#rexcorlapis

Dan Heng emerged from the sea after what felt like ages with a fresh-caught fish between his fangs, hefting himself upon what he thought was an unoccupied dock at the far end of Liyue Harbor, and began to feast on the small trout. It wasn't a large meal, to be sure, but the freshness of its vitality boosted the Vidydhara's energy significantly after the recent strain.

He knew experimenting with the trove of spells once in Dan Feng's possession was ill-advised, but when the books of coordinates of the stargate in his predecessor's possession had made tale of of a world that existed before the Aeons, he couldn't help his curiosity. Exploring the unknown had once been Dan Feng's duty, and he felt as though it entitled him to emulate the former incarnation so long as he didn't interfere heavily with the worlds he visited. With his transmutation abilities, he'd be able to change his species once he acquired a clearer picture of Teyvat's inhabitants.

Secreted within the mountains that provided stunning backdrops for Liyue Harbor lay a hidden pool full of life. In the dusky sunset hues that painted the limestone in ruddy hues, sunlight scattered on the azure waters like showers of sparks and the wind was warm as it caressed portions of his revealed skin. Dan Heng removed the sumptuous hanfu robes the Archon had provided for him, a pool of silky blues left on the wooden dock in a careful pile.

Dan Heng waded to his waist closer to the shore, savoring the way the mild temperature caressed his skin and scales, tail languidly undulant behind him. The younger dragon tensed when he realized he wasn't alone, glancing over his shoulder quickly.

"...It's because of the Erosion, isn't it?"

Dan Heng's teal gaze stared listlessly at the ripples of amber within the porcelain cup he'd set upon its coaster with a faint clack, a trembling in his heart that felt like such truths had indeed rattled him. The younger dragon clasped his hands politely on his lap, eyes wandering through the peaceful vista from the area they'd chosen in Qingce Village. Such a beautiful vantage point belied the torment in his heart at the possibility, because it was true. Zhongli, as history had told, was nearing a point when Erosion might be inevitable. The hands on his lap clenched into fists. His eyes fluttered shut and jaw set, averting eyes like Cor Lapis.

[   . . .   ]                    ❝   i   appreciate   the   tea   really   but . . .   ❞   it's   not   quite   his   taste   ——   it's   much   too   . . .   refined ,   too   prim   &   proper   in   impression   for   someone   like   him   /   it   reminds   him   of   something   ayaka   would   ingest ,   the   smell   somewhat   familiar ,   he's   always   preferred   sickeningly   sweet   coffee   :   still ,   he  doesn't   want   to   come   off   as   ungrateful   in  @rexcorlapis    presence .   ❝   i'll   save   it   for   later ,   i'll   drink   it   cold ,   if   that's   okay .   ❞

Jueyun Karst was both remote and difficult to access were it not for the fact that his dragon form allowed traversal to the cloudy peaks that even native Liyuens struggled to scale. In the months since coming to Teyvat and finding himself in the company of the Geo Archon, Dan Heng had found himself spellbound by the mountains and valleys, the ruins and plains. As time wore on, the Vidyadhara had become more and more accepted by the Adepti who had grown from seeing him as a threat to someone akin to them, befriending those he might not have otherwise.

He lost the hours here, and gladly. This land felt timeless and he was too happy to let the hours slip by in his true form he hadn't felt comfortable in since he'd been born.

Nightfall had arrived on Guili Plains, the wind a soporous melody when Dan Heng arrived, a gust of wind dissipating through the ruins of an old palace where he and Zhongli had agreed to meet. A rosy hue touched Dan Heng's cheeks when he saw Zhongli leaning against one of the columns and turn only when the younger dragon was within earshot, but stilled when the Archon's gaze blazed like smoldering coals in the dark, a heaviness in them that cinched Dan Heng's breath in his throat.