eggbowl | In my blood...

[the thousand yard stare doesn't go unnoticed by Dohalim as he peers up at the deity. he would be lying to himself if he said he wasn't at all curious as to why said look is painted across his face. he hangs onto every word, only growing more curious]

What did you end up doing?

[because it seemed like the only way to get rid of these pesky creatures was to extract them by hand, and surely, Zhongli wouldn't have been the one to do so? perhaps he had some godly power that would dispel them easily?]

You didn't have to go to every house, did you?

I did.

[Zhongli's eyes close for a moment, a little shudder threatening to run down his spine.]

Creatures of the Abyss aren't held to the same laws as others; were they related to the errant astral energy of another deity, perhaps that would have made it easier. Instead, they were quite drawn to living energy...

As a result, I spent my time traveling to each afflicted household, creating prisons to house each of the creatures. If a normal human's astral energy could draw them out, something like mine was rather like candy...

I still remember the way it felt, not to mention the way it smelled, when the slimy, wriggling things would attach themselves to me. But... it was for my people. It was necessary.

Since that night, just the sight of seafood brings the memory rushing back.

[Dohalim is still for a moment, watching Zhongli as if trying to decide whether the story is an exaggerated account, or if it really did happen. either way, it's a moment more before he dissolves into laughter, shoulders shaking as he hides his face in the deity's chest. it's a hearty laugh, a genuine sound, and it does take another moment before Dohalim lifts his head back up, wiping away tears in the corners of his eyes]

Oh, no... Of all the things to have caused your aversion to seafood, I hadn't thought it would be that.

[a shame, really, that barely any stories of astral deities exist nowadays, thanks to the Renans, because Dohalim would love to read about exploits such as this. for all that they are all-powerful, stories like this almost make them sound relatable. and to hear that Zhongli had cared about his own people to the point where he did something like that...

he really can be selfless when it comes to those he wants to help]

I can only imagine how bad they really are if you have such a visceral reaction.

[Zhongli endures the laughter with as much pose as he can muster; honestly, it's such a refreshing sound that he doesn't want to stop Dohalim. Besides, he'd lived with being tormented over that particular time period already, so why should it bother him so?]

Well, one should hope such a... strange phenomenon is so rare as to only be documented once, after all. It would be surprising if you dreamed up some kind of similar scenario, no?

[He shifts his weight and exhales a faintly put upon noise.]

There were simply... entirely too many of them, and I had to work quickly lest something escape.

Not that I know of. But then again, Renans have a tendency to cover any and all of Dahnan's history. Though, I haven't heard anything of the sort happening during my tenure as lord, nor the previous reign of past lords.

[dipping his head back down, Dohalim rests his chin on Zhongli's chest]

I do have to wonder if the zeugles outside of Viscint are from the very creatures that Renan scientists manage to find and capture.

[knowing how far some of those scientists will go to create the perfect zeugle isn't lost on Dohalim. honestly, are they so necessary... if it were up to him, he would abolish the creatures from Menancia so his people could roam free in their land, but... the empire's word is above his own]

Hm... it is a possibility.

[Zhongli runs his fingers through Dohalim's hair as he speaks, absent and warm. Zeugles are a curious thing, in the end - something both of Dahna and not.]

If nothing else, they're quite far removed from the creatures that roamed the land of my youth.

[Renan science certainly fails far beyond his own sphere of knowledge, the allure of it baffling at best. Stranger still is the reality of everything - that Renans even hold some measure of sway over the creatures. Perhaps it's something akin to a scent or something...]

It's a little strange, but I suppose when astral energy has built up artificially in different locations, it makes some measure of sense. Even if there are fewer elements separate than there one were.

[that part gets him the most. Combining his own energy with Hers... just what sort of creatures had they been, managing something like that?]

Well, it doesn't much matter now. All that matters is what we're going to do about it, I think. And there's no particular rush on that measure, as current. Are you feeling a little more relaxed, Dohalim?

