Thank you for the review Ren! I hope the story continues to be relaxing and fun!
As for the jealousy part, I'm not so sure yet. It probably won't happen, but wouldn't wanna rule out the possibility.
Anywho, hope that you enjoy the chapter!
The Moonchase Festival.
An event where the people of Liyue celebrate the coming of Fall by the moonlight. A joyful evening where under the gaze of the moon, people came together with their loved ones and remembered the past and reflected on the present.
Each year, a different set of the Qixing were assigned to decide the theme that would best suit that specific year. The two chosen members who were responsible for this year's theming were the Tianquan and the Yuheng.
And therein lied the problem.
"Do you have any suggestions, Keqing?"
Keqing closed her eyes, doing her best to delve into the recesses of her mind to try and come up with a satisfying answer. But no matter how much she wished for inspiration to spark and give her an answer, the proverbial well of her mind was running dry.
The two esteemed merchants have been bouncing ideas off one another for quite a while, yet none have appealed to the both of them. Each and every poignant sigh echoed throughout the Jade Chamber as their frustration gradually increased.
"I know that it's fairly obvious at this point," Keqing rested her forehead against her open palm, still attempting to brainstorm at least one decent idea. "But picking out a suitable theme is an extremely arduous task."
"Agreed." Ningguang pinched the bridge of her nose, blowing away a strand of hair that had come loose during the stress of their discussion. "Let's take a break, then." The platinum blonde woman rested her chin against her fist. "Our creative process will be less hindered with a relaxed mind."
The Yuheng sighed in relief, finding the idea extremely pleasant, huffing out a short reply. "Great idea."
The Tianquan observed her fellow Qixing member in their short reprieve. A soft smile graced her lips as she noticed the healthier complexion that the Yuheng glowed with. As much as her stubborn coworker tried to deny it, Ningguang knew that the Traveler had played a role in that.
"I am glad to see you are taking better care of yourself."
Keqing perked up, remembering their conversation from a few weeks ago before chuckling awkwardly. "Sorry about that." A confident smile plastered her lips, "But I assure you that I'm faring better nowadays."
"Yes, I should hope so." Ningguang couldn't help the sly remark that would slip through, "I imagine that having the Hero of Liyue nursing you back to health played a large factor."
The Yuheng sighed expectantly, having seen the direction the conversation was heading. "Again with this? My relationship with Aether is none of your concern."
"Oh, but it definitely is." A curt yet cheerful laugh wafted through the room, "Why wouldn't I be interested in my dear friend's love life?"
"Love-!" Keqing could feel the heat rise to her face as the words echoed in her mind. What she felt towards the Traveler was far too immature to be classified as love. At the moment, she was happy enough that they could be considered friends.
Friend.
The parameters of how one could be classified as a friend still eluded her. She had very little clue on what she should do to improve one's friendship. But at the very least, she was relieved that Ningguang thought of her as one.
There was however, one exception to her awkwardness; Aether.
At the beginning, he was nothing more than someone that she just happened to recognize. With his strange garb, demeanor and reputation, it was no secret who the Traveler was. But that was all he was. A rising popular figure amongst the countries of Teyvat.
But the more their paths crossed, the more comfortable she began to feel around him. So much so, that she began to wonder how and why their friendship grew so fast to begin with.
"Love life?" Keqing cleared her throat, willing the heat on her face to dissipate, "I don't believe that our relationship has reached that threshold."
"Is that so?" Ningguang waved away her refutes, "The way he served you hand and foot while you were ill suggested otherwise."
"Does it?" The Yuheng closed her eyes as she reminisced about what Aether had done for her during that time. He had carried her back home, making sure that she was comfortable in her bed. He had also stayed by her side throughout the entire ordeal, which was apparently something she asked him to do in her delirious state. But perhaps the gesture that warmed her heart the most was when he gave her his homemade cooking.
The way he cooked those Golden Shrimp Balls was perfect.
Keqing's eyes burst open as she slammed the table, a spark finally lit, "That's it!" She excitedly turned towards the startled Tianquan, "Let's make the theme food!"
Ningguang was stunned silent by the Yuheng's sudden outburst but contemplated her words. Indeed, this year's fishery and crops had been the best that they have seen in a while, so the idea of centralizing the theme of the festival around food was an enticing prospect.
"That's brilliant." Ningguang put a finger to her chin, her other hand drumming away at the table. "We could call it…" She snapped her fingers. "Feast of the Bounteous Land!"
"Perfect!" Keqing nodded, pride filling her chest.
"Excuse me, Lady Ningguang, Lady Keqing?"
The two Qixing turned to the origin of the voice. Keqing recognized them as one of Ningguang's secretaries, Baiwen. Seeing that they had yet to announce that they were finished, Baiwen's interruption must mean that something of importance had occurred.
"What seems to be the problem, Baiwen?" Ningguang gestured for the secretary to continue.
"It would seem that some fishermen have discovered a large smooth stone not too far from the shore. They have reported it to us since such large findings are to be submitted to the Qixing."
Keqing's eyes widened slightly at the object mentioned. A large smooth stone? No. It couldn't possibly be-?
She had a feeling that this year's Moonchase Festival might be just a tad bit more interesting than its predecessors.
A few days had passed and the Moonchase Festival would soon be upon them. Keqing had decided to take responsibility for the investigation of the stone out of a personal duty to her grandfather. This large stone seemed to perfectly match the location and appearance of the ancient Stove God Statue from her grandfather's notes.
She couldn't help but feel divine will was at play here considering that the discovery of this stone happened right after they decided the theme of this year's Moonchase would be food. If that wasn't a sign for her to investigate, then nothing was.
