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3rd Battle | UN: Childe / Video

[The video opens to a bright and smiling Childe, bandaged up across his head. The rest of the bandages are hidden beneath his clothing, because he's bundled up pretty well. You couldn't tell he was injured otherwise. He seems to be sitting on a small folding stool on a frozen lake, somewhere in the woods outside of the city. His fox Omen is holding up his Omni for him in its mouth, because this really isn't something so dire that he needs to be broadcasting it directly through other's Omens. A small fishing rod, probably the third of the size of a normal rod sits on the ice beside him, along with a few buckets, a very large backpack and some other equipment]

Hey there! As you can see, the frost and snow has really settled in now. Ah, it's breathtaking, isn't it? The way that the desolate landscape allows the snow to shine against that bright sky...but anyhow. It took a while to find the time, but I finally was able to find a few lakes out here that aren't completely dead. So, I thought it would be nice to share my favorite hobby with all of you.

[There's a hole that's clearly been drilled into the ice in front of him, a little smaller than he's used to, but it works.]

You see, where I come from, ponds and lakes are frozen over so greatly that you can tread on it as hard as you please, and the ice will never shatter. The fish in these lakes dwarf that of the ones that reside in your normal ponds. And in Snezhnaya, it's always been a great past time to go out ice fishing. It requires a little more patience, but I assure you it's always enjoyable. I'd be more than happy to go into detail about it. And if you want to come, well, I'm here now. Might as well take the few precious moments we have to relax, yes?

[He says that, though he still uses ice fishing to train. He pauses for a moment.]

Oh, and...I've already taken the time to remove some of those pesky traps left over from last month that were laid in the woods. Just the ones that are on the way to these lakes. They were of no consequence to me of course, and you should be able to travel to at least a few of the lakes around here without much issue. No guarantees though.

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Mr. Zhongli.

[He's not surprised that this has piqued the former geo archon's curiosity.]

I have another seat and fishing rod, if you'll come out to meet me. Make sure you're prepared for the weather, it's quite cold.

[ Of course it does! Liyue's climate is not exactly cold but more temperate than that of Snezhnaya's. He's also just curious in general about other country's daily workings and cultures. ]

The cold does not bother me but perhaps I will bring something to keep you warm? I will be there shortly then once you provide the location.

[ Being an archon has its perks even if he's without his gnosis here. ]

Oh, don't worry about me. I'm quite used to the cold, and have made preparations as such. I couldn't get much warmer than I am now.

[Truly, he's bundled up pretty well. He knows better than to get caught out in the cold.]

I'm a little southwest of Gaze, in Sanguine Forest. It shouldn't be too difficult to find.

Then I shall meet you there shortly.

[ Is all Zhongli says before ending the feed. True to his word the ex-archon does show up to the appointed destination in the time given, if not a bit quicker than most, and he'll walk towards Childe as he watches the surroundings.

Same as always his hand will idly go to his chin as he watches Childe. ]

This atmosphere...it's quite peaceful, isn't it? [ He's not judging but he can't say that he would ever expect Childe to indulge in such things. Regardless he will take a seat next to the harbinger and offer up a smile. ]

There are many things that I've yet to learn about Snezhnaya, this is one of them. Did you do this often back home?

It is peaceful, [he admits, nodding.] I did this quite often as a child, and even into my days as a Harbinger I try to find the time to come out and do a little fishing every now and again.

[He stands up, grabbing his auger and begins to drill a hole for Zhongli- when with company, letting them have the chance makes for some fun as well.]

Though I find myself meditating more often than not when I come out. It helps to hone the senses and go over my own fighting techniques.

Is that so? You have made little mention of your childhood, Childe. But I am glad to hear that you were able to do such things during it. Was it with your family, or perhaps alone? [ Zhongl will say with a pondering tone of voice as he watches Childe, a gloved hand going to his chin in thought. ]

There is always time and room for such things. One should take life at a leisurely pace, especially in such a strange and new land like this.

I never mentioned it because it never came up. [Fishing, at least, isn't something he'd try to hide.] I went with my old man; we'd take entire days out on the lake ice fishing.

[He says, a clear hint of nostalgia in his voice. Things he misses, even now. Those were simpler times...]

