Chapter Text
IV. Partners
Friendship level: 4
If Keqing could list the things she hated the most, it would be laziness, being overly reliant on a godly being that may smite someone if they ever felt like it, and just plain incompetence.
But if there's one thing she loathed more so than the others, it would be politics.
The constant deception, manipulation, and everything that permanently stained the royal status of being public servants, just something about the taint that comes with the supposed noble title just didn't sit well with her.
And it's precisely the reason why she would rather be back at the harbor carrying heavy crates than to be in this horrid place.
At the moment, she was in the third floor of the Xinyue Kiosk just near the entrance to the Northland Bank, at one of the farthest table, with a folding screen serving as a privacy wall from the others around them.
She was trying her best to enjoy the welcoming reception after the official summit meeting with the rest of the Qixing and along with the other nations ended. It went well of course, she became friendly with the representatives from Monsdtadt, Fontaine and Sumeru, the much needed "reconciliation" with Shneznaya, and the unsurprising absence of Inazuma and Natlan.
Right now, the open upper levels of the restaurant had been rather lively as people from the different nations, the representatives, the journalists, and other important political identies chattered amongst each other.
She had been in a relatively good mood that everything went smooth sailing and that Liyue Harbor was now right on track in restoring its former prosperity even with the absence of their Archon.
But of course, all of it was ruined in a flash when she saw them coming up the lavish stairs, as if they owned the place, and already she felt the annoyance come to surface at the sight of them.
It was then she realized that snobby and elitist nobles had entered her list of people she wanted to electrocute to a fine crisp, they were tolerable before, now they were downright detestable.
They weren't invited to the summit, much less the reception, but she wasn't allowed to drive them off because they too were influencial figures in their respective nations to a large extent, no matter how much they were unneeded to the current concerning matters like Mora no longer being in production after the Geo Archon's death and whatnot, it still irked her on how they felt the need to flaunt their unnecessary presence in an attempt to stay relevant.
Which also meant that she had to bear with some of their scathing remarks.
She didn't like how she was forced to plaster a fake smile while being mocked by her "peers" even when she was in the same vicinity, again, they even made crude and unsavory comments about her, though to her credit, her patience did not easily wear thin, and if she was less than controlled she would've fried their haughty "friends" then and there.
Thankfully she didn't, she knew that if she did, she would have to deal with the consequence of showing hostility, the risk of losing the already shaky ties that currently aid Liyue Harbor to remain the ever economically progressive city at present, and since their dear Archon had passed, she really couldn't do anything about it anyway.
Closing her eyes a bit, she shuddered in disgust as she recalled their words.
"Oh? So this is the famed Yuheng of the Qixing, odd, I expected, more."
"Such a disgrace! That off-putting hairstyle, does she have a perchance to horns, to mascarade as an animal? Like she truly is?"
"A woman whose royal status must be upheld at all times, it's a shame that the esteemed Yuheng herself failed to maintain even a modicum of dignity."
Keqing scowled at her recollection, an evident frown now on her face.
While it was not even directly addressed to her, they were purposely loud enough for her to hear every single one of their acerbic words.
And it absolutely annoyed her to no end.
'I really ought to teach them proper manners by thrusting my blade far up their rear.'
She knew it was uncouth and unrefined of her to think of such a thing, but who could blame her?
Main reason why she hadn't reacted, and even then she wouldn't even if she were the only target, was because it was blatantly obvious that everyone didn't like them as well.
And because she had a patience longer than most, dealing with insufferable individuals with barbaric manners for years on end helped tempered her resilience to such treatment.
She by no means was willing to take such verbal lashing, not when she can help it, she was no masochist, being able to tolerate doesn't equate to her not minding.
It was akin eating slime, a person can get used to the bland and disgusting consistency to fill the urgency of their hunger, but that doesn't mean they're willing to eat it for as long as they're able to, not when there are ways or better selections out there.
It was a terrible analogy, but frankly that was what she could think of at the moment.
Taking a forkful of the Golden Shrimp balls and unelegantly shoving it in her mouth to illustrate her frustration, and to wash away the gross imagery she unconsciously subjected herself with, all she could do was silently grumble.
