Story#4: New adventure, new people and new troubles
Part 1: Meeting
Prologue: New friend or new "rival"?
Another long story issues this time. Please enjoy :D
Inazuma, A city-state that worships the Electro Archon, who is also the leader of its governing body, the Inazuma Bakufu. It's also currently locked down under the Sakoku Decree…It becomes a place where's no one can able to get it or get out…it used to be open to visit and trade but for some unknown reason it's becomes closed. Now it's hard to find any foreign person in this place…if there any of them, the local will look at them like some kind of alien from other world…
And to be weirder, there are two of them…: A noble from Liyue and a person from the other world…literary. It's not too hard to spot them with their attires since they're completely different from the local…As the result, a lot of people came in to ask Aether and Keqing about the world outside…took them a lot of time to answer…although it's also a good chance to get to know about the local around here too.
After all the struggle from register as the foreigners so they can stay in Inazuma (Aether has to register as a citizen from Liyue, thanks to Keqing's help) and their meeting with Thoma and with the people who lost their Vision and they even broke into a prison to free someone…but luckily, the troops had an intention to let him go already so they didn't become criminal…
Although they only entered this land for only a few days but it seems like everything is going kill them or bring to so much trouble. But thanks to Keqing and Paimon who's keeping on cheering Aether up…their mission is still going well…
Today is the day when they can finally enjoy a break after all the troublesome missions…a chance to learn more about Inazuma's cultures as well as meeting new friend.
Or perhaps a new "trouble"?
…
Inazuma city, Tea house, Evening time.
"Ahh... good effort team, another important job taken care of. Next on the agenda: some well-earned rest and relaxation" Thoma said to Aether after they completed their quest…"Too bad your friend didn't come here; I want to know more about Liyue as well"
"Yeah, unfortunately she's busy today. But don't worry I will introduce my friend to everyone next time" Aether said
"You mean your girlfriend isn't it…" Thoma said, grinning.
Aether chuckled "I was going to tell you and her about Keqing but luck seem doesn't to be on my side…"
"She seems always stay close to you every time…"
"Yeah…she needs time to get used to in here" Aether said
Well, every time Keqing goes with him in Inazuma, she doesn't want to stay away from him even an inch…Inazuma after all is completely new experience to her. She doesn't know what to do…In Liyue she has someone to assist like her secretary or the other Qixing…But this time, although she can handle something like paperwork so they can legally stay in Inazuma but after that…she's clueless about how thing works in here…the only person she can relaying now is Aether…
About Aether, he might be probably doesn't know the administrative work but with his adventure's instinct, he knows what, who he needs to ask…he's the person who can easily be friend with anyone so only after a few minutes or an hour of talking…even with completely stranger…In short, he's a friendly person to everyone…
And that where the problem started…
"There's an upcoming festival in Inazuma, how's about you call her to join us then?" Thoma asked Aether…
For an adventure like Aether, experiencing the new things and getting to learn and know more about the culture in other nation or even the other world is always brought excitement for him, he really wants to join in. And there's someone else is also like that too, Keqing always enjoys the festival as well as especially outside Liyue…perhaps it'll help her find something useful for her own country…
Without hesitate Aether agreed: "Of course we are going to join the festival. This is going to be fun"
"Don't forget to bring your girlfriend…they will get along well." Thoma said while smirking "I mean they haven't known and met each other yet…"
"Yeah, I'm sure they will when they do…" Aether said.
Aether and Paimon after that returned to their teapot and deiced to have rest and call it a day…
Inside Aether's Serenitea, late night.
He uses the Liyue theme style for his teapot as well as all the building so it's almost resembling like a small Liyue Harbor…It's all thanks to his girlfriend, Keqing who's expert at this. As a Yuheng of the Liyue Qixing, she knows how manage the all the building and all the stuff around for maximum efficiency…It's also a place where she can practice and try over and over again, a place where she can let her imagination what's the dream of the new Liyue will look like in reality.
