#XIANGLING [AN EXQUISITE DELICACY IN HER OWN RIGHT]

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@wxrldlyreflectixns​​ said: “Smash or Pass” Ning @ Xiangling

Lips parted as eyes narrowed in, brow denting. With a tilt of her head, Ningguang replies, tone and posture speaking of an outward JUDGMENTAL DISAPPOINTMENT in the other. "What crude impertinence..." Letting words linger in the atmosphere for but a moment she took a step forward. "Did no one ever teach you MANNERS? Perhaps how to respect another's PRIVACY?" Evidently not... Even the most foolish of Liyue's residents knew full well not to push past Ningguang's barriers -- To target her SECRETS. Her Mora, too. But mostly her SECRETS. "My opinions on Xiangling are my own and will not be spilled to the public. Twist that how you like." Mind had already cycled forward to the days to come, considering what healines may just show up in THE STREAMBIRD's Celebrity column. Tianquan Ningguang of the Liyue Qixing rejects Wanmin's Prodigious Head Chef. Spicy Secret Scandal: Xiangling Ningguang's Secret Lover? Ningguang to wed Xiangling. Xiangling secretly wedded to Ningguang. Ugh. The gossip would be INFURIATING. "If you haven't learned by now: I have no intention of answering your exhaustive questions." Anymore than her SILENCE already had. A matter only further stressed once one considered how IMMEDIATE & BLUNT & PUBLIC & COLD-HEARTEDLY Ningguang denied any other romantic rumor. But something just FAILED HER this time. Was it that it would be a lie? That she didn't want to hurt Xiangling? Or was it that she couldn't BEAR to deny her attraction to the younger girl? In any case, Ningguang could only answer in ONE truthful way: SMASH. But then she wouldn’t be Ningguang, now, would she?

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@wxrldlyreflectixns​​ said: @ Ning, I've heard that Xiangling from Wanmin has been getting close to your secretary.

“Hmm...” Golden clawed fingers scraped across DECEPTIVELY DELICATE JAWLINE. Danger lingered in those bloody gems that forged Ningguang’s ever-sharp eyes. Baishi approached, documents being proffered up to the Tianquan, head bowed, save maybe the SNEAKIEST of glimps at Ningguang’s smooth thighs. Of course, the older woman had yet to discover Biashi’s ulterior motives. Both for being her SECRETARY and for helping in this MOST TROUBLING time. “I have.” She took the documents. “You are dismissed, Baishi.” Secrets decorated this city. Gave STRENGTH to this city. Secrets did so for all things. But secrets could also DESTROY all they had been so meticulously designed to maintain. “So what secrets is my little chef keeping from me?” Kind of HYPOCRITICAL in a way, given the tax accounts Mao kept from Xiangling’s prying eyes. Sharp talons tapped restlessly against oak as she took her seat, opening up the files, and-- Oh... Teeth GRIT, eyes NARROWING. Baishi had been following Xiangling closely; Putting the newly innovated KAMERA to good use. Suffice to say... Ningguang was not happy with the results. The sight of Xiangling smile should NOT have made the Tianquan angry. And yet... Yet here she was, agate eyes BURNING into photographs of said girl. At times calm, other times boisterous, and always CHEERY. Serving up vegetarian dishes. Splitting vegan ice cream. Flying kites in Rex Lapis’s name. Resting her head on the Qilin’s shoulder. Holding-- GULP. Hand crashed itself down upon that photo, pulling it closer as she leaned forward. ...HOLDING HANDS with the half-breed. Eyes scanned each and every photo, committing the various locales to memory. “Baishi.” Girl was by her side in an INSTANT. “We need a double order of confectionary. I have some questions I need answering.” And she WOULD find said answers. No matter what. ...Xiangling had better pray they were GOOD ONES.

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@wxrldlyreflectixns​​ said: [ knees ] your muse telling mine to get on their knees. (Xiang @ Ning)

Mmmhhh... Ningguang had to HIDE HER SMIRK. Tonight was most certainly a POWER STRUGGLE, and Ningguang wanted to PLAY A BIT. The duo were actually in Xiangling's home. Her bedroom, to be precise. The Tianquan hadn't even expected the girl to be home. Here STRICTLY ON BUSINESS with Chef Mao. After all, the Wanmin Restaurant had turned over LESS of a profit than expected this month. Which meant Ningguang wasn't getting back her PROMISED RETURNS. One business transaction and a shift-end later and Ningguang was sneaking her way upstairs instead of seeing herself out. Thus: Here they were. Mao downstairs. Ningguang TECHNICALLY trespassing. And Xiangling demanding Ningguang MAKE IT UP TO HER by getting down her knees. Oh, how the thought made her DRIP. But now was not the time. "And who is going to make me kneel, Xiangling?" Now she smirked, if only because it'd be masked by her own EGO. "You really want your father to catch us?" What was he going to do, logically? Sadly, Ningguang could think of a few options he had... They all involved leaving the Harbor with Xiangling... STOMACH CHURNED. “Is it really worth the risk?” Was Ningguang asking that of Xiangling or HERSELF?

