#*aether ic.

the stars here are not like the ones at home and they’ve now become a strange,  familiar home.  a breath leaves his lips,  sounds of liyue welcoming him like open arms.  even among the chatter it felt like a breath of fresh air, despite having been away ---- further out in the wilderness than many townspeople would prefer to be.  but even while basking in it,  heaving heavy breath. for a moment / if ever so brief / the blood on his sword didn’t exist. instead, he yearns for a familiar face and voice, to see if maybe he has the time to join him on travels for a short period of time.

it wasn’t quite home but it was something, someone close enough.

“ mister zhongli ?? ”   he called ,  golden eyes searching for him as he traversed the steps leading to the funeral parlor. surely he was to be getting off work soon , there had to be a moment’s free time and the outworlder could borrow whatever free time the man had.

though there are other places to check, maybe ... he sighed as he climbed the stairs, glancing around for a moment and its only after a moment does he knock. it doesn’t feel his place to step into the parlor itself , really ...  and even then, what if he’s not there at all?  aether is bound to making a fool of himself, if that’s the case.    “ mister zhongli, are you here -  -  ?? ”