A/N: Thanks for the support. Glad you all enjoyed this.

I'm proud to say that I have a co-writer joining me on this story~!

That's part of the reason this update took so long; as you can see, its absolutely massive.

Lets all give a big round of applause to Lazy Ronin Ryumori; without his stellar efforts, this chapter wouldn't have been possible.

As ever, the Embers rule remains. If people don't like this story? If they don't enjoy it? Well...I'll not continue it. That's no joke, folks. I'm so busy these days with two jobs; basically, I don't have time off. Not anymore. My free time is limited and as such, I can't afford to focus on something folks don't like. Reviews keep me writing in these times, and keep the daily updates flowing. Silence...silence only hurts. I hate having to beg for feedback, but without it...well, it feels like I'm not making an impact.

No questions this time, only story.

Alright, then. I think I've kept you waiting long enough.

Hope you're ready; because this chapter's got a bit of everything in it!

As ever, I own nooooo references, quotes, memes or themes. Not a wit or a one.

"Well? What say you?"

~?

A Bargain

"… what do you intend to do with that Gnosis?"

Naruto's blood ran cold.

"What?"

All around him the world slowed as his mind speed up, racing. Kurama understood the danger as well; his stomach burning dimly as whatever liquor that lie in his system smolder away, giving him his full wits and then some. She knew about his Gnosis? How? Only Paimon was aware of it. The knights had the faintest semblance of an understanding. With her recap of the matter to the Knights Paimon had – charmingly – referred to it as a doohickey. He thought as good of them as to believe that they didn't think that to be the actual name, but all the same, they were not aware of its true name. And after the blowout between them, Naruto did not stay long enough to feed them such detail.

Maeve smiled at him, betraying nothing.

If she was knowledgeable enough to know about his… Venti's… no, his Gnosis then she was dangerous… as dangerous as he thought her to at first be. But what did she want? Did she have some issue with the gods? An issue with Venti – Barbatos? Issues with those parading as gods? Which he wasn't trying to do mind you, but still!

"She bears one."

'Eh?' he blinked, somewhat taken aback. 'Bares what?'

"A Gnosis."

Lovely. 'She does!? How do you know!?'

"I sense it; just as our Gnosis senses it. I can feel it calling out to her."

His mind leaped to a particularly unpleasant conclusions. 'Wait, wait, wait. She's a god?'

"Or a god-hunter…or maybe she's like us, ladled with holding onto it…?" Kurama paused for a moment, perhaps deliberating over the issue himself. "Don't be rash here, Naruto. We'll survive her, but the others may not."

Blast. The others. He'd almost forgotten. He took to his left, where Shenhe clung to his arm. She looked about as ready to bail as he. Seeing to his right, he saw Lisa who seemed curious, yet alert. Quick to note his stare, she gave his thigh a gentle squeeze under the table, message clear. She deferred to him. If he fled she'd follow. If he fought, she'd follow still.

Across the table sat Beidou, who seemed more interested in their – now her – bottle of liquor.

Maeve brought her along but certainly hadn't informed her of as much as Naruto first thought, she seemed innocent of this all.

The most innocent of them all, lay above them – Paimon, Razor, Klee. Their guiltless laughter rang in his ears, louder as the alarms ringing in his mind.

This was a trap.

It made sense now. That she would allow him to bring as many people as he'd will. That she held their discussions be in the heart of Mondstadt. That she chose a place tended by a man that held no love for any Archon of Anemo. This bar was a pretty cage… where he could not fight as he'd best choose. But she… she could slaughter at her will, should he not abide.

He wanted to growl something cruel, and more than a bit crude. A darker part of him wanted to reach across the table and-

"Don't."

Kurama's warning rooted him. And the fox was right to do so. He could go feral, be like the coyote that snapped wildly… gnawing off its leg to chance freedom. But he was not the one in danger here. He was the only one not in danger.

His eyes flashed towards Maeve, colder, harsher now. She remained unvexed, tranquil, steady.

"Well? What say you?" She repeated the question again as if he hadn't heard her the first time. "What do you intend with that Gnosis?"

His brow furrowed. "Who are you?"

"I believe I asked a question first." her smile didn't waver in the least. "I'd see an answer to it and, in redress, I'll give the answer you seek."

She handled him as if they were making a deal. Like she hadn't sauntered in and threatened to uproot his newfound life, as if she was not at threat of being slain for his greater good. But if that was how she wished to play it then so be it. If she wanted to negotiate then he'd follow along.

"Should we be having this discussion here?" he planted one arm on the table and leaned forward. "Now? Perhaps the two of us could find a nice alcove to the coast?" That came out too close as a growl. Or so Kurama thought. If the shock of energy sent coursing – painfully – through his body was indicative of as much.

"I am fine here, thank you for the offer though." The smirk Maeve gave was too coy. It gave her face a punchable quality.

"The walls are thin and the people chatty." Naruto gestured over to Diluc and the drunken adventurers he was showing a table to. Whatever Maeve did to get Diluc's favor, it was enough to get the bar cleared out. Not enough to stop new arrivals.

Her smile proved decidedly limpid in its sincerity. "You of all should know, this conversation will only be for those you'd wish to hear."

"Whacha' mean by that?" Did she intend to kill anyone that so tried to eavesdrop?

"Sound is carried on the wind after all." She moved quickly to clarify.

"Oh." He paused, looking deep into himself. Grabbing ahold of his Gnosis, he tugged and the wind responded. Air picked up in the vicinity – much more than would be possible in a place where windows were shut so snugly.

"You needn't try so hard." Maeve's voice broke above the winds.

"What?" Naruto stopped cold, now noticing how frightened patrons had eyes on him, noticing how Diluc had a glare pressed towards their general direction.

In the end his savior came from an unlikely source.

A little blond girl slammed her glass down on the counter behind the redhead. "He was soooo annoying, Master Diluc! Hey! Are you paying attention to me?! I wasn't finished!"

With a long-suffering sigh, he turned to faceher. "Lumine please, I think you've had enough...

"Noooo!" she kicked at his shin from her stool. "I'm not done!"

Naruto held back a chuckle. The poor redhead cast him a long-suffering look as the little blond continued to rail at him. He noted her flushed cheeks and half-empty glass. Lightweight, much? Something told him this wasn't an uncommon occurrence.

"Help me."

"Nope." he held up a hand to stall him. "You're on your own. Have fun with little miss tipsy."

"Little miss who now?"

Paimon made the mistake of floating their way just then.

The blond girl's eyes flashed. It was her only warning.

Poor Paimon. She never saw her coming.

"Aren't you just adorable?! Can I keep you? Pleaaaaase?!"

"Gah! Let go! Paimon is not a toyyyyyyy!"

Meh. She'd survive.

With the wind gone and their host distracted, Maeve's voice quieted as she spoke her next words. "The Gnosis is not a mere tool, nor is it shy. It's a part of you for now…" He didn't much like the way she tagged on the 'for now', but bade to allow her to continue her talk. "… It's an extension of you. Much the way a muscle is. But as long as you view it as apart from you… as long as you force it, you will only get such wild results."

It pained him to agree, but he saw reason, so he followed her calling. Calming himself, he drew into himself and welcomed the Gnosis deeper within. He felt it sing, as if in celebrating finally being allowed to belong. He smiled the smallest of smiles. He didn't know why, but the Gnosis' joy felt as his. But with a better hold, he tried his hand.

First, outwards, he called forth noise far beyond his ear's reach:

"… We shouldn't play this too reckless. His presence could help turn the tide with our Fatui dealings." – Jean, spoken from her office in the headquarters of the Knights of Favonius.

"Fair play… We'll let Lisa have her way. Though I get the strangest suspicion she's doing as she will beyond the Order's best interest." – Kaeya. So they still schemed on him beyond his wishes.

