eleutheromania (xiao x oc)

5: Dew Touched Glaze Lilies of Primiordal Jade

After a day and a half, I recovered from my fever and was finally able to start the polearm.

On the day of continuing my training, I woke up earlier than usual. The sun was low in the sky and morning dew was still visible in the air. I put on my usual garb and headed towards the training area.

I stretched my arms outward and took a deep breath, before doing a little spin of happiness. It felt good to be out of bed after so long. The velvety green carpet of dew-touched grass looked too inviting, so I slid off my shoes. The grass tickled my bare feet.

While walking, something light blue caught my eye. Hm? A single glaze lily was growing at the base of a tree. "These can still be found in the wild?" I bent down to take a closer look. Of course, I wasn't going to pick it! I gently touched its delicate blue petals. If only it was still night, I would be able to see it unfurl its petals. Looking at it, I felt a rush of familiarity. An innocent, childish albeit lonely familiarity.

"This is the tree that Dusky Ming and I would sit against." I said quietly, and then my hand flew to my mouth in realisation.

Tears clouded my vision, and then I squeezed my eyes shut. So that was why she...I opened my eyes once more, and smiled in spite of myself. At least she can finally play to her heart's content. I slipped back into my shoes, and planted a soft kiss onto the glaze lily.

I wandered to the training area and sat on a nearby rock. Most of the mist had dissipated, and the sun was higher in the sky now. I looked up at vast ocean of blue. I closed my eyes once more. In the vast ocean of stars, I wonder...

"You're early."

Which one is you? I opened my eyes.

"Hello, Xiao." I turned to look at him.

"You seem more solemn today." Xiao observed. "Did something happen?"

I looked at my hands. "That ghost girl, did she...?"

Xiao nodded. "Yes, she did."

I let out a deep, shaky breath before sliding off the rock. Eager to change the subject, I cut to the chase. "So how does the polearm work?"

                     _____________________

"I'll put in a word for Verr Goldet to have a polearm made for you. For now, we can practice using my own." Xiao handed his to me.

My eyes widened a little. It was fully cast from the finest jade in Liyue, and it emitted a soft yet almost divine light. "A-are you sure?" I breathed.

"Yes."

I slowly reached for it and gingerly took it in my hands. It was cool and smooth to the touch, and a little heavy. I held away from my body slightly. It felt like I shouldn't be allowed to touch it.

"You hold it like this." Xiao adjusted my hands to the correct position. "Make sure it doesn't slip." I tightened my grip.

"Your stance is important too. Like this." I emulated the position of his feet.

"Now try swinging it." And so I did.

"How does it feel?" Xiao asked.

"Weird and...wonderful at the same time. It feels a bit heavy though..." I said.

"Of course it does. That is why you will get a polearm tailor-made for you." Xiao said matter-of-factly.

"I think," Xiao gently eased his polearm out of my hands. "That's enough for today. Until you get a polearm of your own, it will be difficult for you to emulate my movements and learn from me."

I sighed. "I understand."

"While we wait for your polearm, perhaps we can finally focus on Vision control." Xiao said.

"Really?" I had to contain my excitement.

"Yes."

I want to squeeze the adeptus in a tight hug, but I feared I would be overstepping my boundaries. On the day prior when he started training me, he warned me about getting too attached. He was just going to train me, after all.

I stretched my limbs. Archons, I'm famished. I took another look at Xiao. He seemed deep in thought about something. Come to think of it, he never told me his story, I realised. He wasn't a talker, nor was he very experienced in human interaction and communication.

I suddenly had an idea.

"Xiao." I began.

"Hm?"

"Would you like to eat lunch with me?" I prepared myself for rejection.

He was silent for a moment. I felt my expression falter.

"...Lead the way." Xiao said quietly. I didn't miss the pink in his cheeks.

I gave him a smile before we began walking back to the Inn.