"I need your actions, not your words" – Yae Miko


Aether

"…Take heed at night, my dear, Honorary Knight,

When moonlight gleams so clear, casting its light,

Beware the enchantress, a captivating sight,

For Hu Tao enters the scene, full of allure and might.

With a radiant smile, she captures hearts tight,

A vision of beauty, a marvel to incite," Hu Tao finished placing her hand on her chest.

He could only clap in return.

Her words painted such a vivid image of night, but most importantly portrait of her essence, her spirit. It's as if she distilled her very essence into this particular poetry.

"Your poetic prowess never fails to amaze me, Hu Tao," He told her truthfully. "That poem was nothing short of lovely."

She blushed and grinned back, and what an endearing sight it was to him.

"Oh, stop it Aether. I came up in five minutes with this and it wasn't that good," She tried to batt off his praise, yet he could see she appreciated the words he said.

And truly it wasn't touching any deep topics and mostly centered about the beauty of night and herself, but that little piece of poem managed to stir something in his heart.

"Your poetry deserves every compliment. I am grateful that you shared it with me, oh mighty Hu Tao – abductor of hearts." He said half-jokingly.

"Is that so?" She asked tilting her head. "Then perhaps one day, I'll write poem that speaks of more than just myself."

The last part was whispered, yet Aether heard it clearly.

So much has happened since the last time he saw her about a month ago, during the last Lantern Rite. And even then their encounter was brief, Hu Tao busy with preparing for her performance with Xinyan, while he was occupied with helping Mister Dvorak.

Only later they could finally meet. But even then, the feast she hosted was more of a joke when Venti appeared. He could still remember Xiao's stony face crack.

In the end he exchanged few words with her before they parted.

"Hey," Hu Tao whispered, placing a hand on his shoulder, abruptly pulling him from his thoughts. Her outstretched hand was pointing at approaching figure's silhouette. "Our first target is coming. Wanna do it yourself or need a real pro to show you how it's done?"

Aether craned his neck to answer her, yet no sound came from his mouth.

Hu Tao's eyes were burning with intensity of thousand stars as she gazed at him. Like twin flames flickering in the night, their crimson depths held a glimmer that hinted at the countless adventures she had woven into the tapestry of her life.

His breath caught in his throat, yet no sound came out.

Her eyes held so much emotion that they were almost glowing.

Oh stars, he was staring at her for too long.

"A-ah, yes!" He stammered turning away as he felt his face heating up. "Let me think…"

What he didn't notice was blush that adorned her face as well.


"This is temporary holding facility." Millelith's voice echoed in a cell. "You will be held here until further notice."

Without anything else, the door to their cell was shut down.

"Well," Hu Tao said turning to him. "It seems like we overdid a little."

"We certainly did," He agreed.

The room they were in was small, with grey walls made of stone. Opposite to the door was a small barred window to outside. Room was completely devoid of any furniture except for a concreate bench attached to the wall, providing a basic seating option.

And the stunt they put… Oh stars, he hoped Ganyu was alright. Aether will have to apologize to her, maybe even give bouquet of flowers.

"In the meantime," Hu Tao headed towards the bench. "We can make ourselves comfortable."

Aether doubted that concreate bench will offer any comfort, but decided to follow her. He didn't think they will be out before next morning, might rest their legs in the meantime.

"So how's the business going?" He asked after some time.

Her eyes gleamed as she looked at him.

"Business is booming!" She clapped her hands. "Spring has been incredibly fruitful for us. We're making brilliant deals left and right."

"Oh?" He didn't really how to react to this. Was it good news or bad news?

"Fall and spring are the most profitable seasons for funeral goods dealers. You see, during these seasons, more people tend to pass away compared to summer and winter. In the fall, a person's strength starts to wane, and in the spring, they awaken after winter only to be devoured by their weakened bodies, like a too-thick wick on a skinny candle."

"That's quite morbid, but I suppose it makes sense," He considered and looked at her. "Did you come up with that?"

"Not me, my grandfather actually," She said proudly. "He was truly extraordinary — at eighty-year-old he had laid to rest over ten thousand corpses. Can you believe that? His profession has turned him into a philosophical drunkard and the best Grandpa on Teyvat."

"That's impressive…" He said hesitantly. "…in a gloomy kind of way. I guess there's more to the gravedigging profession than meets the eye."

"Absolutely! It's a unique and somewhat mysterious world we're dealing with," She agreed. "But hey, it keeps us busy and profitable, doesn't it?"

And so night went on, both of them spending entire time to finally catch up with each other.

Keqing

Keqing woke up to the sound of her alarm, but truth be told, she hardly needed it anymore. Her internal clock is finely tuned to the morning hours, ensuring that she never wastes a precious time. As she opened her eyes, her mind immediately raced to the countless tasks that lay ahead today.

