Chapter Text
Given time to process confusion, regardless of the circumstance, it tends to take time. The speed of processing… depends on the understanding of the situation. Had one experienced the circumstances before, how wise or aged they were, how calm the person was…
An example would aid those needing context.
Say you were the Archon, the Geo Archon specifically, and you were walking along the North East point of Liyue Harbor, simply wanting to relax your morning with the Guyun Stone Forest at your horizon. A sight you were always… both sombre yet refreshed to see. A site with far too much history for you yourself to sum up so simply. But on your stroll along that vast stretch between the midway point and edge of the cliff, you see a light clothed figure lying unconscious, unmoving as if they’d simply passed out in the middle of the field.
Your first action would likely be to venture over, to take stock of the person and maybe wake them due to it being so early in the morning. Who in their right mind would go on a stroll and simply pass out in a spot so open to bandits, animals, monsters and local Vishap? With knowledge of Liyue, it was common to see these in this area as much as Guili Plains.
Though admittedly, Morax had done enough to be sure that the listed types were also known to avoid specific areas after he was reinstated as the Archon…
To what Morax had summarised, he’d done all of the above, only short of waking the stranger. Indeed, he would have, but something very… interesting had caught his attention. The mans appearance, his garb, his refined portrayal of a Warlord resting. He was visibly broad and taller than the Archon, maybe by a few inches. His complexion was light with the morning sun blanketing his features and it made his white hair that much whiter. Such a strong yet delicate face, it made him wonder what colour iris he had to match his already striking features.
To his attire, the Warlordish wardrobe. It consisted of an oriental-styled blouse modified with plating and golden armour in the shape of a Nian beast on his right arm. From what the God could see, two capes seemed to be draped over his shoulders, though was semi trapped beneath him, and at his waist, he was adorned with multiple belts and leather vambraces. His trousers were red shaded with thigh harnesses, the base of trousers being tucked into tall, slim boots.
With this kind of appearance, one would have to be of an ill-mind to assume a common civilian of Liyue would dress this finely and extravagantly. He had to be of Liyue to an extent though, the garb was Liyuian in style, the detail, the expenses that had to have been spent to adorn such material and have that very appearance of a Lord of War. Even Morax’s own high ranked warriors of the past had a similar style, though far less… beautifully crafted and tailored. Though none had that assumedly custom addition of a scroll and tassel attached to the hip of the belts.
The Archon regarded him for some time between finding him and to the present moment of… stalling. From what he’d noted so far, there was no outward damage, no indication of a fight having taken place, no visual sign that he had been harmed to cause his sleeping state. It really appeared that he’d simply dozed off in such a riskful spot.
He hummed softly in question, tilting his head. As was mentioned, he’d been stalling for a time, not wanting to wake him if this was deliberate, and with transparency, Morax simply wanted the morning silence to himself and didn’t want to worry the man if he was suddenly woken by the Geo Archon in person. He’d been well aware from the start that meeting in person with him usually left other shellshocked. Even in present days, he’d heard of the stunned speechlessness that they’d talked to him as Zhongli and had gone as far as to apologise if they happened to be within earshot of him or had a guard pass on the sentiment. Which was usually the case as they were unable to gather the confidence to say it directly and were afraid that the past informalities were something to be punished.
It was… disheartening. ‘Zhongli’, the human variation was meant to be spoken to casually, it had been intentional, to mingle with his nation as one of them. But the moment it had spread that the Wangsheng Funeral Parlour Consultant was the Geo Archon himself, all that had spoken to him as Zhongli had come forward expressing their guilt in some way, via letter, via guard, via stunned stares.
Morax sighed sadly, his gaze falling to the stranger. He hoped he wouldn’t react as others had. The God grew a tad closer and lowered himself to the ground while minding his long, thick tail, sitting at the unconscious mans side with his legs crossed beneath him with his extra appendage curved behind him and a tad closer to the stranger. His arms were limp at his sides, his forearms resting over the curve of his thighs with his hands hanging within his lap.
If the status of Geo Archon didn’t spook him, it might be the horns and tail that gain a reaction first. Though many, if not all, were aware of the additions to his appearance. They shouldn’t be a striking enough visual to cause an issue.
His gaze drifted to the form again, but only briefly before he lifted them to what he could see of the Forest on ocean, a large expanse of pointed mountains. He had let his mind wander, drifting as it did almost every morning, and time passed him by.
His past few months came and left his mind, fragments of memory, interesting additions to his endless scroll of knowledge and trivia to save for no particular reason.
Of late, he’d been regularly visiting Madam Ping, aware that she was neutral to both her own and the humans. She’d blended in far easier than he had, understandably, but even then, she’d entertain him with information, adding to a few things he already knew.
The young Yaksha, as well, had begun to venture into Liyue only to give him a naturally curt yet respectful greeting upon taking up the mantle once more. It appeared that many were glad that he hadn’t actually been assassinated or passed on in general. With the whole ordeal with Osial and Liyue’s inability to fend off the monster, he’d had to have reappeared to deal with it himself for the safety of the nation.
… They hadn’t been ready, the nation had still required their worn Archon.
Another sad sigh slipped his lips, his gaze drifting to the perfect view of his city, the morning sun bearing down on it with its ruthlessly blinding spring glow. Its beauty was unparalleled, a product of years spent effort. It thrived, it grew, expanding its resources and it had become a renowned city of beauty, prosperity, power, worth and desire. A nation that was essential due to its position and power.
It was beautiful… but still stuck in its age. An age that the Archon had thought it’d passed-.
A soft sound drew his attention. It hadn’t been from the God, but rather, the previously unconscious stranger he’d found…
Morax glanced over his shoulder, eyeing the man as he’d slowly lifted a hand from his side and rested his palm to his skull, cradling it with another groan as his fingers threaded the hair that blanketed his face.