Then came guests from Mondstadt. Many of the Knights of Favonius, including Albedo and Klee, who Ayaka waved extra hard at, and another child, with cat ears, that seemed to be friends with Klee. Albedo introduced another guest to Ayaka briefly, a shy young lady by the name of Sucrose.

Even Aether showed up, bringing a guest of his own from Liyue. The two young men didn’t stay out in the crowd very long, just long enough to greet Ayaka back, and introduce the second man as Xiao, an honored adeptus, but not fond of crowds. Then they left.

Even with Thoma’s help, Ayaka was beginning to flag. And there were still more ships scheduled to land today.

Thankfully, the guests from Sumeru would be the last ones of the day, leaving tomorrow for any other guests.

Ayaka straightened up as she saw the leaf shaped boats sailing in, and she smoothed back her hair. Just one more round of guests, and then she could go to the inn and sleep until the next morning.

Footsteps echoed on the wooden planks of the dock, and Ayaka curtsied.

“Welcome to Inazuma, guests. I am Kamisato Ayaka, your hostess.”

As she stood up again and opened her eyes, she froze. Literally. She could tell the ice beneath the dock had frozen over, and a tiny part of her mentally chided herself for losing control. But the rest of her was awestruck by the lady before her.

“I’m Nilou,” she introduced herself. “I am with Zubayr Theater. It is my honor to be here.”

Her clear blue eyes gazed gracefully into Ayaka’s own. Everything about her, actually, was graceful. Ayaka felt like a newborn kitsune next to this paragon of grace and elegance. Her red hair was tidy in its pigtails despite having just walked off a boat, her traveling clothes highlighting her figure, a dancer’s figure, her hand movements like crystalflies.

Thoma came to Ayaka’s rescue. “Ah, yes, welcome welcome. I will escort you to the inn. My lady, make sure you rest well before tomorrow,” he added to Ayaka. Ayaka caught his eye, and nodded. “Good, good. I’ll be on my way soon.”

Ayaka laid awake in her bed for quite some time that night. She couldn’t stop thinking about Nilou. Her eyes, her hair, her voice.

Ayaka felt her cheeks burning as she rolled over, desperately beating her brain into unconsciousness.

-The next day-

Ayaka took her place by the docks again the next morning, only for her brother to bump her away.

“Ayato!” She exclaimed. “What are you doing?” “Greeting my guests, Ayaka. I did organize this festival, after all. Go, enjoy yourself.” He turned to the guests coming up the docks. “After all, I had my fun yesterday, and we’ll have plenty of fun this next week. But it’s only fair to split the duties.”

He shooed her away, leaving her standing, quite bewildered, alone in the crowds.

Ayaka slowly turned towards the center of the festival, not quite sure of where she was going, but wandering anyway. It wasn’t often that she got time to just enjoy herself.

She made her way through the crowds, gracefully weaving through all the people. She spotted a cluster a little ways away. Curious, she changed course and walked that way.

People parted like water before her, and when she reached the front, it was like time stopped.

The Sumeru girl was there before her, dancing her heart out. Ayaka could feel the unrestrained passion Nilou had for her art, the endless hours of devotion and practice. Ayaka was breathless just watching.

And strangely moved. She desired that kind of passion, that kind of joy and pride in her own arts and hobbies.

Ayaka really wanted to join Nilou up there. She didn’t know the music, nor did she know the choreography, but she wanted to be up there with the dancer. Free, unrestrained, and happy.

Sometimes she wondered why she ended up with a Cryo Vision instead of Anemo.

That thought fled from her mind as Nilou’s dance slowed and then stopped. As she held her final pose, one of her troupe mates stepped forward.

“Is there anyone in the crowd who would like to dance with Nilou?” He asked, his gaze sweeping the crowd.

Unsurprisingly, many people in the crowd jumped at the chance, raising their hands, jumping up and down. Nilou finally released her pose, and began to scan the crowd. Ayaka waited to see who the dancer would choose, content to just watch Nilou do her thing.

Until suddenly, Nilou was in front of her. Ayaka’s breath hitched as she looked into Nilou’s eyes. Nilou held her hand out to Ayaka.

“I want you to dance with me.” She smiled softly. “I think you’ll look beautiful.”

Ayaka felt her face heat up, and for once was at a loss for words. But she gently placed her hand in Nilou’s, and let herself be pulled onto Nilou’s stage. Nilou removed her hand with a flourish, and Ayaka felt a twinge of disappointment.

