"I'm getting smarter!" – Nahida
Hu Tao
"Oh, I almost forgot to ask," She said remembering very important detail. "Where is Paimon?"
Along the path lit by lanterns of all kind, Aether and Hu Tao were on their way to her office, their steps mirroring the rhythm of their words.
"She was eager to talk with Nahida, a friend of mine from Sumeru, so she decided to hang out there for a bit. Meanwhile, I made my way over here to see how everyone's doing after this year's Lantern Rite."
A playful glint danced in her eyes as she gently nudged Aether's arm, unable to resist a teasing remark. "You know, Paimon really takes the concept of sticking together to a whole new level. Does she ever let you have a moment of solitude?"
"She does, sometimes," Aether chuckled, a fond smile gracing his lips. "But, I prefer it that way. Who knows what kind of havoc she might unleash when I am not around? Even me with me close she can be quite chaotic."
"Oh?" Now her curiosity was piqued. "How so?"
"Couple of weeks ago, as we were going through bustling marketplace of Port Ormos, Paimon, in her unwavering curiosity, managed to get herself into a hilarious situation. She spotted a street performer juggling colorful balls and was utterly captivated by his skill. Before I knew it, she had floated close enough and plucked a ball out of thin air and attempted to join in on the act."
His voice, filled with warmth and affection, painted a vivid picture of the amusing incident.
Hu Tao couldn't help but burst into laughter, envisioning the scene unfolding before her. Aether's storytelling made it all the more amusing.
"The poor guy was taken aback as Paimon, with determined expression, tried to mimic his juggling technique. Balls were flying in every direction, even hitting some onlookers and me. It was a chaotic, but also incredibly endearing to witness."
Giggles escaped her lips as they reached their destination.
It didn't really take much time to reach Funeral Parlor, and Aether's previous bold move effectively shortened the entire journey by half.
They passed Ferrylady and entered the building. In the dimly lit corridors of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, she and Aether embarked on a quest to her office. Her yearning to share her old hobby with him, led them to the second floor of the Funeral Parlor — her office. She was filled with an overwhelming surge of joy as she turned the doorknob.
"Ah, welcome to my domain, Aether." She said opening door to her office. "This is where the magic happens."
As she and Aether entered her office, a sudden wave of embarrassment washed over her. Her heart raced, realizing that her normally neat and organized workspace was in a state of disarray. Papers were strewn across the desk, notes adorned the walls, and an assortment of items cluttered the surfaces.
She felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment, desperately wishing she had tidied up before their arrival. The messy office seemed to reflect the opposite of the image she wanted to project to him.
"It's been a while since the last time I was here," He replied looking around. "You made some rearrangements."
Trying to regain her composure, Hu Tao stammered an apology, "I'm so sorry about the mess. It's usually much more organized in here." She quickly moved to straighten a few papers, hoping to salvage some semblance of order.
Aether, however, simply smiled understandingly, his gaze focused on her rather than the state of the office.
"Don't worry about it," he reassured her, his tone warm and reassuring. "A little mess doesn't change my opinion of you, Hu Tao."
Her embarrassment eased slightly at his understanding response, allowing her to relax a little. While her office may have been messy, Aether's acceptance and genuine interest in her overshadowed any temporary discomfort caused by the untidy surroundings.
"I remember placing it somewhere," She said. "But as you can see, we will have to search a little."
They searched eagerly, rummaging through drawers, lifting oddities, but the item they sought eluded their grasp.
"It must be here somewhere. I must have hidden it so well."
"Let's check these drawers, Hu Tao."
They did, but the item they were searching was not there as well.
A glimmer of determination sparked in her mischievous eyes.
"There's one place we haven't checked," she whispered, her voice echoing with anticipation.
She led Aether out of her office and through the countless dark corridors of Funeral Parlor, their footsteps echoing against the worn wooden floors until they reached the entrance of the storage room.
"Prepare yourself, Aether. We're about to step into the realm of forgotten."
