Only insomuch as you already were, baobei.

[Zhongli exhales a soft sigh at the question. His eyes close as his tail flicks lightly.]

Because it is used to doing everything as Rena does - slowly wearing others down to get what it wants. It understands nothing of human limits, let alone emotions.

[It's stupid, he does not bluntly say. Still, the earlier conversation with Umbra illuminated its deficiencies.]

You trusted me with our contract, in the measure of working through this; if you can, please extend that to both of us... I'm sorry it's become such a troublesome path.

[this is nothing he wants for Dohalim, after all.]