[ ugh. just hearing this makes his heart ache. he misses ellie, misses her kindness and her warmth, her stories. she loved the world the same way that taair did, the way she found joy in every interaction, every moment. and zhongli, too. wise, kind. someone who offered him a contract like a moment of freedom, whether he could accept it or otherwise.

his brow crumples a little, and he takes a deep breath to compose it, finally taking his first drink, too. ]

She was always so wise. [ there's no short amount of affection in his voice. ] About so many things. I think we are all better for having known her...I wish we had just had a little more time.

Still...we must do our best to honor her wishes - to remember her as if she was still here. Even if things are dark, we must find the dawn, and hold onto hope no matter what. [ weh. ] A fine philosophy from one of the most wonderful storytellers I've had the honor to know.

[ he holds up his glass, off to the side. ]

To hope?