#qihuaque

"And a happy Lantern Rite to you as well, little Qiqi."

Zhongli smiles. Though he is well aware that such thought can be difficult to impossible for many zombies to understand, he does sometimes wonder to what extend she is aware of how important her care is to those around her.

Does she think of it as obligation and nothing more? Or would she be able to say that she also does it because she wants to? Does it make her happy to see patients recover, and does she recognize that?

"Of course, thank you. I will remember."

He nods to her.

[ lantern making ] Each year, we send up glorious lanterns with our thoughts, prayers, and hopes for the future, and what makes them so special is that no one lantern is the same. Create your own work of art to carry on into the vast expanses of the night.

Qiqi has just finished running errands for the Adventurer’s Guild when she spots a familiar girl with a bright red cap darting back and forth ahead of her. Upon closer inspection, she finds that it’s Klee—the bright, cheerful girl who invited her to a meal at Wangshu Inn not too long ago.

“Klee.” Qiqi wanders over and gives a small wave. “Happy Lantern Rite. Qiqi…wants to ask if Klee has made lanterns.” She gestures to the glowing paper lanterns strung up all around them, from railing to railing and lighting up the tops of pedestrians’ heads with a soft gold. “There is a booth nearby. You can paint it…and make wishes.”

little sun halted its shine immediately after the moon droplet came before her, her delight swiftly being dropped into the hands of her dear friend. she met qiqi halfway, smiling so hard that her face hurt and her fangs were bared. however, not in ill intent, as she happily embraced qiqi's presence with a few hops and excited nodding, waving right after as she'd forgotten to do so despite the gesture being her first welcome.

"yah! klee's made a few lanterns with big brother!" she exclaimed, though her gaze still followed the path of lanterns above them qiqi gestured up at, unable to stop herself from laughing sweetly at the sight. but the reminder from her friend immediately caught her attention. she paused, unmoving if not for her rapid blinking, before muttering, "ohhh, well, klee must have forgotten to make a wish. if i did, i really can't remember it."

but all could easily be solved! she grinned, letting go of her rucksack with one hand to extend it to qiqi, whether in a manner to clasp, hold, or watch, remained unknown. "want to make one with me? klee can choose one color to paint it and qiqi can choose the other. how about it?" after all, she'd want a lantern with as many friends as possible! and, though those qiqi remembered was few and between, klee liked to think that they were great friends! two opposing forces, they were. one bright and one somber. and━━