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SCENE 1 – Outside Bubu Pharmacy (Mostly Recap)
As you walk outside two familiar hands cover your eyes once again.
“One more time, guess whooo~?” a mysterious voice whispers in your ear.
“Happy Lantern Rite, Director Hu.” you respond.
“Hehe, good! You still recognize me! For a moment there I was worried the fetor might have fried your brain~” she giggles excitedly.
“I’m so glad! Looks like I can stop worrying hehe… Welcome back my hero!” she says energetically.
“Me? No, you’re the real hero.” you declare.
“Hahaha, c’mon now don’t be silly! You totally saved my life!” she laughs.
“You don’t need to be so humble, it’s just the two of us here! Unless you wanna try and out glib me! Cause I can out-glib you any day of the week if you wanna try it!” she challenges.
“Okay okay… So how are you holding up?” you ask.
“I’m doing great, thanks to a certain someone! Doctor approved! And you look remarkably well too, considering you “sacrificed” yourself for me! How are you feeling?, because you don’t have to act tough around me. You’ll only make things worse if you power through it before your fully healed.” she asks concerned.
“I’ll be fine, thanks.” you reply.
“Well, I sure hope so! You took quite the risk for me back there! Really caught me by surprise you know. Tsk tsk, when did you become so reckless?” she criticises.
“Heh, sorry. Guess I learnt from the best Director Hu…” you joke.
“Mmm, mmm I’d say you were trying to steal my thunder! I could have sworn I told you the 8th gate was mine!” she doubles down. “Hmph don’t you ever do what you’re told?” She giggles.
“Well, Xiangling would kill me if I let you miss another dinner plan, so what choice did I have…” you triple down.
“Oh? So, you did it for Xiangling…, and here I was thinking I was special and you ran all that way just to save me!” she quadruples down.
“…” you look back at her unamused, finally breaking the cycle.
“Hehe, okay okay! I’m only teasing!” she laughs.
“Hey, look! Liyue Harbor looks so pretty from this angle… Let’s see, what’s everyone up to at this hour? Hmm… Those two kids look like they’re in a hurry… I bet they’re racing each other to the fortune coins! And that lady over there, her cheeks are so red you’d think she’d been burnt by the sun! Hehe, she must be waiting for her lover so they can set off some fireworks together!”
“Such a marvellous view…” she remarks.
“I’m glad you’re here to enjoy it, Director Hu.” you respond.
“Hehe, thanks, Happy Lantern Rite Aether.” she says smiling over at you.
“Oh, so you do remember my name? I’d swear it was “Traveller” after how often everyone calls me that.” you jest.
“Hmph! Says the one calling me “Director Hu”!” she responds playfully.
“Haha, alright, we’ll call it even.” you concede.
“Hehe… Hey, how about I treat you to dinner, just us as a thank you for, you know, saving my life.” she asks.
“Yeah, sure that sounds nice! But aren’t we supposed to meet up with everyone for dinner?” you wonder.
“Yeah yeah, we’ve already planned that! We’re gonna go meet up with Xingqiu and Chongyun at Yilong Warf in 2 days. But why don’t we go get dinner together tonight? Well of course Xiangling’s cooking… She would kill me for taking you anywhere else!” she responds, slightly more serious that you expected.
“Haha… Yeah, sure that sounds nice.” you agree.
“Hehe, yay! I’ll see you there hero! 8pm, don’t be late!”
Before you can get a last word in Hu Tao runs off cheerily. You can’t lie, you still are pretty sore from rescuing her, but it does wonders seeing her cheerful and alive. Turning your head from watching her run off, you look down at the beautiful view of the city.
It really is just as marvellous as she described.
SCENE 2 – Dinner at Wanmin Restaurant
You meet back up with Paimon and slowly make your way over to Wanmin Restaurant making sure to take it easy. As you walk down the main street you watch as a group of kids run around with their kites, laughing and having fun, followed by another group all exchanging fortune coins. You can’t help by smile as you continue on your way.
You finally arrive at Wanmin Restaurant and take a look inside, but don’t see Hu Tao or Xiangling.
“Traveller, Paimon!” a voice yells out from behind you.
“Ah, Xiangling!” you exclaim turning around to greet her.
“Hey! Come on! We’re waiting for you around back!” she says turning around and heading down the alley.
“Hey wait up!, we’re coming!” Paimon yells out.
You follow her down the alley and arrive at the table where Hu Tao is waiting for you.
“Tada!” Xiangling exclaims waving her hands in the air as she shows you the table all set and decorated. “Alright! You guys hang out here, I’ll go get the food! Actually Paimon, can you come help me?”
“Yep!” Paimon replies.
“Awesome!” Xiangling giggles as she leads Paimon back towards the restaurant.
“Hehe, thanks Xiangling!” Hu Tao adds in.
You watch as they both leave for the kitchen. You take a seat beside Hu Tao and notice she has put her Lantern Rite outfit back on.
“Hey, you put your new outfit back on!”
Laughing she responds; “Hehe, of course! Business is over for now, so it’s time to sit back and enjoy the holidays! Besides, you like it right?”