She swiftly rose from the comfort of her bed, suppressing any lingering traces of exhaustion. Sleep was a luxury she couldn't afford to indulge in for long. There were times when she was jealous of Ganyu, of her ability to work for days without a sleep. Archons knew, several of her projects would have been done, had she worked the same amounts of hours as her friend.

Keqing shuffled to the bathroom, where the cold water splashing on her face served as a jolt of energy. There was no time to waste on frivolous routines. She quickly freshened up, ensuring every second counts.

Putting her usual attire, she headed to the kitchen. Breakfast was a mere formality, a fueling pit stop to keep her going until next break. Nourishment was important, but efficiency was paramount.

Simultaneously eating her breakfast, fried eggs, Keqing checked her to-do list. Meetings, deadlines, projects – they all blend together into intricate web of obligations. Obligations before her nation, for its people.

Each minute had a purpose, and each task holds the weight of responsibility.

With an empty plate she headed towards the sink and placed it there. Releasing a small amount of water on top of it, Keqing decided to wash by the evening.

Doing her hair was the last thing before she headed out. Sitting before tall mirror in her hall, Keqing stared at herself. Should she go to her usual buns? Maybe try something new? Would Aether notice her then?

Light blush colored her face.

Stupid.

As she sat there, replaying the events of last night in her mind, a sense of frustration and disappointment washes over Keqing. What started as a promising evening, full of anticipation and the potential, quickly turned into a spectacle of stolen moments and shattered expectations.

She had meticulously planned the date, ensuring that every detail was accounted for. The restaurant choice was impeccable, the ambiance set the perfect mood, and Aether seemed genuinely engaged in their conversation. They laughed, shared stories, and savored the delicious food. For a fleeting moment, it felt like a something was forming.

But then, like an unwelcome gust of wind, Hu Tao made her entrance. Keqing had met her briefly before, but her presence at their table was entirely unexpected and unwelcome. Hu Tao brought along her consultant Zhongli, and it felt as if her carefully constructed evening was about to crumble beneath the weight of their intrusion.

Hu Tao effortlessly commanded attention, her charismatic personality overshadowing her own. Conversations shifted, and she found myself relegated to the sidelines, struggling to regain her footing amidst the sudden shift in dynamics. Every attempt Keqing made to redirect the focus back to Aether and herself was met with Hu Tao's interruption, her anecdotes dominating the conversation.

As the evening wore on, she could sense Aether's attention drifting away from her, his gaze frequently drawn towards Hu Tao. It was as if she had become invisible, an afterthought in this unexpected gathering. Her efforts to salvage the date fell flat, drowned out by Hu Tao's overpowering presence and her ability to captivate Aether's attention.

The final blow came when that wench whispered something to Aether, and they decided to leave the table together. She watched helplessly as they walked away, leaving her behind, a mere bystander in her own carefully orchestrated evening. It felt like a punch to the gut, a stark reminder that even the best-laid plans can crumble in an instant.

As Keqing reflected on that ruined date, she couldn't help but feel a mixture of frustration and anger. She put so much time and effort into creating the perfect setting, when she heard Traveler was once again in Liyue, only to have it snatched away by an unexpected thief.

But amidst the disappointment, there's a glimmer of resolve. Keqing refused to let this setback deter her. She, after all, was accustomed to facing challenges head-on and overcoming obstacles. So, she will learn from this experience, adapt her approach, and channel her determination into future endeavors.

And who knows, perhaps the next date will be different. Until then, she'll take this as a lesson in resilience, a reminder that setbacks are just temporary bumps on the road to success.

Face in the mirror was proudly nodding to herself coming to that conclusion.

Yes, just a setback.

She made her usual hairstyle and smiled.

Just a setback.


On her way to office she spotted something strange.

As Keqing cautiously approached the alley, her eyes widened in disbelief. Before her lay an unexpected anomaly, as if a piece of winter had been preserved in time. The entire expanse of the narrow path was covered with an inch-deep layer of shimmering ice, glistening like a mirror under the blazing sun. The effect was surreal, as if the alley had been transported to a frozen landscape far from the scorching reality of the spring months.

Every step she took was met with an eerie, crystalline crunch, as the ice fractured beneath the pressure of her shoes. The air held a peculiar stillness, broken only by the distant sounds of the bustling city. The alley walls, were now adorned with intricate patterns of frost, a delicate lacework etched onto the rough concrete.

Despite the warm morning, a cool breeze swept through the alley, carrying whispers of winter's touch. Keqing couldn't help but shiver. It was as if the frozen embrace of this alley had seeped into the very marrow of her bones.

Finding the closest Millelith officer, Keqing decided to ask.

"What happened here?"

"Last night, officer Jiayi responded to a disturbance in an alley near the city center. When he arrived, he found the whole place covered in ice."

"Are you telling me we had ice storm in the late spring?"

