《Her close friend, a Yaksha》

Happy New Year!  ☆.•\( ´∀｀)/•.☆

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✧ • * * •  · . °

After getting lost a few times again thanks to (Y/n) and for Aether to finally put his foot down, The trio finally reached the mountain where Cloud Retainer was said to reside on.

"Hey, who put this table here? They've even set it ready for dinner, there's a wine jug and everything..." Paimon pondered as they stood infront of a well made and polished stone table with three stone chairs to complete it. "Ooh, they even have the guest's name carved into the seats! Here sits Retainer...."

Paimon floated around the seats, reading the words engraved on it. Aether and (Y/n) watched her with curiosity. "Here sits Guizhong... Here sits Rex... Maybe Rex is short for Rex Lapis? But Paimon has no idea about Guizhong..."

"Hmmm... Her name sounds familiar..." (Y/n) hummed thinking deeply. "Someone mentioned her name once, I think... I can't remember, though. I wasn't really paying attention at that time."

"Don't think about it too much." Aether assured her. "You'll remember it sooner or later, just don't force yourself."

"Aether is right, (Y/n). Just tell us later when it slips into your thoughts." Paimon smiled at her, before returning to what she was going to say. "Anyways, As for Retainer....Hmmm.. That's it! When Moon Carver was going through the names of his adepti buddies, he said there was one called Cloud Retainer. So this must be where Cloud Retainer and the other adepti have their dinner parties!"

She then giggled. "How about we cook up some extra-special dishes for the adepti? We're sure to get Cloud Retainer's attention that way!"

"Ooh! We're going to cook?" (Y/n) asked her, eagerly. "I think you'll make use of me for this category. I know a few recipes that could probably get Cloud Retainer's attention."

"Wait you can cook?!" Paimon's eyes sparkled at the newly found discovery. "What recipes do you know?!"

"Well... I knew a few mondstadt recipes, mostly since I am in Liyue, I know alot of Liyue style cuisines. My friend Xiangling would often teach me new ones whenever we come see each other." (Y/n) recalled, remembering how she stumbled upon her friend's restaurant after smelling the savory aroma of Xiangling's cooking. After then, she often would eat there whenever she can, much to Xiao's annoyance. Soon, she became a regular, allowing her to meet the chef behind the dishes she ate.

Xiangling was quite bubbly. The first time she met her is her asking if she could cook her companion, Netsu. The anemo user nearly cried when the pyro user tried cooking her little friend for real, Xiangling had to apologize by making the meal free for her. Since then, they became friends. After learning that (Y/n) could barely cook besides Almond Tofu, Xiangling decided to that she will teach her the beauty of cooking, becoming her little assistant in the kitchen.

"Oh! We met Xiangling a while back when we were still in Mondstadt." Paimon said, as she tailed behind the anemo user who was looking for an area to cook. Aether quietly following them. "So what are we making?"

"Hmmm... I recalled another friend of mine says that some adepti like this recipes including himself. Since then I would cook these recipes whenever he would come and have either lunch or dinner with me." (Y/n) said, spotting a cooking pot hanging from a camp fire, before making her way there. "Well rather than a friend, he's more like a father figure for me. He said that adepti love Mora Meat, Matsutake Meat Rolls and Jewelry Soup. "

Opening her satchel, she gently nudge the sleeping pyro slime awake. "Netsu, can you give me a minute? We're going to cook."

The pair watch her with curiosity, the smaller than average pyro slime jumped out, still droopy before shaking itself awake.

"Does Netsu often sleep the whole day?" Aether asked, feeling very curious. He encountered a lot of slimes during his time in Mondstadt, and as far as he knows, pyro slimes weren't as small as two palms together. And this particular one was smaller than any slime he had encountered, ever since he spend time with (Y/n), all the slime did was sleep.

"Well, as you can see, Netsu is smaller than any of it's kind." (Y/n) gestured to the pyro slime, hoping towards the light out camp fire. "It gets tired easily, thus it sleeping alot. But at the same time, Netsu release more fire than any other pyro slime out there. Combine with my anemo vision, we make a pretty good team in battles."

(Y/n) gave the slime an affectionate pat after it succesfully lightened up the fire. Netsu happily let out gurgling noises that resembles the purring of a cat. Now on her palms, (Y/n) and the slime look back at the two with excited glints on their eyes. "Now, we're ready!"

Since Xiangling herself taught (Y/n) how to cook, the dishes she made was quite good. (Y/n) was generous enough to make alot for Aether and Paimon to able to eat, since it was pass lunchtime now.

