eggbowl | In my blood...

In my blood...

[everything happened so quickly and so slowly, everything that happened is nothing but a haze in Dohalim’s mind. he isn’t sure what had transpired, all he can think about are the dredged up memories he’d spent so long suppressing, tamped down and never to be brought to light ever again. the despair had overtaken him, distant screams and thoughts of death clouding his thoughts as gleaming, liquid silver splashed into view. all he knew after that was unadulterated rage, wanting nothing more than to banish those with him, and to punish those who were responsible.

trails of blood and carnage followed Dohalim to the palace as he tore through any Renan in his path. they could no longer be trusted. the ideals of coexistence is now nothing but a burned up dream; he now sees their true colours. the Dahnans were not the ones at fault here, he could not blame them. but those who got in his way are pulled away by summoned vines as he continues his warpath.

blood splatters the pristine walls of Autelina Palace, an angry contrast to the calming whites, golds, blues and greens, crimson liquid staining the fresh plants and flowers lined up along the walls. countless times had he been met with Renan resistance, clearly those who are dissidents of his rule. they did not stand for very long. the audacity they had to stand up against a lord like him…

vines rip the doors open to his chambers where Kelzelik and his supporters huddle together, eyes widened to see Dohalim stand before them, rod in hand. words are not exchanged as those same vines wrap themselves around those who’d dare to oppose him, their pleas falling on deaf ears as they slowly squeeze the lives out of them. all, except Kelzelik, one of those who Dohalim had trusted the most. one who seemed to follow his every order, his every suggestion, his every dream for this realm. the blood on Dohalim’s hands are also on his former advisor’s, as he gestures to the men struggling around them]

You did this.

[Dohalim’s voice sounds strange even to him, hoarse and pained. maddened eyes stay on the man, standing unflinching as thorns burst from the vines and through those it’s ensnared. crimson blooms of roses blend with the blood as it drips from the petals as he puts to rest those who had tried to seize his realm.

when Dohalim is finally found, he’s still in his chambers, on his knees, arms wrapped tightly around himself as hands grasp onto his shoulders, his breathing is ragged and erratic]

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[when Zhongli does reach the entrance to the city, he does get questioned by some of the guards (how could he not, when their lord is, again, found in the arms of this man once more), but considering that it's also very much still the middle of the night, they let the deity pass. it seems there's no need for panic, considering that Dohalim looks alright, so really, if the issue needs pressing, they can ask about it in the morning.

Dohalim starts to shift finally as soon as they reach his room; maybe it's because they're farther away from Rukkhadevata's domain and influence that the spell cast over him is starting to weaken. he lets out a soft, groggy sound as he slowly lifts a hand up to press against his face. what time is it, even... surely it's not morning, yet...]

[Zhongli speaks softly and gently to the guards, spiriting Dohalim away and back to his room. it's simple enough, and as he settles him into bed, there's a brief moment of relief where he exhales a sigh, stretching mildly before the Renan stirs.

when he does, the deity smiles and reaches to brush his hair back.]

Welcome back to wakefulness, baoshi... are you feeling a little better?

[settling himself on the edge of the bed, he opens the box of tea to read Rukkhadevata's instructions. best he familiarise himself with them... though he isn't sure if he should start it now or tomorrow, really.]

Where...

[Dohalim tries to recollect his thoughts, tries to remember what happened. he'd gone to sleep, then... he remembers seeing Rukkhadevata and--

Dohalim sits up suddenly in mild panic as he remembers how he found himself in the goddess' domain. is everything alright? is she alright? what about the corruption? did it do anything to her--]

Is Rukkhadevata alright--

[his words come out rushed before everything else catches up to him; what had happened after he came to, when Umbra relinquished control back to him. and what the conversation soon after entailed, and how closely tied he is not only to the two gods, but Rena's spirit. he lets out a heavy sigh as his shoulders slump]

...Of course she is. Right?

She's fine, Dohalim.

[reaching out, he takes the Renan's hand and gives it a squeeze, reassuring as he can be. his panic... well, he's starting to get used to it, he supposes. his smile is soft, a little sad to watch the panic work its way through Dohalim... but there's not much he can do about it.]

She hoped you would be able to rest well tonight, and is looking forward to seeing you again soon. I asked her for something to help with your nightmares, as well. [he inclines his head toward the box of tea in his other hand then.] Would you like me to brew you a cup? She suggested you should have it daily.

