!!! ??? !!!

[idolpro]

Who: Nemesis, Hurricane, you!
Where: ?Somewhere?
When: Day 496

[ The sound of an engine roars through the city, unfamiliar to any of you. What is that—? That thing, flying in the sky—Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Or—

Is it a giant mech adorned with naginatas and a shield, flying through Tokyo-F at great speed? Is it Hurricane and Nemesis, coming to say their goodbyes? Or is it the sound of their departure. . . ? ]

Comments

[crossmyheartandhope]

We're gonna try.

[leaveofabsence]

And if you are successful, what do you plan to do then? I doubt you could hide someone so important here in the production.

[crossmyheartandhope]

That's one more thing.

Word is, everybody here's got this -- string or something. A string of light, tying us to the city.

When it fades out, our time here's up.

Me and Nem's are about gone.

[leaveofabsence]

I see. So you do not plan to return?

[crossmyheartandhope]

Promised Izanagi I'd try to stop back in.

But -- mostly gone. Yeah.

1/2

[leaveofabsence]

. . .

[leaveofabsence]

Would you wait here for a moment. There is something I wish to give you and Nemesis.

[crossmyheartandhope]

-- me and Nem?

What is it?

[leaveofabsence]

My powers here are limited - as are everyone else's. But that does not mean they are ineffective everywhere.

If you plan to wander the path between realms, maybe there is a place where my divinity might be able to assist you.

[crossmyheartandhope]

Whoa, what? For real?

[leaveofabsence]

I cannot guarantee that there will ever come a time where it will work outside of my home world of Teyvat. But it would ease some of my worries if you would take them with you.

[crossmyheartandhope]

I mean, I ain't gonna turn it down.

Anything to remember you by's worth holding on to.

[leaveofabsence]

Then please take them as tokens of our friendships.

And if fate is kind, perhaps they can be something more.

[crossmyheartandhope]

...thanks, dude.

I'll hold onto it for sure.

[leaveofabsence]

[ Excellent.

Zhongli comes back with two amber pendants etched with the geo symbol ]

Then these are for you.

May your journeys be safe and your stories told for many years to come.

[crossmyheartandhope]

[Takes them, very careful, and peers down at them]

Did you make these?

[leaveofabsence]

Yes.

Blacksmithing and goldsmithing are skills I picked up along my journeys, and ones that I am still very fond of to this day.

[crossmyheartandhope]

They're real nice.

[Running his finger over the carving on one of them]

I mean, they're really something.

[leaveofabsence]

They are a show of my affection.

While this door closes, I wish that another and many more will open before you.

I will miss you terribly, Hurricane. But I know the stars meant you for greater things than remaining here.

[crossmyheartandhope]

[Sorry, did you want another hug? Cause he's coming in for one]

[When he speaks, his voice is muffled by Zhongli's shirt]

I got something for you, too. It ain't -- done. It was gonna be for Christmas. But... I want you to have it, anyways.

[leaveofabsence]

[ He just laughs fondly, holding Hurricane close and running a hand up and down his back. ]

Of course.

I would treasure anything you give me. And things left undone - are those not some of the most precious things we leave behind? To entrust others to things that we ourselves hold dear.

[crossmyheartandhope]

I mean, I dunno if it's something worth holding dear, but -- if you get some use out of it, it'll be worth it.

[leaveofabsence]

Earnest and stubborn on even your very last day.

Very well. I concede.

And I'm sure I'll find a use for it.

[crossmyheartandhope]

[Gives him one last squeeze and eases back a little]

Guess I better go get it, then. Hold up a second, yeah?

[leaveofabsence]

Of course.

[ He says. Even if there is a bit of reluctance when he actually lets Hurricane go.

Just a moment. ]