with piqued interest. ]
This could serve as a good alternative to recording history on stone tablets. [ Mention of worlds draws his attention back to his initial guess. ] And the ability to cross worlds is powerful.
[ His gaze lifts off the phone, meeting Childe's. ]
You must have gone through many trials to receive such a boon.
no subject
Also fine is Zhongli going through the phone as thoroughly (or not) as he pleases; mostly because, even if he had snooped through Childe's messages, he wouldn't have found anything particularly exciting. Childe's been Fatui for far too long to put any trust in unsecured methods of correspondence.]
So it is! If I'd had it before Her Majesty set her plan into motion, perhaps our paths never would've crossed, you and I.
[Well, maybe that's not true. The Tsaritsa's goals are specific to their world, after all, and the gnoses are a key factor that wouldn't be found in other worlds. Still, maybe it would've meant actually involving him? NOT SIGNORA? God. (He's not salty you're salty)
Ah, but there's no sense in dwelling on what-ifs. He smiles, though his eyes are as dull as ever.]
Ahaha, please, I don't ever want to hear that word again! ["TRIALS". GOD. FUCK YOU MILES EDGEWORTH, WHEREVER YOU ARE.] You're more correct than you know. By the way, dying is only a novel experience the first time--I really don't recommend doing it twice.
[DON'T JUST SAY IT LIKE THAT.]
no subject
Yeah, maybe it has to do with Signora.
Then Childe just says THINGS and the smartphone in Zhongli’s hand is an afterthought. He blinks with some surprise tinting his features.
Like. A part of him thinks this is funny and very Childe, but also…
Uh. ]
You died, Childe? [ ??? ] All comes to an end, but… I had always thought if something were to persevere against the elements and the odds, it would be you.
[ Zhongli means like a cockroach, but not derogatory if that’s even possible. ]
no subject
I'll take that compliment, thank you. But yes--twice, in fact. Apparently death and I don't get along.
[Childe really does have a track record of surviving things he shouldn't. Granted, the second revival at the station hadn't been exclusive to him, but still.
He takes a minute to enjoy the surprise on Zhongli's face before he continues.]
Shortly after we parted ways, I was given an invitation of sorts. I'd anticipated some kind of deadly trap, and I suppose it was meant to be, in a roundabout way... our hosts intended to betray us in the end, to free themselves from some kind of technological beast. [And to get their wishes but he's not telling Zhongli about that part.] Before that, though, we were rewarded for killing each other--so long as you covered your tracks, and you were able to get away with it.
no subject
Zhongli looks back down at the smartphone, seeing it in a different light. This was part of a murder ring!!!! ]
I see.
[ What a violent and underhanded game, but he can’t judge—he doesn’t know the circumstances. Also, Zhongli is sure Childe probably killed a little. ]
There’s no reason for you to accept unless it serves the Tsaritsa’s interests. [ At least, that’s what he thinks. Worldhopping is the initial scope. ] Was it worth it?
no subject
...Well. Not intentionally, anyway. There is, of course, that underlying thread of hard-earned arrogance, the kind only a particularly audacious mortal can possess--and hey, if it's undercut by that lingering, unspoken desire for acknowledgment, then it's not something he's consciously aware of.)
AND YEAH, SURPRISE!! IT'S A MURDER PHONE. The response makes him smile, for how loyal it makes him sound--but he doesn't particularly want to talk about how he'd mostly been hoping for a big violent battle royale to shake off the events of their parting, so he just inclines his head like he's thinking about it. Besides, Zhongli isn't wrong--even the things Childe does for his own gain, he freely offers to his own Archon too.]
Yes, I'd say so. It was a disappointing experience overall--far too many civilians were involved for my tastes. [They weren't even civilians they just didn't want to fight him for fun tch] But I got what I went for, and I'm here now, so I can't say it wasn't a success.
[He also adopted yet another a sister but like it's fine ("what about the rest of his cr" what about them)
His gaze turns distant, then, thoughtful.]
I was cut off from my Vision there, you know. I hadn't realized that was possible.
no subject
[ As if the traveler didn't tattle on Childe, though Zhongli has been somewhat aware. Still, to drag civilians in such a setting doesn't sit right. Childe is a war criminal with little regards to his limits and he's being told a regular John Smith had to deal with him?
Zhongli closes his eyes for a pause, silently sending his condolences to all those civilians for suffering an extremely heterosexual execution. He crosses his arms, expression edging grim. ]
To be without one's Vision is to be without dreams and ambitions. It's good to see the severing didn't have lasting effects, or else you'd be a hollow shell. [ ... ] You are well?
tries to remember what I'm doing
[Of course he can't... but Childe left the station with the same opinion he had when he entered. If you aren't willing to kill and die for it, do you want it that badly?
AND LISTEN... yeah. It isn't like he wanted it that way--he'd almost rather watch paint dry than waste his time cutting down weaklings--but he's always been one to adapt to a situation.]
It's alright, though. There were a handful of people there whose strength stood up to mine. [THAT'S NOT WHAT ZHONGLI CARES ABOUT CHILDE you dumb fuck.
But--ah. He looks at Zhongli for a long moment, and there's a flash of something conflicted in his eyes--but it's gone quickly, and he lifts a hand to form one of his favored Hydro blades. He doesn't point it at Zhongli, instead simply twirling it comfortably to show that it's just as stable as it was before.]
I'm fine, don't worry. I felt it return just before I left the station.
[
...Okay maybe he has some Thoughts about Zhongli asking after him like this but listen he doesn't want to think about it. It's fine!!! Ignoring that to instead grin at him and quip--]
My ambition can't be crushed that easily, anyway.