But this was an extremely difficult task to tackle alone. Luckily for her, Keqing had run into Aether and requested his assistance. Though at first it seemed that he was occupied with Xiangling's commission, the fiery young girl decided to tag along and offer her help as well.
The trio spent the entire day searching for information. Though some of it conflicted with one another, it was still important progress towards solving the mystery. Their journey ended with Xiangling wishing to cook a dish of her choice as an apology for Guoba stealing her food.
As Xiangling and Aether were about to head to Wanmin Restaurant, Keqing grabbed hold of the Traveler's hand, "Um, Aether, I have something to discuss with you for a bit."
Aether quirked his brow but nodded nonetheless as they bade Xiangling farewell. "What's up?"
Keqing shuffled her feet, unsure of where to look. "Well… I need your advice on something." Mustering up her courage, she sternly looked into his eyes and asked, "How do I get along with Xiangling?"
"This is what's stressing you out?" Aether crossed his arms and tilted his head in confusion.
She felt defensive as Aether kept his gaze fixed on her, "What? Why are you looking at me like that?"
The blonde man shrugged his shoulders, "I dunno. Just didn't take you for the type that would be awkward with this stuff." He pointed to her and back to himself, "After all, don't we get along just fine?"
Keqing huffed, "You're different."
It was true.
The question of 'why' had popped into her mind ever since Ningguang insinuated that she harbored romantic feelings towards him. A whirlpool of questions swirled within her mind mixing together into a cocktail of confusion.
Why was she so comfortable around him? When did it start? How did it happen?
Just before Aether could question her something she didn't know the answer to, Keqing refocused the subject, "I'm not sure how to respond to her outgoing personality. What should I do?."
Aether pulled back his questioning gaze and sheepishly rubbed the back of his head. "Honestly, it looked like you guys got along fine already."
Keqing sighed, somewhat disappointed at the answer. "Is that so?"
"Just go about things at your own pace." She turned to him and took in his soft sincere smile. "There is no formula for becoming friends. But at least, the fact that you're considering her feelings is the right step."
Keqing blinked slowly as she stood in slight disbelief that Aether could deliver sage advice from time to time. "I- I see. Thank you."
"No problem." Aether grinned.
There it was. His smile that somehow washed away her concerns. His words didn't magically solve her problems, but it brought great comfort to her heart.
With her concerns settled, Aether placed his hands on his hips. "You want me to accompany you to get your grandpa's recipe?"
She shook her head. "Thanks for the offer, but you should go help Xiangling taste test some of her dishes. I'm sure she'll need a judge to prepare for tomorrow."
He chuckled, "That's true. Alright then, see you in a bit."
The two waved a short goodbye before heading in separate directions. Keqing swiftly headed towards her grandfather's old residence and searched for the recipe. Most of his notes were unfortunately very brittle and some were barely legible, thus Keqing tried her best to transcript whatever she could onto paper.
As she wrote down the steps, her mind conjured images of the times they spent together, clumsily testing out the old recipe he had found. They spent countless hours experimenting. Memories of kneading dough, flour flying everywhere, picking chilis, all of it came back to her.
They might not have succeeded, but every time, the taste would improve. Regrettably, his soul had moved on before they could finish what they started.
Keqing wiped away the few tears that were forming in her eyes. Determination welled up from within, as she knew that they were close to completing his research on the Stove God. And perhaps Xiangling would be able to shed light on this recipe too.
It truly felt as if divine will was pushing her to follow through her grandfather's endeavors.
After she tidied up the scattered notes, she glanced at the room. It was slightly covered in dust. She should probably clean the place up some time soon.
Just before she closed the door, she peeked one last look and whispered,
"I'm almost there, grandpa."
Keqing made her way to Wanmin restaurant, where she witnessed the Adeptus, Cloud Retainer, appear out of thin air, talk at length about something, and fly off. If her ears served her correctly, she heard something about a 'Supreme Cuisine Machine'? It made her happy to know that the Adepti were still celebrating Moonchase in their own way.
Once she was within earshot, Keqing called out to the group standing in front of Wanmin, "What are you all huddled together over here for? The Adeptus left already."
Aether turned to her and gave her a mock salute. "Yo! You're back."
Keqing chuckled, "Sorry I kept you waiting."
She handed the recipe to Xiangling. "This is the recipe from my grandfather's notes. They weren't exactly in the best condition, so rather than take them out of the house, I transcribed the recipe." A worried look painted her face. "Unfortunately, most of the notes were fairly old - usually faded, damaged, or both. Some parts are missing from the recipe too. Do you think you'll still be able to work with it?"
The fiery chef gave a nod of understanding as she skimmed through the notes, recognizing some obvious steps that were missing. "Hmmm. Mmhmm. Give me some time, I need to look into it!"
Keqing released a breath of relief that she didn't know she was holding, "Sorry for the trouble."
"Oh, uh, you're all here."
Aether peeped out his head, trying his best to see the source of the voice. "Ganyu?"
"Sorry to interrupt your conversation." The half Qilin gave a friendly wave, the other hand holding a few bags worth of vegetables. "I was in the area buying a few things and I heard the disturbance, so I felt compelled to take a look…"
Keqing put a finger to her chin. "You mean Cloud Retainer? I saw her too." She gestured towards the roof of a building. "She just suddenly showed up out of nowhere. Whatever adeptal power that was, she sure knew how to make an entrance."
