Mm... it depends. [If his opponent was worth it? Most likely. Zhongli, at full strength, probably would've killed him easily, and he'd desperately craved that fight. That he didn't get it bothers him far more than becoming Public Enemy Number 1 of Liyue.] But I haven't accomplished my goals yet.
[He uses those abilities sparingly, because he can. The vast majority of the time, he never has to worry about revealing the layers of his power. To find someone strong enough, not only to challenge him, but to force him to use his full strength, and even then be uncertain of his victory--there's little else that truly satisfies him. A peaceful life is no longer an option for him, and even if it was, he wouldn't want it.]
But accomplishing those goals, and doing what I want to do, requires that kind of immense power. [As did surviving, back when he was a teenager, both in the Abyss and in the Fatui. He knew another way of living, once, but those memories feel like they belong to a different person now. There are many reasons he doesn't use his old name, and that's one of them.] I don't mind the risk, but I'll accept nothing less than being slain by someone strong enough to warrant it.
...thank you for being honest. [is that really all they have to say? they seem kind of distracted.] I get the risk to accomplish what you want, but I also think...I don't know. Life's pretty important. That's all.
It's not something I expect anyone else to understand.
[After all--
"You shall ever be the eye of the storm," "And the clashing of steel shall ever accompany you." "The pitch-black memory of stepping into uttermost darkness," "Shall, at last, become the strength by which you will overturn this world."
--who else would understand something like that?]
In any case, that's what makes immortality a tricky subject, from my perspective. [That, and he's seen firsthand the effects of its melancholy. It's just one of so very many things that complicates his feelings about what happened with Zhongli.] But I do enjoy stories from your world. Thank you for sharing it with me.
Sure. Of course. [still contemplating on things...and they think it may be best to let the subject go in spite of the fact they'll remember this later.] You know I don't mind sharing things with you whenever you want.
[It's true--enough talk of grand ideals. He's not here for immortality, and thinking of it draws him too close to trains of thought he'd rather not board.
So he smiles, nodding knowingly in their direction.]
Except your face, hm? [But his voice is light, and he lifts a hand before they can respond.] Don't worry, I'm just teasing.
[He literally wears his Fatui mask in his hair all the time, he has no room to talk.]
But he lowers his hand, looking thoughtfully at them. Whatever it is he's thinking, though, he apparently decides it isn't worth saying, so he shakes his head a little.
Instead, simply--]
I accept that. [...] Thank you for being concerned about me anyway.
[He really hadn't expected it, but then, he hadn't actually expected it out of anyone. But it probably says more about Lust than it does about him.]
[Listen in his defense he didn't know about HK-47 at the time, and he's not 100% convinced the murder robot was telling the truth, but even he had a moment of "oh I can see why that might've been offensive now"
But words like those--he can't help but turn his gaze away, covering any awkwardness with a drink of his tea.
Foolish. Truly caring about people in a place like this, when you're likely to wake up to their corpse at any moment. When everyone is here seeking their own power, regardless of what form it may take, and would likely do anything to get it. It's not cynicism, as far as he's considered--just a realistic understanding of the chess board.
What kind of player gets attached to their game piece?
What kind of pawn trusts the players of the game?
It's all foolishness. Every bit of it.
But he doesn't need to argue, when Lust already knows perfectly well how he feels. The fact that he kind of wants to, to shake some sense into them, is dangerous enough. So, instead--]
[they absolutely know that they disagree on a lot of things. they are also well aware that childe will never change his mind and they don't care because...yeah. those are valid questions.
[...you know this is terrible considering what they were just talking about and what the answer is, because there's a long pause before they dip their head a little.]
Everything? [there's a laugh.] I dunno yet. I guess I'm still deciding, but I know there's still a lot I want to do. I want to travel and spend more time with my friends...maybe release some more songs...date someday? Stuff like that. I like the idea of a very full life.
["HA HA LOSER" he scoffs-- no I'm kidding. In fact, he just seems rather contemplative, like he's remembering something from a long time ago. But whatever it is, he doesn't seem inclined to bring it up.
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[He uses those abilities sparingly, because he can. The vast majority of the time, he never has to worry about revealing the layers of his power. To find someone strong enough, not only to challenge him, but to force him to use his full strength, and even then be uncertain of his victory--there's little else that truly satisfies him. A peaceful life is no longer an option for him, and even if it was, he wouldn't want it.]
But accomplishing those goals, and doing what I want to do, requires that kind of immense power. [As did surviving, back when he was a teenager, both in the Abyss and in the Fatui. He knew another way of living, once, but those memories feel like they belong to a different person now. There are many reasons he doesn't use his old name, and that's one of them.] I don't mind the risk, but I'll accept nothing less than being slain by someone strong enough to warrant it.
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...thank you for being honest. [is that really all they have to say? they seem kind of distracted.] I get the risk to accomplish what you want, but I also think...I don't know. Life's pretty important. That's all.
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[After all--
"You shall ever be the eye of the storm,"
"And the clashing of steel shall ever accompany you."
"The pitch-black memory of stepping into uttermost darkness,"
"Shall, at last, become the strength by which you will overturn this world."
--who else would understand something like that?]
In any case, that's what makes immortality a tricky subject, from my perspective. [That, and he's seen firsthand the effects of its melancholy. It's just one of so very many things that complicates his feelings about what happened with Zhongli.] But I do enjoy stories from your world. Thank you for sharing it with me.
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So he smiles, nodding knowingly in their direction.]
Except your face, hm? [But his voice is light, and he lifts a hand before they can respond.] Don't worry, I'm just teasing.
[He literally wears his Fatui mask in his hair all the time, he has no room to talk.]
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1/2
2/2
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I wouldn't have minded taking it off for you, but then you kind of asked if I had murdered a totally innocent person and blew your chances.
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But he lowers his hand, looking thoughtfully at them. Whatever it is he's thinking, though, he apparently decides it isn't worth saying, so he shakes his head a little.
Instead, simply--]
I accept that. [...] Thank you for being concerned about me anyway.
[He really hadn't expected it, but then, he hadn't actually expected it out of anyone. But it probably says more about Lust than it does about him.]
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...I think...I'm always going to be no matter what you do. Just something about you, I guess. So don't thank me for something like that.
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But words like those--he can't help but turn his gaze away, covering any awkwardness with a drink of his tea.
Foolish. Truly caring about people in a place like this, when you're likely to wake up to their corpse at any moment. When everyone is here seeking their own power, regardless of what form it may take, and would likely do anything to get it. It's not cynicism, as far as he's considered--just a realistic understanding of the chess board.
What kind of player gets attached to their game piece?
What kind of pawn trusts the players of the game?
It's all foolishness. Every bit of it.
But he doesn't need to argue, when Lust already knows perfectly well how he feels. The fact that he kind of wants to, to shake some sense into them, is dangerous enough. So, instead--]
Will you tell me something, if you can?
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so all they can do is agree for them.]
What is it?
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...If you were here, in my place. What would you wish for?
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Maybe...the chance to live as long as I could.
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...but not forever? [Gentle, curious. Opening the door, but giving them the chance to close it again, if they want.]
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But Childe doesn't know about that yet, so. He's just listening.]
What is it you want to do?
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["HA HA LOSER" he scoffs-- no I'm kidding. In fact, he just seems rather contemplative, like he's remembering something from a long time ago. But whatever it is, he doesn't seem inclined to bring it up.
Instead--]
You should sing for us one day.
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Would you actually want to hear that?
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[This is actually true]
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Until next time then? [unless childe needs something else.]