[Another Dimension] Xiao x Lumine

No desire

- Paimon, we are leaving! - Lumine exclaimed, making sure the little fairy was ready. With everything prepared, she then rushed to the door, locked it behind her, and headed towards the "reception". 

"Good Morning Traveler, You've come at a good time. I have another mission for You~"
-Verr Goldet greeted her, waiting for Lumine to approach her desk. She then shuffled her things inside the under-desk drawer and pulled out a letter. Lumine gave it a better look, and knowing exactly what to do, she picked it up, waiting for further instructions. 

" I need You to deliver this special letter to Chef Mao. He is running a Wanmin Restaurant right in the Liyue Harbor. It shouldn't take long to search for it. You may then call it a day~ So far it seems that We have nothing else for You to handle, so feel free to explore Liyue Harbor as You wish, unless..."

- Unless? - The Blonde Traveler asked, hoping to be given something more than just delivering a letter. It is a good job but would take not enough effort to pay back her residence in the Wangshu Inn, so she tried to be helpful as much as possible. Especially, to make it up for the last accident with Their so-called "Special Guest" she has upset. 

" Unless You would like to help someone else as well. His name is Smiley Yanxiao and he is Our Chef, here at Wangshu Inn. It would not take long to find him. Just head straight to the kitchen and he will be there! If not, he might be resting on the last floor, so just wait for him~ " 

And with that, Verr Goldet nodded in approval and waved her hand, rushing Her out. After saying goodbye, Lumine headed downstairs, fixing her backpack in the meantime. During her walk, she appreciated not only the gorgeous view but also the stairs she has fixed alone. Once she reached the end of the stairs, she stood near the crowd of customers chatting and laughing happily. It seemed like she was a little nervous to not meet the Adepti from yesterday. What an irony, she arrived here to look for him, and now she is trying to avoid him as fire. 

- Just for a few days - She quietly spoke to herself, passing everyone and leaving the Wangshu Inn area completely. As she passed the bridge, Lumine only looked back once in fear of sawing or rather feeling someone's company. But this time, he was nowhere near. Entering the city, she immediately started to search for the so-called Chef Mao, which wasn't an easy task, considering all the noise and merchants, screaming to get attention and gain new customers. Before she knew it, she stood in front of the Wanmin Restaurant, taking a better look inside. Once, she went inside, a rather loud and excited voice could be heard from behind her.

" Hello, nice to meet you! My name is Xiangling, What can I do for You? "
As Lumine turned around, she noticed a medium girl with black bob-like hair, golden eyes, and a pale complexion. She seemed very energetic and happy to meet a new person or rather a customer. Hearing a new voice, Paimon decided to come out and take a look at the girl that switched from happy to impressed and curious.

- My name is Lumine-- and this is my emergency food, Paimon - Lumine introduced them, now focusing on the angry fairy's reaction. 

" PAIMON IS NOT AN EMERGENCY FOOD!!! Hi Xiangling! " -She quickly switched her mood, now smiling brightly at a new friend of hers as she waved.

"What an exotic creature!!! Is it eatable?! " -Xiangling asked, moving closer, to take a better look at Paimon, as her curiosity grew with each second of staring. With that, Paimon yelled and hid behind Lumine, whining something about not being ready to be devoured or die young. 

- Actually, I'm here to deliver a letter to Chef Mao. Is he here? - She asked, looking around to make sure she hasn't ignored him after all this time and chaos. She then switched back to Xiangling, giving her a questioning look. But the other girl shook her head disapprovingly. 

" Not here at the moment, what is the matter? Want me to deliver him something? That won't be a problem! " -She asked so many questions and held out her hand, waiting for any package or letter to be given. 

- Ah, if You would be so kind! And thank You, hope to see You around! - Lumine answered, handing her the letter, as she waved her goodbye, before disappearing into the crowd. Making her way back to Wangshu Inn, she couldn't stop thinking about her next task. Was she supposed to cook? That could be a great opportunity to learn Liyue recipes. But what she had forgotten, was that she could take her time to explore the city. But it was too late, taking the fact she was now back at her place, waiting in the kitchen for Smiley Yanxiao to come back from his break. And it was the time, when she heard someone yelling, pulling her out of her thoughts. 

" What do you think you're doing? You can't just waltz into the kitchen whenever you feel like it!! Unless you have something seriously urgent to tell me, you'd better get out of my kitchen. "

He stood there, arms crossed, giving the Traveler an angry look, as he scanned her with his dark eyes.

