"Remember your training Jianyu... the binding of the ropes-"

"The ropes control frenzied emotions. Anger. My... aggression. For aggression should not be expressed but controlled. With this control is my mind clear," he tied one through his left leather bracer. "For the red ropes symbolize unity in mind and spirit."

Jianyu rehearsed as he looped another thick rope, tied into his garment around the waist. He tied the last one through his adjacent bracer. "Unity in mind and spirit comes balance."

He wears these threads now in good faith, more so they feel "safer" if he wore them.

Cloud Retainer nods, "Yes, yes. One is most proud of your mastery."

"Thank you, ma'am," Jianyu softly appreciated.

He treasured her opinions and praise. He never realized how deprived he was to have someone proud of him and to hold someone's trust. It was deeply special to him. Though if they were anyone else he would never admit it. You would surely befall his bad attitude than touch the gentler nature in his heart.

"I have news. You will be accompanying the Guardian Yaksha, Xiao, on his patrol today."

Cloud Retainer could visibly see the displeasure building up, he was about to complain and start whining. She could only duck her beak and wait.

"Xiao... I don't need a babysitter and he would agree. He hates having me follow him!"

"Jian-"

"I see what this is- do the Adepti not trust me? Have I not proven my loyalty? Have I not shown I can patrol on my own?"

Without leaving room for argue. The marionette vents.

"I slow him down. He doesn't say it but I can see it in his eyes and his impatient stance... he won't admit it to my face... I am not worthy of his time."

Opening her wings Cloud Retainer sought his silence.

"Jianyu... you have proven your worth to me and the Adepti many times over for two hundred exchanges of seasons."

"Then-"

Cloud Retainer raised her wing again in gentle silence.

"You would be joyous to know I wasn't the one to assign you."

Jianyu tilted his head, a curious look crossed his violet gaze.

"It was Xiao who asked for you to join him."

Left stunned Jian, numbly opened his mouth to speak maybe even refute for no reason at all.

"H-he, asked for me to join him? All this time he's acted as if my being there was a burden to him."

"Do not take it personally, very rarely will the Guardian Yaksha admit praise of one for good work. Ganyu can be a testament to this. Yet her story is different and cannot be readily compared. But, he is quite impressed with you. No one accompanies him on his patrol. So Jianyu, take this as his way of acknowledgment."

*•°•*

The sun rested low in the sky peeking behind painted clouds as Jianyu walked a few paces, having sojourned to the summit of Mount Hulao. He was grateful to have avoided a certain crane that held a certain ...dislike for him. Having to meet on Mountain Shaper's domain was... a test of his learned ability to curb his sharp tongue and physical expression. In his early time as a trainee -he was more prisoner than student-  Mountain Shaper trapped his feet in amber on different occasions, and the latter finally fell prey to his feelings and retaliated! Pulling the crane's feathers out and being sharp-tongued all the while. His outburst was warranted yes. But as a scrutinized entity under the adepti's gaze... he had little room for error. And his efforts to gain favor with the revered beasts were slim.

His retaliation was risky and one swiftly reprimanded. He was bound by many ropes and confined within Sea Gazer's abode -a long abandoned domain now but not then- for many seasons. It was a time for Jianyu to reflect in his solitude. Yet he was not always alone, the Adeptus Sea Gazer a far worse recluse than Mountain Shaper and a proficient engineer that sought very little the engagement of others would bide his time buried in his work. Even so, the Adeptus was granted a kind spirit in his seclusion.

Sea Gazer freed Jianyu of his restraints saying "What did that old bird do now?" Going so far as to even laugh at Mountain Shaper's pettiness. Adding, "Serves him right, being meanspirited does not reward one with kindness," with a shake of his head, "Don't pay him any mind. He's been that way ever since I could remember him. But do not lower yourself to your aggressor's level again. You would be no better, is that understood?"

A firm nod came from the wayward puppet and he was released.

To Jianyu's astonishment that an Adeptus would be so casual to his glaring misdeeds. He had to ask and was even scared to be seen unbound.

Yet it was simple, Sea Gazer held little concern and rightly answered, "Well, you don't look like a bad young man, lost, but your spirit is not nefarious. You do not wish to prey upon others for your amusement do you, to harm those that cannot match your strength?"

The encompassing gold-pearled gaze of the recluse stared through him. Jianyu lowered his head no. The reminder that that was him a time ago weighed his conscience. For a recluse, Sea Gazer knew well of the outside world.

He voiced, "No, sir."

The Adeptus nods with a hum, "Then it is clear to me you were harshly punished. I'll risk letting you stay here until your time is done."