"Paimon is so full! Aether, we are so lucky to have her around!" Paimon bounched in excitement, almost knocking over the blonde who was balancing to hold the two plate of Mora Meat and Matsutake Meat rolls. He quite the gentleman to not let a girl hold much dishes on her hands. "We won't starve when she's around!"

"Paimon, you'll knock the food off of my hands." Aether sighed, getting a headache.

"She's adorable." (Y/n) smiled, glacing at the floating emergency food as she finished filling up a bowl with Jewerly soup. "Even though, we haven't been together that much, I can already tell that I'm gonna enjoy travelling with the two of you."

"Ofcourse you will! Paimon is the best guide around, you won't feel bored with Paimon!" Paimon cheered.

"Thank you. Having you around, I won't be the only one listening to this emergency food's constant whining whenever she's hungry." Aether smiled clearing ignoring the betrayal look from the said floating companion. Both him and (Y/n) began making their way to the stone table, placing the food offerings there.

"One senses the presence of a Sigil of Permission." A feminine voice echoed from the closed domain that was protected by barrier "One knows not why you have come, though the sincerity of your offering is clear... Hence, you'll be granted an opportunity...."

The barrier disappeared and the voice continued. "Find your way through mine abode, and you shall recieve audience with the adeptus whom you seek."

The trio was silent before looking at each other and nodded. Going into small cave where the realm of the adeptus was and found themselves confused with the mechanics.

✧ • * * •  · . °

The three now stood infront of the crane adeptus Cloud Retainer. The adeptus stood on top of the ruin with calmness and elegance. "One is most impressed. The path that leads through this abode defies those of ordinary abilities."

The white and blue adeptus slowly flew down to their level. Before talking again. "The one before you is the adeptus, Cloud Retainer. Now, speak of the matter which brings you here."

"You're quite pretty!" (Y/n) blurted out before quickly closing her mouth up with both hands, forcefully. The adeptus merely glance at her beforeas soon as Aether spoke up.

"Did you design all those mechanisms?" Aether asked with curiosity hidden in his tone.

"You surmise correctly." Cloud Retainer said her tone brimming with pride. "In fact, even Guizhong and Rex Lapis themselves found one's technological accomplishments to be worthy of commendation."

"This place is huge! And there are so many mechanisms... Do you really have this whole place to yourself?" Paimon asked. "What's it even for? Did you build it as your private mechanism workshop or something? It's just like the stories say. The adepti leave the human worl, find somewhere to go to be a hermit, and then they research and invent all these amazing things..."

"One is simply not partial to the tedium of social interactions, and wished to find some peace and quiet." The adepti responded. "Find it one did... Shortly after which, you arrived bearing your Sigil of Permission. But enough! State the matter which brings you here, at once! You have disturbed the tranquility of this place for long enough."

Aether began explaining the events happened at the harbor. As soon as he did, Cloud Retainer was quiet, proceeding the information that was given.

"Rex Lapis... Assasinated?! How can this be?! Such a heinous crime...Who would dare?" The adeptus was furious, spreading her wings in anger before letting out an animalistic screech. "The notion is so preposterous as to be unbelievable... One shall have to verify the truth of the matter independently... Perhaps one shall quash Liyue first, then convene with the other adepti-"

"Excuse me?!" Aether's golden hues were wide in shock.

"Wait, what?! Did you just say, squash Liyue Habor? Are you seriously gonna wipe out the whole city?!" Paimon exclaimed.

"W-wait a second! Please think about this first before taking actions!" (Y/n) gasped in horror. Afraid of what the soon to be fate that would fall in Liyue.

"Only a response of sufficient magnitude can negate the possibility of further incidents." Cloud Retainer responded.

"Liyue Harbor...No...." (Y/n) glance at her feet in so much sadness and pain. Liyue Harbor had become her second home, where she met great and good people. She didn't want it to disappear from existence. Aether clenched his fists when he saw this.

"Aren't you supposed to protect the people there?" Aether asked, trying to remain calm as he can.

"It is as you say. But if Rex Lapis has indeed been murdered, then Liyue is in great peril. To delay in quashing the threat is to invite further disaster." The white and blue adeptus continues. "It is precisely because one does not wish to see further suffering that exceptional measures are deemed necessary at this exceptional time."

"Yikes! Quick, you gotta think of something! She wants to squash Liyue flat, and it doesn't seems like she's bluffing!" (Y/n)'s eyes began brimming with tears, Paimon panicked at this and began pestering Aether. "No! Paimon doesn't mean to make you cry! Aether, what should we do?!"

