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She was a free spirit, Beidou; the captain of the seas, the one that slayed the ocean's biggest threat, the one that split the mighty Haishan in two. She was bound to the waters, bound to the waves that crashed against the hull of her boat on her expeditions to trade with neighbouring nations. Rarely would she be seen on land, most often just docking to replenish her supplies before she went off on another adventure with her crew again. She lived for the way the smell of the sea surrounded her, how the wind blew through her hair as she stood upon the deck of her ship and looked out onto the vast expanse of what she called her home. Nothing came in between her and the sea, she couldn't go more than a week without feeling the cool breeze of the open ocean.
Because that was where she truly belonged.
So, it was a mystery how the Captain of the Crux Fleet had managed to get herself so attached to something so earthly.
Maybe Beidou found appeal in the way the Tianquan represented a simple koi fish. Colours that drew your eye, blending into each other so smoothly, really a blessing to one's sight. Maybe she seemed like a koi fish in the way she had swum upstream, against her problems as a struggling merchant, only now to perch upon her palace as she gazed out onto of the city of Liyue. Her city of Liyue.
Maybe what drew Beidou in was the way they perfectly opposed each other; Beidou, the captain of the seas, so rowdy and loud, never on time and known for her bubbly personality. She was truly a pirate at heart.
Whereas, Ningguang, the leader of the skies, so elegant and prestigious, merchants didn't dare look her way in fear of offending her.
They clashed like the waves of the sea and yet still, they seemed to work so well together, almost like they were meant for each other's company.
It was almost like they represented the sea and sky and everything that came in between.
With the sea being her home, Beidou still couldn't help but feel slightly safe in the arms of the Tianquan, dozing off to sleep as Ningguang went on about the different tales being spread by the Liyuean children.
Ningguang's arms felt oddly secure, almost like she was standing on land and yet still, they couldn't feel more like home to her. Maybe it was the perfume Ningguang wore, maybe the slight sweetness that contrasted to the saltiness that really reminded her of the sea. In times like this, Beidou had learned not to complain about not being out in the open because she had realised no matter what, Ningguang was always going to be there for her, set like the stone she manipulated.
-----
The doors burst open, a prideful grin plastered across Beidou's face as she stood in the doorway to the Tianquan's office.
"Did ya' miss me?"
The room was spacious, a desk situated at the very back with papers stacked on top of it, a board filled with different documents and maps and the edges of the room were lined with intricate gold patterns.
Beidou stepped forward, her heart nearly bursting as Ningguang looked up, a nice, soft smile on her face. The captain melted, returning her own smile of appreciation as she sighed, walking over to the woman's side.
"I suppose your company isn't out of taste," Ningguang chuckled, spinning around in her chair so she was facing the captain.
"Look at you," Beidou rolled her eyes playfully, "So formal even when you're admitting your ever-dying love for me."
Ningguang clicked her tongue, shaking her head and laughing softly, "You sure twist my words, don't you, Captain?"
"It's the way of the pirates," Beidou hummed, placing her hand out for Ningguang to grab onto, "I thought you'd be used to it by now, Lady Tianquan."
Ningguang gracefully put her hand in the pirate's, the metal nails ever so gently scraping against the palm of Beidou's glove. She hoisted herself up, surprisingly elegantly before letting herself fall into Beidou's soft embrace.
Ningguang let out a sigh of relief, her hands wandering up to her own chest, almost as if she was containing her heart from pounding any further. She thought it might've jumped out her chest if it did.
The two stood like that for a while, Ningguang's face in the crook of her neck as Beidou planted small kisses on the white, pristine hair, whispering sweet nothings as they simply took in each other's presence.
As much as Beidou admired Ningguang's professionalism and stoical attitude, she admired more the way Ningguang cared and listened, giving herself up as her own person for the comfort of others.
Beidou breathed out, "Hey."
Ningguang hummed back, pressing herself further into Beidou's arms.