"Not quite, Lady Keqing," He responded. "Turns out, it was prank gone wrong. Two troublemakers thought it would be hilarious to spook Lady Ganyu. One –"

"Wait!" Keqing interrupted him. "You are saying Ganyu was assaulted? Where is she now? How is she?"

"Not quite, assaulted, Lady Keqing."

"Tell me more."

"Taking cover behind a garbage can, one of them unleashed eerie sounds by utilizing carefully concealed downspouts placed near the main road, creating an atmosphere of fear and unease. Meanwhile the other one wore spooky mask and did the main deed."

Keqing thought for a second, it sounded awfully similar to someone who she knew.

"Fortunately or unfortunately, their first and last victim was Lady Ganyu, who was already extremely exhausted after work from what Doctor Baizhu says. In a spur of a moment Lady Ganyu tried to defend herself, resulting in that," He gestured around.

"Why was I not informed of this?"

"Millelith had it under control, Lady Keqing," He answered. "Aside from Lady Ganyu, no one was injured and we apprehended those responsible for that. We simply saw no reason to inform you, Lady Keqing."

"Did you confirm identities of those responsible?"

"Yes, we did."


So he ditched to pull pranks with that brat.

Keqing felt dejected last night, and now as she was walking through the halls of Millelith's Main Station, she felt even more so.

She was ready to open the door and lecture both of them, but her hand froze on doorknob when she heard voices from the inside.

"So…" Muted voice of Hu Tao could be heard behind the door. "Would you rather have the power read minds or have the ability to teleport anywhere?"

"I don't know, Hu," Another muted voice answered. "I am already able to teleport to the most places I have visited and reading someone's mind is too much of invasion someone's privacy for my taste."

"You are being no fun, Aether!" Hu Tao huffed. "Remember you have to pick one for us to proceed."

She got a boisterous laugh in return.

"Fine, fine," Aether answered. "Teleportation, then."

"But you said that you can already do it!"

"Hey! There are plenty places that I have to walk to reach!"

"Meh, whatever."

"Hu, would you rather…"

"They've been playing for the past two hours, Lady Keqing," Guard whispered.

Her head snapped towards the guard.

"And before that?" Keqing inquired.

Guards eyes darted around and he fidgeted.

"Director Hu was reading rather unordinary poem."

"How unordinary?"

"Coquetry, Lady Keqing."

On that cue she burst open the door. The first thing she saw was Hu Tao cozily lying on a stone bench, her head nuzzled in Aether's lap, while her hat rested on his head.

"Don't act like twelve year-olds!" She screamed and both turned to her.

"O-oh," Aether stammered seeing her. "Hello, Keqing?"

"Why not?" Hu Tao looked at her with skeptical eyes, not even bothering to get up. "We can always get older."

Her blood boiled and Keqing swore vengeance.

Ganyu

Ganyu trudged wearily through the dimly lit city streets, her energy waning with each passing moment. The exhaustion that had consumed her for days threatened to overwhelm her as she navigated the labyrinthine alleys. Shadows danced and whispered in the darkness, heightening her senses and causing her heart to race.

Suddenly, a cacophony of eerie noises pierced the silence, sending shivers down her spine. Her eyes widened in fear as a burning ghost materialized before her, it's terrifying face reminiscent of the monsters she had encountered in battles long fought. Panic surged through her veins, urging her to flee, but her weary legs betrayed her, causing her to stumble and fall after just a couple of steps.

Crawling on all fours, she desperately sought refuge, her trembling hand reaching out and finding solace against the rough texture of the nearest wall. The ghost, with its malevolent presence, slowly advanced, step by step, its intent clear in its haunting gaze.

Summoning the last vestiges of her strength, the Ganyu focused her wavering mind. With a surge of determination, she manifested her trusted bow. Her hands trembled as she drew an arrow, imbued with the chilling power of cryo.

"Oh no, stop, Ganyu, stop!" Somewhere in the distance voice called, but she didn't hear it, her already blurry vision barely seeing as ghost was clutching its face and was advancing at her with outstretched hand.

With every ounce of energy she could muster, she let loose the arrow, watching as it streaked through the air. But as the arrow sailed towards its target, a wave of dizziness washed over her. She had exhausted her already depleted body, pouring every ounce of remaining power into the shot.

Her vision blurred, the world spinning in a disorienting whirlwind of darkness. Before she could witness the outcome of her desperate act, her body gave way to the overwhelming weariness that had plagued her for days. With a final gasp, she succumbed to unconsciousness, crumpling to the ground in an exhausted heap.


A/n: I have a bad habit to write dialogues first and filling between gaps in later date.

Anyway, Happy birthday, Hu Tao! It forced me wrap this chapter to be on time for her birthday, so apologies if some places feel rushed, lacking or if there are any grammatical errors.

God knows when next chapter will be out.

As always, reviews are welcome.

See ya.