Xiao’s Reluctant Respite

Teyvat's wilds stretched under a midday sun—Liam trekked swiftly, two days from Liyue Port, Guiliyuan's ruins fading into Dihuazhou's marshy sprawl—and Wangshu Inn loomed ahead, its stone-and-timber bulk a sentinel on the trade road, "Ningguang's hub—info goldmine," his Sharingan a flicker, Mondstadt's call a steady pull.

The inn buzzed—merchants bartered, their voices a hum beneath the canopy of ancient trees, "Traffic's lifeblood here,"—and a clerk bolted, "Mr. Liam—welcome!" his grin wide, "Private room—top tier?" his eagerness a nod to Liam's cafe fame, Ningguang's network clearly briefed on his arrival.

Liam nodded—"Sure—up we go," his steps light as the "elevator" creaked, a pulley of ropes and wood—and dishes arrived, "Yanxiao's art—damn near Xiangling's," his chopsticks danced, braised pork and bamboo soup a balm, the inn's warmth a pause in his road-worn stride.

Phil Godet leaned—"Mondstadt's a mess," his voice low, "Stormterror's raging—Hilichurls riot, Fatui stir,"—and Liam sipped, "No Traveler yet—hm," his mind a forge, "Chaos—perfect for a branch," the inn's top floor calling, Xiao's presence a ripple in the air he couldn't ignore.

Stairs creaked—Liam ascended, the roof a perch under Dihuazhou's breeze, "Xiao—there,"—and the Yaksha turned, his jade spear glinting, "Footsteps—intruder?" his frown a blade, his solitude a shield, until, "Liam—Dijun's guest," his exit stalled, courtesy a chain he wouldn't break.

Liam waved—"Hey, Xiao—first meet!" his grin a spark, Xiao nodding, "Mr. Liam—greetings,"—and his voice was cool, his delicate frame a mask, "Great Sage—cute facade," Liam mused, second-hand memes of "Mandrill Meow" flashing, "Women's wear—ha!" his chuckle a secret in the wind.

Xiao tilted—"Something—off?" his golden eyes narrowing, "My look—wrong?"—and Liam waved, "Nah—happy thoughts," his dodge a thread, Xiao's blank stare a gem, "Adorable—fans nailed it," his eternal straightness a wall, the Yaksha's karma a shadow he'd soon pierce.

A gift flew—"Catch," Liam tossed, the Sealing Amulet arcing, "For you,"—and Xiao grasped, "A talisman—lightens me," his karma easing, "What—how?!" his shock a crack, millennia of pain dulled, "Dijun couldn't—yet you?" his awe a tide, Liam's grin a balm.

Liam shrugged—"Random loot—fits you," his tone a breeze, "Morax's pal—my duty,"—and Xiao bowed, "Thanks—deeply," his respect a rock, "Not just Dijun's guest—my ally," his solitude breached, the talisman a lifeline, Teyvat's wilds a stage for their quiet pact.

He departed—"Mondstadt—branch time," Liam waved, "Visit Liyue's cafe—Dijun might pop in!"—and Xiao paused, "Internet cafe—hm," his gaze drifting, "Dijun—there?" his duty a chain, the Yaksha's heart a ember, "Leisure—not my realm," his spear a vow, yet curiosity stirred.

Liam trekked—Wangshu's shadow faded, "Two days—halfway," his pack light, "Abyss eyes—watching?"—and the road stretched, Dihuazhou's reeds swaying, "Mondstadt's chaos—my gain," his Sharingan a pulse, the talisman's gift a spark, Xiao's relief a thread in his journey's weave.

Liyue shifted—the cafe dimmed, "Closed—today," its 400 rigs silent, "Hu Tao—why?"—and the hall-master burst in, "Big job—help!" her pyro plea a blaze, "Staff's gone—Zhongli too!" her pout a spark, Tier Harribel nodding, "Rei—go," their aid a lifeline in the LAN's hush.

Action flared—Hu Tao led, "Foreign client—big funeral!" her staff twirling, "Port—now!"—and Rei followed, "Order—assist," her Spear of Longinus gleaming, Tier Harribel locking, "I'll hold—go," their trio a storm, Liyue's streets a stage, melon-eaters groaning, "No games—death!"

A hearse rolled—Hu Tao barked, "Coffin—load it!" her energy a wildfire, "Rei—lift!"—and the EVA pilot hefted, "Task—done," her strength a qilin's echo, "Heavy—no strain," her calm a rock, the client gaping, "She's—inhuman!" their procession a march through Liyue's dusk.

Dialogue sparked—"Rei—faster!" Hu Tao urged, "Time's gold—move!"—and Rei blinked, "Speed—optimal," her reply a breeze, Tier Harribel musing, "Hu Tao—chaos incarnate," her teal gaze tracing, "Cafe—waits," their bond a thread, the funeral a whirlwind of grit and grace.

A subplot twisted—Xiao perched, "Liyue Port—cafe?" his karma lighter, "Dijun—there?"—and he leapt, "Duty—check," his spear a blur, Hilichurls scattering, "Evil—flees," his path bending, the talisman a balm, "Internet—hm," his solitude a wall cracking under new light.

The cafe mourned—melon-eaters wailed, "Closed—why?!" their rigs dark, "Hu Tao—curse her!"—and Tartaglia grinned, "Funeral gig—wild!" his hydro itch flaring, "Next—CS with Ganyu," his dice swapped for guns, the LAN's silence a void, Hu Tao's call a ripple in their play.

Emotion surged—Liam's trek fueled resolve, "Xiao—eased; Mond—next," his Sharingan a flame; Hu Tao's fire wrestled duty, "Job—done!" her hall-master's heart a blaze; Xiao's calm hid wonder, "Cafe—Dijun?"—and Teyvat trembled, their saga a blaze in its wilds and glow.

Xiao landed—Liyue's outskirts, "Port—close," his spear a sentinel, "Talisman—peace,"—and he mused, "Internet cafe—rest?" his karma a shadow, the Yaksha's stride a thread, Hu Tao's chaos a distant echo, Liam's gift a tide shifting his endless watch.

Hu Tao crowed—"Done—perfect!" her client paid, "Rei—star!"—and Rei nodded, "Task—complete," her red eyes steady, Tier Harribel locking, "Cafe—reopens," the LAN's pulse a balm, Liyue's night a forge, their trio a spark in Teyvat's endless dance of duty and play.

Liam grinned—"Wangshu—past; Mond—soon," his road a ribbon, "Abyss—bring it,"—and Xiao watched, "Liyue—shifts," his spear a vow, the cafe's call a whisper, Teyvat's wilds and LAN a dual dawn, their hearts a fire breaking over its boundless sprawl.

***

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