' The audacity of these so called aristocrats!'
She was left to bite her tongue as she received those distasteful comments, as if she wasn't there!
Fortunately or unfortunately, she wasn't the only one to receive such brash comments, and it only lingered for a bit, but still, it didn't make it any better.
She just hoped that once everything was over, she could finally head back to the yujing terrace and vent, which was in the form of stress working, and once she done with that too, she would go shopping the next day.
Not the most ideal form of coping, but it gets the job done she supposed.
Scanning the area from where she sat, most of the people by now are conversing amongst themselves, having just finished with their meals, meanwhile, she was biding her time as she started eating late because of a long drawn conversation she had with a journalist from Fontaine.
She ought to remember not to get involved with the press, they could really be persistent.
'On a lighter note, at least the food's still warm.'
And as she ate, she watched a rather entertaining scene unfold before her as the same snobbish nobles attempt to be important to the foreign representatives, and failing spectacularly.
"I've heard that the Shogunate has a woman overseeing their military, quite ridiculous if you ask me-"
"Apparently, there's this so called music festival in Fontaine, I for one believe it to be more of a circus than anything substantial, with their loud tasteless music-"
"Rumor has it that the Lesser Lord Kusanali had been involved in-"
The looks on their faces as they attempted to chime in to their conversations, the desperate attempts to squeeze themselves into matters that don't require them, only to be brushed off and outright ignored, it was a sight to behold.
'What comes around goes around, was that how the saying goes?'
A small sense of satisfaction filled her at seeing these same people who were relentlessly mocking her just then be reduced to the nobodies they truly are, everyone in the vicinity avoided them like a plague, as they should.
They could masquerade in their fancy titles and "royal lineage", but it doesn't change the fact that they are irrelevant to pressing matters, it also cemented the fact that despite her clashing ideals with the representatives, at least they were in agreement with something.
And as they quietly stormed down the stairs, away from the fine restaurant with bruised egos, she could practically feel the collective sighs of relief from everyone, making the evening atmosphere pleasant once more.
She may not be superstitious, but she believed it was karma at work.
'Hmph, serves them right.'
That didn't mean however that her earlier annoyance was truly gone.
She grumbled a second time.
'Did he ever have to deal with this?'
She wondered if Rex Lapis ever had to go through the lengthy process of handling with such buffoons, and even if he did, she guessed that having Godly powers and divine authority most likely scared any who dared to oppose him and even the bravest of people wouldn't think twice to ridicule him in his face
Every decision he made were appealed immediately, unlike her and the rest of the Qixing who still had to go through the amount of crap that politics entailed.
When Rex Lapis didn't even need to command nor demand respect, he would just get it, no questions asked, and if one were to question his authority or oppose him with humanly whims that would jeopardize his contracts, he would show them the wrath of the rock.
He was outside the human law's jurisdiction, in fact no one, not even the most powerful organization that existed in Liyue ever challenged his absolute authority.
The Qixing on the other hand, needed to do mental gymnastics, follow the rules of the law, dirty their hands, deal with political enemies, negotiation after negotiation, compromising friendships, all of the "fun" transaction she was sure the geo god didn't have to go through on a daily basis as he only ever directly deals with mortals during his descent.
Keqing may not be directly involved with the headache that is Liyue's laws, but even she would be affected by it when dealing with other people's constant complaints.
She almost wished that they could do the same, just go down the Yujing Terrace only once a year, give out pointers on how the economy will go for the rest of the year, and never to be seen again until their next "descension".
A bad generalization of their Archon's duties and centuries long responsibility, but it wasn't that far off, she mused.
'Well, almost.'
ln hindsight, she didn't like how lazy, disconnected and condescending that kind of approach was, but still, the prospect of having to skip every single formality was starting to sound appealing to her.
Shaking her head to rouse out the ridiculous ideas that floated in her head, her purple eyes then landed to the unique pair sitting across her, and she couldn't help but crack a small smile.
'At least they're enjoying the dinner. '
Watching in amusement as the unique travelling pair gourged down their food in absurd amounts, though it was the small fairy more so than her traveling partner.
She smiled, her bad mood fading away.
It was a stroke of luck really, since her supposed partner reported in sick, she dreaded on going alone at such a important gala.