The captain chuckled softly at the gesture, tightening her embrace in response, "What would you think of."
She pressed a chaste kiss against the top of her head.
"Going out."
Another kiss.
"To the market."
Another kiss.
"Tonight."
And yet another.
"With me?"
Ningguang laughed gently, looking up at Beidou with soft eyes, "I'd love to but I'm busy, Beidou."
The captain pouted, furrowing her brow as she looked at the woman pleadingly.
"No amount of begging will change the fact that there are 2 stacks of paperwork I have to go through, currently lying on my desk."
Beidou snuck a peek, indeed confirming that there were in fact 2 massive heaps of documents neatly stacked on Ningguang's desk.
Beidou grunted in what seemed to be defeat before a small smirk crept through.
Without realising what had happened, Ningguang was now trapped between Beidou and her desk, the captain's hips pressed firmly against hers. Ningguang let out an uncharacteristic, yet so fitting, squeak of surprise, grabbing onto Beidou's collar subconsciously for support.
Beidou chuckled darkly, closing in on Ningguang as she ghosted her lips over her neck, "That hasn't stopped you before, has it, Ningguang?"
She put special emphasis on her name before pressing kisses along her throat, resulting in Ningguang's chest rising up and down as her face flushed a light pink.
"Or is it that you don't wanna be seen out with a rowdy pirate such as myself?"
She stopped, grinning against her skin.
"Wouldn't want them to suspect anything, would you?"
And with that, she bit down harshly on Ningguang's neck, clearly leaving a visible mark.
Ningguang's hands scrambled for purchase on anything, ending up with her claws digging into the captain's hair. She let out a whine, a needy one for that, angling her head up so Beidou had more access to her skin.
She knew she would regret it but it had been weeks, weeks of Beidou's round trip to Inazuma, weeks since she'd felt something from the woman. She let out a throaty sigh, composing herself as she chuckled lowly. She pushed the Captain away slightly by her shoulders.
"By the Archons, you’re right, Captain, I wouldn't be caught dead with you around," Ningguang smirked, Beidou rolling her eyes- eye?
“Sure, sure, tell yourself that, Ning'.”
“Well, then I think I will.”
“Ever so stubborn, my love.”
-----
Beidou was sprawled over some piece of furniture that could’ve, and most probably was worth millions of mora, kicking her legs on and off the floor of the Jade Chamber. Ningguang didn’t usually tolerate distractions but she supposed she could let the captain pass. She got up, walking over to where Ningguang was sitting and placed her hands on the Tianquan’s shoulders.
She pressed her thumbs in gently, rolling them and repeating that on other spots as well.
Ningguang sighed involuntarily, her writing stopping and her head tipping back slightly.
"What do you want from me, Beidou?"
"What do you mean 'what do I want!'" Beidou tried her best to sound offended, "I'm just being nice and giving you a massage."
Ningguang hummed, closing her eyes, "It's suspicious."
"You like it, just admit it."
"I can't deny it certainly pleases me."
Beidou smirked, "You know how else I can please yo-"
There was a knock on the door, 3 repeated times, equal intervals between each. To Beidou, it all seemed so formal, even the knocking. On her ship, they’d kick down the door and announce whatever they wanted before jumping off to their next duty.
Sometimes, just sometimes, Beidou felt a little out of place; like she didn’t belong and it got to her at points, nagging at her like a bad itch.
“Come in.”
Ningguang’s soft yet commanding voice broke Beidou from her wandering thoughts and she straightened herself out, still keeping a light hold of the woman’s shoulder.
In came Baishi, one of Ningguang’s secretaries; a couple of documents securely pressed against her chest.
“La- Lady Ningguang,” Baishi stuttered, her hands opening and closing as her eyes narrowed in on Beidou, a slight distaste in them.
“Yes, Baishi?” Ningguang replied, her voice monotone, rolling her eyes at the way Beidou’s hands travelled down her arms protectively.
