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[After the unceremonious chaos that was the potluck, Zhongli takes Xiao in his panicked bird form back to their apartment, stepping swiftly and with care. His hold is neither too tight nor too loose, just enough to be comforting and protective. With the way his suit is cut, it's very easy for Xiao to simply bury himself between his coat and his shirt if he wants.
Either way, he's not letting anyone or anything stop them until they pass the threshold of their house. The familiar scent of incense washes over them before he shuts the door behind them, and locks it. Finally he makes his way over to the couch closest to the fireplace, and sets Xiao down on the cushion. Zhongli himself drops to his knees on the floor, and strokes Xiao's feathers in what he hopes is a calming and familiar way.]
Deep breaths, hǔ zǐ. You're safe here.
[Just how thorough is this transformation? Is there danger if his heart overworks itself? Does Xiao even remember fully what he is? ... It doesn't matter right now, but this sure is one hell of a time for his powers to resurface.]
If you don't mind waiting for a moment, I can kindle a fire. It might help to calm your nerves.
Either way, he's not letting anyone or anything stop them until they pass the threshold of their house. The familiar scent of incense washes over them before he shuts the door behind them, and locks it. Finally he makes his way over to the couch closest to the fireplace, and sets Xiao down on the cushion. Zhongli himself drops to his knees on the floor, and strokes Xiao's feathers in what he hopes is a calming and familiar way.]
Deep breaths, hǔ zǐ. You're safe here.
[Just how thorough is this transformation? Is there danger if his heart overworks itself? Does Xiao even remember fully what he is? ... It doesn't matter right now, but this sure is one hell of a time for his powers to resurface.]
If you don't mind waiting for a moment, I can kindle a fire. It might help to calm your nerves.
[ bury xiao does the moment zhongli gives him the chance, too overwhelmed to properly process anything other than the desire for somewhere dark and safe. it's embarrassment that fuels the need to hide, to clamp his eyes shut so tightly that the rest of the world disappears ─ what else would one feel when you suddenly turn into a small bird in front of your father's work friends? the chaos proceeding it was utterly forgotten and forgiven in favor of the mortification he feels at the sudden change of form.
how did he do it? why did he do it? how does he undo it? is this something he could have always done? is this something he could have done in his past life? they must surely think ill of him now, right? becoming so overwhelmed that he turned into a bird...
if xiao would bury himself in the fluff of feathers he would, even as they pass into the threshold of their home and the familiar scent of incense washes over him. it's mortifying that it happened in the first place, that zhongli had to swoop in to rescue him. even so, his feathers seem to flatten a little more against his body when zhongli places him down on the cushion, stroking gently at his feathers. it is calming, familiar, enough to ground him a little more than before.
thank you he would say were he able to speak, but all xiao can muster is a small chirping noise. he wishes he knew how to change back... ]
how did he do it? why did he do it? how does he undo it? is this something he could have always done? is this something he could have done in his past life? they must surely think ill of him now, right? becoming so overwhelmed that he turned into a bird...
if xiao would bury himself in the fluff of feathers he would, even as they pass into the threshold of their home and the familiar scent of incense washes over him. it's mortifying that it happened in the first place, that zhongli had to swoop in to rescue him. even so, his feathers seem to flatten a little more against his body when zhongli places him down on the cushion, stroking gently at his feathers. it is calming, familiar, enough to ground him a little more than before.
thank you he would say were he able to speak, but all xiao can muster is a small chirping noise. he wishes he knew how to change back... ]
[The poor dear is certainly going through it. He doesn't mind having Xiao curl up in there, but he's afraid he might fall out or something with the faffing about the fireplace. So it goes.]
Don't worry about any of that. [He can't understand animals in this life yet so he's just uh, guessing at this point, but he's sure Xiao is anxious about many things right now.] Just focus on your breathing, and try to clear your mind.