[is he relaxed? Dohalim hums to himself; despite the brief touch on heavier conversations, it doesn't weigh down on his shoulders, or sit with him in the pit of his stomach. no, he feels rather content resting on top of Zhongli, with the deity's hand in his hair. he's relaxed enough that his eyes slip half closed, looking up at the other through his eyelashes; a small smile forms on his lips]

Yes, I think I am.

[everything else, they can worry about later. it's as Zhongli had said: most everything doesn't matter all that much, and is a bridge to cross if and when they get there. for now, he's happy to be in the presence of the spirit, to bask in his warmth]

Good. I'm pleased to hear it.

[here and now, for the two of them, this is as simple as it gets. the future will roar and rage back into the picture come morning, but just to be able to see Dohalim relax for a time...]

I'll always be here for you, no matter how heavy the weight may feel. That much is well within my power to promise. You're not alone, and will not be alone so long as I have any say in the matter.

[it's an easy promise to make, too, one he wants to fulfill. Lenegis and Rena still hover somewhere far overhead, but... whatever Dohalim's decision, he fully intends to support the man. Alone, if he has to, but he doubts that will be the case once the Renan can finally start to see past his own mistakes and into the truth of his people, his actions in the here and now.]

[Dohalim is silent as he nods, eyes slipping closed for a moment, as he reaches up to tug at one of Zhongli's hands to grasp at it. it's a small comfort, along with his words, that Dohalim is able to let himself drift off and rest.

when his eyes do finally open again, he's not in the soft light of the lush grotto under the city, but in his dimly lit room, the incense burned off completely, and tucked against Zhongli's body. he's still warm, almost a little too warm, but not nearly as hot as he was before. he may be a bit damp from the sweat, but it seems his fever had broken, for the most part.

but despite the illness and the sick feeling that still lingers, Dohalim feels rested, for the first time in so long. he can't even remember when he had a decent night's sleep like that; usually he would wake up several times in the night with some worry lingering in his mind, or a nightmare so terrifying that it would shock him into wakefulness. but this... this is nice. it seems like the sun is only starting to rise, judging by the slow glow of the stained glass windows in his room, and the only lamentation is that he wishes he could have slept a little longer. the dream... it was nice. serene. quiet]

[for Zhongli in turn, his rest appears perfectly uniform, breath coming in slow, even movements. just having Dohalim near him is worth more than he really knows how to say.

nonetheless, as the Renan stirs, so too does the deity, murmuring something under his breath. perhaps it's a different collection of herbs, or perhaps he's simply getting old... but there's a lingering sense of exhaustion, even as his eyes open and Zhongli reaches to brush away a bit of sweat from the younger man's face. his weight shifts, nestling in closer as Dohalim returns to a much more full wakefulness. it's a bit strange, perhaps, seeing someone like Zhongli actively hesitating on getting up. Normally it seems he just has entirely too much to do.

besides, it's still early - even as his eyes begin to focus, that much is obvious. light's barely begun to bathe the room in its glow, just hazy over them both, bringing a distinct soft warmth to dark skin and red hair.]

Mmn... good morning...

Morning...

[Zhongli's cool hand against his brow feels soothing as he wipes away any lingering sweat off his face; he settles in as the deity presses closer. it seems a little early to get up out of bed just yet, so he's willing to lie in just a bit longer. and while he does know that Zhongli is a bit of a go-getter, it's nice to have him in his bed like this, content for even just a moment. it feels like nothing is bearing down on him, suffocating him.

