"Ugh, fine, you pass," Hu Tao reluctantly acknowledged, a note of disgust clear in her voice. "It's practically cheating, you know. Of everyone I know in Liyue, I don't think anyone's easier to make friends with. Maybe Xiangling."
"Fair's fair, Hu Tao! Me 'n Zhongli, here, we're practically two peas in a pod!" Xinyan asserted with a wide grin. She wasn't nearly tall enough to throw an arm around his shoulders, and so wrapped it around his waist, instead.
It was no ruse. While Zhongli and Lumine had parted ways, there was no avoiding one another thanks to both needing to be present at Xinyan's practice sessions. It had taken no time at all for Xinyan to notice the awkwardness around them, and she'd cornered him soon after to get the details.
Commiseration turned to small talk, and Xinyan was delighted to discover that the older man had a tremendous interest in the musical arts, as well as an almost encyclopedic knowledge of Liyue's history of the performing arts. The two found much to discuss regarding the merits of Liyue's musical traditions and the people's reluctance to embrace newer forms of music. In time, the two had developed a fast, if unexpected friendship.
"This wasn't how it was supposed to go," the Director muttered petulantly. "You were supposed to fall head-over-heels for the Traveler! It was going to be a perfect storybook romance."
"Our long-term goals were simply not compatible," Zhongli answered, pushing to the back of his mind the twinge of regret that resurfaced at Hu Tao's unwittingly painful words. "It was regrettable, but in the end we both agreed that it was for the best that we not commit to any kind of serious relationship. I'm sure that you understand."
"Yeah, yeah, whatever," Hu Tao answered despondently.
"Aw, don't fret, darlin'!" Xinyan consoled the funeral director in a chipper tone. "Once word gets around that this fella is back on the market, I guarantee you the ladies'll be beatin' down his door. You'll get your saucy romance yet, I guarantee it!"
In spite of herself, Hu Tao snickered at that. "Pff. I'll believe it when I see it. The guy's personality is a dusty as a crypt, and if anyone would know how dusty that is, it'd be me!"
"Might I remind you that I'm standing right here, Director?" Zhongli reminded her in a slightly strained tone of voice.
"Just give him some time!" Xinyan urged. "I promise you, this fella's got rock 'n roll in his soul – and if that weren't enough, he's got me as a wingwoman! There ain't nothin' to worry about."
Then, changing the topic, "All that aside, yer gonna be at the show tonight, I hope?"
"Wouldn't miss it for the world!" Hu Tao promised. "I've heard you've cooked up something special, and if that weren't enough, Zhongli's going to be playing in it! He's really good, you know! I've heard him play the flute, and it practically made my heart melt!"
Xinyan nodded enthusiastically. "Bit old-fashioned for my tastes, but definitely some real talent there. This one time, I got him talkin' about music from the Guili Assembly era, and let me tell you…"
It was becoming clear that he wasn't really involved in their conversation, so Zhongli excused himself to his desk. There was undoubtedly going to be a lot of catching up to do, thanks to his month's absence, and it seemed as good a time as any to get started.
The powerful tones of the final chord of the performance gradually faded to silence, even as the glow of the crystals dimmed to darkness. Enough light remained that Zhongli could see that several of his fellow musicians were panting with the exertion of the final number.
The audience, only three hundred strong due to the limited seating offered by the confines of the cavern, erupted into applause. Most of them hailed from the nobility of Liyue; while Xinyan had objected at first, preferring to keep the show open to the general public (as her shows always had been), she had eventually compromised. It was necessary to get buy-in from the wealthy to ensure that the locale get the protection it needed. Once the backing was in place, future shows to accommodate those from all walks of life would be possible – and she was given assurance that it would never become a luxury exclusive to the nobility.
The rest of the audience was composed of the guests invited by the performers, and their applause was much more enthusiastic and raucous than the restrained clapping of the nobles.
For all the complaining Keqing had made when, to no one's surprise, Ningguang had insisted that she participate, the expression she wore now as the applause washed over them was of incredible self-satisfaction and pride. She wasn't alone, either; Yaoyao was grinning from ear to ear, and Lumine and Xingqiu were only slightly more restrained. Chongyun, breathing raggedly, had an uncharacteristically wild and manic look to him, but he was gradually calming down as he chugged a Cryo-chilled beverage.
In spite of the warm glow of accomplishment, it would likely be the last time these seven would perform together. Most of them had other obligations, and could not be counted on to put on shows like this with any regularity. Xinyan would need to find new talent to fill the roster, but Zhongli had little doubt that she was up to the task. He, himself, looked forward to attending these performances in the future, whether it be as a patron or as a performer.
As the performers left the stage and the crowd began to mill about, a great many congregated around one individual: Ningguang. It was no surprise; many businesses would be champing at the bit to get in at the ground floor of this new opportunity, and while the crowd's chatter prevented him from hearing any details, Zhongli could easily imagine the prospects being discussed, budgets being offered, and so on. Nothing would be decided here and now, but to the merchant elite the opinions of the Tianquan were considered more valuable than the greatest treasures of Liyue.
