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stellafortunalogs2021-03-05 07:58 am
pragmatism) wrote in stellafortunalogs2021-03-05 07:58 am
🔶 closed
who zhongli and the victims of his memshare
where all around mondstadt's wilds
when throughout march
warnings will be added as they come up.
where all around mondstadt's wilds
when throughout march
warnings will be added as they come up.
no subject
It was an ancient city, surrounded by glaze lilies. And...there was another god there, the Lord of Dust.
no subject
That must be the first city. Its time was almost five thousand years ago.
[ Before the founding of Liyue, before the Archon Wars... before Guizhong's death. ]
The history of that time has been forgotten by most of humanity.
no subject
I had a feeling that was the case...
[Not much is remembered of Earth's history that long ago. It'd only stand to reason Teyvat would have the same issue. He's not sure if he should press more, or leave Zhongli be. Ultimately, what he saw was none of his business. So he'll ask the same question Zhongli asked him, after seeing his memory.]
Do you want to talk about it?
no subject
The Lord of Dust was a gentle soul. She was intelligent and wise. You can still see some of the relics she built in Liyue's rural areas. What she lacked was strength, and that was what brought her to me.
[ Yet the world grew too small for the numerous gods to be satisfied with. Eventually, the flames of war would consume all of Teyvat. ]
Only the strong survived the Archon Wars. Her gentleness would eventually be her undoing.
[ And he, the protector of Liyue, failed to protect what he valued the most. ]
no subject
That's unfortunate ... you two seemed to make a good team.
[The Archon War...it's not the first time he's heard it mentioned. The Lord of Dust was probably just one of countless tragedies that happened then. A truly terrible era]
Did she had another name she'd go by?
no subject
[ Guizhong and Zhongli were the two halves of the Guili Plains. The first city became a ruin during the Archon Wars. Over the years, the wild Glaze Lilies, too, dwindled till at last they were no more. ]
Gods will never truly understand humanity, yet she still attempted to do so. She loved humans like her own children; her 'little people'. Liyue would not be complete without her.
[ Rather ironic that the Liyue of the present has mostly relegated her to the history books, but perhaps it is better this way. There is no use worshipping a departed god. ]
When she passed on, I thought it prudent to take on her role as well. [ Which was why he became gentler; more patient. But that too took thousands of years. ]
no subject
[He says it quietly, committing it to memory. The similarity between that name and the Geo Archon's "human" name isn't lost on him. It can't be a coincidence. ]
Mm, I could tell how much she cared about her people. [It was plain to see in how she treated him. Kindness, through and through
But...ah. So that's what it was. ]
That explains the personality change some. The you in the vision seemed a lot more... [Scary? Intimidating?] ... Sharp-edged?
no subject
It was out of necessity. Only with force could some dangers be subdued.
[ Only after two thousand years did most of the threats to Liyue finally abate, mostly because it took two thousand years to kill or seal them all. Gentleness was a weakness in those times. ]
I am the most long-lived of all the gods remaining on Teyvat. The dreams of those lost remain with me, and I must see them realized in the place of those who could not.
[ For Guizhong, he persevered for another four thousand years. Finally, his duty has drawn to a close. ]
no subject
Ha- I get it, really. I used to be the same, in a way.
[Though his change came much quicker than thousands of years - it was much closer to two years. It was one of the strengths of being human, they can change and adapt so much quicker than most]
That's quite a goal...do you have many dreams left to fulfill?
no subject
[ That is a good number of years. Liyue was founded two thousand years before Jesus was even born... a span of time both immeasurably long, and immeasurably brief. ]
My journey will soon be at an end. Though, 'soon' for me is not likely to have the same meaning as it would for you.
[ He says this with a wry smile. ]
no subject
Haha...yeah, I'd say we run on different timescales.
[Even if he gave up on returning to Earth and lived out his life here on Teyvat, his time on this world would be nothing but mere moments for someone like Zhongli. It doesn't bother him. He's long accepted that he'll die one day, most likely in the line of duty.
Meanwhile Zhongli will linger on for who knows how long. Watching cities rise and fall, losing people he cares for, watching the history he lived through be forgotten.
He pauses in thought for a moment, before he lets out a small sigh] Honestly, I don't think I'll ever fully understand what you've been through. I keep hoping something cool or meaningful to say will come to me that'd help, but ... guess that only happens in anime or other fiction.
[Jun, you useless nerd. ]
no subject
Worry not, I would not expect full understanding from you. As I said, gods and humans are inherently different.
[ Ever pragmatic, he had walked a lonely path all these years. Even if humans tried to get close to him, it would not work out the way they wanted it to. They are too different, and the only person who ever understood him had already departed this world. ]
If anything, learn from my mistakes, and hold your friends close to your heart. The value of companionship can never be measured with Mora.
[ Hopefully Jun's world is much less lethal than Teyvat. But... this depressing topic is hardly suitable to drag on overlong. ]
Did you have anything else to ask me?
no subject
It's very generous of you to assume my only problem with understanding is being human.
[Even Jun is aware how much he struggles through these emotionally heavy conversations, ok. He's been hitting walls left and right with this whole memory vision thing going on. Sure, any human would struggle to understand the burdens of immortality and godhood....but man, he knows he's screwed up by human standards]
Of course, I can do that. [It's easy to him, he knows how precious his friends are. Though...he does feel bad giving Zhongli this emotional suckerpunch and just leaving at that. What's some stuff he said cheered him up...?]
Well...I'd never turn down another geo lesson if you're up for it. Or a walk.
[yes. he's still trying to cheer him up]
no subject
He can tell Jun is trying to make an effort, but his own response to anything emotionally painful is to think it out. That means... ]
I appreciate your kindness. However, I think you should go back to town. I wish to be alone for a while.
[ Jun would no doubt feel bad about leaving, so he adds: ]
We will spend time together soon.
no subject
Nngh. He should've followed his first impulse and slunk away after witnessing the memory instead of bringing it up.
He won't argue on Zhongli's wishes, giving a nod of his head.]
...Understood. I'll see you later.
[He wished he had his teleporting ability right now. He has no choice but to leave on foot. Still even without that, how quickly he's able to vacate the area is almost impressive. ]