-ANOTHER FEW HOURS LATER, UNKNOWN-

.

.

.

The silence was lethal. That was the last time you two spoke to one other. It's been hours since the last time any of you spoke. 

Thoma

"... Liyue?..."

How did we end up here without travelling by boat?...

He said, just under his breath.

You

"..."

"What is a Liyue?..."

Thoma, surprised that you had finally spoken a word to him, was more than glad to answer your question.

Thoma

"Well, uh... You don't know what Liyue is?"

You

"No. I've never been outside of Inazuma. Is it this place?"

Thoma

"Yes. It is this place."

You

"Okay."

"Let's go then."

You examined your surroundings, giving them a close look. You made the decision to walk in the direction of a nearby harbour after seeing it.

Thoma

"Y/N, wait."

You

"What now?"

You complained.

Thoma

"Won't they know who you are? Your face is on tons of bounty sheets. Tons of billboards."

"I think it would be safer to keep away from people for now."

"Then again, you're the most wanted criminal in all of Teyvat."

You

"... Fine then."

Thoma

At this rate, we're never going to find this gem...

"Y/N, about earlier-"

You

"I don't wanna hear it."

Thoma

"... Okay then."

At that moment, you noticed a figure — more on the shorter side, sitting still on the edge of a cliff.

You

"..."

Thoma

"Here. How about I go up to him and ask him a few directions?... Maybe if he's seen a cave anywhere?"

You

"I don't need you to talk for me."

Thoma

"Well... Considering that he'll probably freak out when he sees your face, you do need me to talk for you."

You

"Fuck you."

Thoma

"You're welcome!"

You watched Thoma jog up to the man at the very edge of the cliff, and you stayed put beneath a tree from a distance.

Thoma

"Excuse me!"

???

*Gasp*

The sound of Thoma's screams made the man jump a little.

Thoma

"Sorry... I didn't mean to scare you."

???

"..."

Thoma

"... Hey! Don't I know you?"

???

"Get out of my face."

Thoma

"Wait!- No! Don't do the thingy-"

And just like that, he was gone, vanishing in thin air. A small trail of greenish and black smoke followed after him, and then shortly disappeared.

Thoma

"Shit."

You simply smiled as Thoma went back to you, dejected. 

You

"So, how'd it go?"

You asked, pretending to be oblivious.

Thoma

"Haha."

He sarcastically laughed. 

Thoma

"It was that uh... Wangshuu Inn guy. The short one?"

"I can't remember his name... I've only heard the Traveler mention him once or twice."

You

"... Xiao?"

At that moment, you felt someone forcefully grasp your neck from behind, feeling the tip of a polearm threaten to stab you through the chin. 

Xiao

"What is filth like them doing, taking foot in Liyue?"

"Explain, Mondstadt boy!"

Thoma

"I have a name!"

Xiao

"... Are you associated with this one?"

It seems as though he poked the polearm into your chin just a little bit, using it as a pointer. Your chin started to bleed, sending drops of blood down your neck.

Thoma

"No, but yes!"

Xiao

"Stick to an answer! Don't lie!"

 Thoma

"Hey! How about we just settle down-"

Xiao

"Shut it!"

"Explain, or else it's going right through their skull."

You

"It's so nice to see you again."

You said, sarcastically. 

Your jaw was moving back and forth as you were speaking, so the polearm might as well have pierced your tongue.

HOORAAAYYY FREE TONGUE PIERCING SAY NO MORE!!!

Thoma

"Y/N! Stop talking, it's just making things with your chin worse!"

Xiao

"What are you doing here..."

"And why is he working with you?!"

You

"I-"

Thoma

"Stop it! Stop talking!"

You

"I can't even feel anything, Thoma! Stop freaking the fuck out! God!"

Xiao

"I don't fucking care who it is; one of you better start speaking now!"

Thoma

"Okay! Okay!"

"Just... Put the polearm down."

"Stop hurting them."

Xiao

"... Seriously?"

Thoma

"Yes, seriously."

You

"If you're trying to make up for what happened earlier, it's not working! :3"

Thoma

"For the love of- Stop fucking talking, Y/N! And I'm not making up for shit; I just need you alive so I can get my fucking bracelet back!" 

You

"Oh, yeah. Your sugar daddy bracelet."

Thoma

"I-" *Sigh* "I don't even- Want to deal with you right now."

Xiao

"Hmph."

After removing his polearm from you, Xiao flung you onto the grass. You spit out a pail of blood after falling.

Thoma rushed to you to help you up.

You

"Don't fucking touch me, twink."

In the corner of your eye, you almost saw Xiao giggle.

Xiao

"Talk." 

Thoma

"I made a deal with them."

Xiao

"... About?"

Thoma

"I broke their necklace."

Xiao

"Oh for fuck's sake- The shitty one your mother gave you?!"

You

"Kill yourself."

Xiao

"Sure."

Thoma

"Hm..."

"You two know each other?"

Xiao

"Unfortunately."

"Continue."

Thoma

"... Anyways,"

"I broke their necklace. They stole my bracelet-"

You

"Sugar daddy bracelet!"

Thoma

"Ahem."

He exaggeratedly cleared his throat. 

Thoma

"And... If I found this... Gem or whatever, I'd get my bracelet back."

"And they would spare my life."

Xiao

"Wow."

"So basically, if you give up on finding the gem, you choose death."

Thoma

"Mhm."

"Back there, I was just going to ask you if you've seen any nearby caves."

Xiao

"That gem's said to be in the depths of Inazuma. Why are you here?"

Thoma

"Ask the smart one."

You

"Uh... We went into a cave in Inazuma, and it led us here."

"Honestly, I don't even know where we are! Hah!"

"Anyways, do you have any food?"

Xiao

"Like I'd share with the likes of you."

You

"Come on... During the Archon War, I always gave you my food, no matter what!"

.

.

.

"... After I found out you ate snow."

.

.

.

"... And with the knowledge that you still do."

Xiao

"... I only took your food because I knew that you didn't actually need it."

You

"Why am I the only immortal being in all of Teyvat that doesn't need food?! Every other immortal being, for some reason, always has to eat food. Or has a favourite food."

Xiao

"Aside from all that, I have no leads for your gem."

Thoma

"... Are you going to tell the police department on us?"

Xiao

"What is this, kindergarten?"

"I don't have the time to take care of stuff like this."

"I don't want Y/N's bounty either."

"And, I don't want you getting in trouble for... This one's doing."

Xiao said, giving you a dirty look and swiping you with his polearm. 

You

"Can't you see I'm already bleeding out enough?!"

Xiao

"Oh, shut up. You won't perish."

And with that, he turned to leave. 

You

"Fuck..."

Observing your obscenely deep cut, you saw blood gushing out of your arm.

You

"That fucker."

Thoma

"I brought bandages. Here-"

You

"Don't fucking touch me."

Thoma

"What is up with you?! I'm trying to help you, Y/N!"

You

"I don't need your help!" 

Thoma

"You're profusely bleeding quite literally everywhere! Did your 'smart self' bring bandages for yourself?! Huh?!"

You

"No, because I don't think I need any!"

Thoma

"Come here!"

He attempted to stop the bleeding by forcefully applying the bandages to your arm and chin, but you struck him in the face, knocking him to the ground.

You just stared at him, stunned.

.

.

.

You didn't mean to.