Liyue is a busy place
Early in the day merchants would be busy setting up shop and getting ready for another day of the usual trading. Later on in the day, people are busy doing their version of business. Fishermen and miners doing labor work, performers and storytellers entertaining the young and the old, chefs and attendants ready to serve their customers, and the merchants trading from the rich folk to kids attempting to barter toys.
This bustly and crowded atmosphere continue even to the night where most in Teyvat would call it a day. Every day would always be like this for a majority of the populace in Liyue, but some individuals are content to be on the more idle side of the Liyue lifestyle.
Such is the case for a particular elderly woman taking care of her pots and flowers in the corner of Yujing Terrace. The lady in question is none other than Madame Ping who would spend most of her days indulging herself in activities that she enjoys the most. Though even so, she does not mind the company of others, instead she welcomes her friends and acquaintances to her humble corner and converse on matters that are recent around in Liyue.
And on this cloudy day, a certain man wearing a lavish outfit with brown and gold accents that would make people believe that he is a man of high class and wealth. The stoic man approaches Madame Ping with a face that tells that his mind is somewhere else. The old lady happily greets him with a tender smile and a welcoming voice.
"My my, it appears that you have quite a bit on your mind don't you ?'
"Does my face really tell that so easily ?"
"Maybe it's because I've known you for quite a long time but your whole demeanor tells me that you are indeed struggling with a certain predicament. You also didn't try to refute my observation which is the biggest tell of your state"
The man lets out a quiet laugh
"You are as perceptive as always dear friend"
The old lady responds with a gentle chuckle as if she'd knew what the man was going to say.
"So the aloof Zhongli is taking his usual walks around the harbor I presume ?"
"Now why else would I go to the trouble of letting the adepti take over watching for possible threats"
"Still, it would be more characteristic of you to instead ponder alone when you have problems to think about, especially heavy ones"
"You are right in that assessment however I do feel like it has been some time since I am able to relax so I took it upon myself to ponder whilst I have my usual stroll. Killing two birds with one stone as they say"
The old madame lets out a cheerful laugh as this had been the first time the man had tried new things.
"Very well then, I will not pry into the problem that is plaguing your mind as I believe that this problem you have is quite personal, however, I do wish that you are able to resolve it as soon as possible"
"Thank you. I shall take my leave then as it appears that cloudy sky might turn to rainfall"
"Oh! In that case, do bring this umbrella with you. My apprentice had brought it with her here in anticipation of the rain and forgot to bring it back with her when she left prematurely. You can use it for the time being and when the rain has stopped you can leave it back to her workplace in Wanmin Restaurant"
"Very well, I will do just that"
The two friends share their goodbyes as the man sets off on his own excursion. As he takes the flight of stairs down from the terrace, his mind is yet again crowded by the contemplations he had forgotten during his conversation. It might seem that the problems that he contemplates are that of human nature yet the obstacles that he faces are ones that everyday mortals do not encounter. This is due to the fact that the man is not a man at all.
He is an archon.
Teyvat's god that rules over a nation as their duty. Moreover, he is the geo archon Rex Lapis, known to be the oldest god and the prime adepti which make him one of the strongest being in Teyvat. Even so, he still encounters problems and this specific one had stuck with him the longest and that problem is...
"Have I finally overstayed my welcome as their god ?"
YOU ARE READING
A Reflective Stroll in a Drizzling Liyue
Short Story"After a busy week fighting threats and watching over the populace of Liyue, Rex Lapis had decided to indulge himself by doing one of his activities for relaxation. Disguising himself as a human and taking a stroll around Liyue. One of the many ways...
