kowase | IC INBOX

Exactly, people took soooo the wrong way and made them worse. I'm sure Venti would agree with you- did you know he's actually Shakespeare? Because that's a fun thing I learned last month. You should ask him about that. About being fucking Shakepeare

[Look, he's been blursed with this knowledge and he's gonna share it with his favourite person in this whole city. Because he's a nice person who likes to share.

Also because he is an agent of complete and utter chaos and he wants to see how badly this will break Vergil's brain.

Zulius watches with a little smile as Vergil's accent slips as he gets really into his little rant. That's adorable. As is how he is very blatantly pleased with the praise. ]

I think it makes it interesting. I mean, obvi, I am all about a good spectacle, but you've gotta have some substance behind it or it's just cheap and tacky and that's no good to ANYone.

[A soft little snort of amusement escapes him at the whole clout business. He reaches out to pat Vergil on the arm.]

Yeah, Babe. You used the hip, cool young person slang right. You are truly down with da kidz now. I'm so proud of you.

[ there's. Almost a creaking sound as Vergil stops, mentally. He'd been politely conversing, trying to be casual about this whole situation that he is not entirely used to, and now here he is, trying to parse what the fuck it is Zulius just said to him.

Calling him 'down with da kidz' may have gotten him an ear twist at best in his annoyance, but he's still stuck on that first sentence.

He's still.
UNBELIEVABLY stuck on that first sentence, and it shows as he slowly moves to turn to look at Zulius. Arms crossing slowly over his chest as he faces-forward to the Zebra.
He doesn't even pay attention to the fact that the first poetry reader has gotten up on stage and is doing his intro--some awkward 20-something year old who's very earnest, at least--because he's.

Staring.

At.

Zulius. ]

I need you to repeat that first and second sentence.

And the third.

Because I am more than certain that I had a momentary lapse in madness and heard that you just told me that.
Shakespeare.
Is a person who still lives and breathes.

And is a bright green bard.

[Zulius had settled in to listen to the poor kid trying to explain how his life experiences (hah hah, a 20-year-old who thinks they have LIFE EXPERIENCE, adorable) have formed his poetry when he realises that Vergil is boring a hole into the side of his head. He slowly turns to blink at the other man. ]

What?

[A slow grin crosses his features before he casually examines his fingernails.]

Ohhhhhhhhh yeah, that's the tea. So, do you remember the library? Of course you do, it was a whole thing. Anyway, it had literally every theatre performance that ever was there- I was there too, FYI, when I was actually still human and doing the performance of my life. You missed me in the tightest little tight-tights and that's just something you're gonna have to live with forever.

[Right, no, he's getting distracted with talking about himself. He waves his hand, palm flat.]

ANYway, I was watching Much Ado About Nothing and then The Bard shows up in it and it's flunking Venti. For realsies. I decided to message him all like: 'GIRL, ARE YOU SHAKESPEARE?' and he was like: 'alack and allay, my secret is out!' Anyway, that's how I found out that Venti is Shakespeare and he's just living and chilling in our city like it ain't no big thang.

[He sits back on his seat, counting on his fingers.]

Second sentence: I love spectacle with some substance, don't nobody like a tacky B.

Third sentence: you managed to speak like a hip young person, proud of you.

[ okay like he spent DAYS in that library but truth be told, he spent so much of said time there in the book section and talking to ALEXANDER THE ACTUAL FUCKING GREAT that he now realises he might have. Missed. A lot of things inside that library due to his hyperfixation.

The more zulius talks. The more into regret Vergil sinks. He even starts to slowly list against the back of the couch--half slumped against it instead of sitting stock-straight like he usually does because--are you fucking kidding. It had a recording of EVERY THEATER PREFORMANCE...?

He puts a hand over his face and a very soft word escapes him--definitely not in english, definitely some form of profanity--and he makes himself a promise to later send Zhongli a text because what the. Actual fuck. ]

And Zhongli never bothered to let me know. This is nearly just as bad as Waver failing to tell me that Diarmuid was in the city. [ he's sssssoooo grumpy looking now what the hhhhheelll... ]

I can only hope that damn library shows its face again one day. I ... have made many mistakes, in hindsight. [ idk maybe he would have liked to see zulius preform... ]

...But thank you for the recap. I believe I just stalled out a bit.

