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“I loved him so much! I … gave him my everything! I thought I could finally depend on someone!”
“Wait a minute … Who told you that love is dependence?”
“What else is it?”
“If love; to you is dependence, it never was love in the first place.”
“Have you ever been in love?”
“No.”
“Then how can you be so sure about what it is and what it isn’t?”
“Because I have seen true love.” Silence hung in the air as NingGuang stared impassively at the person before her.
“I’m sorry Ning Ning, I shouldn’t have dumped all that on you.”
“It’s ok Meera, we’re friends. You can talk to me.”
“No, it’s not ok. We met after so long and I just …” Meera sighed.
“Meera, when I tell you that it’s ok. I mean it. Ok?”
“Yes. But …”
“No ifs and buts, you wanted to meet me because you wanted to catch up so, let’s forget about everything and just enjoy. I even cleared my schedule for you today.”
And that is how the TianQuan of the Liyue Qixing found herself chasing after her childhood best friend, wearing a ridiculous wig, a mask and a dress that was one size too big on her. Had it not been for Meera, you would never catch NingGuang in such ridiculous attire.
“It’s because everyone knows you! I wanna enjoy my day like we used to!” Meera had reasoned. (Or instead stared at her pleadingly until NingGuang gave in.)
They used to be quite good friends as children but hadn’t had any correspondence with each other as Meera’s family had moved to Sumeru.
Although she would never admit it, NingGuang had missed this rowdy girl who used to be the exact opposite of her in every way.
After roaming around and reminiscing, they sat on the dock to enjoy the sunset and watch the fishermen return to their homes.
“You know, I felt proud when I came to know just how successful you had become.” Meera suddenly said, staring at the setting sun. “I always knew you would achieve your dream of being the most powerful person in Teyvat.”
“Well, thank you for your praises.”
“Oh! Come On! Don’t be so formal with me!” Meera was a person of unpredictable character. A stark contrast to the monotone of NingGuang’s life. Perhaps this was also the reason why she was still willing to be friends with her.
Meera had the spark of life and joy in her that NingGuang could only imagine having.
“Hey, if you stare at me like that. I will push you into the ocean, that look on your face scares me!”
“I would like to see you try.”
Splash!
There went the TianQuan of Liyue Qixing, now a very revenge-thirsty NingGuang had awakened.
“Oh, you wait.”
Meera laughed out loud as NingGuang chased her through the busy streets of Liyue. She had long since forgotten about her very recent breakup and although NingGuang was very happy with that, she wasn’t about to let her go.
“If I catch you, Meera Srivastava, you will be dead before dawn. Mark my words!” her friend's maniacal laughter was the only answer she got.
During all this running, she had quite forgotten that she was still soaking wet and thus she slipped after hitting a person who had just alighted from a docking ferry.
“Shit.” was the only thing she could utter as she tightly closed her eyes and braced for a decisive concussion.
“Woah! Easy there.” A very loud voice said as NingGuang was caught by a strong pair of arms.
“Meera will surely be dead by tomorrow.” NingGuang thought as she slowly opened her eyes. The person in front of her was most definitely a sailor.
One of her eyes was covered by a piece of cloth and she was smiling very brightly. If this person was to be described, you could say they exuded a strange sense of comfort.
NingGuang blinked as the lady in front of her gently straightened her and draped a thick shawl around her shoulders. “I don’t think you should be running around like that ma’am. You might catch a cold.”
And just like that, she was gone.
“Hey! What were you talking to captain Beidou about?”
“Beidou,” NingGuang repeated in a trance as she stared at the retreating figure.