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To most residents of Chenyu Vale, rain is a blessing. It means the young tree shrubs will grow strong before harvest season. It means that the barrels behind quaint homes will be filled with fresh water so that one can wash and cook for a few weeks without having to carry buckets down to the stream. Lan Yan, however, did not enjoy the rain too much. Sure, once you are caught in it, you might as well enjoy the fresh smell and the strange joy brought on by the drops soaking into your hair. But if you happened to be out and about, seeking the company of wild birds, you would be out of luck.
Here, beneath the canopy of trees, you could find shelter from the rain. The boars and squirrels, however, still chose to hide away. The loud pattering and harsh wind meant that even the well-tuned ear of wildlife had a hard time reacting to potential dangers.
Still, the brooding skies and nurturing rainfall brought with it a kind of peace. This peace was a blessing compared to the consistent but well-meaning nagging of everyone in the village. And so, Lan Yan chose to remain in the mountains to do her work.
Chenyu Vale's secluded caves offered temporary shelter to any traveler, or any craftswoman looking to escape the cold rainfall. Lan Yan didn't need to search long to find such a refuge. Next to the swirling river, a shallow cave rested at the base of a jade-green mountain. As she made her way inside, she spotted a makeshift camp consisting of a straw bed tucked away in a corner, and a still smoking fireplace. Had whoever previously found shelter here leave just before rainfall? What an unfortunate incident.
– Madame Lan?
She froze for a moment at the sound behind her. Like the wayward squirrels, she did not hear anyone approach next to the loud pitter-patter on the river. As she turned around, unusually loud purples greeted her sight.
– Lady Yuheng! – Her eyes shifted to the other's hand, clutching a battered… hairpin?
– My apologies, I thought you might be some treasure hoarders looking for trouble. – Keqing quickly placed the ornament back into its rightful place, looking sheepish.
– Ah, you can never be too safe with them. Although here, they tend to leave us alone most of the time! – Lan Yan's surprise quickly turned into a gleeful smile as she realised there was no danger. – It's great to meet you again, Lady Yuheng! – She quickly put her basket of tools on her hip and reached a hand to grab Keqing's now free one. After enthusiastically shaking the Yuheng's hand for a while without any response, she continued with the pleasantries.
– Might I ask what it is that brought you here?
– Ah, yes. I'm not slacking, if you were wondering. – Lan Yan couldn't even imagine ever thinking of the Yuheng slacking off. – There have been predictions of today's rainfall, which prevents me from getting anything done today, so I've chosen this time to hone my skills of survival.
Lan Yan looks her over, searching.
– With just a sword? – She tilts her head in confusion before Keqing's boastful smile makes itself known.
– And my hairpin, of course! – She gestures at the accessory proudly, but Lan Yan's eyes are focused on something just beside it. She just has to ask.
– Would you accept my company while the rain passes? I understand if you'd prefer to be alone.
– Don't worry. I was just planning on practicing my skills with the blade, after my meal. Ah, there are no leftovers, I'm afraid…
– It's alright, I was stuffed full by my family before I left home! They never let me leave without making sure I've had enough to survive for a week without eating. Although, I was going to ask for a small favour. – Lan Yan's face heats slightly, and she makes her way over to a dry spot to sit down to prevent herself from getting a full-on grin plastered on her face.
– Ask away, Madame Lan. – Keqing kneels beside the fireplace, lighting it once again to warm them up in the chilly weather.
– I was wondering if you could style my hair like yours. With the little cat ears? – For a moment she raises her hands to her head and positions them to be like the ears of a cat.
Keqing can't help it, she chuckles a little at the request.
– Most people would ask for much grander things if they could catch me in a moment of rest. – Is this what she considered rest?
– Hmm. So you agree?
– Of course. It shouldn't take long, it's not as complicated as most people would believe. – With the fire set, she makes her way to Lan Yan, who has now set up her small workstation.
The straw and her layered skirts are enough to ward off the cold as Keqing sits behind the craftswoman, who has now started to work on a piece that looks almost ready. No words are passed as she begins to gently remove each of Lan Yan's elaborate silver pieces. The feeling is strange, it almost takes her focus with it, but soon Keqing's hands are swirling alongside her strands of hair, moving them into place one by one.
