𝐃𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐞

28 | Herculean Might Could Technically Explain This

Italics = Prophisian being spoken

I also decided to grace y'all with how Juno looks. It took me sitting on my ass for like who knows how but here he is! I plan to draw his god form later too.

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Act 3: Proditor Coeli

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Two weeks slipped by faster than I realized. I'd taken a glance at the calendar and recognized that Zhongli's birthday was in three days and Lei-li's birthday was tomorrow. Panic immediately crawled into my head and set up shop. Thankfully, the paycheck I'd been receiving from Wangsheng has made it much easier to get both of them presents. I would get Xiao a present when his birthday came around as well. If I remember correctly, Zhongli was in his office finishing up some paperwork and Lei-li was visiting Ganyu.

I chuckled to myself. Those two had formally met each other during the Archon War and had been getting closer these past two weeks. I had a feeling those two would grow into something else. Besides that, I should leave and get them something before either of them could guess what was going on. They were notorious for being able to sense something was amiss. I closed my bedroom door behind me as quietly as possible. Avoiding that one wooden plank that always liked to squeak, I made my way out of the house.

Then I remembered I could teleport. I sighed at my forgetfulness.

I teleported to an alley behind Wanmin Restaurant, breathing in the smell of food being made. Deciding to give in to my cravings, I bought some tiger fish to eat while I figured out what to buy Zhongli and Lei-li. Lei-li was a very creative girl and loved art. That being said, she also loved science and I knew that she'd no doubt continue researching the ruin guards Khaenri'ah had procreated in order to figure out how they worked. Knowing her, she'd undoubtedly figure it out even without Guizhong's guidance. The two of them truly had been the brains of our little group. Zhongli the brawn. I suppose Marchosias and I had been the jokers.

Putting my hand on my chin, gazing at the paints that were displayed in the window of a shop dedicated to all kinds of writing or paint related utensils. I'd heard Lei-li talking about how she was low on paint to Xiao a few days ago. Maybe, these would do? I picked it up and inspected them. Yes, these would be perfect. I'll even get her an easel and canvas. Once everything is paid for, I start the hunt for Zhongli's present.

The art supplies are heavy in my hand but it's nothing I can't handle. However, I had no clue what to get for Zhongli. I did know that, while he would appreciate extravagant gifts, he preferred simpler things. What kind of "simple things" I didn't know. Master Hu had even mentioned that he hadn't wanted to celebrate his birthday but she was going to throw him a small party regardless.

Candles.

That's it! Candles! Maybe even another ring as well. I'd gotten a glance at his hand during one of the language lessons he'd been teaching me and Lei-li and he wore quite a few rings. I also knew that he loved smelling good so there was that too. Perfect. It didn't take me long to scout out some quality candles, the many different smells blending into a surprisingly nice one. My eyes immediately landed on a dark brown one. I recognized the characters on its label... Memories of the Mountains? Cliché and sort of ironic but it'll do.