#arleccloud

“How is Liyue Harbor?” Arlecchino removed her eyes from the ceiling and looked at Xianyun who was still messing with one of the small mechanical cranes that had been in the giftbox.

“Certainly less lonely.” The adeptus laid down sideways, resting her head on Arlecchino’s stomach and hanging her legs over the side of the bed. She held the mechanical crane above her face, moving the individual body parts to simulate flying. “Did you make this?”

“…With help.”

“It’s impressive craftsmanship.” Xianyun glanced up at Arlecchino. “Truly commendable.”

“I’m glad you like them. I would’ve done something more but I’ve been… busy.”

Xianyun sat up and set the bird on the nightstand. “It is not the gift but the thought behind it that counts. Anything you give one will be appreciated. Besides, a fully articulated crane that fits in the palm of one’s hand is something one didn’t even know one needed.”

“…Have I mentioned how much I enjoy listening to you talk?”

Xianyun blinked and then smiled. “Most adepti talk like this, it’s nothing unique.”

Arlecchino rolled her eyes and held her arms out with an expectant look. Xianyun sighed and laid back down, letting Arlecchino wrap her arms around her. A missed feeling that still felt natural despite their months of barely seeing each others faces.

“I guess you’re right, but I don’t know any other adepti. It’s only natural to view this trait as unique to you.” Arlecchino brushed her hand through her hair, gently grabbing onto the feather shaped pin holding it up.

“That would be untrue, but one supposes it's not a terrible lie.”

Arlecchino smiled and pulled the pin out, letting her hair fall. “So, are all the bird motifs on purpose?” Arlecchino laughed lightly as she looked over the pin, colors segmented to mimic the separation within a feather. “I’ve been meaning to bring that up.”

“You would be correct.”

“Cute.” Arlecchino shifted to place it on the nightstand before turning back to Xianyun, brushing her hand over the blue feathers on her cheek. They were scattered in random spots and they were one of Arlecchino’s favorite things about the crane adeptus.

Unfortunately, she hardly ever saw them. She was stuck imagining them under her fingers as she reread letters sent to her for a semblance of closeness. The mechanical bird that sits on her desk as a reminder that she has ‘x’ number of days until she can make her trips to Liyue.

Maybe she should invite Xianyun to the House of the Hearth. Would that be ideal? She’d prefer to keep her job seperate from her relationship, but every time she had to return to Fontaine she grew more restless as she waited for her next break.

“Is something troubling you?”

Arlecchino snapped herself out of her mind and fixed whatever minute expression must’ve concerned Xianyun. “Of course not, Love.”

“Really?” Xianyun frowned, propping her chin up with the palm of her hand.

“Simply thinking about our eventual parting. Is it not normal to dread such a moment even for a little while?”

“Normal, but not of much concern right now. One didn’t think one would have to remind you of living in the moment.” Xianyun accentuated her point with a soft jab to her chest.

“Right.”

“Then relax and sleep,” Xianyun laughed softly and laid her head back down. “It doesn’t happen often for us.”

Liyue.

Arlecchino wasn’t particularly fond of the atmosphere that Liyue Harbor brought. Bright, loud, fast paced, business never stopped, and every corner she turned she was met with another merchant or shop owner explaining their wares to her. She wondered if they just saw her as another unsuspecting customer, or they simply disregarded her identity in favor of seeing how much money they could swindle out of her pocket.

Fortunately for them, she might’ve bought a few knick-knacks she absolutely didn’t need, but could find use for if the need arose…hopefully. She was not immune to slick salesmanship as much as she’d like to argue she was.

Still, she fumbled with the neatly wrapped box in her hands as she closed in on the address she had been given. It shouldn’t be awkward, they sent each other letters frequently, but the last time they ever saw each other face to face was….

Arlecchino frowned as her grip on the small gift box tightened. She was already here, it would be ridiculous if she backed out at the last moment because she was nervous.

She knocked on the door and stepped back. It was possible Xianyun was busy and not even home, however Arlecchino was determined to use her break time purposefully and when no one answered, she simply took to waiting.

︵‿︵‿︵‿︵

“Arlecchino?”

Arlecchino looked up and couldn’t help the small smile that graced her lips. “Happy birthday.”

“One didn’t know you were going to show up. One has just obtained your letter though.” Xianyun held out the envelope with the red seal for a brief moment.

“I managed to gain some off time to personally deliver your birthday gift. Though, unfortunately it won’t be a recurring thing.” Arlecchino brushed her finger against the blue bow on top of the present and then looked down. “It’s not much.”

Xianyun lifted a brow but took the gift box. “One has missed you.”

Arlecchino crossed her arms. “You could always come see me…”

“You have a job, so unfortunately it would do us both good to not barge into each other’s lives unannounced.” Xianyun hooked her finger into the bow and gently started to untie it.

“Though, one thinks we could make an exception for birthdays.” Xianyun looked back at Arlecchino, pausing in unwrapping the gift. “Wouldn’t you agree?”

Arlecchino nodded slowly. “Sounds good.”