#𝘿𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙙𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙝; 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙦𝙪𝙚𝙧𝙤𝙧 𝙤𝙛 𝘿𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙣𝙨 [ 𝘔𝘢𝘪𝘯 - 𝘈𝘤𝘵 𝘐 ]

[endlesscacophony]

@inanthesis || Morax Zhongli

Despite the inherent redundant nature of commemorating ones birth on an annual basis, Xiao was quite aware of what today was. How could he not? Given the celebrations flooding the streets of Liyue below, civilians chattering amongst themselves happily, all planning what they were to do with today’s festivities. Today was a day of celebration, appreciation for someone that Xiao held in such high regard, a selfless man who had saved not only Xiao but countless other lives since the Archon War.

What does one get for someone of such esteem?

Perhaps this was the explanation of Xiao’s pensive nature on this day, his apprehension towards actually meeting the other as he had requested. Xiao had been told time and again that he need not thank Morax for anything, that his fight against the gods of old, the unending and thankless war that he took on in Morax’s stead was more than enough renumeration. But it was days like these, times like this in which he felt like an extra sentiment was necessary. Especially given Morax’s sudden ... ‘retirement’, if that was even the proper term for what had transpired.

A long winded sigh left the adeptus from his spot on the roof of Wangshu Inn, below him was the table, decorated with the finest placements awaiting not only the food to be completed but the guest of honor to finally make his timely arrival. Not something the adeptus typically requests of those at the Inn, not something he truly wished for at all if he were honest. But a humble request from the one who had saved Xiao time and again is one that he dared not deny. So, they agreed to meet when the sun had settled low on the horizon, the sky above an incredible smattering of reds and oranges, the endings of the daytime’s blue. 

Guessing by the look of the sky as it was now, it was only a matter of time. 

More time for him to ponder over the foolish trinket the traveler suggested he give Morax, ‘To let him know how much you appreciate him!’ A golden smile accompanied the golden eyes of the other, it was impossible to part it from his mind and thus explained the adeptal amulet that lay within his pocket now. Stored in the event that his mind is swayed from actually giving it to him.

Timely as always, it was only a mere few moments that passed before the visage of the other crossed the threshold, his grand presence unable to hide itself from the likes of Xiao, even in this form. With a flash, a blink of an eye and Xiao is on the balcony just behind the other, one knee pressed to the wood as he bowed his head in recognition.

“M --” A pause, a breath and he tries again, “Zhongli, you have arrived.”