Star Rail: Starting with a Lyre, Living off Busking

"What's the task? Helping you with the chaos in the Divination Commission, or do you have something new in store for us?"

March 7th's curiosity shone through as she asked, her ease making Fu Xuan raise a slight brow.

"You're surprisingly eager to help. No wonder Jing Yuan sought you out," Fu Xuan remarked, a faint smirk forming. "Rest assured, it's nothing complicated. I merely need you to find someone for me."

"Find someone? Who?"

"One of my junior diviners." A trace of exasperation crossed Fu Xuan's face as she massaged her temple. "She's talented, but she's spent more time perfecting the art of slacking off than divination. At this rate, she could write a handbook or start her own school of laziness!"

March 7th snickered. "Sounds like someone in our Express crew."

"You might as well name names," Stelle teased, her expression betraying none of the mirth in her tone.

March 7th exaggeratedly squinted at Venti, her usually sweet face now a picture of mock suspicion. Her antics prompted Stelle to chuckle, and Welt looked on like a patient grandfather indulging his mischievous grandchildren.

Fu Xuan, however, cleared her throat, trying to reclaim their attention.

"Anyway," she said, "I need you to find her in Changle Sky. The Commission is in disarray, and we can't afford capable hands shirking their duties."

The way she spoke made it clear that this was less of a request and more of an assignment to get the group moving while she returned to the Commission.

Welt, however, remained cautious. "Diviner Fu Xuan, are you not accompanying us?"

Fu Xuan hesitated briefly, her expression carefully composed. "The Commission requires my immediate attention. As for my earlier… divination mishap, it's nothing serious," she insisted, brushing off her discomfort. "I must prepare for the public interrogation of Kafka. I trust you'll understand."

Her small, determined face made her appear less authoritative and more endearing, though no one dared say so out loud.

"We don't mind," March 7th replied with a grin, though her voice carried a hint of suspicion. "Just don't forget to include us in the interrogation! We've got an agreement on information sharing, remember?"

"Do you think so little of me?" Fu Xuan huffed, her tone indignant. "I honor my word! Even if the heavens fall, I will keep my promises. Shall I swear an oath to convince you?"

Welt intervened before tensions could rise. "No need, Diviner. We believe you. Now, where can we find this wayward junior of yours?"

Fu Xuan relaxed, nodding with satisfaction. "Her name is Qingque. You'll likely find her near the plaza in Changle Sky, playing Empire Eternity."

"Empire Eternity?"

"It's a board game," Fu Xuan clarified, her irritation returning. "For some reason, she's obsessed with it. I've never understood the appeal." She sighed before adding, "She has brown hair, green eyes, a hair clip on her left fringe, and a sparrow-shaped ornament tied to her ponytail."

The description was unusually detailed, as if Fu Xuan had spent far too much time observing this particular subordinate.

Venti perked up, his interest piqued. Watching Fu Xuan recount Qingque's quirks was like witnessing someone complain about an eccentric family member, and he couldn't hide his amusement.

Noticing his sly expression, Fu Xuan abruptly stopped reminiscing and shifted back to business. "When you find her, tell her I sent you. She'll know what to do."

"Got it, Diviner!" March 7th chimed, eager to move on.

"Once is enough! I'm not deaf," Fu Xuan snapped, though her tone lacked true bite.

"Alright, alright~~"

"And don't loiter!"

With that, March 7th grabbed Stelle's arm and set off with all the enthusiasm of someone ready for an impromptu shopping spree rather than a mission. Welt followed at a leisurely pace, offering a small nod to Fu Xuan as he passed.

That left Venti, who found himself facing Fu Xuan's unwavering gaze.

She had been sneaking glances at him for a while now, though her attempts at subtlety had fooled no one.

"Well, Diviner, any other instructions for me?" Venti asked with a smile, his tone polite yet playful.

Fu Xuan hesitated briefly before speaking. "Not instructions, per se. I'm simply… curious about your past and future."

Her words carried a weight that belied her earlier irritation. Despite Jing Yuan's assurances of Venti's trustworthiness, Fu Xuan remained cautious.

"The General said you're reliable. But I prefer to judge people with my own eyes," she admitted.

"And what have those sharp eyes of yours seen?"

"One part evasive, two parts amicable, three parts self-serving," she answered without hesitation.

The bluntness of her reply only made Venti grin. "Should I be flattered or offended, Diviner?"

Fu Xuan's expression remained impassive. "Call it what you will. Just remember—I'll be watching. Don't betray the trust placed in you."

Her gaze was firm, but Venti didn't seem fazed. Instead, he raised his hands in mock surrender.

"An excellent bard never fears an audience," he quipped, his tone as light as ever. "But a word of advice, Diviner—don't overwork that eye of yours. After all, you've already paid a steep price for it, haven't you?"

Fu Xuan stiffened, surprised by his insight. After a brief pause, she nodded.

"...I know."

"Well then, Diviner Fu Xuan, take your seat in the finest viewing gallery and prepare yourself to witness the world's greatest bard in action!"

With that bold farewell to Fu Xuan, who still seemed to have lingering questions, Venti dashed forward to catch up with the others. His cheerful grin lit up the group.

"Sorry to keep you waiting! Let's get moving before this refreshing breeze is wasted!"

"You're sure in high spirits," March 7th teased, narrowing her eyes playfully. "What were you whispering back there with the Diviner? Spill it!"

