( john (the archivist) merely shoots john (the emperor/god) a look back in return. it's hard for him to personally have much appreciation for cool and dramatic timing, considering he's likely been the catastrophic victim at the epicenter of whatever had utilized it in his past.
even as patient as his explanation is, it still takes a moment to puzzle through. he had previously mentioned thanergy — and even without doing so, john got a sense of what he meant from the base words that comprised the term — and if manipulation of such an energy was at the heart of necromancy, it certainly seemed like a puzzle-box experiment meant to ensure the problem at hand was solved by the intended solution and not unexpected brute force.
he actually does understand the concept relatively easily. in the Institute, elias had surrounded him with a handful of individuals he had intended to function as "protectors" — it had been john's job to try to discern the threat and theirs to destroy it. this seems similar, albeit with a lot more... soul-touching...? john tenses somewhat when the emperor mentions seeing through another's eyes; he tries to cover it up by shifting his weight from one foot to another, though he ends up just coming off with a nervous energy in the effort. )
I - think so. ( but he frowns, brow heavy over darkened eyes. ) But just in case, let me get this straight: if your necromancy is useless to fight this thing due to the field covering that doorway... even if you are sharing your senses with us, does that mean we must send Zhongli in there to deal with it on his own?
( because, even if the two johns can cross the threshold, if the emperor can't create his constructs, it doesn't seem like either of them will have much to offer against such a monstrosity, let alone one made of perpetual bone. )
no subject
even as patient as his explanation is, it still takes a moment to puzzle through. he had previously mentioned thanergy — and even without doing so, john got a sense of what he meant from the base words that comprised the term — and if manipulation of such an energy was at the heart of necromancy, it certainly seemed like a puzzle-box experiment meant to ensure the problem at hand was solved by the intended solution and not unexpected brute force.
he actually does understand the concept relatively easily. in the Institute, elias had surrounded him with a handful of individuals he had intended to function as "protectors" — it had been john's job to try to discern the threat and theirs to destroy it. this seems similar, albeit with a lot more... soul-touching...? john tenses somewhat when the emperor mentions seeing through another's eyes; he tries to cover it up by shifting his weight from one foot to another, though he ends up just coming off with a nervous energy in the effort. )
I - think so. ( but he frowns, brow heavy over darkened eyes. ) But just in case, let me get this straight: if your necromancy is useless to fight this thing due to the field covering that doorway... even if you are sharing your senses with us, does that mean we must send Zhongli in there to deal with it on his own?
( because, even if the two johns can cross the threshold, if the emperor can't create his constructs, it doesn't seem like either of them will have much to offer against such a monstrosity, let alone one made of perpetual bone. )