[Vergil got to live his nerdy little dreams and missed out on so much because of it. Zulius watches as Vergil sinks into the couch, looking completely mortified. A laugh bubbles out of him, probably interrupting the poor kid trying to recite his poem, but he can't help himself. Vergil looks like he just got told he lost the best antique dealer of the year competition because someone found out one of his antiques as a Chinese ripoff. Or something.]

I mean, Babe, tbf, I don't think a single thought ever enters Zhongli's head 90% of the time. It probably never even occurred to him to tell you. [Oh, his ears perk.] Wait, is Diddy some historically important figure, too? Is it something to do with that love spot thing of his?

[Yep. Diddy. Zulius reaches out to gently pat Vergil's arm. There there.]

You did. But I think someone said it showed up last year, too. So many it's like, a roeccuring gate. You might get your chance again! You want me to go with you next time? Make sure you don't get distracted with history?

[ this is the literal definition of Hyperfixation, probably. He's regretting half of what he missed while being painfully aware of everything he gained. And yet, part of him wishes the Library had become a permanent fixture, unlike that... cursed Hyrule gate that Gilgamesh keeps moaning he needs to visit to find more terrible little leaf men... ]

Perhaps he... did not think of it. Zhongli is one of my oldest friends--have I ever told you? I knew him for years, before I even gained magic powers. He was an old acquaintance I once met in China, when on a trip to secure a particularly lovely shield for my personal collection. He was also at the auction--and one of the few who could understand what I was saying.

[ but he digresses, again. Looking up with an expression that's nearly apologetic at the poor speaker, lowering his voice a tad as he chooses to instead, shift just a little closer to Zulius so he could continue the conversation while politely listening to the poor sod's attempt at his first poetry reading. ]

...Diddy. [ youre kidding, right. ] Yes. He is a historical figure--but perhaps it'd be better to call him a 'Mythical' historical figure? Because it is one of those tales--such as like King Arthur--where it is not quite ... clear if he existed or was just a loudly repeated story over the ages.

Diarmuid ue Duibhne. Or, yes, Diarmuid of the Love Spot. A cautionary tale of an unfortunate Knight of Fianna who accidentally ran away with his king's bride.

[If the library had become a permanent fixture, Zulius is pretty certain that Vergil would never leave the damn thing. He'd surround himself with books and art and make himself a little Vergil nest and that would be that. ]

...Aww~ That's kind of adorable. You guys really have put up with each other for a long-ass time. It's nice you found each other here again now.

[And he really does mean that. Personal connections are important, without them, you've got nothing but miles of lonely road ahead of you. He raises a hand, waggling his fingers in apology at the speaker, before turning his full attention back on Vergil.]

Diddy. That's what I call him. And oooooooooooooh, I didn't know it was that dishy. I didn't know he had it in him. How scandalous. [And because a; he can't help but dish tea and b; even if it's super obvious to 90% of the city, there's a not-insignificant chance that Vergil HASN'T noticed:] Did you know he and Waver are a thing? Like seriously besotted with each other. I think they think they're being subtle about it but they are so not. You can see it from space.

Edited 2023-11-04 17:31 (UTC)

[ he'd just pack up his shop and move it into the library full time, honestly. He'd become a goddamn archivist in the place if the spirits would let him and that's a terrible idea, all things considered.

He gives a very low chuckle, a rumble in his chest as the other calls his relationship with zhongli 'adorable.' ]

He is a fool and a troublesome jester. Long as I have known him, I only recently found out what he was, exactly. I had convinced myself for a long time that he was my junior in antiquing. What a goddamn fool I was.

[ the man is an antique himself. ...and part of his collection now, all things considered. 'A family heirloom', as he'd promised.

...but his attention is pulled from that. He's not exactly a catty gossip but he IS interested in knowing this--almost amused by it, all things considered. ]

I was unaware.

I was aware that Waver held a certain affection for him, certainly. That odd camera I have. The one that got you a photo of your herd. I got him with it, as well, and it produced a photo of Waver and his Knight.

I am somehow not surprised to learn they are smitten.

[It would be a terrible thing. Would he even remember to eat and sleep? Signs point to no.

One corner of Zulius' mouth turns up into a lopsided grin at the sound of that chuckle. He really does love that sound, even more so for the rarity of it. ]

I mean, to be fair, he doesn't really carry himself like an ancient and unknowable dragon god. He kind of fumbles his way through existence like an awkward hermit who learned what electricity was like, yesterday. He's got big hello, fellow kids, vibes.

