Violetgrass

Companion

"You think this is what she was talking about?" asked Chaoxing, sitting on the bed next to her newest roommate. He looked as though he was suffering. Sweat beaded on his forehead despite the air being too cold for Chaoxing's liking.

"Yes," said Baizhu, pouring medicine down the poor fella's throat. He coughed and sputtered. Baizhu looked tired. "Changsheng—"

"Yes," hissed Changsheng. "This is the power of a dead god. It is the time of pestilence again."

"The what now?"

"It's a long story," said Baizhu. "It's said that the corpse of a dead god could cause an epidemic in Liyue. Some sort of... karmic retribution."

Chaoxing wondered how much of that she understood. "So to get rid of this?"

"There is a way," said Baizhu, waving a hand in a nonchalant gesture. There was a look of distaste on his face for some reason.

Qiqi walked in, carrying someone on her back. He didn't look much taller than Qiqi, but Chaoxing was still impressed.

"Oh," said Baizhu, relieving Qiqi of her burden. "It's him again."

"Is he sick?" asked Chaoxing, as Baizhu carried him to the bed. His hair was a mess, and a mask hung from the side of his waist. His arm was tattooed, a beautiful pattern marking his skin.

"Collapsed from exhaustion. It's happened before."

Chaoxing was about to ask who he was, when the young man's eyes shot open. "Oh," she said. "Good morning. How do you feel?"

He gave her a quick glance, before looking around the room slowly, his eyes meeting Baizhu's. "You again."

"Adeptus Xiao," said Baizhu, apparently as way of greeting.

"Adeptus?" asked Chaoxing. Xiao looked at her. "Sorry."

Xiao hopped off the bed, slightly unsteady, and headed to the young man who was panting on the bed. "So it's happening again."

"Do you know something about this?" asked Chaoxing, feeling like she was asking too many questions today.

Xiao nodded, not taking his eyes off their patient. "A dead god."

"You'll need my help for this!" said Director Hu, walking through the front door with light shining behind her. Chaoxing wondered if she had planned that entrance.

"You," said Xiao and Baizhu together.

"I can't tell who likes you and who hates you anymore," said Chaoxing to Hu Tao.

"You did not have to say it like that," she sighed.

"This is not a simple matter," said Xiao, staring down Hu Tao, which was impressive, because from where Chaoxing stood, she seemed to be taller than him.

"And I'm from the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor," she said, her staff appearing in her hand. "Generations were raised for this."

Xiao gave her a hard look, and then crossed his arms. "Fine," he said.

"Director Hu," said Baizhu, stepping in. "You cannot leave the funeral parlor unattended. If we don't quarantine and burn the people who die..."

She waved it aside. "I'll be back as soon as possible. And Mr. Zhongli will take care of things."

"Zhongli?" said Chaoxing, slightly surprised.

"Oh you've met him? He's my assistant!" said Hu Tao proudly. A look of pain crossed Xiao's face. "He's pretty capable so he'll know what to do."