[Liu's POV]
My letter should have reached Mother by now. In fact, I'd be extremely concerned if it hasn't, the ocean isn't that expansive, especially for a bird.
I just have to wait for it to return for confirmation.
Unsheathing my rapier, I start to inspect it.
It's a custom build, commissioned by my mother to Master Zhang. She originally only wanted it to be a sparring blade, but I had it changed to a proper combat ready sword before I set out on my journey.
The hilt's colour theme is the same as my mother's usual attire, that I have not changed. It has a miniature dragonic Rex Lapis coiled around the handle.
Blade's still as sharp as ever. Much like the hilt, it is no simple design. The tiny space allowed by the blade gives way to engravings that look like stalagmites, a reminder of my homeland's Lord.
Suddenly, I here the call of the falcon I had sent to deliver my letter, confirming that he has succeeded.
"Thank you, Zephyr." I say as he lands in front of me.
This falcon has been following and helping me since Sumeru for a reason I cannot discern.
If Mother has received my letter, that means she's probably formulating a response already. Guess I'll head to Ritou to wait for Aunt Beidou to deliver Mother's reply.
[A few days later...]
Finally, I see the Alcor approaching Ritou's dock. I've been watching the water for most of the past 3 days, hoping to see that ship on the horizon. Then again, this is a swifter delivery than I thought it would be.
The vessel comes to a halt and Aunt Beidou jumps down to greet me.
"I knew you'd be right here, Liu..." She says walking up to me.
"It's been...3 weeks since I last saw you." I reply.
Aunt Beidou smiles and then throws her arm around my neck pulling my head into her side and ruffles my hair.
"I still can't believe how much you've grown." She chuckles haughtily. "It feels like just yesterday I was sneaking you out of the Jade Chamber against Ningguang's orders."
I'm unable to reply due to being pinned to Beidou's side.
"She wasn't very happy when I did that." Beidou lets go.
I straighten my back before speaking.
"Well, you and I both know she's always been quite protective of me."
"That's true, but she should've trusted me more." Beidou slips a letter out of her pouch. "Here. It's her reply."
"Thank you." I take the letter. "You really came all the way here just to deliver this?"
"Meh, it's not a big deal." She shakes her head. "Besides, it's a good excuse to see my unofficial nephew again."
Beidou pats my head with as much restraint of strength as she can.
"I'm happy to see you as well, Aunt Beidou."
Aunt Beidou was also a key figure in my life growing up. It's largely her influence that shaped who I am today. Refined, noble and humble, with a streak of rebellion.
My mother would never admit it, but she's grateful for Aunt Beidou's impression on me.
"Well, I'm heading off again now." Aunt Beidou says. "Kazuha's still a wanted fugitive as far as I can tell. Liu, when you return to Liyue, let's go for a drink and properly catch up, deal?"
"Alright, deal." I agree.
Aunt Beidou smiles and pulls me into a hug.
"I'll see you then." She says as she pulls back and boards the Alcor.
"Yeah, I look forward to it." I reply.
She nods and dissappears out of sight.
Right, time to head back-
"You there, stop!"
Oh great, the Shogun's soldiers.
"The Shogun has issued a warrant for your arrest. Come quietly and you won't be harmed."
I knew I should have worn different clothes.
"Sorry, but I have more important things to be doing." I casually reply.
They advance towards me.
"I would advise you to stop resisti-"
I use my Vision to summon a small row of icicles out of the ground between me and the soldiers.
"Back off, unless you want to end up impaled on one of these." I warn.
They remain silent as I turn and make my escape.
If the Raiden Shogun wants me, nothing short of herself coming to capture me, will succeed. I guess it would be best to lay low for now, and that means making my way back to the Fatui hideout. The only place that's truely safe for me.
[Later, at the hideout...]
"Back so soon, Leo?" Signora asks, excitedly.
"I had a run-in with a squad of the Shogun's loyal soldiers." I explain. "They didn't harm me, but I came here to keep a low profile for the time being."
"And here I was thinking you changed your mind on reclaiming your position as my right hand..." She feigns dissapointment.
"Soon, Signora. Soon." I play along, to reassure her.
"In any case, for the duration you stay here, we'll share my quarters, understood?" Signora says in her more characteristic authoritive tone.
I coo. "I'll head over right now, Mistress."
There it is, that glare that can tame the fiercest of flames.
"If that's seriously how you want to be..." Signora steps closer to me. "Maybe I should unofficially demote you, so that title is fitting."
She...doesn't completely understand my humour sometimes...
Signora turns away from me.
"In any case, I assume you are staying here for the rest of today at least." She says as she opens a bedside drawer. "How about a drink? Just like we used to."
She holds two bottles of hard liquor, obviously taken from her personal stash, out to me.
"Sure." I agree taking one of the bottles. "I've missed it too."
She softly chuckles as she takes out two small glasses and an array of dilution liquids and sets them on the top of the drawers.
"So how have you been these past months?" I ask her while passing the bottle back.
"Well, aside from the isolation caused by your absence. I've been doing fine." She says as she takes her mask off. "Recently, the Tsaritsa's grand plan has been set into motion and I, along with Tartaglia, have been spearheading the preparations."
"Which are?" I question.
"That's not something I can divulge to anyone who's not in the Fatui." She replies as she pours our drinks. "Sunsettia or Apple?"
"Sunsettia, please." I retort. "And, come on, you trust me, don't you Signora?"
"I make no exceptions to the rules set out by her Majesty." She hands me my glass.
"Even if I used to be a part of the Fatui?" I ask. "Thanks, by the way."
"You're welcome." She sits beside me on the bed. "And yes, being ex-Fatui does not make you exempt."
"Alright then." I sip my drink and, as always, her mixing skills are unmatched. "How do you manage to get the ratio so perfect?"
"Experience." Signora also drinks her serving. "A lot of it."
"From where?" I look at her. "Did you work at a bar, or something?"
"No, nothing like that." Her eyes look saddened. "I...just did a lot of experimenting on my own."
Well, that's not the complete truth, but I'll let it go. Something tells me I shouldn't pursue that subject.
"Whatever your reason, the results are worth it, in my opinion." I compliment her again.
"Thank you." She gently puts her arm around me and rests her head on my shoulder.
I swear she doesn't think about the acceptablilty of actions like this given our current relation. Wait...am I dense?
"Leo, I...I'm really thankful for you doing this with me, all those times." Signora almost whispers.
"Of course, Signora." I respond, focusing on remaining calm.
"I honestly don't know if I could have kept going much longer if you hadn't helped me as much as you did." She pulls away. "Even if it wasn't your intention, you still made a huge impact on me. That is something that not many can do."
"T-thank you..." I take a drawn out sip of my drink to mull over what she said. "But, I didn't do anything."
"No, you've done much more than you realize." She uses her hand to turn my gaze towards her. "Just the simple act of being there and listening to me on a personal level. It...means a lot."
I'm unable to muster a reply. One of the few times that has ever happened in my life.
Signora shakes her head and stands up again.
"Refill?" She asks with a shallow, yet genuine, smile on her face.
"...O-oh, yes please." I hand her my empty glass.
"Same again?" She inquires while setting down the glasses. "Or something different?"
"What are the choices?"
"Sunsettia, Apple, Sumeru Rose, Snezhnayan Glacier or Mist Flower." She says. "That's all I could bring with me from Headquarters."
"I think Snezhnayan Glacier sounds nice about now." I watch as she nods.
"Good choice." Signora begins preparing the beverage. "My favourite, in fact."
"I always knew you had great taste, Signora." I feel myself start to smile.
"Of course I do." She hands me my glass again and sits beside me. "After all, great minds think alike."