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Syrup awoke to the rattling of wheels and the creaking of wood. They felt the fog clear from their mind as they slowly got up. Or well, tried. Their hands and legs were tied.
"What the..."
Where was this? A carriage? An abduction?? But why? The only thing special about them was the unholy amount of figures and drawings of the Geo Archon, Morax, in their room! That surely wasn't anything to kidnap them over!! GASP! Maybe they were being accused of heresy for worshiping a different God?
As Syrup mulled over the possibilities in their head, the vehicle came to a rumbling halt. Syrup listened to what was happening outside with rapt attention.
They heard murmuring, and then the sound of gravel beneath shoes, heading towards the back of the carriage. Syrup could barely make it out in the dim light shining through cracks in the wood.
After a moment of silence, the back of the carriage opened, flooding Syrups vision with a blinding light. They furiously blinked the sparks dancing in their sight away, trying to make out the shadowy figure looming in the entrance.
"Well, well. It looks like our guest is awake." The wood creaked and shifted as footsteps ascended into the carriage, steadily making their way ever to Syrup, who was still tied up on the ground. They craned their head to look up.
Over them loomed a man with light blue hair, the upper half of his face hidden behind a mask. Syrup felt a shudder go down their spine at the eerily calm aura the man exuded. He seemed to be examining them, thoroughly scanning their whole form with his eyes.
"How are you feeling?" Syrup almost flinched in surprise when he directed a question at them after prolonged silence. Not sure how to answer, they warily stayed quiet.
"Hmm. Not answering. Are you scared, or are you just unresponsive?" He knelt down, moving to grip Syrups jaw to get a better look. Syrup recoiled, sliding backwards on the carriage floor.
"Listen here, Mister, what the HELL are you doing?"
"Oh, there we go." The man smiled, seemingly pleased that they had spoken. "Very good. As you can see, I have taken the liberty of taking custody of you. We have reached the outskirts of Liyue, and will be making a stop in Liyue harbor tomorrow. The ride might be a bit uncomfortable, but I must ask you to bear with it."
Okay, this guy was crazy. Syrup wasn't stupid, and knew better than to mess with crazy people.
"I see. Can I have something to eat and drink?" Their throat was parched and their stomach empty. How long had they been out?
"Why, of course! How inhospitable of me. Please wait for a bit."
Syrup watched as the man stepped down from the carriage and out of view. They let their head sag, resting it on the floor as they contemplated their choices. The door was wide open, but that just meant he was confident they wouldn't be able to escape anyways. And it seemed he wasn't alone, if the voices they had heard earlier were anything to go by.
Syrup's stomach grumbled, and they decided to think about it later. Seeing as they were in Liyue now, maybe Morax would answer their pleas for help if they only prayed hard enough.
🟨💛🟨
Syrup sighed. They were waiting in the outskirts of Liyue Harbor, as the bluenette had oh-so-kindly informed them before heading off to who-knows-where. Syrup was left alone with the members of his group, which they had recognized as Fatui.
The carriage door was closed now, probably to ensure they didn't somehow manage to escape while their leader was out. Not that Syrup felt very inclined to try.
They were pulled out of their reverie by a sudden commotion outside. Shouts and... The sounds of battle? Was someone fighting the Fatui? Syrup waited in anticipation and slight trepidation as the sounds slowly ebbed out. Silence followed.
Suddenly, the back of the carriage was opened, and Syrup once again found themselves blinking against the blinding sunshine. When their vision came back into focus, they were met with beautiful Amber hued eyes.
Syrup blinked at the man dumbly as he climbed into the carriage and gestured at their bound hands and feet. "May I?"
Syrup couldn't have answered if their life depended on it. For the man before them looked exactly as they had envisioned the God Morax to be; strong, refined, and beautiful. Eyes that glowed like gems that had watched over the world since ancient times, a subdued, but undeniable power lying in that gaze.
Said beautiful man cocked his head slightly, looking at Syrup in concern. "I apologize, I must have startled you. I am Zhongli, a consultant for the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor in Liyue Harbor. I came across this group of Fatui setting up camp and thought it better to take measures. I didn't expect them to have someone hostage. Are you injured?"
Syrup finally snapped out of their stupor, hurrying to give the beautiful man - Zhongli - an answer.
"I- I'm fine! They weren't rough with me, besides the tying up part. I'd be thankful if you could untie me. Please."
"Of course." Zhongli knelt down next to Syrup, fastidiously untying the bindings, taking care not to hurt them where the rope had chafed the skin. When he finished, he held out a hand for Syrup to grab on to. "Can you stand?"
"Yes, of course-" Syrup reverently took Zhongli's hand, thankful for the support and still in awe of the man's radiance - and promptly lost their footing as they tried to stand up.
Zhongli moved quickly, easily catching them before they could topple to the ground, and wrapped an arm around their back to give them stability as they crouched on the floor.
"My God, I'm sorry. My legs gave out-" Syrup fumbled over their words, attempting once again to stand up. More carefully this time.
But before they could even try, they were suddenly scooped up into surprisingly strong arms. "Pardon me," Zhongli said as he carried them out of the carriage. "I think it will be easier if I carry you. We'll head to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor first."
Syrup gaped like a fish, absolutely stunned into silence at the turn of events.
As Zhongli began to head towards the city, all Syrup could do was try their damn best to not pass out.