at_heart | [ continuations = imeeji = sfw ]

[ continuations = imeeji = sfw ]

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I think you're spared the guilt, in this case, of still wanting to see him again. You both come from the same world, after all, and it awaits you after this is all over if that's where you choose to go.

[ ACTUALLY ABOUT THAT, ] [ The mention definitely does something to Lupine's expression, before he visibly pushes whatever out of mind. ]

—Yeah. I guess.

Edited 2022-10-08 23:29 (UTC)

[ Okay, but that reaction earns a frown. ]

You "guess"?

[ mrrrrr ]

I don't know. Even if you trust this system, [ and oh boy does he ever not, ] I'm not so sure riding off into the sunset is really my style.

You intend to stay here?

...Heh. Wasn't really under the impression that we got that option.

[ Everyone's made it sound like — graduation is something you can put off for a little while, but not something you can opt out of altogether. ]

Don't love the idea of going back to any sort of peaceful world while this place is still up and running, though.

[ Which is definitely as close as he will get to saying he plans to take the fugitive option while on 'camera'. ]

. . . That's a noble thought. But will your presence here, suffering, make any difference in the machinations of these demons?

[ Nose wrinkle at noble for — multiple reasons, really. Lupine shrugs a tiny bit. ]

Some people go on to run games themselves, right? Social games.

[ He thinks Cobalt's games make a difference, even if it's not as much of a difference as he wants to make. And yes he sure is talking very casually about selling his soul. ]

They do. But one could argue that by participating, you're then aiding and abetting that system, no matter how much of a reprieve your games might be.

[ It is very true that Lupine wouldn't last long at it, but. ]

Better than turning my back completely. [ Smallest hesitation, because again there are cameras, but he can phrase it like he doesn't already know: ] If there's even a chance we can take the system down from the inside...

[ Resisting the urge to sigh ]

It doesn't always have to be you, Lupine.

[ ...Well. A little bit surprised by that. ]

I'm not asking anyone else to do it.

Sometimes, there are things too powerful for you to stop. It's not fair, but it's the way of every universe I know of.

That aside, selfishly -- what if I want you to be happy? Wouldn't going home with him make you so?

Maybe. But I don't think I can give up without having tried first.

[ ......And. Only more surprised. ]

—Honestly not sure. [ Half-smile. ] I think it's a safe bet that the three-year separation wasn't great, but...

[ Would just going back to the same world as him make Lupine happy? It feels like kind of a lot to pin on one other person. Especially a person he's just spent the last couple weeks making a fool of himself around. ]

If you're not sure, then . . .

. . . What if you just went to another world entirely, and had a fresh start? What if you came to Teyvat? You and your friend would be just as welcome, and you could lay your old burdens to rest.

[ Stumble!

Sorry, you'll have to give him a second if you want a verbal response, he is. Processing. ]

[ Pausing ]

Lupine?

...That's.

[ He's already done some successful rationalizing over Zari's offer: that it was couched in the expectation that he'd say no, that they're both immortals so it's probably more like inviting him over for a long weekend, that Venti might not actually be on board anyway. ]

—Why?

You're asking why I would invite someone important to me back to my homeworld?

[ no it's much dumber than that ]

...I mean...

[ He can feel the heat rising in his stupid face, ugh. ]

[ Giggling a little. Sorry Lupine. ]

It's a silly question, isn't it?

[ but like there have to be better people you could invite to your world??? ]

You're sure? And — you really wouldn't mind him coming too?

[ WHOMST? ]

I wouldn't offer if I minded, would I?

Edited 2022-10-28 19:22 (UTC)

[ literally anybody, have you met him??? ]

But I mean. That's — kind of permanent, isn't it? At least for us.

Edited 2022-10-28 22:00 (UTC)

Not necessarily. But even if it is, is that a problem?

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