I'm surprised, with all the time you've roamed this world, that you've never gone ice fishing before. Didn't you leave Liyue at least a few times?

Hm. Perhaps I should have asked while we were in Liyue. But learning of it here is fine as well. You must have many fond memories then. I'm glad you're able to make new ones with the people here as well.

[ Just have a soft smile before Zhongli gives a curious 'hm'. ]

The times were few and far between often due to fulfilling a contract. I didn't exactly pause to really take much in when I was Rex Lapis and presiding over Liyue. But now as Zhongli I might do so at my leisure.

It's good to hear you've been enjoying your retirement.

[It's been almost a year exactly since Childe left Teyvat, entered the dream, and then came to Trench. He breathes out a heavy sigh, those old feelings resurfacing, though not as strongly as they once were.]

I've been meaning to talk to you for some time now, by the way.

[His voice becomes a little more serious, a little more angry.]

As the old Trench saying goes, "Time is the healer of all necessary evils." I've been away from home for a year now, but the events that lead to your retirement still burn at the back of my mind.

It hasn't exactly been long. I arrived here shortly afterward. I can't say that this place is as enjoyable as Teyvat, strange and new as it is, but I will try to protect the people here and understand as much of the situation as possible.

[ Zhongli might sigh at that next part. He was understanding that this conversation would come to pass at some point here, or back home, whichever it may be. But Childe saying he's been gone for a year is surprising since he had just seen the other not too long ago back home. The fact that the anger still lingers even after all that time...humans are certainly strange. ]

Then we shall discuss it. It's clear that you're still angry about how it all transpired, correct?

That's putting it lightly, [he responds, his voice not letting up on that hint of absolute irritation.] I certainly don't need an explanation as to why such a plan was put into place, but I demand some kind of atonement for the deception both you and Signora employed.

[He won't mince words here. He knows what he wants and he expects it from the ex-geo archon.]

I want a battle that will satisfy me like none other. And, as the former archon, I expect you to put up a good fight. Are those agreeable terms? Only then can I set aside the transgressions made against me.

[ Zhongli's arms cross over his chest as he lets out a soft sigh. His eyes remain close for a brief moment as Childe says his piece before he finally opens them again. There's a subtle change to the air about the ex-archon as well. As if that light-heartedness has just melted away and it's suddenly all business. ]

Very well. If those are the terms of the contract then it shall be done. If there are any other stipulations you might wish to add then feel free to speak of them now.

No stipulations. I just want an all out battle with nothing left behind. And I won't hold back.

[That already sounds satisfying. Even if it ends up being to the death, he's fine with it. He'll come back, or Zhongli will come back, or perhaps they'd both die in the fight. Maybe neither will die. It doesn't matter. He just wants his fight.]

I'm ready whenever you are. Today, tomorrow, right now- it makes no difference to me.

Tomorrow then. Today, right now, this is a time of peace and tranquility. I would not wish to muddy or disrupt that which causes you fond memories with an attack or battle.

[ Zhongli is more than willing to be patient and not immediately jump into this battle they'll be having. He came out here to enjoy the relaxation and comforts of a tradition that he is unaccustomed to. ]

I would much prefer to learn more about Snezhnaya traditions today.

Alright. It's a deal then.

[Finally, he smiles back at the prime of adepti, finishing drilling that hole now and sitting back down. A fishing rod is handed over to Zhongli, and the bucket full of minnows is placed between them.]

In Snezhnaya, we didn't have these hand cranked augers. It used to take the entire morning to chip away through the ice to make a hole big enough to catch fish out of, but now it only takes me a matter of minutes. I'm sure you've heard, but the fish there are much bigger than anything you'd catch in a normal lake or pond.

So I have heard from the fatui throughout Liyue. I wish to one day see the size of these beasts. But this place has its fair share of strange and dangerous creatures. Perhaps we'll happen upon one whilst here.

[ Taking that rod in hand he'll sit and wait for Childe to go first, seeing how the other does it. ]

I must confess but...will there really be much fish here for us to farm? Is it not too cold for them?

