songerein | Open | Do not fear difficulty.

Entry tags:

Open | Do not fear difficulty.

Who: Trahearne & you!
Which: Journal post/open log
Where: Tree of Stories
What: Now that the Story Eater is taken care of, it's time to look into the next order of business: staying in Songerein.
Warnings: N/A as of now

> JOURNAL: A Query

Sender: Trahearne
To: All
Subject: Regarding Mirrors.

I am presently researching stories involving mirrors. If there are any tales from your culture that prominently feature magical mirrors, I would be interested in hearing about them. Thank you.

> ACTION: The Tree of Stories

[ If you are looking for Trahearne, you will...not find him at the archives, strangely enough.

For these past few days, he has holed himself up in the Tree of Stories, leaving only to get food and to feed his pets. He is scouring every inch of the multiple floors and countless shelves for stories involving magical mirrors, taking into account what others have told him, and what he has discovered on his own. Before long he's surrounded by stacks and stacks of books; he quickly skims through them, then places them in one of many of the other stacks, catergorizing them in a way only he understands. He seems totally lost in his work, oblivious to others talking or making noise.

Towards the latter half of his time spent researching here, he's starting to look...well. Wilted. There really is no better way to put it. His leaves seem to lack their particular shine, and the ones on his head seem to droop lower than they normally do. How long has it been since he went outside...?

Feel free to help him research, or perhaps test out a promising story with him, or even just tell him to take a break. Good luck with that last one, though. ]

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[The dull pain isn't only felt by Trahearne; Zhongli feels it just as keenly, even if he is the one who agreed to it. He will be sad without his friend, but he must respect the sylvari's wishes. The God of Contracts was never known to breach any contract, be it formally written or verbally agreed upon.]

[Still, despite his clear confusion, he listens to Trahearne's reasoning, and slowly brings his hands behind his back. He still looks troubled, but if this is what he wants...]

If it will bring you further answers, and you are certain in your request... then I can agree to your terms.

[He says it with a solemn nod, looking out at the open area around them. Then, after a moment, he turns and takes a few steps away from the tree they were standing under, out into the open field before them. Once he's further back, he turns to Trahearne.]

Are you prepared?

[ There is a small moment of consideration where Trahearne thinks Zhongli might be uncomfortable by the prospect. And in that moment, he feels a slight twinge of guilt. He knows actually seeing him as a dragon would help, but he doesn't like the thought that he might be forcing him to transform. Or maybe Zhongli is troubled for reasons he will never know, or understand?

Here he is, overthinking again.

Zhongli's question draws him from his whirring mind. He realizes, as the other man has stepped away, Trahearne has stayed put beneath the tree. Maybe it's fine. Maybe he doesn't need to move. He doesn't know. He hugs the book tighter to his chest, and gives a firm nod. ]

...I'm ready.

[Truthfully, Zhongli is more troubled by what the reality of his true nature will do to Trahearne, and what implications this will have on their relationship. But this is clearly something that Trahearne needs, and so Zhongli is willing to do what he must for his dear friend's sake.]

[So at the confirmation, Zhongli nods and closes his eyes. A golden glow begins to emit from his body, and soon envelops him. There is a surge of power around him that pulses out, and a bright flash emits as his body grows and elongates.]

[When the light settles, a grand umber dragon stands where Zhongli once did, its serpentine body coiling around in the wide open space around them. Amber horns curl from his head and sharp spines descend down his back, both of which shimmer like cor lapis. Two long whiskers extend from his snout and almost touch the ground from his height, while a great orange mane unfurls from his head, matching an elegant tuft of fur on the tip of his tail.]

[A low rumble escapes the great dragon, amber claws resting carefully on the ground below as golden eyes peer down at Trahearne. Though rather large in height and grand in appearance, the dragon makes no move to go closer, simply giving Trahearne the space to observe.]

[ Trahearne holds his breath as he watches, not entirely sure what to expect. He's only ever known the putrid, decaying carrion that made up Zhaitan, the sinister vines that constituted all of Mordremoth. He's heard stories of Kralkatorrik and its terrible hulking mass, of the evil that Jormag and Primordus have wrought. As his eyes flutter in the light, he wonders if he'll panic in the way he would in the face of any of the other Elder Dragons, if his fear will kick in and ruin this friendship he has with Zhongli forever.

That he's apprehensive is a bit of an understatement.

As the dragon appears and coils around him, as those golden eyes peer down at him, Trahearne isn't sure how to feel. There's a thundering in his stomach, a churning of emotion he isn't exactly sure how to label. It isn't negative, he realizes. Nervous? Apprehensive? ...Something else?

Zhongli not the sort of dragon he has ever seen before, far more elegant and of pure majesty than the likes of either the Elder Dragons or their lieutenants. The menacing, corrupted air of Tyria's bane is notably absent, and though Trahearne cannot put it into words, not yet, there is something...quintessentially Zhongli about the beast. ]

You're...

[ ...He doesn't know what to say.

Tentatively, he takes a step forward, eyes searching the dragon's face for...what, he doesn't know. ]

This is you?