"I do hope Lord Barbados takes kindly to this renewed effigy." – a discussion amongst nuns off towards the way of the Cathedral. He didn't like the sound of what they were planning.

"Midnight Phantasmagoria!" – the battle cry of a warrioress fighting hilichurls far to the south of Mondstadt, accompanied by what sounded like sparks of lightning.

"Stupid Archon." – That declaration was two-toned. One coming like a whisper from their scarlet tender beyond the bar. The other from just outside, by a window seal on their left. Why did he get the feeling that it was the same nun that trailed him so?

Next, he tried to do the inverse, stopping noise in its approach.

"Hey, Beidou, what'd you do to see my shirt gone?"

"Indecent." Shenhe pinched his hand…hard. But he weathered it and would weather the bruise to form as he focused on the hard-edged brunette.

The Crux Captain's lone eye went wide as the bottle slipped from her lips. She rambled on, likely something explicit, but they would never no as no sound made it to them.

"You're learning, well done," Maeve gave him a smile that crushed his good mirth. Her praise felt like venom in his veins.

But with the games over, he focused on his actual task. A sphere to make their talk sound-proof formed up around them; thereby ensuring that their talk could remain private.

"Weren't you looking for an excuse to take this away?"

Damn it! 'Why'd you let me go through all that!?'

"I'm busy enough between trying to hold you back from making this a conflict and preparing the energies for when you do."

'... Where's the faith?'

"You'd not wish to be a god. Remember?"

'Shaddup!' Naruto turned back to Maeve, who continued to wait for him. She got what she wanted, so she could be as patient as she wished. "Where were we?"

"Our discussion was moving towards your Gnosis."

Naruto sighed. This woman was relentless. "Why is it that you care?"

"You continue to ask questions before answering my own." here at last, her smiled thinned. "If you want an answer, then be so willing as to grant me mine, first."

"Why you...fine!" he flung up an arm, thumping the table. It didn't make a sound. Strange. "I don't know what to do with this thing, okay?!"a bit of energy rushed to his eyes regardless; had he a mirror handy, he would have seen them a bright green. "In case you haven't noticed I'm not this place's Archon. Venti... Barbados... whatever you'd call him. I'm not him!"

Maeve's head bobbed in a nod. "I'm well aware."

"You are?!" Naruto felt overjoyed. Finally! Someone that believed him when he said he was just some guy. Not just 'humoring his denial' as Paimon and Lisa did. And not someone that just didn't care about Archons, as with Diluc. He could almost forget his growing disdain for this woman...

"I am," she clarified, "And yet here you are, holding his Gnosis. Why?"

...he could almost forget.

"Not by choice! Cheeky little bastard gave me this Gnosis – shoved it into me – to keep it safe. Ran off before I could slam it back in him…" the hard way. "I want to chase him down and have him take it, but I can't begin to figure where I'd find him. There's a part of me – a small part – that wants to keep it though. I'm as strong as needed without it…" He clenched his fist. "… But this is a new type of power." The powers that the Gnosis offered him didn't make him any stronger than he was before, not yet at least. But it offered a new paradigm, expanded his toolbox – gave him options that Futon alone could not account for.

She tilted her head, a strand of dark hair falling across an amber eye. "Do you find it addictive?"

"Nope." he scoffed. "the moment I see Barbados-" Venti! "- He'll take back up this yoke. It's burdens outweigh the perks.

"Well-"

"No."

She frowned. "Pardon?"

"Nope." he repeated, taking some petty pride in the scowl that followed. "An answer for an answer, remember?"

"Very well." Maeve took the jab in stride and folded both hands in her lap. "You'd wish to know who I am?"

"No."

"Has your mind shifted so suddenly? The Gnosis of Anemo suits you."

"'Nough of that," Naruto growled and earned himself another shock of energy to rattle his bones. "I'll frame my question better, so you don't try to evade."

Her smile was sly again. "Projecting, perhaps?"

Naruto took that on the chin, not to be distracted. He drove his inquiry home. "Why do you care about my Gnosis when you have one for yourself...miss Archon?"

Maeve bristled. For all she was, for as calm and in control as she tried to be, she bristled.

Everyone else present was just as shocked. Lisa was agape. Likely thinking to be in the presence of two Archons. Darn her for not getting it through that cute head of hers that he didn't count as one.

Beidou was speechless and not due to his – his Gnosis' – doing. She actually put the bottle down proper. Turning to Maeve with an accusing wag of her finger. "Aha!"

Shenhe was perhaps the weirdest in her reaction. Balancing between keeping ahold of him and going into a bow. Saying something about 'Rex Lapis'.

What was he to do with these women?

"Am I projecting now?" Still he felt triumphant, getting one over on this woman, at least.

"You are." Maeve leaned in, resting a hand on her chin. "I would have revealed as much without you altering the question."

"Bullshit."

"Believe as you will." Maeve reclined once more, back pressed to her chair. "But I'm in a similar boat to you."

Unlikely, but he gave her bait a tug. "Enlighten me."

"I am a vessel for an Archon's Gnosis," she held up one hand, revealing a faint, if dusty glow across her fingers. "Although I was granted it only for the purpose of meeting you. It'll be back with Rex Lapis the moment I'm back in Liyue territories."

"Why?"

"I am normally meant to stay by my Archon's – Rex Lapis' – side, even the other adepti might not be aware of me-"

Shenhe spoke up suddenly, speaking out in swift motion, using words too esoteric for him to care to grasp or remember.

Maeve returned in kind, smoothly responding with a phrase all her own – just as mind-numbing.

It seemed to edge Shenhe on to say more. She snapped something.

And Maeve again returned to her a reply.

Shenhe pressed.

… And so Maeve humored.

This went on for what felt to be too long before Shenhe nodded at last. "Indeed, she is an Adeptus."

That calmed Naruto a bit. He didn't know much more about the adepti – only what he could glimpse from Shenhe's meager explanations the night prior. But he was made aware enough that the Adepti served Rex Lapis, whose letter Shenhe had delivered.

"This guy is thorough, sending so many people to forewarn his arrival." He tried to sound casual, knowing that those of Liyue might be just as fanatical about Rex Lapis as Mondstadtians were for Barbados. But he did not bother to veil his frown, this Rex Lapis felt more and more like a man – god – that thought too highly of himself. If he wished to talk, then step forth already...although he would grant him so thanks for introducing him to Shenhe. Maeve… not so much.

"That is what I have been trying to say-"

"That you're Rex Lapis?" Lisa slipped that with flawless grace, the smooth criminal that she was.

Maeve took the remark in stride. "... As much as, he is Barbados."

"So you are!" Lisa chirped happily.

"Hey!" Naruto bit out, but the woman gave him a look, as knowing as it was sultry. Yet she knew nothing! Nothing at all!

He would have a word more to the woman but thought better of it. He'd not be distracted, so he cut his losses and turned back to Maeve. "Carry on."

"Thank you." Maeve gave him a smile that felt genuine for the first time, happy to have the focus once more. "I've been sent by Rex Lapis as his proxy. He's grown weary in his age and with the Rite of Descension in fast approach, felt it best to leave this matter in my able hands. Should things go well here, he'd see you for drinks in Liyue."

Was it 'weary' or 'paranoid', but it was all fine to him. The longer he could stay from the side of a god, the better. "And he thinks you able to deal with me."

"He'd hope that I not have to find out." long lashed fluttered in a slow blink. "Despite what you believe, I have never intended any harm at any point, yesterday or now, nor do I wish for conflict."

"You have a funny way of showing it." Despite his callous remark, Naruto found his shoulders slumping, just a touch. His guard still held high, but he allowed himself to recline in his seat. Lisa fell back with him; her ease going the way of his, much to Shenhe's naked displeasure.

"All the same, he gave me his Gnosis." Maeve hastened on, "Seeing no need for it on high and thinking that it'd validate my authority as his hand."

"So what now?"

