The Banquet

Tani Haru was astonished. “Is that how you established those trade routes?”

“It wasn’t some huge thing,” said Kaeya.

He was being way too nonchalant. It seemed like that saying was true - once the mora started to roll in, it would never stop. How much was Kaeya in for now, with the gifts and the positions they’d offered..? The rich just got richer…

Tani Haru wished that he’d killed the Chalk Prince, but felt immediately guilty. If anything, he should be motivated by revenge. Poor Eike was dead, and he was thinking of affording rent…

It was probably better that it wasn’t Tani Haru, anyways. The Chalk Prince must be cursed because most people just went about their day after killing demons. Kaeya had been ranting one moment, giving toasts the next… then there was that thing where he got engaged.

It was probably good that he’d turned straight. But to marry that woman, out of everyone… Tani Haru hoped that the engagement would break off quickly.

Tani Haru said, “When you continue, please cut out the unnecessary details.” It seemed like Kaeya didn’t know what a point was. He’d spent most of the time rambling about ‘mouthfeel’ and ‘fruity undertones’ instead of explaining what happened. “The body went missing… and rather than having it burned, they insist on keeping it. I tried to ask Liu Daiyu, but she’s been avoiding me.”

“Why are you threatening me with Liu Daiyu if you can’t even find her?”

“Maybe she’s taking a break. I heard she was seen in a few bars.”

That voice was neither Kaeya’s nor Tani Haru’s. They both turned towards it, Tani Haru’s brows shooting up.

"It’s not polite to eavesdrop, you know.”

“I was here the whole time.” Tobias gave them confused looks. “I was even adding to the conversation.”

Tani Haru was speechless. He made eye contact with Kaeya, who was trying very hard not to laugh.

“Don’t blame Master Haru… some things are just easier to forget.”

Tani Haru said quickly, “I wouldn’t want to forget your face.”

Tobias was also speechless… “Who said anything about my face?"

Kaeya couldn’t stop from laughing that time. Tani Haru resisted the urge to punch him in his stupid eyepatch.

Tobias sighed. “Regardless of the reason, it’s pretty insensitive to just forget I’m here. Master Kaeya was all delirious, drinking booze like it was water…. I had to follow him all the way up here, in case… you know.”

Kaeya shrugged. “You people worry too much. In Mondstadt, no one’s died from having a good time. Most knights drink every day after work.”

“That’s exactly what I’m worried about!! Even with that lifestyle, you shouldn’t wobble at a gust of wind! You would have fallen without me, and you actually did! You fell over so many times! And you would just lie on the ground, like that’s suddenly an okay thing to do! It’s your fault we’re both covered in mud!"

Kaeya shrugged. “You look about the same.”

Tobias looked incredibly offended. Before he could say anything, Tani Haru tried to get the conversation back on track. “This is sensitive information. You shouldn’t be here for this.”

“Information,” said Tobias. “What information? Master Kaeya’s lectures on wine tasting? I won’t get in trouble for that. Besides… I must’ve drank a lot that night, because I can’t remember a thing. Maybe this will jog my memory.”

Tani Haru looked guiltily at Kaeya, who looked like he wanted to laugh again. “I’ll pick up where Master Sucrose got dragged in.” He smirked and said, “Master Haru had also come back from the beach.”

Sucrose was being hauled inside the Hall by her assistants. She stopped, pulling herself free before anyone could see the undignified sight.

“I should get back to the experiment…”

“You need to eat something.” said the male assistant.

“What if someone knocks something over…? Or an experiment is ruined, or Master Hyeok deviates…”

“He’ll be fine!” said the female assistant. “His qi extract can wait. He’ll make sure nothing happens, and that stylist girl is there in case of emergency.”

Sucrose didn’t look convinced.

“No food, no work,” threatened the male assistant.

Sucrose sighed. "We can't stay long."

At the main table, there were three out of five masters present.

Liu Daiyu looked tired, but she was talking animatedly. The people near her had strained smiles, leaning away as she gestured at a cup of water. Her plate was full of bitter, traditional foods.

Across from her was Luc Fevre, the new master from Fontaine. He sat next to Blanche, eating warm and hearty dishes. He didn’t pay attention to anyone but the former master, looking happy despite her stern expression.

The only one who paid attention was Amira, who smiled wanly as she picked at a bowl of sweet yogurt. “Master Sucrose… please take a seat.”

Sucrose was pushed into an empty seat, the female assistant patting her shoulder encouragingly.