Dohalim will have to thank Zhongli later.

he will have to eventually get up; while there are lingering remnants of his fever still present, Dohalim is sure he can get through most of the day ignoring it. perhaps he'll have someone make an elixir to help with it. it would just... take a bit of convincing Zhongli to let him go back to work. lordship, unfortunately, does not give pause, and without a proper advisor to temporarily take over duties, Dohalim will just have to deal with it. but he'll worry about that when he gets there.

looking up at the deity, there's a small smile on his face before burrowing it in Zhongli's shoulder, letting out a soft sigh. a hand roams along his side, before curling around his waist, hand lightly clinging to his shirt. a thought comes to mind at that moment; he lets said hand drift down to the small of Zhongli's back, as if subtly trying to feel for something. when all he can feel is the smooth curvature of the other's back, he slides it back up to where it was before.

silly of him to think that Zhongli really had a tail]

[It's truly unfortunate. Were the circumstances just a little different, perhaps he could reason with the Renan enough to keep him at rest, just for one day... but indeed, lordship has no pause and its duties will only continue to pile up the longer they're left unchecked.

If he'd only established himself a little more...]

You're looking much better this morning, I must say.

[and, ultimately, he's contented with how Dohalim nestles in against him, a small smile buried against his shoulder moments after its appearance. So long as he's willing to stay, the deity will greedily keep him here in his arms.

... which does make it a little odd when a hand drifts down his back, raising pleasant sensation there despite the lack of his tail. Zhongli has to wonder if Dohalim even realises what he's done as his hand slides back upward.]

Mmm... is something on your mind, my lord?

[At least he can manage to keep the soft breathiness mostly to himself, trailing his own fingers firmly down Dohalim's spine. In time, he supposes, he might show his tail more. Right now, he'd rather not risk any of the servants or others questioning what he is.

Especially since he's apparently still pretty sensitive from having the tail out in the dream.]

[he does feel much better than before, the restful sleep infinitely helping with his ailment. he almost feels... happy, and while he knows his own mental state will put a wrench in that and rip the feeling away, for now, he's more than content to let it linger. at least, at the moment, he can pretend that any worry he has doesn't exist. he deserves that much, doesn't he?]

There is always something on my mind, Zhongli.

[not too far from the truth. his thumb rubs circles against his back absentmindedly, as he recalls the dream in his head. it's clear he has no clue as to the effect his touch had on the deity as he lies there, half dazed as he considers getting up or staying in bed for a little longer. Zhongli wrapped around him really doesn't help with that decision.

though, Dohalim also considers asking him about the tail surely, even as an astral deity, it couldn't be possible? sure, as their contract was made, there were golden images of draconic features, but... perhaps his mind had clung to that and dreamt up something of the sort]

It's just... You had a tail in my dream.

[he could almost still feel the weight of it curled around his waist and lap, the warmth of smooth scales and tufts of fur under his fingertips. it was strange, but it provided a comfort he didn't realise he wanted]

Of course. You are a man with much to do, after all.

[Zhongli exhales a laugh as Dohalim lies there, relaxing comfortably into the idle motions of delicate fingers. Still, it's... nice, thinking on how he must have enjoyed it all. His features, all of them fitting his former preferences... indeed, it would be a sweet thing to be able to bear them in full again.

Perhaps he's a little selfish too, when it comes down to it.

... but when Dohalim brings it up directly, the deity can't help but blink, a small smile drawing over his lips.]

Indeed I did. In truth, even among our kind, I have always had a strong ability to manipulate my features; perhaps I was just drawn to the ideal. I was among the many dragons roaming Dahna, at one time, and rather enjoyed keeping some of their features as my form grew more human.

It's a skill I retain, though this form is... much more acceptable in polite society, don't you think? I wouldn't want to alarm people.

[There's a faint sadness there, a disappointment that he can't rely on those features. The compact nature of his astral energy isn't painful, but it does leave an itch over time.]

--Dragons? [Dohalim pulls his head back a little to look up at Zhongli] There were actual dragons on Dahna?

[the only experience he's ever had with anything of the sort was when he heard about them in story books, or when he'd caught wind of the freaky science experiments Almeidrea would test on certain zeugles; he'd kept away from her as much as he could, if not for that, but for her brown nosing among the elites.

but for natural creatures such as those, and the fact that Zhongli had walked among them... Dohalim is slowly starting to realise just how aged this deity really is. he does have to wonder just how much he's seen, what he's experienced and endured, and what the first Renan invasion must have looked like through his eyes]

So... You can turn yourself into a fully fledged dragon? Would you show it to me one day?

