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Himeko didn't quite know what to do. Beidou was new to the astral express and yet felt like she'd always been one of the family, having shown up out of the blue one day through a portal Welt had recognised, meaning the odd woman wasn't from our world, just like him. She'd been terrified, brandishing her claymore at them and proceeding to freak out at the trinket on her hip.
After Welt had managed to calm her, they got an explanation. The strange accessory was called a vision, given for extreme ambition, and allowed her to channel lightning energy. Although she'd referred to it in a strange way, calling it electro instead. It had been a shocking moment to all of them when she explained they usually lit up with the element's colour, not going dark until the bearer had passed, which explained why she'd been so upset to see her own dark. The vision seemed to be important to her, not allowing anyone other than Welt to hold it when she couldn't.
She was a fascinating woman. They'd spent nights deep in conversation, often continuing their talks hours after Welt retired for the night. Apparently in her home world, she was a pirate captain, with a grown son who she'd taken in after an archon had wronged him. (It took yet more time to explain the concept of Celestia and The Seven, apparently somewhat like aeons for the elements, but they each had their own nations of the world to govern. Or not, as had been the case in one of the places she'd mentioned, Mondstadt.) Their technology was advanced differently however, as Himeko had to show her how to use a phone, the woman often holding it either at arm's length or right to her face. Himeko could fill a book with the things she'd learnt about this Teyvat, one she was sure Herta would buy from her as soon as it was written.
.She'd tell tales of her adventures when asked, March's favourite being the tale of how she gained her vision. The tale of the fight against a beast called a leviathan by the name of Haishan, how it raged on for days and nights, looking hopeless until she struck the beast in a desperate attempt to save the life of her crew and lightning struck from the sky, scarring her severely and shattering her claymore but slaying the beast and granting her the vision she held so dear. March was always asking for her to tell the story again, commenting how she wished she'd been there to take photos.
The crew had offered to spar with her, to help her adjust to fighting without the assistance her vision provided. It had all been going well, Himeko observing from the sidelines and most definitely not staring at Beidou's muscular body sweating with exertion, thank you very much March.
But the second she'd seen the maple leaf summoned by Dan Heng, her face had gone pale, tears pricking at her eyes as she turned tail and left. This was completely out of character for the woman, and Himeko and Welt made eye contact simultaneously, getting up to follow the woman while asking Dan Hang and March to stay there.
They were currently stood outside of Beidou's room, knocking and calling out. Himeko held her and Beidou's usual tea blend, while Welt had stopped by his room to retrieve the coffee container within.
Welt knocked again, thinly veiled concern in his voice.
'Beidou, can we come in? It's Welt and Himeko.'
No response. They shared a look, Himeko taking her cue to speak up.
'We have tea. Or coffee if you'd prefer. We're just a bit worried.'
They didn't think they were going to get a reponse, when the door to her room unlocked, showing the woman inside with the lights turned off, eye puffy with tears and hand over her other eye that was usually covered by an eyepatch. Her usual outfit was forgoed for a pair of sweatpants and a sports bra.
'Come in, let me find my eyepatch.'
She began looking for the piece of fabric, hand not moving from its spot on her face. Himeko turned on the light and picked up the eyepatch she spotted on the floor. She placed the tea down on the table before tapping Beidou's shoulder, offering to tie it for her.
A quiet thanks is all she got in reponse as the woman turned around and sat down on the bed, knowing she was too tall for Himeko to tie it standing up.
Tension visibly left her shoulders as Himeko finished, and she took a seat at the table in her room where Welt had taken to setting out some cups, coffee for himself, tea for Himeko, and both containers in front of the cup for Beidou, letting her choose. Beidou took the tea container, placing some leaves in her cup and adding sugar before pouring water into the cup.
The three took some time to enjoy their drinks before Himeko let her hand come to rest on Beidou's arm, smiling at her as Welt spoke, clear paternal concern coming through as he spoke.
'Are you okay? What happened back there?'
Beidou sighed, her hand coming to rest on Himeko's. Her voice was thick with what Himeko now recognised as grief as a sad smile came to her face.
'My son, Kazuha. He loves maple leaves. He has a collection, documented down to where and when he found them. So when I saw the leaves, I-'
She choked up more as she cried, taking a sip from her tea. Himeko stroked her arm soothingly.
'I miss my fucking son. I miss my son so much, I miss my family. It's just so quiet here compared to the Crux. No Suling shouting at someone for getting injured in a stupid avoidable way, no Mora-Grubber telling me to stop spending so much money on Inazuman food to keep on board, no loud feasts going on into the evening.
Not that I'm not insanely grateful you guys took me in. I just. I want to go home.'
Himeko felt her heart break as she heard her speak, she was about to offer a hug when Welt got there first, pulling the woman into his arms. A look of deep understanding was on his face, and she recalled the similar conversation she'd had with him at first. His voice was one of sympathy, of shared pain.
'I have a son too, back home. I miss him every day, I wish I could tell you it gets easier, that you'll miss Kazuha less, but that'd be an insult. The fact you feel this way, the way you speak about him, you're a good mother. I'm sure he's just as worried about you. We'll make it home one day. We'll see our sons again.'
The two simply held each other close, in understanding of what the other was going through. Himeko sat there silently, understanding that this was something both Beidou and Welt needed.
Eventually Welt stood, wiping his eyes before picking up his cane.
'I'll go let Dan Heng and March know it's all okay.'
He left the room, leaving Beidou and Himeko together. She smiled at the brunette, taking a sip of her tea.
'Feeling any better? I can try and cheer you up some.'
Beidou laughed, a warm laugh, deep and smooth.
'Yeah. Buckets. But I am curious what you had in mind.'
She lifted the tea to her lips, finishing it off in one sip.
Himeko pulled out her phone, asking March for the link to her playlist before opening it, allowing the loud rock music to begin playing. She proceeded to stand up, offering her hand out to the woman in front of her.
'This loud enough for you? Dance with me, Captain.'
The use of her title had her face lighting up, standing up and taking the outstretched hand.
'Alright, but don't complain when I'm better than you.'
As the music blared and the two danced a genuine smile came to Beidou's face. Mission accomplished.