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𝘔𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘨𝘶𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘩𝘪𝘮, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘨𝘶𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘪𝘵 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭, 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘩𝘦'𝘴 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘰𝘮 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴, 𝘩𝘦'𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘨𝘰. 𝘈 𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦, 𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵, 𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘥𝘦𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦, 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘴𝘶𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘢𝘨𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘻𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘶𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘰𝘯. 𝘔𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘶𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘭 𝘣𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦, 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘭 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘰𝘯 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘶𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘰 𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴 𝘣𝘪𝘥𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨.

𝘔𝘢𝘺 𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘭 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘥𝘺 𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘥, 𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘭 𝘪𝘵 𝘴𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘥, 𝘣𝘦𝘨𝘨𝘦𝘥, 𝘸𝘦𝘱𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥. 𝘜𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘮𝘺 𝘵𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩, 𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵.

𝘌𝘹𝘩𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘢𝘪𝘳, 𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘶𝘪𝘴𝘩 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧-𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘴𝘸𝘪𝘳𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘢 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘨𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘪𝘹 𝘰𝘧 𝘣𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘬, 𝘣𝘭𝘶𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵. 𝘈𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩, 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘦'𝘴 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘯, 𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘳𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘳𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘏𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘥, 𝘴𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘭𝘺, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘢 𝘱𝘶𝘳𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦, 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘣𝘭𝘶𝘳𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘰𝘥𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘭𝘢𝘪𝘥. 𝘏𝘪𝘴 𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘨, 𝘩𝘪𝘨𝘩 𝘱𝘪𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘤 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘶𝘧𝘧𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘴𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮𝘴 𝘦𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘬𝘶𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳, 𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘹𝘵.

𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴? 𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘶𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘩 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘪𝘥𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨? 𝘏𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯'𝘵 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸, 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘩𝘦 𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦. 𝘛𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦, 𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴 𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮𝘴, 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨.

𝘌𝘹𝘩𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘥, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘪𝘮𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘱𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵, 𝘦𝘺𝘦𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘝𝘢𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘦𝘺𝘦𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘥, 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘥𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘨𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘮𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘥𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘦𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴. 𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳?

𝘏𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘭 𝘩𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘵𝘩 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘥𝘪𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘴𝘬𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘯 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘦𝘺𝘦𝘴, 𝘴𝘭𝘪𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘢𝘴𝘬 𝘰𝘧𝘧 𝘴𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘪𝘵 𝘭𝘢𝘻𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘴 𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘶𝘱 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘬𝘺. 𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘪𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯? 𝘏𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳, 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘳. 𝘐𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴𝘯'𝘵 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘥𝘶𝘵𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘯𝘦, 𝘸𝘢𝘴𝘯'𝘵 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘥𝘶𝘵𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘰 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭. 𝘏𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥: 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘥? 𝘕𝘰 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘢𝘺, 𝘴𝘰 𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘵, 𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘰𝘰𝘵𝘩 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘳𝘢𝘮𝘦.

𝘓𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘨𝘶𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘎𝘶𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘰𝘮, 𝘨𝘶𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘴𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘶𝘯𝘣𝘦𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘴, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘭𝘭, 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘨𝘶𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘧𝘭𝘶𝘵𝘦. 𝘚𝘰𝘧𝘵 𝘩𝘶𝘮𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘨𝘭𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘦𝘴, 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘤 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘰𝘸 𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘶𝘯𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘧𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘵 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘢𝘵 𝘢 𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦, 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘯𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳 𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘯𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳 𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘴𝘮𝘦𝘭𝘭, 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘯𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳 𝘱𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘴𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨.

𝘍𝘰𝘳 𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘦, 𝘪𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘥 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘺-𝘢-𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳, 𝘟𝘪𝘢𝘰 𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵, 𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘵 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘹 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘳𝘰𝘱 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘰𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘮 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦, 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘪𝘮. 𝘈 𝘧𝘭𝘶𝘵𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢 𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘢𝘵𝘦, 𝘢 𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘢 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘭.

𝘈 𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘦'𝘭𝘭 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘦𝘵, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘴 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘴𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘪𝘮, 𝘪𝘯 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥.

--

"Almond tofu?" Aether asked, more or so repeated to Verr Goldet, the boss of Wangshu Inn.

