[ Ground rules? Fair trade? Music to Zhongli's ears as he shifts so that can face Vash more directly.
Even better than focusing on the present, focusing on work and duty and a contract was something that Zhongli could absorb himself in wholeheartedly to drown out the soft and inviting whispers of his homeland. Yes, this was his comfort zone. His safe space. An image comes to mind of another young god, bright and full of life as she smiled brightly and tended to the others gathered at the assembly. The warm and welcoming god had such a love for humans and humanity, planting a seed deep within Zhongli that would grow and grow and grow to his own bountiful harvest.
In fact, he saw much of that smile in Vash's own---
Oh.
Oh dear, his thoughts were wandering again, weren't they? To the could haves, would haves, should haves that history's doors has sealed shut. She was gone. His world was gone. And Zhongli's attention should be thoroughly focused on saving this world now. There was no time for other distractions.
Zhongli clears his throat and crosses his arms as if he is steeling himself to this negotiation, but the small smile (strained as it is) gives him way. ]
Very well. I find your terms agreeable.
Though I shall warn you that I am a quite stern negotiator.
[ The last bit is spoken with equal parts truth and levity. For certainly Zhongli was very skilled at hammering out the finer details of a contract with people less amicable to fair trade, but also perhaps naively he does not believe that Vash would not ask for something that he would not be willing to give. (Nothing that might not already slip unbidden across the heightened communion.) ]
no subject
Even better than focusing on the present, focusing on work and duty and a contract was something that Zhongli could absorb himself in wholeheartedly to drown out the soft and inviting whispers of his homeland. Yes, this was his comfort zone. His safe space. An image comes to mind of another young god, bright and full of life as she smiled brightly and tended to the others gathered at the assembly. The warm and welcoming god had such a love for humans and humanity, planting a seed deep within Zhongli that would grow and grow and grow to his own bountiful harvest.
In fact, he saw much of that smile in Vash's own---
Oh.
Oh dear, his thoughts were wandering again, weren't they? To the could haves, would haves, should haves that history's doors has sealed shut. She was gone. His world was gone. And Zhongli's attention should be thoroughly focused on saving this world now. There was no time for other distractions.
Zhongli clears his throat and crosses his arms as if he is steeling himself to this negotiation, but the small smile (strained as it is) gives him way. ]
Very well. I find your terms agreeable.
Though I shall warn you that I am a quite stern negotiator.
[ The last bit is spoken with equal parts truth and levity. For certainly Zhongli was very skilled at hammering out the finer details of a contract with people less amicable to fair trade, but also perhaps naively he does not believe that Vash would not ask for something that he would not be willing to give. (Nothing that might not already slip unbidden across the heightened communion.) ]