❝It's a new year once again, old friend.❞ Ragnvindr had finally found a chance to show himself when Morax was looking out of the window over Liyue habour. Ruby-red hues stared at amber-coloured ones through the reflection of the panel, Ragnvindr's smile as cordial and inviting as ever. This cycle had happened between them for more times than he could remember now, as years turned to decades and decaded turned to centuries. Even an idle sword spirit like himself had no clue how long it's been. He had to admit that it was quite impressive that Morax had not given up counting them.
❝I think...Mayhap I'm beginning to miss you, a little bit.❞ He admitted with a sigh. It's been centuries since Ragnvindr last had physical contact with any living being. He knew that he could not. Even if attempted, the touch would merely feel like cold air on skin. This time, however, he couldn't help it. He moved up to Zhongli from behind, tucking a strand of hair behind his ears and gives his cheek a light little peck. ❝Strange, is it not? Even the dead could feel lonely at time.❞ He chuckled. ❝Happy new year, Love.❞ [ To Zhongli from Ragnvindr! @dawnarisen ]
Happy New Years!! || @dawnarisen
Morax had long since grown accustomed to the changes Liyue had undergone as the years passed, had long since given up the reigns to the people he spent so long watching over. He’s sure it will take time for them to grow accustomed to the absence of their archon, yet with how well they accepted change, how well they continued their traditions, the ex-archon knows he can rest easy for the remainder of his years. With the citizens no longer requiring his presence, his attention, Zhongli was free to live as he so pleased.
He’s sure that soon, the adepti will be free to do as they chose to, as well.
The first few hours of the new year almost feel upsetting in some sense, a feeling that Zhongli couldn’t quite find the words for if asked to describe it. For an immortal, each day was merely one that came and went, the time passing with everything but themselves seeming to change. But the world is ever changing, ever evolving, faces coming and going endlessly. While he’s interested to see what this knowledge would allow him to bear witness to, it feels saddening to some degree, as well.
These thoughts are brought to an end when he’s called out to, lapis-colored hues shifting to the spirit as he materializes beside him. Even in death, Ragnvindr’s presence was a constant for him, company that was unlike any other, a man he’d loved and respected so much that he couldn’t bring himself to let go of. His gaze softens, an expression he rarely wore for anyone else taking to his face as his lips curl upwards. ❝ It is… Another year that I can spend at your side, alive or deceased, is all I dare to ask for. ❞ Two-thousand six hundred years, it had been well over two-thousand years since they’d met and departed. His good memory means that faces wouldn’t so easily be forgotten after they’re gone, yet a lover’s.. A lover’s would last even into the next lifetime. This much, he is determined to hold true to. ❝ It has been so long already, hasn’t it? Liyue is not the same as it was, nor is Mondstadt.. ❞
His form turns slowly, a mild frown only briefly tugging at his lips as the ex-archon contemplates what to say. The afterlife is, likely, greatly dissimilar to the living world, the dead can’t often speak to the living like how Ragnvindr can with him. ❝ One day soon, when my life comes to its end, I swear to you that we will meet again. And when we do, I intend to never let you go.. If you would wait that long to have me. ❞ He murmurs, head leaning forward as if it could rest against his lover’s once more. Ragnvindr no longer had a physical form beyond what he takes now, but it doesn’t stop Zhongli from acting any different with the knight from how he had back then. ❝ It still only feels like yesterday that we met, during Decarabian’s tyrannous reign.. I knew then that what we had was special, and it still holds true to this day, over two-thousand years later. ❞
Lapis-dyed irises slip shut, a content smile taking to his lips at the warm, yet still transparent contact that’s met with his cheek. He wouldn’t cry, it was such a scarce thing of him to do, yet he does work the courage to bring his hand up, as if he could hold the red-haired man’s face in it as he would have done so long ago. ❝ We have an eternity and the next to spend at each-other’s sides… A life without you is a life I would not like to live, nor picture. I found my home with you and your family. With Hymir, Thyra and Svea. ❞
❝ Thank you, for all that you have given me, for caring as much as you do and staying by my side like this. I love you, now and forever more. Happy New Year’s, my love. ❞ He smiles again, taking in the sight in front of him once more. ❝ I truly do feel blessed to have you here with me.. I love you. ❞