"Yes," She replied to him, smiling brightly as he had come here for a commission he had received from Katheryne. "Do you think you could make some and bring it up to the balcony at the top? You see, chef Smiley Yanxiao refuses to go anywhere near there, and the same goes for my husband. I'm too busy working here at the desk. Could you please make some and bring it up to him?"

Aether tilted his head, hands on his hips as he grasped at the situation. At this point, no commission really struck him out of place anymore, having gotten used to even the oddest requests. He's learned to just deal with it and do as asked. The rewards from the Adventures Guild was nice anyhow. "Of course," Aether chuckled. "But how do I make this almond tofu? I've only made it once before I think. Though it's been a bit since then."

"Chef Yanxiao will teach you how again, he's become quite the chef after you helped with that little ghost problem. Please visit him and he'll be happy to show you how it's done." She pointed towards the stairwell to the nearby kitchen.

"Alright, but, can I ask something else?" Aether trailed his eyes up near the top of the stairs. "Who are you referring to when you say 'him'?" He looked back. "I've never even seen anyone go up there. Did someone new come by?" He asked.

"Ah, actually you see..." She trailed off, wondering how she should answer. "He rarely shows himself to anyone, and is always silent, not exactly new. I'm not surprised you don't remember. Though, I doubt you'll see him still after you go up there, so feel free to leave the almond tofu nearby the pot with the stone statue. Though, please remember to stay quiet on your way up, he hates loud noises."

Don't remember? What did he not remember? Aether just nodded his head, deciding not to pry further since it was just a simple commission. He reached his hand out and pet Wei, the cat who never seemed to leave Verr's side at the desk. "Alright, I'll do it." He gave a thumbs up before making his way to the kitchen, Paimon suddenly poofing out of nowhere.

"Paimon heard you're making more food! She wants to be the first to try!" His travel companion excitedly kicked her feet before floating around in a spin. "Just so Paimon can tell you if it's good or not! Not that Paimon just wants to eat food, eheh." She pressed her index fingers together, looking to the side with a lopsided smile.

"I swear you only come out when it's about food or when we're in the kitchen." Aether placed his hands on his hips, raising his brow at her which only earned him another high-pitched laugh.

"Paimon won't deny!" She waved her hands before disappearing as fast as she had appeared. It was quiet for just a moment before a deep laugh came next. "Traveler, it's been awhile since I've seen you in my kitchen," Yanxiao boasted. "What do I owe the pleasures to?"

Aether gave a small wave as he stepped closer. "I heard from Verr you've been doing a lot better lately. How's the business and cooking?"

"Excellent, ever since you've helped me with that problem, I've had no problems since then. I'm forever grateful so please, feel free to come to my kitchen and use it anytime you need." He grinned at Aether and to which the smaller of the two smiled back. "Actually, I'll take you up on that offer. Can you teach me how to make almond tofu again? I'm supposed to make some and bring it to the guy on the balcony."

Yanxiao seemed a bit taken aback at the mention of the said boy, seeming to know about him all too well. Aether really felt like the only one who wasn't in on knowing what was so infamous about the mysterious male he was now going to cook for. "So can you help me?" The blond filled the silence again and stepped towards the stove.

After a clear of the throat, chef Smiley nodded. "Of course, I've been told I make a mean almond tofu now. So I'll be glad to show you again." He grinned, beaming with confidence. "First, you'll need almonds, milk and sugar." He listed the ingredients out for Aether, who was seemingly memorizing them at will. At least, better than the first time he's made the dessert.

"So almond tofu is supposed to be sweet. And it's not really tofu, it's just called that because of it's shape right?" Aether asked in the middle of his cooking lesson, glancing only occasionally at the chef.

"Right," He answered. "It's a dessert made out of almond that has a silky-smooth texture with a long-lasting aroma. It's not very popular, but we keep it available for certain reasons." Smiley answered before he stepped back and stared over the two plates of almond tofu, one of his own and one next to it that was made by Aether.

"How come yours looks so divine, you were the one who was supposed to be learning but it seems your natural talent for cooking really came through. I'm not sure if I should be upset or proud!" He laughed again and Aether followed in tow, shaking his head.