So imagine her surprise and relief when she saw the traveler passing by the Adventurer's Guild, submitting the last of his commissions, and from there, she took the initiative and invited him to the dinner.
Fortunately again, he accepted without hesitation, especially his small friend who realized she was basically getting free food.
And now here they were, together at a political dinner, making the suffocating atmosphere more tolerable with their positive energy.
Though earlier, she did her utmost best preventing the small fairy from lashing at the noble who made snide comments about her, but other than that, nothing major happened.
The people around them ate at modest amounts and knew the proper table etiquette, while they were mostly eating as if they were in a buffet and nearly forsaken utensils all together, though again the small companion more so than her partner.
The traveler, while he seemed to know the proper etiquette, he still consumed the amount she couldn't fathom was possible, it was impressive, but not as impressive as his companion though.
Keqing suppressed a giggle at their antics.
"Puah~ Paimon likes the taste of these Golden Shrimp balls!" the small fairy blissfully said, finishing the last of the meal after sucking it up like a tornado, "It's not beating your cooking though! It's still the best!" she quickly added.
The traveler seated opposite of her raised a brow at her sudden compliment.
"...You know Paimon, you don't have to butter me up like that, I know you just want my portion."
Eyes widening as if she was caught red handed, the little fairy stammered.
"...W-What do you mean? Paimon's being honest! For real!" she hastily replied, feigning innocence.
The traveler didn't seem convinced and blankly stared at his small companion.
Her vibrant smile and persisting pleading expression as she continued eyeing his meal weren't exactly subtle, coupled with her salivating mouth were obvious indications that she was trying to manipulate him into giving her his food.
Twiddling her index fingers together, to further cement his educated guess, she shyly added.
"B-But if you offered, who would deny the, um, gracious generosity of, um, an esteemed? Yeah esteemed, heroic, handsome traveler! Like uh yourself! Paimon is willing to accept such a selfless undeserving gift!"
Puffing her cheeks for extra effect, she then stared him straight in the eyes.
"..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
Moments passed, and her staring continued.
Aether on the other hand, didn't know how much longer he could take it.
If she kept looking at him like that, complete with teary puppy eyes and a pouty expression, a very dangerous combination, he would find it even more difficult to decline.
Sighing, he relented.
"Okay fine, you can have the rest, I'm not that hungry anyway."
Her face brightened at his admission.
"What?! really?! Thanks! Paimon will never forget this!"
"It's fine, you just need to be quie-"
Instantly she was on his table and took the plate faster than he could even finish his sentence, and then returning to her own side with the same speed.
"Ffanks trafler!" the little emergency food gratefully said, her mouth now stuffed.
Immediately she began chowing down on the food he was half forced to basically give up.
Shaking his head, he chuckled at the sight of her antics.
"Don't talk with your mouth's full."
Rolling his eyes at his companion's ever bottomless appetite, the traveler then patted her head, which he got an annoyed mewl in response.
Sitting back comfortably on his chair as he watched his small friend devour his meal as if it were her last, he watched his small friend in amusement
Seeing all this, Keqing couldn't help but giggle herself.
Her purple eyes twinkling, she placed her eating utensils down and turned to address the traveler.
"I take it that you don't like the food?" she said, her tone subtly teasing.
The traveler shrugged.
"We've already eaten hours ago before we- I mean, I finished all the commissions, and as good as the food is, I don't want to spend mora again later on just because of Paimon's endless pit of an appetite." he told her as he continued to stare at his small companion's unmannered eating, "I mostly spend the mora on our lunch and dinner alone."
Keqing quirked a brow in amusement.
"Oh? So the food bill takes up most of your expenses then?"
Shrugging again as he nodded, he replied, "pretty much, I eat only about twenty percent of what she could on a daily basis."
She chuckled softly.
"Hehe, I see."
"...Yeah."
After that small exchange, they then fell into a comfortable silence as both of them now watched the famed emergency food voraciously consume everything her little hands could get a hold of.
Sparking an idea, Keqing then chimed in.
"Here, I'm not that hungry so you can-"
Just before she could finish her sentence, the small fairy was immediately on her table.
