Chapter Text
On the tip of a towering pillar in Jueyun Karst, an avian figure stretched their neck towards the sky, sensing a feeling of anticipation ready to spring upon the lands of Liyue. What this feeling entailed, though, Cloud Retainer wasn't quite sure of yet.
And then, it hit. A voice in the calm, inaudible to human ears and nosy listeners, made its way to Cloud Retainer through the wind. Madame Ping's voice reverberated through the Adepti Intercommunication Line, announcing the soon-to-be union of Liyue Qixing's Tianquan and the renowned Captain of the Crux Fleet.
It was silent for two beats. An eagle flapped by, blissfully unaware of the world.
Then the winds picked up and swirled the bird off course, strangling a surprised screech out of the bird, but that screech was nothing compared to the racket that had just exploded into the communication line.
Ah, Cloud Retainer looked to the skies. A contract between two of the strongest human defenders of Liyue. One absolutely must get involved.
And with that, the first guest of the wedding invited themselves prematurely.
For context, back in Liyue Harbor, at the Yuehai Pavilion, over a table in a private room, Madame Ping sat across the Tianquan, Ningguang. Each held a cup of cooling tea in their hands, but none drank. Instead, Ningguang gave a concerned look towards Madame Ping's dazed-off expression that lasted for five seconds.
She had just consulted Madame Ping for advice in marrying someone very special to her, along with her blessing. Upon hearing that, Madame Ping froze and a blank look crossed her face.
What does this mean? Ningguang wasn't sure what to make of this expression. Is she homophobic? Did she just get a stroke?
Ningguang decided she was tired of waiting for the unresponsive lady to respond and hummed impatiently to get her attention. Madame Ping jolted back, a large smile etched on her face. Ningguang felt cold sweat beading up her spine.
"Lady Ningguang, this old lady is simply honored to be the very first person you've indulged in. You have my blessings and so much more."
Madame Ping paused to take a sip of tea. Ningguang mimicked her actions.
"As for the wedding ceremony itself, you need not worry. I have only the best planners in Liyue, who are well-versed in tradition and contracts, ready at your hand."
Ningguang blanched. "That's not necessary, I haven’t even propo—"
"Oh, but it simply is! Lady Ningguang, your wedding will shock Liyue to its core. It will be a union truly befitting the archons!" Madame Ping grasped Ningguang's hands in hers, shaking them with a gusto full of promise.
Ningguang paled further.
Beidou, blissfully ignorant to all the horrors of the world, stood at the bow of the Alcor, one of the many ships in her fleet. It felt like a good day today when she woke up, and she was ready to find out why. The smell of salt water stung her nose as she breathed in deeply but she had long gotten used to it. Beneath her, Juza, the Chief Mate of the Alcor shouted orders to the many crewmates weaving through one another.
The pirate captain could never get tired of this. The ocean was her home and the very thing that brought her crew together. No matter what monsters it throws at her, she'd always return to embrace it.
Then, all of a sudden, the wind shifted, the clouds darkened and the Alcor teetered to the side, mast bowing dangerously low, and a giant swirling terror, one that the people of Liyue all swore to never see again, rose up to its full height right next to the Alcor.
I fucking hate the ocean. Beidou thought bitterly, as she manifested her trusty claymore to her hand. "Everybody on deck!" She commanded her crew to prepare for battle. The power of Electro thrummed through her own veins as her sword started glowing a bright purple hue.
But before Osial could even let out a single cry, or Beidou could lose another eye, a hurtling meteor came down and conked the God of the Vortex straight on the back of its head. Osial went down with a whimper. The winds returned to calm normalcy.
The ship swayed dangerously, still recovering from the splash that rocked them back and forth. Beidou and her crew looked around confusedly, wondering who or what could've just rescued them from imminent disaster. Suspicious murmurs spread across the ship.
On top of a mountainous pillar in the Guyun Stone Forest, the Alcor could be seen wavering among the rippling waves. A tall man with red-rimmed golden eyes watched over the ship carefully, before turning to the sky with a self-satisfied smile. No one will be losing their rights to their lifelong contract, not while he's around. The man gave himself a metaphorical pat on the back. Once again, Rex Lapis saves Liyue from the homophobic God of the Vortex.
The wedding preparations seemed to be going smoothly so far.