Chapter 3 – Art, Appetite, and Afternoon Arrivals

Furina tries to spend a peaceful morning in the Serenitea Pot, working on her artistic skills by painting Tubby. However, a surprise visit from Xiangling, Yun Jin, and Gooba turns her quiet session into a lively afternoon picnic.

A soft breeze rustled through the trees of the garden, stirring the scent of blooming flowers and freshly cut herbs. Somewhere in the distance, the bubbling of the koi pond added its gentle rhythm to the morning.

On the second-largest island of the Serenitea Pot stood a cluster of structures built in the traditional style of Liyue—wooden bridges, ornate pavilions, and curved rooftops carved with stone dragons. Aether had told Furina that he constructed this section as a tribute to the Land of Contracts, the birthplace of the teapot's magic. For Furina, it was the perfect setting for her latest project.

Seated cross-legged beneath a flowering tree, Furina perched on a folding stool in the shade. An easel stood before her, and a painter's palette was delicately balanced on her knee. Beside her, an unfinished plate of Mora Meat rested on a folded napkin.

Not far off, Tubby sat with practiced poise atop a silk cushion placed on a carved stone platform. The morning sun slanted just right to make her polished ceramic frame gleam, and the blue ribbon tied beneath her spout fluttered softly in the wind.

"Just a little more, hold that pose," Furina murmured, narrowing her eyes as she added a final touch of light to Tubby's form. "Yes… noble, composed, with just a hint of domestic vulnerability. A perfect muse."

Her inspiration had come recently—after visiting an art gallery in Fontaine, her creative spark reignited. It had been years since she last painted, but she'd gone and bought a full set of supplies without hesitation. Naturally, Tubby had become her first subject.

"I feel very... exposed out here," Tubby muttered, clearly flustered. She had been volunteered by her Lady without much room to argue.

"You look magnificent," Furina assured her with a flourish of her brush. "The breeze adds motion. Life. Drama!"

Paint adorned her cheeks, with a colorful streak trailing through her hair, and her apron was now a riot of colors from earlier mishaps. She looked at Tubby, then at the canvas. It wasn't bad—far from it—but she had to admit her technique was rusty. Her performance talents still surpassed her painting ones by a very long shot.

Just as she dipped her brush again, Tubby's ears twitched. The teapot spirit turned her head slightly.

"Three beings have entered the realm."

Before Furina could ask who, the Realm Waypoint installed by Aether shimmered nearby. A pulse of light signaled an arrival—and then, three familiar figures appeared.

Footsteps crunched softly along the garden path.

"Ah, I told you that she would be here. It was quite strange to not see Tubby near the mansion entrance," said Yun Jin. She was accompanied by the best chef in all Liyue.

"Guess who brought lunch!" came Xiangling's cheerful voice, her smile radiant. Behind her, Gooba followed loyally, a covered basket balanced on his head.

"And I hope I'm not interrupting a masterpiece," Yun Jin added warmly.

Furina brightened, setting down her brush and rising to greet them. "I wasn't expecting you so early. We just saw each other a few days ago—but what a delightful surprise!"

She removed her apron, revealing her blouse and shorts beneath, cleaned her hands in a nearby bucket of water, and dried them with a towel.

Furina had known them before growing closer to Aether—she had visited Liyue several times in the past. On one such occasion, Aether had brought her to dine at Xiangling's restaurant, and the two quickly bonded over cuisine and chaos. She had also attended many of Yun Jin's performances, each time leaving the theater with her heart lifted and eyes shimmering.

They weren't just acquaintances—they had become friends. After exchanging warm greetings, Furina glanced around expectantly.

"Where's Hu Tao?" she inquired, a hint of disappointment in her voice. "I half-expected her to pop out from behind a tree or something."

Yun Jin chuckled. "Hu Tao wanted to come, but she's swamped with work at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. Some unexpected matters required her attention."

Xiangling nodded. "She did send her regards, though. Said something about making it up with a surprise visit soon."

Furina sighed, a playful pout forming. "I hope that surprise won't be as terrifying as the last one."

Yun Jin smiled. "She'll make her presence known when we least expect it."

"How are you doing, Furina?" Yun Jin asked, glancing curiously at the half-finished canvas.

She clasped her hands together. "Oh, this is charming. I can tell you've put a lot of thought into the composition."

"It's got elegance," Xiangling added, crouching down to look closer. "And the way you captured the shine on her glaze? That's not easy."