Beidou smirked, lowering her head down so it was next to Ningguang's, hands going up and down her arms slowly, teasingly, both to the Tianquan and the secretary.
Baishi swallowed, her words getting caught up in her throat as her eyes followed the movement of the gloved hands.
“Baishi.”
Ningguang reminded her, her voice ever so still.
The secretary almost squealed, stepping forward and bowing down, “Lady Ningguang, Lady Keqing requested me to give you these papers.”
She extended the stack in front of her, her eyes still glued to the floor.
“Very well, leave them on my desk,” Ningguang said.
“Ye- Yes, ma’am!”
Placing them neatly on the table, she scuttered out the room, muttering curses under her breath at the way Beidou blew her a kiss as she looked up.
The door shut in front of them and Beidou let out a chuckle. Suddenly, the happy face broke as Ningguang waved her away in annoyance.
“Oi! What was that for?” the captain asked, frowning.
“You’re so insistent on proving yourself, aren’t you?” Ningguang scoffed.
Beidou huffed, crossing her arms and standing up straight, “I need her to know what’s mine.”
“She doesn’t need to know, no one needs to know,” Ningguang muttered, flipping over a page.
“I don’t get why you’re so adamant on keeping us a secret, it wouldn’t hurt to let your suitors know they’re all trash and they suck,” Beidou flashed a grin, flexing her arm.
“It’s not about that, Beidou, my reputation would be at stake and-”
“Oh wow,” Beidou drawled out, “Is the big powerful Tianquan not allowed to love a woman? What a shame really, isn’t it?”
Her tone was sarcastic for the most part but Ningguang knew too well it was laced with slight hurt as well.
She didn’t intend on harming Beidou, she wouldn’t ever hurt her on purpose, she just hadn’t figured it out yet. She loved Beidou with all of her heart, she really did but at some points, she realised her job might be more important than her personal matters.
“Beidou,” Ningguang warned her, clearly not wanting to press onto the topic too much.
“Fine,” the captain muttered, “Have it your way.”
In reality, Beidou couldn’t find the will to leave so she simply threw herself onto the million-mora piece of furniture again, revelling in the way it felt soft against her skin, imagining it might’ve been Ningguang instead.
-----
Beidou had gone off on another trading round, around Fontaine this time. Ningguang had requested for some artifacts from travelling merchants around the City of Justice and so of course, Beidou had obliged, setting sail for the next 2 weeks.
If Ningguang were to be honest, she didn’t find the idea of sending Beidou so far away from her, appealing but anything to keep her palace afloat, she’d do it.
The ship finally docked, cheers and laughs coming from the deck. Slowly but surely, each crew member made their way off of the ship, greeting whatever family members were waiting for them outside.
Ningguang felt out of place, like she didn't belong. Even as Liyue's richest person and more importantly, the Tianquan, she couldn't help but feel strange and odd in the place she was meant to protect.
Her thoughts seemed to melt away once she heard that signature laugh, so filled with happiness and pride that it made Ningguang's heart swell. Without realising it, Beidou was now standing next to the Tianquan, leaning against a couple of crates with a charming grin on her face.
"You missed me so much you just had to come see us dock, didn't you, Lady Tianquan?"
Ningguang couldn't help but smile a bit, "I'm merely here to ensure the safety of our beloved Crux Fleet."
"You sure it's not just for me?" Beidou teased, winking at her.
Ningguang cocked an eyebrow, sending her a warning look. Suddenly, she was awfully aware of the small stares and whispers coming from around them, clearly amused at their relationship.
"I am positive," Ningguang said.
"Aw, come on, you know you love me really," Beidou chuckled, wiggling her eyebrows at her and laughing heartily.
A few more heads turned around, eyes glued onto the pair and it made Ningguang tense.
It made her- What did it make her? She felt so- felt so unsure of herself suddenly. What were these stares? Was it just Beidou? Wa- Was Beidou the problem here?
What if word got out about the two of them? What would happen?
Everything felt so overwhelming. What if they found out about her and Beidou?
