Burden of the Abyss: Internal Refraction [Genshin Impact x (O)OC]

Arc 3 - 2: Jade Chamber Relations

"Be at ease, Mono. Make yourself at home." Ningguang said feeling his appearing presence in her office space. Keqing was still weary of this entity, and eyed him suspiciously.

Mono shrugged, before hopping up and lying on his back in midair.

"I should probably break the news before we continue." Mono said grabbing their attention. He rolled his wrist and summoned his Gnosis, making the two gasp. "Anemo Archon. Yeah. Anyway, to branch off what you mentioned earlier. I am one of the Seven as of last week. Jean probably didn't tell you because she wasn't sure if leaking this information was logical, despite me saying that she could if she deemed necessary." Mono explained.

"Don't treat me as an Archon. I don't feel like one myself yet." Mono added, sighing as he rested his body. "That... makes things easier, despite the bombshell. Besides, I invited you here as a friend. If possible, I'd like to have your trust." Ningguang responded. "Because I'm an Archon?" Mono asked. "Because you're valuable in general. I intended to gain your trust before this knowledge." Ningguang answered with a smirk.

"Fair enough. I don't have any reason not to, but I also don't have any reason to. If I'm being honest, I trust her more than you." Mono said pointing to the lavender haired woman, making her raise an eyebrow. "You choose Keqing?" Ningguang asked with a curious smile. "Ever since I revealed that I'm an Archon, and even before that, she's been on alert. Smart to be, too. Cause I sure as hell came up here expecting a fight." Mono said with a nod. Keqing shrugged before looking away, stealing glances out of interest.

"Well, I must say quite a few of my doubts have been dispelled. At first, I believed you to be some kid, going about recklessly as he pleased. I'm glad to see that you're more than that." Ningguang said making Mono roll his eyes.

"I won't deny that Rex Lapis' passing seems advantageous to us. But for Liyue's sake, we cannot allow ourselves to be shackled by rumors of our usurpation of power." Ningguang continued. "I take it the Fatui is the source of these rumors?" Mono asked. "Indeed... It seems that you understood what I meant to say from the very beginning. I called for the gag order and for the Exuvia to be hidden to temporarily stabilize the situation, and also prevent the what could have happened in Mondstadt. With Rex Lapis' death, the Fatui have busied themselves with many clandestine actions beyond their diplomatic remit. As the Tianquan, one responsible for Liyue, I cannot be too concerned with appearances when opposing them. Allowing the Rite of Parting to take place was also meant to buy some time for us to take control of Liyue's administration..." Ningguang explained.

"Oh. Zhongli was right. You guys only provided the venue for the rite so they could use us for your own ends." Mono said with a smile. "Don't worry about that. Anyway, if that's all, I've been up doing Rite of Parting stuff all day. I need a nap." Mono said landing on his feet.

"Before you go, I would like to offer you any one object in this room as you please. This for all the trouble I have seemed to cause you." Ningguang said with a small bow. "Hmm. I don't have any interest in Liyue's secrets... nor am I gonna be a merchant any time soon... so..." Mono mumbled. He suddenly smirked before pointing to Keqing.

"Oh?" Ningguang asked with a smirk. "The hell are you pointing at?" Keqing asked with a glare. "Friendship. You seem really cool, so I wanna be friends. You down?" Mono asked cooly. She gave him an uninterested stare, before looking at Ningguang. "That is something he can obtain from this room, so I have no objection." Ningguang answered with a smug shrug.

"Nice to meet you. The name is Mono— Anemo Archon." Mono said glitching in front of her with his hand out. She shook his hand and sighed. "Keqing. Yuheng of the Liyue Qixing." She introduced blandly.

"Think of this as a partnership. Because I have a task for you two if Mono is willing at this time of night." Ningguang started. "Go on." Mono said with a smile. "An investigation on the reproduction of Sigils of Permission. The Fatui have been reproducing these sigils, for what reason— I do not know. If it's alright with you, I'd like you two to check it out. You can find the location of this operation on the map on that wall." Ningguang said before taking a seat in her chair.