Dreams from the Stars Above

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

ACT TWO ; PART FOUR

NOTE: The divider · • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • · stands for a flashback.

"Indeed, this is the Cleansing Bell. Hmm, it's in good condition. Let's place the perfume we've prepared inside."

"Are also an adeptus?" Kaveh asked Zhongli as Lumine did as she was told.

"An adeptus..." he muttered.

"Suspicious," Ryu hummed. "Nonetheless, we won't pry."

He winked at Zhongli, wordlessly telling him to play along, since no one actually knew the archon's identity.

'Ah, I had forgotten he already knew,' Zhongli thought. 'Quite nice of him to keep my identity. Though, who would suspect me of all people to be the Geo Archon?'

(Whilst chatting with a customer, a certain Wangsheng funeral director sneezed.

"Oops, excuse me!" she said, giggling. "Now, where were we again?")

"Oh yes! That old granny asked us to tell you something," Paimon remembered. "'If you have the time, you can come over for tea. I don't have much to offer, but you can always count on an old lady for a pot of tea.'"

Zhongli chuckled. "That tone does not suit you. Still, her tea pot is indeed very good. There are none better for brewing tea. When a suitable time arrives, I'll bring a spot of fine tea and pay her a visit."

"So, what's the next step in our preparations?" Kaveh asked.

"Hmm... Next, we need to purchase kites," the geo user said.

"Are we getting a break after this?" the blond asked. "Great, I'm a bit thirsty. Also, I think I haven't used a kite since I was a kid..."

"Actually, I read in a book back in Mondstadt that kites can play various symbolic roles in Liyue's rituals," Ryu told him. "I assume this is actually what Zhongli meant."

"Well, if you're thirsty, there's no harm in getting a beverage," Zhongli said to Kaveh. "Let us briefly stop at Wanmin Restaurant."

⋆｡˚ ☁︎ ˚｡⋆｡˚☽˚｡⋆

[ SHOP ]

Purchase Coconut Milk x1 for 50 Mora?
YES  NO

Purchase Coconut Milk x1 for 50 Mora?
[ YES ]  NO

You have received: Coconut Milk x1. 

MESSAGE: Why did you buy this? Oh right, Qiqi. Let me guess, this is part of some experiment you're doing?

REPLY: yup, it is. also, you haven't told me exactly what you are and who you are.

MESSAGE: I took part in creating this holographic terminal alongside some others. We will meet soon, rest assured

REPLY: ...alright. 

『⩇⩇ ⴵ ⩇⩇』

"Kaveh is good at bargaining when he isn't feeling too generous, or he isn't guilt tripped into giving the full amount," Ryu noted.

"Must be 'cause he broke," Azrael said, before laughing.