[He leaves Xiao there to peep and preen on the couch while he starts up a fire. It's a simple thing for an old earth god who remembers knocking rocks together in a few lives. To an extent, he still prefers flint to matches, but matches are easier to come by and for others to use... so matches it is. Within a few minutes he has a softly-crackling fire, though it will be a few more before the stones around it warm up and help distribute that heat throughout the apartment.
Then he does something curious. He takes a big poofy blanket out of the coat closet and lays it out over the wool rug, a normal fixture in front of the fireplace in this house. With that finished, he goes back over to the couch to retrieve Xiao, and finally sets him there in the middle of the blanket and the warm rug, so he can snuggle into something and disappear if he wants.]
There is a kind of magic in experience, in age and time. There are legends of foxes living to be so old that they gain the ability to talk and reason with humans... great birds who live upon the mountains, watching the rise and fall of dynasties... even dragons who rise up from the valleys to be seen once in an age before once again falling into obscurity.
[As he speaks, he settles down on the blanket beside Xiao and pets him a little more.]
In Liyue, they were known as adepti or 'illuminated beasts'. And it is their immortal order that we belong to even in this life.
[A pause.]
I always did despise combat in that form, but for simple things like this... I've learned to indulge.
[Give him another minute—and he shapeshifts himself. He's a slinky thing, with all the fur and scales and horns and craggy teeth and claws befitting a great dragon...
... but he's only seven feet long, which is just enough to comfortably curl up around the edge of the wool rug.]
Don't worry about any of that. [He can't understand animals in this life yet so he's just uh, guessing at this point, but he's sure Xiao is anxious about many things right now.] Just focus on your breathing, and try to clear your mind.
[He leaves Xiao there to peep and preen on the couch while he starts up a fire. It's a simple thing for an old earth god who remembers knocking rocks together in a few lives. To an extent, he still prefers flint to matches, but matches are easier to come by and for others to use... so matches it is. Within a few minutes he has a softly-crackling fire, though it will be a few more before the stones around it warm up and help distribute that heat throughout the apartment.
Then he does something curious. He takes a big poofy blanket out of the coat closet and lays it out over the wool rug, a normal fixture in front of the fireplace in this house. With that finished, he goes back over to the couch to retrieve Xiao, and finally sets him there in the middle of the blanket and the warm rug, so he can snuggle into something and disappear if he wants.]
There is a kind of magic in experience, in age and time. There are legends of foxes living to be so old that they gain the ability to talk and reason with humans... great birds who live upon the mountains, watching the rise and fall of dynasties... even dragons who rise up from the valleys to be seen once in an age before once again falling into obscurity.
[As he speaks, he settles down on the blanket beside Xiao and pets him a little more.]
In Liyue, they were known as adepti or 'illuminated beasts'. And it is their immortal order that we belong to even in this life.
[A pause.]
I always did despise combat in that form, but for simple things like this... I've learned to indulge.
[Give him another minute—and he shapeshifts himself. He's a slinky thing, with all the fur and scales and horns and craggy teeth and claws befitting a great dragon...
... but he's only seven feet long, which is just enough to comfortably curl up around the edge of the wool rug.]
hey, how're you feeling?
[ eunie, he remembers her introducing herself before things became hectic. there is a part of him that does not want to respond, embarrassment quick to return and sit heavily in his throat ─ thankfully she chose the easiest manner in which to contact him. ]
I am alright.
I am alright.
hi xiao, this is lapis
i'm sorry about what happened. (>_<。) i hope you're alright.
i'm sorry about what happened. (>_<。) i hope you're alright.
you sure about that? well im guessing you're not a bird anymore else you wouldn't be able to text.
unless you are texting with wings somehow which would be cool
unless you are texting with wings somehow which would be cool
[Zhongli said he wanted Xiao to make more friends and well....this was certainly an attempt at that.
Jun stood out on a roof of the restaurant Ryouta and Shio worked at. Ryouta was with him, along with a plate of almond tofu that sat on overturned crate. Zhongli said this was Xiao's favorite so...hopefully it'll lure him out.
Jun stood by, crossing his arms as he wore his shroud]
Do you think this'll work?
