Moments of Xiao and lumine

~Chapter 5 (Double Trouble) Part 4~

Meanwhile outside the tea pot...

'Paimon, tell me more about this Serenitea tea pot thing? How does it work?'asked Ellen in a devastated face. Paimon sitting beside was grabbing a fistful of chips, enjoying this foreign snack joyfully. (This was a snack Ellen discovered while she was travelling through worlds in the past.) 'Paimon doesn't...nom nom...really...nom...know...It's adepti thing...nom...It just provides a place for us to rest so that we won't be exposed in rain or thunder. Sort of like a temporary hideout...nom nom...Do you have any more?'masticated Paimon. She put the empty chip bag on the counter table beside a lamp. Paimon's eyes were blinking tiny glowing stars of amazement of the distinctive aroma of the barbecue flavoured chips. Crispy and flavourful! 'Paimon, don't eat too much. You'll get sick.'reminded Ellen thoughtfully. She stood up from the bed and grabbed the empty chip back with some crumps in it and bleated some words similar to incantation briskly. The bag was gone right away. 'Is this witchcraft?'questioned Paimon curiously as she flew closer to Ellen. 'If you think it is, then it is for you.'smiled Ellen softly alongside with a vague answer. 'Paimon doesn't understand what you mean.'stated Paimon as she titled her head. 'Anyways, Paimon, do you know why did Lumine came back with a serious face. It seemed like she saw something menacingly terrible.'questioned Ellen with a moment thinking. The flame of the candle which placed on the counter table flickered strangely. The flame gradually became dim as she asked. 'How would Paimon know? She stayed here with you!'said Paimon with a brisk tone. 

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In the tea pot...

'Lumi, here's your water.'said Xiao as he handled over the cup of cold water to the traveler, Lumine. 'Thanks.'thanked Lumine as she held the cup in hand tightly. 'You, your sister and the fairy stay here. I need to check on the harbour.'sighed Xiao with a slight headache and a trace of worry. 'Alright. Stay safe.'Lumine embraced Xiao with an ominous feeling but still let him go. Lumine knew that it was his duty to protect the Liyue Harbour. Even if she stopped him, he wouldn't stay. If so, then supporting Xiao would be a better option. Lumine took a deep breathe and took out an amulet from her pocket carefully. She carried the gorgeously decorated amulet in both hands and closed her eyes. She tensely held tightly the amulet and prayed sincerely. She then murmured deeply, 'Please, stay safe Xiao, no matter what.' Once Lumine closed her eyes, the prayer of hers caused the amulet to emit a faint light but she didn't notice it. 

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Xiao arrived at the Liyue Harbour. The situation of chaos had been improved and less shouting and screaming. All the citizens seemed to have finished minding their own businesses and mind others. As well as teaming up to help others in need and putting out the burning fire. The operation of setting up temporary tents was going quite smooth. Not far away, Yanfei was searching for missing buried people under the bricks and stones.

'Conqueror of Demons? Xiao?'gasped Yanfei who recognised him. She quickly ran over to him with panting. 'There was an emergency just happened and...'explained Yanfei in a rush. 'I know. An earthquake occurred.' Xiao stopped her continuing explanation abruptly. 'We are desperately in need of supplies and medical helpers. Do you possibly know anyone or have any extra supplies?'said Yanfei with dim hope, of course, this adeptus was always on his own. Who would he know anybody? But supplies... She sort of regret asking the question when she realised. 'No. I get support from Wangshuu Inn. If you want supplies, you should ask Ms. Verr Goldet, not me. Also, send some medicinal helpers to the Jade Chamber.'Xiao shook his head as Yanfei widen open her eyes in surprise and confusion. 'Wait...why?'asked Yanfei in a puzzled expression. 'People on the Chamber fainted.'  'Oh my! I'll be heading off right now!'Yanfei dismissed herself and rushed off to a certain direction. Xiao slowly walked towards the camp where injured patients laid down to rest. An interaction between a father and his daughter caught Xiao's attention.
'Aww...it hurts...Amelia, you can actually rest. You've taken good care of me for the whole day. See? You're yawning right now. Take a rest. I'll be fine with the medical helpers here.'said a man whose head was injured, wrapped in stripes of bandage with some blood dyed the original white colour, spoke softly towards a little girl with a ponytail kneeling beside him. 'B-but...mama said not to leave you alone...'struggled the little girl with her cheeks turning sakura pinkish. 'Oh don't listen to her my dear.'laughed the man, somehow the laugh contained intangible sadness. 'Your mother is dead...dear...'muttered the man, whose voice was so deep that the daughter didn't hear, closed his blurry eyes. 'What did you say, papa? I didn't hear you.'asked the little girl quietly with such an angelic voice. 'Oh it's nothing...'coughed the father heavily. The little girl swept her father's back to make him feel better.
Xiao stopped his footsteps with a sigh but proceeded to continue walking. 'Wars and chaos, are they destined to be undying?'thought Xiao with a heavy heart. The moment he just noticed was only a part of the earthquake's production. All those years Xiao had been through were oddly similar. Wars, death, then more wars and death. They all formed into a cold-hearted, endless cycle. Will this cycle end? Xiao didn't know but one thing for sure was that time was passing faster and easier with Lumine, someone who he wanted to protect the most.