When Aether and Paimon entered the house, he saw there's light on the second floor…He remembered he had turned it off before he left today…which mean there's a person in there and he knows who it is…
"Seem like someone works overtime again…" Aether said while moving up to the second floor…
"Well, it's her after all" Paimon said "I'm going back to my room then"…
He reached the second floor and went to the room where's the light on and knocked at the door a few times but no respond…Aether slowly opened the door and saw the familiar scene…Well, he has seen these scenes quite a time now…
A purple hair girl has already fallen asleep on the desk with a lot of paperwork under her…and she's sleeping very peacefully…like a kitten…
zZzzzzZzz…
"Not again…" Aether sighed…but then left out a chuckled…he used to see Keqing like this…although she's getting better about managing between work and going outside to enjoy the fun but sometimes when he sees her like this make him worries…
Aether approached closed to Keqing and whispered to her ear…"Hey Keqing…you need to go to bed to sleep…"
"Mmmm…carry me please…" Keqing stirred a little bit after she heard a sweet voice from Aether but she's too tired to wake up by herself…or she's just wants him to coax her…
"Oh, the Archon…look at you…you're acting like a kitty now…"Aether started to hold her waist and then carried her on his back…the scent of her perfume when she closes to him always make his face redden…he enjoys it though…
After a few minutes of effort, he finally managed to put Keqing into bed but then she continued to demand more…
She mumbled: "Can you stay with me please…?"
…
"Am I become your pillow or a plushie now?" Aether gigged but not too loud to wake her up…her acting right now is just looking too cute for him…Keqing might be strict at work but when it's not, she's still a young girl in love after all…and she want to have that feeling from him…
He agreed to her and slowly climbed to her bed and laid close to her…even with her eyes are closing, she can still feel Aether is nearby to her…His scent, his warmth can't be missed with anyone else…she pulled him close to an embrace and held him tight…all of her stressful after work being gone out after that and she will continue to do so till the next morning…
Meanwhile after he got pulled by Keqing, he can feel her chest is pressing close to his face, she must miss him so much although he only went away for a day. He went close to her for a hug too…he also missed her a lot…after all the mission, all the adventure…Aether just wants to return home to enjoy the time with his girlfriend.
Aether whispered to her: "I missed you so much, Keqing"…
Keqing didn't say any words but she slowly snuggled closer to him and curled up like a cat…Her bright smiling face while still sleeping it's all he needs to know what her answer is…
After that, they slowly fall in to deep sleep while still embracing each other, enjoy their softy and warmth feeling till the next day…
The next morning…
Aether woke up and saw the sunlight has already filled the whole room, he opened the window and he can feel the breeze from the outside…the same atmosphere in Liyue where he has stayed there for 6,7 months…
When he is about to get off the bed, he feels someone is holding him. He looked down and saw Keqing is still embracing him happily…
"Maybe I'm actually become her new pillow now…what's an adorable troublesome girl…" He thought and laughed with his own joke…
Took him a quite a lot of effort to pry out Keqing's hands without awaking her…Aether then went to the kitchen to prepare the breakfast
He might not the best chef but he knows how to make the meal decent and catching eyes and Keqing really loves it…
Within 30 minutes, the breakfast is ready.
Aether went back to the bedroom to wake Keqing up, he opened the door to let the delicious smell of the breakfast to go in and he started to approach close to her and his calm and sweet voice began pouring to her ears…
"Hey, Keqing…it's time to wake up now…"
After hearing his voice combine with the smell of her favorite food, Keqing slowly open her eyes and she saw the person she loves right in front of her, the pair of amethyst eyes are still gazing at him quite drowsy…A few minutes later, she finally managed to speak up…
- Morning, Aether…
"Having a good sleep, Keqing?" Aether asked while chuckling at her.
Keqing started to remember about what was happened yesterday, she was too tired since she had overworked herself and she need something for stress reliving. Of course, nothing better than hugging a pillow and she was treating him as it. It turned out very well after all.
But it was a little embarrassed since she did it without even thinking…her face's reddening a bit…
"Uhhm…I…I…I was too tired after work and when I heard your voice, I just want to stay close to you…I feel much better when you are with me…"
Aether smiled at her and gently patting her head: "It's ok, everyone like doing that when they are stressed…I was also tired anyways… Seeing you yesterday night made me feels better too"
"Thanks…I missed you too" Keqing hugged him.