Jun stood out on a roof of the restaurant Ryouta and Shio worked at. Ryouta was with him, along with a plate of almond tofu that sat on overturned crate. Zhongli said this was Xiao's favorite so...hopefully it'll lure him out.
Jun stood by, crossing his arms as he wore his shroud]
Do you think this'll work?
[Ryouta has to say, almond tofu? Absolutely good taste! He approves of this mysterious rooftop guy named Xiao.
He grins at Jun.]
Don't worry! I got an idea that's sure to work.
He grins at Jun.]
Don't worry! I got an idea that's sure to work.
[This is probably going to be a weird sense of deja vu for Jun as Ryouta cups his hands on either side of his mouth.]
OIIIIIIIII! XIAO! YOUR DAD SAID WE COULD BE FRIENDS!! WE BROUGHT ALMOND TOFU!!!
OIIIIIIIII! XIAO! YOUR DAD SAID WE COULD BE FRIENDS!! WE BROUGHT ALMOND TOFU!!!
[Christ that's so loud. While Ryouta is shouting at a volume the whole neighborhood can hear, Jun is covering his ears and kneeling down as if trying to get out of the way of the soundwaves.]
Holy shit, Ryouta.
Holy shit, Ryouta.
[ it is mere luck that xiao just so happened to be in the area, luck that has him in earshot to hear the shout that pierces through the air. maybe he heard ryouta, maybe he spied them mere moments before ryouta decided to shout at the top of his lungs. regardless xiao lands, as if on cue, almost soundlessly on the rooftop behind them, straightening up to cross his arms across his chest.
you called? ]
Zhongli said that? [ s u s p i c i o u s. ]
you called? ]
Zhongli said that? [ s u s p i c i o u s. ]
[Seeing Xiao landing all cool on the roof has Ryouta turning to Jun with a wide grin on his face.]
See? Works every time!
[BRO...]
See? Works every time!
[BRO...]
[Jun meanwhile is moving to stand up as Xiao shows up. What the fuck it actually worked]
Well...can't argue with results.
[How did it work?? What is Ryouta. But he can tell Xiao is suspicious so]
Yes. He said you traveled like father and son. He also said you were new to the city and he was worried you'd struggle to meet people.
Well...can't argue with results.
[How did it work?? What is Ryouta. But he can tell Xiao is suspicious so]
Yes. He said you traveled like father and son. He also said you were new to the city and he was worried you'd struggle to meet people.
[ all xiao can do, really, is watch as zhongli moves about, chirping softly as the fire begins to crackle in the fireplace. watching as he takes the blanket out of the coat closet and lays it around the wool rug, head tilting curiously as he picks xiao up again. the adeptus flaps his wings briefly as he is moved from the couch to the middle of the blanket, hopping as he peers up at his father with the most curious look a bird of his size can possibly make.
focus on your breathing.
it's difficult but xiao tries as zhongli settles on the blanket beside him, petting him a little as he speaks. there has always been something calming about the stories his father told, many times in his youth did xiao drift off to sleep listening to a story or a conversation between zhongli and azhdaha. it helps settle even more of the anxious energy coursing through him, feathers slowly flattening against his small body as zhongli speaks of liyue, of the adepti, of immortal beings─
the glimpse he gets his brief; a city alight of lanterns drifting up, up, up into the night sky, the noise of the harbor, a girl with blue hair and horns, the blonde-haired traveler, and the distant sound of a flute easing a painful ache in his chest.
xiao fluffs up again as it passes, his mind spinning with questions he can barely contain, only to watch as his father's form shifts to that of a great dragon. xiao chirps, familiarity hitting harder than the glimpse of faded memories, wings stretching out almost in exclamation. he knows this, he recognizes this. zhongli, morax, rex lapis. the words sit in his throat, demanding release, but he can't push them out in the form a bird, so all he can do is chirp. ]
focus on your breathing.