"Thank you so much for teaching me how to make this yet again, Yanxiao. I didn't remember how to before, but I think I have it all perfectly memorized now." Aether grinned and as if right on time Paimon came back into the picture.

"Oooh! Is that almond tofu? Paimon wants some!" She floated closer to the plates and Aether immediately grabbed his, holding it away from the bottomless pit he called a travel companion. "Paimon you can eat Smileys, this is for someone else." He sighed, but couldn't help but smile at how eagerly she was ready to try it.

"Can Paimon eat your almond tofu?" She asked, a bit too loud while eyeballing the dessert and the chef laughed and nodded. "Why of course, if not you, no one else will. Go ahead, take it." To which Paimon immediately accepted and began stuffing her face.

"Mm! You go ahead, Paimons gonna stay here eating!" She spoke with a mouthful and Aether took that as his que to make his way up the many stairs. Paimon always had a way to make him feel at ease, her cheerful demeanor was everything to him, something that he would never take for granted here in Teyvat. "I'm going up now, boss lady." He spoke out and headed up the stairs before Verr could, once again, tell him to stop calling her such.

He chuckled quietly to himself as he was careful up the stairs so he didn't drop the plate of fresh almond tofu. Once he reached the top and stepped forward, turning towards the open doorway, his eyes immediately brightened at the gorgeous view that filled his eyes. He took a few more steps forward, holding the plate with both hands as he went to the railing, overlooking the view of mountains and the large body of water.

He looked to his right, looking over the vast scenery before him before looking to his left, the view of the burning orange sunset settling behind the spiked mountains warming his face and filling his body with a sense of safety and relief. He silently cursed at himself for never taking the time to come up here again after meeting with that adeptus, Xiao. This view was gorgeous, and the way the wind was gentle through his hair and on his figure, made him relax in the same way he did after a days full of hard work.

He kept staring, in a daze as he forgot about his commission despite having the cool plate still in hand and the sweet smelling dessert fill the air around him. It wasn't until there was a soft scoff behind him that made him come to his senses. He turned around and his gaze was immediately brought up to the figure who sat, leg dangling off the roof with his cheek resting on his palm staring at Aether with uninterest. Aether stared in a trance, the way the males dark hair contrasted from the yellow leaves of the ginkgo tree behind him reminded him of the night after the sun set.

"It's you." He spoke first, and in the blink of an eye he was standing next to Aether, arms crossed as he stared. "What did I tell you the last time? Too much contact with our world is breaking the rules. Mortal souls are not as robust as those of adepti, nor-"

"Nor can your blood carry this level of adeptal energy." Aether finished the others sentence suddenly remember what Verr referenced earlier, remembering exactly how their first meeting went. Xiao's eyebrow twitched a bit as he kept his arms crossed. "Then you know exactly what I'm about to tell you next. Leave." Xiao lifted a hand, motioning towards the way Aether came.

"I won't ask again." Xiao was about to turn around before Aether moved to step closer. "When boss lady told me I was to deliver this almond tofu, I would've never expected it to end up being you again." The adeptus went quiet for a moment.

"That lady," He muttered under his breath, eyes closed and brows furrowed. He glanced back towards Aether, then to the plate he held. "I don't have any need for your offerings, traveler." He dismissively waved his hand again and this only made the blond step closer.

"Then consider this a gift."

"Isn't that basically the same thing?" Xiao raised a brow, not understanding where the other was going with this.

"Oh-well, not really, uhh," Aether closed his eyes and tilted his head back slightly, as if lost in thought. "Ah! Then, consider this just a job of mine. My job to deliver this freshly made almond tofu." Xiao scoffed again and the breeze picked up a bit as he looked out towards the body of water. After a moment of silence and Aethers staring, he sighed.

"Just leave it and then go." Xiao told him before turning around, no longer bothering to look in the others general direction. Ah, right, Verr had also told Aether to do the same. Leave it by the stone statue of the rock formation and leave. He ended up getting lost in the scenery he forgot those directions.