"But…you need to adjust your time as well…hardworking is a good thing but working overnight is not good for your health…I'm really worries about you sometimes…
"I understand, then you have to help me, alright? I can only do it with you…"
"Don't worry, I will always be here to help you" Aether said, smiling at her "Time to get yourself up, it's breakfast time"
"Alright…" Keqing nodded…
Within a few minutes, they begin to enjoy their breakfast…
"So how it's taste, Keqing" Aether asked while having a Jueyun guoba
"Mmmm…It's good as always" Keqing said while she was munching her favorite food…Golden shrimp ball…
"You seem like to eat this kind of food so often…" Paimon said to her…
"I don't know but every time I have this food, it feels like a bless from the god…it's feels so great when swallow it…all of the stress of work just melts away…" Keqing said…
"I guess it's better than a "pillow" then…fufufu…" Paimon said, smirking…
Keqing's face flushed deep red again, embarrassed when Paimon was also fingered out yesterday too…
Keqing blurted: "They're completely two different things okay! And I enjoy both of them!" she then glanced at Aether "And of course it will be better if these foods made by you…"
"Thank you for appreciating this humble chef" Aether chuckled…
Keqing giggled about what Aether was just said, it's always fun when he or Paimon teasing her like this, it's simply made everyone feels so relaxed and enjoying the fun around…Luckly she doesn't bother about it though…perhaps she enjoys it as long as it is him…
After they've done with the meal, Aether began to tell Keqing about what was happened yesterday and about the upcoming event in Inazuma…
"Seem like I missed the fun in there…sorry for couldn't join with everyone" Keqing said with a bit of disappointment…she promised Aether she would come but the sudden request in Liyue made her had to return…
"It's ok Keqing, we are all have job to do…Beside they invited us to join the festival in there too. If you interest-" Before Aether could finished, he was interrupted
"Yes, yes…,YES!..." Keqing shouted, she's so excited about it…
"Woah, calm down…Keqing…" Aether tried to calm her down "I knew you are going to love it so I told them about we could come one-week earlier so we can see how's the preparation…"
As a person who like to design most of the festival in Liyue with the other Qixing, having a chance to see another nation's festival is an opportunity to learn something news about their culture so she can improve her knowledge as well. And more importantly…
This is the second time they went out like this beside the last Lantern event…
"Also, there's someone who'd like to meet you too, she wants to learn more about Liyue as well as you about Inazuma and she-…" Aether said but...
But then…
The air around the room somehow is getting more tension…as Aether and Paimon can feel about it…they looked at Keqing and saw a "friendly" glare at Aether…
"Can I know who's that girl?" Keiqng said while she's still smiling at him but he can feel the intimidating aura around her.
Aether quickly answered her and begged at her at the same time: "It's Ayaka and I swear we're just friend…"
"Are you sure, you two are just "friend"?" Keqing said with her low scary voice.
"Yes…please don't mad at me, alright...?" Aether looked down.
The tension is keep going up like that for a while then…
A laugh broke out…
"Look at your face right now…so funny…I wonder if I can see that face again…" Keqing laughed so hard while both Aether and Paimon are still clueless…
"So…you were just joking right…?" Aether asked her, still scared.
"Of course, I was just kidding you…I know you never going to do that to me…" Keqing said while hugging him from behind…"You know what was happened in the last time right?"
There was once a misunderstood between him and Ganyu (*) although it actually wasn't his fault but he needed to spend a whole day to explain to Keqing what was actually happened…Because most of the time when Keqing goes out with Aether…she goes with him only and no one else come. Of course, it's nothing wrong when there two love bird going together. But if there is another girl going with them, the situation is become much worse, Keqing doesn't know how to deal with it, espeically if that girl is completely stranger to her…. She thinks that girl may want to snatch him away anytime or something like that.
And the second time was the Rex Lapis's Memorial Day, she got hurt because of him…for real.
"I promise I won't let you get hurt like that" Aether said while made a promise gesture. "And by the way…she's a noble as you. May be you two can be friend along well, I mean she have some similarity as you Keqing".
"Like?" Keqing asked…
"She quite works alcoholic as you…"
"...Huh?."
