Signora's Saviour- Chapter 2.

[Liu's POV]

Having woken up an hour ago, it's surprising that the darkness persists outside. Do I really only need a couple hours sleep each night?

My gaze lands on Signora, still passed out in the bed we were sharing...awkwardly. Honestly, I expected to have to work a bit harder to calm her down, but it seems just my return has made her even more relaxed than I expected.

"I should probably get back before she wakes up, just so I can talk to her before I set off again." I whisper, before exiting the hideout for a walk in the night air.

As I make my way to the nearest beach, my mind wanders back to the day I faked my death. The investment in a fake masterless Vision, killing the fake me and my brief consideration for Signora's feelings.

In no way, did I expect her to be as affected by my 'death' as she is. I mean, I knew she was a softie deep down, due to the nights we spent in her room at HQ...drinking and talking, but for her to almost tear up at my sudden reappearance...

Maybe I should try and make her a gift of some kind, as a further apology. But what would she like? Signora's not your average woman, or maybe she is and I'm just clueless.

"Eh, whatever. I'm sure I'll figure something out..." I mutter as I arrive at the beach.

Hm, nice view, would be better without those damn hilichurls in it. Couldn't hurt to get some practice in as well.

[Later...]

Not a scratch on me. Where are the strong enemies?

I chuckle to myself quietly.

"Tartaglia must still be influencing me..."

I sheath my rapier and turn to the ocean, it's calm waves gently lapping at the shore, distorting the light emitted by the algae, giving it an almost ethereal aesthetic.

Suddenly, I notice that Liyue Harbor is visible from here, and, by association, my home, The Jade Chamber, is as well. It's been a little while...I should send my mother a message soon, just to check in with her.

"About that gift..." I mutter to myself while opening my satchel.

Oh, that's right, perhaps I could use these excess ingredients for it...yes, that gives me an idea.

[1 Hour Later:Back at the hideout]

Liu quietly reenters Signora's room, relieved to see she's still asleep. He gently seats himself on the opposite side of the bed, sets some paper, an ink pool and a quill on the bedside table and begins to write a letter addressed to his mother.

"Hmmm..." He hummed before continuing. "...Damnit...why is this so hard? She's my own mother for Celestia's sake..."

Signora stirs calmly, stretching her arms, before returning to her peaceful rest. Hearing this, Liu sighed and began to pack up his letter and quill.

"I guess it'd be easier to write after some more sleep..." He muttered as he finished clearing the table.

He turned and paused, looking at the passed out Signora. Liu smiles slightly before carefully shifting himself back under the covers, facing Signora.

[Morning]

Signora slowly opened her eyes as the brightness poured in through the 'window' to see Liu, already awake, holding a tray of breakfast foods.

"Good morning, Signora." He greeted, pushing the tray towards her. "For you."

"I thought I was dreaming..." Signora said as she sat upright and took the tray. "Thank you, anyway."

She became increasingly surprised at the selection of food that Liu had prepared.

"These are all..." She whispered.

"Your favourites, right?" Liu questioned.

Signora nodded slowly.

"Leo...you remembered..." A soft smile appeared on Signora's face.

"Of course." Liu replied. "I meant what I said last night. This is but one part of my apology."

"That reminds me..." Signora reached under her pillow and removed something. "Here."

Liu took the item, quickly realizing what it was.

"A masterless Vision?" He asked.

"Yours..." Signora simply said, before taking a bite of food.

"You kept it?" Liu looked at her. "It's fake, you know that right?"

Signora paused, frowning for a moment, before replying.

"Well, now I know it is." She turned her gaze directly at Liu. "What about the body?"

"A puppet version of myself." Liu responded blankly.

Signora sighed and closed her eyes defiantly.

"Whatever..." She stared at the platter before her. "None of that matters anymore."

Liu walked over to the window and stared out while Signora continued with her meal, them both enjoying a comfortable silence for several minutes before Signora spoke again.

"What are your plans for today?" She asked.

"I'm not sure." Liu didn't face her. "I've probably made an enemy of the Shogun, and the Traveller is kind of neutral with me. I have no real allies except for you."

Signora moved the now empty platter and shifted out of her bed to stand beside Liu.

"I see. Well, this place is now your refuge." Signora turned Liu to face her. "I'll keep you safe."

Liu smiled. "You have an odd way of flirting."

Signora let go of Liu and hid her face, muttering.

"I-I am not flirting..."

Liu chuckled.

"I feel so privileged that I can tease you without wavering my life." He said.

"Well, count your blessings, Leo." Signora faced him again. "Because you are lucky that I'm quite fond of you."

"A confession?" Liu smirked.

"Don't push it, Leo." Signora glared at him.

"Alright, relax." Liu maintained his expression. "I'm heading out now."

"Where?" Signora asked in her authoritive tone.

"Somewhere I can write..." Liu trailed off.

"Write what?"

"A letter back home." Liu admitted. "They haven't heard from me in a while."

Signora remained silent but nodded in approval.

[Later: Atop a cliff overlooking the sea]

Liu, on his knees, was meditating, his rapier and completed letter set on the ground in front of him.

"Leo..." A voice rung out behind him. "That is what she called you, yes?"

Recognizing the voice Liu swiftly picked up his sword, letter and faced the source.

"The Shogun herself. To what do I owe the honour." He replied. "Here to arrest me?"

"No, I am not." The Raiden Shogun walked closer to Liu. "Nor do I want to. I am simply here to meditate, like you."

"How coincidental..." Liu visibly eased.

"Not really." The Shogun moved past Liu. "I always come here to meditate. It's peaceful. An escape from the tempest of life."

She assumed the same kneeling position as Liu was in, setting her polearm on the ground.

"You can join me if you wish." She said before commencing her meditating.

Liu hesitated for a moment before to take the Shogun's offer and resumed his own rumination.

The two remained that way for a long time. Sunset had already arrived by the time the Raiden Shogun stood up.

"Thank you, Leo." She said as she bowed.

"I didn't do much." Liu replied.

"Just providing company was enough, even though we didn't talk." The Shogun looked to the sky. "I must be going."

Her gaze fell back onto Liu.

"Don't think you're completely off the hook, though. A punishment is in order." She paused and took a deep breath. "But, that's for another day. Until then, farewell."

"Yeah, bye..." Liu shallowly waved.

The Raiden Shogun briskly wandered off leaving Liu alone on the top of the cliff, with only the wind for company.

"Meditating with the enemy..." He smiled to himself. "Who'd have thought?"

[The Next Day: The Jade Chamber]

"Lady Ningguang, a new letter has arrived for you."

"Give it to me, please." Ningguang held her hand out.

"Certainly, Lady Ningguang." The secretary passed Ningguang the letter.

"Thank you." She inspected the rolled letter. "You are excused now."

The secretary bowed and exited Ningguang's office.

"Oh, Liu, it's been so long since I heard from you." She gently opened the letter and began reading.

Ningguang's smile grew ever wider and brighter as she progressed through the letter from her son, and even let out a soft laugh at the end.

"That boy..." She hugged the letter. "I hope he's not getting into trouble across the water."

Ningguang neatly folded the letter back up and placed it inside a drawer on her desk which was only holding Liu's other letters from his travels.

"Now, to send a response to Inazuma..." She sank in her chair. "Ugh, Beidou..."