[ This is normally about the time that Childe returns from his tasks, and if Zhongli is coherent enough he will doubtless hear the noise of footsteps stopping in front of the door.
When it opens, however, it's not to the sight of the weary, haggard form of the Harbinger stripping himself out of his gloves. Instead, it's to let in one of the Fatui vanguards, eye glowing brightly underneath their mask as they wheel in a cart full of what can only be assumed is supper.
Perhaps Childe is late. Maybe his work is running over. In a place like this it's hard to tell the time, even moreso with the Snezhnayan light dim at all hours of the day. But given the fact that his arrivals up till now have been like clockwork, the man arriving minutes before their meal, it's not hard to assume that Childe is tardy in seeing to his pet.
Whether or not Zhongli finds this a relief or a concern is up to him. If the Harbinger is dead, slain in battle somewhere, perhaps that would be just what he deserves.
At any rate, no matter what Zhongli does, there's another set of footsteps that echo down the hallway come nightfall, accompanied with a steady dripping noise. They're heavy, thudding slams of booted feet echoing ominously around the halls and bleeding through into Childe's private chambers. Heavier and larger than any of the vanguards that have delivered his meals thus far, and with more purpose.
They stop in front of the door and it creaks open. A horned head makes its appearance first, blue eye gleaming sinisterly in what little light there is. It's followed by the obscene bulk of a creature, bipedal, taller and larger than any of the Fatui that have come to visit thus far and bringing with it the strong, metallic scent of blood, grime, and death.
The door slams and a deep, rattling hiss resonates forth from this monster. Without another word, it turns and makes its way to the bath. ]
no subject
When it opens, however, it's not to the sight of the weary, haggard form of the Harbinger stripping himself out of his gloves. Instead, it's to let in one of the Fatui vanguards, eye glowing brightly underneath their mask as they wheel in a cart full of what can only be assumed is supper.
Perhaps Childe is late. Maybe his work is running over. In a place like this it's hard to tell the time, even moreso with the Snezhnayan light dim at all hours of the day. But given the fact that his arrivals up till now have been like clockwork, the man arriving minutes before their meal, it's not hard to assume that Childe is tardy in seeing to his pet.
Whether or not Zhongli finds this a relief or a concern is up to him. If the Harbinger is dead, slain in battle somewhere, perhaps that would be just what he deserves.
At any rate, no matter what Zhongli does, there's another set of footsteps that echo down the hallway come nightfall, accompanied with a steady dripping noise. They're heavy, thudding slams of booted feet echoing ominously around the halls and bleeding through into Childe's private chambers. Heavier and larger than any of the vanguards that have delivered his meals thus far, and with more purpose.
They stop in front of the door and it creaks open. A horned head makes its appearance first, blue eye gleaming sinisterly in what little light there is. It's followed by the obscene bulk of a creature, bipedal, taller and larger than any of the Fatui that have come to visit thus far and bringing with it the strong, metallic scent of blood, grime, and death.
The door slams and a deep, rattling hiss resonates forth from this monster. Without another word, it turns and makes its way to the bath. ]