from my lips to yours
It was a laboratory preserved exclusively for the oceanic alchemists and researchers. Due to the vast existence of the deep sea, there are bound to be creatures, diseases, and antidotes to be created. Inside the building was the oceanic princess' office. It was reminiscent of the novels written in the lunar empire. Glassware thin as ice yet as tough as diamonds. Yelan’s studies were not only exclusive to martial arts or military combat. It also involved the participation of alchemy for the prosperity of the empire.
"Thanks for helping me with the bottles. You can place them by the table. Be careful, though. It's been a week since I came here."
Vases and jars used to preserve body parts of animals Baixiao has yet to identify. Blood and other bodily fluids sit far from the light in the shadows. She has known the existence of laboratories and offices. She had one herself but she was impressed with the similarities. Regardless of origins, those who can create will always be present in society.
"These… ambrosia bottles… What use do you have with them?"
Yelan took her sleeve and folded it neatly. A sharp shark's bone sliced her arm as it bled into a brewing pot. She raised her hand at the worried lunar maid. She did not need to look after her in these situations. As per the advice of Lady Beisht, only remind her when she goes too far. The serpent mistress always forgets her limits.
"To brew a remedy. A large population of the drowned has arrived on the seabeds. It seems like those mortals didn't listen… Hand me a bottle, would you?"
Baixiao watched as Yelan bandaged herself. Helping her stir the pot and prepare the bottle with her. The ambrosial concentrate sitting at the bottom soon met the mistress's concoction. It had a pearlescent glow and smelled like fresh flora from the earthen realm. To finish its brew, it has to be preserved for a week. The ambrosia has to acknowledge its existence within the mixture, else it will turn dark and corrode. The only way to eliminate it would be using the perfected brew, causing twice the damage.
"Yelan! Would it kill you to inform me of your arrival?! I have important business to attend, and you're making me miss an appointment with—" A young lad marched inside the office and continued to scream at the mistress. "You could've told me you had an assistant! Now I wasted my time!!"
"Can you not yell, you brat? Archons! if it's not a corrupted batch, it's Xingqiu."
"Greetings. I have heard of you already, so I'd advise you to pray with all your heart that this goddess will not torment you with her presence. Rather, those ridiculously cut bangs are far worse than an apocalypse." The young lad said through a taunting look. He carried a book in his hand with tabs of varying colors, the pages worn with use, and he seemed to be diligent.
Baixiao read the writing on the spine of the book. "Intoxication of a cleric and the disposed princess—" A scornful look in his eyes when she found what he read.
"Reading those shameless books again?" Yelan sighed. "I understand you miss your home, but those books… really?"
"Ah there's ringing in my ears? I think I heard someone trying to give me an opinion I didn't ask for. Save your saliva, my majesty. Else you'll drool once your so-called lunar princess is within your line of sight."
"Just leave. You're not even assigned today. Have you not read the announcement? Of course you wouldn't with that atrocious haircut."
Xingqiu left with a smile while his anger permeated through his skin. He wanted to say she had the same haircut, but impressions last, and he had already failed. Baixiao oversaw Yelan fill the bottles and place them in apparatuses she has yet to identify. There was so much to learn and catch up, but she mustn't interrupt her mistress. Silence filled the room as Yelan continued to perfect her batch of concoctions. Even if she had a lonesome look in her eyes, the lunar maiden refused to pry.
"You know, in the oceanic realm, the drowned are humans considered offering in exchange for blessings. Some were saved by the lure of sirens, but that time has long passed." Yelan said as she finished the last of the batch.
All gave a shimmering glow that rivaled the moon. encased in a compartment locked by several chains. To preserve purity and reduce the chance of corruption forming, any trace of light should be rid of. Something about Yelan after drinking a pure bottle of ambrosia haunted Baixiao. She'd heard of people's mysterious disappearances in the sea, even in the Lunar Empire.