A slight panic could be seen on Ganyu's face. "Lady Keqing! You saw her too? Aah…" Ganyu closed the distance between them. "If you have a spare moment, lady Keqing, I would like to discuss something personal with you. Is that okay?"
Keqing could feel the gears in her head going into overdrive. A personal matter involving her? Had she done something that unknowingly offended Ganyu? Was their friendship ruined?
"I- I noticed that Cloud Retainer was here for quite a while…" Ganyu hid her face with her hands, eyes peeking through her fingers, "Did she talk about me at all? When I was young?"
Aether interjected, seeing as Keqing probably wasn't here for the entire conversation. "Nope, don't worry."
"Oh thank goodness." Ganyu sighed, her stiff posture immediately relaxing. "Cloud Retainer tends to… go off on a lot of tangents. So I was worried if she bored you with some stories about me. Heh… "
Keqing smiled reassuringly, "As far as I know, your name didn't even come up. So you have nothing to worry about."
Paimon cut in, floating between the two coworkers. "Keqing! How are you not asking a bunch of questions right now?" The little fairy wiggled in delight, excited at the prospect of embarrassing stories. "There's obviously some juicy gossip here, aren't you curious to find out what it is?"
The half Qilin went back into panic mode when she heard Paimon's attempt at persuasion. Luckily for her, Keqing had other plans.
"Of course not." The Yuheng shut down the fairy completely. "Whatever it is, I'm not curious, and I'm not going to ask." Keqing gave Paimon a stern look, "Is it not basic decency to not pry into Ganyu's affairs if she doesn't want you to?"
Any excitement Paimon had fizzled out as she cowered behind Aether. "Ye- yes Ma'am… Paimon'll never bring it up again…"
"Keqing…" Ganyu smiled, remembering the feisty little girl she watched growing up. "You've always been kind and considerate, ever since you were small. Thank you."
"Wha- What's that got to do with this?" In her flustered state, Keqing huffed and avoided eye contact. All she did was stick to her principles. Surely there was no need to compliment her like that, right?
Aether, unable to hold himself back anymore, patted the half Qilin's shoulder. "Ganyu, like Keqing said, Cloud Retainer didn't mention you at all." He then twirled his fingers over one another, something that Keqing interpreted as 'rolling'? A teasing grin plastered his face. "Especially, nothing about this."
"A-Aether, please!" Ganyu pleaded, her hands reaching over to silence him.
Keqing watched with slight confusion as the two continued to banter with one another. It was then that a new lesson was presented to her. Just as it was effective for her to not question Ganyu's secrets, Aether also displayed his friendship through his playful teasing.
Friendships were a lot more confusing than she thought.
Ganyu gasped lightly when she saw the clock in Wanmin Restaurant. "Oh! The time! I should be getting back to work now." Ganyu bowed, preparing to leave. "Everyone, Aether, please take care of Keqing for me."
"Ganyu!" Keqing's face bloomed scarlet, knowing full well why the secretary singled out Aether. "What are you trying to say!?"
Aether gave a thumbs up, seemingly oblivious to the implications of Ganyu's words. "Don't worry. She's in safe hands."
"Thanks." Ganyu winked playfully at Keqing, silently wishing her good luck. Keqing bit back any more outbursts. She would have to correct Ganyu's misunderstanding later. "Hope to see you again soon."
They watched as she left, her figure already blending in with the crowd. Keqing felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to see Aether.
"At the end there, she kinda sounded like your big sister."
Looking away from the man, as she could tell that the heat had yet to leave her face, she grumbled. "Eh.. Ignore her."
"Aha! I just had an idea!" Xiangling suddenly shouted, grabbing the group's attention. "It just occurred to me after the Adeptus left, but do you think that the Stove God could have been an Adeptus too?"
Keqing put a finger to her chin, ruminating the theory. "The possibility is definitely there…"
"In that case," Xiangling excitedly pointed towards Yujing Terrace, "We should go ask my Master about it! I'm sure she could help!"
Seeing as this was the only solid lead they had, the group set off.
When they arrived in Yujing Terrace, Aether, Keqing and Paimon were surprised to learn that Xiangling's master was - in fact - Madame Ping. The wise woman commended them for deducing correctly that the Stove God was indeed, one of the Adepti.
Madame Ping gazed nostalgically into the sky, "Moonchase was a rite that was originally observed by the Adepti - not something that the ordinary people of Liyue would usually partake in."
She chuckled heartily, "But at some point, they began to emulate it for themselves, creating various festivals in a similar fashion. Later, Rex Lapis would unite all these festivals under the name of Moonchase, to honor an old friend of his. With the heavens as our witness, we vowed to join together in joyful solidarity, remembering the past while also reflecting on the present. That is the meaning behind the Moonchase Festival."
Keqing's gaze drooped to the ground, her brows furrowing as she was once again reminded how much the Geo Archon contributed to Liyue's prosperity.
"Rex Lapis…"
A shot of joyful pride fueled the elderly woman as she continued, "That friend made many great contributions to Liyue. So many that Rex Lapis would not have them go unrecognized. I can only assume that the Stove God festival was one of the many subsumed into the Moonchase Festival."
A deep pit hollowed itself within the Yuheng's chest. She clutched the fabric tightly, as she was reminded of the weight of her new responsibilities once more. "In the hands of Rex Lapis, our nation's traditions were faithfully upheld… It is to their detriment that we must now be the ones to inherit this duty."
Madame Ping walked over to the dejected Yuheng and firmly, reassuringly slapped her back. "Now, Keqing." The young woman reeled from the sudden physical force. "I simply won't allow you to be so down on yourself. Nothing would delight Rex Lapis more than to know that those who follow in his footsteps continue to value these traditions and are working tirelessly to do them justice."
