eleutheromania (xiao x oc)

7: Moonstruck

Standing upon the highest balcony of Wangshu Inn, I scanned Guili Plain, looking for any sight of that mortal.

That...mortal.

My grip on the balcony railings tightened.

She interested me, and is doing surprisingly well in her training. I wouldn't say I disliked her presence. She was polite and well-spoken, but...

Her annoying, impossible shrewdness often allowed her to read me like an open book. She was well aware of it too, but she acted so nonchalant about it. And that's what frustrated me. Even Verr Goldet has trouble understanding me sometimes.

Giving up on my search, I retreated to the shade of the Inn, feeling a little bit moody.

Not wanting to be seen in my current state, I ordered a plate of Almond Tofu to be delivered to my room in order to calm myself down.

"Hmph," I spooned almond tofu in my mouth rather aggressively.

Unacceptable. Impossible. The nerve of that-

My spoon clattered to the floor, the plate of almond tofu following suit but that was the least of my concern.

I clasped my pounding head with shaky hands, gritting my teeth as my vision swam before me.

Curses...that only happens when—

It was white everywhere I looked. It felt like I was standing on something, but there was nothing but white below me.

"You are absolutely smitten, aren't you?"

I knew what that voice was. I looked behind me. An ugly black mass, a miasmic manifestation of my built-up karma.

"Ludicrous."

The miasma hovered around my head. "Come on, don't even try to deny it. That mortal—"

"—Has a name. And I'm merely following our contract by training her." I said coolly.

"Really? Then why is it that you look at her as if light shines out of her every orifice?"

"...I do not." The miasma burst into laughter.

"You won't be able to deny your feelings forever," the miasma said as my vision began to swim yet again. "You already know how easily she can read your emotions."

______________

"It's soo delicious!"

I cried out. Ganyu was right, the food at Wanmin Restaurant truly is extraordinary.

But I mustn't eat too much, it will hinder my training! I thought as began scarfing down my Lotus Seed and Bird Egg Soup.

"Excuse me miss, but may I sit here?" A tall, brown-haired fellow gazed down upon me. Though his orange eyes were piercing, I could tell he had a good and kind heart.

"Of course." He sat down next to me. His presence was...epiphanic. He seemed to command respect without demanding it.

There's something strange about this man, I thought to myself.

"I go by Zhongli. What's your name?" He asked.

"...Sin."

"That isn't a local name, nor is your attire. So I take you must be a traveler of sorts?"

"I suppose," I hummed, nodding along.

"If I may...do you mind me asking where you're from?" Zhongli leaned in a little.

I lowered my gaze and mustered an apologetic smile. "I'm afraid that's a question I should like not to answer."

Zhongli nodded in understanding, thankfully not questioning me whatsoever.

"But...I apologise if this sounds rude, but why have you decided to talk to me?" I asked, trying to sound as insouciant as possible.

"Well, Miss Sin, let's just say I was curious." Zhongli said with a little smile.

He made to get up from his seat and go wherever he was headed. "I should take my leave now, the Director is waiting for me. It was a pleasure talking to you, you're very polite and kind."

I nodded. "You as well. But Zhongli, who is this 'Director' you speak of?"

He shook his head while laughing. Sighing, he said,
"You'll see soon enough."

And he left, leaving me mystified.

Perhaps I should go as well. I left some Mora on the table, the soup long since cold, the egg yolk having hardened again

I really like this city. I peered at Zhongli's retreating figure. He was leaving Chihu Rock and going in the direction of Yujing Terrace. Maybe that's where this 'Director' is.

"Oh, how indecent of me." I wrung my hands and headed in his direction.