I presume there still are in places, but yes. The fauna has certainly undergone seemingly endless changes since Rena's arrival. This is largely natural - though, as one might expect, the division of Dahna's natural astral energies has also had some measured effect on what arose over time.

[Zhongli does give the question due consideration, though, when Dohalim asks him to show that. to be a dragon again... he has to wonder what it would feel like, under the circumstances. moreover, it's a little more complicated than not, right now...]

Mm... I believe I've only enough energy for smaller transformations, at this time... but I think there are ways I could share it with you, eventually. Perhaps, when you have less need of your master core, the shared astral energy could assist. [he's unsure, in truth, if he wants to admit to his own lucidity within Dohalim's dream realm, though the man is smart enough to guess.] We would have to be... elsewhere than here, I believe, or prepare your people beforehand; I wouldn't wish to alarm them intentionally. I have a much smaller form to condense and protect my astral energy, but I was... not a small dragon originally, by any means.

[honestly, if Dohalim could give up his master core and give it back to Zhongli, he would; he doesn't feel the need to keep it. all it's done was cause great pain and suffering at the moment he's tapped into its power, and the blood on his hands from obtaining it will never wash off. but he doesn't say anything on the topic, but pushes it down instead]

I'm sure we could find a more secluded area for you to show me.

[Zhongli should know by now of Dohalim's penchant for disappearing from the palace under his guards' noses way before everything else has happened. for all that he fears being alone, it's what he knows, and found solace in solitude, forgetting for a moment about his duties and station. as such, he's found some rather quiet spots just outside of the city, both in Traslida Highway and the path towards Mahag Saar.

but he also can't help but wonder just how big Zhongli is as a dragon. to hear of other dragons roaming the land in the distant past is surprising enough, but for him to say he was a larger one...]

In your natural form, how big would you be?

[if it weren't such an important part of actually getting to Lenegis and doing what Dohalim intends, perhaps it would be different, just keeping hold of it himself. for right now... it doesn't really matter.]

Are you truly that curious?

[Zhongli's eyes practically sparkle with mirth as he asks the question, fully aware of that very penchant. when it comes to features, he imagines they could find a place. when it comes to his full size, though...]

Ah... You must understand, I was never one to pay much attention to my size, as it was simply part of me.

[his eyes close as he thinks, head tilting slightly.]

Mm... I suppose I was... hm. Well, it would not be a stretch for me to perch comfortably on the palace roof. Perhaps twenty meters or so?

The palace roof--

[there's an incredulous look on Dohalim's face as he tries to even fathom the idea. this man, in his bed, who's barely any taller than he is, who, if he had the power and resources to be able to transform himself back to his original state... to be that size, it's hard to believe. Autelina Palace is no small structure by any means. though, the image of Zhongli perched on top of it is an entertaining one.

but with the initial reaction fading into comfort once again, Dohalim has to think on the topic of conversation, and how warm and comfortable he is in Zhongli's arms. for the first time in a long time, it almost feels as if there's no worry pulling violently at him (though, there is the slight stir of corruption in the back of his mind that brings his attention back to it every so often, but for now, he can ignore it). he and the deity are having a... well, it's not a normal conversation, but it's a curious one, inquisitive and almost innocent. it's enough to make Dohalim forget about everything else for a moment]

You must have been an incredible sight. But I also have to wonder just how long you've been on this land... As far as I know, there are no historical recollections of dragons in Dahna, that they were only mythical beasts in children's story books.

Incredible... I suppose it would have been, to some.

[Dohalim's words seem almost amusing to someone like Zhongli, having simply lived his life as such. granted, the world was a very different place then... and the idea of being at his full size is no longer as appealing as it once was. simply having his tail back would be enough, for the most part.

besides, it's easier to nestle in closer to the Renan like this. that's... probably a bad thing, ultimately, knowing how much they have to do, but for now... for now, just being near him and seeing how comfortable Dohalim seems is good enough.]