"You accepted our offering, that makes this a contract." Aether firmly told the adeptus. Before trying to comfort the anemo user by gently holding her hand. Paimon was comforting her too by allowing the girl to hug her tightly while carrying her.

"Exactly what Paimon was gonna say! We made all that delicious food, and gave every last bit of it to you!" Paimon huffed before leaning her back confortably on  (Y/n) chest. "We were hoping you might help Liyue out... Not wipe Liyue out! Or at least let's... y'know, discuss it first? Can't hurt for you to get a second opinion."

"Contract... A cruel irony that you should appeal to the notion after the merciless murder of the God of Contracts himself." Cloud Retainer scoffed. "The people of Liyue seems quite content to dispense with their contracts. They are quite adept at taking that which is composed of black and white, and turning it gray... Nevertheless... Since you come here in the name of contracts, far be it from one to abandon one's own contractual obligations.

"Least of all when you come bearing a Sigil of Permission... Rex Lapis infused these sigils with adeptal power when he first cast them. That power once aided humans in battle." Cloud Retainer sighed. "Most of the sigil's power has long since worn off... It is but a keepsake now. This keepsake cannot be taken as proof of your trustworthiness. One must investigate the claims that you make independently. This, no doubt, is Moon Carver's very reason for summoning us. Your audience with the adeptus before you is now concluded. Leave at once, and disturbed me no further."

Cloud Retainer began to take off, in which the three finally left her realm up to the last adepti they need to see.

"So... Now we're up to see the Yaksha right?" (Y/n) asked them.

"Yup. The conqueror of demons. I wonder what are they like." Paimon wondered. As they began walking away.

"He can be a little rude, but I can tell you that he's actually really caring despite him not showing it." (Y/n) giggled, remembering the times she annoyed Xiao only for the adeptus giving him the cold shoulder. She wasn't immuned to him at that time so she cried, making the Yaksha awkward until he apologized for his actions.

"Don't worry, I'm sure he'll listen to what you two will say."

✧ • * * •  · . °

(Y/n) slumped in absolute sadness. Xiao didn't bother to hear what her two travelling companions had said. Not only that they got involved with a ghost incident allowing the only chef who makes the best Almond Tofu refuse to cook for them.

"Xiao likes my Almond Tofu too anyways, so why don't I cook instead?" (Y/n) volunteered as soon as they finished talking to Smiley Yanxiao. "So instead while you two wait, why don't you try to find this ghost?"

"Will you be okay down there, though?" Aether asked, clearly worried for her wellbeing. "That's where we saw the ghost was."

"Yeah! Who knows, what if the ghost appear there again and we aren't there?!" Paimon was worried too.

Despite knowing the two for a short time, (Y/n) felt her heart melt at their worry for her. They were good people, (Y/n) took note of that. "I'll be fine, I promise! Now go hunt the ghost for the peace of this inn!"

"Too bad... Chongyun would had like this..." (Y/n) sighed placing a hand on the tassle tied to her vision which was hanging fron her teal headband. The tassle was a gift bought by Xingqiu but was casted by Chongyun, allowing her to be free from the presence of spirits. It was a charm that wards ghosts from going near her which was the reason why the ghost avoided her earlier.

(Y/n) began preparing the ingredients, Almond for the Tofu she was cooking and her specialty dish, an improved version of the mondstadt delicacy, Radish Veggie soup. Xiao often request her to cook the soup while being partnered with Almond Tofu from the moment he first tasted it. She never knew that a simple dish that she experimented on would be one of the only food that Xiao would eat.

The almond tofu was nearly done, (Y/n) began carving the radishes into boat shapes before tossing them into the steaming pot filled with soup. She then added some mint and more tomatoes than usually found in the dish.

"Wow! Paimon think it's smell delicious!" Paimon suddenly floated over her shoulder, startling her. Turning around she saw Aether, making his way down on the last step of the staircase.

"Welcome back! Did you two took care of the ghost problem?" (Y/n) asked them, drying her hands with her cloak.

"Yeah, we manage to stop her from causing anymore disturbance." Aether sighed, feeling exhausted.

"That's good why don't you two take a break? Want some soup?" (Y/n) offered much to Paimon's delight.

As soon as they were done, the three began walking back to the balcony where they last saw the Yaksha with the Almond Tofu and Radish Veggie Soup, along the way, (Y/n) thanked Verr Goldet and Smiley Yanxiao for allowing her to borrow the kitchen.