Keqing, no longer looking down, smiled as she took in the praise. "Thank you…"
"Lady Keqing!"
The group turned to see a Millelith soldier come to a full stop before them. "Lady Keqing, lady Ningguang wishes to see you."
"Ningguang's looking for me?" Keqing raised a brow. Must be important. "Please excuse me everyone, if I'm not back soon, you'll find me at Ningguang's office."
Aether watched as Keqing walked away, a focused gaze in her eyes. Gone was the unconfident and awkward girl from before. The woman walking with purpose in her strides right there, was the Yuheng of the Liyue Qixing.
"There she goes…" Xiangling put her hands on her hips as a smile full of admiration painted her face. "Keqing's a lot more serious when she's got her work face on."
Aether smiled as well, as pride swelled within his chest at having such a dependable friend like Keqing. "Yeah, which is why we should help her out as much as we can. Hey Granny Ping," the Traveler began, wishing to confirm something, "Rex Lapis' friend, that must have been the Stove God, right?"
"Ohoho," a hearty laugh escaped the woman, "Yes, precisely. There are few coincidences in the world - the story of the lost festival and old friend are indeed one and the same."
She remembered the crackling fire, the wafting fragrant spices, the full stomachs. "The Stove God was a good friend of mine too. What a pity that the god is now gone both from the world and from people's memories."
Xiangling sucked in a breath, "How could that happen…"
Madame Ping heaved a sigh, "It is to everyone's regret that the Stove God passed. But gods cannot be fully destroyed, and we made a pact to wait until the land became fruitful once more, for perhaps the Stove God would then return, albeit in a new form."
Aether couldn't help but notice Madame Ping's wistful tone. "Sounds like you guys were pretty close. At the very least…" He smiled softly, doing his best to choose his words carefully, "I think they'd be glad that their memory lives on in you."
"Thank you, dear." A warm smile emanated from the woman. "I will forever remember the fond memories we had." She chuckled. "I'm pleasantly surprised to find that Keqing is investigating this. That tenacious child will diligently pursue anything she sets her mind to. It warms my heart, and makes me want to give her a helping hand."
"Unfortunately however," Madame Ping's tone shifted, as wisdom interweaved into her words. "I cannot simply give her the answer, for the process is of great importance to her."
She recalls a young lilac haired man eagerly regaling her with his new discoveries. "Keqing's grandfather once researched the Stove God, and now she's following in his footsteps. Since Keqing has inherited this conundrum, so too must she inherit the journey to its resolution."
Aether's eyes widened, "Wait- You knew Keqing's grandpa?"
"Of course!" Madame Ping joyfully laughed, "I count all the people of Liyue among my good friends. I remember when he was the same age Keqing is now… Ah, so young. Both grandparent and grandchild are definitely made from the same mold. Both diligent enough to take on anything, and bold enough to see it through to the end."
The elderly woman made her way to a Violet Hibiscus in the gardens of Yujing Terrace. "I like to think of Liyue as my own little potted plant. I've watched it grow and blossom, and it grows more beautiful all the time. In the blink of an eye, the buds of yesterday are in full bloom today... It's wonderful to see. For new blossoms must bloom on the branches if the tree is to remain evergreen and ever young."
The Violet Hibiscus bloomed proudly within the litany of other flora, its hue radiantly apparent. Madame Ping held a warm smile as she glanced at Aether. Though I think a particular lilac flower has recently been blessed with a radiating golden sun caring for her.
Aether felt an involuntary curve on his lips, "Yeah, I'm sure Keqing wouldn't like it if the answer was just handed to her either. But huh-" Aether's cheeks swelled as the pressure built from inside, a snort escaped as he imagined a male version of the uptight woman. "Wish I could've met her grandpa. If he's anything like you said, I think we would've gotten along."
The Madame's gaze softened, the Traveler's figure mirroring an image of Keqing's grandfather. Their mannerisms differed greatly. Their builds contrasted heavily. One would be hard pressed to say that they were similar.
But there was one thing they had in common.
"You know, Aether. You remind me of him as well."
"I do? In what way?"
A light smile feathered itself on her features.
In the way you make her smile.
"Hmmm, who knows?"
For now, the old Adeptus would settle with the joy of knowing that the young woman's happiness was in safe hands.
Aether scratched his head as he felt that the elderly woman was keeping something from him. For what reason, he couldn't say. But being compared to the grandfather of the Yuheng couldn't have been a bad thing.
Madame Ping watered the Violet Hibiscus, the droplets giving the flower a beautiful sheen. "Although I may not be able to give you the answer directly, what I can say is that you are correct to focus your efforts on the stone. It is, as you suppose, the statue of the Stove God, and within it lies all the answers you seek."
She placed the watering can on her table, where it would be awaiting its next use. "I would like to see the stone for myself, if you would lead me to it. Perhaps the truth will emerge even as we watch on."
Xiangling pumped her fists lightly, "Of course, master!"
Aether pointed towards the direction Keqing left earlier, "It's not too far from here, but be careful all the same, Granny Ping."
"Oh, I'm not that old!"
Keqing's face was intimately close to the stone. Her sharp eyes scanned a crack that just opened to the best of her ability. What laid beneath the layer on the surface? To her detriment, the most she could make out from within the rock was… more rock.
However, not to be disheartened, Keqing internally celebrated the progress that was made. If they could figure out the cause of the crack, that would be the key. She would be able to finish what her grandfather started.
