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Lady Ningguang is the most beautiful, smart, elegant, rich woman in all of Liyue. She was born rich, and made an even richer company called the Jade Palace at the age of 16. Though she looks like she has a perfect life, anyone who’d actually look into it and what her parents told her, they’d call it abuse, or continuing a life-changing lie throughout her entire life as if they were gaslighting her.
To Ningguang, her life is almost perfect (her mother told her ‘perfect’ is impossible to achieve). She’s educated, she has great genetics for being healthy, she has a vision, she’s gone on special diets made just for her to remain or emphasize her beauty, she’s been given the time to be taught to be elegant, and her family provides money to get things f her- as long as they’re not stupid, like something from a food stall, that’d be a waste of money, and it’d ruin her current diet.
But timewise, there’s another thing that’d be deemed as an absolute waste by her parents- soulmates. Ningguang only read one book- a child's book at that- about soulmates. Apparently, whatever it says on her arm will be what her soulmate first says to her, and whatever’s on her soulmate's arm will be what she first says to her soulmate. The writing is messy and scrambled, but she deciphered it as: What’s a pretty girl like you doing in a place like this?.
Of course, she’s been taught, instructed and educated how useless having a soulmate is, from the day she learned how to talk. Her parents have whispered how unsightly, unworthy, and ungrateful her soulmate could be, and it honestly scared baby Ningguang of thinking positively about the words on her arm- especially when she noted the lack of a calligraphy lesson her soulmate has. She could only assume he's poor. That didn’t sit well with her parents.
–
Me and my family are seated for dinner, when conversation struck.
“Ningguang, my lovely daughter,” My father says, “now that you’re seventeen, you can get married,” He starts.
“Oh? Please tell me more about this subject,” I respond. Would I get married this soon? I don’t know whether to be happy or unhappy about the matter, but I’ll do it anyway to impress my parents.
“Me and your mother decided to pick a young man from a fellow wealthy family, you’ll meet with him tomorrow and see if he’s worthy for your hand,” He says, but I know that there’s no way out of this arrangement.
“Many thanks, I’ll treat this man with utmost respect,” I say respectfully.
–
I am brought to a mansion similar to my own to meet my fiancé. I am guided by a servant so we can meet in their gazebo, surrounded by plants of many kinds. When I first see him, I admit how attractive he is (long brown hair, golden eyes, a serious face, elegance in every movement), but he looks stuck up, and I just hope that he isn’t.
“Miss Ningguang, this is Mister Zhongli,” The servant says, then vanishes from sight.
“A pleasure, Mr. Zhongli,” I held out my hand.
“The pleasure is all mine, Miss Ningguang,” He shakes my hand, holding it lightly.
After he lets go, we sit, and he looks a little hesitant about what he’s about to do next.
“Miss Ningguang, I must admit that my heart has already been set on someone else,” He says.
“That’s fine, we know this arrangement is just so our parents can make more mora. But I am curious about who you like,” I say, for some odd reason interested in the idea of love outside of arranged romance.
“I don’t really know them, but I know they’re from Snezhnaya,” He explains, then he rolls his sleeve up to reveal a message in the Snezhnayan language.
“You believe in soulmates?” I ask.
“Doesn’t everyone? Even when we’re told to not believe in them, they are held true. I have trained with many weapons so I can meet my soulmate, so I can be asked ‘hey, wanna fight?’ by this Snezhnayan- and I was.” Zhongli explains.
“You met your soulmate?” I ask.
“Yes, his name is Childe.” Zhongli says with a small smile
“His?” I question.
“Is something wrong with him being male?” Zhongli asks.
“I just didn’t know males could date other males…” I admit.
“When raised alone, being taught only by a rich, posh teacher, it makes sense that you didn’t,” Zhongli says.
“Does that mean that I could have a female soulmate?” I ask with uncertainty.
“You very well could,” Zhongli nods.
“Oh…” I pause, “sorry, please go on with your story on meeting him.”
“It’s fine, interruptions occur quite a lot in storytelling. Childe was on a school trip to Liyue, and he snuck to this very garden and saw me training. With no hesitation, he asked if we could fight. I was so surprised I found him that I choked on my words and ended up just saying an awkward ‘hi’,” Zhongli chuckles to himself.
