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[whirlwindthrust]

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delivery april 17;

[concierto]

[All there is to find is a simple little note of paper with the flowy and neat handwriting of someone familiar.]

I love you as the plant that doesn’t bloom but carries
the light of those flowers, hidden, within itself,
and thanks to the love the tight aroma that arose
from the earth lives dimly in my body.

[Oh... Might be another part of a certain sonnet written? How mysterious.]

[whirlwindthrust]

[ Well this one is harder. Xiao isn't sure if he can understand this one. Maybe he should ask later...

But for now? For now he tucks that piece of paper. In the page that contains the other half of the sonnet. ]

Backdated to before the Story Eater attack

[gentryofhermitage]

[Zhongli doesn't make an overt habit of checking in on Xiao; he knows the Yaksha likes to work on his own, and he can get thrown off his usual routine if Zhongli checks in too often. He's usually content to let Xiao do his own thing, occasionally checking in by claiming to be passing by, or by fateful encounters in town or dreamscapes. But after his conversation with Venti, he's had a few thoughts on his mind about the Archon and the Yaksha. Thoughts that he tries to let settle for a few weeks, but after some time lead him to pick up his quill and write a message to Xiao.]

Good evening, Xiao. I hope you are not preoccupied with anything at the moment. I was hoping you had a moment to speak with me.

[whirlwindthrust]

I have no pressing matters to attend to. Even so, they could wait.

[ Not many people contact Xiao like this. Even less so Zhongli. It makes Xiao curios. Worried. ]

Is something wrong?

[gentryofhermitage]

[Ah, he was concerned that Xiao would be worried about him contacting him out of the blue like this. He does his best to reassure him.]

No, everything is quite alright. I just wished to pay you a visit and discuss how you are doing. Would that be alright?

[whirlwindthrust]

You never need to ask if that is all right, Rex Lapis.

[ Xiao knows that it should be "Zhongli." But they are alone in these journals. It doesn't feel right to refer to him as anything less. ]

It would be best if I come to you. There is no place for you to visit me at.

[ Since he is a wild thing and doesn't do houses ]

[gentryofhermitage]

[Zhongli understands Xiao's thoughts, which is why he doesn't push the matter of his name unless they're in public. And while he does have a spare room that Xiao can use, he knows the Yaksha will go where he is comfortable.]

Very well. I will leave the front door open for you.

[And while he doesn't have any almond tofu on hand, he will have a pot of tea ready for Xiao whenever he gets there.]

[whirlwindthrust]

[ At this point Xiao doesn't answer. Knows that he doesn't need to. Zhongli will know that he is immediately on the way.

And before long, Xiao is there. Not by the front door. But pushing his way inside from a window. ]

[gentryofhermitage]

[What is it with the Anemo children and their aversion to a perfectly good door--]

[Zhongli will hear that window opening, and after going to investigate, will offer a smile at Xiao.]

Good evening, Xiao. Thank you for coming on such short notice. I have some tea if you'd like.

[whirlwindthrust]

[ They are the very embodiment of wind. Does the wind use a door to enter one's home? They cannot be contained.

Xiao gives the Archon a bow. Down on one knee as always. ]

Of course. If you would call, then I would come.

On the day of Oct 31

[localweirdo]

Xiao, are you there?

It's me, Hu Tao! I was wondering if you're planning on celebrating "Halloween" with Zhong and I!

[whirlwindthrust]

[ Well he had told her that she could message him... ]

You are holding a celebration?

[localweirdo]

Not really a celebration as much as a gathering! It would be nice to dress up together, right?

[You know you want to...!!]

[whirlwindthrust]

Dress up? Do you think that I would be the type to?

[localweirdo]

No.

[Pause]

But it doesn't mean that I can't try to convince you.

[whirlwindthrust]

There's silence on his end for a little while. And then he sighs.

Do you have a significant amount of Dreamotion with you?

[localweirdo]

Not that I'm aware of but I could try!

What about you?

delivery; 🎐

[concierto]

[This will appear near the end of the day, a mysterious little box with no note inside. But it might be obvious who it might be from. Inside is a small set of anemo crystalfly earrings.]

Sometime mid-February

[gentryofhermitage]

Greetings Xiao.

I trust this message finds you well. If you have the time, I would like to speak with you.

[whirlwindthrust]

Even if I didn't have the time, I would make it.

Would you like to do so in person?

[gentryofhermitage]

If you are able, I would like to meet in person. Feel free to come by at your leisure; there is no need for haste.

[whirlwindthrust]

I can't promise that. When you reach out to me, I will always feel the need to appear almost immediately.

[gentryofhermitage]

Then allow me to grant you a pardon, at least in this case. My request is not an urgent one, so please, take your time in coming if you have other tasks to attend to. I will not be offended if you complete your other tasks first.

[whirlwindthrust]

What other tasks would I have to attend to?

[ Literally can meet at any time, dad ]

[gentryofhermitage]

There are plenty of things you may be engaging in. You could be fulfilling a task on the Task Board, or perhaps spending time with another here. I would hate to interrupt such moments.