"Weally?! Fhanks!"
With her mouth still full to say anything remotely coherent, Paimon bowed a small quick thanks, which surprisingly didn't spill any half chewed contents from her cheeks given how it was overstuffed, and then grabbed the yuheng's plate with blazing speeds, before finally returning to her table again anf finally resuming her food carnage.
Keqing could only blink at the small fairy's lightning fast reflexes, before giggling.
The traveler himself laughed once more.
As they continued to amusedly spectate the small fairy's hilichurl-like manners, they didn't realize that someone had approached their table.
"Um uh, excuse me?"
Snapping their attention towards the person, the both of them stared at the person in front of them.
"...Yes?"
Unsurprisingly, it was the yuheng who responded first as the traveler seemed very hesitant to do so.
To Keqing, it was understandable, given how much he relied on his small companion to do most of the talking, stating that he wasn't one for actively engaging in conversation, it was an interesting quirk she had that picked up on their time together.
Scanning the person from head to toe, it was a woman who appeared to be in her early twenty's and looked to be taller than herself, wearing a plain white blouse and tight fitting pants, auburn long hair that was braided into a ponytail, with dark brown eyes hidded behind rounded glasses, framing her small pale face, and a beret adorning the top of her head.
And in her hand, was a note pad, and while in the other, a feather pen.
Based on her attire and on how she appeared to be eyeing them, Keqing guessed that she was one of those pesky journalist from Fontaine.
The woman standing by their table seemed unperturbed, and smiled pleasantly at them.
"If you don't mind, can I borrow some of your time? I'm just going to ask you some questions."
Pulling an empty chair from behind her, the woman then placed the chair beside the traveler's empty opposite side, right next to the small fairy who was still too busy ravaging her food to even care that someone had now taken a spot beside her.
Smiling at the two of them courteously, the woman then sat down the chair, her eyes locking onto the traveler's golden ones.
"I'm sorry for the inconvenience, it's only by chance that I ended up here, and luckily, it's proven to be a blessing that in disguise, you see, I'm a journalist from Fontaine."
The yuheng guessed right.
The woman nodded to herself after her introduction, adjusting the glasses that slightly slid down her nose.
"We have a new publication coming in a few weeks called Teyvat Times, and since we're looking for some interesting coverage to feature in our first serial, I was wondering if we could feature some of your numerous exploits as a part of its main content."
Pausing for a bit as her spectacled stare lingered on the blond, her smile grew wider.
"After all, there are multiple accounts of your impressive feats circulating all around Teyvat at the moment, one such example is your first breakout story, of you single handedly defeating the Dragon Stormterror in Mondstadt and driving away the Abyss Order, and now, the defeat of the ancient god Osial, with some small help from the Qixing and the Adepti of course, but still you brought down the jade chamber on the ocean beast and-"
As the woman listed every single one of the traveler's "accomplishments" in such an articulated and rapid manner, Keqing couldn't help but feel that while most of them were true to an extent, the other details that either don't exist or are exaggerated were making the stories far too unrealistic.
And the moment she saw the traveler's exasperated face as he listened to every single one of his supposed heroic acts, it confirmed her suspicions.
'These stories are so blown out of proportion.'
Deadpanning at the woman who continued with the overly dramatized retelling of the events of the traveler's fight with the fatui harbringer and the evil god, Keqing could tell that the woman in front of them seemed to have forgotten her initial goal and was now gushing at the blond hard.
"-in the end he fell by your sword, it was even believed that you didn't even use any elements against the harbringer at all yet you took down one of the strongest amongst their ranks, which is not only impressive but outright impossible even for most seasoned vision holders, yet you still managed to prevail as the victor, I admit it's cool and very much how I expected someone with a consistently amazing track record, also the fact that you were seen using such a dull looking blade as you fought and-"
By now, the woman was clearly rambling.
Seeing as how the traveler got more and more uncomfortable as his "feats" kept being sputtered in front of him with so much coloration and ever growing adoration, the yuheng decided to take matters into her own hands and intervened.
"Ahem, miss, I apologize if I sound rude, but we need to know what you want."
The bespectacled woman then stopped after being called out, and when she realized that she went on a tangent, her face flushed.
