Chapter Text
The tales of Liyue are no stranger to Adepti taking human spouses into their arms. While the methods of how it occurs vary depending on the Adeptus themselves, it ends the same; with the Adeptus and their mortal lover remaining together.
You were quite familiar with those tales, seeing as your mother would tell you of the illuminated beasts and their protection of the nation of commerce. But you thought them to be nothing more than fairy tales told by parents to either mystify their starry-eyed children or to frighten them into behaving, lest the Vigilant Yaksha come to punish them. Alas, you couldn't help but daydream about those stories she told you. Your life was rather bland, and while many people would long for your simple life, you wished for something else. Something exciting.
So as you opened up your shop for yet another day of happy children and embarrassed husbands coming to buy the best floral displays mora could buy, you were only slightly shocked to see a large crane outside your window.
It was surely larger than any other crane you've seen in your lifetime, with blue and white plumage that resembles the Liyue sky at high noon. Surely this bird had to be the most ornate and beautiful one you've seen to date. Perhaps it was a rarely seen species that only lived in the mountains of Liyue.
That is until you heard the crane speak.
"Human of flowers, the one before you is known as Cloud Retainer. You are to meet at one's abode at the peak of Mount Aocang within Jueyun Karst for a formal meeting with the Adepti. One shall send a compatriot to assure your journey is stable. Speak your questions, and one shall do her best to answer." The crane— No, Cloud Retainer, spoke formally, peering down at you with unblinking eyes.
You honestly couldn't believe what you were hearing. Why would one of the illuminated Adepti of Liyue be asking for your presence personally ? Have you done something to slight them? Have you done something to anger the Geo Archon? You had to do something about this Adeptus, before she decided that you didn't need to have a personal visit to Jueyun Karst.
"Ah— Wait but a moment! Don't you think that this should be discussed in private-? I don't think that it would be a good idea to speak of such, uhm… Important matters in public-!" You stammered, trying to get the Adeptus to hear you out upon your reasoning. And for a moment she contemplated this inquiry of yours, tilting her head to the side like a curious puppy with a new toy.
"Mm... Very well. One shall enter your home to discuss the perimeters of your visit to Jueyun Karst," Cloud Retainer hummed, kneeling to your eye level. "However one still does not understand why humans do not enjoy the idea of public communication. But one shall indulge nonetheless."
"I'm sorry, I'm going to what ?"
It was the fourth time you had Cloud Retainer repeat what she had just said to you. Or was it the fifth? You had lost count after the first one.
Cloud Retainer sighed, still not used to the absurdity that was the human tendency to overreact. "You are going to be meeting with Rex Lapis, Protector of Liyue, God of Contracts, and Geo Archon. The subject of the discussion is one of you becoming his soon-to-be spouse. One does not comprehend how this is a situation to overreact to." Cloud Retainer states again, watching you as you paced back and forth in your living room like a bored animal.
"I'm overreacting because I never expected to be told I'm going to be getting married to Rex Lapis !" You sighed, rubbing your temples and trying to calm yourself. "Does he even know about this? Was he made aware?" Cloud Retainer nods, watching you intently. You sighed, sitting down on a chair and looking out the window. "Who's this… Supposed compatriot of yours that's supposed to be protecting me on the way there?"
If birds could chuckle, you suppose that the low shrill that came from Cloud Retainer would be that. "The compatriot of oneself is Ganyu, a Qilin of which one has taken care of since her birth. She will protect you on your journey to Jueyun Karst."
The conversation went on, with Cloud Retainer informing you of what to do once Ganyu arrived. And although you did your best to follow along with her instructions, you were still utterly baffled. To say you were relieved when the crane Adeptus left your home and shop would be an understatement.
You sighed, looking out the window still with a look of shock and confusion upon your face. You had no idea what you did to warrant the Geo Archon to want to court you, much less marry you. The only reason that came to mind was your fixing of one of his statues that dotted the landscape of Liyue. It had succumbed to the local plant life, and all you did was clear the vines and bushes away. It was a simple gesture, one anyone who respected the Lord of Geo would have done. That couldn't be enough for Rex Lapis to wish to make you his betrothed though, right? So what could be the meaning behind all of this?
With a sigh, you closed your shop for the day, too tired and drained to keep it open much longer. Worrying about this subject all day and night will not be good for business, you decided. Perhaps tomorrow will bring a clearer mind.
"Excuse me! It's time to wake up!"
You groaned, turning over and gazing out the window of your bedroom groggily. It's still dark out, with no one in the streets and the lights of Liyue Harbor shut off. The only person who could be waking you up at this ungodly hour in the wee hours of the morning would have to be…
In the corner of your eye, you could see pale blue tufts of hair poking out. Lavender eyes stared back at your own with curiosity, but also a veil of urgency. So this must be the compatriot Cloud Retainer must have talked about yesterday. With a groggy sigh, you sat up in your bed, turning towards the young Qilin. "Is it time already? I thought it would be later…" You sighed, rubbing your eyes. Ganyu shook her head, sitting down next to you on the bed. "I did too, but Cloud Retainer says that we needed to push the meeting up a bit. Although I'm sure you could get some rest on the way there! You won't be walking, so it would be a perfect opportunity." Wait, what? What did she mean by that? The entire trip to Jueyun Karst would be on foot with some small exceptions, so why would Ganyu say that—
Your questions were answered when you saw the enormous deer awaiting outside your window. Its horns were massive, with the look of a regal king upon its stoic face. Were you really going to ride on its back all the way to Cloud Retainer‘s abode?
“This is Moon Carver, he’ll be taking you to Cloud Retainer so that you may rest one the way there,” Ganyu hummed, gathering some of your clothes and belongings as she talked. “Trust me, despite the permanent frown, he really is quite nice! I’m sure that you two will get along swimmingly.” Too stunned by the other Adepti’s presence to speak, you simply nodded and got up to wash off the grime from your body. While you bathed, your mind ran rampant with thoughts about what could happen once you finally met with Rex Lapis. What would he look like? His most common form is a dragon, but even then it leaves one to wonder if he could take on any other form…
What use did thinking about that do now? You had to get ready.
With a heavy sigh you dried yourself off, grabbing any pieces of clothing Ganyu didn’t pack and dressed quickly, making yourself look somewhat presentable and hurrying out the door. “Hello, Bride of Morax. The one before you is known as Moon Carver, as Ganyu has told you. One is eager to see your relationship blossom with Rex Lapis. We should be heading off now, the sun is set to rise soon.” The Adeptus before you spoke, bowing his head slightly and ushering for you to get on his back, which required a little bit of assistance from Ganyu.
With the sun starting to peak and the early morning lights of Liyue Harbor starting to rise, you and your traveling party were already making haste towards Jueyun Karst, leaving you once again with more moments of sleep.