"Right." Deciding not to pry, he placed the plate carefully down next to Xiao, keeping his softened tone since he knew the male didn't like loud noises or voices. "I'm still new to making almond tofu, so I really hope it didn't come out badly." Aether took one more glance at Xiao before leaving the way he came, heading down the stairs back to the main floor.

Xiao stood there for a few moments before taking a small look back towards the doorway, then to the plate. He clicked his tongue and took the plate in hand before going back to his secret spot on top of the roof. The adepti thought it was foolish, how often he was given such offerings. He didn't need a thanks, he was just doing his duty of this land.

Regardless, and hesitantly so, he ate the almond tofu. Instead of the usual bland taste he had tasted in the past and gotten used to without even bothering to clean his plate, there was a striking sweet taste that lingered on his tongue. Why did this dessert taste so much different than the ones he's been offered in the past?

Ah, right. He did say he made it himself. Smiley must've allowed him in the kitchen. After a few moments, Xiao blankly stared down at the unusual sight of an empty plate before placing it in the usual spot at the first stair of the staircase for someone else to take back to be cleaned. Even after, that sweet taste never left his mouth.

--

A few weeks had passed since then, and Aether was continuing to do his work and commissions everyday like usual. Fighting hilichurl camps, gathering the most random things for anyone that asked, he did it all. He was exhausted running back and forth between Mondstadt and Liyue the past couple weeks for all the commissions he was assigned to. While he loved the Adventures' Guild and Katheryne along with the citizens of both nations, he really wished they would just keep his requests around the same area.

He sighed heavily as his slightly beaten up body treaded the long walk up the stairs to Wangshu Inn, shoulders slumped as he was absolutely beat from running around and fighting all day. There was no way he was going to suffer with sleeping in a tent tonight after all that work. Not only did he unfortunately have all difficult commissions, he kept running into random people who needed his help. Lynn, Pallad and others. How did they always manage to bump into him anyways? Especially Pallad. That guy always getting in trouble and having Aether the same lame excuse of 'I never would have thought monsters would be here'. Honestly, what is the guy, blind?

Another heavy sigh followed and this seemed to grab the attention of Verr at the desk, who gave him an apologetic smile. "You look... troubled, traveler. And not in the best shape." She pointed out the obvious and if Aether had it in him to smile and crack a joke, he would, but for now he was too exhausted.

"Today was the worst, boss lady." Aether sighed for what seemed like the hundredth time since he arrived at Wangshu Inn. Verr didn't even bother to correct him this time with the name. Aether walked towards the desk and planted his cheek against the surface of the cold wood, hand lazily reaching to stroke through the fur of Wei. "Must be nice, being a spoiled cat, huh, Wei?" He ruffled the cats dark fur and only received a 'mew' in return.

"Tell me about it." He groaned, pretending to hold a conversation with the feline he's come to love. After a moment Aether raised his head and looked towards the taller lady. "Actually, I came to rent a room for the night. A nice warm bed is what I need right now." Aether said and reached for his coin pouch before he saw Verr shake her head from the corner of his eye.

"Ah, are the rooms all sold out?" Aether frowned, half expecting this outcome.

"No, that's not it. Actually, do you recall the last time you were here?" She suddenly brought up and Aether thought back for a few moments.

"Err... A few weeks ago, right? I ended up making almond tofu." Aether pointed out and tilted his head. "What does that have to do with anything?"

"Well, actually, after hours when I went to go collect the plate like usual, it was cleaned." She spoke out, her index finger pointed up as if she came to a mind-blowing discovery. "Not a piece of dessert was left." She crossed her arms.

"O-kay, and?" Aether tilted his head. "What does a empty plate have to do with me paying for a room?" He was genuinely confused on why Verr was bringing this up now.

"You see, that adeptus had never once completely finished the almond tofu Smiley makes and timidly leaves up there for him. It's either a full plate or barely half empty." He smiled at Aether. "This was the first time he's completely finished his meal, and it was you who cooked for him, correct?"

