The Astral Cafe

Starting up a business is hard enough, but starting a business in the City of Contracts is absolute hell. After all, in the nation where contracts and competitive business is common, you should expect to be washed away by the big folks on the scene.

It was a place of competition, money, and walking credit cards that pay others like sugar daddies.

That all aside, a rather unique individual could currently be seen walking through the streets of Liyue Harbor. As they walked, one could see that anyone that was in their way would unconsciously shuffle to make a path for the person to walk through.

This behaviour was unsurprising though, considering the nature of who this person was. She naturally stood out amongst the citizens with her striking light purple hair that was tied into a pair of pigtails, and not to mention her expensive and unique form of attire.

This person was of course Keqing, one of the current seven members that make up the Liyue Qixing, who were essentially the governing leaders of Liyue. As for Keqing, she served as the Yuheng for the Liyue Qixing, specialising in land and livelihood management.

With her job came many responsibilities, and with those responsibilities came a shortage of free time for herself. However, with whatever free time she did have, she'd usually always spend it by going out to shop. Today was one of those days, a day for her to relax and enjoy herself.

Well, it should've been that is...

"Where did this come from...?" Keqing muttered to herself in confusion as she seemed to be inspecting something in her right hand as she continued walking. 'I would've thought that someone had placed it one my desk, that is had I not seen it appear out of nowhere.'

In Keqing's hand was what looked to be a fancy letter, one that was coloured black and designed with various shining golden patterns. The letter also looked to have been sealed using a golden wax stamp, though its appearance wasn't so clear now that she had already cut it open.

Though, she did vividly remember the image on the wax stamp. If she was recalling correctly, it looked as if two large diamonds were placed on top of one another, along with two more at the centre of the large diamond on top.2

Although today was supposed to be her free day, she wanted to get to the bottom of this letter. Speaking of which, the note that was placed inside of it was held in her left hand while her right hand held the envelope itself.

"Astral Cafe, isn't that a new business that had recently opened up?" Keqing did seem to recognise the name. Although many businesses open on the daily here in Liyue Harbor, not many actually survive past a week. 'I suppose I'll get my answers soon.'

The letter she had was pretty considerate, and while the number of words was very little to speak of, there was even a small but readable map prinited onto the piece of white paper. All the mysteriousness aside, she had never seen such high quality paper.

Since the map on the letter was very easy to follow, Keqing didn't take long at all to finally arrive at the place in question. Upon arriving, she looked up at the building's architecture with an interested look on her face.

Unlike the usual style of Liyue, the building in front of Keqing was designed with a very modern architecture. The walls being a pure white with shining silver window frames and a flat roof that was coloured a very dark grey that practically borderlined being black.

As for the entrance, it was a pair of glass doors that Keqing soon heard give a loud yet soothing chime when someone walked in. Outside were a few round tables with with black and white chairs set up around them, pretty much all of them were occupied.

'This place seems very popular, that's impressive for a business that's only been open for a few days...' Keqing couldn't help but appreciate the design before walking towards the entrance doors. She stared at the doors for a second before grabbing and pushing against the slim verticle handles where doorknobs would usually be. 'It's packed!'

Keqing couldn't help but widen her eyes upon entering the shop, there were many tables and she honestly couldn't see many that were vacant. Despite its rather full occupation, the place was miraculously not cramped and the few waiters she saw were easily capable of moving around.

'They're not wearing the usual Liyue style...' Keqing immediately noticed the fancy waiter uniforms that both the female and male employees were wearing. 'They look similar to clothes from Fontaine, but they appear to be from Liyue.'

Keqing could only assume that the employees themselves were from Liyue and were just wearing these Fontaine-like uniforms since the person who owns this cafe might be from Fontaine. It'd make sense if that was the case.

"L-Lady Keqing...!" One of the female employees who had come over to welcome her seemed to become flustered after seeing who it was she was about to welcome into the cafe. However, she quickly calmed herself. "W-Would you like me to lead you to a table, Lady Keqing?"

"I would have to decline for now. I'm actually looking for the owner, I think their name is... Xingfu." Keqing had forgotten for a second before she glancing down at the letter to confirm. 'Strange, that name fits more with Liyue's naming conventions.'

"Boss Xingfu? I'll call him immediately!"

"Thank you."

As Keqing watched the employee rush off elsewhere into the cafe, Keqing glanced around to look at everything. Just like the building's style on the outside, everything on the inside was also quite different from what she was used to. Although different, she didn't mind it.

