Xiaolumi S5: Clair De Lune

"What If..."

A/N: Xiaolumi and Nahida help the Anemo lifeform; A conversation about family brings up a sudden and mysterious question from Lumine; Bakari ends up following his family into danger.

"Upon him all the immortals grew, blessed gods and goddesses and rivers and lovely springs and everything else that had then been born; and he himself became the sole one"
- Derveni Papyrus about Phanes.

Random Fun Fact About Twins: I never did mention this. Vesperus and Solis do have middle names. They are of Liyue/Chinese origin in fact. Solis's middle name is "Lin", meaning "Beautiful jade"...pretty easy tell why Xiaolumi gave that middle name to her. Vesperus meanwhile, his middle name is actually very fitting for him, it's "Shen" which means "Spirit" if remember correctly. So its "Vesperus Shen Aion" and "Solis Lin Aion" respectively. <3

.............................................................................

Things sure did get interesting real fast due to this elemental lifeform in her point of view. The stuff they learned from her about the Withering's tumors was heartbreaking. But they had to do what they had to do. The withering could not be left alone as it harmed everything it touched. The form of fungi they had chosen to take was just a course of their natural ability to survive and adept. Xiao explained his race had a similar trait, their true forms were greatly influenced by their environment and their own genetics. Xiao had spent a lot of time in his youth around Liyue's border, resulting in his form taking the shape of Liyue's adepti, a magnificent vermillion bird. Same held true for many of his ancestors including the first yakshas.

Then they had found the little anemo fungus living with the fungi colony near the border in Lokapala Jungle province of the nation. Nahida learning to turn into a hydro fungus had been...interesting. But with little help and guidance they found and helped the little guy. It's human language skills weren't as advanced as their hydro companion but its memories were far sharper. To the group's shock they revealed that Apep was their home...literally. This in kind had sent poor Nahida into a panic as they helped the fungi's tiny farm. But after a while she finally calmed down.

"Phew, that should be the last of the whopperflowers."sighed Paimon in relief.

"I call it a win-win, I scored some of their nectar. Our pantry was running low recently with how many sweets Mochi's been making."chuckled Lumine as she cleaned up her shimmering jade sword before tossing it over her shoulder for it to vanish.

"Come back to your senses, Lady Buer?"wondered Xiao.

"Are you feeling any better at all Nahida?"Lumine wondered as well.

Nahida nodded with a sigh and a smile, "Yes, I've calmed down and regained reason. But there isn't too much we can do right now until I hear back with new information."

"Can you tell us more about the dendro dragon? We know very little about it. Who is it and what does it have to do with King Deshret?"asked Paimon swiftly. However, to their shock Nahida turned her gaze towards Xiao.

"Why don't you tell them a little?"encouraged Nahida making the older yaksha flinch and tense.

"Me? Why me, Lady Buer?"tsked Xiao in mild annoyance.

"It's better they hear it from you, my memories only go as far back as Irminsul was planted."urged Nahida. "I don't have all the knowledge our elders would have told."

"Wait why would Xiao know?"Paimon looked right down confused but Lumine had a knowing smile. Their time with Liloupar coming to the surface in Lumine's memories as she gave a soft nod.

"It's called Apep isn't it?"asked Lumine, Nahida's eyes growing wide but swiftly nodded.

"My word you learn fast. Did Alatus tell you?"she inquired but Lumine shook her head.