Wouldn't that create a point of weakness for the Tianquan? A potential lover they could take advantage of her for?
Beidou cupped her face, a loopy smirk struck her face, "What's on your mind, Ning'? Too awe struck by- Fuck!"
The captain stumbled back a step, rubbing her cheek as she frowned. She looked up at Ningguang, confusion and pain written all over her face as even more faces turned towards them.
"What the fuck?" the pirate hissed.
Ningguang looked down towards her hand, a lingering stinging sensation settling on her palm. From the way Beidou's cheek was bright red, it must've been a hard slap.
Ningguang frowned to herself, overcome with surprise.
She turned around on her heel before walking away, not even muttering a word of response.
Beidou's touch on her cheeks stuck and guilt built up in her chest but she didn't have the guts to form an apology.
Her mood had changed so quickly the moment Beidou laid her hands on her, almost like a switch.
She waved her thoughts away, the thought of their relationship, the thought of leaving a humiliated Beidou in front of a crowd of gossiping people, the thought of just Beidou.
-----
Ningguang's mind was blank, simply staring down at the messy jumble of words that lined the papers in front of her. Her palms were sweating and she had to start consciously breathing, too afraid of forgetting such a simple task.
"What the fuck, Ning'?"
The door had burst open, Beidou standing there with a deep frown on her face.
Ningguang's gaze shifted up, her heart dropping as everything settled in for her.
"I asked you a question."
Ningguang snapped out of her haze, blinking as she locked eyes with Beidou.
"Are you going to answer me or what?"
Beidou's voice was sharp, almost barking at her. Ningguang felt overwhelmed, never had Beidou spoken to her in such a tone before.
"Listen up here," Beidou growled, walking over to Ningguang's desk and slamming her fist down on it.
Ningguang inhaled, slightly startled as she jumped in her skin, her lips parted as if she wanted to speak but no words came out.
"I don't know what's going on with you , or us for that fucking matter but whatever it is, Ning', sort it out. I'm sick of it."
Ningguang tried to compose herself, pulling back the shake in her voice as she linked her fingers together, "I've told you before, Beidou."
"Told me before?" Beidou sounded almost livid, her eyes widening as she gaped at her, "You can't fucking slap me, Ning'! What's gone into you? You've been- you've been so strange recently and you won't talk to me about it? What is this about?"
Ningguang swallowed, "I- I," she stopped herself, too afraid the crack in her voice would give away her vulnerability, "I don't believe that the Tianquan's personal affairs should be disclosed publicly."
Beidou let out an exasperated sigh, "Is this about keeping us a fucking secret?"
"Well, by 'us' you mean-"
"You wanna know what I think, Ningguang?" Beidou spat, leaning over the desk and pointing at the woman.
"Enlighten me."
"I'm sick of it-"
"You told me you were fine with it, it was part of a contract, Beidou-"
"And here I was thinking you actually loved me," Beidou facepalmed dramatically, "I guess I was too fucking naive, huh?"
That got on the wrong nerve for Ningguang.
She stood up, her hands supporting her as she put them down on the table.
"Don't you dare-" her voice had risen in volume, tone strict, "Don't you dare question my feelings about you, Beidou. That wasn't even in the question. This is a matter of my role of Tianquan, you know that-"
"Am I not allowed to question your feelings when all you do is push me away and slap me in front of your own fucking people?"
"That was your fault! You know my boundaries when we're in public!"
"I touched your cheek, you literally put the effort into coming down to see us dock!"
"Well, maybe I fucking missed you. Am I not allowed to see my partner come home?"
"Sure doesn't feel like it!" Beidou half-laughed, her eyes clouded over with something Ningguang didn't recognise, "It feels like you don't even care anymore," she slowed down, "Like- like I don't even matter."
"Don't say that, Beidou, you know what you're saying is delusional," Ningguang scoffed, internally slapping herself for sounding so insincere.
Beidou stood still for a while, worry building up in Ningguang's chest.