"Now? I'd ask for your Gnosis."

And all pretenses were gone. Skyward Spine shocked to life behind him and he readied to grasp it. Lisa's spell book was afloat before her and Shenhe's spear was already pointing, not at him… but Maeve. It warmed his heart that she'd side with him, but wouldn't that cause her problems?

Beidou – for her part – bared forth… a bottle. A grin that could split steel on her face as she chugged away. "Finally, some entertainment!"

… But to all this, Maeve raised a steady hand. "Please allow me to explain."

"Be quick about it!" He growled, and he received no shock from Kurama. Instead, his old friend growled with him as well. As did his Gnosis. They were all on board for murder.

"You said it yourself." For all the fury facing her, Maeve didn't flinch. "That you are holding onto that Gnosis only for the sake of Barbados."

"Yeah," he bit out, "So you've no right to it!"

"And of the Archon, Rex Lapis and Barbatos are noted for their closeness."

"That's true." Lisa hummed, drawing a black look from him. "Of the Archon, Lord Barbatos has had conflicts with many, but Rex Lapis and the Raiden Shogun have been said to be close confidants of his in the past, though I'm not sure how he'd react to the Shogun's sudden shift… but of Rex Lapis… I think that's the closest friend that anyone could name for our Archon."

"What's that to do with anything?" He'd sent that for Maeve, but Lisa seemed to frown at his dismissal. He'd make to apology later.

"It means that in lieu of being able to find Barbados, entrusting it to Rex Lapis might be the next best bid." Meave's assurance did little to cool his anger. "He'd hold it safe until it may return to the proper hands."

...and if I want to hold it until I can see it to Barbados?"

"Then you'll suffer the consequences." Maeve leaned back, not because of some supposedly vicious barb, but because the spearhead of Shenhe's Calamity Queller was all but in her throat. Golden eyes flicked to it. "How unfortunate. It would seem that you continue to misconstrue my words."

"No, it would seem that you're just bad a using them." Lisa's quip was so dry that Naruto thought to offer her a drink… if Beidou hadn't drunk it all. But the buxom seafarer was off to the bar for another bottle, only after realizing that Diluc could not hear them from here.

"What are these 'consequences' you're on about?" Naruto asked as he rubbed at the small of Shenhe's back. He appreciated her loyalty – really he did – but if she took the life of an Adeptus she'd no longer be welcomed to Mondstadt and likely be wanted – in the wrong way – in Liyue. She calmed at his ministrations, her spear vanishing to the ether.

Maeve made a noise caught somewhere between a laugh and a sigh.

"The Gnosis has many purposes, too many to name, but one such is that it makes lesser gods more, makes them into Archons." she held out a hand, conjuring an image of a shining figure in her palm, resplendent with great golden light. "It's subtle in its beginning, but the longer it remains the more permanent the hold takes. Before long only a fellow Archon will be able to undo what is done. Barbatos's hand may not be enough."

That was a sobering reality and it needn't Kurama's melding to come across.

"Oi, I'm no god." He began, but Maeve merely shook her head in stoic disagreement.

"I mean not to lay claims at what you are, but a Gnosis cannot be tossed around flagrantly." her fist closed around the figure she'd conjured, crushing it. "It's might burns away at those unworthy and unprepared. Only a god of sufficient might could hope to house it, yet more call upon its ability with such ease as you've displayed time and again. Not even the Allogenes could not hope to bare."

"Allo-what-now?"

"Demigods." Kurama supplied.

'Wanna run that by me again, furball?'

"That term she used... it refers to those of divine, yet mortal birthing. I'd dumb it down to demigods for you."

"Apologies." Maeve offered, not aware of the conversation Naruto already held. "I suppose more common term is Vision wielder."

"Mic drop."

'Hush, and how do you know what an Allo-whatsit is?'

"I've existed for a thousand years and actually listen when wise men speak. Take a guess how'd I know."

Right. As one of his closest friends, confidant, and fellow shit-talker Naruto could forget that Kurama was old enough to be a grandfather many times over… er… if he had been a human at least. Though the context here about the Allogene – vision wielders! – gave him more of an impression of this world. In the people's eyes, those that wielded visions were already demigods, so of course, someone that could trump their demigods in scale would have to be the authentic article, a proper god. It all-

"Allogene?" Lisa hummed. "What a pretty term, the first I'm hearing of it though."

Naruto deflated. Never mind, it still didn't make a lick of sense. "You have to believe me," His grunt was full of defeat, yet he persisted. "I'm no god."

"Perhaps not before, but the Gnosis has a way of changing matters." Maeve eyed him with no contempt or expectation, but with a gaze full of curiosity – regarding him the way that a caring adult would spy on a child as they carry out their whims. In the way he'd watch over Klee or Razor or Paimon. Naruto missed when she'd try to be more impossible to read. The more they talked, the more she showed herself and the more Naruto found himself wishing to be rid of her. "Do tell me, what do gods – does godhood – mean to you?"

"This opportunity is quite hard to come by!"

(.0.0.0.)

Morax did not much enjoy it when her own machination came into play against her.

Tartaglia was to be her wild card. A chaotic force that would put a challenge to the fledgling Anemo Archon. One that would call Naruto to action, not because she so explicitly willed it, but because battling and pursuing strong enemies was the only way 'Childe' knew to live. This was why Maeve allowed for such a tagalong.

Had she known that the new Archon already faced his own form of challenge, she would have left the Harbinger to continue his Tsaritsa's will in Liyue. Naruto was a peculiarity. An outlander – for what could he be except thus – that held his own preconceived notions of what it meant to be god. And in the face of those beliefs, he vehemently, categorically refused to take on the title, even as the Gnosis inside him called him more and more to uphold the new rank bequeath to him by Barbatos' doing.

She had no belief that Barbatos would take the Gnosis up again. She and the former Anemo Archon were indeed close, birthed from the fact that he too was a reluctant Archon. In the two thousand years that the installed Archon of Mondstadt had been called to serve, he spent just as much time traveling and in slumber as he had watching over the city of freedom. No, rather, it had been more. Many of those years were spent in Liyue, for amongst the Seven, she'd been the one most likely to suffer Barbados' company. Makoto – Beelzebub – had also been swift friends to the Lord of Anemo, when she lived, rest her soul. But Baal – the shy mouse – had closed herself to all of them after the cataclysm. Had Morax and Barbados not been in their own mourning – for Beelzebub and more – perhaps they could have stopped her from her self-imposed isolation.

All this to say, she was well aware that Barbatos would remain a former Archon less Naruto proved to be truly incompatible with the duties within. Say as you would, but Venti – a new name for him to take – was someone that would not allow Mondstadt to fall to ruin, but as long as it thrived without his aid, he'd pass on the torch of protector to any taker: to Dvalin, to Andrius, to Vennessa and her knights, and now to Naruto. Rather if Naruto would prove as valiant of a protector of those last pulled into the role was yet to be seen.

But for now, she'd aid in stopping him from committing murder.

"Who're you s'pose to be!?" Naruto shot the question as Childe was already upon them, sauntering into the bar. The Harbinger of the Fatui's eyes cut across each of them. Taking them all in, in quick order – his eyes lingering on her for too long, before settling on Naruto and the spear that swayed too close to the blond to be anyone else's.

"No Vision?" Tartaglia asked as the boy pulled his spear back into the ether… not taking kindly to how Childe's eyes beheld it.

"I have no need for it." Naruto put it as simply as that, not caring to elaborate, yet that seemed to only interest Childe moreso.

"Conjuring a weapon without a Vision, that's a bit unheard of don't you think, my friend?"

"I'm special, a regular ol' oddball. Got a problem with that?"

"Nothing of the sort!" Childe laughed a hollow laugh. A dangerous laugh. "The odd ones are the best after all! I'm considered to be the same in my homeland. Perhaps we could compare oddities?"

