Beyond the Stars

Chapter I: Act II - Farewell, Archaic Lord (Downtown)

It was another bright and sunny morning and like yesterday not a single guard from the Millelith stopped me. I guess the experience from Jueyun Karst finally taught them a lesson. But anyway picking up from where we last left off... Our goal this time is to buy kites which apparently play an important part in the Rite of Parting. I don't know what part they play but if Zhongli says we need them then I guess we need them.

We stopped by a booth that sells kites and I was surprised to see that Zhongli had already made an order prior.

"Ah, sir, you're here. The seven kites you asked for have been made to order. Would you like to take them now?"

"Yes. Thank you." he said.

"It's rare to see customers who want to buy this type of kite nowadays. In the early days, we used to get orders from people of all walks of life..."

"Well this is Mr. Zhongli from the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, so he's probably well-versed in all these walks of life. We've talked about a whole bunch of things while traveling with him..."

"Fashion, economics, jewelry and jade pottery... And also tea, perfumes, flora and fauna..." I said. Come to think of it we sure did do a lot of talking here in Liyue. 

"He seems to know Liyue's favorite topics, money and government, really well, but he likes talking about less useful topics instead." said Paimon.

"Well, that's because I prefer to share fun things with you." said Zhongli.

"Children's toys are very fun things, that's for sure. I enjoy watching the children play as much as anyone else. But there is more to it than that. Finely crafted toys are well-loved by children. But this craft itself has been honed over thousands of years, and there is meaning behind that. I have made kites in Liyue for forty years and I am intimately familiar with the forms passed down from my ancestors. The meaning of these seven kites is far from banal."

"Indeed. These are decorations used in the Rite of Parting. The seven kites represent The Seven." Well I guess that answers my question on why we needed kites.

"I took the liberty of coloring outside the lines when doing the insignia of the Anemo Archon." I looked at the kite that's supposed to represent the Anemo Archon and I knew that Venti would definitely love that. "As for the kite that honors the Geo Archon, one must follow the contract given right down to the last letter. These patterns are ancient, and you can also find them in the Golden House."

"Ah, Paimon's heard that name before-" Before she could say anything that could give our true intentions away I covered her mouth.

"Paimon stop talking..." I said.

"The design of this kite displays a firm grasp on the cyclicality and eternity so dear to the Electro Archon. These markings of tree and leaf pay due honor to wisdom and the passage of time. All this on a single kite - truly astonishing. Justice flows across the surface of the waters, war rages like a flame, as does that which the Cryo Archon once... yes, these details are masterfully done."

I gotta admit the kites do look spectacular and the detailed descriptions of each one gave me a slight insight to the nations I'll be visiting in the future. 

"Hehehe, the compliments of a learned man truly are pleasant."

"Well then, Granny Shan, I shall take these back with me. As for the payment..." My stomach dropped when I heard him say that. I know what this means... Although I hoped that this time he brought money with him but something tells me that's just me hoping too much...

"As for the payment, he says..." I mumbled over to Paimon.

"Well, allow me." I know that smooth-talking voice from anywhere.