"Good afternoon, Ms. Ganyu. Thank you for taking the time out your busy day to have this chat."

I thrust my hand forward, and without missing a beat, it taken my the person across the table. Or, well, not really a person I guess. I mean, as far as I know, human beings typically do not have black and red horns emerging out from their scalp.

But why am I trying to apply standard logic here anyway? This is Liyue, the land of the adeptus and mortals alike. The horns just make me certain that I'm dealing with the genuine article and not a freak cosplayer or something. When looked at it through that angle, I suppose I should be grateful that she's one of the adepti of legend. Ganyu, the attractive blue-haired woman of the Qixing, shaking my hand…I'm already ahead of schedule.

"No, no, please think nothing of it." She responds sweetly. "I only regret that I'm unable to give you more than 15 minutes. Preparations for Lantern Rite require months of work."

"That much is obvious." I nod, taking a seat as directed. Ganyu does the same on the opposite side, ridiculously neat and tidy table acting as a separator. "And speaking of, you probably have my profile."

"Absolutely." The response is followed up by a sheet of parchment gracing me with its' presence. On the paper is a picture- my picture of course, with text in the native language surrounding. I slightly grimace at the expression past me put on- slightly wonky smile, right eye maddeningly not-fully-open, nose flushed pink. Still, it does get my basic features across- dark hair, pain skin, orange-brown eyes- so I guess I can't complain that.much.

"This is you, correct?" Stupid question, she knows that. How would I've gotten past any security checks if my background wasn't checked a million times over? A layman can't get into the Jade Chamber otherwise...you know, probably. Ah well, protocol is protocol, I get it. So I nod, and she continues. "Age, appearance, date of birth, measurements, all good?"

More nods. "And your profession…a 'magician'? Is that right?"

There we go, now the topic can actually begin. "Yes ma'am. Judging by your tone of voice, you don't have one of us in Liyue, huh?"

She shakes her head at my wonder, blue hair dancing. "Mm-hm. This career choice seems to be exclusive to Fontaine."

"Perfect!" I cry out. "Then if you'll allow me to cut to the chase." Now it's her turn to nod.

"I would like to preform some magic tricks during Lantern Rite! Ah, with your permission of course."

Ganyu maintains her even voice at my excited declaration, merely going 'I see' with a faint tinge of interest. I need to advertise myself, I know it.

"I-If you're looking for my qualifications, rest assured I sometimes get to preform at Fontaine's own court! My shows are pretty popular if I do say so myself. I have also done shows around the city too! If you could get in touch with someone in the city, they'd definitely know of me…!"

Ok look. No, I'm not the best or most renowned magician in the region, of course I know that. That honor goes to my inspiration and technical rival, Lyney. His performances are actually the stuff of legends, which make my skills appear as nothing more than parlor tricks. But nothing I've told Ganyu is a lie! I have performed in the opera house before (Lyney can't go everyday after all), the citizens there definitely do know of me, and I've managed to carve out a unique niche for myself. The world of magic is so vast, it would be impossible for one person (or, well, a pair of siblings) to cover it all.

"You misunderstand, sir." Ganyu's voice pipes me down. "I know you're telling the truth, it's written down here. " Her bare hand attracts my attention, pointing to an unimportant sentence. "Your reputation is positive, and your desire to grow both personally and professionally is extremely admirable."

Ah shit. I would blush at these compliments from an attractive woman, but I know what's coming. The 'but'. No one would say those things unless-

"But-" Called it. "I'm afraid to tell you that every Lantern Rite booth has been reserved for months. And we already have countless contingency plans for sudden vacancies."

Wait….what?

"So, you see, absent a complete catastrophe, there are no openings available. I'm very sorry-"

"H-hold on, please!" Ganyu has her first negative reaction of the day, letting out a hasty sigh at my interruption, no doubt thinking that I'll begin to try and convince her to make an exception.

And, well….I guess I could do that, but there's no point. It'd kill my cover pointlessly early.

"Who said anything about a booth?"

Ganyu's eyebrow arches. "Well, you said 'preforming' did you not?"

"Oh. Ohhh." I quickly shake my head, misunderstanding clear. "I don't need a fancy booth or stage. I just need a table, like this one! Or, well, any one."