And that he did while being a stern teacher, sharing with him knowledge, wisdom, and forward-thinking. The two had gotten along very well, Sea Gazer's open-mindedness did not limit him in the presence of an outsider. He welcomed it.

That was until Sea Gazer... disappeared one day and what little peace Jianyu had between himself and Mountain Shaper was also left to waste away. 

As of now, Jianyu was better about himself with Sea Gazer's wisdom. And Mountain Shaper would not acknowledge him nor the decency of a greeting. Leaving Moon Carver -who he found most hospitable of the two- would have to make up for that old bird's brashness.

All the more Jianyu couldn't be more grateful he found grace under the wings of Cloud Retainer and mercy by Rex Lapis.

• • •

Arriving, present at his destination. There an Adeptus waited in tranquil silence and lone fervor.

"Okay... with purpose," Jianyu encouraged.

Walking with his head held higher, he smirked then lost his smirk, smiled then lost his smile. He slowed his pace until it was a crawl the closer he got. Dragging his limbs the closer he got. Again he won't admit this out loud but Xiao... scared him. No, made him anxious. Xiao made him anxious. He fearfully respected the Adeptus having heard of his feats and seen him quell evil spirits with such mercilessness. He respected the Yaksha, as he should. He admired the tenacity one yaksha alone could bear such a burden of karmic debt -he had studied about- and still, perform his lawful acts dutifully and without fail.

Jianyu approached now with great care.

Bowing, "Guardian Yaksha."

"You're here, good," Xiao rose to his feet summoning his spear. Not once turning to see him.

"We patrol the west mountains of Minlin today. We will ensure the censers of Qingyun peak are kept in order left by praying followers."

Jianyu rose, keeping his gaze away set into a tense frown, "Understood."

Turning his cat-like gaze, Xiao frowned wondering why Jianyu kept so far back. They were now considered as equals. Their Prime and Archon, Rex Lapis, has acknowledged him into the forefront defense and so would he. It wasn't his place to add superiority of rank when it matters not on the battlefield or in the eyes of the enemy.  As a sole surviving yaksha he not only protected Liyue but guarded the Archon himself with his life.

He was no master to this subordinate.

Standing in silence as birds chirped and water fell hastily within the ambiance. Xiao made a move to speak; to address this disconnect but ultimately declined. It was also not his business to care for another's insecurity. He was tasked with the protection of a nation. Something so small as this... he was wasting his time. Yet..

"Let's move."

°°°

After ensuring the burning essences and offerings left remained respected. The tranquility of the journey was held in tense silence yet humbled enough to ignore.

The sun hid behind the mountains as night would soon arrive.

Xiao watched as Jianyu lit two sticks of incense per his ritual of adjusting to this life. One would say out of gratitude for the adepti granting him a second chance. Another out of reparation for his grievous transgressions.

Xiao spoke breaking up the silence, "How well are you with your polearm?"

Rising to his feet Jianyu answers, "I am decent-"

"Decent isn't good enough," Xiao narrowed his eyes. This isn't the first time Jianyu downplayed his abilities around him.

"... I am efficient," Jianyu corrects. "Cloud Retainer has taught me well."

"As she would. Be proud of your abilities ...and swordsmanship, that isn't lost on me," the wind-attuned Yaksha would gruff. "Stand with confidence in front of others. Never arrogance."

Was that a compliment?

"I do not compliment. I only state facts in which I observe them," Xiao quickly extinguished that swelling look in Jianyu's eyes to that of mild confusion. As Xiao then turned his back and began to walk. Prompting the puppet to follow suit.

Continuing their talk.

"The ropes do not allow such emotion, Adeptus Xiao," Jianyu adds cautiously.

Xiao hums disproval, "The ropes are a guide. They only do so much. It is you who can choose to indulge those emotions or extinguish them. You are not human, nor are you mortal, the ropes cannot force your compliance unless done so by Rex Lapis himself."

Jianyu looked up shocked, "Why... why tell me all this?" surely this was breaking some kind of code? A secret perhaps? Surely he wasn't supposed to tell Jianyu right? He was the enemy. He was atoning for his unjust actions.

The Guardian yaksha grew increasingly terse, his words taut, "Because you hesitate. I cannot have you hesitate by me in battle. If you are to join me, you must trust in your strengths and be clear of mind. There is no room for hesitation. If you are to fight alongside me, you will be sharp."

—
___

Thank you for reading!

Big lore dump with a taste of my adaptation of Sea Gazer. He is mentioned so briefly in game.  I have some ideas for his character development here and hope to put some life into him. We'll see more of him in the future or should I say the past. Also, the ingame photo of the landscape was captured by me~ there are such beautiful and obscured locations in this game I tell you! Or just standing at a statue of the seven at just the right time can result in one of the most beautiful scenic shots!