[He says this is absolute affection. He likes Zhongli a lot. The man is just an absolute walking disaster though and he should consider himself really fucking blessed that so many of his loved ones are willing to put up with him.]

Ooooooh, really? What did he say when he saw the picture? Enquiring minds need to know. It's me. I'm the enquiring mind.

[Zulius is a catty gossip. All the way to his CORE. He's going to store this newfound information away for use at a later date. Thank you for your kind donation to the Zulius Tea Fund, Vergil.]

Yeah. Diddy slipped a while ago with me. Called him his Waver. It's adorable, honestly.

[ who needs to eat and sleep when there's power and knowledge to gain--a slippery slope that hopefully he'll never get on.
Or get yanked off of before it goes too far. ]

He does not. He carries himself with a definite measure of poise and respect, from my own experiences with him, but ever since I found out that there is more to him than meets the eye, my opinion of him has become... ....fonder, perhaps. Instead of a colleague, he.

...

[ he doesn't finish that thought, as he hasn't actually THOUGHT about his relationship with zhongli, and how he'd consider it, until now. He'll come back to it. Waver. Waver, yes. ]

His initial reaction was, from what I rememner, shock and perhaps somewhat joyful. Followed immediately by a sense of panic, as he decided that my trinket was a very dangerous one if used on the wrong person. He comes from a world where magecraft that is a little too powerful can be dangerous to one's health, after all.

[ but ha... 'his' waver. ]

He wears a peculiar pendant around his neck. Ivory. You should ask him about it, next time.
I am certain I know what it is.

[Sometimes he just needs to be saved from his own nerdy self.

Zulius cants his head as Vergil tries to find the right words to explain his relationship with Zhongli, his expression softens a little, because this is familiar to him. He feels much the same about the staff under his care, after all. ]

He's more like family?

[He offers gently. Just a little nudge in a direction he feels Vergil is trying to pick his way towards in that awkward way of his. At the explanation of the picture he nods. Honestly, he'd had a whole goddamn complex about the thing when Vergil used it on him. He's glad he did, it's given him faces to names the library provided- foundations for his memories of his past life to build upon. ]

I mean, yeah, fair, that thing can be a lot, but it does some good too. It's just uh... unnerving. Kinda. A weirdly powerful for like... a freaking camera?

[It might be one of the more powerful items in this whole damn city, really. Zulius perks up and this little tidbit laid at his hooves. He lets out a little giggle, clapping his hands together. ]

Omg really? I am sooooooo gonna ask him. Are you gonna give me any hints? Even a tiny little one for little old me?

[ ...he actually has to pause when Zulius says that. ...Family? Hm. Family... ]

...I suppose that would be the closest thing I could consider. When my mother passed away, the gap between myself and my own father widened to a chasm; and I feel as if, perhaps, in the interim time between then and now, Zhongli has sort of fit himself in that space left between us. I look to him for advice as well and assurances more than I. May admit to anyone else. [ he doesn't look at Zulius when he says this--deciding it's a moment of vulnerability he doesn't want anyone to see. ]

It is an item I have since locked up in a secure place within my store-room. You are correct, it is a bit too powerful--dangerous an item to just have out and on display. if I choose to use it in the future, it will be on someone's request instead of how I used it ... playfully, last time.

[ but now ah, he does pause. ]

He has told me much about his home world. About mages, and how they use magical artifacts to summon 'familiars' to their side to wage wars with other mages.

I believe the necklace he wears is the item he used to summon Diarmuid to his side.

[Zulius listens to Vergil quietly as he talks, recognising the moment of vulnerability for what it is, and not interjecting or making a big production out of it. Honestly, it's...nice, that Vergil had that sort of presence in his life. It's abundantly clear he didn't really have a lot of people in his corner before coming to Kaisou. It's good he had Zhongli, that he still does. Zulius smiles softly, reaching out to give Vergil's wrist a brief little squeeze before pulling his hand away again. Just a little acknowledgement that he's being heard. ]

Well, we all need people like that in our lives. It's okay to be able to rely on the people you care about y'know? That's kind of the whole point of having friends that're family. People you can turn to, but on the flipside people than can turn to you too. It's a whole having people in your life, thing. And it's good! I'm glad you guys have each other.

[ It's okay to open up and let people in, Vittore, it won't kill you, he promises.]

