Relaxing on the porch while the purple haired young lady in a stunning kimono next to her carefully cleaned out any dirt from her treasure blade, the pink haired fox lady leaned back and enjoyed her freshly made snacks paired with a bottle of sake. Along the way, the Tengu she sent out on a scouting mission returned. Though she seemed carefree, she didn't miss a single word coming out of their mouth. Yet, when it was time for her to give a new instruction, she was cut short as the young lady dropped her sword before hanging her head down low. However, she wasn't mad, instead a smile blossom on her lips.
"Welcome back, Ei."
At that moment, she lifted her head up. The second she saw what she was wearing, she gave the fox lady a cold glance.
"Miko, I told you not to mess with the puppet while I'm gone."
"Can you blame me? There I was, working my butt off to get you a kimono made from the finest silk in all Teyvat, yet you still insist in wearing that worn up Yukata. I swear one more movement and not even your best puppet can sew it back together."
"That's not for you to de-- Kujou Sara...Apology, I didn't see you there."
"P-please don't mind me, Almight Shogun. I was just about to lea--"
"Well, since you're back, why don't you make dinner? Sara here will also lend a hand."
"Eh?!"
"Now you're just being ridiculous. I don't cook."
"You're the one who said everyone must earn their keeps." She took a sip of her sake. "So naturally, it applies to you also, am I wrong?"
"..."
"Lady Yae, if I may. There's no need to force her Excellency, I'll be more than happy to fill in her spot."
"That won't do. I can't have you spoiling her like a child."
"But!"
"That's enough." Ei pushed herself up.
"Almighty Shogun?"
"Come. The sooner we finish this, the sooner we can all rest."
"A-as you wish!" Sara pushed herself up and followed her in a hurry. The second she tried to pick the sword up from the ground, she raised her voice.
"Just leave it. I have no use for that toy."
And Yae sent them off with a smile. Once they were out of sight, she snapped her finger and two figures whose name were Kokomi and Gorou appeared before her.
"How may we be of service, lady Yae?"
"Follow them. Worst case scenario, your power is required. Oh, and fetch some digestion pills while you're at it."
"Understood."
Meanwhile, in the kitchen not too far away...
Rolling up her sleeves while Sara looked through the ingredients at hand, a ray of surprise sparked in her eyes. But it vanished as soon as it came. At the same time, the Tengu turned her way.
"Almight Shogun, since it's your first time doing...such a thing, I was thinking we could start with something simple like omurice or seaweed soup."
"That won't do. Such sloppy dishes will only give Yae more reason to complain." She let out a sigh. "Instead, why don't we try your signature dish?"
"E-eh?!" Her face burnt up as she quickly moved back.
"Is there a problem?"
"Y-yes--I mean no! I mean...umm..."
"Calm down. Take a deep breath." And she did just that.
"My apologize. I'm afraid it isn't suitable for the occasion."
"I see. What a shame." She let out a light sigh.
Unable to bare seeing her disappointed face, Sara once again raised her voice.
"I have an idea."
A few moment later...
"Hmm, after burning thirty percent of the kitchen, you manage to creat this masterpiece. A win-win if you ask me." Yae giggled then stuffed her mouth with another mouthful of curry.
"Sara is the one you should be thanking. She was the one who did most of the work. I just cut and threw the ingredients in the pot."
"I figure. If it was you, the kitchen will be no more."
"..."
"Lighten up, I was just joking."
"...You knew, didn't you?"
"You'll have to be more specific, Ei. Being a Yokai doesn't mean I can read your mind."
As soon as she finished, the purple haired young lady pulled her left sleeve up revealing her corrupted veins.
"Need I say more?" They might be visible to the naked eyes, but as her familiar and a powerful Yokai, spotting them should be a breeze for Yae Miko. Yet, she just laughed.
"You're over thinking it. I really just want to get rid of that old Yukata. Can't have my God dressing anything worse than a flower girl."
"Miko, you--"
"That reminds me. A few days ago, a business man gave me some high quality materials to return a certain favor. Sadly, I have no use for them. If you like, you can use it to make a new vessel. Surely, you don't want everything to end so soon, right?"
"Foolish question." Her violet eyes glowed bright. At the same moment, an image flashed through her mind. Standing in the middle of a beautiful flower field cover in dirty and wounds from head to toes, a black haired young boy turned to her and smiled. In his hands was a bouquet of her favorite flower.
"Mother, welcome back!"
"My eternity won't be extinguished so easily!"
Meanwhile, at another place...