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@wxrldlyreflectixns​​​ said:  wet :   my  muse  strips  down  to  their  under  garments  and  runs  into  the  water,  motioning  for  your  muse  to  join  them. (From Xiangling)

Well, well, well... Xiangling CONTINUED to surprise her. Initial panic quickly faded once the SHOCK STAGE had passed by, and logic had reasserted a sense of SECURITY into Ningguang’s psyche. They were MILES OUT from Liyue Harbor as the Luhua Pools. As seemed constant in her little chef’s life, even the simplest of strolls would become GRAND ADVENTURES. Tianquan supposed that had to be one of the benefits of RECKLESS IMPULSIVITY. And so a peaceful walk had become a boisterous days of HUNTING, GATHERING & VIGILANTISM. Say, if word had gotten back, Beidou would surely have a FIELD DAY with such hypocrisy. Amidst the chaos they’d found themselves at this ruin; One of many scattered across Liyue. Leave it to XIANGLING to somehow jump to the idea of SWIMMING IN THE ANCIENT POOLS. And yet, here the girl was, already down to her-- Ohh? LINGERIE? Ningguang smirked, unable to help herself from sinking TEETH into her lip, groaning out at the sight. Seemed the prodigal chef had been fully intending on getting WILD out in the wild. Suffice to say, it was certainly an ENTICING thought and teeth scraped themselves across those golden clawnails that so THREATENINGLY ORNAMENTED her fingers.  “You ARE aware of the potential dangers of entering a pool of water hidden away in the ruins of a cliff, Xiangling?”

Knowing Xiangling, the answer was probably NO. Woman didn’t seem to have aptitude for DANGER, CONSEQUENCE or SELF-PRESERVATION. “As well as the dangers of someone so catching us in the act?” In what act? The act of... GASP: SWIMMING?! No, of course not. This was just another example of Ningguang pseudo-seducing Xiangling in such a way that she could DENY CULPABILITY. “The way could be toxic, radioactive, filled with monsters.” However, judging from how long Xiangling had been splashing around like an ARCHON-DAMNED CHILD, there at least didn’t appear to be any monsters. Not to mention, it was typically HUMANITY’S OWN INTERVENTION that so poisoned and irradiated the natural springs of this world. And the way her girl’s soaked undergarments clung so sheerly against that SEXY FRAME OF HERS. Ningguang swallowed her, gave one last glance ot their surroundings, and one last bite to her lip, before peeling of her gloves. Her dress followed. Then her hairpin and her heels. And just like that Ningguang had her OWN racy lingerie on show. Only, hers were WHITE. Elegance dotted her graced as she strolled listfully toward the pool -- AND XIANGLING. Gold curled from her foot to mid calf, and the red tattoo emblazoned on her thigh sheened in the sun. Heart RACED. She’d never been so public with Xiangling. At least... Not so public while STILL THINKING STRAIGHT. (The panic and pleasure of being fingered behind the Wanmin Restaurant KIND OF blotted out the whole thing.) “Well, aren’t you going to come and help your Tianquan safely in?” LITTLE TEASE.

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@wxrldlyreflectixns​ said: @Ganyu, How would you feel if Xiangling introduced you to her girlfriend?

Hit to the heart felt like a KICK IN THE HEAD and it dipped down, those luminescent pools falling to the floor as she grabbed at her right arm, half-hugging herself. “So it’s true...” Ganyu hadn’t YET been able to confirm it... UNTIL NOW. She had confirmed that she found Xiangling PHYSICALLY & SEXUALLY ATTRACTIVE which was its a NEW EXPERIENCE for the thousand year old virgin. And it HAD been a FORGONE CONCLUSION that the chef de cuisine of Wanmin Restaurant had little something on the DOWN-LOW. So down-low that not even the Liyue Qixing had been discussing it. Which, no offense to Xiangling, BEGGED the question: How in Teyvat had XIANGLING of all people successfully managed to hide a long-term romantic relationship from KEQING & NINGGUANG? The plot did indeed thicken. But that was beside the point!! “Do you know who it is?” Words spoken ABSENT CONFIDENCE. Something hurt inside, and Ganyu shrank like a CHILD being told off by her PARENTS. “I suppose, if she has a girlfriend, then I would like to meet the lucky girl.” LIAR. But Ganyu would never tell. Also that ignored the entire question of how it made her FEEL.

