W5 CYOA - Zhongli, Akihiko, Laurence, Ali Zoph

[holyspirits]

aaaaaaaaaaaa

Comments

[dijun]

[ shoot him, laurence. he's already been riddled with bullets. it's only his nearly 40K HP that has him standing. ]

It's alright, Laurence. I think we're coming to a close, now. Though... I can't help but wonder if we might find where our missing friends have gone...

[outdistanced]

[ if anyone should be shot more at this point it's me ]

...I'm still a little worried about Chrono. I haven't seen him again.

[dijun]

Nor have I. [ likely, they were fake. but that doesn't stop him from being worried. ] Are you alright?

[outdistanced]

I hope he's okay...

[ doesn't think that chrono is fake at all actually, because he recognized laurence when even iris didn't? ]

Iris and Director Hu shot me a little, but I feel fine? It didn't even hurt, really.

[dijun]

Before we leave, it might be good of us to take a look around for him and Lucas both.

[ he - frowns a bit, but he was also fucking shot up to hell and back. so he shouldn't judge. ]

At the very least we know that she and Iris were not truly here.

[outdistanced]

I'm worried he's still in that casino, though.

[ you really can't judge! peepaw! ]

...Yeah. At least there's that. [ makes a face. ] That guy really didn't even act like Iris.

[dijun]

Perhaps things are more... typical, now.

But before we go anywhere, whether it's looking for them or back from whence we came - hold out your wrist for me.

[outdistanced]

Maybe. We can at least take a look before we leave, I guess.

Okay...? [ he holds out his wrist?? ] What for?

[dijun]

[ he reaches back behind his head and undoes the yellow ribbon holding his ponytail in place, letting his hair fall loose.

and then he ties the ribbon around laurence's wrist, snug and neat and real. it's the only thing on him that isn't soaked in blood or damaged. ]

So that, when you are back on the living side, you know that the three of us were real.

[outdistanced]

[ things that laurence never even thought of: this. he stares at the ribbon for a moment and suddenly feels the weight of the past few weeks settle back onto his shoulders.

before speaking again, he has to swallow hard. ]

Are... are you sure you can't just come back with me? Chrono and Jiaoqiu - they miss you, too. How am I supposed to tell them I just let you go again?

[dijun]

[ unless he's doing something headass, zhongli usually tries to think of anything and everything he possibly can. it's fine. ]

I'm afraid that's likely not in our future today, Laurence. Neverah couldn't return with Lucas, Miss Maomao, and Master Uruha after their trip - I doubt we can return with you.

That isn't to say that we won't try. It won't be your fault, if that fails. You must know that.

[outdistanced]

[ he didn't even know about neverah man! he wasn't smart enough to put that together.

he chews on his lip unhappily. he doesn't like that answer at all. ]

Then... is there anything I should tell them? Just in case. I know we have letters now, but.

[ it isn't the same. ]

[dijun]

[ their poor living boy!! zhongli huffs a soft sigh, bringing his hands up and just -

taking laurence's face in them, looking at him. really looking at him. ]

For all that this was a harrowing experience, I am glad that we got to see you. [ i'm proud of you, still. ] Hug them both, for me. Tell Jiaoqiu that we're doing alright, and progress is slowly being made on our side, but that I hope his dreams are kinder to him. Tell Chrono that there are still many there that he can trust and rely on, but that I will always be a listening ear if he's not sure where to go.

... apologize to Lucas for me.

[outdistanced]

[ me, softly: idiot sandwich

there's a bit of a sting at his eyes, but in his brain soup he remembers that he's not supposed to cry or his mascara will run. that would be terrible? can't let that happen where people can SEE.

so he bites it back and forces himself to nod. this isn't how he wanted this to end. ]

...I'm glad I got to see you guys, too. [ even if it is a little awkward with akihiko here, besides all the weird shit. ] Okay. I-- I'll tell them. Tonight. Just in case.

[ it is still thursday somehow despite it being like a month. ]

[ziosar]

[Oh! He's back with everyone...! First thing Akihiko says when he notices he's back with everyone, is sigh and turn to Zhongli]

Where's Proust? I need to check on him.

[dijun]

Likely in the prison cell that I shoved him into.

[ distantly looking off in. the direction they might take to get back into the ship, like he's considering going to release him. ]

[ziosar]

He is? But I shot--

[.......]

We'll bring him back with us.

[Sure wouldn't forgive himself it it turned this really was Lucas and they left him abandoned in some prison cell!]

[dijun]

[ thinks about what lucas said, figment or not. ]

I would like to find him sooner rather than later, yes.