A horde of footsteps clapped along the stone flooring, getting closer. Voices conversed about the stone as they approached, voices she recognized. "Ah, you're all here!" She excitedly exclaimed, "I was just about to send somebody to fetch you."
The Yuheng animatedly pointed towards the new opening. "A crack suddenly appeared in one corner. Though we still can't tell what's inside."
Paimon flew closer, observing the crack from different angles. "What happened? Did someone chip it while no one was looking?"
Keqing shook her head, "Most likely a natural occurrence. Our strongest weapons have had no effect on it." She saw Aether lift a finger as if to protest. "Yes, not even my sword."
Aether curled back his finger and pouted.
Xiangling crossed her arms and tilted her head, "How would a 'natural occurrence' crack it open?"
Madame Ping interjected, "This is because the Stove God draws power from the masses. The heat of a busy kitchen, the joy of a reunion, the exuberance from a wish fulfilled. If you keep up the good work the truth will rise to the surface soon enough."
Keqing closed her eyes as the pieces began falling into place, "Divine statues draw power from the people… And if we assume our information so far to be correct, since the Stove God is the deity of food, could it be that the passion people put into their cooking is cracking the stone?"
Xiangling excitedly bounced around, "Plus, a lot of families have reunion feasts around this time! With everyone back home, the city's bustling with people, and that adds to the festive atmosphere!"
The final puzzle piece was clicking into place within Aether's mind, "So that means when everyone's festive cheer is at its peak, the statue will burst open! Right!?"
A low chuckle escaped Madame Ping, "We'll just have to wait and see now won't we?"
The Yuheng hummed, pacing back and forth, thinking aloud, "Okay. The fact that cooking is involved gives us a great opportunity. Most of the Masterful Chefs competition will be held indoors and seen only by a few people, but the finals will be held outside, in public. Everyone who wants to watch will gather and the atmosphere will be incredibly lively. No question about it."
Aether continued her train of thought. "And when the finals end, BAM! We'll have cracked this case wide open- or, er, I guess I mean; stone."
"Pfft!" Keqing's cheeks puffed up as she attempted to hold in her laughter. "Uhm, I mean… It's definitely a possibility."
The fiery chef stood proudly, a clenched fist pounding her chest, "I've already signed up, so I should be able to help!"
An encouraging smile graced Keqing's lips. "Yes. For a chef as accomplished as yourself, getting to the finals should be a breeze."
A loud grumble echoed through the area. A distraught Paimon embarrassingly clutched her stomach as she whined, "All this talk about cooking is making Paimon hungry…"
Aether rolled his eyes. "What else is new?"
As the two companions argued, Keqing's gaze fell upon the statue once more.
Tomorrow, our best chance to solve this mystery will come. I hope I'll do you proud, grandpa.
The Masterful Chefs finals had ended in spectacular fashion. Xiangling cooked with the confidence of a seasoned veteran. On the other hand, Smiley Yanxio had a bit of a rough start, but with Guoba sensing his passion for cooking and cheering him on, the inn cook found his groove.
Both contestants had given it their all. However, there could only be one winner. After counting the votes, it was announced that Xiangling had won with a difference of one single vote.
The crowd cheered as they celebrated the newly crowned champion. The young chef herself, in sportsmanlike fashion, praised Yanxio on his dish as well as they both discussed recipes.
Aether was glad that the competition ended up being far more festive than he expected. Everyone seemed to be having a great time, except for one person.
His eyes scanned the crowd, attempting to pick out the missing person. He caught a glimpse of flowing lilac hair leaving the terrace, and followed suit.
Keqing took a deep breath and sighed, a swirl of doubt growing within her mind. She leaned on the railing, hoping that the scenery of Liyue would help her figure out what to do. She didn't regret her decision, but she feared the consequences that would follow.
"There you are."
The young woman turned to see Aether making his way towards her. She watched as he comfortably set himself beside her, leaning back on the railing with his elbows propping him up.
"Everything okay?"
Keqing gazed at the scenery below, the words struggling to escape her throat. "I… I voted for Smiley Yanxiao."
Aether slumped further into the railing. "Lemme guess: You stand by your decision, but you're worried about how Xiangling would take it?"
"How did you-!" Surprised, she whipped her face towards him and felt the soft touch of his finger on her cheek. She pursed her lips, recognizing that he had predicted her reaction and preemptively placed his finger there.
"I'd like to think that I know you like the back of my hand at this point." Aether grinned, his dimples creasing his eyes.
His touch was soft.
Firm enough to make its presence known, yet gentle like a feather.
He then slowly traced his finger to her forehead, tantalizing her soft skin.
Whap!
"Ow!"
And flicked her on the forehead.
The now irritated Keqing took a step back as she caressed the damaged area, glaring daggers at the culprit.
Aether snickered, "Just tell her. Xiangling won't care. You think too much."
Keqing felt a vein about to burst. "Well I could say that you think too little-!"
"Oh, hey, here you are!" The pair turned to see Xiangling gliding down the stairs. "I've been looking for you guys for ages!"
The energetic chef nearly stumbled as she halted right in front of the pair. Keqing felt a slight prod on her back and turned to see an encouraging Aether, motioning his hand towards Xiangling. The Yuheng pursed her lips, swallowing her doubt as she took a deep breath.
"Xiangling," The bluenette perked up, "There's something I need to tell you."
"Hmm?" Xiangling stiffened ,"Wh- what is it?"
Keqing cleared her throat, ruminating the best way she could soften the blow. "My grandfather always said to me, 'In contests of food, always follow your heart.' Which is to say that in gastronomical disputes or indeed competitions, one must cast their vote for the party that they agree with. This decision must be based on one's honest thoughts, not influenced by any external factors."