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@wxrldlyreflectixns​ said:  wet :   my  muse  strips  down  to  their  under  garments  and  runs  into  the  water,  motioning  for  your  muse  to  join  them. (From Xiangling)

Juyeun Karst. Haven of the Illuminated Beasts: THE MIGHTY ADEPTI. Hallowed grounds to those who believed. & A DEATH TRAP to those who sinned. Ganyu had accompanied Xiangling here on somewhat of an... EXPEDITION. Of course, it may have helped that it had been ZHONGLI’s VERY OWN IDEA. Otherwise, the secretary would NEVER have been convinced to bring a human beyond the border. Alas, here they were after a long day of CHILLI PICKING in the native region of Xiangling’s FAVORITE INGREDIENT; In what may just have proven to be a ONCE IN A LIFETIME opportunity for the ever-ambition chef. The two had, naturally, stayed to soak in the atmosphere and were presently just at the foot of Mt Aozang, home to CLOUD RETAINER. What had been forthcoming, Ganyu... Had neither PLANNED nor BEEN READY FOR. Amidst discussion of the sea and how it very much felt like HOME to the Qilin; Where she most felt AT PEACE... Xiangling had shredded her clothing, cheering the Adeptus on and fleeing into the water. Hollering about how it only made SENSE for Ganyu to swim in those smooth undercurrents. The calm waters she’d very much spent her youth playing in.

Questions raised themselves in Ganyu’s shaking head as she SMIRKED & EXHALED in amusement. This HAD been the very girl who clammed up when Ganyu had offered a BACK RUB. So why, now, did the chef so freely strip HALF-NAKED and wish her to do the same? Mayhaps that flame had burned out? Or was Ganyu overthinking again? After all, going for a SWIM was a farsight less intimate. Indeed fashion had evolved to wear most swimwear oft proved just as revealing as one’s undergarments. SNAP BACK TO REALITY at the ‘YOOOHOOO’ and the ‘HEE! HEE!’ and Xiangling shouted after her. ‘WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!’ And Ganyu just laughed against and shook her head again, pushing herself to her feet before pulling off her dresswear and slipping out of her bodysuit. Had this been GENERATIONS PRIOR. Ganyu may just have-- No. DEFINITELY WOULD HAVE. Hesitated. But if not for her own confidence, WHY did she so stringently monitor her nutritional intake and continue her Adeptus training? As it was, the body suit rolled first over her generous bosom -- A MAINSTAY of her formerly plump figure. Down past her milky toned stomach, over her hips and her ass and down to her ankles where she kicked them off before chasing after the human girl who had at once become COMPANION & FRIEND. “I-I’m coming!!”

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@wxrldlyreflectixns​ said: 🍸+ Ning do you at all desire to be public with Xiang? Hold hands & kiss & be shown off by her & vice versa?

Exhale catching at the back of Ningguang's throat portrayed her utter OFFENSE & INDIGNANCE at the question, brow arching together as tightly knit as her INNER CIRCLE as her mouth pressed into a life. Had she an ounce less alcohol swimming in her stomach, maybe the Tianquan would question as to HOW this interloper knew of her coupling with Xiangling at ALL. They'd even said it themselves: They were NOT public. Instead, rather fittingly, given how far out of her comfort zone the woman was, Ningguang slurred, head tilted, eyes narrowing. Yes, there was STILL a threat in her words even in spite of her intoxication. "I cannot for the life of me figure out what I hate more: Your FOOLISHNESS or your ARROGANCE..." She backed her champagne glass and with aflick of her wrist summoned up an orbit of gemstones, scarlet eyes settling if ever so slightly onto the comforting rotation. "This is not a conversation for you or ANYONE ELSE--" Words calling out like a WARNING to all potential listeners. "To be of any significance in." And yet they were the single MOST significant part of it all the same.