I mean, to be fair, Verg, you didn't know what it did when you were first using it. You know now, and you know to use it better. And despite everything it did help me. It meant I had faces to all the names I found in books in the library.

[He knows who they are now. His herd, HIS friends-who-are-family in his past life. He's even had a few memories of them now, and he doesn't know if he'd have had that step forward without Vergil's little camera. ]

Ohhhhhhh snap. So diddy can just be like, popped over to him from anywhere with that? Wild. Little clingy, but sure, why not!

...It is a concept I am getting used to. [ he will decide not to bring up that he was once 'perfectly happy' being a hermit, before--because maybe. Just maybe. That opinion has finally changed, over the last six months. Shifted just a little. Two steps to the right. Not that far. ]

If it was helpful in such a way, then fine. I will accept that it has its uses. I admit I have been tempted to use it on myself, but uncertain that I would be interested in seeing what comes of it. [ after what he's read in his own books... ]

Given that their relationship began as one of commander and bodyguard, being able to teleport like that to your companion's side was likely a tactical choice, if nothing else.
Outside of war, well.
Perhaps it is a little clingy.

[ but then, a pause. ]

...Though, being able to teleport to someone's side is not an uncommon skill here, I feel.

You'll figure it out eventually. I've got faith in you. You've already come so far!

[Zulius could have guessed. Easily. He remembers how terrible Vergil was at General People-ing when they first met. He's come on in...well, not quite leaps and bounds, but he's definitely much, much better than he used to be. He can hold almost an entire conversation now!]

Hmmmm yeah. That could be a real unsettling selfie. But I guess Dante would be able to explain anything that came up, right? He doesn't have the whole...messy memory stuff the rest of us do. He'd probably know what it was right off the bat.

[Which doesn't make it any easier to deal with. Not really. ]

Oh, it's definitely clingy. But they're totes in the Honeymoon Period. They're gonna cling, and it's gonna be adorable but juuuuust slightly obnoxious.

[He shrugs, letting out a soft little hum sound.]

I mean, I guess. Mine's more places than people. If I haven't been somewhere, I can't teleport there, no matter who I need to get to. Trust me, I tried. [Just for a moment, that smile fades. It's brief, but the frown was there. He's quick to put the smile back, like it never went anywhere.] Still, it's a useful little trick to have, when you use it for non-clingy purposes.

I am sure Dante -- or Nero, for that matter, could aid me in understanding any photograph I take with it. However, the trouble comes with actually asking them. As I mentioned before, they are... particularly uneasy when I ask them things about our shared past.

[ and after some of the things he read, he could... understand why. ]

'Honeymoon Period'. Is that what it is called? I have often read the term 'twitter-pated', but I admit there is something a little more palatable about the colloquialism you used. [ he'll have to remember that one. write it down, mentally, so to speak. ]

I have recently learned I can do it as well. But mine is much like yours. And requires I use my sword. So it is useful for emergency. ...But truth be told, unless it is an emergency, I would sooner walk, or drive. [ using a portal feels... weird. ] If I could merely 'appear' in one flash like you can... [ his own method is so. so hard to explain to people. it's needlessly flashy. ]

...Well, if you want someone to take a pic of you, I don't mind- you can always ask me for whatever, Babe. Buuuut I figured this was more a...family thing.

[As complicated and messy as the Sparda thing is, he doesn't want to intrude on that particular shared grief. ]

Yeah! Like how couples who've just got married are super loved up and oooooonly into each other and everyone else around them is just like, "jeez, can you guys get a room?" Like that! Twitter-pated is a good one too, though! But either way, that's where they're at.

[Another poet has come and gone. They've not listened to a single poem, they definitely haven't ordered any coffee. Zulius hasn't even noticed- he's having a good time, curled up on a couch next to Vergil, talking shit about...well, anything.]

You use your sword? So like that cool thing you can do with the uh...delayed reaction slicing thing? [He makes the slicing motions, holding an imaginary yamato in his hands, mimicking the movements of Judgement Cut- he definitely makes little swoosh-woosh sounds as he does it.] I mean, yeah, I can see how my way is easier. It doesn't involve waving a weapon around people who might think you're trying to murder them with it.

Perhaps the next time you visit the shop I will allow such a thing. I do not dare take it outside the shop. If I am to trust anyone with it, it would be you.

As for Diarmuid and Waver, I suppose it makes sense for them. Having being separated for so long, as they apparently have been. I remember the look on Dante's face when he saw me for the first time in years.