[Dohalim looks over at the box of tea leaves inquisitively, wondering how tea would help with his nightmares. then he thought about the incense that Zhongli had burned not too long ago that also helped. maybe it was also his presence in his dream that helped too, but who is he to question the remedies that come from the gods themselves?

but for something to be taken daily... perhaps this is a medicine of some sort? not that Dohalim will complain, of course; if it's something to soothe the nightmares so he can have a decent night's sleep for more than one night, he'll take anything. he knows this isn't something he can fix himself with a healing spell, and his own knowledge of medicinal herbs only goes so far as to fix physical ailments and illnesses. so, for a tea to help what ails him mentally...]

If it'll put me back to sleep, I don't see why not.

[and while Zhongli does that, Dohalim will settle back into bed now that the initial panic has worn off]

It should, in theory. I confess I didn't ask her what it is, exactly, but I trust her judgment.

[given that she's... well, what she is, how could he not? it doesn't take him long to find a kettle to heat, let alone to prepare the tea to steep and bring to him. it should last a while, he thinks, if it's only one cup a night. and if it works... well, it's certainly better than him accidentally running out of energy again.]

Here we are. Do you need anything else before we rest?

[Zhongli settles on the bed again as he holds out the teacup, ignoring the urge to brush Dohalim's hair back or any such thing right now. focus.]

[as Zhongli rejoins him back on the bed, Dohalim scooches over to give him more room before taking his cup. he inhales deeply, taking in the earthy notes of the tea blend, as well as the soft floral hints of the flowers.

Dohalim leans against Zhongli, resting his head on the other's shoulder as he waits for the tea to cool down; there is one crucial thing that's missing that he's grown accustomed to having. a certain weight and warmth wrapped around him, to serve as a comfort as he lulls himself to sleep, and as a reminder that Zhongli is still with him when he's jolted awake]

Your tail...

Ah... of course.

[Zhongli huffs a little laugh as he lets himself shift again, the form a comfort to them both, really. his hand does reach out to brush Dohalim's hair back now, tail shifting to rest around his hip. he'll have to move it again when they lie down, but this is fine for now, while he's drinking his tea.]

It's a pity I can't have it throughout our time in your room, lest someone see it, but so it goes.

[Dohalim gently brushes his fingers along the smooth scales before threading them in the tufts of fur. he'll never not marvel at how it feels under his hand, how strong yet comforting it feels wrapped around him. it's something Dohalim hadn't realised he'd wanted until the first time he felt the appendage; perhaps it's him being so touch starved that he wants it wrapped around him when the both of them are alone.

as much as he would like it out for him to seek comfort in whenever he wanted (and he's sure that Zhongli would feel more comfortable in this form as well in general), the deity has a point. he's still surprised that those who've seen his more condensed form really have kept their secret; usually some rumours can spread throughout the palace like wildfire.

Dohalim hums to himself as he lifts his teacup up to his lips, sipping the tea carefully so he doesn't burn himself. it's rather herbaceous, with the flowers cutting through it's bitterness with a slightly sweet taste and aroma; it's not bad, especially for something that's supposed to be medicinal. at least he won't be struggling to drink it down]

Do you think we'll ever get to the point where we can show this form to at least the palace court? So not to raise panic again.

It's my hope. It would potentially allow Rukkhadevata to visit us instead of the reverse, as well.

[maybe that's getting ahead of himself, but he doesn't mind a little hope in this space. as Dohalim drinks, Zhongli lets his arm slip around his waist, tail tuft fluffed in soft fingers. it's a comfort to him, too, mild and almost sweet. his weight even nests against the Renan's slightly, careful not to disturb his efforts.]

If all goes to plan, it's not impossible that there's an eventuality where we can share it with the world as a whole. Both, perhaps.

Do you have a plan on how to reveal this secret fully? Or are you speaking in hypotheticals?

[Dohalim's words are uttered softly; it seems that even with a few sips, the tea is already starting to do its work. or maybe it's because it's still the middle of the night, and that the both of them should be asleep. considering all that had happened in the last hour or so, and despite the sleep he'd been put under, it's no surprise that the tea had taken effect so quickly. he has to wonder if it'll be like this every night he drinks it.

but he also does want to spark a conversation with Zhongli about the possibilities of showing both worlds the gods and spirits. he has to wonder what the Renans would think if the Great Astral Spirit showed herself to the people, what with them being such a conformist society. would it shake everyone's beliefs? or... do the sovereigns know about the spirit? they are chosen to live out their days on Rena during and after their rule, after all, so maybe...]

I wonder if... Both worlds would accept the gods and spirits again...

Ah. Hypotheticals, mostly. How to navigate humanity, especially when introducing alarming concepts, is... difficult to plan around too far in advance.

[Zhongli exhales a thoughtful hum as he listens to Dohalim - both as he takes his slow sips, the cadence of his breath, and again as he speaks. that, of course, is... a tempestuous thing to answer. still...]