Lan Yan doesn't like to be disturbed while she works. Loud chatter and quiet noises of play from someone else can break the careful concentration she needs to weave every strand perfectly. This is why she usually prefers the curious fox to the bothersome neighbour, and the quiet birdsong to the careless whistling.
But Keqing is quite different. She doesn't try to make bleak small talk of how business is going, and she doesn't bother her work with reminders to take a break whenever she's been sitting for too long. She knows it all comes from a place of love, but there is a limit to what Lan Yan can handle.
With each strand of rattan that she twists firmly, Keqing carefully brushes a strand of her iron-gray hair. With the constant fall of the rain over the river, the environment is perfect for her to work as efficiently as she does out in the wild without anyone else around.
– It's finished. – Keqing's voice cracks slightly after not using it for a while, and with her soft tone, it could almost be mistaken for a splatter from the rain.
As Lan Yan turned around, still sitting, the tightly curled strands of hair lay heavy on her head – heavy as the pieces of silver adorning every part of her. The pieces that remind her every time of the love each person who gave them has for her. Looking over at Keqing, the heavy silver pieces would be clearly out of place on her warm, gold-adorned outfit. And yet, even with only the few pieces of jewelry that she has, it always looks as if Keqing carries a much heavier burden than Lan Yan.
She cannot give her love as everyone in her family does – a jangling piece with hand-crafted designs – but she can give something to carry whatever is always weighing her down.
– Here. – Lan Yan puts the basket she just finished weaving into Keqing's lap, without a single thought of doubt. The Yuheng holds onto it firmly, before looking Lan Yan in the eyes.
– Do you… need me to hold it while you finish?
– No need! It's done and dusted. – She smiles, and the ornate hairstyle pulls on her scalp gently as she reaches over to her tools to start over once again. When she turns back, Keqing is looking at the basket with an empty expression. – Do you not like it?
– No it's- It looks fine. I mean, it looks like it could hold things well…
– You can hold it well, too! – She quickly places down her tools and grabs onto Keqing's hands without a second thought. The nervous palms are placed onto the two handles of the basket, sitting comfortably while still embraced by the other pair of hands. – It won't catch on your gloves, don't worry.
Keqing gazes at their hands and now wishes she didn't wear those gloves all the time. She doesn't have the heart to tell Lan Yan that she has no need for something like this. She owns such few things, and never really goes out to gather wild mushrooms or anything of the sort. And besides, everything in her home is already neatly organised in shelves and chests without a thing out of place.
Still, as she takes in the humble basket, she can imagine strong hands carefully weaving each strand one by one. She can see Lan Yan's focused eyes pore over the details as she hums a tune carelessly. She sees herself, reminded that such care can be put into one simple but tiresome task when all she herself ever does is divide her attention into as many parts as she can handle without breaking down.
– Thank you, Madame Lan. – A warm smile fills both their faces, and Lan Yan goes back to her tools, while Keqing does not lift her gaze from the basket.
– Just Yan is fine. It's what everyone in the village calls me.
Without a response, she begins work on another basket just like the one she finished. This one will be for her aunt down the street, who was meant to own the one that went to the woman sitting in front of her. She better not tell, or Keqing might insist on Lan Yan keeping it for its original purpose.
She begins to smile at the thought, before stilling in surprise. As she looks up, Keqing's hands slow in their movement to replace her silver pieces. Each of them is treasured in her hand, just like how Lan Yan treasures them all. The silver swallow is left for last, and the hand that places it lingers in place, admiring the slight shine and craftsmanship.
– How do I look? – Lan Yan moves her head slightly, posing while the tinkling of jewelry breaks the noise of the calming rainfall. Keqing places a hand on her chin, taking the question seriously.
– Much more like a cat than me, I think. Mine were actually supposed to imitate horns, but people always mistake them for cat ears…
– Ah, I'm so sorry, Lady Yuheng! I can see it, though! Like the general secretary, no? – The Yuheng smiles at that, before sighing in exasperation.
– Please, just call me Keqing. It's how all my friends address me. – Lan Yan's face fills with a smile and she nods in understanding as her buns pull on her head. The tinkling of jewelry is joined by the song of the first brave swallow welcoming the newly fair skies.
– I'm honored, Miss Keqing.