"And… among those people who were saved by ambrosia was me." Yelan felt nostalgic remembering events from centuries ago. "The previous serpent gods were in dire need of an heir. The humans above believed that a 333-day-old child was an appropriate gift to the gods. I still remember that day. It was cold, and I couldn't even identify my mother's face. I couldn't even feel the embrace of my father. When I arrived on the seafloor, I was no longer who I once was."
Baixiao held her mistress' hand. "Lady Yelan…"
Wiping her tears, she continued, "They were right. It was an appropriate gift, but it should've stopped right there. I remember the stories my caretakers told me about hearing a mortal child cry. It was agonizing and silent in the waters. They tried to bring the women and children back to life with pure ambrosia. Unfortunately, it only corroded the bodies even more. Not even a strand of hair was left."
"What of the people saved from their demise?" Baixiao asked.
"Well, they turn into serpent people… Like Xingqiu. However, they don't live as long as pure-blooded serpent beings. There was someone I met back then. Exiled from their village into the sea. I think she's busy with the expedition in the surface world, so it might take a while before she returns." Yelan overlaps Baixiao's hand and assures her that she has grieved the past. There was no need to open wounds that were supposedly healed.
"The expedition seems like an important mission." Baixiao followed her mistress as she locked the room. There is plenty more to do for the night. Not to mention her daily routine of maintaining the flow of the ocean. "Is it to strengthen the ties of the Oceanic society with the Earthen realm?"
"You learn quite quickly. You seem to have a commendable background since you easily assess situations. Not to mention you're too strict with yourself. Under my guidance, I'll give you the experiences you have yet to witness. I promise you."
Words cannot express Baixiao's gratitude for Yelan’s existence. Even if they had only recently formed a relationship, she treated a stranger like her own blood. So that must be why Ningguang was so fixated on her. The reason why she defied her father's decree.
"Where shall we begin, my Lady?" A bright smile was painted on Baixiao's face.
"For starters, I need to know how similar you are to the royal bloodline in terms of race. So I might need a sample of any bodily fluid from you.” Yelan prepared her ropes and strings. A quick whip at Baixiao and she hung her feet up from the ground. Dangling by a thicker and softer rope than normal.
“Lady Yelan…” Baixiao saw her upturned lips. “Do you do this every time you need some samples?”
“Nope,” Yelan lied. “Stress can alter the composition of the bodily fluid mimicking what she might’ve experienced. So—” The young goddess felt her childlike wonder grow. “This might be a bit terrifying but if Xingqiu can manage so can you.”
Baixiao felt her stomach spin along with how much Yelan pushed and swung her. “At least inform me when you’re going to use me as a human pendulum!!”
As mentioned by Yelan, there is an expedition occurring. One that travels from all nations of Teyvat. A group to explore the Liyuean and Mondstadter regions, a group to explore the Natlan tribes, two to explore the Sumerian deserts and rainforests, and a group to explore the Inazuman regions. The Snezhnayan and Fontaine groups have returned from their expeditions and begun presenting their findings to Beisht.
Among those groups was a woman feared and revered on land and sea.
"Captain, the Grandmaster of Mondstadt would like to express their gratitude later tonight. I hear there will be a feast for us." A serpent soldier said as they dressed in their armor.
"Fine wine from the winds of the free? Hahaha! What a steal! Please inform the Grandmaster we will be coming. And prepare the farewell gifts, would you?"
Captain Beidou of the Hammerhead shark division, a serpent soldier considered a legend. Winning a wildcard event in the oceanic games and the recruitment seminars of the serpent soldiers. There were plenty of speculations about how she climbed the ranks, but one stood out the most. They believe she leeched on the goddess that's why her position was secured. They ignored her past and exile, but Yelan gave her a life worth living and a home worth protecting. Why wouldn't she stick by the tidal goddess' side? Yelan gave Beidou an understanding beyond belief, yet it wasn't enough to convince the oceanic population. Her rebirth and ascension as a soldier was far too quick. Only lasting a couple of decades while the rest worked until centuries. If she could do something so significant to the oceanic society, it'd be dismissed by the general public. Even if they, too, could do whatever she achieved if they tried hard enough.
