The air through her window smelled stale like she was smothered beneath a blanket, except she wasn't since she had long since kicked hers off. The underside of her skin itched; she tossed and turned to no end. Eventually she simply stood up. It was probably about that time anyway, so she left Noelle behind, sleeping peacefully within one of her teapot's many spare rooms.

Lumine tried not to think about that. There were still early risers all around her as they trotted off to whatever work, their quiet murmuring voices streamlining around her like the bubbling of a distant brook. She wasn't really alone even if she felt it, and she did, but her thoughts drifted in and out like the passing of a tide. She knew she couldn't dwell on it.

Still, she surprised herself when she arrived beneath the Jade Chamber. Her heart was nowhere in it, yet here she was at the beginning of the day. She needed to speak with the Qixing anyway. There were of course the current events, but even before the whole international Fatui fiasco Sumeru restricted its entry.

In lieu of a passport she collected signatures from trusted international embassies, like she was some kind of tourist collecting trinkets. And it was bureaucratic sure, but she couldn't bring herself to care. She was going to end up here anyway so she may as well make the best of it. Now she even had the information to trade for it, because the Qixing, much like the rest of Liyue, loved to barter.

"I agree it's cumbersome, but it needs to be done," Keqing's familiar voice traveled the courtyard as she approached. She spoke with a familiar looking secretary, her tone about as exhausted as Lumine felt.

"You aren't seriously insinuating that-"

"I'm not," she raised her voice irritably, "I apologize. It's not that I don't trust you Baiwen, I just need this to run smoothly. We need this to feel procedural."

"But our targets will surely catch on to it."

"And I understand your concern, but that isn't our main goal. We want to be thorough, and we want to reduce gossip."

"If you say so." Careful to drag her feet as she approached, Lumine stepped with heavy strides. The last time she met Keqing this early she scared her, and she wasn't keen on chasing papers across the Pavilion. Again.

"The background checks-"

"Traveler!" Baiwen exclaimed. If only for just a moment her eyes seemed to spark with relief; Lumine was used to this look. It usually meant she was about to embark upon a tedious journey. Keqing similarly lit up,

"I didn't realize you were in town." She shrugged,

"When you least expect it, I'm there. What's going on?"

"Well, in light of the treason allegations against Feiyun and Wangsheng we're beginning to investigate potential suspects," Keqing nodded to Baiwen in dismissal. "Obviously it's more valuable to investigate those closest to the incident, but given the questionable legality surrounding the arrest we'd like to verify the loyalty of our own." Baiwen quickly retreated, dashing up the Jade Chamber's plaustrite steps two at a time.

"Feiyun and Wangsheng? I thought Xingqiu and Zhongli were the only ones under suspicion."

"They are, but we've received testimonies from both parties. I can fill you in, if you'd like." She waited expectantly, leaning on the platforms of her shoes. Lumine nodded,

"I've got information I think will be helpful, in exchange for a more personal favor."

"That sounds reasonable. We have worked together before, you know."

"Right." Keqing smiled politely as they began their trek indoors. She wished she could teleport up these steps, but Lumine didn't say anything in complaint. The secluded darkness of the morning was beautiful despite the tense circumstances, and in the silence she could entertain herself by watching the city shrink into the distance. Until they were the doll houses in Klee's bedroom, some were even kicked over, the healing rubble akin to a smear of dirt.

Before she hadn't noticed the extent of the Funeral Parlor's damage. Zhongli's flat had barely escaped the blast zone, and Feiyun was still buried beneath vibrant police tape. From here she could almost believe it wasn't real, like it was a game of pretend or a rather imaginative game of chess. One where monsters crushed armies like the Dodoco had been known to steal Queens.

Fortunately, this wasn't how the Jade Chamber seemed to find things. Despite the stranger scale of the world, the stakes of the game weren't lost. Unlike the calm city below, the inside of the Jade Chamber now drifted wide awake.

This of course made sense given the overworking nature of the staff.

Surrounded by various scribes and attendees, Ganyu attended to work of her own. Her voice carried past them like that of an oblivious ghost, she didn't even notice the loud clicking of their heels against the hard and luxurious floor tiles. As an afterthought, Keqing waved and Lumine hastily copied. Neither saw if there was a response before they strode past.

