*ugly cries* It’s how I’ve always pictured it when I discovered this place. With you in it.

I’ll make your story so very wholesome. Thank you for coming home at last.

Now let’s cook bamboo soup with Xiao~ (2nd pic was when I did his 1st Story Quest)

To Be Seen

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“So. A consultant,” Stella stated mildly after a period of silence, a gentle breeze brushing back her hair, and rolling clouds made her glance at the horizon. She felt the chill of the stone beneath her contrast with the warmth of her hand – her fingers smoothed over the intricate carvings at its edges.

“That is correct,” came the calm reply, a careful distance away from her left.

Stella hummed. “Is this your true form then?” She specified, minutely looked over at the seated man before looking away.

“I adapt to many forms,” he clarified, voice vibrating in a soothing timbre. “But I am not born from a mortal life.”

I’m almost done with the next chapter of To Be Seen but I am so distracted right now with the 1.5 Story Cutscene someone leaked on FB and ------- omg Zhongli’s full body archon suiiiiit

My eyes are blessed <3 

To Be Seen

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Sweet, bright, and floral – words that encapsulate the enticing smell wafting up from a beautifully carved tea tray, with the decanted water flowing down into its grooves to a catch basin underneath. Two pinming tea cups, already warmed and rinsed – painted in a beautiful array of geometric patterns – are a matched set with the tea pitcher currently pouring the first infusion.

“Your tea, Miss.” A large gloved hand – dark and unassuming, except for the dull shimmer of a large jade ring at its thumb, and a shining topaz gem cut in a sharp diamond at the wrist – pushed the filled drink with practiced ease near a seated figure, whose garbs of soft greens, subtle blues, and hints of black, signify a distant relation to the deceased.

“Thank you,” the figure said, her hand reaching for a cup, her head tilted to the unadorned wall. Though her arms seem relaxed, her shoulders were stiff, while her legs were tucked sideways, like a force of habit. She made a fine picture of poise and sophistication from afar, but perfectly humble in her mourning up close.

The host hummed graciously, savoring his first sip, noting the elegance in her figure despite the rather defensive posture. Hmm. If she remains unmoving, pain shall spread on her lower back.

“This drink is made from an evergreen shrub, which grows abundant at Jueyun Karst,” he began, calm dignity resonating in his voice. “It is said to be a place where the adepti enjoy their seclusion, hence the people's reluctance to disturb it's grounds. As such, these leaves are very rare. Only skilled herb gatherers that inherited the wisdom – and the courage – to traverse these lands are able to obtain them.”

To Be Seen

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...Light. So soft, and sweet. It surrounds me...

...Warmth. Radiant, and gentle. It brushes against my skin...

...Heart. Steady, and loud. It beats beneath my ear...

...Fingers. Unwavering, yet delicate. They caress through my hair...

...Voice...

...What voice?...

...Who?...

「...is closed...port...settled. Go get...」

「Who?」

「...rest...」

「Who are you?」

「...go get some rest.」

Stella reached out, slow and surreal, out to the space, both wide and close. Infinite, yet enclosed. Her thoughts echoed loudly, yet quietly, both near and far.

Where are the shadowed walls? I should not see.

Where is the cold? It should chill my flesh and soul.

Where are the jeers? They should be ringing and malicious.

「Why?」

「...」

「Why do you care?」

「...」

「Please. Who are you?」

「...」

Stella's eyes stuttered open,  gradual and confused, feeling engulfed, but not suffocating; strangely more secure. Her arms tightened instinctly, fingernails digging into strange grooves – did she fall asleep outside? Why is she hugging a tree? Didn't she make it to the village?

To Be Seen

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Qingce Village. A plot of land once dwelt by an enormous, dreaded beast. A great threat, and source of terror for its inhabitants. Dark were the skies, and molten was the earth. Stones quaked and shifted from battles sown, and water turned fog from the heat of conflict.

Many a life perished or fled – those that are able, found refuge in the marshes or by the sea. Those that could not, stayed and endured.

But long has passed those years of misery, Morax reflected, eyes turned soft at the drifting dust under sunlight. Only Mt. Qingce remains, steadfast and true. A preserver of the old and the young, and of the croplands turned abundant. The landscape painted with colors of tranquility, with shades of the quiet.

To this, he could say, was one reason he fought. Why he dared raise great spears against those that oppose him, that question his strength. Why his ambitions for a seat with the Seven was so great.

Why he let his life's blood spill and his flesh torn asunder, all to be used for trade.

All he had sacrificed... so that all may prosper. So those deemed weak but with a passion for life, and a mind that craves understanding may learn, may improve. May become greater than what they thought to be. What they can be.

To Be Seen

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It's almost sunrise. Mei might wake up soon.

Stella let out a short, measured breath, wiping a hand on her skirt to get rid of the excess dust – and slime death, she mused in mild satisfaction – before reaching up to get to the next ledge.

Sudden tremors made her freeze. Her thoughts race at the impossibility of another attack when an ocher column emerged horizontally next to her with a small blast. She sighed.

How could I forget.

To Be Seen

[←Previous]  | Chapter 2 |  [ Next → ]

Stella wiped at her brow, eyes tired but concentrated, unmindful of the sweat running down her back. Her thoughts wandered as she worked, hands stained brown and black from her efforts.

Waking up to a new world, with no idea where to go, and no one to turn to, she felt lost and insecure, more so compared to back home. But in this place, this peaceful, prosperous place, its hard to blend in, to keep attention away from her unusual clothes, or the texture of her hair, compared to the natural, earthy tones of silk, or the shine of sleeked locks.

It's both a wonder and an intimidating place to be.

What could be her purpose here? How could she live?

It's only with an old woman's kindness, and a child's compassionate heart, did she slowly build a life of her own here. A small life. A quiet life. Mostly learning how to work the garden, with curious, vivacious Mei, always by her side.

She knitted her brow, carefully bundling up the shining Glaze Lilies in neat, individual wrappings, with their soil still clinging to the roots.

-{-}-

“Beautiful aren't they, dearie? But don't bother to buy any of these –“

“Hey!”

“Hush, Bolai. I just bought some Sunsettias last week.”

The boss of Wanyue Boutique sighed, whispering, “At least give me a few words of encouragement if you're not buying...”

Gran-gran turned back to her, smile full of humor, but with eyes patient and jaded. “Now, the key to a beautiful bloom, is love in every gesture. Freshly cut ones like these, can only live in the moment. But those you give warmth to every day, will last you a lifetime.”

I... I was kidding when I did the single wish.

And I got Keqing yesterday... on the 10x Standard wish.

Please let my dumb luck hold when the Zhongli banner comes back