Furina frowned. "I don't know. The proportions are off, the shadows lack depth, and I was trying for 'ceremonial majesty' but ended up with... 'domestic teapot at brunch.'"

"It's still lovely," Yun Jin said gently. "You enjoyed making it. That's what matters."

"I'll never be Fontaine's next great artist, clearly." Furina sighed and dramatically pressed her sleeve to her forehead. "All my efforts, and yet—"

Before she could finish, Gooba waddled up to the easel. He studied the painting, puffed up his chest, and gave an approving clap.

Then, with a happy little poof, he produced a chili pepper from nowhere and offered it to Furina.

"...Is this... a reward?"

Gooba nodded enthusiastically, pointing at the painting with a squeaky cheer.

Furina burst out laughing. "Oh, very well. If Gooba deems it worthy of a chili, who am I to argue?"

Xiangling giggled. "That's his way of saying he likes it."

"Not everyone gets a chili offering," Yun Jin teased.

Furina set the chili beside her palette like a miniature trophy. She then told Tubby she was free to do whatever she pleased.

"After lunch and dessert," Xiangling said with a wink. "We brought sweets from Chihu Rock."

"Then let's feast," Furina declared with a flourish. "Art may feed the soul, but sweets nourish the heart."

Gooba twirled joyfully, already heading back to the picnic blanket.

The group gathered beneath the same flowering tree where Furina had been painting, the picnic spread out across a blanket adorned with gold and crimson embroidery. The basket from Xiangling revealed its treasures—steamed buns filled with lotus paste, golden shrimp balls, spicy tofu skewers, and delicate almond tofu shaped like blossoms. There were even a few treats that Furina had added to the teapot pantry: crisp mille-feuille, tiny fruit tarts, and fizzy berry cider chilled with cryo crystals.

Tubby had returned to her usual perch, sighing in relief now that her modeling duties were done. Though she didn't eat, her presence was unmistakable, watching the gathering with a mixture of contentment and mild curiosity.

As they began eating, conversation flowed easily.

"So," Xiangling said between bites, "has Aether sent any news from Natlan lately? Last I heard, he and Paimon were already moving on after helping with the... uh, well, let's just say a very big problem."

Furina, nibbling on a tart, nodded thoughtfully. "Yes. I received a letter and a package from him yesterday at the adventurers send a lot of chocolates from Natlan. It's a shame that I didn't brought some here, you could have tried it...And for Aether, well apparently, he's already managed to settle the major conflicts and helped stabilize things—again. The Pyro Archon even held a celebration in his honor."

Yun Jin tilted her head. "Already? That sounds like him."

"He does have a habit of solving centuries-old crises like it's a weekend errand," Furina added with a wry smile. "And Paimon apparently got very enthusiastic about the local food. In the package she sent me a recipe for 'lava-spiced glazed ribs'—and I fear for my kitchen."

Xiangling's eyes sparkled. "Wait, wait, lava-spiced? I need to try that!"

Gooba gave an excited bounce and nearly toppled the dessert tray in his eagerness.

"They did say they'd stop by after Natlan," Furina continued. "But knowing them, they'll get distracted along the way."

"I'm glad they're safe," Yun Jin said with a nod. "But I can't imagine how exhausting that kind of journey must be."

Furina sipped her cider, her tone softening. "He always sounds so lighthearted when he writes, but… I wonder. He still come back from time to time but only for a few days and never more than one week..."

The others grew quiet for a moment.

"Well, now that the main issue with Natlan is finished , maybe he'll finally rest a little," Xiangling said. "Come home for a while."

Furina looked toward the sky. "He'll have a home to return to. That much, I can promise." Then, with a slight smirk and a playful flick of her hair, she added, "And he will return. I'm not leaving him a choice."

Yun Jin chuckled gently. "I'm sure he wouldn't dream of staying away for long."

Gooba made an approving noise as if to echo the sentiment, and everyone eased into a comfortable silence, the koi pond gurgling softly in the distance.

A short while later, their picnic had dwindled to a scattering of empty plates and folded napkins. The sun had risen high overhead, dappling golden light through the branches above as a soft breeze carried the scent of flower petals across the garden.

Tubby had returned near the mansion entrance and was napping. The cats had found a way out from the mansion and managed to find sunny spots to nap in, lazily sprawled out or curled beside one another.

Furina, now resting back on her elbows on the blanket, let out a satisfied sigh. "That was delightful. Xiangling, your spring rolls were a masterpiece."

"You flatter me," Xiangling said with a grin. "But I accept the compliment."