[ Who you truly are? ]

[There is definitely a sort of regal air around Rex Lapis's Exuvia, the draconic form he can take. In the mortal form of a man he was dignified, refined, and sophisticated, but in this draconic form he exudes the aura of the deity of rock and earth that he is meant to be. Still, even with all the noble countenance he exhibits, there is also a sense of tension, of... waiting. Clear apprehension, or awaiting of Trahearne's judgement.]

[Zhongli watches Trahearne approach, and he lowers his head slightly so that he is closer to eye-level with the sylvari. A soft sound rumbles in his throat, as if affirming Trahearne's words. Still, Trahearne may notice the way those amber eyes flick to the side, and then downward; as if in shame, or resignation.]

[ Trahearne's eyes remain on Zhongli, unblinking, determined to take in every detail, like it is his last chance to do so.

The way he responds to his question, the way his eyes flit to the side—there is something undoubtedly...personable about it. This is not an entity of destruction, this is a benevolent being. This is a friend.

It all makes sense now, and it settles comfortably in Trahearne's chest. Admittedly, it may take a while before he can look at him this way without instinctively tensing, but there is nothing he holds against Zhongli personally.

...Though he will likely still need the space in the days to come.

Trahearne takes another step forward, drawing himself closer to him than he has ever willingly been to any other dragon. One hand loosens its hold around the book and reaches, tentatively, before settling on his nose.

He blinks. ]

You are...awe-inspiring.

[Zhongli holds still as Trahearne approaches, doing his best to not shift or move suddenly and frighten Trahearne. He knows how big of a moment this is, and wants to not push things too hard.]

[Though, as that hand rests on his snout, Zhongli blinks, those amber eyes focusing on Trahearne in obvious surprise. He had been prepared for Trahearne to be surprised, even disgusted... but being called awe-inspiring was unexpected.]

[Still... it doesn't stop his tail from flicking, almost akin to a pleased cat's might. His scales have a cool and smooth texture, like polished gemstone, yet hold a faint warmth within them. ]

[ The flick of the tail catches Trahearne off-guard for a moment, and he does briefly tense, but he knows Zhongli means no harm. He knows, at this point, it's going to be okay.

He feels bad. He can't help his instinctive reaction, but he knows Zhongli knows this, too. A small part of him is optimistic—this is something he will get through, and they will get through this together.

A small, timid smile crosses Trahearne's face as he gazes up into those golden eyes. There is still uncertainty in them, but it does not overwhelm in the way it did moments earlier. ]

I understand now.

[ He drops his hand and steps back, dipping his head in a nod. ]

Thank you, Zhongli. You may change back, if that is most comfortable for you.

[Ah... right. Zhongli notices that tenseness, and he shifts his tail away, settling it down on the ground. Right... he doesn't want to spook Trahearne any further. And though he sees that timid smile, a part of him still knows that it is taking quite a lot of effort for Trahearne to even be in his presence, acceptance or not.]

[So at the offer, the great dragon lets out a soft rumble again before closing his eyes and allowing that amber glow to flow over him again. When it fades, Zhongli is there once more, standing in human form. He gently tugs on his sleeve, a frown on his face.]

I apologize for startling you... as well as for not telling you sooner.

[Truthfully, it had felt freeing to be in his dragon form after so long... but it would be better not to indulge while Trahearne was still here. He still wants to make things more comfortable for his dear friend.]

[ Zhongli reappears, and all is back to normal...mostly.

Trahearne's shoulders drop as he eases, relieved to see his friend again. He takes a step towards him, as though seeking his comfort. What dissonance, considering he and the dragon were one and the same. ]

It's all right. [ Trahearne is better now, and that much is clear. ] The situation was out of either of our hands; we had no choice.

[ They just have to live with what has happened now.

Trahearne offers a little smile, and a tilt of his head. ]

Let's go home.

[There is still a feeling of disappointment and uncertainty, but Zhongli is glad that Trahearne is feeling better. So he nods, offering a small smile back.]

Yes, let us return. You have much work to do.

[Though, when they return, Zhongli knows that he will need to give Trahearne space until he is better. It will be hard, but... it's what must be done. He did give his word, after all.]

[ And with a little nod, they set off again.

The walk back through the island, the ride back down on the balloon is much quieter than when they arrived. The tension in Trahearne's shoulders seems to slowly evaporate as they walk, as he's reminded that Zhongli is still Zhongli, and he has always been a dragon. Nothing will change...he thinks.

It's with a quiet farewell that they part ways as they arrive back in Reverein. Despite the triumph that was obtaining the book, there's a terribly sour feeling in his mouth and in his chest. He knows it isn't Zhongli's fault, but...

He just needs time.

...

...

A week or so passes, and Zhongli will find the following message in his journal:

The revelation was not your fault, and I did not mean to treat it in a way that suggested it was.

We've grown close in the past few months, and I know you are not malicious or bent on destruction, as the dragons I am familiar with are. Whether you are a dragon or not, you are still my friend, and I consider that to be a more important part of you.

My life is better with you in it. I'm ready to spend time with you again.

And so they go into August, friendship renewed. ]

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