Aether blinked, still not catching on. Then she began again, "After your visit, things around here have been so lively. We've gotten more customers around as of late as well. Maybe it's all just the timing, but I believe your almond tofu really set that adeptus in a good mood."

His almond tofu made Xiao happy? The last time he saw the adeptus was weeks ago and even then he was eager to get Aether out of his hair. "I think you're just imagining things, Wangshu Inn has always been popular. And even if he was in a good mood, how would that change things around here?" Aether let out a yawn and pulled out his coin pouch after the first failed attempt.

"How much for one night?"

"It's free."

Huh? Aether immediately looked up at Verr. "You may not see it how I do, but I truly believe you've done something. So let me repay you with this, it's the least I can do."

Aether wanted to reject the offer, not the most comfortable with taking such handouts, but decided against it after seeing how happy she seemed to be. He gave a smile and nodded, putting his coin pouch back. He'll save the mora for another time then.

"Alright, I'll take you up on that offer. Thank you, boss lady." He then turned his attention back to Wei, scratching behind the cats ear. "And I hope you've been good too so she stays in a good mood." He teased the cat, still only receiving a purr in return. Aether chuckled and glanced at Verr who handed him a key. "Near the top. Barely anyone takes those rooms so it'll be the most quiet place to get some rest."

Aether nodded and thanked her before tiredly dragging himself up more stairs to his room. Today has been incredibly exhausting, all he wanted to do was throw himself in bed and sleep until tomorrow. He was about to unlock his door with the matching number to the key before his gaze drifted towards the open doorway to the balcony. The last time he was there, he felt to relaxed and energized.

He slid the key into his pocket before leaving the door he was standing in front of, walking out towards the balcony. He doubt Xiao would be there, he never was. Aether stepped out to the same spot he was a few weeks prior, staring out towards the darkened lands and water that was illuminated by the moonlight high in the sky. He closed his eyes and leaned forward against the railing, breathing in softly as the fresh air filled his lungs.

The same feeling rising inside of him again, and he instantly felt relaxed. He looked up and stared at the countless stars in the sky, making the pitch black glitter a youthful glow. He smiled and reached his hand out slightly, as if trying to catch the scattered stars. He brought his hand back down and stared at an empty gloved palm, not saying a word.

He then looked all around, to his left, right, then up towards the roof and beautiful leaves of the ginkgo tree. Xiao didn't seem to be in sight, or hiding anywhere. Aether had expected as much, it seems he was all alone on the balcony tonight. He didn't mind, the quiet soft breeze ruffling his blond hair was almost therapeutic. He closed his eyes and lowered his head slightly as he leaned over the railing, resting his head on crossed arms, staring at nothing in particular. A rare night where he didn't have anyone around. Not Paimon, or his friends, or even the mysterious adeptus who usually resided around here.

Aether let another sigh slip from his lips before he reached, brushing messy bangs back, eyes returning to the stars in the sky. After another silent moment, Aether began to softly hum to himself since he was alone. He closed his eyes and continued the soft muffled hums behind a smile, remembering the tune he always found himself singing when he was alone and feeling upset in a way. The song was a beautiful one, and it filled Aether with warmth to which he can't explain.

While he was lost in thought, humming becoming louder since he figured he was alone and wouldn't bother anyone with his mindless song. Though there was a sudden strong breeze that halted his singing as his hair messily faltered in the strong wind, reaching up to quickly brush the hair away from his face he heard a loud stomp as if something fell. He immediately turned around and after the sudden gust of wind died down, he managed to tuck his messy hair behind his ears.

What he wasn't expecting was a lone figure filling his vision, those similar colors all to familiar to him. Xiao had suddenly appeared out of nowhere and was now staring at Aether.

Though there was something off. Instead of Xiao's usual sharp remarks of telling Aether to leave and lecturing him about adepti energy, he was silent. Silent, and staring at Aether with the most bewildering look, as if he was staring at a dying animal. He looked sad, an expression Aether couldn't understand on a person like Xiao. Why was the adepti looking at him with such sad comfort in his eyes?