"Can't escape it… even in this life, huh…" Beidou sighed. Her memories of her past life were as fresh as a cut from a knife to the heart. "At least I get to eat any fish I like."
A familiar figure greets her eyes. A passing silhouette in the crowd, yet one that stands out even in the density of the world. Eyes like rubies and hair like moonlight. It couldn’t be, could it? Then again, the Oceanic games are home to many, old or young, immortal to mortal. They could come from all parts of the world.
“Hey, have we met before?” Beidou asked. “Hey! Just a second!”
When she followed the woman through the shrinking alleyways, the figure disappeared. Dumbfounded, the captain realized she was lost among the drunkards. Beidou was eventually found by a priest who recognized her from the meetings with the knights. Following him back to the headquarters felt rather strange. She recognized it, but even priests knew when to abstain from alcohol. Why is this man among the intoxicated? And why does he look so… familiar? When she returned to the hotel, she found the same drowsy priest, yet he looked different. Didn’t he have silver hair?
“Baiwen, did you lead her away from me?” A cloaked woman asked.
“My lady, if I may,” The priest returned to her Liyuean attire like a magician with their cards. “Might I suggest you use your disguise more often?”
“Well, I get more tips as a waitress in this form. It’s technically a disguise since I cast a mask of deception when I am like this.”
“However, that does not work with serpents.” Baiwen reasoned with her mistress. “Working at a Mondstadt tavern does not save you from the eyes of your father. Even if the old or new Anemo archon permits you to.”
The fair lady eased her shoulders and prepared a mirror from her emblem drawn on the floor. It appeared like chalk writing on pavement and will disappear like dust in the air the second they left. “Baiwen, haven’t I told you to address me as Ningguang when we’re out? It could lead to suspicion.”
The banging of the pots and pans from the other room alerted the two who recently returned. “Who are you!? I can and will use this heavy skillet as a weapon of mass destruction and— oh welcome home, you two!”
“Baishi! It’s just us!!” Baiwen reasoned, putting herself in front of the hostile maid with their breakfast stained skillet. “What are you doing!?”
“Baishi, I almost flicked a moonstone your way… Can you please ease your nerves for a second?” Ningguang asked.
“Forgive me, lady Ningguang. Ever since we left the palace five years ago, I seem to have forgotten how easily I get frightened. “I’m just cleaning up and was given a notice from one of the yakshas so I haven’t made much progress since.”
Ningguang held her breath and paced around the living room. The yakshas have provided her with better dreams and remedies for her ailments but if the adepti had the chance, they could easily inform her father of her whereabouts. Still, even in the safest area, guarded by various adepti amongst the bamboo forest, Ningguang can feel her father’s eyes. The scars still throb regardless if they have completely healed.
“Can you give me the medicine?” Baishi handed Ningguang the bottle. A drop from her finger to the lips of her attendants. “A little goes a long way. I can’t let you two disappear from what I’m suffering from so I need you both to keep taking this.”
“My lady, this medicine is for you. Why should we take this as well?” Baiwen asked after gulping an entire pitcher of water. The medicine is far too concentrated and horrifyingly potent for the two. Ningguang can withstand the pain but her mids can never handle it.
“Do it for me.” Ningguang finished an entire bottle and it was far too thin compared to the last batch. “Strange, who delivered the medicine? Bosacius?”
“It was General Alatus. He explained that Morax has instructed you to change the prescribed intake. He states that It was an import from the depths of the sea and nothing more.” Baishi explained.
Indeed, her body felt a alot better. The aches in her arms and legs haunted her that they all felt like regular occurrences. The refreshing feeling of her limbs not flaking or feeling sore was a delight. But one question remained, why did the god of contracts replace her previous medications? Ningguang remembered forming a contract to act as the witness to the Lunar emperor’s atrocities to be evicted from the lunar court. However, he never explained how she could be her father's downfall. He stated that something brewed within her that needed to be controlled for some time.
