"Just call me Lora," she told Charlotte with a smile.
There was no need to get hung up on titles.
For someone who had lived as long as she had, Lora really did not care much about what people called her.
Of course, no one was allowed to call her old.
She was forever eighteen.
Charlotte nodded. "Hello, Miss Lora. I'm very glad to run into you here!"
"How were the photos I sent you last time?" Lora asked with a smile.
"They were huge! We're already preparing them for publication!" Charlotte grew visibly excited the moment those photos came up.
Those pictures were not something any ordinary person could have taken.
Only someone like Lora could manage shots like that.
Every person in them was the kind of figure people normally spoke of with reverence. Without her, who could possibly have captured them?
Lora continued, "I've got some new ones too. Once I return to Fontaine, I'll send them to The Steambird for you. They should help your performance numbers a little. We can talk price. Same as before."
"Yes, yes!" Charlotte was thrilled and nodded eagerly.
"What are you up to now?" Sophia tilted her head as she listened to their conversation.
"Just earning a little extra money." Lora smiled and made a tiny gesture with her fingers.
Paimon floated in the air, looking at Keqing and Charlotte. "But... why is Charlotte here in Liyue? And with Keqing too. That's an unusual pair."
"Well..." Charlotte looked back at Keqing.
Keqing stepped forward and explained, "Miss Charlotte was discussing kites with me. As you have probably seen, the streets of Liyue are now full of them, and this year's Lantern Rite is also themed around kites."
"Oh, so that's why." Lora suddenly understood and muttered to herself, "No wonder Xianyun made such a huge one. I vaguely remember that back when Xiao Lanterns were the theme, she and Zhongyue made a giant Yinglong Xiao Lantern."
"Exactly! It was awesome!" Zhongyue quickly nodded from the side, looking rather proud to have been praised.
"Heh. My suggestion is to tie a string to you and let you fly into the sky," Lora said, turning back to her with a very serious expression.
A giant Azhdaha flying through the sky would definitely become the most eye-catching sight in Liyue.
"But aren't kites supposed to be pulled by a silk string and lifted into the air by the wind?" Sophia asked. "Can that thing Furina was hanging from earlier really be called a kite?"
Keqing laughed and said, "It seems you are not from Liyue, miss. Liyue Harbor is constantly developing, and Lantern Rite needs to bring forth new ideas as well. The Qixing's view is that while inheriting our traditions, we can also draw inspiration from the techniques of other nations. As the saying goes, stones from other mountains can polish jade."
"Because of that, the Qixing has encouraged everyone in the harbor to improve upon kites, gather ideas, and create more distinctive designs."
After hearing her explanation, Lora nodded slightly. "Oh, now I get it. There's just one problem..."
At that point, she looked at Furina and asked, "Why didn't Xianyun test it herself? Why did she have you do it?"
"Uh... after Xianyun finished making it, she left it in the courtyard. Then she went out for a bit, and I wanted to play with it." Furina scratched her head sheepishly.
Lora knocked her on the head and scolded her helplessly, "You really have no sense of danger at all. If you hadn't happened to run into us, you would've been in real trouble just now."
"Oh, right, Keqing! I have a question!" Paimon suddenly looked at her and asked, "Since the point is to gather everyone's ideas and make different kinds of kites, can we join too?"
"Of course. The Liyue Qixing welcomes anyone interested," Keqing said with a smile and a nod.
"Lumine, let's hurry and learn how to make kites!" Paimon quickly said.
Lora looked at the two of them. "Want to learn kite-making? You can go find Xianyun."
Keqing continued, "Also, the Ministry of Civil Affairs is holding a contest. On the night of Lantern Rite, everyone can bring out the kites they made and compete. Whoever flies higher and farther will win. The prizes are quite generous too."
"There are prizes? Yay! We're joining!" Paimon cheered in delight.
Lora looked at Keqing, then coughed lightly. "Since that's the case, we'll join too. Of course, I'm not doing this for the prizes. After all, as you all know, I'm not exactly poor. But bringing back a prize for my child would be nice..."
Furina immediately added, "But Focalors and I don't really need—"
Lora quickly covered her mouth.
"You really didn't need to say that last part," Sophia said helplessly. Then she turned to Nahida. "Let's join too. We can't let your aunt win the prize so easily."
"Hey, hey! What kind of friend are you? Aren't you supposed to work hard to help me win?" Lora frowned and protested.
Keqing laughed and nodded. "All right. Then I'll wish you all good results in advance. Charlotte and I still have some matters to attend to, so we should get going. Goodbye, everyone."
"Bye!" Paimon waved at her.
Zhongyue poked Apep in the waist. "Old... Apep, want to team up?"
"Who wants to team up with you? A so-called kite contest is nothing more than a dull human gathering. I have no interest." Apep glanced at her, then shook her head and refused.
However, Zhongli said, "Liyue Harbor's customs and scenery differ greatly from Sumeru's. Since you have made a rare visit here, you may as well take this opportunity to learn more about the world beyond Sumeru. There is no need to refuse so quickly."
After hearing his calm words, Apep glanced at him, then at Lora and Sophia. She lifted her chin slightly, crossed her arms, and said, "In that case, let us try it together."
"Oh, I don't want to," Zhongyue immediately said, shaking her head the moment Apep changed her mind.
"Hm?" Apep frowned and looked at her.
Zhongyue made a dismissive gesture. "When you said no, it was no. Now you want to do it again? Who do you think I am? I'm Azhdaha, the Geo Dragon Sovereign. You think I'm someone you can call over and wave away whenever you please? Do I have no dignity? What a joke."
"Hmph! I never said I had to team up with you. Do you think I can't do it on my own?" After hearing that, Apep became haughty as well and gave a cold snort.