Tʜᴇ ᴇsᴄᴏʀᴛ ᴡᴀɴᴛs ᴘᴇᴀᴄᴇ『ᶻʰᵒⁿᵍˡⁱ ˣ ᵐ/ⁿ ˣ ᵗᵃʳᵗᵃᵍˡⁱᵃ』

XXV

ᴛᴡᴏ ᴍᴏɴᴛʜs ʟᴀᴛᴇʀ...

As time passed on the harbor felt empty, its liveliness lost to Zhongli and Tartaglia without their lover. When people would ask where M/n was neither could truthfully answer, only saying he was away for rest to leave it as vague as possible because they didn't know where he went. Painstakingly awaiting letters to know if he was alright while fighting back the urge to run after him and find him but they knew it wasn't the time to....

However, today, was different. A beautiful falcon flies into the kitchen causing Tartaglia to scream out in shock! He was ready to grab the bird and let it out but spotted a beautiful green, brown, and blue ribbon with a scroll. He screams again and clamors over to the bird who looks very shocked by the human and quickly extends its leg to hand over the scroll.
"Why are you screaming so much?"

"They sent a letter!!! Finally, they sent a letter!!!"

"Quickly open it!"The ginger fumbles with the scroll until the tie slips onto the counter.
"Dear Zhongli and Tartaglia,

How have you two been doing? Well, I hope, I know it's been a while but life where we decided to live has been peaceful yet a little busy since M/n helped open a clinic to tend to the people. But all is well, he's been doing better than before and it's clear he misses you two very much. Can't go second without worrying about whether you two have eaten enough since we're not there to cook. Ah before I forget, Zandik is also here, this is where he ran off to instead of returning home. Said he couldn't bring himself to leave without visiting this place where Ai had been raised. So he too helps in the clinic and gets this, has better penmanship after M/n hit him over the head a couple of times after struggling to read the prescriptions.

Well, that's mainly it for this letter, I'll be sure to send you more updates but M/n does seem ready to see you two again but I can't be too forward with that question.

-Gale

Ps
Zhongli, I owe you 30,000 mora, I now understand what you meant."Tartaglia smiles at the update, everyone is fine but the last sentence confused the battle-crazed man.
"Uh, why does Gale owe, you of all people money?"

"We made a bet, surrounding if Xiao liked him or not. I said that he did and Gale thought Xiao was just being nice to him. Seems I won."Zhongli smiled warmly, the good news lifted the weight off his shoulders for the first time.
"Hm, maybe this is our sign to move away from the harbor."

"What about your job at the funeral parlor?"

"That won't be too much of an issue, I may be a retired Archon doesn't mean I won't make it back to the harbor promptly. No matter the distance, I'll always find ways to bask in the light that radiates from M/n."

"Across the land and the seas, my home is where M/n may be."Zhongli chuckles at the poetic expression said aloud by the others.
"Let's write back so they can get our letter before nightfall."

🌿🌿🌿

"What have I told you about heavy lifting?"An elderly man sulks at the scolding tone of voice from the youngster tending to his back pain.
"Not to overpack my basket and ask for help..."

"Mmh and yet here you are for the third time this week, Aiya..."

"I'm sorry M/n, I just thought I could get it done before my back started to hurt."M/n chuckles lightly and tells the older not to say sorry.
"Uncle, there's nothing wrong with asking for help. Here take this balm and apply it in the morning, I'll have Zandik stop by with some painkillers later."

"Thank you so much, you know, you and Zandik have done so much for the village. I'll be hosting a small banquet as thanks to you young men!"

"Hahah, no need. We're happy enough with helping."However, M/n's gentle rebuttal went over the man's head as he nearly speeds out of the clinic to enlist help from the others to plan.
"Oh my, where did he suddenly get that energy from?"

"Who knows, anyway let's head home. Xiao has probably started making dinner by now."Zandik muses as he walks over to M/n.
"Yeah, let's head off— Oh, I wonder if they wrote back yet?"