It's hard to say. I suppose we would have to play it by ear. It has been a... very long time since we were a part of the world as a whole, after all. Many things will have to be revealed first, I'm sure.

First, we will need to find ways to move forward with your intentions - after rest, of course.

My intentions... I wonder what Rena's Astral Spirit would think of it...

[and if Umbra has a direct line to said spirit. does Rena know what he plans on doing? Does the spirit care? or is it just biding time? there's much to think about.

Dohalim takes another sip of his tea, a bigger one this time; he lets the hot liquid warm him as he slowly sinks further into the comforting drowsiness. he has to wonder if he has to finish the entire cup, but with how steadily he's creeping up on sleep, that might not happen. but, there's only so much left so maybe he can give it a try.

but what's peculiar is the odd feeling in his body. it's not uncomfortable; quite the opposite, actually. he can mostly feel it in his fingers and toes, almost... fuzzy, for lack of better word. it's strange, but Dohalim finds he doesn't mind it too much, even as it creeps up his hands and feet]

Mm, if it thinks in the same way, it's difficult to say.

[he doesn't think, based on how Rukkhadevata spoke to it, that Umbra is quite the same. as much as it is related to the spirit, its own personality is far more forceful than he recalls the Spirit itself ever being.]

How is your tea? Not too bitter, I hope.

[he forces himself to ask so as to push himself away from thinking too hard on it right now. after all, there's really no point - they have enough to do without worrying about frivolities like what Rena or the actual "Renans" think. his time is better spent taking care of Dohalim.]

Mm, no... The flowers cut the bitterness.

[Dohalim's eyes slip half closed, letting more of that drowsy feeling claim a bit more of him. even wanting to hold a conversation, the feeling is all too pleasant, as if he's almost floating, and for once, he actually does want to go to sleep.

tilting his head, Dohalim nuzzles Zhongli's shoulder, letting out another soft hum. yes, perhaps it's time for a bit of sleep; he holds his cup out to the deity to move to the bedside table]

I think... Sleep. I'm ready for sleep.

[It might be a little worrisome to see such strong results, but it is still the middle of the night and he was probably quite exhausted before now. Taking the cup, he reaches to brush the back of his fingers over Dohalim's cheek.]

Yes, that would be best. Lie down, I will join you in a moment.

[He's up just long enough to settle the cup, slipping under the covers and letting his tail shift to rest over the redhead's waist. And follow suit, gently closing the space between them just a little.]

Rest well, Dohalim.

[as Zhongli pulls himself away, Dohalim's already slipping under the covers, curling up against the other as he makes quick work with the cup. he still feels rather floaty, and he does have to wonder if there was anything in that tea that would cause such a reaction, but the drowsiness and everything else starts to mute any other thought other than "must sleep now".

as the deity tucks himself in and pulls him close, Dohalim makes the unconscious decision to move Zhonlgi's tail to get more of the weight on top of him. what he doesn't realise is that by doing so, he manages to tug at said tail, hand gently grasping at it to pull it closer against him. sorry, Zhongli, this is what you're going to have to deal with as Dohalim pulls on it like trying to get more blankets on top of him]

Ah— Dohalim, you needn't—

[gentle as his pulls are, they don't fail to pull a soft moan from the deity as pressure builds at the base of his tail. In an attempt to not react to the sudden pulse of want and need the motion drags upward, Zhongli presses his face into the other's shoulder.]

That isn't a blanket, you know...

[His tail can't freely coil around Dohalim properly, but its heft does curl against the other's body. It's weighty and comforting, tufted end curled away so as not to tickle...]

[Zhongli doesn't get an answer back, nor does Dohalim relent in those tugs. he's too deep in his drowsiness to the point of being half asleep, though the small grumble he lets out voices the slight frustration in not having enough of Zhongli's tail on him.

it's actually an interesting effect the tea has on Dohalim, and if he were more awake, he would definitely be questioning what was blended into it. this may be more than exhaustion acting at this point, but because he's not so awake to think on it, he just lets it lie.

Dohalim, wanting even more of Zhongli's contact (as if he doesn't have enough), wraps his leg around the deity's hip as he presses closer, now in an awkward tangle of tail and limbs as he burrows into him]

Do—

[He's trying, really. There's something so unfairly strong about his reactions after his tail is pulled that, if Dohalim were awake enough to register it all he might tease him more. It's something he's known about (it's certainly not the first time Dohalim has brushed up against this instinct of his), but hadn't thought would be this bad.

Inhaling a slow breath as the Renan's leg slips over his hip, the deity considers what the hell he'd given him. Nothing had smelled particularly familiar in his history of drugs, but naturally he doesn't know everything.]