“Yeah, it looks great!” you reply.
“Hehe, then I’d say mission accomplished!” she giggles cheerfully.
You enjoy another few moments smiling at each other before you hear a voice yelling out again.
“Foods here!” Xiangling yells out as she heads back over to the table followed closely by Paimon. They are both struggling, each carrying a massive plate loaded with food.
It smells delicious.
“Wow! You didn’t have to make so much heh…” you comment awkwardly.
“Say’s you Traveller! If you don’t want it leave it to me!” Paimon exclaims with stars in her eyes.
“Hehe, I knew someone would appreciate it! Thanks, Paimon!” Xiangling adds in.
You look over awkwardly at Hu Tao who flashes a smile back at you.
“Come on! Dig in! This food isn’t going to eat itself hehe!” Xiangling shouts.
“Yay! Food!” Paimon celebrates as she shoves her face full of anything she can grab.
The four of you enjoy an amazing meal cooked impeccably by Xiangling. You all share jokes, laughs, and comment on the holidays and the festive fun around the city. You catch a few glances of Hu Tao staring at you, her eyes lingering as if she wants to say something, but you never get the chance to ask. As the celebrations keep flowing, and soon enough you find yourself wrapped up in a conversation about the amazing tailor from Fontaine who made Xiangling and Hu Tao’s outfits.
As the night goes on the dinner slowly concludes itself as the conversation finally dies down.
“Oughh… Sooo full…” Paimon exclaims whilst falling back in her chair.
“Hehe! I’ve never seen Paimon so full she stops floating!” Xiangling laughs.
“You should have seen her back in Natlan… I’m surprised she didn’t pop…” You comment slightly concerned by your companion’s capacity for eating food.
“Heyyy… Traveller… I’m not *hic* that bad…” Paimon says barely staying awake.
“I-I think I’m just gonna… take a little… nap…” She says as she slowly nods off.
“Hehe! Poor Paimon. Perhaps I shouldn’t have made so much food…” Xiangling retorts.
“No, no it’s not your fault.” You reply. “Paimon just has a problem…”
“Hehe…” Hu Tao giggles.
“Whelp, let me take you guys plates! It’s time I started cleaning up.” Xiangling comments as she stands up and starts stacking the plates.
“Do you need any help?” you ask.
“No, no, no! Don’t worry about it! This is a restaurant remember hehe! Just cause we’re friends doesn’t mean I’m gonna make you clean up!” she replies earnestly.
“I don’t know Xiangling, you always make me clean up with you after I eat here!” Hu Tao teases.
“Hey! Not true! Stop it! You’re gonna make the Traveller think that’s true!” Xiangling yells back.
“Hehe, sorry!” Hu Tao giggles.
“Always the same with you *tsk* *tsk*.” Xiangling retorts as she walks away with the plates.
SCENE 3 – A chat above the Harbour
You sit there awkwardly in silence for a moment gazing over at Paimon before you sense Hu Tao staring right at you. You slowly turn to meet her gaze.
“Hehe, c’mon! I wanna show you something!” Hu Tao giggles excitedly.
“H-Huh?!” you exclaim, but it’s already too late as Hu Tao has already grabbed you hand and pulled you from your chair.
“B-But what about Xiangling and Paimon…” you mutter as she leads you down the alley back onto the street.
“Aiya don’t fret about them, c’mon!” she says, pulling you along.
“Okay, okay I’m coming…! You don’t have to pull so hard…” you respond awkwardly.
Laughing she comments; “Oh, hush you’re fine!” as she leads you through the streets.
Hu Tao drags you through street after street, winding down a couple alleys and then finally stops at afront a warehouse.
“C’mon! Follow me!” She exclaims as she hoists her way up a few ledges and onto the roof.
“*pant* ah.” you sigh. “Okay! I’m coming!”
You climb up onto the roof and are greeted with an incredible view of the entire Harbour, and find Hu Tao sitting on the ledge enjoying the breathtaking view.
You walk over joining her on the edge and watch as she silently looks out over the city. After a few moments of watching her sitting there smiling you too turn your gaze out to the city. You sit there together for a while in silence watching people come and go below you lighting lanterns over the Harbour.
“Ah so peaceful…” She whispers. “I love the holidays hehe.”
“Mmm.” You agree. Despite the serenity of the moment, you can’t help but still feel a little weird about the whole situation.
“Listen…” she continues. “I’m really sorry about everything, you know, the other day...”
“Haha yeah, you we’re acting pretty ominous… You really worried us you know, worried me.”
“Sorry… I-I really wasn’t trying to worry anyone, I was just tryna do things right you know…? Can I tell you more about my dad?” she asks sheepishly.
“Y-Yeah of course.” You say encouragingly.
“I-I told you about my dad… He failed this same ceremony because he was too attached to grandpa, too attached to me, and so he faltered in those critical moments, and it cost a bunch of people their lives.”
“I-I didn’t want to repeat that, it… it was my responsibility as Director to not repeat a disaster like that.”