“Just follow my lead, Miss Kamisato,” Nilou said.

“So you do remember me from yesterday,” Ayaka whispered as she began to mirror Nilou’s motions. Ayaka’s internalized perfectionism combined with her years of precision practice helped her out a bit, even though she was completely unfamiliar to this style of dance.

“Of course I remember you, not only did I meet you yesterday, but you would be hard to forget,” Nilou replied softly, stepping into a slow spin. “You are quite stunning.”

Ayaka almost tripped over herself. “I… I am?”

Nilou giggled. “Of course. And may I say, you are much better at this than I was expecting, my lady.”

Ayaka felt herself flush again. “I may not be familiar with this particular style, but I do understand the basics of dance.”

The music slowed, and so did their steps. Nilou drew close to Ayaka, looking calm, serene, and gorgeous. “I would like to see you again later, if that’s acceptable. Would you agree to meet me by the docks?”

The music was fading fast as Ayaka stammered out, “Yes.” Then, as the music stopped entirely, the two dancers stepped apart. Nilou curtsied, and Ayaka did as well.

As Ayaka prepared to leave the stage, Nilou whispered, “I’ll see you soon.”

Ayaka felt her face heat up again, and with a nervous smile and shaky wave, left the stage. As she re-entered the crowd, it dawned on her that all of the people around her had just watched her dance on stage with Nilou. The eyes of the crowd suddenly rattle Ayaka like they never have before, and she rushes away.

She finds Thoma first. Desperately, she asks, “Have you seen my brother recently? I am… possibly having a crisis.”

Thoma immediately set down his items, and turned to Ayaka. “Are you hurt? Are you being followed?” He stopped, then asked a different question. “Are you sick? Your face looks red!”

Ayaka covered her face. “Oh. No, I’m not sick, I’m just- Thoma… I-”

“Ayaka, are you all right?” Ayato said from behind them both.

“Ayato! Thank the Archons. I’m having a crisis.” Ayaka said, not without some extra dramatics.

“Oh? And what kind of crisis?”

Ayaka stood up straight and cupped her cheeks in her hands in a valiant effort to hide her blush. “I ended up dancing with this really pretty dancer and now she wants to meet me by the docks later! What do I do?!”

Ayato laughed, and Ayaka smacked him. “Stop laughing, I’m serious! I’ve never done this before!”

Ayato slowly stopped laughing. “Well, if you want my advice… Just go meet her.”

“But do I bring a gift? Do I change to a different dress? Thoma?”

Thoma raised his hands in defense. “Don’t ask me, I don’t know anything.” He pulled a face. “Just the same trite ‘be yourself’ motto everyone says in books.”

Ayato hummed. “If this is your first private meeting, I doubt you will want to gift anything more than some flowers. Maybe some Inazuma specialty flowers, since I assume the dancer is a foreigner.”

Ayaka tucked a stray hair from behind her ear. “She’s from Sumeru.”

Thoma stammered, “Sumeru?! Ayaka-”

“Where she’s from doesn’t matter! Okay, so. Flowers, I can do flowers. Thank you, Ayato!” She ran off to find the best flower vendor at the festival.

Lucky for the lady of the Kamisato Clan, the best flower vendor at the festival was not too far from the docks. She purchased a medium bouquet, filled with a variety of Inazuma’s local flora. She waved at Aether’s Adeptus partner, who was purchasing a bouquet of his own alongside the girl with blue hair and horns who was also from Liyue, then took a moment to compose herself. When she was ready, she started her trip to the docks.

The sun has reached it’s zenith, and the docks are far from empty. This is not the most romantic scenario Ayaka could have dreamed of. Far from it. She could have invited Nilou to a candlelit dinner, or personally escorted her around the festival, buying her the best souvenirs, highest quality food, and showing her the best entertainment.

And yet.

Here she was.

Heart skipping a beat as she caught a glimpse of deep red hair. Breath stopping when she realized Nilou wasn’t wearing her headpiece. Freezing in place like her Vision had gone out of control when Nilou turned and made eye contact. Finally melting at her radiant smile.

She finally made it to Nilou, and shyly offered the bouquet. Nilou accepted with a smile, a “thank you”, and a soft blush. Ayaka felt a small flare of pride at finally getting Nilou flustered.

They stood on the docks for a moment, just like that. Finally, Ayaka took her chance.

This time, she was the one to extend a hand.

“May I escort you around the festival, Lady Nilou?”

Nilou flushed again as she accepted Ayaka’s hand with her free one. “Of course.”