From where she stood at the entrance, to the right on against the wall looked to be the drink making area where a number of employees seemed to be brewing all kinds of different drinks, and there also looked to be a number of machines on the working counters that she didn't recognise.

The rest of the room was arranged with tables for the customers, and Keqing couldn't help but twitch her nose when the fragrent smell of both coffee, tea, and more filled the room. None of the smells were unpleasant, and the scent of cakes and other items also seemed to stimulate her hunger.

Before long, Keqing noticed someone walking toward her. As she was about to address them first, Keqing couldn't help but freeze when she noticed his posture. While it looked like the person was walking casually in a rather refined way, she also noticed how they were also constantly on guard.

For someone like her who too had nurtured a similar posture, she could instantly see that there didn't seem to be any openings in this person's form. No doubt this person was not your typical business owner, they were most likely also an experienced fighter as well.

In any case, as the person stopped in front of her, Keqing could make out there appearance completely. A young man no older than herself with a fair complexion, and with smooth black hair that was brushed to the right, with a few streaks of icy blue bangs and a pair of eyes of the same colour.

In regard to clothing, they were wearing a different variation of the uniforms worn by the employees. A fancy white dress-shirt underneath a black button-up sleeveless vest, along with a pair of sleek black fancy pants and black leather shoes. To finish off, the male also had on a black face-mask that covered his nose and mouth.

"Welcome to the Astral Cafe, my name is Xingfu. How may I be of assistance today?"

"Greetings, I am Keqing. I'm here to inquire about a certain letter here in my hand. I believe it should've come from your cafe."

"A letter?" Xingfu seemed to show a look of confusion as he glacned down at the envelope and note that were in Keqing's hands. Holding his chin in thought, he soon shook his head. "I'm afraid I cannot help you, I am unaware of such a letter."

"I-I see... that's strange." Keqing seemed confused as well after hearing Xingfu's response. Frowning, she looked back down at the letter with a complicated look on her face. 'Is there another Astral Cafe? No, this should be right place...'

"Is there anything else I can help you with, Lady Keqing? Would you like to order anything perhaps?"

"Ah, y-yes." Keqing stuttered a bit when answering. Since she was already here anyway, she might as well give the items here at the cafe a try. It'd be a waste to leave without at least trying something. "Do you... wait, order?"

Something seemed to suddenly click in Keqing's mind as she quickly looked back down at the note in her left hand, her eyes seemingly skimming over all of the words before finally taking notice of one of the last lines.

"Lady Keqing?"

"I'd like to order..." Keqing trailed on for a bit before glancing at the letter once more just to confirm her words. "A journey that leads us starward."

"Oh~? That's a very unique order, Lady Keqing." Xingfu eyes seemed to narrow as they curved upwards ever-so slightly. While she couldn't see his mouth, she could feel that a smile had formed on Xingfu's face. "Please keep a hold of that letter, your order will be out shortly. Please take a seat in the meantime."

Keqing didn't even get to respond as Xingfu walked off, so she couldn't help but stare as he disappeared elsewhere. 'I see, so that must've been a password of sorts. But what does those words even mean, a journey that leads us starward?'

Although confused, Keqing had found a small two-person table to sit at. She didn't have to wait long either as after around only ten or so minutes, she saw Xingfu walking over with a silver platter balancing on his right fingertips.

"Here you are, Lady Keqing. A journey that leads us starward."

Keqing looked down at the two items that were placed in front of her, a cup of sweet-scented coffee with the exact same symbol printed on the wax of the letter drawn using foamed milk. The other item was a small plate with three round cakes, each designed with a clean and thin layer of blue, pink, and purple frosting.

On the top of each of the cakes was a an eight-pointed star of sorts that was white with golden edges1, it was certainly a very unique design. Picking up the coffee cup, Keqing took a small sip after lifting it up to her lips.

"...!" Keqing blinked her eyes quickly as her eyes had widened to the max. 'Such a strong flavour yet it isn't overwhelming. Not only that, it isn't too thick either, just overall perfect. This is an incredible brew of coffee!'

"Please enjoy yourself, Lady Keqing. After you finish, please call for me. Make sure to bring your letter along with you."

With a small bow and a soft smile, Xingfu soon left Keqing alone. However, before Keqing could quietly enjoy her order, she blinked in surprise when she noticed someone she recognised very easily suddenly walk into the cafe.

'G-Ganyu?!'