Just then, footsteps sounded outside the door.
It stopped very lightly outside the door.
Then came the knocking on the door.
"Thump, thump, thump."
· Bai You? Varesa?·34;
It was Columbina's voice.
The two people in the bucket opened their eyes almost simultaneously, and the flower petals on the water's surface swayed.
"... At this hour?" Bai You whispered.
"I'll go check," Varesa said.
She stood up, holding onto the edge of the bucket. A flash of blue light, and her fishtail transformed into legs.
He grabbed a piece of clothing and put it on, then handed some clothes to Bai You.
"Take your time, I'll go out and take a look."
"Hmm."
Varesa walked out onto the slightly damp carpet, closed the bathroom door behind her, and then opened the main door.
As soon as the door opened, Columbina stood outside, her long hair loosely draped over her shoulders, a gentle smile on her face.
Sandrone was standing behind her.
"Excuse me," Columbina said. "Where's the Bai You?"
"I'm taking a bath in the inner room," Varesa said. "Come in and sit down."
The two people went inside and sat down at the table.
Varesa poured them two glasses of warm water.
Columbina held the cup, her gaze sweeping around the room before finally settling on the half-open bathroom door.
She smiled and asked.
"A big wooden barrel?"
"Hmm." Varesa coughed.
"I want to soak too," Columbina said, "But unfortunately there isn't one in the room."
"I'll get you one next time."
"Okay."
Sandrone coughed beside him, as if to remind him.
Columbina then turned her gaze back to Varesa.
"Let's get down to business."
"Hmm?"
"The three of us," Columbina said, " Sandrone, Odette, and I are going back to Snezhnaya tomorrow."
Varesa paused for a moment.
"Tomorrow?"
"Yes." Columbina nodded. "We've already gone to see Rosalyne, and we just went to see Odette. We've all agreed to leave together tomorrow."
"... Will Odette go back too?"
"Yes, she said she went back too." Columbina smiled.
Varesa nodded.
"That..."
"Where are you and Bai You?" Columbina looked at her. "On the way back, I heard you were going to Liyue?"
"Hmm," said Varesa. " Bai You said she wants to go to Liyue Harbor. I'll go with her. I've been to Liyue before, and there haven't been any performances lately."
" Liyue Harbor..." Columbina's gaze softened, as if she were thinking about something.
"To be honest, I'd like to go too."
"Shall we go together?"
"That doesn't seem likely," Columbina gently shook her head.
"Unfortunately, His Majesty has decreed that in a while... he will still need my strength."
She spoke very softly, without going into details.
Sandrone chimed in from the side.
"I also have experiments to conduct, and the materials are all ready for Snezhnaya."
"Hmm." Varesa nodded. "Then... you're leaving tomorrow?"
"Hmm," Columbina said, "The three of us will go back together tomorrow."
The room fell silent for a moment.
The bathroom door creaked open a crack.
Bai You, still wearing her clothes and with her hair wet, peeked out from under the door, looking at the people outside.
She clearly heard it.
"... Are you going back to Snezhnaya tomorrow?"
Columbina turned her head, saw her, and smiled.
"Hmm, did you hear that?"
"Yes, I heard some."
"It's good to hear," Columbina said. "I was just about to inform you."
Bai You lowered her head, twisting the edge of the bath towel with her fingers, and remained silent.
After a while, she whispered.
"Well... you're leaving tomorrow."
"Hmm."
"You shall return to Snezhnaya."
"Hmm."
"That..."
"You guys take that Star-Rubbing Vessel, neither Varesa nor I need it."
Columbina paused for a moment, then nodded.
"Okay," she said, "Thank you all."
"And Bai You, you might even meet Tartaglia when you get to Liyue; he recently set off for Liyue too."
"If you encounter any problems, you can go to him, such as with funding; he's quite reliable."
Bai You nodded.
'... Hmm.'
Sandrone leaned back in his chair, looked at her, and suddenly spoke.
So--
"Hmm?"
"Tonight," Sandrone said, "Why don't we all get together for a meal?"
"A get-together?" Bai You blinked.
"Hmm," Sandrone said, "We'll be parting ways tomorrow, so let's have a good meal tonight."
"And Odette?" Varesa asked.
"She's packing her things in the room," Columbina said. "I've already told her she's coming tonight too."
"Oh, where should we eat then?"
"How about we go to the Good Hunter Restaurant?" Columbina said. "The food there is quite delicious."
"Okay." Bai You's eyes lit up.
Varesa looked at her and smiled.
"Then hurry up and pack up."
"Hmm!"
In the evening in City of Mondstadt, the Good Hunter Restaurant was bustling with activity.
Sara was busy running around in front of the stove, the aroma of roasting meat mingling with the steam.
The long tables at the far end of the restaurant had been pushed together.
Five people were sitting around at this moment.
Bai You and Varesa sat on one side, Columbina and Sandrone sat on the other side, Odette sat at the end of the table.
The table was piled high with food.
Roasted meat, honey-glazed pork chops, fisherman's toast, roasted mushrooms, pumpkin soup, sugar pancakes, and a large jug of freshly squeezed apple juice.
Steaming hot, with a wonderful aroma.
"Come," Columbina raised her glass, "This is a toast to..."
The cups clinked together, making a crisp sound.
Columbina smiled, "I heard there's a lot of good food in Liyue, remember to eat plenty for me."
Columbina thought for a moment, " Liyue's almond tofu, Adeptus' Temptation, and Wanmin Restaurant's desserts."
"I've also heard that there's a snack called 'Grilled Tigerfish' in Liyue Harbor, which is sold on the streets."
"Is it delicious?" Bai You's eyes lit up.
"I heard it tastes good."
"I definitely have to eat it!"
Varesa smiled and put a piece of grilled meat on her plate.
"Eat the Mondstadt first."
"Hmm."
Odette sat at the end of the table, saying little.
She ate quietly, occasionally taking a sip of soup, and listened to everyone talking.
Sandrone sat diagonally opposite her and glanced at her.
"Have you packed everything?"
"Hmm." Odette nodded.
The five people walked out of the Good Hunter Restaurant; it was already very late.
The streetlights were on one by one, and a cool breeze was blowing.
Bai You walked beside Varesa, patting her round belly with a satisfied expression.
"I'm so full."
As she was speaking, Varesa, who was walking ahead, suddenly stopped and turned around.
"Hey," she blinked, "Anyway, we don't part ways until tomorrow."
"It's still early."
"Would you like to... go get some more drinks?"
Bai You was stunned for a moment.
What would you like to drink?
"Ah, the wine." Varesa laughed, "The end-of-the-night drink."
"Closing party?"
"Yes, I agree," Columbina said. "We won't leave until we're drunk."
Sandrone raised an eyebrow beside him.
Are you sure?
"What?"
"You can't hold your liquor."
"I can't hold my liquor?" Columbina smiled and turned to look at her. "Who was it last time...?"
Sandrone's face flushed red instantly.
"That was an accident."
"Okay, okay, that was unexpected."
Odette walked at the back, without saying a word, but there was a hint of expectation in her eyes.
Varesa lowered her head and looked at Bai You beside her.
Do you want to go?
Bai You blinked.
She had never actually drunk alcohol.
But now, looking at everyone's expressions, looking at the person next to me...
She nodded, almost as if possessed.
"Go on."
"Closing party."
"We won't leave until we're drunk."
The Angel's Share lies on the other side of City of Mondstadt.
The tavern door was made of heavy wood, and when pushed open, the hinges made a soft creaking sound.
Upon entering, a warm, cozy atmosphere filled with the smell of alcohol greeted me.