Chapter Text
The discussion had gone rather smoothly, Ningguang had thought. Beidou was easy to get along with, and considerate enough to not subject her to Xiangling's cooking experiments. She seemed relatively open to spying on the treasure hoarders as well. Aside from the mission, their conversation had slightly wandered to other topics, which, strangely enough, didn't annoy Ningguang as much as she thought it would.
They had talked about various topics, such as Xiangling's cooking, gemstones, and tales of Rex Lapis, which they both held very dear to their hearts. Beidou is an excellent conversationalist, Ningguang had noted, artfully steering away from the topic of her pirate life, as well as her presence among the people at the docks. She was definitely hiding something, but it wasn't Ningguang's place to pry, especially when she wanted the captain to work for her.
Something had popped up several times during their lovely dinner, and that was Beidou's, she supposes, flirting.
"Your eyes are just like the eyes of Morax; a brilliant gold as shiny as cor lapis."
Really?? Comparing her eyes to that of a god? Ningguang had felt slightly offended at such an ethereal god being compared to a lowly human such as herself. Mostly, though, she was shocked, and very, very flustered. It had come out of nowhere; Ningguang hadn't expected it. It was completely unnecessary in regard to the conversation they were meant to be having, but Ningguang hadn't been able to form any words to object at the time, so she had let it slide as Beidou continued her tales of their beloved archon.
Next, "Your hair reminds me of the pale moonlight that, when striking Noctilucous jade, makes the gem shine like a million stars in a galaxy."
Okay, now Beidou had definitely referenced her eyes looking at Ningguang. She hadn't thought her hair was pretty before- she had always been compared to the old grannies by the dock. Ningguang honestly didn't know how to react.
This continued throughout their dinner, but thankfully halted when they started discussing the treasure hoarder situation again. It gave Ningguang a much-needed reprieve to the onslaught of confusing emotions she had been feeling because of Beidou. At least the captain knew when and when not such flirting was more appropriate.
Everything went fairly normally, until after dinner had ended, outside of Wanmin restaurant. Ningguang had offered another meeting to further discuss the treasure hoarders, and Beidou had called this meeting a 'date', and, and, she had called Ningguang 'princess'!!! Ningguang was still heavily freaking out about that, which was why she was still thinking about it, even though it was undoubtedly well past midnight, and she should be asleep.
She'll deal with this in the morning and continue investigating the pesky treasure hoarders so Beidou would have more information to help.
...
This was the first morning Ningguang had ever been late for work. In the past, even if she had stayed up late, she was always punctual. It was one of Ningguang's biggest pet peeves if people weren't on time, so she avoided it herself as well. Beidou's flirting had really messed her up...
Which is why Ningguang was in the library during her lunchbreak, rather than catching up on the mountains of paperwork that had miraculously stacked all while she was sleeping in. Ningguang was going to find out why Beidou's flirting was affecting her, which had never occurred before. Not the flirting, but it actually affecting Ningguang's wellbeing, was new. She might even find some way to get back at the captain.
Browsing through the books in the romance section of the library, she found a large tome labelled, "Flirting With Liyuans 101". Perfect.
She flicked to the first page, which basically stated that flirting was used to win someone's heart. As if she didn't know that already, but that didn't really explain why she got flustered by Beidou's flirting in particular. Past that, there was a contents page that outlined the four main sections of the book: appearance compliments, sexual compliments, cliché pick-up lines, and Liyue nerds. Liyue nerds???
Considering the fact that this was the only book on flirting in the entirety of the library of Liyue Harbour, there had to be something that she could use to get back at Beidou next time they met. How dare that captain have the power to fluster Ningguang, but Ningguang not have that power in return?
Turning to 'Cliché Pick-up Lines', Ningguang browsed through all of them, in search of the worst one possible. There were some that were okay, but this needed to be perfect, in order to properly fluster Beidou.
Aha! Bingo.
"Are you the sea? Because I get so lost in you." Ningguang mumbled under her breath, grinning. Beidou was a pirate, so not only would this hopefully fluster the captain, it was also a slight jab at her sailing skills. Imagine Beidou getting lost at sea...this was guaranteed to have an effect on the captain.
Quickly taking out the notebook Ningguang always has with her in case of a work emergency, she scrawled down the pick-up line, and began making her way back to work. She still had all that paperwork to get to...That can wait a bit longer. If Ningguang's going to meet Beidou again, she needs to be more prepared in regard to information on the treasure hoarders. Time to go scouting for camps.
...
So, treasure hoarders, huh? Beidou had already noticed an increase in camps closer to the city, but she didn't think it was nearly bad enough for Lady Ningguang to get involved. She supposes that she should just trust the Tianquan's judgement that treasure hoarder numbers were increasing, but she wanted to personally scout out what she was getting into.
This lead to her presence at the docks. Beidou knew a semi-reliable source of information, a person disguised as a fisherman, but was also involved with the treasure hoarders on the side. The captain knew that money was always tight, especially for a measly fisherman, so getting involved with the likes of treasure hoarders was sometimes inevitable. She wasn't one to judge, she was a pirate after all, and in this case, his involvement would prove useful. Hopefully, anyways.
Beidou strode up to Uncle Gao.
"Yo! Uncle Gao!"
Uncle Gao peered upwards, and smiled jovially at the captain, "Ah! Beidou! Long time no see! What brings you here, fish or shrimp?"
Uncle Gao didn't sell shrimp.
"Shrimp, please."
"Of course, follow me, we'll talk somewhere more private."
Uncle Gao scuttled off, and Beidou waited a few moments before following. No need to rouse suspicion from the common folk.