“We’ll look around and make sure everything is okay.” She pointed out a table of food. “Look how uneven the plates are... We should inspect that right away.”

She took the male assistant’s hand, and they both ran off together.

“The sect these days…”

Tani Haru had appeared out of nowhere to judge them.

Amira threw down her spoon. “What are you complaining about now? I wonder if you actually fought the demon, or spent the whole time talking.”

“The demon was dealt with,” he said stiffly.

“Clearly.”

Amira reached towards Tani Haru’s hair, but he grabbed her wrist abruptly. Amira raised a brow.

“Do you mind?"

He slowly released her, and she plucked a fish scale from behind his ear.

“How messy,” she said. The demon must have been big – its scale was almost the size of her palm. “Any casualties?”

Tani Haru shook his head. “I’ll take reinforcements to the village, but we need an array to get there.”

Amira turned the scale from side to side, letting it catch the light. “That won't be necessary.”

“You can’t be serious.”

Amira shrugged slightly. “Take it up with Master Rhinedottir.”

Tani Haru looked upset, but they were both distracted as a crash rang out outside. The Hall’s walls shook, and faint screams could be heard in the distance.

“…”

“…”

“…”

No one knew what to say. It was a big day, and not everyone wanted the conflict over. But by this point, it was becoming ridiculous. How many disasters could happen in one night?

Amira looked around, but no one would meet her eyes. Many of them had fought, and gotten soaked or injured for their efforts! They were honoured guests, not soldiers. It was just too much to ask for.

Meanwhile, Liu Daiyu was more than eager to help – she had already summoned her bow, bursting from her seat. She didn’t even ask for Amira’s approval before running out the door.

Tani Haru said loudly, “I will also fight it!”

His lack of volume control was truly concerning. Before he could say something about Liu Daiyu’s bad manners - just running off like that, really - Amira shot him a look, reminding him to keep his own.

“Is she a permanent master?” asked a younger guest. “Liyue is such a lovely place… maybe she can transfer back there?”

A red-faced noble grumbled over his cup. “Warm water this, hot water this. I thought she’d never shut up.”

“She boiled my Fonta,” said Luc. “She didn’t even ask.”

Amira cleared her throat. “We should check on the situation. Please enjoy the Banquet, everyone.”

Before Tani Haru could object, she took off for the doors. Tani Haru was taking longer than usual - she had to wait by the doors, counting the seconds until they could close between them and the crowd.

She said accusingly, “You’re limping again.”

“No, I wasn’t,” said Tani Haru. “Have your eyes checked.”

His face was a bit red. And his voice – it was too loud again!

“I can’t believe this… you left the sect to day-drink?”

“The sun went down,” said Tani Haru. “It’s night-drinking.”

He slapped her hand away as she began patting him down. “Do not grope me.”

“With all the mora Tobias spends on those stupid salves… just give me one sip, and I’ll refrain from sending you a bill.”

Tani Haru begrudgingly summoned her a bottle, which she began to gulp down.

“Hey! Don’t drink all of it!”

They wrestled over the bottle, but ended up splitting it evenly.

“This isn’t too strong, is it…?”

“I don’t know.” Tani Haru looked like he wanted to frown, but ended up smiling.

There were still crashing noises, much closer now that they were outside.

Tani Haru said, “We should help Liu Daiyu.”

He looked over - caught her staring, and his face became a little redder.

“She can take care of herself.”

At the masters’ table, Nan Seok carefully set down his tea. “I hope Master Hyeok is staying calm. With all the commotion, and how unstable his circulation is…”

Sucrose stood straight up, causing her food to go everywhere. “His medicine… I need to go! Right now!”

“Master Sucrose… please sit.” Nan Seok smiled at her. “I didn’t mean to alarm you. I meant to visit my old teacher anyways."

“Is that… a good idea..?”

Nan Seok’s smile was suddenly very cold. “I’m sure I’d know.”

Across the hall, Kaeya shoved the scholar playfully.

“Don’t be so uptight! A brother-in-law should be able to keep up.”

The scholar set down his cup. “I’m alright. Maybe you could slow down, though…”

“It’s a party. We have to celebrate.”

The woman next to him smiled in agreement. “A proposal isn’t some everyday thing.”

The scholar sighed, his gaze darting towards the door. “Do you think Amira is alright?”

“Of course she is. She’s just jealous.”

“Master Seok!”

The guards at the laboratory were clutching their weapons, staring out at the source of the commotion.

“Master Daiyu is fighting by herself. You should go assist her.”

They hesitated for only a moment before rushing off. Nan Seok smiled slightly – he’d made a good reputation for himself.