- Are You the Chef Yanxiao? - Lumine decided to quickly change the topic before she gets kicked out and banned from the kitchen.

" Correct. I am Yanxiao, a sous-chef. Who are You supposed to be? I'm really busy, so hurry up and leave." -He spoke, passing by her and adding ingredients to the pot, he was most likely warming up, during his absence. 

- My name is Lumine, Verr Goldet sent me here on behalf of helping You in the kitchen. She also told me, to wait for You here, in the kitchen. I will take my leave since You are busy - The traveler spoke turning around and getting ready to leave. But before she managed to, he brought her attention back.

" Wait! The Boss sent You? Why didn't You say so? I would never want to anger that woman. " The last part, he added a little quieter, so You could barely hear it, yet, it didn't escape Your ear no matter how quietly it was said. 

" Come here and start by chopping almonds " Lumine immediately approached him, listening to his orders and instructions, chopping the almond nuts, and adding some milk and sugar. It didn't take longer than thirty minutes to finish. Yanxiao nodded in fascination

" You learn quickly. now take this dish and bring it to the roof. A special guest is waiting for his order to arrive " He said, waving his hand to signalize her to leave. And just like that, Lumine had no other way but to take a deep breath and face the one, she tried to avoid the most. After a minute or two, she found herself standing on the top of the roof with no one near. 

- No wonder he found peace in this place. There's simply no one coming here. I suppose I can just place it here. - And with that, she bent to the floor, gently placing the dish, before she was about to take her to leave. But before she could take another step, the blue wind blew her hair right in her face, which made her fix them immediately and turn around to face the Yaksha, holding a plate and looking at her with a small curiosity.

"You again? " -He spoke slowly, unamused and neutral. It seems like he refused to eat either in her presence or until she answer with another cocky argument. For some reason, he was looking forward to it. 

- My name is Lumine. I was told to deliver You Almond Tofu, so I might take my leave if that is Your desire, Adeptus Xiao - She still didn't know what Adeptus was, but she felt like he was not just a person living rent-free in the Wangshu Inn. He surely is playing a bigger role here.

" Desire? I have no desires. " -He snorted, as he finally decided to start eating, with his eyes closed. He looked much nicer when he wasn't talking or crossing his arms in a defensive pose.

- Everyone has desires. Surely, even...You have - Lumine took a longer pause not sure how to address the other person standing in front of her. Yet, another snort could be heard, as the Yaksha opened his eyes, now focusing on the traveler, as he placed down the empty plate. 

" Desire? Ha. Do not judge adepti by your mortal ideals. I have no desire. Adepti, do not have any." -This time the Blonde girl took her time to think of an answer before she answered calmly.

- It seems like You are unaware of the real meaning of Desire, Adeptus Xiao. Desire means a role, plan, dream, or simply a wish. Some are playing the role of chefs, some are performing, and finally, there are those, who wish for peace. Their role is protecting others or even the whole Nation. Xiao, do You not protect Liyue? Doesn't it make You the one playing the role and fulfilling Your desire? - 

But this took him by surprise. His eyes widened, and he opened his mouth to speak, but as expected, he was too stunned to answer with any argument or rude comment. He then cleared his throat and turned his attention to the view of Liyue, to hide the clear shock, and with nothing else to say, he leaned against the railings, still avoiding eye contact. The silence was too long for both of them to handle, so Lumine picked up the empty plate, ready to leave. The Yaksha has given her a side eye, quietly scoffing. 

- You seem troubled. If You ever need someone to speak with, You already know where to find me - The traveler said, looking at him for the last time. Or so she thought. 

" Trouble? Ha. Trouble means nothing to Adepti. No trouble can last for a thousand years. " -And with that, he crossed his arms again, but this time it was Lumine that couldn't find a proper answer. Did he say thousand years? 

-Loneliness sounds like trouble unable to fix just with passing years - She finally found an answer, slowly examining Yaksha, that now furrowed his eyes. But this time, not with anger, but deep in his thoughts. 

-My offer stands. Find me whenever You seek company or comfort- And with that, she left him alone on the roof, walking back to the kitchen to speak to Yanxiao.

" Fascinating Mortal " -Xiao spoke to himself, knowing that no one can hear him now. He gave his room the last quick glance, as he vanished in a blink of an eye.