“Not one of your best moments, I see,” I say amusedly.
“An obvious declaration,” Zhongli agrees.
Zhongli and Childe’s relationship gets me thinking about my soulmate- that maybe they’re not too bad. Even so, I can’t believe in soulmates- I have to marry Zhongli to impress my parents…
“I don’t want to,” I say with a serious tone.
“Pardon?” Zhongli asks.
“I don’t want to get married to you- you have Childe, and I’ve never thought of actually getting with my soulmate… I’ve been told about soulmates who give all their love then suddenly hate each other, I’ve never wanted that, so I told myself to decline my soulmate. But you’ve convinced me that soulmates aren’t that bad. In the end, however, I want to impress my parents, and the only way to escape this engagement is to run away, but I have nowhere to go- so we have to be wed,” I explain.
“I see, but I will try to break it off with all my power, as a favor, I’d like you to do that as well,” Zhongli says.
“Miss Ningguang, we have to go,” My servant calls.
“I’ll get going Keqing,” I say to her.
“Bye Zhongli, I’ll see you at the next time we meet,” I give him my business smile, then turn to face Keqing.
“Please do consider meeting her,” Zhongli calls after me.
–
There is only one thing I can think about after I get home; the fact that Zhongli used ‘her’. He was most obviously referring to my soulmate, about meeting my soulmate, so why did he use her. I know I’ve caught myself looking at women in dresses- and especially suits- at parties, but how did Zhongli know that? What's more is he told me I could have a female soulmate without any hesitation.
“Miss Ningguang, are you alright?” Keqing asks as she sits on a chair in my room, whenever she goes on break from her real estate job, we sit and talk to each other, because of this, I assigned her a certain break so we can chat.
“Is there a word for a woman dating another woman?” I ask hesitantly.
“Yes- the word is Lesbian. Wait a moment- are you questioning if you’re a lesbian?” Keqing asks, sounding excited and happy.
“There is a possibility, but I’ve been taught to see it as a bad thing by my teacher,” I admit, “but I’m not really sure, and I’m going to marry Zhongli anyways so it’d be a waste of time to discuss it.”
“Miss Ningguang, stop your excuses, I had a whole crisis when I was thirteen when I saw a pretty girl. All you need is someone to help you discover what you are,” Keqing explains, sounding mature even while she’s younger than me.
“Are you a lesbian?” I ask, a little surprised by my own question.
“Yeah- actually, can you wait a moment?” She asks.
“Yes, Keqing, what do you need?” I ask, but she’s already out the door.
A few minutes later, she’s dragging in my best secretary- Ganyu- into the room.
“Miss Ningguang, this is Ganyu,” Keqing introduces.
“I know she’s Ganyu, I hired her,” I say like it’s obvious.
“But do you know why she applied for a job from you?” Keqing asks.
“She said something about her office having a couch and a healthy job environment,” I say.
“There’s more to the story,” Ganyu says, then she twists her arm so I can read the words written on her arm.
“‘You work for Ningguang, right?’ is that why you applied for my secretary? For your soulmate?” I ask.
“The main reason, yes, but I found out I liked it here, especially after Keqing asked me something,” Ganyu explains.
“And what was that?” I ask.
“‘I’m sorry can you repeat that?’” She quotes just as Keqing rolls up her sleeve to reveal the exact same phrase.
“So Ganyu’s also a Lesbian?” I ask, looking between them two.
“Yeah,” Ganyu chuckles.
“So, back to the main point and topic! How do you feel that two of your closest friends are Lesbians? And even more- dating each other?” Keqing asks.
“I’m fairly new to this, but that’s alright,” I say, curious as to why Keqing is asking me this.
“How would you feel if you yourself are a Lesbian?” Keqing asks.
“So that’s where you were doing…” I mutter to myself, then speak up, “I actually wouldn’t mind, but I don’t care, I’m marrying Zhongli.”
“She might be bi,” Ganyu says to Keqing.
“No… she’s got the looks of a Lesbian, and I’m a close friend of hers- she’s got to be like us,” Keqing says to Ganyu.
“If this is all, Ganyu needs to return to her office and Keqing needs to return to her’s,” I say.