"I see…" Ganyu muses. "In that case, I suppose it would be possible…but you'd need to submit the items you aim to use to the Milileth. Just for inspection's sake. We'd review and should get back to you before the holiday period."

I pump my fist in joy. "Alright~ Thank you Ganyu."

"You're very welcome." A sweet professional smile hits me, so I look at my watch for distraction's sake. Hm, half the time gone….should I dare?

….Yes.

"In fact, can I give a super-quick demonstration of one trick I have, while I still have time?"

A mixed look appears on the horned girl in front of me. She definitely thought she was done with this magician, but at the same time…it's a subtle twinkle, but I can tell she's interested in what I said. No doubt from not having magic shows in Liyue, or maybe she needs a break from work, or both, or another thing entirely. Either way, I've seen this look before, and robbing them of their decision is, humorously enough, the best way to move forward.

So I quickly pull an object from each pants pocket, slamming down on the desk before revealing them to Ganyu. In the left? A standard deck of cards. And in the right? A pocketwatch.

The adepti's nose twitches at the same time I say "Pick a trick." Sure enough, a hand goes forward, tapping the shiny chain with curiosity.

"I hear you, card games are old hat, everything has been done with them already." Smiling, I put said deck away while taking the watch in hand. "Now, behold~ A trick I like to call 'The Probing Pendulum!' An amazing stunt that will allow me to read your mind!"

"What? But that's impossible!" Ganyu says with a disapproving frown. "Not to mention a huge invasion of privacy!"

"For crying out loud, come on….!" My face cries in pain thanks to an open palm making contact- aka, I just facepalm'd. This annoyed reaction makes Ganyu recoil in mild shock. "This is all for fun. And it's to show you, Miss, that there is nothing impossible in magic. Ugh, by the grace of the Hydro Archon…."

Understanding that she just killed the lighthearted feeling that we had going- for no real reason at that- Ganyu blushes and apologizes. "Please, ah, proceed."

"Alrighty then." There's no point in switching to 'announcer' voice here, the moment is gone. "Now the way this works is that you think of something, I swing this watch a little, and it will tell me what's on your mind. Got it?"

"Understood." The disbelief is written plain as day across her face. "Any advice for me?"

"Glad you asked- typically I would say no, just make sure it, you know, exists. But with how low on time we are, do me a solid and pick an object, not a person or anything."

"An object, hm…..mm, got it." She says after a second- and the need to take a btreath is matched by me. I can't believe this is happening.

Steadily then, the pocket watch is raised. Right in front of Ganyu's face.

Oh gods! I can hear myself gulping, can she? Breathe, my man!

"Is something wrong?"

"A-Ah, no, I'm good." I stammer out, before taking a deep inhale through my nostrils- and starting my tale in Liyue.

The brilliant golden watch, my favorite weapon to wield, begins to slide in my hand. First to the left, then back to the right.

"What's this about?" Ganyu raises her voice.

"Think of it like a scanner. Examining the mind from all angles, to determine what you're thinking of. You may follow it of course, or choose to look past. Just keep your eyes open and mind clear."

"A-alright then."

"Now…the important part." I say, deepening my voice. "With the object in your mind, we're going to use three senses. After all three are used, the watch will know."

Pocketwatch still drifting to the left and right in front of the secretary, my practiced spiel continues. "First, the vision. Not the kind the Archons give, heh, but the very view that we are all blessed with. Is the object in your mind small or large? Wide or thin? What coloration does it have- a bright sheen of a blessed, well-maintained keepsake, or a dull, dusty, decrepit forgotten treasure lost to time? Or anything in between- do you understand Ganyu?"

"Mm."

"Next, the sound of the object. Now you may be thinking of something that doesn't make a noise by itself. That's fine~ Totally fine Ganyu~ In that case, think of what you hear in the elements. What does the rain sound like if it's hitting? A plink, a splash, a crackle? What does it sound like in the wind? Does it shake, does it rustle, does it produce a thin whistling sound that echoes throughout town? Imagine that sound permeate, filling up, letting it bounce around inside your mind. Do you understand Ganyu?"

