[Zhurong... that's right. He had a Ralts. His forge partner. His apprentice, who was there with Lapis most days...

Lapis...

Lapis... and Venti. He sees their faces when he closes his eyes—tear-stricken, panicked, screaming his name.

He laughs, but it's not a happy laugh. It's just on the side of deranged, but he's only really half-here anyway. And there's no one around to judge him so what does it matter?]

Hahaha... hahahahah. They're going to kill me.

[He sucks in a breath through his teeth.]

Where do I even start...? They must be so angry. Even you...

[The air seeps out of him like a slowly leaking air mattress.]

I saw you in there. That was the only part I liked.