She took a deep breath before continuing, "Of course, that was just my grandfather's opinion. But I have to say, I'm inclined to think he had a point…" Her confidence wavering, she shuffled her feet, hands clasped behind her back, afraid to look her friend in the eye. "So... despite the fact that I am your friend, I cast my vote for Smiley Yanxiao's Adeptus' Temptation..."
"I think you mean the Golden Shrimp Balls." Aether muttered behind his palm, a miniscule snicker escaping. Wouldn't do him any good if she heard that.
"W-well, maybe it was!"
She did.
"I like Golden Shrimp Balls, is that a problem!?" Keqing glared, daring him to say another word.
Shutting up…
Aether's gaze avoided hers, suddenly finding the floor very interesting.
Xiangling heartily laughed, "Phew! You were acting all serious that I honestly thought something was up! It's fine, it doesn't bother me one bit!"
"Huh?"
The chef put her hands to her hips, "You voted for who you wanted to. That's totally okay - in fact, that's how it should be! Otherwise, how could it be a fair competition?"
Xiangling tilted her head to the side, a teasing smile plastered on her face, "So… you made a point of telling me, is that because you were worried that it made you a bad friend?"
"Ahem- I- what?" Keqing sputtered, "Do- don't be absurd!"
Xiangling breathily chuckled, air escaping her nostrils, "Didn't I say already? I love this about you-" The fiery chef approached the Yuheng and shook her by the shoulders, "You're so conscientious about everything."
The bluenette crossed her arms, "Seeking reassurance is what novices do, and it's been a long time since I was a novice. The way forward from today will only get more challenging, as will the dishes I'll need to cook. Honestly, I'll need friends like you along the way."
Keqing looked down, understanding the logic behind Xiangling's acceptance. Of course she considered the possibility of her being okay with what happened. But as the Yuheng, she couldn't help but take stock of the situation and prepared for the worst possible scenario.
But this was good information. She would have to input this data and keep it in mind for next time-
"Keqing," Xiangling took hold of her hands and lifted them up, "You have a very strong sense of responsibility. But you know, not everything is always about that."
The lilac haired woman blinked in confusion.
"Yes, you're a Qixing, but you're also you, Keqing!" Xiangling squeezed her hands with every word. "When you're with friends, you don't need to think about everything so thoroughly!"
Keqing's eyes widened as she began to realize.
There is no formula for becoming friends.
You think too much.
The Yuheng- no, Keqing felt her lips curve up. He had given her the answer earlier, but her mind wasn't ready to accept it.
She felt a hand ruffle her hair. Her eyes met his, a knowing smile etched on his face. "Yeah, what Xiangling said. Outside of work, you should let go and relax."
"Aether… Xiangling… I…"
Keqing's eyes softened. How lucky she was, to be blessed with friends like these. She closed her eyes and basked in the warmth emanating from them. Her shoulders relaxed, as the weight of responsibilities slipped away. There was no need for it right now.
For now - at this moment, she was with her friends.
But she hadn't lost sight of her goal.
"A-anyway, what are we standing around here for?" A smile still on her face, Keqing ran up the stairs, motioning for them to follow.
After all the excitement of the Masterful Chefs finals, surely it would have cracked open.
"Let's go and check the Stove God statue!"
"This… doesn't make any sense." Xiangling circled the stone, wishing her eyes were just playing tricks on her. "We cooked our hearts out!"
Keqing was at a loss for words.
The finals was one of the most passionate competitions she had ever witnessed. People from all over Liyue had gathered to watch and cheer for the two contestants. Their cheers were so loud she could still feel her ears ringing.
Her… her friends. They had given it their all. She had given it her all. Their theory sounded plausible, but maybe the festive cheer wasn't enough? Were their efforts not enough?
Was she not enough?
Keqing's lips quivered as she looked on at the unchanging stone standing before her. She quietly clenched her fists, limiting their blood flow. She felt tears threatening to flow, prickling at her eyes.
No.
If she were to break down now, Aether and Xiangling would surely blame themselves. She couldn't do that to them. Not to her friends.
"Oh- uh, oh well." Her voice wavered, choking on her cries. Keqing's lips shook as she forced them to curve up. "I suppose it was simply not meant to be."
"Hey," Aether took her hand in his own, lifting it between them. He placed his other hand reassuringly over hers. Not too hard. Not too soft. "There's still time. Don't lose hope."
Xiangling cheered, "Yeah! Let's be patient! We'll all see this through together."
Keqing could feel the ghost of a real smile returning to her. With her free hand, she wiped away whatever tears had accumulated and chuckled softly. "Thank you."
"Oh, right!" Xiangling snapped her fingers, startling her and Aether. "I have some good news for you Keqing! Things are looking optimistic for that recipe you gave me! Master came by before the competition and filled in the missing parts. So, now I'll be able to cook it!"
The fiery chef knew that Keqing was still disappointed. And she knew that this wouldn't completely fix the problem. But she believed that good food should cheer her up, even if just a little!
"In fact, I'll go somewhere to cook it right now! Wait here!"
Keqing's smile grew, appreciating the chef's concern.
"Oh, Aether." Xiangling ran over to the blonde man, screeching to a halt before them. "Could you come with me?"
Paimon seemed taken aback, "You only just beat Smiley Yanxiao. You think you're up for challenging us already?"
She felt the man let go of her hand.
Pity.
She quite enjoyed his warmth.
Her eyes widened slightly at the thought.
No, this was far too soon, right?
