This is not a day easily forgotten by many. Zhongli is a well known figure in Liyue, Tartaglia knows that much; unbound by ancient titles and expectations, illuminated and mighty. Beyond reach, perhaps.
Little can be parsed of what they've built between themselves. There's tension and there's the natural pull that keeps the Harbinger from walking away. Time and time again he comes back in search of something impossible to pinpoint, if not the company of the other.
❛ I heard it's your birthday. ❜ From where? It doesn't really matter, many are the excuses he can weave into the affirmation, yet none can explain why the date was deemed important enough to note and engage in.
It's a medium package, a box as black as the starless night with thin, even veins painted in shimmering gold. It hides an unused diary from view, its cover is hard and dark; the pages, of a light brown imitating old parchment. The space inside is shared with a crimson quill and a small pendant in the form of a golden dragon held by a chain meant to be used as a bookmark.
Tartaglia hands it out with a consideration he didn't anticipate. For a moment, the shortest of them, he cares whether it'll be well received, and then restores the usual demeanor. ❛ I hope it's been an enjoyable one and there are more to come. ❜
Where did Childe hear of Zhongli's birthday? His birthday--rather, THE LORD ARCHON'S birthday was not a day that he typically celebrates. It is a day for his people to celebrate, to celebrate his wonderous deeds, his miracles, his resilience and his governance. One does not celebrate a god's day of birth--for gods are not born, and in his case, a god was usurped. He was not born, but c r o w n e d.
Nevertheless, gifts and offerings were not uncommon to Zhongli, but a present from a person who had spat his distaste for Zhongli's BETRAYAL is among his firsts. There is little to be said between them; they have both acknowledged the events that had transpired, and Zhongli does not wish to revisit wounds that may be healing. Instead, he takes the box graciously, his fingers gliding over every detail before opening the gift and smiling gently.
His love for poetry and art were among the topics of their routine sparring discussions, and it seems Childe had remembered Zhongli's fondness of a quill. Perhaps he would keep this quill separate from the ones he used to sign documents and transcribe his histories. Childe seems almost apprehensive, eyeing Zhongli for his response.
❛ I do much appreciate the gift and the gesture. I was not aware you had made your way back to Liyue's shores. I hope you do stick around a little bit longer. The LANTERN RITE FESTIVAL approaches, and it is always best to share one's dreams and wishes for the new year with… a friend. ❜
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ZHONGLI!! // @predvestnik