Naruto leaned away from the Harbinger, whilst little Shenhe seemed to take afront to Childe's yearning, grasping at Naruto's arm and casting at glare youngest Harbinger. Maeve found the whole show an amusement-she hadn't had such since taking this form. Young Tartaglia's battle lust could be taken as a lust of a different sort to the uninitiated… which seemed to be what was occurring at this moment.

"Who are you?" The question was asked again by said blond, now more incredulously.

"A business associate." Maeve chose then to step in, for the sake of the Archon and the Harbinger both. Oil and a Match – these boys were, and without someone to step between them, the results would be as you'd expect them to be.

"He's the moneybags that funded this trip." Beidou tagged on, plonking down onto the bench. "But don't get the wrong idea. We're not with him." The dauntless captain of the Crux Fleet felt no allegiance to the Fatui and chose now to make that known. "I would have cast him overboard a few times if it didn't mean I'd have to return the deposit." She – Beidou – really wished for her distaste to be known here.

"My… And here I thought we'd formed a bond, Captain." Childe's was only hurt so much as to be theatrical about it. The Harbinger knew better than to think that anyone in this part of the world would accept his ilk. "And you," His eyes returned to her for the first time since coming to bother their little group. "I do believe this is the first we've met."

"Nonsense, I was certain that Zhongli made introductions between us before now."

"Hm." Childe did not look to buy it but shrugged regardless of that. "Maybe he did, that geezer rambles on for eons, so maybe you popped in once I stopped listening." Cheeky brat. "But if you're with him, then maybe you've seen him. I've not caught wind of him since the first leg of our travels."

"I'm afraid that he's fallen ill. The seas are not his friend, so he'd taken to the deeps of the Alcor to rest."

"Maybe I should visit him then." The Harbinger eyes warned of being on to something. Maeve had no fear of him actually figuring out what he thought he might know. Beidou would sooner have the man's head than allow him to take a free purchase of the Alcor's innards.

Worse to worse, she really did have the body of Zhongli in wait in the Alcor's depths. Maeve, Zhongli, Rex Lapis… Maeve was not lying when she called herself a vessel for a god's gnosis. The deity that was Morax was an amorphous one – as all Archon were. The vessels that they took on were only for the convenience of interacting with mortals. All of them favored to impose their will – their consciousness – one vessel at a time… as she, he, or it – depending on the vessel's criteria, but managing two vessels was not beyond the might of Morax. They chose to become Maeve for this venture, so as to have a fresh slate in her dealings with Naruto. But calling Zhongli to order to placate Childe's whims – if only momentarily – was within their wheelhouse of options.

But for now, she would stay as Maeve and as Maeve, she'd say: "He'd welcome some Osmanthus Wine to bring on some comfort. Perhaps you'd fetch me a flask while you're at it."

"A delicacy to Liyue in Mondstadt?" his eyes sparked. "It would have been better to bring that along instead, no?"

She smiled. "Are the funds of the Fatui too shallow to deal with such a matter?"

An appeal to pride was all it took to drag Childe away from further questioning. "I'll see the barkeep about any imports that might have been made." And off he was – unknowingly slipping from the bounds of their sphere of privacy to speak with Diluc on a drink that Mondstadt proper did not hold – she'd know. She spent the night prior trying for a proprietor who'd grant a cask to them so as to keep her own reserves stashed.

It'd cost Childe a pretty penny and a trip to the deep cellars of Dawn Winery to find it...if Diluc would wish to part with them at all.

"Associating with the Fatui." Lisa let her voice be heard. "I thought better of the Adepti."

"Rex Lapis does not offer Mora freely, even to his own underlings." A truth, she saw currency as a means to endow value to contracts. That value would deflate if she tossed coin at her every whim or the whims of her Adepti. "So the Fatui can find value in Liyue just as they do with the Order of Favonius." That jab was a needed one; less the electro witch not notice the hypocrisy of condemning them for a shared 'ally'.

"Is it wise to carry on this talk with him present?" Shenhe's question was rhetoric, all discussion of Archons and the obligations of god – of a divinité oblige – would end here for today.

"We can talk more of this later-"

"An alcove to the coast?" Naruto's offer was one that Maeve might humor another time, but for now, she gave it only the lightest of acknowledgments.

"-for now let's see to drinks to edge off our earlier dealings."

"Here, here!" Beidou was off to grab more booze, moving with gusto, shoving a bartering Childe to the side.

"You really are a sly one, ya know." Naruto beheld her in a different way now, bright blue eyes intent upon her own.

Cheeky boy.

"I truly mean no harm, my only desire is to carry out the will of my lord Rex Lapis, to ensure the lands of a dear friend are in good hands."

"I don't claim this place as mine." he touched a hand to his chest, which pulsed with green light for a moment before stilling. "Venti's gonna take his place back even if I have to drag him kicking and screaming." His words aside, Naruto seemed calmer now. At peace perhaps, to know that it was not her desire to force his hand here and now. "I'll show that tone-deaf bard what for!"

Tone deaf bard? Maeve bit her lip to hide a smile.

"We'll take about that future and what aid I might offer in it, once properly free of the Fatui's scion."

"Still on about that!" Beidou returned to them – arms filled with bottles and mugs. Her constant visits to Diluc seemed to of worn at the Pyro user enough for him to just offer the bar – or a good portion of its inventory – to the eye-patched woman. "I've come here to drink and I'd have it we'd do that." She poured up two tall pints and offered one to Naruto. The latter leaned back, eyeing it evilly.

"What's this for?"

She grinned. "Our drinking game, obviously!"

Lisa made a pleased noise and nudged him with an eblow.

"Right. Forgot about that." Naruto turned to Maeve with a sigh. "Still want to put up a wager?"

Maeve hummed. "I'll leave that to my colleague." She rounded on Beidou.

The already drunk brunette grinned with much glee and mischief.

(.0.0.0.)

Shenhe felt all warm and fuzzy inside and it was completely at the fault of the wine.

Yuuuuup. All the wine's fault.

As the disciple to the Adeptus that most exemplified wisdom and knowledge, liquors had always been a curiosity for which she'd ever been only granted limited interaction. Half a glass of Osmanthus Wine on exceptional occasions was the most she was allowed within Cloud Retainer's purview.

Alcohol rotted the mind, dulled the senses, distorted the soul, and all that.

But, oh boy did it take the edge off. And Shenhe had a lot of edges that needed to be smoothed, to be soothed.

The new additions – the hopefully temporary additions – to her Naruto's entourage were people whom she could not find peace with.

With the Fatui, she'd dealt with them enough to have an unkind opinion. They trespassed on sacred grounds without care and had met her spear for such transgression. They were like bugs, the moment she squashed one group, another will have taken their place by the next day. Their constant annoyance had impressed her with the idea that their only use was as impromptu compost, feeding the earth where she buried them. So as one of their leaders, that Harbinger boy was outside of her good graces to start.

Then there was Maeve. She'd grilled her, honestly; rushing to the depths of her mind to dredge up riddles and rhymes that only the most stalwart of Adepti would have a response for. Maeve met her with practiced ease. If she was not an Adeptus, then she was a trusted friend of the Adepti at the least.

That didn't mean Shenhe trusted her. Not in the least. For as many truths as Maeve revealed about herself and her reasons for coming, she kept much more silent than Shenhe could ever abide by. By the end, Naruto had formed a tentative camaraderie with her, but not even he – big heart that he was – granted her the same level of kindness he did with practically anyone else.

That was enough… enough for Shenhe to be willing to strike her down the moment Naruto decided that she must be dealt with. The Adepti be damned. Rex Lapis be damned.

And Beidou… the worse of them all. A blow-hard drunkard more focused on the bottle than any other matters at hand. Naruto seemed to actually like this one, so Shenhe hated her all the more.