The captain shuffled in her stance, looking down at the desk.
"Maybe we just won't work."
It was a quiet whisper, barely audible but it slapped Ningguang in the face like it had been screamed at her. Her breath caught in her throat and her mouth went dry.
"What do you mean?"
"Maybe a relationship was just never something we were meant to."
A pause.
"At least, not with each other."
Ningguang couldn't help the tremble in her voice, "You want to break up?"
A sigh, "I guess."
Ningguang shook her head, "That's an absurd idea, you're joking, Beidou."
"I'm not-"
"Tell me you're joking, Beidou."
It was like she was trying to convince someone; Beidou? Herself?
"Ningguang-"
"No, no," she let out a shaky laugh, shaking her head, "Call me, Ning', love, and tell me you're joking."
"Ningguang, I'm being serious."
So overcome with emotion, tears welled up in her eyes, threatening to spill over her pale cheeks any moment, "Beid- Beidou you can't be serious," her laugh covered up her sobs, "We can't break up, that's ridiculous."
Beidou stepped forward, remorse in her eyes as she put her hand over Ningguang's, "It's for the best, Ning'. I don't think either of us were happy-"
"I was happy! I was content with our relationship, I thought you felt the same!" she sobbed, her hand trembling underneath Beidou's.
"I was, Ning', but you know me," Beidou's tone had gone completely soft, almost reassuring, "I'm a woman of few laws, I rule the sea. That's where I belong. It's almost funny," she chuckled lightly, "Funny how much we oppose each other and yet we were so perfect. The sea and the sky are truly beautiful things, Ning', but the thing that separates them is the horizon, never touching each other."
When had Beidou become so philosophical? It amazed Ningguang as much as it irritated her.
It irritated her because it made sense.
"Get out."
Beidou swallowed, retracting her hand and nodding understandingly, "I love you, Ning."
" Get out ."
A part of Ningguang wished Beidou had stayed, had protested and had claimed Ningguang as hers. But another part of her knew she couldn't get everything she wanted; Beidou couldn't read minds. And Beidou couldn't be bought with mora.
So, she drowned herself in her work, completely shutting herself off to the outside work. She barely ever stepped outside, she rarely went home and opted to stay at the palace in hope of distracting her mind from the everlasting pain that kept getting heavier and denser as each day moved on.
That argument never left her mind, nagging at her like it wanted her to go back in time and change it.
It- It almost felt like a mistake.
A mistake letting Beidou slip out of her grasp, her life, so easily.
It wasn't a surprise Beidou hadn't returned for anything business-related as well; the most Ningguang had heard of her were the new tales going around about Teyvat's strongest pirate.
Most of them didn't interest Ningguang, only reminded her of the times Beidou would excitedly barge in, half drunkenly babbling on about some adventure her and her crew had gone on in the past week.
However, one of them made her blood boil, it just hit that one nerve. It was a tale of the Captain of the Crux Fleet, falling so deeply in love with a mermaid that the pirate had abandoned her ship to go live with the creature.
Ningguang knew it was irrational, it was simply ridiculous to be so mad over a simple children's tale but that didn't help the crying she'd done, imagining it was her instead of the mermaid being talked about.
She has truly never been so low in her entire life, clawing out every part of her to find some sort of relief for the pain that engulfed her each and every day.
-----
"Look at the state of you, never did I think the Tianquan could let go of herself this much," Beidou hummed, a trace of sorrow in her voice.
The pirate had slipped in through the door of the office, intending on sorting out a specific trade deal with Inazuman officials. What she was met with tore her heart in two, her face dropping as she quietly walked over to the woman, looking over her sleeping body with slight remorse.
Beidou had never stopped loving Ningguang, she knew that and she had accepted that fact. However, she had also accepted what was best for the both of them, almost forcing herself to forget about them for just a second.
Ningguang’s head was resting against the top of her table, her arms supporting her. She looked almost elegant, her white pristine hair flowing over her arms and onto the table. Her breathing was even and her eyes occasionally fluttered, never fully awakening.
Ningguang awoke with a light gasp, blinking as her head shot up in almost a panic. She looked around the room, adjusting to her surroundings before her gaze fell onto the face of a pirate.
Her face softened before everything came back to her, straightening out and collecting herself as she cleared her throat.
“Captain Beidou,” the title sounded so odd to say, just too formal for the both of them, “I apologise for you seeing me in this state, I did not intend on visitors.”
A part of her wanted to sob, wanted Beidou to be here so they could resolve whatever had happened, wanted Beidou to come back to her, come back with open arms.
But she knew that wouldn’t happen.
Beidou couldn’t read minds.
The captain chuckled, shaking her head and smiling reassuringly, “It’s alright, I suppose I shouldn’t have barged in like this.”
Ningguang had expected a lewd or inappropriate comment about how Beidou had seen her in a much worse state but it never came, instead, it was all prim and proper and for once in her life, Ningguang hated it.
“Wh- What do you wish to discuss?”
“Ah,” Beidou shifted in her seat, “Me and my crew are going on a trip to Inazuma. I would just like to know the business deals between Liyuean and Inazuman merchants.”
Ningguang frowned, “Inazuma is incredibly dangerous, Bei- Captain Beidou, are you sure you can keep yourself safe?”
Beidou laughed softly, nodding, “Of course, I know all about the conditions in Inazuma right now, after all, I did drop the traveller off for their own mission.”
“Oh, I see,” Ningguang muttered, her head still slightly cloudy with sleep, “Liyue and Inazuma are on neutral terms at the moment. Although they have no reason to arrest you, they do not favour foreigners, do as you wish as long as it is not too scandalous.”
Beidou beamed, “That’s all I needed to know.”
She hesitated for a moment, “Thanks, Ning’.”
Before the Tianquan could reply, Beidou had slipped out the door, leaving Ningguang to ponder with her own thoughts.
-----
“Ganyu?” Ningguang called softly, almost hoping the secretary wouldn’t respond.
“Yes?”
Ningguang braced herself, looking down at her desk, “Do you think you could arrange for Beidou to come up for a meeting with me?”
Ganyu paused, fully aware of the situation from the pirate’s drunken ramblings about it.
“How come?”
“I want to discuss her trip to Inazuma.”
“You’ve already discussed that, Captain Beidou told me herself,” Ganyu pointed out.
God damnit .
“I’m aware-”
“This isn’t healthy for you, Lady Ningguang,” Ganyu said, her voice almost as soft as Beidou’s.
“You’re my secretary, not my advisor, do as you’re told-”
“I believe advisor came with the job as secretary, no?”
Ganyu was never one to argue back with Ningguang unless the qilin knew she was genuinely right. Ningguang knew that. It annoyed her. Greatly.
“I don’t need your advice, Ganyu.”
Ganyu sighed, “She’s already left for Inazuma, Lady Ningguang, there is no point.”
Ningguang’s stomach sank.
“Oh,” she muttered out quietly, her hands growing restless, “You could’ve started with that.”
“I apologise, Lady Ningguang.”
The Tianquan let out a sigh, shaking her head as if she was ridding herself of any thoughts.
-----
The skies of Liyue had never seemed duller, always grey and unappealing to the eyes of Tianquan. She began to wonder if it was her depressing presence that was polluting the beautiful skies of her city.
Days turned to weeks and weeks led to months. Months of small random merchant ships docking at the harbour like it was any other day. Ningguang kept an eye out for the harbour at all times, sometimes not taking her gaze off of it for hours, wondering, hoping, wishing.
She wished, she wished this particular ship would dock, a ship so full of life and joy that it brightened up everything around the harbour. This ship was grand, holding many crew members along with many special pieces of Teyvat.
One of the most important things it held was its captain.
The Captain of the Crux Fleet, Beidou.