"M-mm…"

"And now, the final sense. Touch." I do a bit of a nasty trick here, subtly making the pocket watch move in more of an oval pattern than just two points back and forth, intensifying the impact. I also absolutely make a note that Ganyu says nothing in response. "Consider the sensation of your fingers as they graze the object. Is it a smooth pleasant feeling, or one that is rough, sharp and coarse? Does the object yield, bending to your touch or resist with a solid firmness? Picture the sensation, the very feeling as your hand gropes, going from a tender brush along the surface to a firm clasp down with your palm. And everything in between. Do you understand Ganyu?"

"…mmm…"

Time to wrap this up. "And with your three senses working in harmony, the object that you're thinking of is in the forefront of your mind. You know everything about it; appearance, noise, and texture. And with familiarity, breeds comfort. And with comfort…breeds relaxation."

"…"

Observing my handiwork, I smile proudly. The purple eyes of Ganyu, so attentive and perceptive mere minutes ago, have glazed over. Religiously following the swing watch in from of them, but being unaware of anything else. Her blue hair has lost form, splaying out over her scalp and back in a mess- and speaking of, the muscles of the goat's backside can't be happy, with how they are completely dependent on the chair behind to hold her up.

This could easily continue…and yet, it can't. Not today at least. So my hand stops moving, the watch stops swinging, and Ganyu stop deteriorating. More of a 'trance' than full on 'hypnosis', which is all I need.

"What were you thinking of?"

"T-The….the Crux…"

The Crux…? Oh, ohhh, right, that ship in the guidebook. Makes sense I suppose, she did pick something quick. "Very good. Now Ganyu-"

Knock-knock!

Oh shit. A lightning-quick glance at my wrist confirms that I went over time. And just to make it worse, a muffled voice sounds from outside. "Ganyu? Are you there? We have a meeting now…"

"…H-Hm…? Wh-whaa…?" Predictably, the Adepti begins to stir, weak trance wearing off fast.

This could spell doom for a newbie- but I made sure to prep for emergencies. Ganyu should still be weak enough for one final bit…

"If anyone asks, I was a magician from Fontaine curious about Lantern Rite. You will also remember how nice it was to feel so relaxed, however brief. Understand Ganyu?"

"Y-ye…s….mmmh? Huh?"

"Ganyu?" Sure enough, as I stand up, the door behind me opens with a creak, 'knocker' apparently think a second round of warning was too much. And turning around reveals their identity-

"Wow, that is purple."
"Could I be any less specific?"
"…They are really purple though."

This person- or rather, this new girl who I shall call 'Ms. Purple' for now- steps through the doorway and lets the bright lights of the office illuminate her. Slender, shorter than me, and- are those cat earson her head? I know Ganyu is an adeptus, so is she one too? Now I'm wondering about Liyue's hiring qualifications. Anyway, those two cones on her head prelude the twintails that stretch down past elbow length- and lying just above where purple skirt meets dark skin-tight leggings.

Yup. Ms. Purple is extremely attractive, and if her well put together attire suggests anything, very sharp too. She even has red eyes, imagine how alluring they'd be in nighttime!

"Did I interrupt?" She asks.

"Oh no, no…" I wave away the query, literally. "I was just asking Ms. Ganyu about the holiday season."

"He's right." The woman is question says, with just a hint of tiredness in her voice. But it looks like 'Ms. Purple' either doesn't notice, or doesn't think it's anything strange. Phew…looks like I'm safe…that was close.

"Oh? Are you a visitor?" The question is directed at me, and now that I look at her closely, did the guidebook mention her actually…? She looks rather familiar…

Ah well. "Yes. From Fontaine. I'm a magician, pleased to meet you~" A jolt of electricity hits me, and I wheel around back to the sitting Ganyu. "Oh right. You were thinking of The Crux, weren't you?"

"Wow…amazing.." She awes with a polite clap. Elsewhere, I can feel Ms. Purple gain a hint of a smile. But that's short-lived before-

"Sadly, Ganyu and I have a meeting to attend. So if there's nothing else you need-"

"Say no more. Exiting, stage left." I smile to them both for the final time before leaving just like anyone else would.

But before going outside and defending back down to Liyue proper, my smile grows wider than what would be acceptable. Not only did I succeed at putting Ganyu under, not only did I leave her mind with a parting gift that will subconsciously make her want to seek my abilities out, but I made have just stumbled upon someone else to have fun with as well.

The next few months are going to be very interesting indeed. Thanks Lantern Rite!

Just something for fun. Hopefully this is the longest chapter, allowing for quick updates.