encounter | genshin impact one shots ✓

ㅤㅤ〘 F 〙hu tao ❁ midnight butterfly

There is a widely known legend in Wuwang Hill that dates back right after the archon war. Due to the amount of gods that were killed in the midst of war, all of their powers came together to form what the people in Qingce village would like to call as the midnight butterflies. These butterflies can only be seen under the light of a blue moon and by a few people as an in-born ability, though one may also see it if he/she gets kissed on the eyelids by someone who can see the butterflies.

"Aiyah, march onwards!" Hu Tao, the current director of the Wangsheng Funeral parlor was currently out to handle a wake in Qingce Village when midnight fell. That's when she remembered the legend that her late parents told her back when she was still a kid. Fortunately for her, tonight is a rare occurrence that the moon is in a shade of blue.

She specifically asked you to accompany her since all of the employees are busy working and being a hard worker, you finished all your tasks early. "If you spot any shimmering light, it's a sign that they're nearby"

Midnight in Wuwang Hill was rather cold and mysterious. Though, there are blue wisps of light that guide adventurers out of the forest if ever they get lost. You looked over to Hu Tao who was excitingly looking around for the butterflies.

You haven't seen these butterflies ever before and you were rather curious about what they look like. Some of the children that you used to play with back in childhood have the ability to see these kinds of butterflies and they just describe them as luminous and rather opalescent.

"Woah, look butterflies!!"

Chongyun pointed up at the sky and pranced around with his best friend, XIngqiu, who can see the midnight butterflies as well. Xiangling stood up from the grounds and joined the two. You stayed on the ground, sitting on the grass while watching your friends dance around the blue colored moon. Even if you can't see the butterflies, seeing the rare azure moon seems to be enough for you.

"(Y/n)! Come join us!" Xiangling ran towards your direction and pulled you up to your feet. You were dragged to where XIngqiu and Chongyun were, "Don't worry (Y/n). We can draw what the butterflies look like for you!"

Chongyun gave you a tight hug, "Kissing someone on their eyelids would give them a short time to see the butterflies, but it would require a lot of energy. At least, that's what my family told me about them."

You smiled at them, "There's no need to go on lengths like that for me. As long as I see their illustrations in the book, that's good enough for me."

"In that case, I'll give you the book (Y/n)!" Xingqiu grins, "I'll have my brother buy me a book about the midnight butterflies and I'll give it to you as a gift!"

You four laughed together and began playing under the blue moon. You may not see the butterflies because of the absence of the ability, you could still feel their presence watching over you.

That memory made a smile appear on your lips. As you wave your lantern through the dark, you see a glimpse of a trail of shimmering light. You narrowed your eyes and when you confirmed that those were the light that Hu Tao was looking for, you called over her direction.

"Hu Tao, over there" you pointed the direction where the trail of light leads to. You both were led out of the forest and under the pale, blue moon. For those who have the ability to see the butterflies, they could just look towards the moon and they'll immediately see the butterflies flying all around. But for you, it was only the majestic moon shining down on you. "Do you see them?"

The brunette on the other hand, was in awe upon seeing the butterflies fluttering under the moonlight. The butterflies were multicolored and their wings illuminated the light coming from the moon. This was the first time that Hu Tao gets to see these midnight butterflies since the occurrences of a blue moon is rather rare.

"I can see them," Hu Tao smiles at you, "Can you see them too?"

Sadly, you shake your head and tuck your hair behind your ear. Looking above, you could only see the stars twinkling up above and the blue colored moon looking down on the both of you. "No, but the moon is rather beautiful huh?"

The last time you saw a blue moon was back in your childhood. Seeing one again after so many years up close fills your heart with joy and excitement. You looked over to Hu Tao who was surprisingly looking at you with an intent expression on her face. She held on to your hand and spun you to face her.

"Excuse me for a second (Y/n)," Hu Tao inches closer to your face which makes your heartbeat quicken. You instinctively shut your eyes, preparing for a kiss on the lips that you thought would happen. Instead, you felt something warm and soft land on your right eye lid. "You can open your eyes now!"

Upon opening your eyes, Hu Tao was still inches away from you with her usual smile on her face. She squeezed on your hand made you look towards the blue moon where you saw a couple of butterflies fluttering around. Some of the butterflies were coming in your direction, fluttering around you and Hu Tao.

"I don't know how long the effects are," Hu Tao bowed her head in an apologetic manner. "I'm sorry!"

You instinctively pulled Hu Tao in a tight hug, thanking her for giving you the temporary ability to see the butterflies under the pale moonlight. Even if it's just a short while, you know how much energy is needed to give someone the ability to see these butterflies. Eventually as you continue to watch over the magical beings, they slowly fade away when Hu Tao suddenly staggers on her feet.

She leaned against your body for support, chuckling to herself. "I guess giving you the temporary ability to see the butterflies really cuts down my energy.." in a quick instant, the butterflies suddenly disappeared, leaving only the starry sky above. Hu Tao had lost her consciousness.

You were rather sad that the butterflies disappeared but due to Hu Tao's help, you managed to see them right before your eyes. With a deep breath, you hoisted the female to your arms. Surprisingly, she is not heavy and weighs light as a feather so it wasn't a big problem to carry her back in the house you both are staying at in Qingce Village.