The storage room of Funeral Parlor was a disheveled and chaotic space, reminiscent of a scene from horror novels. Gravestones and coffins were scattered haphazardly, creating a macabre sight that may evoke a sense of unease to anyone else.
Gravestones leaned against the walls, some of them chipped or cracked, as if neglected and forgotten. Coffins were piled high, precariously stacked upon one another, their once pristine surfaces marred with dust and debris. The room is filled with a musty odor, a reminder of the solemnity and finality of the objects stored within.
The disarray extended to the shelves and storage containers, which overflowed with miscellaneous items. Tools used for grave digging are strewn about, intertwining with scraps of burial shrouds and faded funeral floral arrangements. Papers and documents were strewn across the floor, further adding to the sense of disorder.
Dim lighting casted eerie shadows, heightening the sense of foreboding within the room. Cobwebs clang to the corners, shrouding forgotten objects in a ghostly embrace. The overall atmosphere was one of neglect and disorganization, as if the storage room has been abandoned to the passage of time.
Within this cluttered and unorganized storage room, the tools and resources were scattered and difficult to locate. It served as a haunting reminder of the inevitable and the weight of mortality, a place where chaos reigns over the orderly and solemn nature of their profession.
"Quite a collection you have here, Hu Tao."
"Indeed," She agreed, some of these items were century old. "But we're not here for them. Our treasure must be lurking in the shadows."
Among the dusty relics, her eyes locked onto one particular box placed atop a coffin. Swiftly reaching to it, she opened it and saw. The item they had been searching for — the crown jewel of her pranks, a lifelike, shrieking mask. Grinning mischievously, she held it up to the light.
"Behold! The legendary mask, ready to send shivers down the spines of our unsuspecting victims."
"Truly a masterpiece of fright!"
On their way out of the storage room, she quickly grabbed one of the several broken downspouts. This particular one was long and relatively newer than the rest, being one of many damages after Osial's attack on Liyue couple of years ago. However, its most significant attribute was its grey color, giving it an ability to blend effortlessly with the environment of the city.
As the duo made their way back through dark corridors of Funeral Parlor, the haunting mask cradled in Hu Tao's hands, she couldn't help but steal glances at Aether. His charisma and enigmatic nature fascinated her, drawing her closer like a moth to a flame. With each step, her heart whispered verses of longing, yearning to express the depth of her feelings.
"You seem lost in thought, Hu Tao. Care to share what's on your mind?"
"Oh, it's nothing, just... contemplating the mysteries of life and death, you know?"
Hu Tao felt her cheeks warm as a shy smile played upon her lips. Conflicted between herself and her growing affection for Traveler, she pondered how to bridge the gap between them.
Deep inside, Hu Tao yearned to reveal her feelings, to unravel the enigma that was Traveler. But fear held her back, like a fragile bird hesitant to spread its wings.
"Well, Hu Tao, you have an uncanny ability to turn the ordinary into extraordinary. It's a quality I find truly captivating."
A surge of hope blossomed within her, like a flickering flame ignited by a gentle breeze. Could it be that Aether saw beyond mischievous facade? Could he feel the longing in her heart?
As they ventured out of the Parlor, the moon's gentle glow cast an ethereal light upon their path. The weight of unspoken emotions hung in the air, mingling with the whispers of the night.
One day, she'll find the courage to express what dwells within her heart. Until then, let their adventures and shared laughter continue to weave the threads of their connection.
The night held secrets, and amidst their shared adventures, her heart yearned for the day when she could unmask her true feelings, her true self. But for now, she reveled in the thrill of the prank they intended to pull, cherishing the moments of laughter and mystery that bounded them together.
And so, they walked side by side towards one of her usual spots, the mask of mischief upon her face, while her heart danced to the rhythm of untold verses, waiting for the perfect moment to reveal its secrets.
Sorry for short chapter. Initially it was about 4K words with other POV, but I ultimately saw it fitting in the next chapter and decided to cut from here.
Big thanks to Quaver Ava for your kind words. Your review actually made my day then, and motivated me finish this chapter.
As always, reviews and constructive criticism are welcome!