They entered the Tianquan's personal quarters following a brief official knock, and foolishly Lumine assumed the chambers were but a bedroom. Perhaps "personal house" would be a more fitting term, since they passed through a foyer filled to the walls with luxurious furniture. And this was before they even made it to the sitting room.

At least, she hoped it was the sitting room. It certainly held enough chairs to be one.

"Traveler, it's a pleasure."

"Likewise," she drew her eyes away from a vibrant glass blown vase, "although I wish I were here under better circumstances."

"I've informed her of the background investigations. Baiwen and I are ready to randomize and conduct the appointments."

"Excellent, this means we can attend to our witnesses," Ningguang stood from where she had been sitting. She left a half chalice of tea unattended as she approached; the embroidered place mat was stained.

"We?"

"The Traveler and I, I presume." Lumine only nodded. "It doesn't escape my notice that you are personally connected to the accused." A pang of unease sparked in her chest, although Ningguang didn't appear overtly hostile. Clearly, her network of informants kept her up to date.

"Right," she cleared her throat, "I was hoping you wouldn't arrest my friends? They're good people, and as much as I hate using my own reputation as a fallback…you should believe it when I say they're innocent."

"And it delights me to hear you say that. After all, it was the Millelith that rapidly accelerated both the allegations and the press release without my consent. I never truly believed in their implication. Although…they certainly didn't help themselves through their violent escape."

"Heh," Lumine awkwardly scratched the back of her head, "it's a long story. I'm sure they were motivated by the need to deal with-"

"-the ley anomalies. I've been informed through varying sources, not limited to Mondstadt's Acting Grandmaster. They sent a directive that arrived late yesterday evening." Keqing nodded,

"We're sure that the Fatui are pulling the strings behind the curtain. Crime has risen since Osial, and much of the evidence doesn't check. Yanfei has claimed as much."

"Additionally, it has come to my attention that both Master Xingqiu and Zhongli acted in defense of Mondstadt. Of course, your deeds in the Chasm also do not go unnoticed."

"So…why interview the witnesses if you can already dispute the claims?" Lumine furrowed her brow.

"There's more to learn, dear Traveler," Ningguang smiled, an unabashed grin spreading across her face. "Rest assured knowing I will assert their innocence when the time is right. Right now, we determine their motives. The Fatui think they've fooled us, and I'm fine to let them believe in that."

"We received testimonies, both from Hu Tao and a servant of the commerce guild. Apparently he was coerced by his previous involvement with the Fatui, although he's since separated from the organization. He's agreed to fill us in on what he knows."

"You know Master Xingqiu better than either of us, so I'm sure you're qualified to handle his interrogation. And who knows?" She slid a thick piece of parchment off the table and unfolded it in her view, "Maybe you'll get something out of it too."

Ninguang penned her signature neatly at the bottom of the page. She hadn't expected the Ningguang to sign off on it, but if it meant she could enter Sumeru…

"I'll do it." There really wasn't much more to it.


Rain gently tapped the window sill, and Xingqiu sat beneath his weighted covers. Content to listen. The cool mist flower frost permeated through the cracks in the ice box, and it cooled his face while he laid there. He could understand why Chongyun enjoyed this spot, although he much preferred the heat afforded by cloth.

Chongyun slept beside him, on top of everything including the comforters. A sudden rush of fondness folded over as Xingqiu risked a glance his way. The guarded expression that trailed him everywhere was absent, as his chest rhythmically rose and fell. The room smelled of crisps and fresh laundry, but despite this he couldn't stay asleep for long.

Despite his attempted grounding techniques, he still worried about the guild. What became of the staff they left behind? Would he become responsible for them all? The Millelith still looked for him, and maybe the Qixing wouldn't be so easily persuaded. Maybe they'd detain him anyway, and he'd have to sit alone in a holding cell. Alone, and vulnerable to any plot his family could devise.