"I-I, uh, r-right!"
Straightening her back and pushing her glasses up her nose, an embarrassed blush then dusted her cheeks, and in an attempt to salvage her professional image, she opened a small notebook which she pulled from her pocket.
"R-Right, ahem, pardon my rudeness, so where was I, ah."
Scribbling something on the paper with a fluid motion, her once flushed expression then slowly morphed into a more cordial and professional one.
"Alright, where do I begin, hm..."
She stared at the blond again, making him squirm slightly.
"Is it of any issue if I ask you a set of questions? Don't worry, it's nothing too personal." she asked, her eyes glinting in anticipation.
The traveler on the other, still seemed hesitant, his eyes darting towards his small friend, who was far too occupied with her own musings, his silent plea ignored.
Not everyone, though, luckily for him.
Keqing saw this as an opportunity to join in.
"Yes, as long as it's not too privy or offensive." she interjected calmly, making the traveler look at her in surprise.
The woman hummed absentmindedly at her request.
"Okay, well then, before we start, I'd like to introduce myself first."
She then winked at the traveler, making Keqing roll her eyes.
"My name's Claire, an aspiring journalist who's currently one of the main content writer forTeyvat Times, a newly published newspaper, and I for one, believe that you can help make it a sensation."
The sound of scribbling could be heard once more.
"Now then, let's begin, shall we?"
An Hour later...
"-Thank you once again, traveler, miss Keqing."
Bowing at them, the woman known as Claire prepared to leave their table, her face filled with satisfaction.
"It was rather informative, despite our time cut short, I look forward to be working with you again in the future."
Waving at them, the professional demeanor she had just then became playful as she sent a mischievous wink at the blond traveler.
"Farewell for now, I hope to see you again soon, ta~"
Despite of the auburn haired woman saying it to the both of them, Keqing was certain it was directed mostly at the traveler based on how she was staring at him, again.
And now that the woman was gone, happily skipping away towards the red steps of the restaurant, the yuheng finally relaxed.
She turned to face the blond.
The traveler looked quite calm given his reactions earlier, and his small friend, who he was currently trying to wake up due to her entering in a food coma after she ate too much, as of now, he was back to usual, quiet self.
The kiosk at the moment was slowly clearing out of people, with only less than a dozen left as they retired for the night.
Keqing though, was still reeling from the events prior.
'She was a rather persistent one...'
The questions the woman asked earlier were interesting to say the least, but the yuheng couldn't help the swimming emotions she was currently feeling as she recalled them.
"-Is it true that you're capable of manipulating the elements without a vision?"
In spite of his hesitance, the traveler nodded.
"I see, then does this mean that you can use any element? If so, do you know any other person capable? Like let's say a relative or sibling."
This time, he appeared unwilling to answer.
Keqing then intervened once more.
"I believe it's a bit personal for him, how about you ask something else?"
Nodding, the woman took it in stride and then continued scribbling on her notebook.
Bringing her spectacles up the bridge of her nose, she continued.
"Hm, okay, is it true that you're looking for a sibling? According to reports, your sibling is a female and an identical twin, based on the description of the missing person posters scattered across Mondstadt and Liyue Harbor."
The traveler nodded, though with traces of sadness on his face.
Seeing this, Claire sighed.
"I see, I won't pry about the circumstances surrounding it then."
For that, Keqing was thankful that the woman was at least not insensitive in her questioning, compared to the others who would take any chance they would get to scrape off any kind of information.
The questions so far weren't too intrusive and were very tame, sure there were occasionally prodding ones but for the most part, they were relatively harmless.
It also helps that the auburn haired woman wasn't intently staring at him anymore.
The woman known as Claire wasn't half bad-
"Is it true that you have multiple lovers?"
-Almost immediately, the question caught the both of them off guard.
"Hah?" "...Huh?"
Their mouths dropping, Keqing then glanced at the blond traveler.
Glancing back at her, he also appeared as equally confused.
Trying to salvage her jaw, which she was sure would've fallen to the floor if it were physically possible, the yuheng queried.
"How...How did you come to ask such a question?"
At her flabbergasted reaction, the woman then smiled mischievously.
