[ It was selfish of Barbatos. Not all can live as he does. Not all... truly feels that once the noose has loosened, there was so much life left to be had. He lives among the mortals and instead of ruling, he does not expect praise. Perhaps, he had flown too close to the sun and left himself a bit more vulnerable for it – for these feelings in his chest were quite a bit more mortal. ]

Wanting and demanding are two different things.

[ For the choice had been made and his eyes only tremble slightly at the prospect of enjoying a festival alone – an outsider pretending to fit in among the mortals.

What else was new?

Barbatos forces a smile, as if the sun washes away any sense of disappointment. There would be no need to let it fester like a wound. ]

I see, always the worker. Workers too, must have days of rest, though. Do make sure to remember that centuries from now.

[ A gentle rib follows, especially knowing that if stone does not move now... perhaps one day in the far future it will. ]

And I yours. Which brings me here now. Wasting the day would be criminal. What would my Liyue host require of his guest today, I wonder?

[ As swiftly as his disappointment arrived, Barbatos sweeps it under the rug. His form distances himself a bit, finally letting his feet touch the ground as he feels the earth underneath him.

He didn't feel like flying right now. ]