After what seemed like forever, the silence was finally broke when Xiao decided to speak up, that expression never leaving his face.

"Where..." He began, never taking a step closer as his voice was barely above a whisper as he stared at the shocked and confused Aether with his own emotions to match.

"Where did you hear that song?"

The song that saved him all those years ago, a song he's never once heard again since then but also a song he could never forget. Xiao was for the first time, at a loss for words. Aether didn't know how to respond so Xiao repeated, this time slightly louder.

"I asked you where you heard that song, traveler." He took a step closer, his mask dangling at his hip with each movement. Aether took a small step back against the rail as the breeze from earlier seemed to return, his loosened braid swaying slightly in the wind.

"I-" He didn't know how to process the situation, considering one second he was alone, and the next Xiao was staring at him with such strong emotion he didn't understand.

"It's just a random song I came up with." He responded, quietly since he wasn't sure how he should answer. "I sing it when..." Aether trailed off, not really wanting to admit he sang in moments of vulnerability. Something personal Aether had always done, sing his sorrows and worries away, even before this world he would sing in moments of need.

"Impossible." Xiao raised his voice suddenly and this made Aether tense up. "There's no way a mere mortal would know of such a song. Unless you met him."

"Him?" Aether asked and Xiao stepped closer again, the air around them almost choking Aether.

"The Anemo Archon must've--"

"Venti?" Aether was extremely confused now.

"Barbatos," Xiao spoke, as if having a one-sided conversation with Aether. "Did he teach you this song?" Aether furrowed his brows and stared forward at the intense gaze the adeptus prisoned him in.

"No, no one taught me anything. It's just a song I've always sung when I'm feeling down. Even before I came to Teyvat, I've always sung the same song." He finally gave a straight answer, now concern covering his face.

"Xiao, are you okay?" He was reluctant to ask, wondering why Xiao would act out in such a way to something so small like a simple song. What did Venti have to do with anything?

There was no answer. Silence surrounded them again before Xiao turned away. "Ridiculous. I have no time for this." He scoffed before waving his hand, never once turning back to face Aether again.

"Have it your way." Was all he said before with another harsh breeze, disappeared. Aether, again, fixed his hair and looked all the way around but didn't see Xiao anywhere. He furrowed his brows and slowly turned to face the scenery once again, something heavy settling in his heart at the interaction between them he just witnessed. He brushed fingers through messy hair from the wind before giving up and just taking his tangled braid out, holding the hair tie in his hand tightly as he stared forward, the breeze now softer than a bit ago as it blew blond tresses gently.

"Xiao..." Aether trailed off. Why did he look so hurt, confused and distraught, yet oddly comforted? The song Aether sung since way before he came to this world, what ties did Xiao have to it? Let alone Venti. He looked up again at the stars, feeling worse than when he first came. There was such a heavy silence. Aether took a deep breath and placed his hand against his chest before letting it out.

His song did make Xiao sad, but it was also almost as if it brought up memories of comfort as well for the adeptus. Reluctant at first, he couldn't get the heavy feeling stuck clawing at his heart to leave. So he began to sing again, this time making his voice a lot softer and slowing the pace at which he did so. Instead of the harsh breeze he was caught off-guard with in he beginning, he was met with gentle wind currents against him.

Something inside him told him it was okay to keep going, so he did. He turned and slowly sat down against the railing, head laid back against the wood. His voice was softly carried off in the wind, though little did he know of Xiao sitting atop the roof hidden from sight, silently listening to his golden voice that left the adeptus with a gaze that kept faltering with every word Aether sang.

A song that will forever carry through the wind. A song that used to be nothing but a soft tune of a flute, was now being carried by words full of Aethers troubles and hardships. Words full of raw emotion and pure life.

A song that no longer had to rely on the wind to be carried forth. A song that no longer was lost in the back of Xiao's mind.

A song, he finally, after so long wished to hear again, no longer was lost.

A song found by Aether.

"I found it." Xiao silently spoke to himself, crossing his arms as he stood hidden, listening to Aethers soft voice in the dead of night.

𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘦.