Work Text:
Dear Lumine,
A green-clothed bard came by Wangshu Inn the other day. He was accompanied by Master Morax, who is supposedly now going by the name of Zhongli. He is infuriatingly loud, like Hutao of the funeral parlor. But he has taught me how to write, which I, at first, did not care to do. However, the people of Wangshu Inn were pushing me to do it, so I was left with no choice. They urged me to write a poem, but I thought that a poem would not suffice to say the things I wanted to tell you, so have this letter, is what they called it, instead.
The first person I thought to write something to was you. We've seen each other at the recent Liyue event, but it was far too brief. We haven't had the chance to talk to each other, not with that chef woman and Paimon around. It's not as though I have anything to talk about, but I'm certain you do, right? I have heard from the townsfolk and some of your friends that you've gone to Inazuma, that you've fought its overseer, and that you've become a general. I admire your bravery, it's one of the things that I find interesting about you.
At night, I gaze upon the stars and they remind me of you. I feel...at ease, seeing them. It is like you're there, and the effects of these karmic binds seem to lessen. Has anyone told you that you are something akin to starlight? Maybe it's your hair or your clothing. Or maybe it is your smile? Wait, forget I wrote that. The bard did not tell me how to rid letters of their ink. I must consult the others in my next letter.
I do not want to write any longer, it is a bit tiring, for a newly taught. I am sure that you'll be going around a lot of places from here on out, and your need to call on my name for help will grow smaller and smaller over time, but needless to say that whenever it will be, be it a few months to a few years, I will always heed your call. I am your friend, you said that, but my feelings for you are not something that you mortals will ever understand. I had asked Verr Godet and Master Zhongli about what I should call this, but they replied with eager smiles and teasing words that I cannot comprehend. Therefore, I'd like to ask you about it sometime, whenever you visit.
I'll be here, for you, always.
Xiao