it's difficult but xiao tries as zhongli settles on the blanket beside him, petting him a little as he speaks. there has always been something calming about the stories his father told, many times in his youth did xiao drift off to sleep listening to a story or a conversation between zhongli and azhdaha. it helps settle even more of the anxious energy coursing through him, feathers slowly flattening against his small body as zhongli speaks of liyue, of the adepti, of immortal beings─
the glimpse he gets his brief; a city alight of lanterns drifting up, up, up into the night sky, the noise of the harbor, a girl with blue hair and horns, the blonde-haired traveler, and the distant sound of a flute easing a painful ache in his chest.
xiao fluffs up again as it passes, his mind spinning with questions he can barely contain, only to watch as his father's form shifts to that of a great dragon. xiao chirps, familiarity hitting harder than the glimpse of faded memories, wings stretching out almost in exclamation. he knows this, he recognizes this. zhongli, morax, rex lapis. the words sit in his throat, demanding release, but he can't push them out in the form a bird, so all he can do is chirp. ]
[ bruh.
he looks between the two, recognition flashing across his face as his gaze settles on jun. ah, he remembers you. ]
I see.
[ he is... honestly unsure how to react to this information. a tiny part of him is almost annoyed though it is overridden by the knowledge that this is done out of care more than anything. zhongli always worries for him. ]
So he suggested that we meet.
he looks between the two, recognition flashing across his face as his gaze settles on jun. ah, he remembers you. ]
I see.
[ he is... honestly unsure how to react to this information. a tiny part of him is almost annoyed though it is overridden by the knowledge that this is done out of care more than anything. zhongli always worries for him. ]
So he suggested that we meet.
Yep! We thought we'd give you a nice, 'welcome to Kaisou' gift, so we got some almond tofu from our friend, Shio.
[Ryouta holds out his hand.]
I'm Ryouta Ibuki. It's nice to meet you!
[Ryouta holds out his hand.]
I'm Ryouta Ibuki. It's nice to meet you!
[He will nod along with what Ryouta says before lowering his own hood, revealing his face]
Jun Nightroad.
Jun Nightroad.
I have been in the city longer than my father knows but even so, I appreciate the gift.
[ because it is almond tofu, the very thing preventing him from being more annoyed at his father's meddling. xiao looks between ryouta and his hand before taking it with only a tinge of hesitation. ]
You as well. [ his gaze flicks to jun. ] Jun, was it you who thought to find me on a roof?
[ is he making a joke? maybe??? ]
[ because it is almond tofu, the very thing preventing him from being more annoyed at his father's meddling. xiao looks between ryouta and his hand before taking it with only a tinge of hesitation. ]
You as well. [ his gaze flicks to jun. ] Jun, was it you who thought to find me on a roof?
[ is he making a joke? maybe??? ]
Didn't feel right to interrupt your night without something nice.
[Ryouta shakes his hand, grinning, and lets go. He'll let Jun answer that question.]
[Ryouta shakes his hand, grinning, and lets go. He'll let Jun answer that question.]
[Well, no point in denying it]
Mm. I thought you'd be more comfortable meeting on the roof than somewhere more crowded.
Mm. I thought you'd be more comfortable meeting on the roof than somewhere more crowded.
even still, it wasn't exactly the best introduction to the group <( _ _ )>
but that's good! i'm glad he was able to help
[ Should she say that tiny his birb form was super cute.... Probably not. ]
though, has that ever happened before?
but that's good! i'm glad he was able to help
[ Should she say that tiny his birb form was super cute.... Probably not. ]
though, has that ever happened before?
[ with the handshake complete xiao crosses his arms across his chest again, the tension in his shoulders draining just a little. ]
I have never been fond of crowds, [ with his height he is easy to lose within the crowds, but that isn't the reason. ] so your thought was correct.
[ a beat. ]
I'm sorry, I am not exactly good at... this sort of thing. [ but he is trying. ]
I have never been fond of crowds, [ with his height he is easy to lose within the crowds, but that isn't the reason. ] so your thought was correct.
[ a beat. ]
I'm sorry, I am not exactly good at... this sort of thing. [ but he is trying. ]
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