A Bitter Pill to Swallow || Baizhu [Genshin]

Chapter 1: A Healthy Lifestyle Requires Rest!

Perhaps you were a little too ambitious in this venture...

A last minute decision has left you shivering in a cave in Dragonspine.

Amidst the howling wind bringing frigid air to your chilling bones, you hear the warped sound of the wind hitting the cavern's walls transforming into bygone words spoken by you mere hours ago:

"Don't worry Ma! It'll be great fun I promise! It's like one last expedition before I retire for good!"

Retire my ass, now you're just going to die from hypothermia in this lousy cave with only icicles as witnesses to your existence.

You were a girl of adventure. Always seeking out the thrill that makes your body shiver and your mind go: "Haha, that was close!" You live for the moments where one slip of your foot could've brought a whole new scenario where you wouldn't be so fortunate and still breathing. Something about the adrenaline whenever you encounter an enemy you weren't quite sure you could defeat was exhilarating. And sometimes, that desire for something new and exciting brought you to places you would've otherwise never explored! This was something you treasured greatly whenever it did happen.

Sometimes this curiosity of yours brings fruitful encounters, like when you met Thoma that one day you decided to boat and then swim halfway to Inazuma. (He thought you were a beggar so he treated you to some nice food! So you don't count that encounter as embarrassing) Or that other time where you had a picnic with that weird ginger guy who kept insisting to be called a child. (You don't judge! He paid for all the food after all! Maybe he just clung onto his childhood self, which, in that case, fair enough) And finally that joyous moment where you met now one of your best friends, Xiangling, who bumped into you whilst hunting for ingredients. That's when you both found out you two had a shared love for the discovery of new things.

But then again... other times it leads to this.

You recently heard through the Steambird about the incredible feat done by Lady Furina all the way over in Fontaine, and you had planned to walk all the way to the Hydro nation in order to get a full grasp on this one-of-a-kind situation. But one thing lead to another and now, instead of being in Fontaine's gushed about Aquabus, you're stuck here in a musty, dusty, cold as hell cave.

And once again that voice from the past scolds you. Maybe you should've thought twice before accepting help from those treasure hoarders even if they gave you a few snacks on the way.

You sighed and lamented your pitiful self for a bit longer before getting up again.
Enough was enough, let's make a calculated decision here. At this rate, you could neither get home nor to Fontaine on time before the night falls, so might as well go to the closest city available, which would be Liyue Harbor. That way, you could at least warm up and get some tasty food before heading back. And hey, you might meet that nice child again and he might pay for all your stuff!

Crazy how a few encouraging words can motivate a person so easily.

With a newly set determination, you head out.
To the City of Contracts!

-

A smell unique to the City of Geo greets your nose as soon as you pass by the main bridge. All five of your senses are invaded by both new and old, nostalgic vibes. The city itself hasn't changed much, but you don't remember that merchant closing shop by the docks, nor do you recall all the cats suddenly crawling to you on the bridge. You revel in the knowledge that you are now acquainted enough with Liyue to be able to nitpick such small things as these.

No matter how many times you come here, it never ceases to amaze you. The grandiose sight of Liyue Harbor with all of its ships in docks and mesmerizing roofs overlapping one another is one that you'll love to record in your journal under the form a painting one day. But for now, you settle for another picture taken with your Kamera bought for you by your Ma and Pa on your latest birthday.