Today was the first day preparing for the Lantern Rite Festival. Day 1.

Lumine woke up early that morning, even Paimon isn’t up yet. Though she wasn’t able to sleep early, somehow, she felt really good and refreshed. Yawning, she stretched her arms and looked at the window beside her bed. The sun isn’t even fully out but she can hear the birds already chirping cheerfully which brings her into a good mood.

“Hmm Paimon is still sleeping, I guess I’ll take a look outside in case someone needs my help.” She mumbled to herself before getting out of bed and fixing her hair and clothing, ready to go out to help anyone.

Since this is the first day where they will start preparing everything for the Lantern Festival, it will definitely be a busy day and Lumine wants to help as much as she can. Finishing putting her flower pin, she remembered how she was able to be this way today because of a certain adeptus. A smile suddenly forming on her lips, as she thinks about the words that comforted her last night. Up until the last tears, he hadn’t said anything. His silence was more comforting than a consoling voice and they bid goodnight to each other not long after.

“I wonder if Xiao would be willing to go with me in the Festival….” She thought quietly.

Thinking about the first words he spoke to her is something about mortals not belonging to their world and vice versa. He was determined to not interact with humans as much as possible but that won’t stop Lumine from being stubborn. Xiao is her friend, her savior and someone she can’t seem to stop thinking about. Sighing, she will just have to do her best to convince him before the final day but for now she’s going to help out for the festival.

With that said she headed out to the door and carefully closing it behind her.

========

“Oh traveler, Good morning!” Verr Goldet the lady boss of the Wangshu Inn greeted her with enthusiasm. Despite how pretty this lady looks, she is the one handling everything for this reputable inn and Lumine respected that. It seems she was arranging some paper on her desk and flyers for the festival.

“Good morning to you as well! Do you need any help preparing for the festival?” She asked immediately while giving out her usually smile. Not wanting to waste any time since she also has other plans such as to persuade the last yaksha which might take her days and every second counts.

Verr Goldet clapped her hands together as if remembering something. “Ah! That reminds me, a tall man claiming to be a consultant from the Wangsheng parlor came by earlier asking for you and he seems to be waiting for you outside restaurant.” Lumine blinked and she knew exactly who that man was and curious on what the retired archon would be up to this time. She wasn’t that fond of being tricked or played at but she doesn’t hold a grudge at him for doing it because he had his reasons.

Smiling, Lumine thanked the lady boss for the info and headed out towards the elevator to meet with him downstairs. He would probably just be needing her to pick up something like last time or worse is, he might need her for mora. Frowning a bit, Lumine remembers all those times how he is so bad at handling anything that deals with money or bargaining. She’s not lacking on mora honestly, it’s just that the geo archon spends it like he has millions of it.

“Well, hopefully this time, he would tell me everything honestly.” She whispered to herself and then stepped inside the lift. Tapping her right foot while waiting, she ponders on what kind of daily activities does Xiao do and where exactly does he stay in this inn. Unfortunately, she can’t come up with one, guess she’ll just try and find it out one day.

The wooden elevator shook a bit when it reached the lowest ground signaling for Lumine to walk out of it. As she steps out, she immediately noticed a long black-haired man cloaked in the darkest shade of brown you can find with dragon scales imprinted on them as patterns, sipping his tea quietly in a nearby table.

“He sure stands out from the crowd.” She thought. Taking a few strides ahead, she gave Zhongli a gentle pat on his shoulder to not startle him in which he turned around and was greeted by a pair of golden eyes that is same as her only a bit shade darker.

“Morning Zhongli! What made you find me this early?” Like she said earlier, she won’t be wasting time and ask straight to the point. Zhongli gestured to have her take a seat and she did by sitting in front of him. She noticed that the cup of tea he’s holding is almost empty, he must have been waiting for her for quite some time.

“Did I made you wait too long?” Lumine kinds of feel bad but how could she expect that he would be needing her this early.

“Good morning to you as well Miss Lumine. No, I do not mind waiting so do not fret.” He takes another sip and must be his last one because he kept his tea cup to the side and placed his hands together on the table as he looks straight at her. Which kind of make Lumine on guard.

He coughed before continuing “I was hoping if you could do me a favor and deliver something. Of course, I will compensate it with whatever you may need.” She was about to ask what it was when he reached something inside his pocket coat and pulled out a small wooden box with characters she doesn’t quite understand. “Must be Liyue’s script.” She thought.

“If you are curious, this is a medicine I conjured myself, it has strength that nothing of this world can stand. So do keep this away from Paimon.” Zhongli then handed me the medicine as if it’s just an ordinary pill. She blinked and looked at it then back to the geo archon in front of her.

Putting away the box in the same dimension she keeps her sword, she asked “May I ask who might be in need of such a medicine?” Somehow, she already has clue who it is but she doesn’t want to admit it in her heart.

“It’s for Xiao.” He simply said as he reached out for his tea cup and refilled it.

Lumine felt a tug in her heart and unconsciously gripped her hands. “Is it alright to ask what kind of pain is he going through?” She knows he might not give her answers but she still wanted to ask anyway. Looking at him directly as he sips his tea calmly, she felt determined all of a sudden.

“I’m afraid it is not my story to tell but Xiao. All I can offer you is a glimpse of history back when the Yaksha rules over the chaos in Liyue.” Zhongli’s eyes flickered to see if the girl Infront of him would be disappointed for his lack of answer to her question but what he saw was something else. It was sympathy, sadness and determination? The last one made the corners of his mouth curve slightly.

“I understand but please tell me anything you can about…everything.” She said as she straightened herself in her seat readying to a long lecture from this ancient being. Her eyes glimmered with curiosity.

“Very well then….” And he told her everything he could. He hopes in his heart that this year Lantern Festival will be different for a certain adeptus, and that he may finally find someone to give him the salvation he needs.

========

After bidding goodbye with Zhongli, Lumine immediately returned back to her room. She wants to find Xiao as soon as possible; she needs to find him. “Xiao…” She mumbled his name against her lips as she opens the door the room they rented. A sudden white hair emergency food greeted her instantly that she almost stumbled back.

“LUMI! WHY DID YOU LEAVE PAIMON ALONE!? I’M SO HUNGRY AAH!” Her angry shrieks could definitely reach every room in the hallway and Lumine tried to shush her but to no avail. So, Lumine dragged them both inside.

“I’m sorry Paimon, but you were still sleeping and I don’t know how to reach you.” Which is the truth. Lumine has no idea where she disappears to.

Instead of understanding, Paimon replied by stomping her feet’s angrily in the air. “Not fair! You should have waited for Paimon! LOOK, IT’S ALMOST LUNCH TIME and I’m sooooo hungry!” The floating fairy just kept being angry at her friend and Lumine did felt bad for not bringing Paimon with her. Plus, it took her so long to come back because of Zhongli and his very long historical lecture. Sighing she put both her fist on her hips.

“Alright, alright! I’m very sorry I made Paimon wait so long and made her hungry. So why don’t we go and visit Xiangling? I’ll let you order anything you want. Okay?” Lumine let out a small scoff but smiled after because it is her fault. Hearing that, Paimon immediately floated up doing a victory pose midair.

“Yay! I love Xiangling’s dishes! You better prepare a lot of mora because I’ll order everything from the menu!” Lumine felt a bit of trouble hearing that but she let it be and nodded anyway. Smiling, she reached for the door ready to go out again but this time with her floating companion.

“That’s fine by me. Now let’s go! We’re going to get your stomach full again.” With that, the duo went out of their room and headed towards the city.