[He baits his hook, dropping it into the water and letting the minnow take itself down. He hopes that he can get a bite, but at the same time Childe is very distracted now with the idea of getting to face off with Zhongli the following day.]

No, not at all. As long as this lake isn't overfished, there should be plenty of bounty left in it. The cold doesn't seem to really affect the probability of catching a fish.

[At least, it doesn't seem like it to him.]

Here. [He hands Zhongli a small bottle, that smells of fish as well.] You can smear that on your bait, it's supposed to attract them. At least, that's what I was told. We don't have that at home either, so I can't vouch for it.

[ Zhongli watches attentively all the while as Childe baits his hook and then hands him that horrible-smelling bottle. His frown is apparent as he takes off his glove and uses his bare hands to prepare everything. ]

Humans and their ingenuity for accomplishing such everyday tasks have always fascinated me.

[ He finally sets his bait into the water and waits patiently for a bite. ] This place has things that Teyvat has yet or may never discover. It's intriguing to learn how all of these things work.

Ha. You should have seen some of the wonderful technology I had in the dream.

[Deerington was a place of nightmares, but one thing he'd enjoyed was all the futuristic machines. They even had cars.]

I had something called a flat screen television and a blu-ray player in my home. It allowed me to watch what would normally be an outdoor theatre play in my very own living room on the screen. Oh, and they even had the ability to digitally alter the scenes, [he says with excitement,] so that they seemed like larger-than-life camera shots. Ah, it was incredible. I wish we had that technology back at home.

[Oh, he got a little carried away there, didn't he. At least he doesn't seem mad anymore.]

Haha, sorry. It was the one thing I enjoyed during my time there.

Hm. That sounds rather interesting. A good friend of mine would have enjoyed learning and using such devices, especially if they were made by human hands.

[ Zhongli states as he watches Childe with an amused expression. ]

You have no reason to apologize, Childe. If it is something that was enjoyed by all then there is a reason for excitement and joy upon recalling such things. What was your favorite thing to watch on these...televisions and blu-ray machines?

[ Says that with as much grace as he can but it's a foreign word and not exactly rolling off the tongue easily. ]

I enjoyed almost everything I watched, but if I had to choose, it would have been something they call thrillers. I like a good action movie, but ones that tell an incredible story that have you on the edge of your seat- those are the ones I enjoyed the most. Kind of like the storytellers in Liyue, only even better.

[He thinks for a moment though, because that isn't the only kind of genre he enjoyed.]

There's some really good ones that were labeled as fantasy too, but I guess I didn't see the fantasy in them since some elements of them are very real concepts from Teyvat. But they were also enthralling.

[It was reminiscent of the wondrous adventures his dad would tell, except in a visual medium, making it even better.]

Ah, I see. That is something that would cater to your tastes. Did they have such things as plays and operas on this device as well? I can't imagine a small boxed viewing space to have a good overall view of the details and the aesthetics that an opera house's sets have. Those details would not so easily be seen on such a small angle. In-person it would be much livelier and personal but one's eyes would have an easier time of seeing all of it.

[ He wonders now if that's how other worlds view plays and things now... ]

It is rather interesting to note that what one world calls commonplace is unobtainable and 'fantasy', as you, put to another.

[He laughs. He's not surprised this has also piqued the former archon's interest, and how he hasn't explained to Zhongli all the sights he's seen from various encounters of his own.]

You could view filmed stage plays as well, yes. There are close up shots that allow you to see details though, so you don't have to worry about missing the finer details. Plus the actors are able to use a much wider range of nuanced emotion, since they don't have to shout out to an entire audience.

Really, I think you should just see it for yourself. Then I think you can judge it fairly. I think you'll like movies, Mr. Zhongli. I have my own personal screen in my home, so you'll have to come over to watch something sometime.

I see. What a fascinating device you speak of, Childe.

[ He does blink though at the offer and then smiles as he nods. ]

I will hold you to that, then. Perhaps one evening when there's not much to discuss or do. I would like to see this television for myself. It seems to be a rather intriguing and interesting machine indeed. [ If only Cloud Retainer or Guizhong were here to witness it. ]

Two good friends of mine would be rather delighted at seeing such a machine work.

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3rd Battle | UN: Childe / Video

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