Starward Sword Chapter 2
Liyue Harbour / Keqing
"Thanks again, Lady Keqing, you have been a big help in all this," says a local salesman
"Oh please, it's nothing special, I'm just doing my job," the Yuheng says, "If you don't mind, I'll take my leave now. The construction division will meet with you soon to discuss logistics and development, now that the planning has been finalized."
"Understood, also, one more thing, my wife wishes to invite you to have dinner with us in our home one day, as a thank you. Of course, when you have the time to spare." he goes on.
"Ah, thank you, I'll see when I'll be able to drop by," Keqing says, "One day, for sure."
With that, she leaves and finishes off the last item in her day's schedule. Being the Yuheng of the Liyue Qixing isn't an easy task. This was Keqing's 7th task of the day, when she normally has 3-4 more significant tasks or 5-6 smaller jobs to deal with in a given day. There were always things to be done and meetings to see through. Liyue was just coming off another Lantern Rite, and the last bit of cleanup was underway. Although, it was her decision to undertake more work than usual.
Keqing drowned herself in her work today. She spent time tending to her duties as the Yuheng. As well as the upkeep and flow of Liyue Harbour's commercial industries. The Harbour and its people were better for it, after all.
However, Keqing's efforts in her work were not driven by her nature of being a workaholic or her immense drive, as it turns out. No, she wanted to get her mind off things. To focus on something else other than herself. She made no effort to hide it, either. It wasn't long until someone who knew her well noticed.
Keqing's work eventually led her to the Yuehai Pavilion, to deliver the reports and official transactions of the day's commercial happenings she had a hand in. She had expected to see Huixin, a secretary of the Qixing, and one who handled the more mundane paperwork. However, when Keqing arrived, she found Ganyu instead of Huixin. She was in the place of the secretary, the role that Huixin usually fulfills. Keqing was initially surprised by her friend at the Yuehai Pavilion but thought nothing more of it. Ganyu was just as much of a workaholic as she was after all, sometimes more so.
"Ganyu..?" she says, "It's surprising to see you here, didn't you have other work to deal with this week?"
Ganyu looked up in surprise, she was so preoccupied with the papers at the desk she failed to notice Keqing right in front of her.
"Keqing! O-Oh yes. I did, but I heard about Huixin, she came down with a fever so I volunteered to fill in. At least until she gets better. Baiwen is taking over some of my duties for the time being."
Keqing looked at her. "I see…well, here are my reports for the day, filing them won't be an issue, I'm sure." She hands the papers to Ganyu who just adds them to one of the healthy stacks flanking her on either side.
"Will that be all?" Ganyu asked, looking up at Keqing from her desk. "You look like you have something on your mind, Keqing." That pulled Keqing back into reality somewhat.
"N-no, I don't. What makes you say that..?" she asked, intent on deterring Ganyu's curiosity.
"I'm your friend, I can tell when you're distracted," Ganyu says with a small smile, "You can tell me anything you want to, Keqing, and I will be here for you"
Keqing gave in at that point. She didn't want to shut out her good friend over this. She wanted to vent, and Ganyu offered to listen.
"C-can we walk on this..?" Keqing asked Ganyu. "I don't feel like talking about it here."
Ganyu just nodded and put aside the stacks of paper. She had decided to put her friend first over her work, much to the happiness of Keqing, though she didn't show it.
Ganyu and Keqing walked over to the edge of Yujing Terrace, past Yiyan Temple and to the overhang that overlooked the market district of Liyue Harbor. A light breeze was blowing and the sun was shining down on them. Below they could see the bustle of the harbor on full display.
"No matter how many days go by, this place never seems to stop moving" Ganyu said, "Ever since the people of Liyue stopped relying on the Adepti, I've seen more and more people continue on with more purpose"
"You're right…we really are in an era of change, aren't we?" Keqing replied.
"It would seem so." Ganyu said.
"Listen, Ganyu…about what's been on my mind". Keqing struggled to explain. She couldn't just outright talk about Makoto or the sword. However, there was something that bothered her. A certain blond-haired boy, one who had helped save Liyue twice up until now.
"You know how I was, skeptical of Rex Lapis and everything. Visions, us humans relying on higher powers to protect ourselves. When Liyue was in crisis, I felt like I couldn't do much. And we had the Adepti come and help, the Guizhong Ballista, and we relied on Aether, with all of his power to come and protect all of Liyue. Everyone there had some form of a god's power. Is this the way things are? Can I protect the people I care about without my vision? I don't know, and it bothers me, Ganyu."
Ganyu quietly listened and watched Keqing pour her heart out. She understood where her friend was coming from. Keqing had always been skeptical…visions, the Adepti, Rex Lapis. And although Ganyu devoted herself to the late Lord of Geo and overseer of Liyue, she wasn't one to try and quell the questions Keqing had. She wasn't the only one Ganyu had seen with questions of the higher powers.
"Can I tell you something, Keqing…..?" Ganyu asked, to which Keqing nodded without looking. "When I had signed my contract with Rex Lapis, I knew that I had a duty to fulfill to the people of Liyue. I wanted to help them grow, flourish, and to protect them if needed. So I did, that was my duty to them, and it still is. I received my vision as a result of my duty also. But I rarely used it, only when necessary and I was pushed to do so. I had a choice, and so do you. You can choose how you want to live and do the things you want to do. That choice will always be yours; no one can tell you otherwise."
Keqing listened to Ganyu, her gaze still fixated on the Harbor below. She knew that her friend was right. Keqing recognized that she has a choice, even when she was still very much unsure of herself.
Ganyu accompanied Keqing back to her apartment afterwards, making conversation. By then the sun started to set on the horizon of the sea.
"Thank you, Ganyu, for today…I'll definitely keep your words in mind," Keqing said, showing her gratitude, "I'll see you again soon."
It was then that they heard a voice yelling in their direction. Keqing and Ganyu both turned to see Huixin, running toward them.
"Huixin…! What's the matter?" asked Keqing.
Huixin caught her breath before she spoke.
"It's a Ruin Grader…! It came out of the Chasm, and is headed right for the Harbor!"