“Oh yeah, I’ll see you sometime later then,” Ganyu says, then she gives Keqing a kiss on the cheek.
“O-oh, yeah, see you,” Keqing waves goodbye, then realizes she also needs to leave, so she exits the room.
Her, I wouldn’t mind if it is a her.
–
When it's time for dinner, both my parents look confident and happy at me.
“Ningguang, how was it with Zhongli?” Mother asks.
“It went well,” I say, deciding to leave out the part that he has a soulmate he very much wants to be with.
“That’s great!” Mother cheers.
The rest of the dinner is silent side talk before I’m dismissed and go to my room for sleep.
–
“Zhongli,” I address.
“Yes?” Zhongli asks.
“Can we get married sooner?” I ask, sitting down in the chair I sat at our last meeting.
“May I ask why?” He asks.
“Because I need to impress my parents and marrying you sooner shows that I’m loyal to them, their opinions and choices,” I say.
“That is unnecessary, are you really going to marry any man just to impress your parents? There is no need. You can also try and call it off, as we both truly don’t want to marry each other,” Zhongli offers.
“There’s no way we can escape from this engagement, my parents won’t allow it,” I insist.
“I see. This may seem a little sudden, but would it be weird if I went places with Childe while we share the same house or room in the near future?” Zhongli asked.
“Yeah, you’ve found love. Even if it breaks your heart later, make it last as long as it can,” I say with a smile.
“How would it break? Soulmates are mates of the soul, as it states in the name, how would they part?” Zhongli asks.
“My teacher-” I start.
“Your teacher is wrong,” Zhongli interrupts.
“Agree to disagree,” I say.
“Agree to not share a room if possible?” Zhongli asks.
“Yeah,” I say.
–
It’s late at night, but the night is so peaceful, and I could just pour all my thoughts into the endless abyss of the deep blue sky. The moons’ almost full in the sky, but it's the street lamps that guide me through the streets, winding down from my mansion to smaller houses and humble homes. Looking around makes me happy. I barely sneak out, but when I do, I do it at night so I can see the vast amount of stars scattering through the sky.
As I walk, I slowly drift from thinking of the scenery to things I need to think through. It’s true that I’m getting married to Zhongli, and there’s no way out of it, but maybe I could try? I have a lot of things going on, many questions with small, vague answers.
Am I a Lesbian? I don’t know. Does it matter? No, because I’m getting married to a man regardless.
Should I try to call the wedding off? You only have a month to do so, and then they’d just arrange another marriage with someone who’s probably worse.
Should I believe in soulmates? All my life I’ve known they’re bad, and if they aren’t, what would that do? Nothing, I’d still have to marry a wealthy man. All the men I know are wealthy and stare at me creepily, except for the occasional person like Zhongli- but he’s got the hots for a boy so why would he stare at me.
Thinking really deeply, I’ve never had a crush on a boy, but I’ve definitely looked at the backs of women, how I’d love to just run a finger down their spine-
Before I know it, my forehead starts throbbing, and I run into a street lamp, I quickly step back a few steps, then look around to see if anyone saw the rich Lady Ningguang run into a street lamp late at night. Now that I’m more conscious of my surroundings, I realize I don’t know where I am, but with the sound of quiet waves louder than I’ve ever heard them before, I figure I’m at the harbor. I’ve never actually been in the harbor.
What would someone like me be doing here anyways? Wait, I’ve heard that before…
In the dim light provided by the moon, I read the ‘What’s a pretty girl like you doing in a place like this?’ on my arm. Maybe I could meet my soulmate here, on the docs- the handwritting’s messy, meaning they don't have a need to practice or use it, and then they compliment me, but in a way a pirate would… a pirate! Hah, wouldn’t that be great.
I walk forward, and find myself walking on wood- it’s really hard to walk on with heels so I take them off, because no one can stop me here, no one’s going to see me and spread rumors about something stupid. I can feel the soreness in my feet and decide that I should put my feet in the water, like I wanted to do when I was little.
I grin and start walking faster, that is until I see a few silhouettes carrying shipment and talking to each other. There goes my ‘no one should be awake at this time, I can do whatever I want’.
I should probably head home anyways, I think to myself, but I stand and just listen to the waves, staring at the moon.