It seemed like that nervous woman had not finished her experiments. There were bubbling liquids in pots, old papers and books left carelessly nearby.

One was left open, to a page about the king with golden blood. Nan Seok remembered the stories his father told him. That was why he’d left, hadn’t he? That once in a lifetime opportunity… a relic found in Inazuma.

He resisted the urge to summon his fan. Even with his eyes covered, Seol Hyeok could tell when a weapon was drawn.

He flipped carelessly through the book. There were small titles over each page – and even from a glance, he could tell they were inaccurate – but one page, ‘The Last King of Khaenri'ah’ –

Was this some kind of joke? It was one thing to make up a kingdom - but to draw him –

Nan Seok slammed the book shut, suddenly not in the mood for reading.

Seol Hyeok said calmly, “Be careful with that. Master Alice will want it back."

Master Alice probably wrote it herself. Even if some people respected her, she was nothing but a troublemaker… and he had always hung around her house. No wonder she would draw him for this joke of a book.

“Did you need something, Seok-nim…?”

Mo Minji had some tool in her hand, and was leaning over the Chalk Prince – still fixing his appearance. Seol Hyeok wasn’t much further away, that idiotic dog by his feet, and Nan Seok got the ugly feeling that he’d been talking to the servant.

He said sharply, “You can go now.”

Mo Minji wouldn’t meet his gaze. “I have to finish up first - Master Rhinedottir wouldn’t be happy.”

“Hurry up, then.”

Even if she had bad taste in men, Mo Minji’s skills were passable. Nan Seok felt his irritation smooth over. The rough hairstyle had been fixed, something shameful tuned into something a little more decent.

He could see her fumbling with something out of the corner of his eye. The tool – not really for beauty, he could tell now – was stained with a faint hue of gold. She dropped it into her toolbox, pretending to organize her things.

“You didn’t cut too much?”

She shook her head. He felt a spark of amusement – she must think he was stupid, if he couldn’t tell what was happening a foot away. She took more of her tools and dropped them in the box, her gaze darting to the bottom. She stiffened for a moment, before closing the box, clasping it to her chest.

She said quietly, “I just tidied the cuts.”

Nan Seok hummed under his breath as he smoothed out the Chalk Prince’s robes. They were soft to the touch, relaxing… and there were runes, sewn into mesmerizing patterns. Little crystals, too, sparkling like stars.

“She’s the divine leader, or Master Rhinedottir here. But in Liyue, they call her the Tian Wang. Do you know what that means?”

“No, Master Seok…” Mo Minji edged away from him, glancing towards Seol Hyeok.

“’Tian’ means heavens… and wang means ‘king’. It suits him more, doesn’t it? Not a god, and not a human. But closer to heaven than earth.”

He could feel without looking that Mo Minji had stopped to stare at him. He didn’t mind – of course it would look odd. It wasn’t like he was close to the Chalk Prince… no one was, and it was even stranger to touch him so casually. But it was alright – he was just smoothing out the imperfections, arranging his body just right – like a master artisan, with his most precious doll.

“He wasn’t perfect,” said Nan Seok, smiling softly. “Now he is.”

Mo Minji was silent for a long moment. When she spoke again, her voice had an edge to it. “My friend told me, master’s robes were sent to Cheongsu Village. For Master Seok, of course… but you aren't the one wearing them.”

He said calmly, “I already have a set. These seemed like a shame to waste.”

"They weren't made for you. They were made with his measurements - but even then, they wouldn't fit. They were tailored. Recently. And I know that didn't happen here."

"…"

‘‘Tonics and herbal liquors…’

‘Anything hot, that masks the taste.’

“Your mother is from Liyue. You must drink a lot of tea, Master Seok.”

Nan Seok summoned his fan. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Seol Hyeok’s head turn towards him – he smiled slightly, fanning himself. “You’re very brave to question a master like this.”

“I wish I could still think of you like that,” said Mo Minji. “Like someone to respect, rather than doubt.”

Nan Seok shook his head. ‘‘You didn’t know him like I did… he needed me. He was always whining or crying, convinced that little brat was more important than his legacy. But by the end, he was better. He was good... he was so good for me.”

Seol Hyeok told Mo Minji, “Your job is done now. Please leave.”

She quickly took her toolbox and ran outside. As the door shut behind her, Seol Hyeok spoke in a much colder tone.

“Is this how you were taught? To abuse your power, to take advantage of a junior?”

Nan Seok laughed out loud. “It's telling where your mind jumps to. He would never stoop to earthly desires.”