I... it would suffice to say that I have existed for rather too long, in truth. When I was young, humanity itself was still finding its footing. What history remains from that time is largely within me, and perhaps a few long-sealed locations. [for a moment, there's a sort of regretful look that passes his features before his eyes close, a soft hum escaping his lips as he nuzzles Dohalim's hair.] You would be surprised how many mythical beasts have their roots in truth, even if time twists the memory of them.

Perhaps, someday, you can tell me about their history, and your memories of them.

[knowing his own people, any documentation probably had been destroyed as soon as the Renans had descended onto Dahna. and as preserved as the library is (with a librarian who... can be a little too comfortable around him) and how extensive the collection may be, Dohalim doubts that there's anything about the planet's history from before three hundred years ago. what a shame, he does like consuming history of the Dahnan people, if his collection of artifacts have anything to say about that.

Dohalim lies there in silence for a moment or two before reluctantly untangling himself from Zhongli's hold to sit up. he rubs at his face with a hand, mostly to rub away the sleepiness, but also to feel how warm he is. just a little, but much better than the night before. he glances at the sunrays shining through the window as he hums to himself softly]

I suppose I should get up and ready for the day.

Perhaps I can. I do enjoy most of the memories I have, after all.

[but as time passes, and Dohalim shifts to untangle himself from between them, his thoughts drift away from that conversation. a small smile flits across his lips at the sight of the Renan, faintly aglow with the sun washing over the space.]

Ah... that's true.

[as Zhongli sits up in turn, there's a pause, his hand brushing over his face. that's right... he doesn't really receive the same benefits of sleep under the other circumstances. and besides, maybe the potency was higher than expected...]

... If... it won't be too troublesome, I may remain here to rest for a time. I'm feeling... a little fatigued, if I'm honest. I'm sure it will pass as my astral energy regulates.

[there's a nervousness that washes over Dohalim at the mention of being away from Zhongli, and for a moment, he truly does consider taking the day off to stay with the deity. but... he knows where he'll be, so it wouldn't be hard to find him if he needs him... still. the idea tightens his chest a little, his fingers grip onto his blankets tightly, briefly, before letting go again]

Is there anything I can do? Perhaps with the master core, I could...

[there's a small hint of desperation in Dohalim's voice, his words rushed out ever so slightly. he keeps telling himself that it would be fine, that he can always hold onto their bond, and he can always stop by throughout the day. if Zhongli is resting, it's not like he's going to go anywhere, right?]

But... If rest is all you need, I suppose it'll be fine...

Mm, I don't believe so.

[Zhongli shakes his head, reaching to pull Dohalim closer for a moment. perhaps part of it is just to prove that he's as solid and sturdy as ever, just... a little weary. it's odd, but not impossible, right? after a moment, he releases the Renan to let him prepare for the day]

You can monitor via our connection, and I've no intention of going anywhere but to find you if I get up. I believe I... may have to rebuild my tolerance for the tonic I used yesterday. It has been a long time since I needed to use it, after all.

If it becomes too much, much of your work can be handled in here, no?

[anything, really, that doesn't require him to interact with others. there always seems to be no end to the paperwork for a Lord, Zhongli has noticed.]

[as he's pulled closer, Dohalim rests his forehead against Zhongli's, sighing softly. with that worry comes a bit of shame for relying on the deity to the point where the idea of being apart from him turns him into a nervous wreck. but Zhongli does bring up a good point. he can always bring in his paperwork if he has to. there's the temptation to do that anyway and cancel whatever meetings he does have for the day, but he shouldn't he's already behind on what he couldn't finish the day before.

with another sigh and nod, Dohalim moves to stand, but not before giving Zhongli's thigh a gentle squeeze]

You're right. I'll be alright.

[he glances to the threshold of the bathroom]

I should have a quick bath that I can draw up myself. Would it trouble you to help me get dressed, after?

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