The Traveler receives a call from the guardian of Liyue.
Good afternoon, Xiao!
It's been a while since we last spoke, heh heh!
I do apologize for that.
I've been on vacation, you see.
Plus, this whole adventuring thing I have going is a year-round deal, so… I sometimes find myself short on time. But I'm glad I was able to finally catch a break and get to say hi to you!
How's vacation been?
Well, I guess the grind is never-ending… you know how it is. Lots of work to do.
But hey, on the bright side, Kazuha's banner came out and I got Keqing and the man himself! Love them both to bits, so I was super happy; my siblings came into my room to see what was going on, haha! I'm glad I was able to save up enough. And I hope anyone else who's going for him can get him too!
Huh?
Why, thank you, man! And hey, I'm saving up for your banner next.
You know, you just said something that made me realize…
We both walk along the narrow path between two worlds. Although, my part is mostly fourth wall stuff, haha!
I wanted to ask you, though… how have you been?
I can't thank you enough for helping Mr Zhongli, Xiangling, and me with Ganyu the other day. I… I really hope it was able to help you too.
Hmm? She made some Almond Tofu for you? Was it different? Or good?
Oh, awesome! Xiangling is very good at what she does, and I'm very glad you enjoyed it.
Anyways, I wanted to tell you about the actual vacation I've been having.
Yeah, so… back in Mondstadt, there was this whole thing going on with people receiving these letters from some dude named "Dodo-King."
Well, a bunch of us decided to check out what was going on, and we traveled to the Golden Apple Archipelago. Yes, I do know what that word means.
And no, i-it's totally… ahem... not because Jean told me the definition… or anything.
Well, the islands here are beautiful. It's like going to Hawaii (except I've never been to Hawaii, so I wouldn't know.)
Even still… this place is so peaceful and beautiful.
OH! IDEA!
Xiao, mate, you have to come here!
Bro, it would be perfect for you!
What do you mean, "no it wouldn't"? Of course it would!
You need to have some time to chillax. So, I've decided that you need to come here, effective immediately.
Well, no, I don't have the authority to decide that, you are completely correct.
But I do happen to know a guy who does have that authority.
I'm sure Mr Zhongli would be willing to give you a little vacation leave time.
What would you do here?
Mate, you're going to have the best time here. There's all sorts of different activities!
We could race boats or play tennis with this Dodo… turret… thingy…
I dunno what it's called, but it shoots balls at you and you return them back to it like a game of tennis. Or baseball.
Plus, it would be really cool to introduce you to my Mondstadt friends. But… we don't have to do that if you're not comfortable, of course.
The mission is to help you relax, so anything that will help you…
Hmm? But you do need to relax...
You know, you're absolutely right! Ganyu does need a vacation too!
Oh, and who else…? Hmm…
Keqing? She spends all her time working on… whatever she spends her time working on. Girl needs to give it a rest every once in a while. Though, I get the feeling she'd refuse even if we offered….
Oh, I know you refused too, but… come on, mate!
What if Mr Zhongli gave you permission?
Heh heh. You know I'm going to ask him.
Huh? "Why do I care?"
Do I need a reason? You're my friend, Xiao.
If I needed a reason to care about someone, then my care wouldn't be genuine, don't you think?
Because I'd be caring to fulfill a cause instead of just caring.
Haha! I know, I know.
But hey, someone's gotta check up on you, and that's going to be me until you can find someone more willing than I.
Really?! You'll come?!
Let's goooooooo!
And you're bringing Ganyu with you? That's very thoughtful of you, Xiao.
I dunno how you're going to convince Keqing to come, but if you want her there, you better come up with a good reason for her.
I mean, I doubt you'd mention her if you didn't want her there, so I just assumed…
Eh, I'll text her too. Maybe if multiple people try and convince her, she'll come too.
Okay, it's settled. You three will need to go to Windrise in Mondstadt and find Venti.
He's probably passed out and drunk by the tree, spouting nonsense about a Phantom Thief. Ignore all of that and ask him to take you to the Golden Apple Archipelago. He'll summon Dvalin to take you.
Sound good?
Oh, wonderful! I really hope this will be able to help you three.
I can't wait!
Okay, I'm going to go do some more tennis. When you get here, text me, aight?
Cool!
Ciao, Xiao!
Hahaha!
I'm just teasing.
Okay, cheers mate!
Hello, all!
I apologize for the lengthy interim between the previous chapter and this one. Lots of irl stuff going on, but I'm glad I had time to write this chapter. I hope to start the next one soon!
Also also, I wish you all summoning luck for Kazuha or whomever you're pulling for! 🙏
Cheers!