Chapter Text
“Surely a short stop at the trunk of this tree is alright!” Yun Jin heartily announces to the audience she doesn’t know she has. “I’ll rest my eyes and simmer in the sun’s delight.”
“You’re quite the casual poet, girl,” A uniformed man loomed towards Yun Jin. Two other men of the same attire popped out of the foliage around her.
Yun Jin jumped to her feet and summoned her polearm. She has honed her polearm skills, especially with the traveller, but she’s used to defence and buffing. Fighting several treasure hoarders alone seems less than ideal.
Regardless, she kicks up her polearm and spins, hitting two of the three men. A shield forms around her. Hopefully, her raw polearm skills and shield will support her through how long it takes to set up that move again. Her attacks are slow but these treasure hoarders are slower.
Despite her efforts, her shield dissipates as a treasure hoarder throws a pyro potion at her. Yun Jin’s dress catches fire and she's cornered immediately.
“Well? Hand over your valuables and we’ll leave you alone.” The broad man grunts. He smacks his shovel into Yun Jin’s dress, quelling the fire, but injuring her leg.
She feels horrible forfeiting the valuable artefacts the traveller gave her, but if it is to save herself, the traveller will understand.
Yun Jin pulls the small ornaments from her pocket. The tokens of the traveller's hard work will now be traded for her safety. They would be alright with this.
“I command you,” A deep voice shouts from a few feet behind the hoarders. “Ice and frost, incarnate yourselves!” A blizzard swarms inches in front of Yun Jin’s face. A human figure made of frost flashes through the swirling snow and makes quick work of the treasure hoarders.
“Feeble mortals,” A polearm splits the pyro potioneer in half. Blood pools in the bright grass. The sight sends the two remaining treasure hoarders fleeing, but the snow left on their shoulders won't melt. There is no escape from fate.
The frost figure appears behind the two and they fall to the ground limp, a thin layer of ice covers their body like a shell.
You look down at the young woman on the grass. Her eyes are wide and petrified. You forgot humans usually aren’t used to such gruesome sights. You sigh. “Are you injured, Yun Jin?”
Yun Jin regains her composure quickly. “Ah. I’m so glad you’re here, Shenhe. Thank you for saving me from those treasure hoarders.”
Her gratitude makes your face warm. You look away and disregard her thanks. “We should relocate. It’s not healthy for you to rest near a corpse. Can you walk?”
“I fear I may need assistance. My leg is injured.”
“Fear nothing,” you crouch next to Yun Jin. “I will carry you.”
You hoist Yun Jin up by the elbows of her knees and her back. The heat returns to your face. Master says Ganyu’s face becomes red from embarrassment, but there is nothing for you to be embarrassed about.
Yun Jin rests in your arms, leaning her head on your breast. Your stomach twists, causing a grimace. You’ll ask Master about it later.
“Were you travelling anywhere particular? I can carry you to your destination.”
Yun Jin twirls the tassel of your chest piece in her hand, “I wanted to see the scenery of Nantianmen, but I can return to Liyue Harbour. After all, I have found what I want to write about.”
You stare ahead silently. The tree in Nantianmen is the standard for true beauty in nature. The roots shine and reflect off of the foliage of many colours. You are sure Yun Jin’s next piece will be as beautiful as the scenery she is writing about.
“Calamity festers at the foot of Nantianmen.” Yun Jin began to sing. The notes were similar to the hum that could always be heard in Liyue. “Crafted by cranes, clouds of frost unleash and take the form of fate. Punishment reigns and quells the evil of Liyue.”
“What scenery does that describe?” You murmur, beginning the track from Nantianmen to a small ruin. You will collect herbs there. Both for medicinal use and lunch.
Yun Jin laughs, her soft breath meets your cheek. “You, of course.”
You pause without noticing. “Oh.”