"Oh? You don't know? According to the members of the Adventurer's Guild, he was on numerous occasions, spotted with different girls coming in to complete commissions with him, or am I wrong?"
Keqing was about to defend him, to wave off that all were just baseless rumors, but then she stopped when she saw that he was looking away, as if he was caught doing something wrong.
'Huh?'
Pointing her purple eyes at the blond, he all of a sudden, looked sheepish.
Scratching the side of his face, he sighed.
"...No, you're not." he admitted, embarrassed.
Hearing his admission, the yuheng's eyes widened.
'Is he for real?'
She didn't want to judge him, as he was nothing but be friendly with her for the time they spent together, but if it were true, that he was actually engaged in multiple relationships with the women he'd met thus far, did that mean that he only befriended her so that he could only eventually start flirting with her? That every friendly gesture he offered was out of lust?
That last thought made her feel disappointed in him.
But in the end, she decided to stay quiet instead of prodding him, she would have to hear his side of the story.
Fortunately, she didn't have to wait.
The blond traveler looked at the woman, a seriousness plastered on his face, something the yuheng had never seen on him.
" You're wrong about one thing though, they're not my lovers, they're my friends." he clarified, his voice becoming a bit louder.
"I admit, most of them are indeed women, and it seems I would have to rectify that in the future by hanging out with my other male friends too," he said, his tone becoming more jokingly sarcastic before turning serious again, "but most of them are strong, if not stronger than me, I at first sought them out because I needed their help, and in return, I would help them."
Pausing, his golden eyes then narrowed.
"But, I will never view them like that nor lead them on, and I will not seek out a relationship they clearly have no intention of getting into with me, nor will I ever dare to play with their feelings." he stressed, this time more passionately.
"I value their friendship and trust above all else, and I will do my best to maintain them, so if the rumors start circulating that I treat them like that, like they're some kind of romantic flings," pausing again, his golden eyes gleamed.
"Then I would gladly prove them wrong."
He finished, his voice slowly returning to his usual soft spoken demeanor by the end, and realizing that he was close to making an outburst, his face flushed in embarrassment.
And then, silence.
"..."
"..."
"..."
"...I see..."
The woman said after some time, her eyes losing its mischievous streak, and in its place, was approval.
Keqing on the other hand, was floored.
'What, what was that?'
Never had she seen the traveler get that riled up, the only time he showed any kind of strong emotion was during battle, when he was pushed to his limits, but even then, he wouldn't be as passionate like he was just then.
And it was because of that the yuheng had gained a renewed sense of respect and even learned another side to him.
Even the auburn haired woman was impressed, that her eyes sparkled as she turned to an empty page of her notebook.
"Okay, in addition to that question, what do you think of the Yuheng? She seems to be close with you, based on how she keeps covering for you throughout this entire interview."
At her enthusiastic inquiry, Keqing became curious.
'Indeed, what do you think of me?'
She knew that he treated her as a friend, but she wanted to know what extent, was she a close friend, or just friends barely above being acquaintances? Was she-
"She's my partner."
At his declaration, the brown haired woman instantly reacted.
"What? "
Her voice nearly reaching the levels of shouting, the people who were chatting amongst each other stopped as they stared at them.
And realizing that she was close to attracting everyone's attention, Claire sat back down.
Fortunately, the crowd went back to their own idle chatter, the woman's initial overreaction all but forgotten.
"Explain."
Her expression turned neutral as the Fontaine journalist ask- no, nearly demanded .
Keqing glanced at the woman intently, analysing her reaction, though ultimately, she decided to face the traveler, because at the given moment, she would have to just be an observer.
She knew that she shouldn't jump to conclusions just yet, she was aware that based on his previous explanation, he didn't insinuate any kind of deeper meaning to what he just said, that they were partners, heck she was certain that he meant it in a very platonic way.
But still, she needed confirmation, because she was trying her very best not to splutter at him.
She was also certain that her face was as red as a tomato with all the wild notions that was currently swimming inside her head.
The blond on the other hand, felt nervous under the sharp gaze of the journalist.
Awkwardly clearing his throat, he began.
"I-It's what I've said, she's my partner."
The woman then stared at him, urging for him to further elaborate.
