I'm not asking -- [ he snaps, pivoting on his heel with such force it's a wonder he doesn't give himself whiplash. a mixture of embarrassment and irritation simmers in his eyes, as though he can't quite decide which one he wants to be in this moment. it's not Zhongli. the only memories he has are the ones they're making right now, and while he knows he's not exactly making the best impression (hadn't, really, from the time they'd met until now) after everything that's happened between them he can't even begin to feel a shred of remorse over what his perception of him might be.

he doesn't know why Hu Tao decided to just dump him off on him. did she think they were friends? did she think that he might be able to fix him, somehow? maybe Zhongli didn't want to be fixed. he said he was going to live life as a mortal, so new shell, new him. it would make sense if he knew that this was going to happen.

gradually, he feels his shoulders slacken, his jaw unclench. he doesn't want to be here. Zhongli obviously does not want to be here. Childe does not want him here. ]

I can put you up somewhere else. There's an inn out between Dihua Marsh and Guili Plains. It's not too far of a walk, and maybe the fresh air will do you some good. As much as you loved this city if staying here hasn't done anything to jog your memory thus far, maybe walking the lands will.

[ he turns back around, that decided. ]

We can go when it's day time. For now... I need to get some sleep.