Even if Ningguang wished the best for the people she left, she could never save every single one of them as she held no power over her citizens. Everyone knew her, but no one felt her influence in the kingdom. Everyone viewed her as a puppet doll ever since the empress died—a decor collecting dust among the silver and bronze statues. She was sure her father knew about her disappearance, but his lack of acknowledgment worried her. Ningguang felt indescribable fear accompanied by aches. She knows her father knows but refuses to even look for her.
“Is that so?” Ningguang leaned on the wall and felt her maids stabilize her body. “I’m fine… I’m just a bit tired from waiting tables and the previous shift at the library.”
“You haven’t had enough rest in a long while. Please get some rest.” Baiwen felt her mistress losing her balance was enough evidence that mortal life was not for her.
“I’m fine… I just need to sleep just like everyone else.” Her pillows weren’t as soft as her old ones, but they were home. The ceiling was her solitude, along with the walls and the maids who she considered her friends. “Get some rest as soon as you can… I quit my job in Mondstadt already. I’ll go back to foraging by the beach and forest tomorrow.”
“Of course, just get some rest, my lady.”
Baiwen read the label attached on the bottle after they left Ningguang's room. It was produced differently. Far too concentrated but was far more effective than what was brewed before. The emblem of the Oceanic Empire, plastered on the other side. A list of daunting side effects and precautions but all safe for lunarian citizens to consume. Baishi and Baiwen held each other out of hope. Baixiao could still be alive if the remedy works wonders for them. Their only obstacle would be reaching past the destructive pressure keeping the Oceanic empire safe. It's something Ningguang has yet to understand.
Baishi recalled her previous attempt to enter the empire without an official guide. The lunar emperor needed someone to investigate the happenings of the kingdom without the attachment of nobility. When the lunar maid reached the border, she felt her breath grow thin. Her only saving grace was the serpent aide. Before she was sent back to the lunar empire, Beisht warned her of the precautions taken to keep the oceanic empire safe. She cursed the lunar maid to never reveal who ever saved her to the emperor. A word out of her about the incident would lead to a pulverized body before her mind could ever process it.
Out of fear, Baishi only explained the perils of the depths to the emperor. Baixiao found out about the incident and promised to avenge her. However, the banished lunar maid realized the truth behind Beisht's curse. If given the chance, she would've done the same to protect her people.
That night, Ningguang had the best dream she had ever experienced. It felt like sleeping atop the gentle ocean waves. It felt like the cradle of her mother's arms—someone she desperately misses.
During the howling night. The vigilant yaksha hums a tune on the cliffside.
"Xiao… How was the trip to the secluded forest?" Morax asked, easing himself back to his assumed form.
"My lord, I—" He looked away as the archon remodeled himself. "I have delivered the remedy. It might take some time for her body to adjust, but it will be better for her. Since the ambrosial potion was from the oceanic empire's reputable researcher and alchemist, it wouldn't be much of a problem."
"The trades between the Oceanic depths and Liyue seem to be prospering. Inquiring her about the contract was the best decision that I have made.” Morax said fidgeting with the puzzle left to him by Guizhong. “Xiao, you can look now. I’m no longer in my incognito form.”
“My lord, next time, please be informed of what Barbatos may leave after certain acts are finished. It feels as if I’m violating your privacy.” the yaksha said as Morax showed him what was beneath the collar of his clothes. “My lord!!”
“Is there something… strange on my neck, general?“
“My lord, I— I hear demons causing trouble within the premises. If you’ll excuse me—” From a sudden smoke, the yaksha disappeared.
When Morax found his reflection in the mirror made of precious stones, he prepared a list in his mind. First was the densest rock he could form, followed by the location of the disguised bard. Then he calculated the amount of force needed to create a comet-like reaction in his direction. Needless to say, the recipe for a fine mirror was incredibly effective and beautiful. The contract between the young lunar refugees and the god of contracts was well worth it.
A visit to the bamboo forest was necessary as Morax broke the mirror by accident when confronting his friend. It was a relief that the Lunar refugees were kind enough to repair the mirror. He even learned how to take another form in exchange for their hard work. He never knew what it was like to have younger children of his own. Maybe it was the same as three giggling girls applying rouge on his lips and paint under his eyes.