Even now the wretch eyed him with the foulest type of intent. Shenhe wanted her head for it, and she'd have it if Naruto wasn't so eager to stop her more murder-happy tendencies. She'd been invited to – forced to – that woman's ship, to finish the night of drinking. It was a part of the wager, should Beidou of won, they'd leave the bar for the captain's cabin. The results of the duel, or moreso how they came to them, were enough to make her blood boil and spear come to bear, but again, Naruto stopped her.

He seemed intent to keep his promise of quelling her violence and she didn't know how to feel about that… there were some people that just deserved death, weren't there?

The whole of everything saw to it that she had polished off a bottle of sweet wine – a valberry mixture – on her own.

After which, Naruto thought that she should walk it off, so she was accompanied by a shadow clone – a perfect doppelganger of her Naruto – as he saw the children home. For an imitation, the Bunshin wasn't a pale one; she'd be confused as to who was whom, hadn't she not seen it appear in a puff of smoke.

The walk did ease her. First, all the way out to Wolvendom to see Naruto's wolf child to his hut. Then to Lisa's apartment to see Naruto's fairy child to bed. Now only his fire child remained and that saw them towards the innermost parts of Mondstadt.

She hoped to find a seat soon. All the walking was starting to get to her, but more so she worried about what became of Naruto without her to safeguard him.

"Hey!" She perked up as his voice called to her. She looked to see that his clone was staring at her, having stopped in his tracks. His fire child stared as well, hand in his, bouncing at her heels animatedly.

"Whatsit?" She drolled in a manner that she did not enjoy. Snapping at her brain to kick start and make right the words she uttered. How unseemly.

"You okay?" He seemed properly concerned now, which concerned her in turn.

"Why?" She'd meant to say some like 'I'm fine, why are you asking?', but some of her words failed her and others came out much too slow.

"Just that you've been quiet since we've left the bar is all." Naruto grasped her hand then, willing her forward as he and his fire child kept towards where they were going.

"Thinking." She gave up on proper sentences.

"Ah." A sage's nod came from him then, he remained quiet then for a block or more before speaking again. "You shouldn't worry."

"Wha…"

"I… the boss… we… we're not to be trifled with." he waved a hand, flailing for words before finding them. "A goddess – or that's what everyone called her – she tried to screw with us. She suffered for it. Sealed her right up into the moon, I tell you!" he grinned at her, pleased with his blasphemous deed, and she was, in turn, happy for him. "She ruled all and could make and unmake time-space on a whim. Archons, well, with them ruling only one land and needing aid at that… they're small by comparison."

"Ah. I...see?" Shenhe didn't really; her addled mind wasn't so good at connecting dots right now.

"What I mean ta say…" He pulled her in close, arm looping at her waist. She pressed herself into him, finding comfort in the hold. "… Is that I'll follow my own beat, not theirs. They won't make me do anything I don't want to. And I'll not go anywhere I don't want to… And even if I did leave Mondstadt, you're welcome to come."

Her heart fluttered as it hadn't since she was a girl. "I am?"

"Yup!" he beamed, heedless of her racing pulse as the stumbled along. "You can stay by my side as long as you want to, anywhere I go, in any way you want to."

She looked up at him. "Any way?"

"Any way!" Naruto gave her a determined nod that had her head spinning...thoughts emerging that she'd not at all be adverse to.

They arrived at the spot whilst she was stuck in thought.

"Albedo!" Naruto's fire child rushed to the side of this 'Albedo' who was making his way free of a massive building – the supposed headquarters to the Knights of Favonius. The sight of him made her do a double-take between him and Naruto. Just how many children did he have already?

"Did you have fun?" The fourth (?) child of Naruto asked.

"Hm-hm!" the fire child chirruped. "Uncle and the aunties had a super-secret talk! But I'm not supposed to tell you about it! And Paimon and Razor and I played goldfish while we waited!"

"I see." Albedo nodded his head kindly to the fire child's ramblings. "Uncle, now?" He and Naruto meet eyes and the boy passed on a smile. "I would say that'd make you my Uncle as well?"

"Not you too!" Naruto's arms flung up. Shenhe felt the urge to pull at least one back down to her waist, but she held the instinct at bay as little Klee clamored up the steps.

Be nice. Wave to the child. Smile...

"I jest," Albedo laughed as his charge clamored inside. "I thank you for looking after Klee. She's less mischievous with people to hold her attention."

"No problem," the blond barked a dry chuckle of his own "She's a joy to have."

"I'd wonder if you'll be saying that once she brings out the big bombs."

A bead of sweat ran down his brow. "She has bigger bombs!?"

"Only when her mother sends in special supplies… but you'd better be off." Albedo cast a glance over his shoulder then, as though expecting someone to materialize from the mists of the night. "Jean did ask for us to alert her when the 'Lord Archon' is next near. I think she wishes to give another meeting a try."

"For the love of...!" Naruto rolled his eyes at that and Shenhe's heart stilled a little. This Jean? …was she another annoyance to be dealt with? She'd taste her spear! No, down Shenhe! Huh? She was starting to stop herself? Naruto's influence at work? "Tell her my name is Naruto… and that if she and anyone else wants to speak they'd best get used to calling me that, and only that."

Albedo granted him a nod. "I see that she's informed."

"Thanks, Al. Also, let her know that when I'm ready – if I ever am ready – I'll send word by Lisa on where to meet."

"I'll see it done, Naruto. Take care." The two shared a warm goodbye after that, but Shenhe couldn't care any less. Her mind was already spiraling downward.

Naruto was planning to play nice with another woman? That wasn't good. What if she too fell for him? No, Naruto was unparalleled; there was no 'what if' to it. She would fall for him as every woman before her – save Maeve – did. And what of other women that he would meet beyond this Jean? How long would it take before a veritable army stood forth all vying for his attention? Not long at all, Shenhe's drunken mind gathered. It could not be. It must not be.

"Shenhe?"

"Yes?!" Her attention snapped forward and focused on Naruto.`

"Let's go," he gave her a nudge. "The others are waiting… or probably not," he amended with a rueful look. "Beidou will drink the King's share if we don't make for port now."

Oh, how she wished there weren't 'others', but she yielded, swathing herself in his embrace. "...Naruto."

"Hm?" He slowed his pace to turn to her and she chose now, as it felt to be now or never. If liquor was liquid courage then she'd need it at this moment.

"You," she swallowed once to comport herself, cursing her dry mouth. "You said that I could stay by your side, in any way I so chose, right?"

"Sure thing." He didn't hesitate, damn him. Not even a little. "In any way you want to, for as long as you want."

"Well…" Shenhe whirled to the front of him with a grace ignorant to her drunken status. Her arms flowed up and looped behind his neck. And she flew up… really she'd been trying to pull him down, but he was too mighty of a man as to be dragged, even by one such as her. The results were as she wished them to be, all the same: his arms swooping out to support her.

She took his lips and didn't favor letting go.

He was at first stiff, but as she showed no attempt to break away, he began to return in kind. His head shifted to better accommodate her, lips parting to better take hers on. She felt a new type of daze come to take her, not wholly registering his tongue as it tangled with hers.

To kiss him felt as to kiss fire, but Shenhe let it burn her without trepidation. If it reduced her to ash then she'd die happy. This fire – she knew now – was the only thing she could have ever wanted – In her blood, in her veins, on her chest, in her mouth, on her tongue. To the deeps of her soul, her lungs breathed in a fire. This flame that had come to her. It was one she hoped would stay.

It lingered and roared on even as he pulled away. He was speechless at the end of it all, so she was the one to first speak "… What if I chose this to be the way that I stay?"

His mouth opened. Closed. Opened again, and finally he found words. "That'd be fine with me… actually, I'd like that a lot."

"Good." Joy joined flame and overwhelmed her, her vision blurred. "Otherwise you'd meet my… spea…"

Shenhe tumbled to sleep there, falling to his shoulder.

