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Water gives life, and is also capable of taking it away.
The water keeps memories in itself, carrying them in waves across the boundless lands of the entire Teivat.
Water... sea.
Ningguang loved the sea, loved to inhale the familiar smell of salt and the distant unknown that lurks behind it, the sea ... was useful to her, so much so that she could cope alone in her youth, when there was not a penny in her pocket, the sea brought her talent. Things were getting better with her silent work, and the sea helped, and Ningguang appreciated it.
She has learned to appreciate everything she has, every thing, every breath and exhale.
The sea air, the beautiful view of the waves splashing among themselves, and their alarming call.
Ningguang was afraid of the sea, not allowing herself to take too much.
Could the sea itself have given her the most... loud and extremely self-confident gift in her life?
Ningguang had to throw peaceful thoughts away into her mindset, a sonorous low voice and a laugh that she could not confuse with anything in any way brought her back to reality.
A young pirate who sets frighteningly big goals for herself.
Ningguang could have recognized her in another way – by the creak of thick boots, by the rustle of a custom-made cloak, by the thud of low heels that echoed on the small deck. If she couldn't see, she could find her anywhere.
Ningguang is not sure what helps her in this.
Red is Beidou. Sharpness, fervor, and... highlighting speech is Beidou.
Ningguang looks at her, proud, pleased, and the scarlet gaze catches fatigue. Oh, yesterday the captain set herself high goals, and Ningguang is sure that she has achieved absolutely everything to the ideal, even if the pirate is not exactly the person who strives for the highest result in all the little things.
There was a smell of salt.
"Ningguang!" Beidou exclaims, ignoring the silence and darkness that managed to sneak up on them, "I see you here every day, you're waiting for me, aren't you?
Ningguang got used to her phrases full of naive straightforwardness, and for the first time blushed with indignation. Now she is calm, looking around at a girl out of breath from adventures, whose hair is disheveled, which is funny, she does not hold back a perky laugh, "You smile! It's so beautiful!"
Beidou rejoices at her smile, weak, but sincere and at ease. How tired she gets at social gatherings, what a future she has! The pirate is sad at the thought that meetings are becoming less frequent – the paths will diverge, little by little.
"As always charming, Captain Beidou." Ningguang feels a rush of wind behind her back and involuntarily winces, it has become cold, the night bites at the areas of exposed skin. New dresses paint her, Beidou rushes to the rescue, as if protecting her from an attack, throws her cloak over her shoulders, without noticing how deftly she jumps ashore.
"You would call it tactlessness," she chuckles with a grin, as always pleased with herself, her robe fits perfectly on her pale shoulders, Beidou is in no hurry to remove her palms from there, "I should apologize."
"But you won't," Ningguang accepts the help, feeling the dense fabric with her fingertips, "And there's no need."
The gaze rises to the black fabric that covers the girl's eye.
"Beidou."
"I killed it with one blow!" the pirate rejoices, forgetting about the ship, that it is easier to disassemble and buy a new one than to repair, "I told you, I told you." Beidou does not feel pain where her eye was, joy and pride suppresses it better than any medicine. "The Southern Cross will gain the glory of the greatest."
"Beidou." Ningguang listens, she tries, and does not see that the pirate regrets the loss.
"Captain. Beidou." jokingly corrects, looking into eyes full of concern. "Don't worry, Heaven Willing," she teases, showing the purple light on the waistband of his trousers, "I still have two eyes."
Ningguang doesn't understand at first, then snorts, still appreciating the wit.
"Captain Beidou." – teases in response, looking into the distance of the glass sea. How she wants to touch her face, hold it higher and dare to look. She restrains her impulse with a strangled click of her tongue, "I would be honored to be the first to hear about your battle."
"Ningguan!" the pirate gasped, covering herself with her hand, "I have been silent for you for three days," honest as always, she gives her palm covered with a leather glove, hurrying to the deck of a temporary shelter, "Dare you step on the deck of my ship?"
The girl grins softly, and takes the first step. Right foot. As Beidou taught.