Even if he wasn't originally convicted money had a way of changing minds, and while it could force the public to turn a blind eye, it could also make them point fingers. All at the same time. Ironically this never worked to his advantage, even if he didn't want it to in the first place. His family held the cards, and if they didn't before they certainly sat on opposite sides of the table now.

Suddenly, Chongyun shifted beside him.

He rolled over and rubbed his eyes,

"A'qiu? Why are you awake?"

"Same as usual," he mused.

"It's too early to overthink. Trust me." One eye fluttered open before the other, earnestly fixating on him. On him. He was seen.

"I find it comes naturally regardless of the time," he turned his head away.

"It's going to work out, A'qiu. You know that."

"I know, I-" he sighed, "it sometimes doesn't really feel like it." His arm twitched.

"Sorry." Chongyun had reached out just to comfort him, and he winced. Like Chongyun would ever even conceive of hurting him.

"It's fine, I-"

"Do you not want me to?"

"I don't want you to feel like you have to." Xingqiu made a point to avoid eye contact, and he shivered despite his apparent warmth. The walls were dotted with pictures, mostly of his family. Although he was in a few.

"Feel like I have to?"

"Like, you feel obligated to pity me. Or something. I don't know."

"A'qiu, look at me." Reluctantly he did. "I care about you, I do. Last time you dealt with all this alone, and it wasn't fair. You didn't leave me alone with my problems, right?"

Detached, he replied, "Right."

"So I'll ask again. Is it okay?" His hand hovered centimeters over his arm, the warmth of it making his skin froth. He nodded. Chongyun settled his palm against his forearm, and he gently traced his way to his hand. He held his hand, maybe letting him acclimate.

He must have noticed his sinking relief, because he quickly shifted, sliding beneath the blanket. "Come on," he held his arms open for him.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, come on. Xingqiu," he said his name no louder than a whisper, his voice a half yawn. This shouldn't feel so monumental, touch being natural. Comfort being natural. He scooted closer and rested his head against his shoulder, until he could feel his heartbeat against his cheek. Chongyun's free arm settled over him and pulled the covers over them both.

Despite the added warmth, he didn't seem uncomfortable.

"You're not too hot, are you?"

"No. I feel better actually."

"Really?" Chongyun smiled,

"Yeah. You have that effect sometimes."

"Ppft, sure."

"You do." Like it was easy, he stroked his back rhythmically. Xingqiu fought the urge to cry, his throat catching silently. He was tired. He could tell, because with every passing second he only felt heavier. He just wasn't crushed beneath the weight of the world. "I'll wait until you fall asleep." He laughed,

"I appreciate that, but I don't think you can make it that long."

"You wanna bet? I've been sleeping this entire time, while you look like death crawled out of their coffin. I would know, I'm an exorcist."

"...Did you just compare me to a decomposing, malevolent spirit?" Chongyun's eyes snapped open,

"No!"

"You know, because that wouldn't exactly be very romantic of you." The gears in his mind seemed to be churn,

"How did you get 'decomposing, malevolent spirit' from the word death?"

"It had to do with your wording, so I was a bit hyperbolic. You see, hyperbole is a figure of speech. I would know, I'm an author," he cleared his throat, "so comparing me to someone crawling out of their coffin naturally creates the image of a decomposing body. At least in my mind, others may think differently," he ensured Chongyun was listening. He seemed begrudgingly attentive.

"I exaggerated what it might look like if I were dead and crawled out of a coffin, although I'm not entirely sure who 'death' is. If they're the personification of the end of life, that sort of death, maybe they have a real physical form…Or maybe they don't have one and they're a spirit. Which begs the question, why would you put death in a coffin? You must have meant-"

"I meant you should go. To sleep," he blinked very slowly and sighed, "although clearly your mind isn't tired."

"Well," he felt the rest of the thought elude him, the tail end of it leaving his head lighter than before, "the rest of me is."

"You'll fall asleep again. Just wait. It's a bit like a storm." An unfamiliar, yet welcome sense of security rested around him. Not surprisingly, it settled where he was held. Pleasantly surrounded, shielded from the rain outside. Even if he could hear it. "It will pass."

After a brief period of waiting, he was right.