light and sea
Before the heavens sealed the world, gods once lived in the presence of human life. They walked alongside them and knew they were protected in their arms. Above them was a special place where the same gods were observed and kept an eye on every being. Among those aerial observatories was the Lunar Palace, home of the Moonlit heiress, Ningguang. She was given a life of fortune and luxury. In exchange, her duty was to fulfill her destiny and decide the fate of the gods residing in Teyvat and the mortals they encountered.
Every day, she was expected to study the methods of the Lunar monarchy. From sunrise, she is expected to bury her face in boundless literature. At noon, she is expected to partake in martial arts training. And on the eve, she is expected to fulfill her duties of speaking with the stars. It meant she had to learn an oracle's ways to understand life's outcomes. She also had to learn about astronomy to understand the universes within the bubble and beyond.
Due to her status as a Moonlit heir, she has not known the passage of time. Each moment she peeked out the window was a mortal and god living amongst each other.
"Ningguang, my lady, it is time to continue the literature offered by the earthen gods and mortals." a maid said as she held a book.
All the heiress could do was watch from the skies. The beings who knew what it felt like to tread on the unpredictable ground always looked so interesting.
"I know, Baishi, I was just looking." All Ningguang could do was watch.
"Is something troubling you, my lady?" another asked. "Baishi can be too stern at times, hmph!"
"For someone named for her sense of hearing, you sure lack the understanding, Baiwen," Baishi answered as she prepared Ningguangs new materials.
"Stop it, you two. We are tasked to assist Lady Ningguang. We are not here to argue."
"Baixiao, you're not even stopping Lady Ningguang from sightseeing!" Baiwen replied.
All Ningguang could do was watch from the windows and witness the gods and mortals who had come to climb up the mountain peak. It was just above the clouds where the Lunar Palace resided. She saw them approach the garden and quickly made her way down. The young lady was astonished. Never has she seen a being with emerald eyes and an oceanic abyss.
What's more, she was just her height. All her life, Ningguang knew to look up to everyone.
It was the first time she had seen anyone within her line of sight.
"Ningguang, this is Osial, the god of vortex." the Lunar Emperor said. "Here is his daughter, Yelan." He encouraged Ningguang to come closer. "You two are the same age. Why don't you show Yelan the palace garden, Ningning?"
It was the first time Yelan had seen a being with such starlight in their eyes. Though her eyes were like sunsets, Ningguang never brought the cold night with her. In the palace garden, she showed her new friend the gazebo, the flora, and even every single maid and attendant they had.
Yelan began to mumble, "...call you…" intertwined in her hands were Ningguang's soft hands.
She leaned forward, "Sorry?"
"Why does your father call you Ningning… If you are Ningguang?" Yelan said as she slowly eased from her anxieties.
Ningguang felt so excited. It was the first conversation she had with someone her age. "It means that I am my father's bright light. I don't know where it came from, though."
"Maybe because it's what light sounds like?" Yelan blushed and covered her mouth. "Forgive me!"
Ningguang laughed. "Lights have sound? That's the first I've heard of it! Hahahaha!"
It was a sweet childlike laugh. Similar to what Yelan heard from her friends down on the earth. Except, hers was sweeter, better even. "I-it's how my father described the stars."
"Hmm?" Ningguang asked as she flipped her hair up from her face. "I can't hear you. Do you want me to tie your hair up for you?"
Ningguang gently brushed her fingers in between the locks of Yelan’s hair. It felt like brushing her hands on the flowing creek in the palace gardens. With a loose tie of a ribbon, she saw a new side of another person. It was unlike Baiwen’s smile or Baishi’s grin, especially not Baixiao’s crescent eyes whenever she smiled. Yelan looked beautiful.
She approached the creek and saw her reflection in the water. “Ningguang, this is beautiful, but I can’t take something from the Lunar empire. It’s not right.”
Laws between land and sky were vastly different. For someone like Yelan, who brought nothing but received something, she would be seen as a conceited child. She held the end of a ribbon, almost undoing the knot. It wasn’t until Ningguang assured her it would be fine. Everything would be fine.
“You’ve given me your time. That’s more than enough for me.” For Ningguang to say such a thing surrounded by riches…
“Yelan!” Osial’s voice could be heard in the distance. “It’s time for us to depart.”
“I—” Yelan held Ningguang’s hand tight. “I want to see you again.”
She smiled and found someone to anticipate the days to come. “Likewise. I hope we see each other once more.”
“Perhaps one day by the shore? I wish to give you something in return.“
Yelan’s invitation scared her. The earthen realm? Is she allowed? Ningguang held Yelan tight and did not wish to let go. “I’ll find a way.”
Soon after the oceanic deities departed the Lunar palace, Ningguang’s father instructed her three maids to continue her duties. Each day and night passed, and she followed every single routine given to her. She hadn’t forgotten the days when Yelan was with her, breaking her flow of peace. The days of ordinary were no more. She craved the being of earthen realms.
Before she knew it, her legs brought her to her father’s office to ask for a moment of time with Yelan again. If possible, to walk on the surface she also walked on. As expected,
“No,” Always what she heard and always what was given to Ningguang’s requests. Regardless of her justifications, it was still not enough. “The earthen realm is dangerous. I told you this countless times.”
Ningguang suspected something was behind her father’s words. His overly cautious self was unbecoming of someone related to Celestia. Not even the Archon of Geo would deprive his citizens of the freedom to walk on land. “Danger follows anyone, father. I am not asking for too much, I just wanted to see my friend again.”
“Osial and his court would not return until the next autumn harvest. If you wish to see Yelan again, I ask that you practice your oracle work. I am not supposed to tell you this yet, but the trade between us and the Oceanic empire maintains the natural flow of the earthen realm. Your oracle work becomes the basis of the tides…”
Ningguang’s father continued to explain the political relevance of her oracle studies and literature work. She listened well, as expected of her. But at that moment, she felt more engaged. Something within her has shifted. When her father explained concepts to her, it wasn’t as interesting as before. After meeting Yelan, she had the sudden drive to pursue everything. Within Ningguang rose the desire to chase after a distance she had yet to traverse. Suddenly, she had the urge to do even better than before.
She rushed to her study and continued to observe the universe with their bubble. She unknowingly called the attention of every single Celestial court official soon after.
As the moon rose and set, Yelan anticipated the day she could meet Ningguang again. Not even her friends would believe someone lived in the clouds. Not even her friends believed that someone had resembled the moon so beautifully. Not even the pearls she crafted were shined like her. Though she couldn’t let the waters stay stagnant, she also had to fulfill her duty. As instructed, she created waves and, through them, tried to reach the moon during storms. The ebb and flow of the sea reflected the one inside her heart.
Yelan had never felt that way before.
The mortals and gods of the earthen realm have never seen such magnificent tides before.