The long and short of it was that this place was now in the hands of Zhongli's successors, just as the nation as a whole now was. Erosion was inevitable; no matter how carefully the people of Liyue cared for Azhdaha's legacy, the ravages of time would quickly claim it if it was put to regular use. Zhongli was mildly surprised to discover he was at peace with the notion. His old friend, the Azhdaha he knew before dementia twisted his mind… he would have loved to have seen this. He would have been proud of what he had helped to create.
The one who had made it all possible, the Traveler, had claimed her own congregation – much smaller, but much more intimate than that of the Tianquan. The friends she had invited to the performance were chatting with one another. Amber, in particular, had practically tackled the blonde woman once the show had disbanded and was now bombarding her with questions and congratulations while an amused and overwhelmed Lumine tried to get a word in edgewise. Eula was trying to maintain an aloof composure, but was quickly being worn down by Xiangling's friendly banter. Barbara and Xinyan had found a topic of conversation as well, likely one involving their shared love of music.
The Traveler truly had a talent for bringing people together. Zhongli knew he could join them. He would be welcome among them. Somehow, though, the thought of standing among Lumine's friends – of simply being another one of Lumine's friends, and not something more… It was a difficult feeling.
"Mora for your thoughts, old friend?"
Zhongli raised an eyebrow at that. "Somehow, I doubt that's a price you could afford…"
"Guilty as charged," Venti laughed. "In truth, what few coins I had on my person found their way into the collection box, and they were coins well-spent. As expected of the Lord of Contracts – when you deliver on a promise, you do not do so by half-measures."
"I'm pleased that you enjoyed the show."
"Indeed, this performance will have a treasured place in my memories."
Venti followed Zhongli's line of sight, and he sighed, sadly. "I'm sorry, my friend. I would never be so bold as to say that it is for the best – only the passage of time and the feelings in your heart can decide that – but I AM sorry. I assume it was our conversation in Mondstadt that prompted this separation?"
"It played a part, but do not trouble yourself about it," Zhongli assured him. "In truth, I-"
"Oho, the culprit reveals himself!"
Startled, the two former Archons turned to see a certain funeral director, hands on her hips and a rather vexed expression on her face. "I come over here to try to ask my precious employee why he's not joining the celebration, and what do I find? A villain's confession! YOU were the one that spoiled everything?"
"Ehe," Venti ehed nervously. "I… don't believe I've had the pleasure…?"
"You're sorely mistaken if you think there's going to be any pleasure in store for you, you…" Hu Tao paused a moment in her smoldering rant. "…homewrecker? I don't think that's quite right. They weren't married, after all, at least not yet…" She shook her head and refocused on the target of her ire. "It doesn't matter! I have a few words to share with you about keeping unwanted opinions to yourself!" She grabbed the bewildered bard by the arm and began to drag him away.
"A, uh, little help?" Venti pleaded.
"I'm afraid you're on your own," an amused Zhongli shook his head. "Don't worry; she won't bite." Zhongli paused a moment in consideration. "Probably." This did little to alleviate the expression of distress on the bard's face.
Venti's personal judge, jury, and executioner stopped, suddenly. "Oh, right, almost forgot. Here." Hu Tao held out an item to Zhongli.
Once it was in his hand, he immediately recognized it as a Realm Dispatch – a talisman that would allow the bearer to grant selected visitors access to their Adeptal Abode. It wasn't hard to guess who the owner was, and he gave Hu Tao a quizzical look.
Hu Tao shrugged. "Lumine asked me to give it to you, and said she wanted to meet you after dusk. I'm not sure what she has in mind but…" she glared at him. "If this is a second chance, don't screw it up! You got that?" The funeral director did not wait for a response before hauling her squirming prisoner away, and soon Zhongli was left alone with his thoughts once more.
He turned the talisman over in his hand. Lumine's behavior was odd; it was not necessary to present the Dispatch itself when inviting individuals into her teapot home. A tap to the palm would suffice – and, indeed, Lumine had long ago granted Zhongli access. It was a hidden message, clearly; by presenting the talisman, she had tacitly specified the location in a way that a casual observer would not understand. She wanted the meeting to be clandestine, but why?
He would find out, come dusk, he supposed.
Author's Notes:
A bit of a filler chapter, and I'm not sure I'm wholly satisfied with it, but it'll do, I guess.
I'd originally intended for both Amber and Xinyan to become friends of Zhongli's to pass Hu Tao's "test" – the former while bonding with Zhongli over stories of her grandfather. It made the Hu Tao scene here a little too cluttered and awkward, though, and so I cut it. It's possible the two could still hit it off off-camera, and I'll leave it up to your imaginations as to whether they do!
