Cold Clouds 2 - (Genshin Impact, Ganyu!SI)
I am not sure when father was supposed to die, but I was really playing a game of uncertainty considering what era I was stuck with.
There was no Liyue just yet, only the Guili Assembly. And while the news of a council of gods creating a prosperous society within those safe plains attracted many, my father was not that sort of individual. And while that should raise some questions on why he would be unsure on going there for years, the truth was that he feared competition: a safe society meant that there was a stable health department and thus competition to a pharmacist such as himself.
I couldn't fault him for trying his hardest to get a living going to keep us afloat. Hell, he had to sell his humble house by the time I was three since the business had depleted in the region - everyone thought the Assembly was the hottest shit in the region.
Once again, no faults there beyond a bad case of luck.
Despite the many shortcomings of this childhood, I was there to help around the best I could. I was swift in getting to walk, talk, and even write and read. Precocious was the word, but I am sure the lack of widespread studies on how kids tended to develop helped me avoid 'detection' as I just appeared to be a little prodigy.
I could learn fast, I could assist my father with herb-finding and medical concoctions and I even helped him with a few 'ideas' in regard what new compositions could be used. All in all, I was doing my hardest to help the poor guy catch a break here and there.
I was really confused on why Ganyu had never talked about her parents - I mean, her mother I could understand but perhaps her decision to never mention her father was tied to something unpleasant that was soon to happen.
And this may be tied to the fact we exhausted the independent gigs and we were making moves to get to the Guili Plains by the time I was five. Dad didn't look too pleased, and I realized too quickly it was because the Adepti tended to linger within these areas.
Which meant that a potential encounter with my mother may be inevitable. Did he fear I may 'want' to go with her? Had I been a normal child, perhaps that thought would have played in my mind. But I was someone that remembered that day, and I knew that wasn't an option.
I didn't even want to think that the woman could consider trying to mend things when she just ditched me to be a burden and a responsibility to a guy that already struggled to make a living. That was plain irresponsible.
The funniest shit would be if OG Ganyu had learned by trying and failing to approach her mother because 'she was a pure Adepti' and Ganyu wasn't. Not much due to the canon events, but how that would work there since... Let's be honest.
Instead of being educated into the god-fearing nature of celestial entities for Asian Culture, I had a solid sense of divine-disregarding that was common in the West. Just because I was a hybrid and had a connection with some deities, that didn't mean I wanted to have anything to do with those people.
As we arrived to our new 'home', I just could tell things were going to get intense really fast. Most of our remaining funds went to find a house within the community, and while there were two other pharmacies around, father was able to still retain a big enough place to get his supplies stacked and business started at once.
However, he asked me to 'go around and see more of the place' as he handled the first day on his own. Maybe it was guilt that made him want to burden this workday on his own, especially since I had to carry most of the stuff myself, but I decided to let him take the hassle on his own today.
I really wanted to see the Assembly and while I knew that I wouldn't see anything as big as it would be Liyue Harbor, I still wanted to find... work opportunities. Differently than before, I could actually go around and fish myself some commissions.
With no Adventurers' Guild around, it was easy for people to just trip into a chance to make cash on the moment. And that opportunity came thrice through the walk through Guili, which I tied mostly to my 'cute half-Qilin child appearance'.
The first one was about finding Apples and I managed to find six for the price of 600 Mora. Next up was finding some ropes to help some construction workers which got me 1000 Mora, and finally the oddest request I could have asked for: I actually ended up meeting one of the Gods of the Assembly, but this one was... unusual.
Marchosius was a big looking arodable bear. Far from small as he would end up being as Guoba, but still child-friendly enough to not frighten anyone working with him.
"You seek a place where to make money, child?"
"Yes."
"What for?"
"Dad is overburdened, so I can help with the expenses."
He nodded. "I will let you give it a try and, if you work well, I will give you 5000 Mora. However, you failing shall lead to you having just the food you mess up. Okay?"
"Yep."
I aced it. That's not to say that I didn't struggle as I had a feeling Marchosius had given me more burdens after noticing my horns. The entire process lasted roughly a hour, and by the time I was done with the task, I had gone out and helped making a dozen of dishes.
The end result was far from what was promised as... the large bag of Mora looked to be far more than just 5000 Mora.
"How much is that?" I asked distractedly, trying to understand why I was being paid so much.
"15000 Mora. I may have... gone a bit too far with how well you were going and made you do far more than I planned to let you do so here's an extra for the good work, child."
"Name's Ganyu."
"And I am the God of Stoves, Marchosius."
I nodded. "Nice to meet you, Lord Marchosius."
He offered a happy smile as I left even happier with that big fat bag of hard cash. When I came back home, dad was exhausted but still alive and well. I think I revived him a bit by showing him how much I made and, while that didn't make the ensuing workdays any easy for him, we were less pressed on taking as many jobs as possible.
