The sky began to turn grim as the sun hid behind the clouds.
Soon, rain poured onto the land. It was a drizzle, but it was a clear sign of heavy rainfall later on. The familiar sound of thunder roared as the wind picked up its pace.
You couldn't help but sigh, letting your hand touch the raindrops that fell. You stood right before the balcony entrance, watching as the storm grew.
"Well, there goes tea time with Yanfei."
Seeing the downpour reminded you of the day you first arrived in Liyue. Or this world in general.
The cuts on your flesh were healing, but they were there. Sometimes on long walks, you can feel the stinging on your thighs. You grew anxious whenever it started to rain in Liyue, especially if you weren't in the inn. You feared Treasure Hoarders would take you again. Or even worse, the Fatui.
Then again, that doesn't seem so bad—
"Nope! Not the time to think about those stupidly attractive Harbingers." You scolded yourself before sighing.
"I'm just grateful Xiao was there to save me that day."
"You called?"
The Adeptus' voice startled you, making you jump. It's not like it was your first time accidentally saying his name in one breath. His arrival out of nowhere was completely unexpected.
"Is something the matter, Y/N?" He asked.
That was...
The first time you heard him say your name.
Suddenly the rain wasn't so loud in your ears, as silence engulfed your senses.
Dear Archons, thank you for this blessing!
"I was lost in thought and accidentally muttered your name... Uh, sorry." You apologized, shaking your hands.
"Hm. What are you still doing here? You mentioned a meeting with Yanfei today, right?"
"There's a storm coming soon. From my observations, I believe that it'll be here by lunch. Besides, I don't wanna be ambushed by Hoarders again." You explain, stepping away from the balcony and into the inn.
"Sometimes I forget you're a scientist in your world," Xiao remarked, making you chuckle.
"Rocket science and physics are my specialties." You boasted. Though, Teyvat most likely doesn't have rocket science as a study. Just thinking about all of it makes you reminiscent of the times you stayed up late just to study for exams or research.
You can't help but miss the stress of it all, just a bit.
"Xiao." You called his name, hoping he hasn't disappeared on you. You wouldn't blame him if he did.
"Hm?"
"Do you know what it's like to feel at home somewhere, but have your heart long to be elsewhere?"
"I... don't have an answer to that." He replied.
"...That's what I feel about being a scientist. I love my study and experiments, but being stuck in a laboratory forever isn't something I enjoy." You confess.
"Sometimes, I wonder if I only became a scientist for my parents. Do I truly love my profession, or do I do it for their legacy? Do I want to become a scientist, or is it my duty as their only child?"
These were thoughts you could never speak to anyone. Even having them in your mind made you feel like an outsider in your own family. In your home world. Being the gifted product of your intelligent parents brought a secure future — but you felt like their shadow rather than their successor.
On the other hand, your questions and self-reflection struck a chord in Xiao's heart. He couldn't help but wonder, does he secretly feel this way, too?
He became an Adeptus due to his loyalty and contract with Rex Lapis. If he was given the choice, would he leave? Or perhaps, is he in too deep now? Was it truly his duty or an unwarranted commitment?
Regardless, he understood what you meant to some extent. He may not comprehend human emotions, but he somehow related to your concerns.
"Ah! Sorry, I suddenly dumped all my feelings onto you. I must have wasted so much of your time. You can go if you want." Your panicked voice cut his train of thought.
"It's fine. And regarding the rain, I can take you to Liyue." Xiao brought up, shocking you.
"Really? You'd do that for me?"
"Walking alone to the city while it rains might draw in danger. I should bring you there. Besides, I have to leave as well."
"Oh, okay then! Let's go."
🍃
Shortly after Xiao dropped you off at the gate, he swiftly disappeared. You didn't mind, he was busy after all.
But you also felt guilty for always talking to him. Your goal was to befriend him, not annoy him. But it seemed you were constantly doing the latter.
You strolled down the streets of the Harbor, searching through the open stalls. Perhaps you could buy Xiao a trinket and leave him alone for a couple of days. It wouldn't be so bad... He could take a break from your constant rambles as well.
Hmm, maybe you can make a short trip to Mondstadt?
So many choices! You guessed this was the perk of being an Adventurer slash wanderer.
You soon reached Third-round Knockout. This was the place characters like Zhongli were always present. It would be plausible that Yanfei would be here as well.
And you were correct!
"Y/N! Here, I saved us a seat inside. Don't want us to get soaked after all!" The legal advisor called. You followed Yanfei inside and marveled at the inside of the restaurant. The game doesn't do it justice.
After ordering food and tea, the two of you sat to enjoy your meals. The food was delicious, as expected.
"I'm sure it was tiring for you to walk to the Chasm and back. Thank you, again!"
"It was alright. My Chasm experience probably wasn't as bad as yours."
Yanfei put down her cup of tea and raised her brow. As soon as she did, you realized what came out of your mouth. You weren't in the quest so how would you know what happened to her?
"How'd you know I was in the Chasm?" Yanfei asked.
Your mouth was left agape.
"Tell me, Y/N, what else do you know? What exactly is your world capable of?
Do you answer honestly? You did with Xiao, why hide it from Yanfei? But then again, there was more reason to be truthful with him.
But THE legal advisor of Liyue as your friend... Doesn't sound so bad, does it?
"While this world has magic, divine gods, and beings, mine doesn't. Instead, we have technology and science. We were able to create a machine that could bring us into different worlds and galaxies, Teyvat unexpectedly being one of them."
"Unexpectedly?"
"Where I'm from, the whole of Teyvat, its history, and its people... They're all from a fictitious story. It isn't real. You are one of the characters in the story. Just like how I could be in other universes."
"This world is real, just not in mine. So, I wasn't supposed to be here in the first place. But, due to an accident, here I am."
Yanfei was absorbing all the information you gave her. Eventually, she snapped her fingers.
"Aha! I'm assuming you know almost everyone in Teyvat, and their backstories. Right?" She looked quite pleased rather than disturbed... Then again, her character was the happiest one out of everyone.
"Uh, yes. Sort of. I also know some events that happened or will happen in Teyvat, but not all of them. Mostly because the story isn't finished yet. I knew you were in the Chasm, but I haven't gone through that storyline yet."
Yanfei smiled and poured you tea, pushing the cup toward you slowly. She was more than intrigued with your story and was more than happy to help you settle into the city.
"My intuition was right, you are interesting."