Aether tightened his gloves, a confident smirk lacing his features. "Alright, time to get real." He cracked his neck as he stretched out his arms. "I'm something of a kitchen god myself."
Xiangling slapped the air in retort. "Obviously not what I meant! You collect recipes, don't you? I figured you'd wanna learn the recipe too, for your travels."
Paimon chuckled awkwardly, "Oh, right. Paimon knew that. Paimon was just uh- just checking if you knew that. Ehe… heh…"
Aether slumped in defeat, his arms limply hanging in front of him. "Yeah, who am I kidding. You're the real Kitchen Queen."
The pyro vision holder wagged her finger towards Aether, a teasing grin plastering her face. "Geez, careful eating your words so fast, you'll give yourself heartburn!"
"Pfft! Hehe…" Keqing couldn't help the air that escaped her lips. Their antics had been far too amusing. As she opened her eyes, she realized that their gazes had been fixed on her. Feeling slightly embarrassed, she looked away. "What are you staring at me for? Go on," she shooed them away, "Get on with your cooking!"
Aether followed the energetic Xiangling as she led them to the nearest stove. But just before he left, his gaze was pulled towards his lilac haired friend, solemnly staring at the statue.
He clenched his jaw before once more following Xiangling.
"So, you following me so far?" Xiangling asked as she expertly tossed the contents of the wok.
"Yep! You're a great teacher!" Aether smiled as he did his best to follow her movements. While his tossing wasn't as elegant or as clean as the bluenette's, it was still pretty good, if he had to say so himself.
Though he couldn't help but feel like something was missing.
"Hey Xiangling," Aether turned to her after he tasted the minced beef. "Do you mind if I add anything?"
The chef smiled proudly as she shook her head, "Of course not! There's no 'correct' way to cook!"
The blonde grinned as he began to make some adjustments. He set up a second wok and heated it up with oil, making sure to keep the flame high. Aether then expertly peeled some potatoes and cut them into thin strips, akin to what one might find layering Golden Shrimp Balls.
After squeezing as much moisture from the potato strands as possible, he deep fried them in the second wok, making sure that they ended up as crispy as possible.
"Oooh!" Xiangling awed as she watched him smoothly transition between each step. He seemed to know exactly what he was doing, but she couldn't help wondering one thing. "Out of curiosity, why did you wanna change the recipe?"
Aether added the thin crispy potatoes into the minced beef and tossed them over the flame. "Oh, it's just that Keqing likes the crispy texture. Oh, right!" He grabbed some extra chili oil. "She also likes things a bit spicier than normal. She says the stimulation keeps her energized. That workaholic is something else, huh?"
Xiangling felt her gaze soften as Aether continued to list off their friend's other preferences. Her mind wandered to something her father told her long ago.
"Xiangling, the secret to making the most delicious meal is…"
"Aaand done!"
The chef's short trip down memory lane ended prematurely as Aether put his finishing touches, packing the mixture into the cornbread. They washed whatever utensils they had used and placed them back to where they belonged.
A good chef must always keep the kitchen clean.
"Let's go bring this to Keqing." Aether grinned as wide as he could. "I hope she'll like it."
Xiangling mirrored his grin with her own. "I'm sure she'll love it!"
The two carried the finished dish carefully, as to not spill the contents. As fast as they could, they made their way towards their customer. All the while, Xiangling's mind raced back to complete her father's words.
"Xiangling, the secret to making the most delicious meal is cooking while you think about that special someone in your life."
"We're back!"
Keqing stiffened, turning around to see the cheerful faces of her friends. She could have sworn that they had just left. Were they that fast? Or was she that out of it…
Xiangling scurried in front of her as she presented her dish, a lovely golden bun with a delicately crafted paw print was filled with an aromatic mixture that made her salivate. Keqing was once more reminded that there was a reason this girl won the competition.
"Aether and I made one each." The chef held up one and placed it in Keqing's palm, "Here, try one while it's warm!"
Aether raised a finger to protest, "Um, Xiangling, wouldn't it be better to let her eat yours last? You know, 'save the best for last' and stuff?"
Xiangling merely gave him a grin. "Yep!"
A baffled look marred the blonde's face before the chef insisted Keqing hurry and take a bite.
Not really understanding what was going on, the lilac haired woman did as she was told.
Delicious.
Right away, the soft texture of the bun complimented the beef held within. The strong hearty flavor of the meat was balanced out by the tang of ginger and garlic, making her want to take another bite. It was incredible. Truly this was a dish worthy of being created by the Stove God himself. Xiangling had truly outdone herself as a chef.
But for some reason, her chest felt hollow.
"This is delicious!" Keqing exclaimed as she held a palm before her mouth. "To think that I could taste the winner's cooking so soon!"
Xiangling took the compliment in stride, happy that she could feed her friend delicious food. The chef then went behind Aether and pushed him towards Keqing.
"Whoa- What's gotten into you?" Aether tried his best to keep his balance, barely managing the feat.
"Shush and give her the bun already!"
Not seeing much point to argue with the chef, Aether sighed as he demurely presented his own dish before Keqing.
She took the item and observed it intently. The bun was a similar color to Xiangling's, if not slightly paler in comparison. The pawprint was also there, yet she could only chuckle as there were telltale signs of Aether struggling with the delicate work.
The filling however, smelled heavenly. She couldn't really put her finger on why that is, but she knew that something was different from Xiangling's.
Oh well, there was no point in just staring at it. She gave Aether her thanks before taking her first bite.
Her eyes widened as memories flooded in.