Left with no choice, the blond continued.
"N-Not in a romantic sense, of course, it's more business-like, she asks for a favor, I help her with that favor, and vice versa, we have this mutual agreement with each other."
Pausing, his nervous expression seemed to ease up as a hesitant smile made its way on his face.
"But, if I were to label it now, I can confidently say, at this point, that we're close friends too, like doing favors is more of a personal choice instead of just being out of obligation."
Hearing him say that they were close, the yuheng flushed.
He too seemed to be as embarrassed as her, his cheeks tainted with a slight blush, but nonetheless, he continued.
"I say that we're partners because up until now, we really don't need anyone else besides the two of us, at least until we require a full party for more difficult occasions in the future that is, but at the moment, we accomplish a lot of things by just our own."
Seeing as they still seemed unsatisfied, he further explained.
"We're partners, Keqing and I, in a sense that we help each other without having to question why we should, because we're friends, and as friends, we always watch out for each other."
Pausing once more, he then looked at his small partner opposite of him, now fell asleep after stuffing her face with so much food.
"Like how I view my traveling partner here, Paimon, Keqing is someone I wouldn't mind being my company throughout the journey, but unfortunately, given her vital role in Liyue Harbor, and my own personal reasons, it's impossible to happen anytime soon, but for now, since we're currently together, we're partners."
Smiling sadly before shrugging it off, he shook his head.
"So, uh, yeah, that's all I can say."
Scratching the back of his neck as he finished awkwardly, he then looked at the women who was paying close attention at him.
The Yuheng was left at loss for words, her face turning a brighter shade of red.
The braided brown haired woman on the other hand, had an even more revered expression as she gawked at the traveler with unrestrained adoration.
" Perfect! Brilliant! Now this is the traveler I've been looking for!"
Shooting off from where she sat, she then leaned on the table, disregarding the empty plates that nearly fell, and tightly clasped his gloved hands in her slender palms without warning.
"I knew those stories were all hyperbole! That you were this cold, heartless and aloof warrior! I'm glad to see that those ridiculous tabloid articles are fake after all!"
Her face nearly a few inches away from his, she grinned at him, causing him to back away.
Keqing, who had been preoccupied just then, snapped to attention the moment she witnessed the brown haired woman invade the traveler's personal space.
"I-I think that's enough miss Claire."
"Oh? I'm still not done though."
"T-That's"-
"-ello? Hello?;Uh, Keqing?"
Owlishly blinking herself out of her daze, her purple eyes connected with worried golden orbs.
She then hurriedly cleared her throat.
"W-Wha- Ah, y-yes, w-what is it traveler?"
Straightening her back, she then turned to address the blond beside her who had brought her out of her reverie.
Smiling at her apologetically, he began.
"I'm just going to bring my little friend here into the teapot realm to sleep for the night, she obviously ate too much during dinner."
Patting the small head of the famed emergency food, who was currently cradled in his folded arms, dozing off with a goofy grin, Aether continued.
"I'll have to, um leave now, so I guess I'll be seeing you later then?
Nodding, she replied , albeit absentmindedly.
"...Yeah, go on ahead, I'll just head back on my own."
Nodding, he stood up from his seat, but not before sending her an apologetic glance.
"About earlier, I'm sorry if I caused some, misunderstandings." he said sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck with his free hand.
Blinking at his show of guilt, she waved him off.
"It's fine."
Stopping for a bit to figure out how to phrase her next words carefully, to not come off as rude or offensive, she said.
"I'm glad to be of help, I'm well aware of your, social um, shortcomings."
Gauging his reaction, Keqing saw his face flush a bit at her words.
"N-Not that it's a bad thing! I-I can truly understand your situation!" she hastily added.
The blond laughed awkwardly.
"I-It's fine, it's my fault for relying on Paimon too much since I'm not the best in conversations," glancing down at his small sleeping companion, his expression brighthened, "but really, I'm sorry for all the trouble, and thank you for sticking up for me back there."
Smiling gently as he ruffled his traveling partner's hair, which he got a whiny mewl in response, he gave her a small courtesy bow.
"Well, I, uh, should be going then, good night, Keqing."