“Yo Beidou, when’d you want to arrive in Inazuma again?” A worker asks.
“Ah, in a month or so,” A feisty voice (a little young to be a sailor/pirate) says in response.
“What are we smugglin’?” The same worker asks.
“Naku weed,” I can hear the grin on the woman’s face as she says this.
They’re definitely pirates then.
“I have no reason to be here, I should just leave,” I say under my breath, turning my heel as my hair blows with the wind.
“What’s a pretty girl like you doing in a place like this?” The female pirate calls, suddenly realizing I am here.
“None of your business,” I respond naturally, then realize. My heart quickens.
I look at her in disbelief, but high society has taught me to mask unneeded emotions, so I change my expression to neutral. Now that I’m looking at her though, she seems like a fun person, not to mention she’s also extremely attractive. My eyes drift to her eyes, and I realize that she’s covering one with an eye patch, is it fake? I also realize that Zhongli was right- my soulmate is indeed female.
“So you’re the person I’ve been running away from,” She says, eye staring into mine.
“Running away? Aren’t you supposed to meet your soulmate?” I ask with a slight chuckle- we relate in one way so far.
“Not when your soulmate is going to confine you in a stuffy palace,” The woman says.
“Palace? Did you think I was royalty?” I ask.
“With your perfect cursive, yes,” She says it like its obvious,”I became a pirate to avoid meeting you, so I wouldn’t be trapped. I love my free life, and I don’t want to be pampered or ‘beautified’ for the public eye.”
“Well I won’t put you in my ‘stuffy’ mansion, I have to marry someone else,” I say.
“Let me guess, a gay man who really doesn’t want to marry you and wants to find his soulmate- or even better, already found him?” She asks with a smirk on her face.
“That’s correct, actually. Are you sure you’re a pirate and not a mind reader?” I joke.
“You know what, you’re not as bad as I thought, expectations be damned,” She laughs, “what’s your name?”
My voice is caught in my throat at her laugh letting my ‘business woman’ face fade slightly. For one, she’s hot, for two, she has a similar humor to me, three, shes a pirate, four, she’s hot.
“Ningguang,” I end up saying.
“Ah, I’m relieved, thought you forgot your own name. I’m Beidou,” Beidou says with a grin.
“So what do we do now? We’ve met, we previously didn’t want to meet each other for reasons we shouldn’t worry about, and I have to marry that man who’s already head over heels for his soulmate,” I inform.
“So you’re rich, but you aren’t snobby, and you have a decent amount of humor,” Beidou describes, “and you don’t want to marry the guy?”
“Not really… I’d only marry him to impress my parents,” I say honestly.
“With such a bad excuse to stay, you should join me on the Alcor,” Beidou says, snatching me out of my thoughts.
She motions to the big ship half silhouetted by the sinking moon. It’s quite a big ship, floating on the aggressive waves as some bickering comes from the ship.
Hmm, I’d rather go with Beidou somewhere and escape from my life rather than stay. Why would I need to impress my parents if I never see them? Out of sight out of mind. If I reject the marriage proposal and run away, Zhongli can get with Childe and be happy- I didn’t realize how much I was holding him back on being happy… But to go with someone I’ve only known for almost a minute, even if Beidou only has good attributes. I wonder what would she do if I flirted with her? I think to myself, crossing my arms.
“It’s quite sudden, but to bond with my soulmate wouldn’t be bad, especially with such an attractive one,” I flirt, smirking slightly as I wait for her reaction.
“Oh? Is that how it is? I didn’t take you for a flirty person,” Beidou grins like she’s not mentally well.
“Maybe so, you did just ask me to move in with you after you just met me,” I lean a little forward.
“And are you going to accept?” Beidou asks.
“After you take me out for dinner,” I bargain.
“As long as you pay,” Beidou says.
“I’ll pay for what I get. I’m free at 2 o’clock tomorrow, meet me at Wanmin restaurant,” I say.
“I didn’t take you for a Wanmin type a girl,” Beidou says.
“I’m full of surprises, Beidou, you just have to reveal them. See you tomorrow,” I say, turning to walk away.
–
The next morning, I wake up at my normal time, but I feel more energy buzzing through my body than normal. Did I actually meet my soulmate!? She was so funny, even when I expressed my ‘unhappy business woman’ face almost the entire time. No- this might just be a meet cute… but I sure want to know more about Beidou on our date.