It was surprising how easily jobs could land on my lap as a week went by wonderfully for us. We hardly changed our expenses, so we ended up with a good amount of Mora that could be used to live comfortably for a few months.
However, I should have predicted that my constant wandering would have ultimately gained the attention of someone else. In the specific, a little bird that started to monitor me and... it didn't take too long for a visit to be made at my father's home.
As I finished another big day of good work and some training, I turned up to see my father looking quite nervous as he discussed with three divine figures.
Guizhong, Xianyun (Cloud Retainer), and...
Why is Morax here?
The three almost turned at the same time as I stepped inside the shop, and I felt my body automatically tense up at the dreadful circumstance I was stuck with. Instead of just standing there, I walked up to the counter and went to reach for my father. He instantly had a hand on my shoulder and the silent and awkward standoff took a while to defuse a little.
Guizhong was the one that broke the awkward scene with a sheepish few words.
"So, you are little Ganyu."
"Yes."
"My name is Guizhong, I am the God of Dust. This here is Lord Morax, God of Geo, and this here is Lady Cloud Retainer, an Adeptus."
"Hi."
My curt responses were a display of many things: 1) I wasn't going to pay them any solemn respect, 2) I wasn't planning to go on with what they were up to and 3) I could tell from Guizhong's tone that any proposal they were up to would be a quick 'nope' one.
"This one didn't expect for a human to be able to truly consume a relationship with an Adeptus."
"Why not?" I asked, stunning Cloud Retainer with my rapid query.
"Because this one doesn't see a point in such a relationship. Mortals' lifespan is severely limited compared to any Illuminated Beast."
I tilted my head, trying my hardest to be the cutest shit in the room. "And?"
"And? What do you mean, child? This one is merely saying that there is no point in investing in such commitment."
"What about me?"
The bespectacled woman frowned. "You?"
I nodded. "I came from my mother and dad. And dad always say that I am the most precious treasure he has so, that's a thing."
Her lips twitched, and while Cloud Retainer appeared unsure of my words, it was Guizhong that interjected with a curious smile.
"The child is not wrong. It's not a common thought for many Adepti to consider procreation, but children are deemed as treasures themselves. That's a wonderful gift to the world."
The Adeptus nodded, but before this topic could persist, Morax jumped in to try and put things back on tracks.
"Alas, the reason we are here is not to question this child's parenthood, but rather a most important matter of the present," Morax remarked quietly, turning to look at me. "Little Ganyu, as you seem to know, you are half-Adeptus and thus you have incredible powers that require training and discipline. It is our request that you train under Cloud Retainer so you can fully access your power and that you may join the rest of your kind."
...
He fucked up.
Most of the explanation was fine, but that 'your kind' bit just had me instantly pull back. Like, training to get a hold of my powers was a fair request for training, but to actually try to make it seem like I was now part of the Adepti felt ridiculous.
Is this how Ganyu ended up in that sort of 'I am one of them, but also not' kind of mindset?
"How would that work?"
"You would come to live with this one at Mt. Aocang. There you will be educated in a proper diet, meditation methods, and the proper exercises to hone your skills."
...
"I refuse."
I felt my father's hand tense up. I couldn't fault him as I just told 'no' to three of the most important entities in the Guili Assembly.
"Why?" Morax inquired, not much out of annoyance but of... curiosity?
"I don't want to lose my dad."
"Your training-"
"Is not necessarily tied to someone in particular," I firmly interjected, interrupting Guizhong. "I will just train on my own in a safe environment."
"So, you would prefer to live with your mortal than train with this one?"
I nodded.
"Why?"
Oh, now it was my turn to answer? Fine by me~.
"I have one dad, I will always have the chance to get multiple teachers in due time. Some of which don't require me to abandon my family."
"Ganyu," My father quietly tried to object. "This is an opportunity-"
"I remember the day mom ditched me at your doorstep, dad," I dropped dryly, surprising the man and hardening my stare at the trio of divine people. "I am not going to be like. No one leaves family behind."
A new standoff happened, but it was quite brief as Guizhong appeared unsure, Cloud Retainer glanced at Morax for help and Morax... sighed.
"It's not an imposition. This much I can assure you. However, for the sake of the people of Guili, I will have to give you someone to monitor your action whenever you are outside of Guilin. Do you understand, Ganyu?"
I nodded. "Yes, Lord Morax."
He offered a tiny smile and seemed to accept the 'defeat' with grace. Dad was mostly moved by what happened, and gave me one of the longest hugs he ever gave me. He sobbed a lot. I think I gave him a lot of validation by sticking by his side.
But as things did seem to remain unchanged in our lives, I sure as hell spotted who was supposedly keeping an eye on me, and I didn't spare myself from giving him plenty of glares from time to time.
I hope you are always fast, Alatus, because I will peg you if you were really snitched on me.
AN
Ohana means family!