The captain was lead to a hidden bend underneath the main docks, not too far from Wanyou Boutique. It was just out of sight from the scarce amount of shoppers underneath the main docks, which meant that it was perfect for this conversation, and perfect for being able to get her hands on information without being eavesdropped.
Beidou thought on the consequences that being eavesdropped on would have. If it was the millelith, they'd probably duck away and report it to the higher-ups, and would eventually get to Ningguang. Not to big of a deal, unless the soldier is a gossip. If it was a regular Liyue citizen that eavesdropped, however, that could cause a lot of public distress if it was found out that there were more treasure hoarders in the area. It could cause a panic. And, if it was one of Yelan's people that overheard, Yelan would definitely look into it herself and deal with it. It would mean that Beidou didn't have to complete the mission, sure, but it also meant she wouldn't be able to see Ningguang again without it being suspicious.
Lucky it was a quiet spot, then.
Uncle Gao cleared his throat. "What do you want this time, Captain Beidou?"
Beidou focussed her violet gaze on Uncle Gao, "I need information regarding the treasure hoarders."
"Obviously. That's why you came to me, wasn't it? Be more specific."
Well, what should she ask? The captain should definitely ask about the whereabouts of the camp. Maybe ask who she can get close to to successfully infiltrate the treasure hoarder ranks. Wait, no, that'd reveal the mission! Ningguang hadn't specifically said to keep it hush-hush, but it was implied. She thinks. Oooh, she should ask about the treasure hoarders' plans! Wait. Wasn't that the entire point of the mission? If it was that easy, the Tianquan would've already dealt with the problem, which meant Uncle Gao wouldn't know anything.
"Beidou? Are you okay?"
Uncle Gao was frantically waving a hand in front of the captain's face.
"Oh- yes I'm fine, sorry," Beidou let out a little chuckle in embarrassment. She couldn't believe she just zoned out like that. Maybe she wasn't getting enough sleep?
"Do you happen to know where the treasure hoarder camps are located?" She questioned.
"Ah, too lazy to go out and scout yourself, I see? No matter, I'll mark the locations of the camps I know of on this map right here." Uncle Gao pulled out a scroll, presumably the map, and began scribbling with a pen that seemingly appeared out of nowhere. Who just kept maps and pens everywhere? Weird.
"Aha! All done," Uncle Gao re-rolled the map up and passed it to Beidou. "Now, what are you offering in exchange?"
"I can offer some information as well. Equivalent exchange, and all that."
"Of course. Well...there is something that me and the vast majority of the people in Liyue are dying to know."
Beidou had a bad feeling about this.
"...What is it?"
"Are you secretly dating Lady Ningguang?"
Beidou's face morphed into one of shock. She was expecting something bad, maybe a touch personal, but certainly hadn't expected that.
"Uh..."
"Well??" Uncle Gao grinned eagerly. "I'll take your silence as a yes! Congratulations on getting the girl, Captain! We're all so happy for you!"
"Wait! No..." Beidou tried calling out, but Uncle Gao had already made his getaway back to his usual spot, leaving the captain alone. "Oh well. At least I got information."
...
Keqing and Ganyu were working on some paperwork together, in a comfortable silence. They often did this; Ganyu's office was much to close to a loud co-worker, and she couldn't concentrate with all that noise. So, she had practically moved into Keqing's office at this point. Keqing didn't mind.
Someone knocked on the office door.
Keqing grumpily looked up from her paperwork, placing down her calligraphy brush with a bit too much force.
"Come in!"
A messenger struggled to open the heavy wooden door, then stood awkwardly with a scroll in his hands. "Uh- good afternoon Lady Keqing...uh, and, um, Lady Ganyu?"
Ganyu stared at the man for a second more. "Oh! You're one of the people that work in the office next to me!"
Keqing looked over, "The loud ones?"
"No, no, on the other side of me. I think his name is Yade?"
The Yuheng hummed in acknowledgment, then turned back to the messenger, who was looking increasingly frightened by the second. "What message do you have to tell us?"
"Ah, yes, well, you see," Yade? scrambled to unravel the scroll, peering down at the message. "Sorry, I forgot my glasses, but I think it says that, um, Lady Ningguang is going scouting for treasure hoarders. Near Mount Tianheng. And, that, uh...she might notice that it's not a problem?"
"Oh. That could be a problem." Keqing stated. She then turned to face Ganyu. "If Ningguang does notice, that would ruin the whole set-up with Beidou thing. And if we try to somehow get them to meet each other outside of the mission, Ningguang's going to be even more suspicious."
"Well, then," Ganyu scrunched her eyebrows together in deep thought. "If she's already out scouting, there's not much we can do, is there?"
Keqing spoke, "We could get some of the millelith to dress up as treasure hoarders and just get them to run to Mt Tianheng."
"No, Ningguang would mark it on her map to give to Beidou, and would just find out later that it wasn't actually treasure hoarders. Which could make the whole set-up plan backfire if Beidou gets mad at Ningguang for giving her false information."
Keqing groaned. "Why do you have to be right all the time? I guess there's nothing we can do, except hope that Ningguang doesn't notice."
"Yeah."
The silence fell across the room again.
"Can I. Can I leave yet?"
Ganyu looked up, genuinely surprised to see Yade? still there. "Oh, right, thank you for the report, and you may leave, Yade."
"Thank you...and my name's Yame, by the way."
"Oh...oh! Sorry! I'm sorry! I'm such a bad co-worker...not remembering people's names..."
Yame exited the room, only hearing half of Ganyu's profuse apologies.
"All we can do is hope that Ningguang doesn't notice, right?" Ganyu questioned.
"Yeah. Hopefully, she'll be too busy thinking about Beidou to notice."
They resumed their work in peace.