I jolt up, hair flinging everywhere.
“Date!?” I exclaim to myself.
Instantly, a maid is by my side, asking if I need assistance with anything. I politely decline and get dressed. I’m going on a date. With someone I actually like- at Wanmins! I can finally eat there! I can’t stop the smile coming to my face, and I try to cover my smile with my hand, when I feel how warm my cheeks are.
I’m blushing over the thought of the date with my soulmate- who actually exists and isn’t a bitch- no no, it must be the fact that I’m defying my diet. That’s it! I must feel great and warm because I’m defying orders and sticking up for myself for once in my life! Oh shit that phrase can actually be used in a literal format…
I walk to the dining table and sit in my seat, food already served. I eat my portion of food -half a bagel with dairy-free cream cheese spread sparsely on top- and decide to immediately go back to my room to figure out my outfit.
Wait a moment, why am I thinking so hard about this? It’s just a hangout to see if I should join her crew, and it’s meant to be a casual hangout. Casual. Shit no I never said it was casual I said ‘after you take me out for dinner’ like an idiot. I really need to specify sometimes.
I shake my head. I’m overthinking, this was just a gap in my schedule open to hanging out with a friend.
“Miss Ningguang,” A voice alters me.
“What- Keqing? When did you get here?” I try to compose myself.
“I was here long enough. You met your soulmate, yes? I heard earlier you screamed ‘date!?’ in the morning, so I’m guessing you asked them on a date by just continuing the conversation and acting flirtatious but now you just realized that you ‘messed up’. Right now, you’re freaking out and blushy so I canceled all of my plans for today to help you,” Keqing says.
How does she know everything I did? Am I so easy to read? I should probably work on that.
“Ke-” I start.
“Also, when is your date? There aren’t any open spots in your schedule,” Keqing interrupts.
“No, I’m sure that there is a spot open from 2-4:20,” I say, expressing some confusion.
“Wait a moment,” Keqing pauses, thinking, “Were you so focused in your conversation with your soulmate that you thought you were free tomorrow- June 29th- when in reality you’re free July 29th? You’re supposed to meet up with a local merchant this afternoon.”
“That’s a possibility,” I mutter, now thinking back. “We’ll have to cancel that, then.”
Blush comes to my cheeks, was I really so captivated by Beidou that I confused two months on my schedule? My thoughts are interrupted when Keqing laughs.
“Is something the matter?” I ask.
“I sorry it’s- it’s just, you have an un-business side to you, where you act like a normal human for once, and your soulmate has already brought it out more than I could for as long as I’ve known you,” Keqing giggles.
“Why is that funny exactly?” I ask, what kind of joke is this?
“Your soulmate is distracting to you, it’s sweet, and I find it funny because my humor is broken,” Keqing explains.
“Ah,” I say to express my acknowledgment.
“Well?” Keqing asks.
“Well what?” I ask.
“I’m here to help, pretend I’m your future significant other- after I let Ganyu I’m doing that so she doesn’t come into the room and immediately assume the worse, then go off onto Beidou’s ship and then I’d have to somehow sprint from here to the harbor in thirty seconds to express my love and apologies before the boat fully leaves, then she’d have to jump off the boat and into my arms,” Keqing gasps for air after the long sentence, then looks at me with a questioning face.
“I’m sorry, was that necessary?” I question.
She knows Beidou?
“Yes!” Keqing insists.
–
Keqing lets the merchant know that I’m unavailable due to a sudden cold so I can get to Wanmin to meet with Beidou.
The temperature made a nice contrast with the wind; it was warm out, but when a cool, salty breeze spread through the harbor, it was the perfect amount of cool and hot. Suddenly, I feel more heat than cool, and the breeze loses its purpose, all at the sight of Beidou sitting sprawled in a chair with terrible posture, chatting on friendly terms with some girl in a chef’s uniform.
Beidou then notices me, and gestures to me. The chef’s eyes widen slightly, but she smiles and nods, going back to the kitchen.
“I see you’ve made a friend,” I say once I’m sitting- with good posture- in the chair opposing the pirate’s.
“Jealous?” Beidou grins.