“I thought that if I tried my best to leave the world without any regrets maybe it’d be enough to save me. Hehe, guess I was wrong…”
“But hey! In the last moments my hero swooped in and saved me!, so it all worked out anyway… How did you save me, I mean, how did you know how to find me?”
You take a moment to reflect before responding to her.
“At first it was something Zhongli said. I asked him if perhaps he could connect me to the ley lines, so I could help out in the ceremony, but he couldn’t.”
“But then, he pointed out that perhaps there we’re benefits to not being connected to the ley lines.”
“I guess in that moment I realised if I took your place in the ceremony the ley lines couldn’t absorb me like a regular person from this world, as so perhaps the ceremony wouldn’t need a sacrifice.”
“Hehe wow… so you really are special! But how did you find me? She questioned.
“I guess that was all thanks to you.” You say smiling back at her.
“Me? How?”
You pull out the plum branch Hu Tao gave you before the ceremony and hold it in your hand. Looking down at it you say;
“I-I’m not entirely sure, but I just kept this close and followed my heart and it led me straight to you.”
“Ah! So poetic hehe! And I’m supposed to be the romantic one!”
You look over at her and chuckle.
“Here, take it, it’s yours.” You say handing her the plum branch.
“No way, it’s supposed to be a gift! It’s yours now!” she pushes back.
“Oh? A gift? Then why do I seem to remember Zhongli giving me back the coin I gave you…?” you say in a joking tone.
“… heh… oh yeah, that… ah, oops?” Hu Tao laughs awkwardly.
You move closer to her.
“Here, stay still.” you say, leaning in towards her. You hold her hat steady and pin the branch back in its familiar spot.
“There you go, back to normal.” You smile.
“Hehe, thanks.” She giggles looking into your eyes.
You both pause for a moment staring at each other, as time seems to slow down around you.
“T-Thanks for saving me, I mean I-It meant a lot…” she says awkwardly as she looks away.
“Heh, yeah, and thanks for carrying me back to the city.” you add in.
Laughing she responds; “Oh, haha yeah! It was no trouble. I mean you literally pulled me out from the dead, so I think you win this match!
“Haha okay…” you chuckle.
You’re sitting really close now.
“And I’m totally getting you another plum branch tomorrow, okay? You better keep it this time!” she declares confidently.
“Alright fine, then I’ll get you another gift too! And you better not give mine away either!” you joke back.
“Hmph deal!” She utters, turning her head away playfully pretending to be annoyed.
“Heh”, you chuckle as you turn back to looking down at the people below.
You both sit there and go back to watching at all the people below lighting lanterns. A few more minutes pass before you turn back to face her.
She soon turns to meet your gaze.
“Traveller.” she whispers.
“Director Hu.” you respond as you watch the lovely flowers dart about in her eyes.
You feel a force pulling you towards her and noticing her slowly leaning in, respond in kind until suddenly she blurts out;
“W-We haven’t made our wishes yet! D-Do you wanna light a lantern?” she asks shuffling around awkwardly.
“Oh sure.” you lean back amused.
Flustered she proclaims; “Aiya, I-I promise I’m not usually like this! Guess you’re getting an exclusive look at the unfiltered Hu Tao!”
“Oh, so the real Hu Tao isn’t as carefree as she lets on?” you tease.
“I try my best hehe~” she giggles.
Hu Tao reaches into her back pocket and pulls out a pair of lanterns. “Here! Here’s a lantern! C’mon, lets make our wishes together!”
“Alright… If you say so…”
You take the lantern from Hu Tao and hold it up in your palms.
“I wish for Director Hu to stay safe and never lose her smile.” You say as you light your lantern and let it fly out of your hands.
“Hey! You’re not supposed to say your wish out loud!” she yells staggered.
“Oops, my bad haha.” You tease.
“…” Hu Tao looks at you flustered. “N-Now I feel like I have to say mine out loud!”
“Haha, it’s okay, you can keep it to yourself.” you remark.
“No, no, fine! I’ll say it out loud! Hmph. She sighs.”
“I wish… I wish for Aether to stay in Liyue for a little longer this year. Hehe.” she says sincerely.
“!!!” Surprised you look up and meet her gaze.
She slowly lets her lantern drift away, but instead of looking up to watch as your two lanterns float away you find yourself with eyes glued to each other.
You gaze deeply into each other’s eyes for a few moments before Hu Tao subtlety looks down at your lips before closing her eyes. She slowly starts to lean in, and you follow in suit and swiftly after your lips meet.
The world slows around you as you embrace each other with your lips.
Some time later you slowly pull away and open your eyes. You watch as she does the same, slowly revealing the beautiful flowers once again, this time filled with joy.
Happy Lantern Rite, Aether she whispers.
Happy Lantern Rite, Hu Tao.
The End
*gulp* We must stay strong O_O But again, was an amazing quest, I hope if anyone made it to the end, that you enjoyed the extra couple scenes, they we’re lots of fun to write :)
If you’re interested in more fanfiction content feel free to follow me @thedaydreamingtiger :)