Ningguang knew not of any logic that could so shy her away from being PUBLIC with Xiangling. Of none but one, that is. And that was Xiangling's safety. After all, the Tianquan had none that could prevent her from taking a lover; IRREGARDLESS of their gender. However, she had no shortage of enemies that may very well have attempted to TAKE HER LOVER FROM HER. "If Xiangling to speak to me regarding this, she has every right to do so." Fist clenched and the geo crystal ground to dust. Perhaps, in truth, or at least in part, Ningguang's deficiencies in this area were born not of LOGIC, but at least of partial IRRATIONALITY. Perhaps the Tianquan was not scared of LOSING Xiangling, but instead of COMMITTING to her. But why would that be? Her constantly overwhelming schedule? Her duty to Liyue Habor, the Qixing, Adepti, and Rex Lapis? Her various business ventures?

Or was it that new grounds, especially new EMOTIONAL grounds, brought Ningguang a sense of INSTABILITY & INSECURITY that no man, God or celestial trial ever had? And more annoyingly: WHY? Why did Xiangling, and XIANGLING ALONE, hold the power, in every action and word, to shake the foundation of Ningguang's simply perfected and easily understood world to it's very CORE? To shake long accepted truths out from the tapestry in which Ningguang had so THOROUGHLY engraved them. "I believe we've all had far too much to drink tonight. The guards will see you out." Still, as she uncrossed LITHE legs and gave them a stretch, strutting over to her balcony and gazing out upon the world, those thoughts jabbed away, through her defenses and into her HEART & MIND, sending waves of BLISTERING HEAT to her cheeks, her stomach, and her nethers, as cold tendrils wrapped themselves around her organs, heart hammering so fast it was almost SCARY how little it showed. "Xiangling... Did you put her up to this?" Hmmm -- PERHAPS SHE DID... And with that closing thought, Ningguang SMIRKED.

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@wxrldlyreflectixns​ said:“I bought matching Christmas pajamas for us!” (Xiang @ Ning)

Wait she did? Cock of Ningguang's head, brow narrowing. It WAS a thing people did. One of the many markets successfully exploited by the Tianquan during her ASCENSION and throughout her REIGN as one of the seven LIYUE QIXING. But of all the gifts many a hopeful-suitor and desperate-wannabe had bought for her, no one had EVER bought her a pair of pajamas. Let alone a pair that MATCHED THEIR OWN. Let alone a HOLIDAY-THEMED PAIR. She supposed such innocence had to be one of the primary factors drawing her so unusually close to the head chef of the Wanmin Restaurant. But.... STILL. How was one supposed to react to something like this? Ningguang wasn't exactly GOOD with accepting gifts or showing gratitude or social holidays or... LOVING PEOPLE. "Matching Christmas pajamas?" Social awkwardness would be on full display right now. There wasn't any PREVENTING THAT. "I... Can I... See them?" There was also a notable discomfort in her gut. A nervousness. And THAT EMOTION she could one hundred percent understand. She couldn't understand the APPRECIATION or LOVE or that WARM FEELING OF SECURITY that Xiangling's constant affections evoked. But she could absolutely understand the COMMITMENTPHOBIA. And, yes, Ningguang DID take this gift as a form of commitment. Was she supposed to? "How do you even match two people like us?" Then there was the OPPOSITE bundle of emotions: GUILT & ADORATION. "And where did you find the money?" Xiangling had nary a mora to her name. "Thank you, Xiangling."

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@wxrldlyreflectixns​ said: ✤ : lacing your fingers into theirs and holding their hands (Xiang @ Ning)

"Huh?" Crimson eyes -- That of a SOPHISTICATED PREDATOR -- Shot down toward the alien sensation that was Xiangling intertwining their fingers. They were just about to leave the Jade Chamber to descend down toward Liyue like GODS. Her brow knit before those same scarlet pools locked themselves up with Xiangling. "Uh-huh..." SILENCE; A clear as day sign that the GEARS WITHIN were TURNING. After several more seconds, Ningguang finally spoke once more: "You are aware that doing that in public would surely out our little scandal?" Likely, Xiangling knew EXACTLY what she was doing; The eternally bubbling wok of energy had failed in any and all attempts to HIDE her desire to be a public couple. The sheer MAGNITUDE of that step made Ningguang's heart LEAP & TWIST in equal measure. And she honest to Rex Lapis had never once thought there could be a conceivable circumstance of this world that could cause FEAR, but... But this one did... That surely had to be why she hadn't FORCIBLY UNHANDED Xiangling by now -- Right? (It at least explained why they were now ROOTED IN PLACE.)