“No, merely observing,” I say, blushing slightly- me, jealous?
“Alright then Ningguang, whad’ya wanna order?” Beidou asks.
“I would need to see the menu, I’ve never been a customer here,” I explain, reaching to a menu on the corner of our table.
“Never- like, never ever?” Beidou seems surprised, “and you’ve lived in Liyue your entire life?”
“I can confirm that. I’ve never been able to go here due to a strict diet I’m on to preserve my figure,” I explain.
“Damn, talk about controlling. How’re you out here now though?” Beidou asks, is she actually interested?
“I’m defying rules currently,” I admit, eyes downcast to the menu, instantly scouring through the vegetarian sectio- no, get an unhealthy meal, Ningguang!
“I’m thinking about getting the Jueyun Chili Chicken, what about you, Beidou?” I ask, setting the menu down so I can see her sole pink eye.
“I’ve always gotten the best- Stir-Fried Filet,” Beidou says, grinning, then waves to Xiangling. “I’ll take my usual,” Beidou says to her.
“All right!” The chef exclaims.
“I’ll take the Sir-Fried Chicken, thank y-” I start calmly.
“Ningguang..?” A voice startles me.
I turn with a slow blink, taking in the tall figure before me.
“Zhongli, what are you doing here?” I ask.
“I was wandering around the city, examining specific parts of architectural pieces,” He says, and Xiangling realizes that she probably should do her job and leaves.
“Is this the one you’re supposed to marry?” Beidou asks, and I turn to her to answer.
“Yes, this is Zhongli, I am to marry him in a week or so, unless… nevermind,” I turn back to Zhongli.
“Is this your soulmate?” He asks almost immediately.
“I- yes, this is Beidou,” I introduce.
“That is fantastic, Childe now owes me 10,000 mora for losing our bet,” Zhongli says.
“Bet?” Beidou asks.
“If your soulmate was a girl or not,” Zhongli explains, then glances at the sun for the time, “it seems like I must get going.”
After he leaves, Beidou gives me an expectant look.
“Is something wrong?” I ask.
“You just seem to be hiding your feelings,” Beidou says, and I freeze.
“I’m not, you must be talking about someone else,” I say, trying to remain calm.
“That was a bad excuse, now, show me who you really are. I’m not going to invite an unhappy, serious woman on my boat, I’d like to invite a normal Liyuen resident,” Beidou says.
“You actually want to know me..?” I ask, surprised.
“Of course! Did’ya think I wouldn’t? I’m your soulmate,” Beidou grins.
“Well, I’ve always been told that soulmates are unrealistic for my entire life,” I state.
“Then I’ll show you how realistic I am. First, by showing you how fast I can eat my food!” Beidou exclaims, laughing slightly.
“But our food has not yet been ordered,” I frown slightly.
“Ningguang. I told you to drop the act,” Beidou says seriously.
“I’m sorry?” I ask.
“A normal person doesn’t ask ‘I’m sorry’, they’d say ‘what?’ I want to see you be a normal person. Drop the fancy woman persona,” Beidou says.
“Why?” I ask.
“Because I’m going to fall for a normal woman, not an expressionless snob,” Beidou says.
“Oh,” I find blush coming to my cheeks- she wants to know me for me? No one’s ever said that before to me.
I sit there, eyes a little wide from the surprise, blushing slightly, sitting slightly slouched on my chair, staring down at the words decorating the menu without actually processing them.
“Beidou!” Xiangling calls. “Your food is ready!”
“I’ll go get our order,” Beiodu stands and walks to Xiangling.
So Beidou truly wants to know me… outside of the fact that I come from money. That’s the exact opposite of what my teacher told me. I wonder if-
My thoughts are interrupted when a steamy meal is suddenly put in front of me.
“Time to see my epic eating skills,” Beidou exclaims, grabbing a pair of chopsticks.
“Beidou, you’re holding the chopsticks wrong, you’ll get bruises or an indent in your skin by eating like that,” I inform.
“Oh? Did you have like a chopstick class or something?” Beidou says jokingly.
“Yes, it was almost a month long,” I deadpan.
“How ‘bout you teach me with your epic chopstick skills then?” Beidou laughs.