She longed for a day where skies cleared up and the sun shone through, perfectly highlighting the beauty of a ship as it came in slowly to dock at the harbour, loud cheers and laughs coming from its deck.
That day never came.
The day of Beidou’s return never came.
Ningguang rarely worried. Truly, she didn’t. But at the same time, there was the occasional moment, the occasional moment of doubt that coursed through her, unrelenting as it festered in her mind.
She shook it off, of course, she had much more important things to tend to than her instincts, no matter how strong they got.
But this time, they truly overwhelmed her. It was all she could think about. This little voice in her head, constantly repeating the same thought over and over and over again until she was ready to rip her hair out right on the spot, anything in an attempt to get it to shut up. The voice was her own of course, maybe she’d gone mad, maybe she’d gone insane from the lack of attention, from the lack of self-care, from the lack of Beidou. Maybe Beidou was keeping her alive, maybe she was and she simply didn’t know, maybe letting Beidou go was the biggest mistake of her life.
That wasn’t a maybe, that was the biggest mistake of her life. Letting Beidou go like that, it didn’t even seem like she had protested but now it had been well over a year since the break-up and months since Beidou had last been seen on Liyuean grounds and the little voice in Ningguang’s head couldn’t help but get louder and louder as the concern in her chest grew.
What- What had happened to Beidou?
Until a small letter arrived at her desk, a purple stamp on it with the sign of the Inazuman authorities.
Dear Tianquan,
Due to the laws and regulations passed by the Raiden Shogun, Baal, a vision hunt decree has been issued. As the most powerful figure of Liyue, we at the Tri-Commission assumed you were aware of this.
This letter is very out of place for us to write as we do not inform deceased one’s nations regarding their deaths, however, in this circumstance, we have decided to be civil.
Beidou, Captain of the Crux Fleet was captured as part of the vision hunt decree. As many are aware, she possesses a vision, an electro vision. We would be awfully sorry to let Liyue’s greatest and most beloved merchant’s life end this way and therefore we have a simple request.
In turn for Captain Beidou’s life and vision, we would like Liyue’s help in a matter that shall be detailed once this deal has been agreed upon. We are aware of the great distance between Inazuma and Liyue and therefore, we are giving you up to 6 weeks of time to give us a reply. Deny us and the Captain will be stripped of her life, agree with us and the Captain’s dignity is spared.
If you wish to ignore or deny, no further harm will be caused to your nation.
We thank you for your time in reading this letter and we hope you come to the right decision soon.
==
Ningguang’s eyes traced over the ruffled paper to the date at the top, her heart stopping as she realised.
That letter was written five months ago.
Four months too late.
The letter simply had not arrived in time.
She could’ve helped, and yet she didn’t.
And now the life of her most dearest was no longer there; simply a spirit that floated among them.
It took Ningguang another week before she dug up the letter again, frantically searching for any sign that the letter was a fake, that the letter was simply a way to get a rise out of the Tianquan. Nothing was faked, she had contacted Inazuma multiple times before and this was always the designs of their letters.
Her mind was blank, not a single thought made its way into her mind. It was as if she had used up all her energy thinking, she didn’t have any left to let her mind wander. She felt like a corpse, her mouth dry and her skin pale, sitting back in her chair as her eyes wandered over the page over and over again. At some point, the words had started to jumble, slowly seeping through the page until they were gone.
Gone.
Gone like Beidou.
Tears built up in her throat but she wasn’t willing to cry. Because crying meant accepting. And accepting meant that it had actually happened.
Beidou was dead.
And Ningguang wouldn’t accept it.
Maybe Beidou was right, the sky and the sea would never meet, never touch. The sky and the sea were meant for each other and yet still, they simply could not be.
Beidou and Ningguang simply could not be, maybe it was for the best.
Ningguang couldn’t simply get everything she wished for, especially after being so selfish as to fall for someone so deeply in love with freedom, she could never contain them to the earth she stood on fully.
She was a free spirit, Beidou; Ningguang never knew why she tried.