"You two again." Xiao grunted but his expression changed once he saw (Y/n) behind them. "And you... I knew it was you who helped them come here."

(Y/n) nervously laughed before hiding behind Aether to avoid the Yaksha's glare.

"Wait! Don't go disappearing again." Paimon told Xiao. Aether offering the food, (Y/n) made for him.

"What's this?" Xiao asked, accepting the dishes from the male traveller.

"It's your favorite, Almond Tofu! As well as this lovely young lady's best dish- A Radish Veggie soup!" Paimon said, introducing the dishes.

"But the name I came up is Radish boats on Tomato Sea." (Y/n) told the floating girl, pouting. Clearly Paimon didn't use the name she told her to use.

"This scene... Is familar." Xiao bore a blank expression, staring at the anemo user before shaking his head and began eating.

"Aether! Quick! Tell him everything before he finishes eating!" Paimon pressured Aether to tell the Yaksha everything in which the blonde did with the other adepti.

As soon as he finished, Xiao already ate everything.

"Rex Lapis... How could this be?" Xiao breathy muttered in disbelief, staring at the distance. "I...can't imagine it. Though times have changed, I've never imagined a Liyue without him..."

"Xiao...." (Y/n) stared at the adeptus with sadness. Xiao look alittle helpless despite him trying hard not to show it. As far as she knows, he admire the Geo Archon for the longest time. She couldn't imagine how he feels right now.

"The ruling Qixing... just what role have they played in this?" Xiao sighed before staring at the three. "I will seek Moon Carver, Moutain Shaper and Cloud Retainer. It is time they too made their decisions."

"Will the adepti interrogate the Qixing?" Aether asked.

"Adepti do not turn on their responsibilities." Xiao answered. "I have my reasons to not want to be tainted by the mortal realm, but... responsibilities are responsibilities. Our God is the God of Contracts after all."

"If you avoid mortals what does that make me then?" (Y/n) piped in, pointing herself. "I mean, you allowed me to visit you all these time. You even trained me."

Aether and Paimon stared at the girl in shock. The news of how the vigilant Yaksha trained a mortal, look like they learned anothing thing about their friend.

"You are nothing but a thorn on my side. Quite an annoying one too... I never thought I will hear that you got involved into this mess... Yet, I have been expecting you to cause trouble." Xiao grunted, making (Y/n) sad before hearing what he said next. "But, despite all of that. I find your presence quite pleasant, your the only mortal I kept around my side."

His words brought a bright grin on the girls face that she couldn't help but tackled the Yaksha into a hug, much for Aether and Paimon's suprise, Xiao returned the gesture but more awkwardly. He quietly pat her back, avoiding the two's gazes with his cheeks flushed pink.

"Wait! Paimon still have one question!" Paimon interupted once (Y/n) pulled from the hug. "That... Dusty Ming. She's..."

"While conquering demons, on occasion, you can come across spirits who had never hurt anyone, yet are also not yet able to move on." Xiao cut her off, answering her question. "So I asked the innkeeper and the boss if they could keep her here for a time."

"So really, Wangshu Inn was looking after her! Really keeping a wide range of business going on, huh?" Paimon placed her hands on her waist, satisfied of his answer.

Just as they were about to leave, Xiao stopped (Y/n) by holding her wrist. The anemo user stared at the adeptus, questioningly. Aether and Paimon stopped too.

"Listen, there are times where I won't be there to answer your call." Xiao told her. "Use the skills that you have learned from me. Protect yourself, because I won't be always there to protect you."

The Yaksha then look at Aether and nodded. "Watch over her. Who knows what danger she will place herself in."

(Y/n) stared at the adeptus in disbelief. Aether on the other hand nodded. "I will."

"Very well then. I intrust her into your care." Xiao let go of her wrist before disappearing.

"W-what?! Xiao! I can take care of myself now!" (Y/n) called out to the adeptus that was long gone.

Aether watched with her confusion with a small smile. It was clear that the Yaksha care for her deeply. Different from what Verr Goldet had told him. Xiao was rarely in a good mood but he will be once he get to see (Y/n). That what Aether saw when he first met the Yaksha.

(Y/n) has a truly good friend. Aether seems pretty happy that she's surrounded by good people at the same time he was worried for the bad ones that could potentially harm her.

Aether mentally told Xiao that he didn't have to say it, he already know how vulnerable she could get around strangers who she sees that needed her help. He already had been keeping an eye out for her, for anything that could potentially harm her. After all, The blond already took this as his personal mission from the moment he met her.