Seol Hyeok lips pressed into a thin line. “You may not be my student anymore, but people still see you that way. How do you think that reflects on me, and the rest of Eunmyeong? If the common people cannot trust us, we can no longer protect them.”

“You’re agitated, said Nan Seok. “You should try and calm down. Everyone knows what happens when great Master Hyeok loses his composure.”

The dog barked at Nan Seok, its ears going back. Even with a blindfold, anyone could feel the room changing in temperature.

Kaeya watched as Nan Seok finished his food before leaving the room. He clapped the scholar on his back.

“I have to step out for a moment. Save my spot, alright?”

“Don’t take too long,” said Kaeya's fiancée.

Outside, Nan Seok and Eula were arguing. Crashing sounds came from the distance, and he could see a lone figure fighting a monster by the sect walls. Kaeya watched from the shadows as Eula raised her voice, Huffman trying and failing to mediate.

Nan Seok walked away, and Huffman and Eula began to speak quietly to each other. It seemed like their plan had fallen apart again.

A firefly buzzed by Kaeya’s ear, but he frowned and swatted it away.

Nan Seok entered the sect with Kaeya trailing after him. He looked back once or twice, but Kaeya was quick to duck behind doorways or wayward plants.

It seemed like Nan Seok really was going to the laboratory. Kaeya watched as he spoke briefly to the guards before dismissing them.

He thought about returning to the Banquet, but his mood was already ruined. Maybe he should start a new revenge plan – rifle through Nan Seok’s room while he was busy. Someone like that was bound to have secrets.

He was weighing the pros and cons of asking for directions when he heard voices. He ducked behind a corner, waiting for them to pass –

Light footsteps. Rabbity. "Really, it’s going to be fine...”

Boots – well-worn, scuffing against the floor. “But he was so rude. Who just says that to someone’s face?!”

“You were kind of behind him…”

As the voices drew away, Kaeya exhaled in exasperation. He’d come to escape them, but now he couldn’t throw a rock without hitting a Mondstadter.

He tensed as the laboratory’s door opened, but it was just a servant. She seemed upset. She didn’t even try to eavesdrop, just running off with a box clutched in her arms.

This seemed more fun than looking through Nan Seok’s laundry. There were sounds like things being thrown – then, a loud crash, like someone had burst through the wall. Kaeya wondered if someone had broken in, but it didn’t seem likely. You couldn’t step into the courtyard unless you were as strong as Yae Miko.

“UH – Master Kaeya!”

An Nabi skidded to a stop. If she was surprised by his frown, she didn’t show it, instead reaching into her top.

Kaeya looked quickly away. “No thank you.”

An Nabi gave him a puzzled look as she retrieved a vial from wherever she’d stored it. “This is for you… from Mo Minji. She needs to get in touch with your cousin.”

It was a qi extract. The kind with petals inside, and a flower engraved on the side...

Kaeya had to bite back a wave of anger. He was really shameless, wasn’t he? Playing dead while his little birdies ran around doing errands for him…  and for what, exactly? Was Kaeya not good enough, that he had to find that woman instead?

Kaeya snatched the vial from An Nabi's hand. “He can find her himself. It’s none of my business, anyways – they can go get married, for all I care.”

“Are you alright, Master Kaeya? Your eye…”

'Fucking voices…' Kaeya quickly wiped his eye, leaving a smear of black blood on his sleeve.

“I’m just tired,” he said. “It’s a Mondstadt thing.”

An Nabi nodded a bit too quickly. “The qi extracts - Mo Minji has more.”

Kaeya's eye widened in false realization. "That tall girl… dark hair, carries a wooden box?”

“Yes! You saw her? Where did she go?!”

Kaeya shrugged. “I think Nan Seok yelled at her. She ran off crying.”

That got rid of An Nabi quickly enough. Her friend hadn’t been crying, exactly, but she'd looked upset. Kaeya was just looking out for their friendship.

Kaeya decided to explore the laboratory before they could return. With his luck, they'd want to 'call for back-up', or 'help out' or something boring like that.

Even with one step inside, he could tell the laboratory was completely trashed. There was broken glass everywhere – upended tables, liquid pooling on the floor – and a sharp wind coming through a hole in the wall.

He glanced towards the screen, and was caught off guard by a sharp jolt of confusion.

Bland and sweet, cold and warm…

There were too many memories running through Kaeya’s head. They weren't real - and they didn’t make sense anymore.

Tearing his gaze away, Kaeya stepped outside.