... mmn. [It's rude, with how out of it Dohalim is. His hips squirm to get closer, tail twisting and snaking its way over his back. The movement pushes a hand up toward the base of his tail. Just... just that much is enough, he tells himself. Never mind that he can feel the excitement of being sort of pinned here, the redhead burrowed in closer for whatever his subconscious wants.] ... good night, baoshi...

[He'll probably regret this in the morning, but there's something so pleasant about feeling overwhelmed. And under Dohalim right now, hands curled gently into the other man's chest to affect more of that feeling... maybe he can't be blamed. It's fine, right? It's fine.]

[Dohalim mutters something incoherently under his breath; it's clear that he's more or less asleep, the full effects of the tea and his exhaustion finally overtaking him. he settles for a moment, enough to lure Zhongli into a false sense of security, before he starts shifting around again. maybe the tea's made him restless in his sleep, but he doesn't seem to be in any distress.

however, wandering hands will wander as the one on the deity's tail slides up to the base, before squeezing and tugging at it more. it's a wonder how he's getting any rest from how... active he's being, but if Zhongli were to get a good look at him, he'd see that Dohalim is still very much out. his hips shift against Zhongli's, grinding up against him with lazy, gentle friction; it's starting to become clear what Dohalim wants, or at least, his body wants]

[he's prepared to settle in after those few moments, pausing briefly when Dohalim shifts in his sleep. restless? perhaps, it wouldn't be unreasonable. he doesn't seem bothered by it, and so--

and so, there's an almost indignant noise when warm fingers squeeze at the base of his tail, a pleasant but alarmed whine at the tug. the Renan's name slips from Zhongli's lips, but it's almost immediately clear that he's not... well, not really awake. not in any way that matters. hips shift against his own and the deity can't help himself.

burying his face in Dohalim's shoulder, he forcibly tries to keep quiet as their hips grind together. already pleasantly needy, he follows suit with the movements, hips rising up into the attention on his tail. the soft "please" that escapes him is barely a whisper, aware that it means nothing in this moment but given nonetheless. it really is unfair, knowing the other is asleep and can't truly consent to what he's doing, but Zhongli isn't thinking about that now. all he can think about is how nice it feels to be touched like this, how much he would like to present himself for more. awake or not, the redhead certainly seems enthusiastic about it.]

[there's more incoherent mumbling under Dohalim's breath, interrupted by soft sighs as he continues shifting his hips against Zhongli's. it's starting to become apparent that this is affecting him as well, as his cock slowly hardens against the deity despite his current state. his leg tightens around the other's, hooked around his hip and effectively pinning him in place.

but it seems like, in whatever part of his subconscious (if even that's aware of what's happening), it isn't nearly enough, after a while. there's a bit more muttering as Dohalim slowly pulls his leg back, before wedging his free hand under Zhongli]

T... 'rn....

[the word is heavily slurred, and almost doesn't sound like a word itself, but more like another sound, but it's clear enough what he wants]

[it's surprisingly perfect, every little instinctual movement dragging Zhongli deeper into that sense of want and need. the less he can move, the better it is, until it does become clear that this isn't enough for Dohalim either. the hand on his tail keeps him almost entirely docile, and the other wedging beneath him speaks his intent plenty loudly.]

Haah... mm...

[it's not much of a confirmation, but it is one. the deity's tail shift and flicks as he makes the effort of turning over, careful not to catch it under himself. is he's honest, this position is a surprising rarity - he doesn't think he'd mind even if Dohalim just pulled him close without any further effort.

of course, it's not that much effort to make to get to him - the bulk of his tail ensures his nightclothes are lifted up more than enough to be scandalous, even without the tail pulling. he does make an effort to keep from tenting his nightshirt too much, too, bracing his hand on the bed and glancing back to the renan.]

... better?

[it's probably just filling the space, not expecting an answer, but it makes him feel a little better about it. they should both enjoy it, at least.]

[the effect is almost instantaneous as Zhongli turns over; Dohalim is quick to move his tail over his hip and press close against him. even as his movements are lazy and slow, it becomes clear that this is a better position as the Renan starts to grind into the deity again, hand now moving to shift fabric aside to palm his cock. he's not nearly as smooth in his movements, but the intent is there, sighing softly in Zhongli's ear now that he's in a position to do more.

but soon, even this isn't enough, it seems, like the rest of his activity up until now; there's more soft muttering from Dohalim as his other hand moves around in between them again. more lazy and clunky movements have him taking a lot longer than he would if he were awake, but eventually he does free himself from the confines of his pants, as well with Zhongli. but this is where he falls short, his cock pressed against the cleft of Zhongli's ass, but not moving to press in; or rather, not being able to, in his current state]

...In...

[it's the only word he offers, hinting at what he wants, and what he wants the deity to help him with]

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