Barbara focused her will on the charm in her hand and conjured up a wall of water. She took several deep breaths and focused on the rippling water. Bit by bit, the surface flattened and Barbara could see her reflection slowly form in the water. The magic of Hydro came so easily to her as it always had. What she saw made her blush a bit. Her costume was not her usual fare. These were definitely not the raiments of a deaconess for the Church of Favonius. They weren’t quite the clothes of an idol either. It was all spikes and sharp lines, different from her usual flowy cloth. She was also a bit overwhelmed by the thick makeup.
“I’m not sure about this new look, Xinyan,” Barbara said. “It’s not really my style.”
Xinyan had been tooling around with her guitar and looked up. “I think it looks great!” she said. “You’re definitely rocking it with that style.”
Barbara sighed. “I mean, thank you, but it’s really more your style than mine,” she said. “It feels like a lie.” She released her will and the water splashed down to the ground and started to soak into the Earth.
“I totally get it but if you’re going to be in the band, you have to have a little more showmanship,” Xinyan said. “We can’t have our lead singer dressed all churchy.”
Barbara had to laugh at that. “Churchy? I guess that describes my style but I do try to throw in a bit of idol style for flair,” she said. “You don’t see the nuns with the frills that I wear.”
“Gotta give it to you on that, you’re never boring Barb,” Xinyan said. “But that’s your everyday. When you’re in a band you have to wear show clothes.”
“You wear the same thing every day, Xinyan,” Barbara said pointedly. “So how does that work into your philosophy?”
Xinyan shrugged. “I’m always on,” she said. “My concerts can start anytime and anywhere.”
“Doesn’t it get tiring constantly running away from the authorities?” Barbara asked.
“The Millelith are totally too slow,” Xinyan said and laughed. “They’ll never catch me. They just don’t appreciate my music but the people do.”
“Maybe this band will change that,” Barbara said. “We could be big and, more importantly, legitimate.”
“Yeah, I guess so,” Xinyan said. “I don’t want to lose my street cred, though.”
Barbara smiled. “You don’t have to be afraid, Xinyan,” she said. “This could be the start of something really good and if it doesn’t work then we can go back to what we were doing. If you don’t try then you don’t gain anything.”
“I’m not afraid of anything,” Xinyan said. “But I guess that makes sense. I do want to get my music out to more people.”
“Our music,” Barbara said, gently correcting. “Part of making music together is compromising. Give a little, take a little. Which brings me back to what I will and won’t be wearing.”
Xinyan laughed. “Alright, what are your thoughts?” she asked.
“Again, a compromise,” Barbara said. “I can design something a little flashier but less “churchy”. I’ll even show you sketches.”
“Alright, alright, it’s a deal,” Xinyan said. “I’m not going to make you do anything that you really don’t want to do. I’m just trying to push you out of your comfort zone a little bit.”
Barbara focused again and conjured water to wash the makeup from her face. She felt more like herself.
“What do you mean?” Barbara asked. “I’m comfortable.”
“Right now you are,” Xinyan said. “But everybody knows that you work too hard and play too little.”
Barbara raised an eyebrow. “Everybody?” she asked, a little embarrassment slipping into her voice. “Who is everybody?”
Xinyan realized her mistake. “We don’t all talk about you,” she said. “Some people have seen how you never get any rest. You and your sister Jean. You’re always helping people.”
“It’s a great honor to be of service,” Barbara said a little indignantly. “My family has always believed that.”
Xinyan sighed. “Don’t take offense, Barb,” she said. “We all want to help out as much as we can. As crazy as my life is, I still fight to protect Liyue and the people I care about. I’d fight for you too.”
Barbara blushed slightly. “I don’t doubt it,” she said. “You’re a good friend, Xinyan. You’re a good person.”
Xinyan grinned. “Thanks, not the point. The point is that too much of anything will run you ragged,” she said. “You have to stop working and cut loose now and then. Maybe I can teach you how to have fun.”
“I’d like that,” Barbara said. “And maybe I can teach you how to be a bit more serious.”
“I don’t know about that,” Xinyan said with a wicked grin. “But you’re definitely welcome to try.”
Wolf of Words 