Order of Unity (A Xiaother Story)

Chapter Seven: Autumn Festival

Sumeru Heights: Ormos St and Elm St
Aether's POV
Friday, November 19

Leaves turning brown and falling off of the trees, some yellow, some stayed green, all of them made the scenery beautiful. Walking into Sumeru Heights, a huge neighborhood in the biggest nation of Teyvat, was extraordinary to see. The aromas of pumpkin and evergreen coffee shops, and maple from the breakfast cafés around the area, posted around Ormos Street, the road caressing the creek leading to Port Ormos and going into Sumeru City. The chatter of people, the noise of sizzling food, and the conversations about Breathing November, the fall festival that was on the hills of the streets around Sumeru Heights.

The notes of music being played by street performers coming from all around Teyvat, notable artists, everyone coming to enjoy the fall of the biggest forest. The jungle didn't experience fall, as its climate was year round, but just north of it in Sumeru Heights, the trees were beautiful, and you could hear leaves crunching under your feet as you walk through the trails lining the forests and shops below. Our friend Alhaitham was waiting with Cyno in his house. He lived at 130 Elm Street, on the top of one of the massive hills. His neighbors and him decorated their acacia trees out front with fall themed decorations, and pumpkins. October was known as a month for spooky season and Halloween, however the fall in the microclimates in Liyue and Sumeru made fall weather to begin in early November, making the festivals happen around Thanksgiving.

Xiao didn't know what to do, he wasn't used to his newfound sense of freedom, and mainly stayed inside of his own country. As we walked up Elm St., a plague read "To the heroes of Sumeru City, in this spot where they battled the New Akadeymia Regime"

"Yeah, we fought nowhere here here, haha, the battle broke out on the top of the hill where Ormos St. ends and becomes a trail for people to walk only."

"I remember this specific spot, its where the rock formation makes the sunsets look beautiful." Xiao says back to me,

"The sunsets here sure are some of the best, but our house is unforgettable. It never gets old, haha"

We finally arrive, as we scanned the house addresses, as the houses slowly began getting bigger. Alhaitham practically lived at the Akadeymia, being the Grand Sage, but they were in recess for the festival until December 1, so Alhaitham was certainly home. Cyno on the other hand, being chief of the Desert Order, the newfound army that guards the desert, was off for the week, until November 26.

"90...100...110...120... Ah here we are! 130 Elm Street, this should be it!" I said, scanning the last address on the top of the hill before it steeply drops down, just like that place I read about called 'San Francisco'

Ahaha fourth wall break

Xiao knocked on the door, waiting for an answer. Alhaitham walked up to the front, and greeted us fondly, with Cyno close behind, bundled up in some layers.

"Traveler! Xiao! Nice to see you two here. I brought some breakfast from one of the Cafes on the strip. Come in!"

"Nice to see you, Alhaitham." Xiao said,

"Cyno, its so good to see you too! You're pretty bundled up though. What's with the layers? Its only 45 degrees!" I said to Cyno,

"Oh wow, I see that too. Cold?" Xiao said

"Yes, it doesn't get cold like this in the desert." Cyno said, with a bit of snappy attitude, from his despise of the cold.

"Well then, lets eat!" Alhaitham said

We ate our food, it was delicious. Sumeru does specialize in their breakfast cafes, it was very delicious. We then began preparing for the festival. Xiao and I headed into the guest room that Alhaitham showed us, and Cyno was sleeping in the other one. He was tired from his journey, he needed to take the long way here, taking the road that went all the way up to Sumeru City, then detouring down Ormos St. to get here. The sun began its descent as it turned to afternoon.

Tonight was the concert night, so many artists were coming as the genre was to change every hour, from Rock to R&B to Pop, to many others.

As we finished putting on our best outfits, we headed out and began walking down Acacia St. to where the festival was being held. Crowds gathered as many shops were there, many places were posted up, and people were drinking, enjoying their week, and music was playing. A group was singing many different genres of music, including Mad by Solange, local music by Sumerian Artists, Found by Tems, and many others.

The aromas were unmistakable. Sumeru really knew how to put up a festival.

Xiao was holding my hand as we were walking through the shops. We stopped at a store where there were clothes for couples,a nd we picked out a cute matching sweater. We looked through an incense shop, where Xiao picked a couple earthy scents and I picked a couple of airy aromas. We walked through and turned on Yuma St. where the concert floor was close, and there was also a dance floor.

"Shall we?"

"Yes..."

We went, hand in hand, and danced to a love song, and kissed in the middle of the dance floor, seemingly no care in the world. Everyone was in their own world, which is why we didnt carer what we did in public. No eyes were on us, we weren't famous here like we were in Liyue. We heard music change genres, when it became more soulful and contemporary, and sat down to drink the boba tea we had bought from a tea shop on the corner.

We hugged and chatted as the sun began to set. A song by Rufus Du Sol came on, as the genre turned to progressive house, and the crowds suddenly danced faster to this music. The sun was almost down, as me and him kissed, hand in hand, without a worry or care in the world. It was him, just him, and nothing else. That was all, I wanted to be in his arms forever. It was moments like this that made me feel warm, happy, complete.

We began walking back to Alhaithams, as it was getting late, and the crowds began dispersing as the night began to take control. It was beginning to get pretty chilly, so we quickly rushed home, and went to our guest room, undressed and put our pajamas on, and layer in bed together, cuddling. This was a good night, one to remember.