Having returned after taking care of some business, Xiao found himself facing Morax' s death gaze. The next thing he knew, the man threw his polem and it grazed his cheek before completely destroying the fish pond farther down. Though the cut itself wasn't serious, his polem bared a curse for any wound it inflicted would never heal.
"Come here." He said and the Yasha moved forward.
Once he was in range, the Geo God grabbed him by the waist and pulled him onto his laps before forcing a kiss on him seconds later.
"To disobey me like that, what do you have to say for yourself?"
Despite asking a question, Morax was in no mood to hear the answer as he slid his tongue in, making a futher mess in that person's mouth. By the time he pulled back, a thin string of silver saliva was hanging at the end of their lips and the side he was trying so hard to hide came out.
"Let's have some fun, shall we?"
And it lasted till early morning before he finally have had enough and forced some of his blood down their throat to lift the curse. As the sunlight shone down, erased the coldness of the night, dressed in a more casual clothing, he left. After all, Xiao wasn't the only one he needed to keep track of.
Liyue, Wangsheng Funeral Parlor...
"Mr. Zhongli, good morning."
"Good morning, Ferrylady. Do you happen to know where the director is?" As soon as he finished, he was tackled on the side and ended up falling on the ground. Upon seeing who caused it, he smiled helplessly. "That isn't very nice, Director."
"Well, it's your fault for suddenly disappearing."
"I did request a few days off, do you not remember?"
"Mrs. Hutao has been running around none stop looking for potential customers of late, so it must have slipped her mind. She actually just ret--"
"Shh! Don't tell him...that...ah..." She turned away. "Go on, laugh if you want."
However, what she awaited never came. Instead, she felt a familiar warmness on top of her head.
"You did good. After you finish resting, we'll go together. How does that sound?"
"N-naturally! It's your duty as Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's consultant!" Her ears turned red. "But if I wake up and you're gone again..."
"Rest assured you have my words."
"Good!"
"Now then..." He coughed, face slightly red. "Would you mind getting off of me?"
It didn't really affect him since this was kinda a regular routine. However, others might get the wrong idea if they saw them in such a state during board daylight. Seemed to realize that, Hutao quickly moved away with her face burning red.
"S-sorry. By the way, what happens to your neck?"
At that moment, Zhongli unconsciously covered the scratch on his neck and laughed as an image flashed through his mind.
"I was trying giving my cat a bath. Let just say he didn't really enjoy it."
"He must be a quick one to get you all the way there."
"Yes... Indeed." The man lowered his gaze. "Enough about me. Did you manage to sign any contract?"
"No..." She let out a sigh. "They told me to get lost as soon as they saw me coming. B-but one said they'll call!"
"...I see." For a split second, his aura turned dark and cold.
"It can't be help. Our service is quite...unique, after all." Said Ferrylady. "And with the Director's enthusiasm, they're probably a little shy."
"Hmm, I didn't think of that."
"Anyways, go get some rest, Director. Any longer and I afraid your legs might turn into jelly."
"Alright, alright, grandpa. So then, see you two later." And she dashed off.
He also left a moment later saying he had something important to take care of. Once he was out of sight, he called out that person's name and they appeared before him carrying the heavy smell of blood.
"You know what to do."
~~~~~~
Running as fast as he could while pressing hard on the wound on his stomach, a man yelled out from the top of his lungs hoping to catch ears of passerby. He and his group of merchants were just minding their own business when a maniac with a polem appeared and started killing them off. Even the youngsters and elders didn't escape his blade. All his effort paid off as he bumped into the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's consultant out on a walk. After hearing about what happened, he agreed to help just in time too as "the maniac" showed up before them. While shielding him, the worst case scenario crossed his mind.
"I'm afraid your family might have already..."
"They didn't come along this time, so they should be safe back at Liyue."
"I see. In that case..." He gazed at the one before him. "Xiao, drop your weapon." And he did.
However, only seconds later, he picked it back up and pierced the man through chest. Seeing that, Zhongli took a few steps back as the man collapsed. His resentful eyes directed at him. Yet, he felt nothing and just said.
"I kept my end of the contract and protected you from the harm at hand. However, I never promise to do the same if another one shows up."
At that moment, "Xiao" pulled his polem back and ended the man's life. Different from before, his golden eyes turned emerald while his hair along with clothes dyed in the color of blood. The next thing he knew, that person caressed his cheek and he couldn't help but rubbed against their palm like a kitten seeking for affection.
"Master, I..."
"There will be time for that later, Alatus. For now, make sure no one escape."
"As you wish." And he vanished into thin air while Zhongli headed to the stone table nearby and finally finished his drink.
"Osmanthus wine tastes the same as I remember... But where are those who share the memory."