𝐐𝐔𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐀𝐋 𝐑𝐄𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐈𝐑 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 , though perhaps madame zarina knew not how apt a symbol of liyue he was , looked to be the very picture of the modern cosmopolitan . their linens oblique in material , their style & manner of drink both varied for the region in which they grew : as zhongli held cup with open palm , thumb resting upon the lip of the fine stoneware , two fingers supporting the cup as three dragons to protect & uplift , & zarina cradled her teacup with great respect for the material , delicate finger following his practice. ( the thought of his own blockish creations comes to mind . how long had it been that he had gained such prowess in these arts , how quickly had time come to change . ) as liyue & snezhnaya met , with great mutual intrigue , so did the thought of nations gradually slough from his shoulders . borders could be made & unmade . but they could never outdo the will - carved paths of mortal hearts .
❝ those who seek the wisdom of gods seldom recall the glory of human achievement , ❞ comes a labored voice . it is not a new mistake , many times have the people forsaken their art , their cultures , in pursuit of else . it comes at a high price . very rarely is it worth the loss . the ancient one recalls history as if happened overnight , the fall of many a friend , the mourning of entire civilizations as loss fell in a plague . long has he lived to learn the lessons of his departed peers . ❝ i have seem the akademiya , though never have i aspired to enroll in the institute . that is not for lack of reverence ; it would be misguided to say that great things have not come from its conception . you are not the first to remark unto me that it would suit me to join the ranks of ascension i will again decline it would suit me at all . mystery & reality come from the same source , the same darkness . only the named may be considered creation . the nameless shall stretch into infinity : so too shall the works of mortal souls , limitless in their dreams . are not both equally worth investigation ? ❞
❝ i have no qualm with the akademiya . though , i find it a shame they would forsake the arts when they are at the core of mortal creation . to strip it of its culture is to leave it lost , unidentified , unaware of what has created it . to discard the whole of the soul , & leave only the mind , imbalanced & vulnerable . pity . ❞ spoken though he once had been very similarly inclined . it was through millennia of close - quarters with the most beloved friends , the most beloved people , that he had come to truly understand what lay in the human mind . that is why , sitting here at the side of the other , the god of stone grew restless at the idea of forsaking it . but he relented . lacquered cup rests in his gloved palm , steam still hovering from its contents .
❝ food & drink is only worth such taste & portion when shared with others . thus , i have made his company very often . if not for the enjoyment of listening to him retell them , i could perhaps recite them by heart myself . ❞