[ ...and this is where he's interrupted by a scuffed looking Barista, asking if she can get them anything from the coffee bar.

Vergil will give her a withering look--but order a cappuccino--no added sugar. god forbid they give him one of those americanized drinks. ...and some biscotti, if they have it.

once she takes Zulius' order he crosses his arms, returning to his sort of gruff bluster, trying to remember where he left off. ]

...Sort of. That. Odd movement--Judgement Cut, as Nero told me my past self apparently named it--is done with a motion eyes can't quite track.
To open a portal, I.

Hm.

[ this is... awkward to describe, because it's WEIRD. ]

I cut an opening in the air. [ he opens a palm, making an + motion over it with a finger. ]

It opens a ...hole in the air and I can step through it to any place I've been before.

[You know, it's actually touching to hear that Vergil trusts him with that. ]

You bet, Verg. Whenever you wanna do it, you let me know and I'll drop by. I promise there's nothing I can see in there that'd scare me off.

[Vergil's pretty much stuck with him at this point. Suck to be him.]

I guess that's true. Something about absence makes the heart grow fonder, right?

[Zulius casts the Barista a withering look, because they're talking here? Naturally, in the complete opposite to Vergil, Zulius orders some ridiculously Americanised drink with about five shots of syrup in it and a goddamn cinnamon stick sitting in the middle. It probably had enough sugar to keep the tooth fairy in business for decades.

He watches as Vergil makes the little X on his hand, letting out a thoughtful hum. ]

...Yeah okay, that is actually pretty EXtrA, Babe. I mean, love it for you, super theatrical. But it'd for sure catch the eye. You couldn't do that stealthily.

Perhaps sometime in the New Year. I think that may be the best idea. I will let you know far in advance. [ ...he's gotten used to the idea of Zulius being 'stuck' in his life. Most people didn't have the man's patience to watch the hermit wiggle out of his shell. ]

It's... a bit much. Truth be told, I will likely only use it in emergency situations--or to go to places far, far too much a distance to drive quickly. I considered using it to go back to Italy to buy things that are sorely lacking here. Like good coffee. And chocolate.

Great! Works for me!

[Zulius has the patience of a goddamn saint at this point. He has patience even he didn't realise he had.]

Sometimes it's a good thing to fall back on, so yeah, emergency situations works. And you know, I never actually tried to teleport outside the city before. [God is that even possible? Hmmm.] I was always afraid of accidentally splicing myself or something. It WOULD make travelling way easier though. It's so hard to get transportation when you're an actual centaur. Unless I wanna stand in a horse box for hours on end which trust me, I do not.

Perhaps, in the future, if there is somewhere you need to 'go outside the city,' I can see if my method of teleportation is one that's a bit more trustworthy than your flashy magic.

...I remember it feeling a bit like getting a static shock. And then my mouth tasted like ozone for a moment.
But perhaps that was just because I was exhausted and could not see straight due to everyone looking as if they were made of pure light.

[ at least he can control that magic sense now--turn it on and off when it suited him. ]

I mean, a little bit of one, a little of the other? You were in a real bad place and I was still kinda getting used to using it. I hadn't had it that long. But yeeaaaaaah, it can be kinda dicey- don't really wanna take the chance you know? I don't know about you, but I can't regrow limbs if any get like...left behind.

[But this is acceptable! He will accept this!]

But yeah, that sounds like a good plan. We can test it out.

I have never lost a limb, from my memory. So I do not know if I can grow one back. However.

[ he ALMOST brings up the fact that he'd put a knife into one of dante's lungs and the guy walked it off, but.

A lady is coming by with their coffee order, and he decides to think better on it. ]

If learning more about my heritage has warned me of anything, it is that we ... heal very efficiently, regardless of what kind of wound it is.

I mean good to know but-

[Oh look the lady is coming and maybe talking about SURVIVING HORRIFIC INJURIES is probably not...normal people conversation. Probably. The lady is glaring daggers at them and he realises, belatedly, that a whole other poet is on the stand. How many did they miss?

He takes the offered ridiculously sweet coffee with things sticking out of it- is that a cinnamon stick? A little candy cane? Probably! ]

Ha ha, thank you, Coffee Lady. We are definitely listening to the really good and interesting poetry and definitely not doing anything else at all.

IC INBOX - kaisou

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