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There was something amiss within the room that Beidou could not fully grasp.
As she stared at Ningguang’s back from her seat at the table, she felt the other woman was at the precipice of something. Like there's something that's bothering her but Beidou couldn't quite make a guess.
“Is everything okay?” Beidou asked, taking a sip from her teacup.
The tea tasted mildly of spice, earthy and almost oak to the taste—the way she likes it. She let out an appreciative hum as the hot liquid slid down her throat.
“Yes. Nothing's wrong,” Ningguang replied, distracted. But despite her reassurance, Beidou doubts it when she would barely look at her.
“Maybe we should leave the palace today,” Beidou suggested gently, avoiding her usual brash tone. She stood up moving closer to her near the entrance of the tea room. The orange leaves of the trees and the dark green of the bamboo shoots outside looked wonderful against the old oriental architecture. “Liyue is thriving, you know. We're nearing the festival. I'm sure they'd be glad to see their Tianquan is alright.”
“I don't—” Ningguang abruptly stopped, giving her a sideways glance.
“You don't have to act in any way,” Beidou immediately changed her words. “You don't have to be the Tianquan down there today. You can be Ningguang, friend of Beidou.”
‘Lover,’ she almost said. It was at the tip of her tongue. But she bit back the words, swallowed them whole and smiled tightly. ‘We’ll get there.’
She watched Ningguang as her face washed over with uncertainty and a tinge of uncomfortableness. She took note of it, pointedly ignoring the way the other took a long glance at the vase of glaze lilies perched on the mantle near them.
‘Soon,’ she thought bitterly.
—————
Beidou didn't understand why she still felt attached to a man that faulted her for many things. She didn't understand why such a beautiful woman such as Ningguang was caught up with someone as troublesome and careless as him.
Sure, he’s a god—an Archon—but he's loose-lipped and careless of his actions. He mills around, placing problems on her plate while she chases after him, putting out the flames he'd set all over the city of Liyue.
And maybe Beidou was, in fact, somewhat similar to the pathetic waste of a godly being—maybe she's as loose-lipped with her somewhat awful mannerisms and her habit of bringing a flask of alcohol with her—but she would never treat her like that. Not with such ungratefulness and disrespect. He's a god, yes, and they were all mere mortals; lower beings that he could crush under his foot. Nevertheless, she's still the eye of the storm—a bright star in the night sky—and she should be given treasures and a love that surmounted any other.
The type of love that could never be questioned. A love that was unburdened, soft, and sweet. A reminder, but not a responsibility. Not an obligation, the same way he became when he stepped foot in her quarters.
Yet, she chased. She went and did his bidding. All for the god; the archon. But also because he's him —her desired person.
Beidou felt nothing short of disgusted with the man. (She doesn't say much about herself, tried not to wallow in the self-pity that was given by this situation she had placed herself in.)
She waited. And waited.
The sun is setting behind the mountains surrounding Liyue, the city drinking in the last rays of the golden glow before it opened its own lights to make way for the nightly bustle. They walked through the streets in silence when they passed by a jewelry vendor.
A question was on her lips when she saw Ningguang halt, a teasing glint already in her eye, when she spotted the familiar black and amber robes of a man near the stall. The amused grin immediately fell from her lips.
“Zhongli, what are you doing?” She heard her speak.
“Ningguang,” he looked over at her with a smile. “I’m looking at jewels for Lumine.”
“Lumine?” Ningguang furrowed her eyebrows slightly.
“The traveler,” Beidou answered, smoothly. She kept her face stone cold, not even sparing a glance at the man. “I suppose you are good friends?”
“I would like to think so,” Zhongli nodded. “However, this is for a mission. If I were to buy Lumine a gift, it would most definitely not be something she couldn't use. She's an adventurer after all.”
“Thoughtful,” Beidou quipped. “I’m sure the traveler would appreciate food more than anything. Her partner seems to like it.”
Zhongli nodded in agreement, taking the bag with the jewel inside from the vendor. “You’re right. I should go buy it at once.”
“Wait, sir, you have to pay!” The vendor cried out.
Zhongli halted, blinking. “You’re right. Apologies.”
They watched him as he patted down his clothes, searching for money before realizing he had none.
“Unfortunately, I don't seem to have some on me,” he frowned as if it was a small set back. “Surely, you can let it go without exchanging Mora.”
“What?” The vendor furrowed his eyebrows in rage. “How dare you—”
“Sir, I’ll pay for it,” Ningguang stepped in with a polite smile, a handful of Mora already in her palm.
Beidou gritted her teeth. How dare he?
The vendor accepted it gracefully, apologizing profusely to Ningguang for his rudeness and greeted her a good evening.
“Thank you, Ningguang,” Zhongli smiled demurely. “I’ll make sure to tell Lumine you paid for it.”
Turning around, he swiftly made his way down the street to the marketplace.
“You shouldn't have done that,” Beidou said.
“He’s a friend. It's fine.” Ningguang began walking in the other direction.
“You’ve been paying for everything and fixing what he destroyed for too long,” Beidou argued. “If he can't figure out how to survive without depending on you, he isn't a friend at all.”
“It’s alright with me, really,” she smiled at her. She looked rather overjoyed than devastated by how dismissive he was.
It spiked Beidou’s anger more.
“I don't understand,” she said finally. They've reached the half-empty garden already, a few steps away from the platform to bring them to the Jade Palace. “He doesn't treat you well. He doesn't love you. But you're still doing his bidding like a fool. What do you gain from a man who wants nothing with your affection besides what line your pockets and the power you hold?”
Ningguang froze. She doesn't look back at Beidou, instead looking up at the palace above them.
“I love him,” she answered simply. “That’s all there is.”
She kept walking as Beidou’s heart smashed into pieces.
“And me? What of me? Am I a fool too?” She laughed coldly.
Ningguang turned and without so much of a word, smiled sadly before walking away.
‘Right,’ she laughed bitterly to herself. ‘Fools. That's what we both are.’
She took a turn and went to the direction of the marketplace. Maybe she could find someone to have a drink with.