POV: You're Gru and you just killed an Enderman but get EXP only

"Where's the porls"

The Traveler, Lumine, watches a certain someone who seems to be in a quite a spot. She was fidgeting and walking around with flushed yet distressed look on her face. Ganyu doesn't seem like she was the gentle and sweet Ganyu Lumine knows today.

Whatever was going in her mind, Lumine knows it is in shambles.

Because Ganyu is beginning to panic now.

Both Lumine and Paimon stared at each other before they walked towards Ganyu, "Um, Ganyu? Are yo-"

Before the Traveler can ask the half-qilin if she's actually fine, Ganyu held Lumine by the shoulders with grip strength that would've crushed a normal person had it not been Lumine. "L-L-L-Lumine!" She called out in a loud voice, almost seemed like she was desperate. "C-Can you help me!?"

"Ganyu!? What's wrong!?" Paimon asked, surprised at her sudden "aggression".

"Please! Would you help me!?" Ganyu leans her face closer to Lumine with swirling eyes, causing Lumine to back away in fear.

"C-Calm down and let us hear you out first!" Lumine said as she tries to pull her off from Ganyu.

The Ashen One arrives at Liyue after exterminating the hilichurls and slimes as daily commission from the Adventurer's Guild. He also encountered a few Fatui members on the way and without hesitation, he strikes them down. He knew that the Abyss Order and Fatui aren't the only evil organizations out there. There are more of them out there but for now, taking down a few of them is enough. The Ashen One needs to prepare himself more before he goes out and destroys these organizations...singlehandedly.

After receiving his rewards from the receptionist, he heads to Liyue Qixing to meet with Ganyu and spend a bit of time with her. This night, there's Moonchase Festival and the Ashen One thought he'd bring her around for leisure walks and sightseeing. He never had the chance to rest his mind, this night is the perfect time.

As he was walking, he overheard a couple talking in a vendor.

"Oh my, such wonderful flowers!" The Ashen One stopped in his tracks, "I've never seen flowers such as these!"

"Ah, you must be a foreigner!" The vendor smiles at the opportunity, "This flower is known as Qingxin flowers and they can only be found on the highest of mountains!"

"Wow, really!?" The girl was excited whilst the guy doesn't seem to believe his story.

"Yes, and it isn't easy to get I tell ya! These flowers can be used for many things but they are known for gifts, for your precious ones." The vendor eyed the guy, giving him a teasing smile before caressing his hands in a typical merchant way. "So, what it'll be? Would you like one?"

"Yes please!" The girl beamed.

The couple bought those flowers and left. The Ashen One, after hearing that story, thought it would be nice to give Ganyu this flower since she was indeed precious to him and he had more than enough Mora to spend, not knowing the flowers are also considered a sign of love. It also happens to be Ganyu's favorite flowers.

The Ashen One approaches the vendor, "Ah, what might you..." The vendor's eyes widened at the huge figure as anybody in Liyue would recognize it, "...need!?"

The Warrior of Ash was standing before him, wearing strange foreign armors that didn't look like it belongs in this world. He also has a greatsword strapped behind him along with a shield and a broadsword by his hips. The person before him really looked like he was ready not to just slay but slaughter an entire race...

The vendor gulped nervously, "Um, h-how may I help you, good sir?"

Even if Liyue known for its trades, the vendor wouldn't dare to just haggle the Warrior of Ash. Rumors of his brutal slaughter had not just heard in Liyue but was also known in Mondstadt. His existence brought fear to many people but also hope for some. After all, he only get rid of monsters and some evil organization members like the Abyss Order.

The Ashen One slowly raised his hand, causing this tension to build up–perhaps he's casting some kind of curse–before his finger points at the Qingxin flowers, "Y-You want the Qingxin flowers...?" The Ashen One nodded, "A-Ah, yes! Of course! I'll also give you a discount!"

The Ashen One could only tilt his head a bit at the sudden kindness brought by this vendor. He was only charged half the price of the flowers unlike the couple earlier which is strange but the Unkindled also knows that it's not good to push others' kindness away. He handed in the correct amount of Mora before walking away, continuing on his tracks to Liyue Qixing...

"Oh...so that's what you're panicking about!" Paimon exclaimed, somewhat understands Ganyu.

After calming the half-qilin down, they listen to her request and was surprised especially Lumine. Ganyu was actually so anxious she went full-blown panic mode because she was thinking of how to ask the Warrior of Ash on a romantic walk. Lumine was technically baffled at how someone sweet and gentle, and innocent could even come to like someone that just looms dread like the Warrior of Ash. Although it might be hypocritical to her as she also comes to like the Warrior of Ash after what he had done during all of their time together in hunting the Abyss Order and Fatui.

Still...this is the first time she had heard that the Warrior of Ash was visiting Ganyu every now and then.

Did Ningguang and Zhongli deliberately hid it away from her...?

"So..." Lumine began as her cheeks flushed, "What did you liked about him?" She asks.