"And the red bean cakes?" Yun Jin added, brushing crumbs from her sleeve.

"I shall carry the memory of them in my heart... and on my hips," Furina declared dramatically, patting her waist.

They all laughed. It was the kind of light, easy laughter shared only between friends.

Eventually, the conversation drifted from food to Liyue's opera, with Yun Jin and Furina comparing performance styles. From there, it meandered to everyday life, the odd misadventure in Liyue Harbor, and a failed spice experiment that had left Gooba with smoke coming out of his ears.

But when Furina happened to glance at the ornate standing clock nestled beside one of the garden lanterns, her eyes widened slightly.

"Oh," she said, sitting up straighter, "is it really that late already?"

Yun Jin followed her gaze. "Time does tend to slip away when the company is good."

Furina smiled and began brushing off her shorts. "It was a lovely afternoon, but I should return to Fontaine. I have a few things I need to tend to, and I must get preapared for them."

"Will we see the results soon?" asked Xiangling.

Furina offered her a secretive grin. "In time. You'll know when you see it."

The trio stood, helping fold the blanket and collect the baskets. Gooba gave a tiny whimper as he clutched the last dumpling, clearly reluctant for the fun to end.

Furina crouched down and gave him a gentle pat. "Don't worry, Gooba. I'll return before you miss me too terribly."

She turned to her friends, and her tone became more sincere. "Thank you. It's been… comforting, being with people who ask nothing of me but to sit and share food and laughter. I value that more than I can say."

"We're always happy to see you," Yun Jin said warmly.

"Anytime you need a seat at the table," Xiangling added, "there'll be one waiting."

With a fond final glance around the garden, Furina retrieved her easel and painting supplies, carefully packed them up, and looked at the giant napping bird.

Furina laughed at the sight and stepped toward the teleportation node, her dimensional travel device glimmering softly in her hand.

As the air shimmered around her and the light enveloped her form, she smiled.

And with a quiet flash, she was gone.

A little later in Fontaine, Furina stepped into her apartment and set down her supplies with a tired but contented sigh. She took off her painter's apron and tucked away her brushes and palette in a lacquered cabinet.

She stood for a moment, admiring the faint paint streaks on her fingers, then smiled.

"Not perfect, but not bad either," she murmured. "I'm glad I haven't lost the touch. I'll need it... for that project."

She didn't elaborate—just turned toward the kitchen, humming softly as she began preparing tea.

Back in the teapot realm, the sun was beginning to dip. Xiangling and Yun Jin remained beneath the tree, reclining on the picnic blanket with steaming cups of tea in hand.

Gooba, meanwhile, was being cheerfully chased in circles by two curious cats, squeaking with mixed delight and alarm.

"I think they've decided he's one of them," Yun Jin mused.

"He probably thinks the same," Xiangling replied, sipping her tea with a smile.

The koi pond bubbled on, and the breeze carried laughter through the leaves.

—Later That Evening—

In her Fontaine apartment, Furina hummed lightly as she stirred a pan of sauce, the aroma of garlic and tomatoes filling the air.

She reached into the cupboard for a final touch—and her eyes landed on the chili Gooba had given her earlier. She picked it up delicately, sniffed it, and felt the prickle of heat rise just from the scent.

"Well… it will put some flavor in the dish," she mused. "And how hot can it truly be?"

She tossed it in with a flick of her wrist and resumed stirring.

A few moments later, just as the scent of basil and danger began to bloom—

A piercing, theatrical scream tore through the apartment.

It echoed down the street, sharp enough to send pigeons scattering. Several passersby froze mid-step, turning toward the sound. A street musician dropped his bow. A vendor dropped a baguette.

Across the square, four members of the Maréchaussée stood chatting near a lamppost—three humans in uniform, and a Melusine with a notepad.

The scream made them all freeze.

A beat.

Then, with a long sigh, the highest-ranked among them turned to the others and said:

"Any volunteers to tell Neuvillette about it?"

The Melusine blinked up at him. The others suddenly became very interested in their boots.

"…Thought so," he muttered.

A second sound echoed from above—the clang of a pot lid hitting the floor, followed by a pained, indignant shout:

"WHY DOES IT FEEL LIKE MY TONGUE IS DISSOLVING?!"

The officer stared up at the glowing windows of Furina's home.

"...It's going to be one of those nights."

End of Chapter 3.

I hope that you keep to enjoy this don't hesitate to tell me if you want some characters to appears!

See you soon!