The last thing she saw as her consciousness bid fair was his brilliant, shining eyes and his warm and charming smile.

(.0.0.0.)

She'd cheated.

And it hadn't shamed Beidou, not one bit. She was a woman that knew what she liked, what she wanted, what she needed. And never once had she doubted herself. So when she'd been given the right to set the stakes, her decision was clear. She wanted him on her ship… and for him to be shirtless as he offered. But the latter would be fulfilled by the assurance of the former.

She'd been casual in her wink to Lisa, the rest probably saw it was a simple flirt, but the electro-witch got what she meant and carried out their unspoken scheme flawlessly. When they'd begun to down the booze, a delicate mead, she'd been neck and neck with him. He was unused to the drink and that much was certain, she'd seen enough inexperienced drinkers to pick one out when they be so close. But for all her experience, he had guts… she did too, mind you, but the man was on another level. He forced the sweet honey booze down his gullet with a determination more befitting the scene of a proper battle than anything else.

But as they neared the finale, Lisa – the sweet thing that she was – swept in to warmly blow into Naruto's ear. She'd make the act so sensual that it even gave Beidou pause, even, but for poor Naruto, the lad had fallen to pieces. Coughing mid-chug and nearly spilling the contents of the pint. It was room enough for her to handily finish her own serving.

Naturally, he'd demanded a two out of three… and then a three out of five.

He'd won one round.

Lisa having only managed an assist twice over before Shenhe caught on. Neither Electro user wanted the end of her spear, so they played fairly under the penalty of death. Hadn't mattered. Guts only went so far and by the fourth pint, it was all Naruto had to keep his stomach in order. The pint was left half-finished.

And for having to double and re-double the bet, she'd won a jacket and a shirt too! Naruto was the type to wear an undershirt though… the bastard.

Meh, it was a tight thing though, form-fitting, so not a total loss.

"… And just as it bared down to swallow me whole I struck; cut it right cross its neck. Power and lightning coursed through my veins then and off came the last of its heads!" Beidou reclined on the arm of her couch, one of many in her cabin, her legs splayed across Naruto's own. She was comfy in his jacket, comfier still with him being trapped under her. "When I next came to, I had this Electro Vision at my side." She showed them it then, a pretty purple orb embed in gold, the symbol of Electro glowing dimming off its glassy surface.

"How harrowing," Lisa giggled, both at the story and at Naruto's attempts to unlodge Beidou from him, but every time he shoved her thighs off his she'd just return anew. He made for too good of a rest to give up. It was becoming something of a game. "To survive the wrath of a dragon – a hydra at that – for days on end. I suppose the gods showed their favor to you."

"Bah!" Beidou waved her pint, away with the thought. "The gods have a crappy way of showing 'favor', if that's the case. They grant Visions to those who're already accomplished and those that would have grasped this world by its horns without a Vision. It feels more like throwing a bid in with a winning lot, not a real blessing."

"Can we not talk about them?" Disgruntled and unafraid to show it, Naruto grumbled on.

She batted her eyes at him. "You say that as if you don't count amongst them?"

"I don't." His reply came as a growl, anger burning in his eyes, and as the boat rocked more than a little bit, Beidou knew the cause to be the wind, just as she knew Naruto to be that wind. Yet for how obvious it was, for what Maeve had to say, for what everyone as it so seemed had to say, Naruto seemed to loath the prospect, the core idea of it.

Try as she might, Beidou couldn't peg why.

For all that Naruto seemed to be, he held little darkness in him, it was there – no one was pure and Beidou'd be damned before she believed as much – but even compared to the noble types that she found herself so often in the company of – Ningguang, Ganyu, Kazuha, Maeve – Naruto felt purer still.

She had the knack for telling this sort of things, of shining a peering light into the darkness of the soul, had the eye for it ever since she'd gotten her Vision… a perk of the Electro element perhaps. Yet the annoyance, the hatred – and the sorrow as well – that emerged when mentions of anything divine came about, drew forth all of Naruto's blacker feelings. It was unfocused… wide-spread… never for the person who so uttered the phrase, but towards the general existence of gods and any speak of them.

None of that mattered though, not for this moment, Beidou found her concern drift towards the Alcor, currently in danger of capsizing should she not get this damned Archon to calm himself.

"Hey!" Before she could say – do – anything, Lisa drew Naruto's attention, cupping his cheeks – flushed with anger and alcohol – and dragging him forth. She captured his lips, pulling him deeply into her. It frazzled him, his arms flying up unsure of where to go, but in time moved to land on the hips of the Electro Witch.

As they fell deeply into each other, the boat calmed. The sight was so… hot.

Beidou wished that to be her, taking up either spot would have been fine for her. But as soon as it started to steam, it ended, Lisa pulling away and Naruto following… if only for a moment. "You need to calm down." She said so in a whisper, urging rather than demanding, gentle over stern.

"I'm calm." He whispered back to her.

She gave him a look that said many things, none of them being that she believed him. "That's not what I meant and you know it."

He clicked his tongue and looked away. "What would you have me do? People keep saying-"

"That you're a god? What of it? They're words."

"And I respond to them with words!" Naruto bucked up.

"You respond to them with aggression." Lisa spoke as simply and calmly as ever, eyes trailing over the contours of Naruto's enraged visage. "And what good does it do? Does it make you feel strong… in control?" Oh, she was frigid there. Even Beidou felt cold. "Tell me, is this who you really are? Quick to anger and threats of violence… if so that'd make you no better than the worse of them… the g-"

"Don't say it." It came as a whisper, halting Lisa as hatred and rage and scowl melted away, leaving on a sorrowful frown marred to Naruto. "I've not had good experiences with them… the gods-"

"Obvious." Beidou scoffed, taking in a glare from Lisa now. The librarian of Favonius probably thought her attempts as meaning to derail the conversation, but she only wanted to get her two cents passed. "What I mean ta say, is that it's clear that you have an issue with the whole god business. Just that… like… why?" She could have used her words better there. Pah! This is what she got for trying to help with emotional crap.

"Smooth." If underwhelmed was a person, it'd be Naruto right now.

"What I'm tryin' ta say is that you're on a ship with two mature beauties that are givin' you the time of day. If there's a time to talk, it's here, so talk!" There! She worded that one a whole lot better, or so she thought. For Naruto, he just stared at her and to Lisa and back to her. Seeing as neither woman made to say more, he just reclined into the couch. His hands braced her knees, a long-staying gust of air blowing from him.

"From the moment I was born, gods – and people calling themselves gods… they've made a mess of my life."

Beidou quirked a brow. Lisa egged him on. "And...?

"My father gave up his soul to a god of death… so that he could save our village from a threat too big to bear." he winced even as he said the words. "And not twelve years later that same god took the soul of my village's leader, one of the few people that gave a shit about me… at that time at least…" Well, damn. Beidou could already see why contempt would form. Living sacrifices towards the gods were not something she'd ever get behind. If they'd be so omnipotent then why did it cost a mortal life to show proof of that omnipotence?

But he wasn't done.

"… The next I heard anything of a 'god' it was after a mentor of mine – Jiraiya – was struck down by this 'god', All because he wanted me – my life." a hollow look flitted through his eyes, and she didn't like what she saw there; thankfully it lasted only a moment before he rallied. "He destroyed my home to get my response and once he had his way and I saw him thrashed, he became all apologetic." a small, hoarse laugh bubbled out of him, neither angry nor bitter. Just...sad. "He restored the lives of the people he killed… but not the old sage… and neither did he live long enough to help repair the destruction he caused my village. I forgive him for all he did… or I tried to… but I couldn't forget…

Shit. Alright, this was getting a bit heavy for her liking. He was done, now right?

...not by a long shot.

"And you'd think that'd be enough, yeah?" blue eyes met hers, flecked by green light. "But even after all that there was this pair of idiots that declared war on the whole damn wold in a mad attempt to become gods and lord over everyone…"

This hole just went deeper still didn't it?