Lumine was really curious, are their reasons differs from one another?

"W-Well, if you ask me..." Ganyu's reddened cheeks and embarrassed smile as she tries to hide it by looking down whilst she plays with her fingers causes Paimon to just drop her mouth to the floor, it was too maiden-like and very adorable she can't help but be shocked! "He's...kind. Despite what he looks like, he helps people and even me back then. He is more kind then he lead on, I know. He's also comforting. You may have not felt it but when you sat beside him, having his presence near you...it is the best feeling you could've hoped for. Just by being near him, you feel this sense of comfort and security, I can't explain it well." Her smile slowly fades, "But I know deep down he's hurt. Under that foreign knight armor, under the weapons he wielded...he is in pain." Ganyu said in a sad tone before continuing, "Yet, despite that, he still moves forward, alone–leaving behind his past and focusing on the present. That is something I admired the most about him..."

"Though he is not charming to many, I do find him adorable." She giggles as her sadness disappears before a pleasant smile made its way up to her face, as if she was about to pour her heart onto something. "To make it short...what's there not to like about him?"

It was as if Ganyu pulled Lumine's heartstrings. She felt the exact same way, everything Ganyu had poured out. When she first went on a journey with the Warrior of Ash, his presence kept her calm and level-headed even as the Abyss Order attacks. Even as she fell unconscious and vulnerable to any attacks, he helped her without hesitation and even used one of his strange potion to heal her.

It was...a special feeling unlike any other.

"But..." Then Ganyu held her head in distress, "What do I do!? He'll be here soon and I don't know how to ask him!"

"Why don't you just ask him normally?" Paimon suggested only to get both Lumine and Ganyu to stare at her with terrifying look, "W-What!?"

"Paimon, you can't just do that "normally"!" Lumine said, crossing her arms with closed eyes as she began scold Paimon. "Not with him, he's far different than any other guys we've met before!" Ganyu nodded in agreement with "Hm, hm!" as Lumine continued her scolding, "When it comes to the Warrior of Ash...there needs to be some way–some special way to ask of him that'll guarantee 100% he'll said yes!"

"Hm..." Paimon hums as she held finger upwards, "I don't really understand it all. What I understand is that the festival has food!"

"The only thing you understand is food!" Lumine stand above Paimon as her figure looms, her hands raised as if to catch her. "Do you want me to cook you now, Emergency Food!?"

"AHHH! Not food, not food, not food!" Paimon yelped as she runs away in fear.

As Lumine chases Paimon around, the sounds of armors clanking can be heard which completely stopped both Paimon and Lumine. More so, it halts both Ganyu's and Lumine's heart for a second before they turn around to see the Warrior of Ash or the Ashen One is already here.

"A-Ashen One!" Ganyu called out before hastily made her way to him.

"Ashen One...?" Lumine repeated and frowns a bit at the nickname, this was the very first time she had heard of it.

"H-How was your journey?" Ganyu asked nervously.

The Ashen One was quiet before he raised his hand and presented Ganyu a flower.

A flower she knows too well.

"Is that...?" She received it, feeling her heart flutter like dandelions blown before she stares at the Ashen One. "Is this for me?" He nodded and immediately, her face reddens and she tries to hide her face behind the flower–both happy and embarrassed at the surprise. "T-Thank you..."

Lumine, who is in the background along with Paimon, had their mouths open widely till it drops to the ground. The Warrior of Ash is giving someone a flower! And a special kind of flower as well! It was very shocking to Paimon but it is too shocking for Lumine who hadn't foreseen this coming at all.

But a tinge of jealousy also made its way up.

"Would you like to walk with me this night at Moonchase Festival?" The Ashen One asked, causing them all to be baffled even more.

He just beat Ganyu to it!

Ganyu quickly regained her composure (somewhat) before giving a bright smile, "Yes, of course!"

Lumine watched the scene with folded arms and puffed cheeks, she was envious of Ganyu alright. But it didn't seem like he was being romantic–more like he was asking her as a friend. But still, having a special nickname, receiving a flower and getting asked out from the Warrior of Ash isn't just an outstanding feat. It's a feat no one has done before.

As she was too busy in her thoughts with jealousy written all over her face, the Ashen One notices her. "Would you like to also come as well?"

BA-BUMP!

It just made her heart skip a beat–that was dangerous.

But he just asked her too! What would Ganyu think of this?

Lumine looks at Ganyu who just smiles and nodded.

Ah...it looks like Ganyu also notices it as well. That the Warrior of Ash considers her nothing more than a close companion.

But still...it seemed Ganyu is more special to him than her.

Lumine lets out a sigh before walking towards him, "Yeah, why not?"

And so, all of them enjoys various foods, drinks and games available during the Moonchase Festival...

Edit (9/17/2021): Fun fact, the flower Qingxin wasn't actually Ganyu's favorite but it is used in upgrading her levels in the game. I just make it so that I can make this scene lol