The scent of slightly overcooked pork. The lingering cornflour on her fingertips. The sound of steam escaping the wooden basket.
The warmth of her grandfather.
"Keqing, are you okay?" Aether asked, the worry evident in his tone.
He gently cupped her cheek, lightly brushing away a tear that she didn't even realize had escaped.
Her throat constricted upon itself, as she tried to force out the words.
"I-"
A sudden cracking noise interrupted the group as they turned towards the statue. The ruptures on the surface grew larger until it encompassed every centimeter. A bright light was accompanied by a loud boom as the statue revealed its true form
Shielding their vision from the light, the group slowly opened their eyes and couldn't help their jaws from dropping. Keqing couldn't even form a coherent sentence as she sputtered out, "It's… It's…"
Aether had no such difficulty, "GUOBA!?"
The tiny bear rushed to the blonde's side, recognizing that it had been called. He danced in place as he awaited to hear what the man had called him for.
"Ah, I see the Chili-Mince Cornbread Buns have been served."
The group turned towards Madame Ping, who was slowly making her way closer to the revealed statue.
"Master!" Xiangling exclaimed.
"Granny Ping," Aether, jaw still slightly agape, "Is the Stove God Guoba's ancestor or something?"
The old Adeptus laughed, "You're very close, but not quite! Guoba is the deity you've been searching for: God of the Stove."
Paimon's jaw dropped to the floor, "Guo- Guoba is a GOD!?"
The now revealed to be god made its way to the statue, dancing cheerfully as it noticed a resemblance.
Madame Ping fondly smiled at the statue. A form that she had long not seen. Memories of those happy days would be something that she kept within her heart forever. In the corner of her eyes, she noticed that the group were fidgeting with curiosity, unable to keep still. She supposed that it was time to give them an explanation.
"You asked me if a sufficiently festive atmosphere would be enough to reawaken the Stove God. And my answer is this: Yes and no."
A collective 'Huh?' resounded.
"The Stove God has always been a deity with great affection for the people, and who acts in response to their desires. To him, the heart's passions and the heart's desires are not the same thing. Passion can be a technique, a skill, something derived from experience. But desires... they are deeper, more innate. They are the heart's strength in its purest form. Masterful Chefs is wonderfully exciting, but it is more an exercise of passion than of desire. And passion alone will not suffice to reawaken the Stove God from his deep slumber."
The wise woman turned to Keqing, "But just now, when Keqing ate this dish she had longed for, a deeply held desire was fulfilled. As well as receiving an answer to her question, she also gained something much more precious: a moment of poignant nostalgia, so vivid it felt like she was right there alongside her grandfather. The enormous power unleashed by the fulfillment of this desire resonated with the Stove God's statue, and caused it to manifest once more the form it took in the past."
Keqing was stunned silent as Madame Ping continued her explanation. A blank expression painted her face as she continued to hear of the Stove God's contributions that had been forgotten. She felt an elbow nudge her arm, turning her attention once more to a concerned Aether.
"What's up?" He questioned. "Thought you'd be happier now that we've completed your grandpa's research."
Keqing chuckled, slowly getting used to the man seemingly reading her mind. "I'm just… concerned… It's obvious now that the Adepti have had many undocumented contributions towards Liyue's success." She brushed a few strands of hair behind her ear.
"Are we humans truly ready to lead Liyue?"
The question hung in the air. A gust of wind blew by them, magnifying the silence. What was she thinking? Why would she unload such a heavy question all of a sudden? Her gaze fell to the ground, afraid of meeting his own.
"Hey." Aether took hold of her shoulders and turned her towards the harbor. The sudden turn almost caused her to lose her balance. But just before she could complain, the blonde whispered into her ear. "What do you see?"
Keqing's eyes softened as she took in the view.
The orange glow of the setting sun provided the perfect backdrop for the harbor. Dozens of lanterns were lighting up as the people prepared for the evening. The busy hustle and bustle of the city could be heard ever so slightly, and amongst those, she was sure that some families were rejoicing in reunion. The wafting aroma of spices permeated the air, proof of the people cooking for their loved ones.
Aether patted her shoulder. "Granny Ping told us earlier that humans first emulated Moonchase from the Adepti. And you can see how well that turned out." He grinned as wide as he could. "If we can do that, then I'm sure we can continue Rex Lapis' success in leading Liyue."
The young woman's eyes widened as his words pierced through her. He always knew what to say. But she couldn't help questioning one thing.
"We?"
"Oh, right." Aether scratched the back of his head, embarrassed at the mistake. "I guess I'm not exactly a Liyue citizen-"
"No!" She cut him off, her voice softening. "No- But, having you in Liyue's future… Nothing would bring me greater comfort."
Aether's awestruck face slowly morphed into a warm smile. They both turned back towards Xiangling and Madame Ping, continuing their discussion about Guoba.
Although for Keqing, her mind drifted elsewhere.
She mentally recited the meaning of the Moonchase festival. Remembering the past, while reflecting upon the present. And if the past represented her grandfather…
Then she was happy to admit that Aether reflected her present.
Her mind drifted back to the moment she bit into his Cornbread Bun. To think that this wandering Traveler had granted her a deep enough desire that even the Stove God recognized. She placed a mental note to definitely return the favor, one day.
But she couldn't help a selfish thought that raced through her mind.
I wonder what wish he'll grant next?
This took a lot of research.
I rewatched all the Moonchase cutscenes, it was a pretty nice nostalgia trip!
I'm honestly surprised at the word count for it. It ended up almost as long as the previous chapters combined!
Hope you enjoyed the chapter, and leave a review if you want! It'll certainly help!