"The worst part is that they won, they got their way, but only long enough for 'em to end up possessed by an actual goddess." he leaned back and gazed at the ceiling, idly tracing a circle on her thigh; didn't even realize he was doing to her. "And with her awakening, it was revealed that all of it – all the wars and conflict and bullshit – that my world had dealt with for centuries was all made through her and her underling keeping up conflict. All of it, a part of her plan to break free of confinement and take the world for herself."

"That is…quite a bit," Lisa said, despair and worry in her gaze. "Is that how you ended up here?"

"Nah," he waved a hand, assuaging her. "The bullshit that got me here happened just after we stopped her… and all that's for another time, but my point is that gods have never meant me any good." His hand continued its wayward path, drawing a shiver from her. "And if there be a god out there, one that'd call themselves 'benevolent', I'd curse them more than the evil ones I've dealt with. Why would anyone… anything… that call itself good allow such malicious gods to roam the world?"

Right, then. Time to chan

"I would have thought you'd take a liking to Barbatos, then?"

"What's that supposed ta mean?" Naruto gave Lisa a look of confusion; for the first time since they'd met Beidou found herself believing him to be from another place and time.

Who in Teyvat didn't know the tale of Barbatos? Not he, apparently. Lisa was all too happy to give it:

"Barbatos was not the first god to rule over Mondstadt, that dishonor belongs to Decarabian, the god of storms. He thought himself much beloved by the people of that age, giving them eternal peace, but that peace was achieved by entrapping the people in a barrier of storms, too thick and fierce for man or god to bypass. He forced the people to be content with the small paradise allowed to them, unable to see the world beyond the storms… unable to take in nature for themselves."

Decarabian was a foul one; Beidou would be the first to say such. She hoped to never see a day where he made a return.

"It was said that even the sight of birds where foreign to the people. Unable to bear this, some stood up in revolt, aided by the smallest of wind spirits, who chose to stand beside mortals despite Decarabian's terrible might. And on the day Decarabian fell, that wind spirit stood forth to ascend into godhood, become the Archon we call Barbatos." It was all a tale that spread on winds to every corner of Teyvat. Barbatos' ode to freedom drew many a man's admiration, especially of sailors, who relied on his winds to uphold their own freedom.

"He did not become an Archon because he yearned for power or control, but so that he might protect Mondstadt from those who'd wish to take hold of it, people like Decarabian. Yet, he does so from afar, giving the people free reign to live their own lives, that's the reason why people are so sure of you being Barbatos. Sweeping in just as Stormterror was about to claim so many lives and refusing the praise for your deed." she thumped his leg with a fist. "That's exactly what Barbatos would do. Don't you see?"

Naruto looked away. "I… never knew."

Lisa tilted her head."Had you ever bothered to ask?"

He winced. "I… no… maybe I should be asking more questions?"

"Maybe you should."

"That's swell an' all…" Beidou saw no harm in the Barbatos-worship, it should be expected of someone born to Mondstadt, but her view was just a bit too rose-tinted for her liking. "… But what's freedom when demanded of you by a god?"

"And what do you mean by that?" Ohhh, that edge on Lisa's voice was as sexy as it was threatening. She should word herself better… or try to at all.

"Gods are flawed, I'd say." now it was her turn to favor the ceiling with a long, lasting look. "I'm not a devote or follower to any of 'em, so a god with a light hand is the only type I'd care to live under. But them vanishing off until they decide they're needed… that's just cruel. How long did the people of Mondstadt go enslaved before Barbatos chose to step in, all because it was people, themselves, doing the slaving instead of a god? His aid is too shallow and you've got to admit that. For all the crap I could put to Rex Lapis' his adepti's feet, at least they're there. When nature nearly ended life in Liyue, they helped us. When famine would have taken us, they feed us. And when other gods tried to see Liyue sunk, they stopped them for us. They're a dubious group, those gods, and I frankly don't think they're much needed in every matter, but they are needed. A god whose own people can't recognize him… feels more like he doesn't care at all, if anything."

"Then… I think we'll just have to agree to disagree."

"Fine by me…" Beidou shrugged, not one to force her opinion on other people. If anything, she'd call Lisa's admiration for a god that didn't do too much of anything a good boon. It meant that she wouldn't be finding herself associated with another woman that constantly told her to get back to work. But, on Naruto: "… And what about you, loverboy? What's your take?"

Naruto paused. Considered. Sighed. "I think… that I'm too drunk for this."

"Hear, Hear!" Beidou cheered with a bottle of wine in hand! Huh, where'd that come from? Even she was left to wonder from where the booze materialized at times. She'd not complain though. "Let's get back to the partying!" She slipped her legs free of Naruto's, only for the sake of taking his waist instead – straddling his hips and stirring up a fluster from him. Her actions had the unfortunate mishap of shoving Lisa away from Naruto's side, but the woman would live. Beidou suffered such deep conversation about gods and the morality of their existence, so this much was owed to her.

"Oi! Get off!" He shoved, but her grip remained firm.

"Don't worry, I'm clean." As much was true, she was no maiden of purity, and she'd not been much past her teens before having a… taste of the flesh so to say. But she didn't much sleep around, she knew what she wanted, sure, but that also meant that she didn't settle for just anyone. If anything, Naruto should be honored to be offered a place in her sheets. Wasn't every day she did something like this.

"That's not the problem!"

"Oh, then what would that it be then, 're ya a cherry boy?" she leered, pressing her forehead to his. "Saving yerself for someone special, maybe?"

That riled him up, just the way she liked them.

"It ain't that!"

"Then prove it." She ducked down with a grin, nearing up on him, deciding that it was her time to see how an Archon tasted.

But as she pinned him down, he inexplicably gave way.

Smoke and air blew past her, leaving her with only Lisa's company. She looked around, but Naruto was nowhere in sight. "The hell!?"

Lisa giggled, finding enjoyment in her misery as it seemed. "It does seem that we've been duped."

...why'd she'd get the feeling that the only one to be 'duped' was her?

(.0.0.0.)

"… Hell?!"

They all heard Beidou's miserable cry from outside, sitting high up on the deck.

"It does seem that you've been found out." Maeve hummed as she sipped at her drink.

"Hm, serves her, right. Both of 'em, really. Imagine trying to cheat a ninja." Naruto returned, having seen the kids – and Shenhe – to bed. On a whim he'd decided to see to the company of Maeve and Childe. Beidou and Lisa were likely to try things, in their drunken states. So his two least favorite comrades actually proved a good distraction.

"It's not as difficult as you'd think, my friend, and check." Childe declared as he moved his piece towards taking Maeve's queen… or maybe that was the king. He could only pick up so much from watching them play, particularly seeing as his mind was so unfocused by the mead and other matter.

"You speaking from experience?" Naruto looked to the Harbinger while Maeve busied herself with studying the board.

"Well, the Fatui do have many business ventures, some of which see me to lands where the shadows have eyes, as you'd put it."

"Don't assume that I'd put anything anywhere." Naruto frowned, taking in the game anew. "There." He pointed to a piece of Maeve's and trailed his finger along a path.

"Ah." Maeve nodded, quickly taking the piece and sending it on its merry way to victory. "Checkmate."

"T-that's against the rules!" Childe's fuming about outside interference met a shrug from him.

"I don't follow rules." he wagged a finger. "Ninja, remember?"

"Hmph. I don't want to play anymore!"

"A shame, but I suppose that means you can return to your Osmanthus quest." Maeve gave Childe an expectant stare. Naruto was not under the illusion that she cared much about the wine – a faint waft of fermented Osmanthus somewhere on the premises finding his nose –t oo acute for a normal man's nose, but a man who normal, he felt that enough to be true.

"I'm going, I'm going!" Childe made to dismount the ship.