A few days later
Inazuma city.
Although the situation on this nation is very complicated at the moment but when there's a upcoming festival, everyone's still enjoys it as it's nothing happen…one of the rare peaceful scenes in the nation…If the festival is a success, they will consider it as a blessing from their Archon or just simply having the joyful, reunion moment with their friend, family or acquaintance after a whole year…Aether, Keqing and Paimon are quite lucky to become a few rare visitors on this nation. Perhaps somedays there will be more visitor come to Inazuma.
Somewhere along the street in Inazuma city…
Aether, Keqing and Paimon are strolling around the road in the city and it's quite a lot of people at the moment, they are here to enjoy the fun of the festival as well as getting ready for it.
"Seem like everyone are working hard for the festival…" Paimon said while moving and eating food…
"Well, it's an important festival for them anyways so they must prepare it well" Aether said and then looked at Keqing: "So, do you like it, Keqing?...And you don't have to hold my arm that tight…"
Keqing's leaning close to him while holding his arm…this place is still new to her and she want someone stay close to get to get some comfortable…
"Am I not allowed to do that…?" Keqing asked innocently made Aether confused a little bit…
"No, I mean everyone is looking at us now…" Aether said while pointed at the crowd of people are looking at them out or curiosity but most of the people are quite fond of them like a cute couple.
"Oh, sorry…" Keqing released his arm but still leaning close to him…Her eyes dashed all around the street "Everything here in Inazuma look so beautiful…the way they manage the building, the area…it's look so well-organized…I should able to learn something from it…and the houses at some points it looks like in Liyue as well…"
"Uh…are you ok Keqing? I thought you are her to having fun with him…" Paimon asked her, confusing is Keqing enjoying the fun in the festival or she keep talking about work again…
"Ugh…I slipped back to work mode again" Keqing facepalmed herself…
Aether tried to comfy and cheer her up: "As long as you having fun and enjoy everything in here and you are happy with it, I will be happy too"…his simle made her feel better…
"Thanks, but we haven't gone out like this for a while now…I mean beside the Lantern one, we should go enjoy it…"
"Alright then…how's about we go into the market nearby then…there's a lot of interesting stuff over there" Aether said and pointed at the market.
"Sure"
The pair went in to the marketplace and bought some souvenir in there, they want to buy a little more but they will have to wait till the festival begin…There are also some stuffs imported from Liyue and Mondstadt as well but they are quite rare and very expensive…
"I can't believe they're selling some other nation good as well, I thought there won't be any of it" Keqing said while looking at some Liyue goodies are on sale…
"Well although they are closed country, they're still have to trade I think, may be not so much…Hope they will open trade again soon…" Aether said.
"Yeah…I hope everything will be better soon"
"It's time for our meeting now, they are must be waiting for us" Aether said then all 3 teleported to their estate.
Kamisato's estate
"Wow, this place is quite large…Is this where she lives?" Keqing asked Aether, surprised about how's the rich people live although she's rich too…
"Yes, kind of…it's also their workplace too…" Aether said…
A few second later a tall man came in and greet them:
- Welcome to the Kamisato's estate. I'm Thoma and you must be miss Keqing that Aether was keep talking about. You are his girlfriend isn't it
"Hello Thoma and you can call something like that." Keqing greeted Thoma back. "I hope he didn't talk anything silly about me".
"Don't worry, he didn't" Thoma chuckled and then show them the way "Right this way you three, she's waiting for you all".
When they reached her room, Thoma tell them to wait outside for a while so he can tell her about their arrival. It only took them a few minutes then Thoma called them to come it…
After that a girl with long white-blue hair tied in a high ponytail came out and greeted them…
- Greeting foreigners from afar, I am Kamisato Ayaka known as the eldest daughter of the Kamisato Clan of the Yashiro Commission. Delighted to make your acquaintance…
To be continued
(*) There's actually a fic about Keqing jealous over Ganyu by accident in Pixiv (You can find it by searching 刻晴 (Keqing CN's name) then look at 恋爱少女刻晴-3 on the Novel tab) and it's quite a cute story but it's written in CN. If everyone like, I will try to translate by using Google-sama and my little knowledge of English to do it xD