"Y-Yeah, I'll see you tomorrow, good night, t-traveler."
Exchanging their somewhat awkward goodbyes and goodnights, the yuheng watched as the blond began to walk across the now nearly empty restaurant and towards the descending flight of stairs.
And as the traveler slowly disappeared from view, Keqing then leaned on the empty table, her expression thoughtful.
'Partners, huh...'
Her nails tapping on the recently cleaned surface free of the excess food that fell due to one small fairy's clumsy eating, her mind drifted back to what had happened just earlier.
'It's not, bad...'
While the brown haired Fontaine journalist was, quirky to say the least, she was somewhat thankful of her because she managed to learn something new about her blond companion, as embarrassing as it was.
She was thankful for not reacting rashly like the woman did throughout the interview, she didn't want to sour their already stiff relationship, which had been hanging on a thread, so she was glad that she had been in control of her emotions the entire time.
It annoyed her though that she had to know through an interview from a fangirl of all people, she wanted to find out on her own, but alas, it already happened, nothing she could do about it.
Shifting her position slightly that she was basically sprawled on the table, her drooped eyes then observed more people leaving as they descended down the stairs, with her and just a few left behind.
'Partners, huh...'
She repeated in her head, liking the sound of it.
While she may have been too uptight or absorbed in her work, and indeed she was still determined in order to make Liyue Harbor shaped into her ideal vision, but being with the traveler, going on commissions or just exploring different places together with him, as some sort of reprieve from her ambitions, had become more appealing to her.
' I would have to clear up my schedule more often, then.'
She wanted to get to know him more, to go on more adventures with him, and maybe, she would figure out by then why she was so interested in him.
Smiling to herself, all of the negative mood from before with those arrogant nobles had fully vanished as she thought of being with the traveler in his ever continuous adventures in the future.
She then got up from her seat and walked towards the flight of stairs, making her way home to retire for the night.
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She never anticipated that it would be this difficult.
She along with the rest of the council, struggled to defend this person, who every nation in the entirety of Teyvat wanted to incarcerate, worse yet, executed, for their severe crimes against humanity.
Yet she persevered, despite her remaining allies who were hesitant themselves to protect the one responsible, directly or indirectly, for causing such destruction and suffering to every known society, she had been adamant that only the proper justice that was deserved would fall upon them, not vengeance riddled with agendas.
It was after all, one of the many promises that she had made with him, that when everything would go against his only biological family once the centuries long war ended, she would be there to prevent the world from going after them like wolves to sheep.
And while it was proven to be a arduous exercise in finding loopholes in the law, she vowed to continue to not only attain righteous judgement, but to also ensure that his only kin wouldn't suffer anymore than they already had.
It was a nigh impossible task, she admitted despite her headstrong beliefs, but she supposed that she was always up for the challenge.
"Miss Keqing, the proceedings are about to commence, let's go."
The famed legal adviser of Liyue Harbor tiredly informed her, she who was one of the few who had put up with such a rather hefty undertaking, despite knowing that such hurdles only awaited her that was proving to be both taxing physically and mentally, she too however was close to him and also kept tabs on him as to why she was even willing to take on such a responsibility in the first place.
Nodding with renewed determination knowing that she wasn't alone, Keqing then followed after the half adepti.
She was by no means an expert when it comes to the complexities of the law, especially to this magnitude where it's the nations against one person, but she was confident that with enough help and grit, they would eventually emerge victorious or at least be able to reach an agreeable compromise.
Taking a deep breath, she willed her nerves, allowing her muddled thoughts to clear to have a level head, because she believed that she would have plenty of opportunities to ponder all her worries later anyway.
At the moment, he was in a battle of his own, fighting against his tormentors, it was time she focused on hers.
And as the Yuheng of the Liyue Qixing finally steeled her expression before she faced the high court of Fontaine once more, preparing to fight for him for yet another day, her eyes sharpened to full attention.
After all, he would always be there for her when she needed it the most.
She owed him that much.
He helped her with a lot of things she couldn't possibly do on her own, even when he didn't have to be there in her time of need, so of course she would return the favor.
Because t hey were, after all, partners.
Next: Hobbies
Friendship level: 5