An Adventure for Two || XiaoLumine

Returning

.... knock, knock...

knock, knock, knock...

"Xiao!" A voice from the other side of the door.

"Xiao, hurry! Wake up!" There was panic in the voice.

I stood quickly and walked toward the door. I opened it, revealing Ganyu on the other side.

"What is it, Ganyu?" I asked her.

"Xiao, you must come quickly." She sounded upset. "Follow me."

I followed her out of the Inn, and toward Liyue Harbor. I'd asked her a few times about the matter, but she seemed to ignore me. We stopped at the gate, and she turned to me.

"We're almost there. But you must promise me you won't freak out when you see he-" She cut herself off, putting a hand over her mouth.

"See what?"

She stayed silent and continued walking, at a faster pace than before, I followed. I could sense something was wrong. It was in the air all around me. Everyone around seemed worried as well.

We continued walking. "Could you at least tell me what-" I stopped short when I saw. There were people gathered around. Ningguang was trying to keep everyone in order and backed away from what was at the center of the crowd. I saw medical staff rushing into the crowd at the Tianquan's orders. Her face looked scared and unsure. I ran into the crowd to see her lying there. Her clothes were bloody, and Captain Beidou was standing over her, keeping the people away.

"Lumine!" I shouted, trying to get to her.

I felt her whisper my name, and Beidou stood, searching the crowd.

"Xiao." She said, spotting me. "Get over here."

I rushed over. "What happened?"

"She was battling the Shogun; it didn't go well. I got her here as soon as I could. We have medical personnel on the crux, but they couldn't do much but stitch her."

I was instantly filled with worry over Lumine. 

"We need to get her to Bubu pharmacy. Baizhu should be able to help us." Ningguang said, standing over us.

"The traveler!"

"What's happened to her?"

There were shouts off concern all around us. I helped Lumine to her feet and Beidou started to clear a path for us through the crowd.

"No need, I'll teleport us there." And I did so.

Beidou and Ningguang were right behind us.

"Baizhu!" Ningguang called.

Qiqi came around the corner.

"Dr. Baizhu isn't here at the moment." She looked to Lumine. "Follow me this way."

She led us to a room at the back of the pharmacy and told me to lay her on the bed there.

"I will send for Dr. Baizhu. He will know what to do." Qiqi walked off.

Ningguang and Beidou had left soon after. I sat as I was watching her, making sure she was breathing. She was shaking. I could see the stitches Beidou had mentioned, they looked infected almost. I wasn't thinking when I got closer and held her hand. 

I whispered. "I wish I was there to protect you. You wouldn't be in this much pain."

She tried to speak. "Xiao- I-"

I shushed her. "You don't need to speak."

"Don't... worry about... me."

"I can't help it Lumine," I whispered.

I think that I ended up falling asleep there. I was awakened by the doctor telling me I needed to leave. I left the pharmacy and wandered the harbor, thinking to myself.

"The traveler must have worried you." A voice I recognized spoke up.

"Rex Lapis." I turned to see him.

"Don't forget me!" Venti came from behind him.

"Oh." 

He came closer. "Hmm. You don't seem very... adeptusy today." He stared at me. "Something the matter?"

"Don't make him run now." He spoke. "Xiao, why don't you come to sit with us?"

I followed them back to the restaurant. They talked along the way. I couldn't make out much other than the fact they were talking about Lumine. Venti looked to me with concern but looked away quickly. We sat, facing one another.

"You know. I lost a friend once." Venti spoke.

"She isn't dead!" I shouted.

He looked distressed. "Oh... I didn't mean to-"

"I can't do this." I left the table.

I returned to the Inn. Going into my room without a word and staying there for a few days. The time went by in a blur.