Chapter Text
Nilou loved dancing.
Since her first dance, she felt that this was her reason to live.
She loved it with her heart. Her parents also supported her, they were proud that their beloved daughter finally found her way.
But over time, Nilou prospect began to change with age. She began to lay too much expectations towards herself, she would like her parents to be proud. That everyone could admire her perfect dance.
But despite the big efforts, risking in this self-health, she still knew that she was not perfect.
That's when she got a hydro vision, proof that the gods chose her. Nilou felt determination to fight for her dreams to show that she could do more!
She succeeded, everyone admired her dance with a smile on their face "Nilou is wonderful!", "The girl is wasting her talent, she should travel all over Teyvat." , "I can't wait for her dance on the birthday for Lesser God Kusanali!" And this type of thing.
Finally, Nilou felt happy and fulfilled thanks to her efforts. She said that nothing would be able to bring her out of balance. Until she saw one certain boy during one of her performances.
She heard about Cyno but she never saw him for real, she only know how he looks more or less from Dehya. When their eyes met, she felt her heartbeat is getting faster, really fast, then the first time she felt butterflies in her stomach. After the Nilou's performance , she began to look for a blonde in the area of the scene but always disappeared.
But she was looking for him in the audience on every peformance, she noticed that he came once in a while and when she notices him, she feel familiar butterflies in her stomach. It's terrible what a single boy who knew her only from performances on stage did to her heart.
***
A few months have passed since Nilou has last seen a red-eyed mysterious boy. The dancer bowed before the clapping audience and went out of the stage. Dunyarzad and Deyha immediately came to her with a glass of water. "It was amazing Nilou!" She said excited. Nilou smiled at her by feeling the droplets of sweat flowing down from her forehead, Dehya gave her a glass that Nilou drank immediately. "Tell me, you saw this "mysterious man" You talked about?'
Nilou sadly scratched her cheek embarrassed. "Unfortunately, no... he didn't came today. "
"You can always tell us how he looks like, Deyha will certainly recognize him in the crowd!" Deyha shook her head. " With all due respect Lady Dunyard but if Nilou does not want to say who he is, we shouldn't force her."
"Oh you're right! Sorry Nilou ..." Dunyarzad got embarrassed by her behavior. "It's okay Dunyard. You wanted well and that counts."
Nilou felt a strange feeling in her throat, she told herself that it was probably nothing. The girls talked until Dehya and Dunyarzad had to come back to the her estate. Dunyzard's parents were too caring and strict for their daughter, but it was understandable in some way.
Nilou went outside to get some fresh air,
The Moon's light fell on her body illuminating her. The wind cooled the hot dancer's face, but scratching in her throat still did not stop. Nilou began to worry, it was a bit concerning..
Her thoughts got interrupted by a man in a black coat who was looking inside the building, it seemd he was looking for someone. He looked pissed and irritated, Nilou curiosity went to ask if everything was all right. Then their eyes met again.
He looked at Nilou with Icy gaze, the girl felt a drop of sweat running down her face, growing itching and butterflies in her stomach at the same time. General Cyno looked just like they described him. Nilou after a moment of shock spoke to him. "Is everything alright?"
Mysterious guy watched her what slightly intimidated the dancer, the boy corrected his hood and looked away. "Im Sorry, I was just angry that I didn't manage to get here on time for performance. Please, forgive me this misunderstanding." Nilou felt her cheeks blushed, his voice was wonderful, better than she imagined.
Nilou smiled and nodded her head. "Its okay. There is always a chance. This week we celebrate the birthday of the goddess Kusanali! Maybe then you can come?" Nilou watched his face. She tried to remember every detail of his appearance, she even forgot about itching in her throat who increased with every minute.
He wondered for a moment and calculated somethings. "I'll try to come. Thank you for the invitation." Nilou blushed, Did it really sounded like an invitation? Oh Archons, hopefully he did not thought that she invited him on a date or something ... they do not know each other! He started to leave in his direction, he looked at Nilou last time and then disappeared into the darkness of the night. She tried to calm down stroking her hot cheeks.
After an hour Nilou was already in her home away from everyone, she could rest from the noise,
Let's not hide it's slightly exhausting.
Nilou went to the bathroom to take a bath to wash off the sweat after her performance, she poured water into the bathtub and began to undress.
After removing the upper part of the clothes, the girl felt something in her throat again. She covered her mouth with hand while coughing. When she looked at her hand again, she was terrified by seeing the stains of blood and the petals of Padisarahs.