Once he was back to land, Maeve turned upon him as well. "And shouldn't you be off to attend to your ladies? It wouldn't do for little Beidou to tear her own ship apart to find you."

"You talk like an old man, ya know?"

"So I'm told, but that brings to question: why spend time with this 'old man'-like woman when young, wanting ones so desire your attention more?" Naruto regarded her for a time, saying nothing much at all… just staring at her. She stared back, her eyes, they were like an abyss.

"Just tryin' ta figure you out."

She laughed. "Older and wiser have tried."

He wouldn't admit defeat that easily. "And did they succeed?"

"I'll tell you when you're older and wiser." She gave him a smile and it made him feel like a child. She had that air about her. An old man's disposition, even if she had the assets to say otherwise.

"Well, I'm off, if you won't budge." He sighed, knowing full-well that pissing off lightning users long enough would only lead to a fried rear. "And they're not 'my ladies'!" He shot back even as he made his way down. "Ya keep saying that, jeez.

"Perhaps the god of denial will become your moniker?"

Leave it to her to get the parting shot.

"As if," his murmuring was for himself, but Maeve was likely to of heard.

But, gods, huh?

The memories of his clone bounced around in his mind.

Lisa and Beidou – each held their own opinions about the gods.

As did Rosaria and Diluc and Shenhe, Maeve, Jean, Kaeya, Paimon… maybe even little Klee had something to say.

He hadn't bothered to ask those he met about the gods, too wrapped up with convincing all that he was – definitely! – not one.

When Beidou asked him – his clone – about such thoughts at the end there, he really didn't have one. He hadn't bothered to form any. Caught up with his own opinions about who gods were, he didn't bother to wonder what they might mean for other people.

But… he guessed…no, he supposed gods might be just as varied as humans were, that they could be capable of good, but he wouldn't know that for sure until he started to ask – and see – for himself. And should he see something he didn't like, should they prove themselves every bit the monsters he thought them to be, then these gods would go the way of Kaguya before them. That much was a promise.

Right then, time to face the music. He reached the door and nudged it on him.

"So you've finally arrived." Lisa's eyes were on him the moment he entered the room.

He crossed both arms behind his head with a chucle. "So you picked up that it wasn't me before?" The little minx, of course, she had.

"I figured I'd play along," her smile was full of dark promise as she crossed one leg over the other. "That you'd reward me with something nice if I said nothing." she leaned forward then, and his mouth went dry. "After all, if our own personal you, is a punishment, then I'd love to see what you'd call a present."

This woman…!

"So you're back…" Beidou – all dauntless and headstrong – stood and made her way to him, hips asway. "Thought better than to miss out on all this, huh?"

Good lord, you could bounce a quarter off-no, no, focus. "You know we just met, like, literally yesterday, right?"

That did nothing to stop the captain of the Crux Fleet.

If anything, it urged her forward at a quickened pace. As if she was trying to stop him from going up in smoke… which was… valid…

"Your point?" She pushed herself up against him, perky bust threatening to spill from her battle dress. He wondered if it was too late to go back to Lisa's apartment. Shenhe would wake with a fury if she found that he left her. Paimon would likely have him face her 'Paimonial Wrath' for leaving to deal with an enrage Adepti Apprentice. But leaving now might prove difficult.

"My point?" he coughed. "Well, you hardly know me. I could be a demon sent to do all types of horrid things to ya, ya know?"

"Well, are you?" It wasn't until his back hit that wall that he realized that he'd been in retreat. Damn it all, the only demon here was her!

"Probably not?"

"Good enough for me!" Her arms went up to rest against the wall to either side of his head. Her knee came up and pushed to the wall as well. How cartoonish must they look? The woman was half a head shorter than him, but more than that, she was too close. And so it was official. If he wanted out, he'd have to fight his way through. He looked to Lisa, maybe she would-

Nope!

The sly sorcerer swirled a glass of some wine or another in hand, watching them with a yearning excitement in those emerald eyes. What was she, she some type of voyeur!?

"Last chance," Beidou's lips brushed his ear, sending a shiver shooting down his spine, "Come on. Don't you want to live a little?" this close he could smell her, the faint scent of the sea whisked away with whiskey. It was intoxicating. "Relax." her lips ghosted across his neck. "For once in your life, just...let go."

.

..

...screw it.

His body exploded into motion; in the same instant his hands betrayed him.

He took her by the hips, grabbing a fistful of her rear and all but and snatching her up; maybe because he wanted her so bad or maybe just to see if she was up to the task. Probably the booze talking. Really did wonders for his inhibitions. Beidou didn't prove herself wanting, hands lacing into his hair as their lips met, one leg twining against his to keep him from running away. Not that he would now.

It was an...experience to say the least.

With Shenhe, kissing her, it felt like a union; both of them guiding each other to greater heights of pleasure.

With Lisa, he'd been in a daze, so he'd given her the lead, allowing her to take him where she chose.

But for Beidou, it was much more of a battle.

...he liked it.

Their weapons were their tongues and neither felt content with yielding. His hands groped freely and so did hers. He heard his shirt tear and retaliated in kind, ripping at the black fabric just above her breasts, exposing her full bosom to the night air. Even though he held her, she threw her weight around freely, mostly at him, leading them to twisting and turning, just so he would not tumble to the floor. A gust of wind swept up to keep him footed more than once, but eventually, they found themselves tumbling to one of the couches.

He pinned her there, to which her legs locked him in place, fingers still gripping his hair, urging him to keep on, and so he did.

For a moment, Naruto almost hesitated. Almost. Should they stop to catch a breath?

"What's wrong?" Beidou cooed at him. "Don't tell m you're chickening out-ah!"

Her words piqued into a gasp as he dipped down and kissed her bare breasts. Drunk or no, he wasn't about to put up with her teasing. No, this was much more preferable. He felt her hands fumble at his trousers, heard his belt buckle come undone. He kicked them aside with a grunt as Beidou lifted her skirt-

And then Lisa's arms draped over him.

"Now, now," her breath brushed his ear, "Don't forget about me...

The rest of their night soon descended into wild, vicious, maddening carnal bliss.

A/N: Aaaaand cut.

As ever, big thanks to Ronin. Wouldn't be here without him.

If this chapter didn't make it clear, Maeve and Zhongli are both one and the same, and yet not. Two sides of the same coin, so to speak.

Once more, the Embers rule remains. If folks don't like this story? Well...I'll not continue it. That's no joke, folks. I'm so busy these days; basically, I don't have time off. Not anymore. My free time is limited and as such, I can't afford to focus on something folks don't like. Reviews keep me writing in these times, and keep the daily updates flowing. Silence...silence only hurts. I hate having to beg for feedback, but without it...well, it feels like I'm not making an impact.

Right then, as ever, Reviews are love, Reviews are Life.

Reviews keep me safe from any and all strife.

So in the immortal words of Atlas...

...review, Would You Kindly?

Every bit helps out!

(FUTURE! Previews?)

Some are very far out indeed...

Hope you enjoy the taste of what's to come. HOLD ONTO YOUR HATS!

(Previews!)

"You have a choice to make. I pray you choose wisely."

In his dreams, he heard it.

… A piercing crash and sounds of elements clashing.

… The panicked screams of people calling out to his gnosis, to him.

He woke up in a bed.

"Aw for the love of...not again!"

This time, both his arms were trapped...by two people.

"Please don't be Maeve, please don't be Maeve, for the love of the log...

Paimon wasn't happy come morning.

"Why'd you leave Paimon alone with Shenhe?! She's all grumpy and whoozy and and...stop messing with Paimon's hair!" she windmilled her arms to no avail as he tousled her white tresses. "Paimon is not a pet!"!"

Maeve sighed softly. "Children, the lot of you...

Naruto's head snapped back in a shower of blood.

His eyes sparked green. "Good hit."

Then he struck back.

~Nz.