I nod and lean over the table, avoiding putting my elbows in my food, and grab Beidou’s hands, bending her fingers for the right positions. It takes me a minute to realize that I’m indirectly holding Beidou’s hands, but by then, her hands hold the chopsticks comfortably.
I sit back in my seat, glancing up to see that Beidou is… blushing?
“Appreciate the romantic gesture?” I tease, blushing slightly myself.
“Only if it’s from you,” Beidou winks.
“Well then, I’ll have to make more gestures to please you, won’t I?” I ask with a laugh.
Beidou smiles. I’m sure she realizes that I’m letting myself be me for a bit, like I did the first night we met.
“Sure will! What do you like though- like, reading or drawing or business-ing?” Beidou asks sincerely.
“In all honesty, I’ve never been asked that question, but I like eating good food- if that works,” I give a chuckle and look down at my food, taking a bite.
“Of course it does! I’ll tell ya that you’ll have a good breakfast, lunch, and dinner everyday if you join me!” Beidou grins.
My eyes widen.
“Everyday!?” I exclaim.
“Why wouldn’t you eat three meals every-” The pirate cuts herself off.
Beidou looks at me weirdly, it’s an expression of confusion, but then she suddenly looks determined.
“How much food do you get at home?” She asks.
“I get a small portion of breakfast, skip lunch, and have an average dinner. But I have a strict diet to follow, and if I don’t follow it, I can’t have food for two days. In addition, I don’t have any food on Sunday,” I explain.
“Are you breaking your diet right now?” Beidou asks.
“Yes! I’m quite proud of myself for it,” I say happily.
“I’m glad ya are. Even if our food isn’t a five-star meal, our cook is nice and teaches us how to cook- it’s really fun,” Beidou says.
“You guys get to cook?” I ask, amazed.
“Of course,” Beidou smiles, her determined look replaced by a calmer, more happy expression.
The rest of the date goes nicely, Beidou finishes my food after I’m full and then she walks me to the Alcor, then tours me around. I’m happy to see such a big boat with the Crux fleet happily chatting or working together. It’s a happy community, it seems.
“Now that we’ve had our hangout, would you like to come on an adventure as a pirate with me?” Beidou asks.
“Sure,” I say.
“Great! You’ll be sleeping in a hammock with everyone else though,” Beidou informs.
“That’s fine. See you tomorrow, same time?” I turn my body and ask over my shoulder.
“What? No, we have to leave this afternoon,” Beidou says.
“Make it midnight or I’m throwing my heels at you,” I threaten, crouching down to take a heel off of my foot.
“Wow, I’ve met a sassy Ningguang,” Beidou chuckles as I walk away, back to my mansion.
I end up laughing as I walk.
–
After arriving at my place, I go into my room and instantly collapse on my bed, not caring how uncomfortable my clothes will be to sleep in. I fall asleep quickly after my head meets my pillow.
In the morning, I call Ganyu and Keqing to my room, describing it as an emergency. The two are confused, but I explain that I’m going to leave this very night, and that I need to pack up. It’s planned to be a sudden disappearance with a small note saying that I’m safe.
Keqing, Ganyu and I gather mora and less fancy clothes into two bags. They’re stuffed, heavy with the small gold pieces called mora- it’s not even an eighth of what I make every month but it’ll do.
The night I leave, my feet are blessed with normal shoes, my shoulders burdened with heavy bags, and I smile. I brought my heels just so I could bring them up in conversation again, I also brought my fancy purple dress to match the heels, in case I need to look pretty.
“Hey Beidou,” I call once I get to the ship.
It doesn’t take long for her and another pirate to pop up and get me up on the ship. Once I’m gone, I can’t stop looking at the harbor, at the two ships incoming and- was that Zhongli!? He’s staring at a ship with an excited looking Ginger looking right back at him. Would that be Childe, coming to visit Zhongli for the first time since they met on that school trip?
I smile, they must be a happy couple. I yelp in surprise when I feel arms wrap around my waist and lift me up. Once I see that it’s Beidou holding me, I laugh. I never realized how much stress weighed on my shoulders with my company and my parent’s pressure, but with Beidou, it disappears.
I only feel happy when I’m with her, so I’m glad I took a leap from my life into her arms, and I never want to leave her arms.