imeeji_frontstage

You have no idea. [ Too bad Doctor wouldn't like it if she got into details, they're really good details and she's getting to the point where she's drunk enough to spill them. ] It's always the quiet ones.

You always have to be wary of the quiet ones. For anything, really. They seem harmless, but it's all an act.

Not an act in his case, but disarming for sure. I was so sure we'd be stuck in a cycle of overly chaste flirting forever, then he busts out asking me to take a drink from him.

Sure there's a fair amount of that here, but usually they're masochists. Why are there so many of those around, by the way? Or do I just attract them? [ For obvious reasons. Clearly she's drunk enough by now, not that she's slowing down any. ] What's a lady have to do to get shoved around once in a while?

I think it can be a bit hard for them. Especially when they have people like us. Boisterous and... confident. We don't hold back with our feelings when we know what we want and we're passionate. It can be a bit intimidating, I think, but when they realize all that, like... really realize it, I think they know that it's true and genuine and can finally feel at ease enough to take the shot, so to speak.

I'm glad he did.

[ childe laughs. ] You do like to fight, I think that's part of the reason. And fighting really gets the blood going. And you know I'm always down for a fight. You're one of my favorite people to shove around.

[ She just smiles for a second, that's all really touching actually ]

And you're one of my favorites to get shoved by. I guess it takes someone who's also a lot to handle, sometimes.

[ Doctor gives her a sense of calm and peace, and thankfully she has others like Caeli to help with her stronger impulses. ]

There are times that I curb those feelings, too often lately. Too many people I've loved taken away, it got to me. You've got a point that maybe I shouldn't hold back. You never know when this place will take the choice away from us.

[ childe smiles, wide and genuine. ] I definitely think so.

Don't let it get too pent up. You don't want to explode, you know? I have that training room and... eventually I'll have some kind of obstacle course. [ he's still waiting on that to go through. ] But we can even go to the escape room and just mess around in there, see what it generates and kick whatever ass it sees fit to throw our way.

...yeah, it can be tough. [ he remembers when zhongli was taken and he was a bit of a mess for a bit. ] It's hard to know whether or not its permanent too. [ he takes a short breath. ] We all still have each other here, and eventually we'll find a way to beat the system and get all of our friends back, so while we may lose them for a bit... it won't ever be permanent, not as long as we don't let the flame of our fighting spirit burn out.

[ Sighing a bit, but she doesn't let herself get overly maudlin about it. ]

It's permanent, in my case. Even if they find their way back, I won't remember them. I've started winding down into my hibernation already.

...ah. [ he frowns. he remembers this talk, but didn't think she'd start during her stay here. he's just going to round the table and yank her into a half hug. ] Let's have another drink.

[ She'll take the hug, but she's not going to let the mood veer off course. They're here for cheering each other up, not to mourn for what's inevitable. ]

A great idea if I've ever heard one.

-- Don't worry about me, I'm commissioning a case or whatever so Venti can drag my chrysalis back with him. [ She assumes Zhongli mentioned that she (and Doctor) are being dragged to Teyvat with Venti whenever he graduates, or maybe she told him before? She's a little fuzzy on details right now. ] I won't remember anyone, but at least when I wake up I'll have someone who knows me, which I never had on Earth. Maybe more than one if you and Zhongli and Lumine all make your way back. [ She's not clear on whether Doctor will live a mortal lifespan or she'd include him too ]

[ i'm not sure if he knows, but i'm also fuzzy on the details, lol. ] Commissioning it here?

I'm definitely going back. My family's there, and I do still intend to help her Majesty, the Tsaritsa. I'm pretty sure Zhongli Xiansheng is going back too. I can't imagine he... wouldn't, [ he gives a laugh. ] especially since I do want to propose to him again, back in Liyue, to make it extra special and traditional and all that... but... but don't tell him.

[ he says, probably loud enough for the entire room to hear. ]

Mm, I was imagining his reasoning is the same as Venti's. They have to go back, and I knew you'd go with him.

Even though I won't remember you, I'm glad. Come and see me if you can, hm?

[ chuckling at his "secret" declaration ] I won't say a word.

Yeah. Both of them have really strong ties to Teyvat.

I bet you'll learn to love me all over again, but, yeah, of course I'll come see you.

[ beams!!! ] Thanks~! I'm really excited about it!

You're not hard to love. But I might be pretty different, so be prepared. My personality gets shaped by whatever happens to me early on.

[ Anyway! ] It's good you're excited, I get way too nervous about things like that. Refined stuff like planning a big occasion isn't in my wheelhouse, but somehow I talked myself into it anyway. I've been stalling for weeks.

And you're pretty hard not to love too. I'm sure we'll become friends again. New personality and all.

It, yeah, can be kind of new-wrecking. I know the first time I was all nerves. Mostly because the original plan I had fell through, because I messed some stuff up. My own fault. My expectations of something were too high, and it's not like I could control everything involved, so... well it sucked. But I bounced back, thankfully, and I think it turned out better. I still want to do something traditional though, especially since that's important to Zhongli Xiansheng. [ rubs the back of his neck, cheeks going pink. ]

But you're doing it! That first step is always the hardest.

I mean..... in fairness it's not really a proposal, neither of us did that, we just discussed it and decided. All I'm doing it giving him a ring because he entirely lacks confidence in how I feel about him and we think that would help, and he knows it's coming because we talked about that too.

I'm still nervous and with no right to be. It's not like there's a possibility of being turned down.

🌊

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