Osmanthus (TWST X F!Zhongli Mc)

03. Ghosts

Walking down the hallway, I reached the closet by the stairs, which I promptly opened, revealing a single towel.

While I had indeed renovated the entire interior, I only did so using pre-existing materials from my own abode and from the junk lying around in the dorm beforehand.

So, we didn't have much in the way of necessities at the moment.

Perhaps those odd jobs of mine would offer me payment, as I would not be using my ability to make money just for this. After all, we only did it last time because we were creating it for the humans of Teyvat to have a currency.

Everything we had after that were simply offerings we were given as thanks.

Closing the closet door, I felt a sudden chill along my spine.

Turning around, I was greeted by three ghosts.

"Ah, I suggest stating your intentions before it's too late." I said, confusing them at my unusual response, and or lack thereof.

"We haven't had visitors in ages!" Stated one of them as they floated around.

"We're just itchin' for new friends!" Said the larger one as he laughed.

"Being so ominous in your answer won't do you any favors, I'm afraid..." I said with a sigh as a burst of anemo energy flooded the hallway, Xiao appearing in front of me with his spear raised as the ghosts were sent flying back, much to their surprise.

"Stay back, Lady Hana." He said as he narrowed his eyes at the ghosts.

I paused, looking at the ghosts.

"Now hold on just a moment, Xiao. They have yet to do anything malicious." I said as the three ghosts floated back over in a dizzy manner.

Crossing my arms as I looked at the three of them, I sighed.

"Whoah there, shortie! We were just sayin' Hello!" Said the large ghost as the other two nodded.

"Yeah, yeah! All the people who used to live here got scared of us and ran away!" Explained the shorter ghost, as Xiao kept out his weapon.

"And, we wanted to know who to thank for the fancy new interior!" said the thin ghost.

"Very well then. As long as you refrain from causing harm to anyone here, it should be alright. Right, Xiao?" I said, gently lowering his spear.

"I guess so..." He said as I clapped my hands together.

"Alright then, that makes you three our housemates then, yes?" I said as they nodded.

"In that case, introductions are in order. My name is Hana, and this is my son Xiao."

"Alright

"Hey, what's takin' so long? The short guy vanished, too!" Grim called from the end of the hallway before he took notice of the ghosts.

"G-g-g-ghosts!?" He yelled in fear as His ears flared back.

"Grim, please relax. They're not here to harm us." I said as I went over to said cat-monster, crouching down to his level and drying him off with the towel.