She tried to pinch his cheek, but Venti deftly dodged, hiding behind Welt with just his head poking out.

"Don't accuse me of scheming! I was just exchanging pleasantries with her. You know, something like, 'If you have money, buy a show; if you don't, just clap along.'"

"You sound like one of the street performers here on the Xianzhou," March 7th quipped. "So, what'll it be? Smashing a stone on your chest, or eating noodles upside down?"

"Yikes... Has the competition really escalated to that level?" Venti tugged at his braids nervously. "Besides, if I tried that chest-breaking trick, the next thing you'd hear would be rumors about my 'flat physique.'"

"Pfft! So you'd actually try it?" March 7th burst into laughter, clutching her stomach. Stelle, on the other hand, seemed slightly disappointed.

I could've been the one to swing the hammer, she mused. Welt could film it. We'd go viral for sure.

"Alright, alright." Welt's gentle voice reeled the conversation back. "If you want to explore these extracurricular talents, Himeko and I will support you. But first, it's nearly lunchtime. Let's eat before we go looking for this Qingque."

His suggestion was met with enthusiastic cheers from March 7th and Stelle. Meanwhile, Venti had already been drawn away by the enticing aroma of street food.

"Hey, over here! They've got shrimp dumplings—!"

Despite his foreign appearance and carefree demeanor, something about Venti's excitement over dumplings felt oddly fitting, as if he belonged here all along.

The group followed his lead to a quaint restaurant with a rustic design. Once seated and waiting for their orders, Welt felt an intense gaze aimed in their direction.

Turning to investigate, he spotted a young girl at a nearby table. She held a menu close to her face, her tiny dragon horns peeking over the top. A long, restless dragon tail swished by her seat.

Welt's movement caught March 7th's attention. Following his gaze, she gasped softly.

"Oh! Dragon horns and a dragon tail! She looks just like Dan Heng used to!"

Though her voice wasn't particularly loud, the restaurant was otherwise quiet, and the girl clearly heard. She tilted her head curiously but showed no signs of alarm.

"March," Welt whispered sharply, his tone calm but firm. "Keep your voice down. We don't want to cause a scene."

Realizing her mistake, March 7th giggled awkwardly and quickly buried herself in the menu alongside Stelle and Venti.

The girl showed no reaction that suggested she recognized the Astral Express crew or Dan Heng. Welt let out a quiet sigh of relief.

Good. It seems she hasn't been briefed about him. Let's not stir trouble unnecessarily.

With that decision made, the group settled into their meals. Their lively chatter continued at a lower volume, enough to let the atmosphere remain lighthearted.

Meanwhile, the dragon-horned girl glanced over occasionally, her eyes betraying her curiosity about the group's feast. She fidgeted in her seat, her stomach growling faintly.

Welt considered inviting her over when Venti beat him to it.

"Hello there, little one. Where are your parents? Why are you all alone?"

"Are you talking to me?" The girl blinked and wiped her mouth, as if caught sneaking glances at their food.

"Of course. You're the only 'little one' here, aren't you?" Venti replied warmly.

The girl puffed out her cheeks in defiance. "I'm not a little one! I'm Bailu, a licensed healer at the Alchemy Commission!"

The defiant proclamation ended with Bailu slamming her tiny hands on the table, only to flinch at the restaurant owner's disapproving glare. Her tail drooped, and she muttered a sheepish apology.

"Well then, Miss Bailu," Venti continued, unbothered by her earlier outburst. "Would you like to join us for lunch?"

For all her bravado, Bailu's stomach betrayed her with another growl. Pride wouldn't pay the bill, nor would it satisfy her hunger. Reluctantly, she conceded.

"...Yes."

Despite her earlier protests, Bailu devoured her meal with startling enthusiasm. Even March 7th, who had been preparing to tease her, was taken aback.

The voracious eating reminded her of Stelle's early days on the Express. "Uh… Bailu, where are your parents?"

"I don't have parents," Bailu mumbled around a mouthful of chicken.

"Then… your guardian?"

"No guardian either."

The blunt responses created a sudden awkward silence. March 7th, unsure how to proceed, racked her brain for a way to recover.

Before she could, a piercing scream from outside broke the tension.

"AHHHHHHHHH!"

"What was that?!" March 7th bolted upright, peering toward the entrance. A crowd had gathered outside, their frantic chatter growing louder.

"Call the Cloud Knights!"

"Where's a healer?"

"Stay back—someone's been taken by the Abomination!"

"What's an abomination?" Bailu tilted her head, confused.

Before anyone could explain, another shriek tore through the air.

"AHHHH! A Cloud Knight has fallen to the Mara!"

Bailu froze mid-bite, her eyes wide. She leapt from her chair and dashed outside, her small feet pattering against the pavement.

"Stay back, everyone!" she shouted, her voice surprisingly commanding.

The petite healer launched herself into the fray, her dragon tail whipping out to knock down a newly-maddened Cloud Knight. She pulled a gourd from her waist, tossing it to a trembling bystander.

"Make him drink this—it'll calm him down!"

However, one maddened soldier was merely the start. More stretcher-bound Cloud Knights began succumbing to the Mara, rising with terrifying strength.

Faced with several fully-transformed warriors, Bailu's confidence wavered. Her determined expression faltered into a sheepish grin.

"I mean… uh… let's all calm down… please?"

Before she could finish, a mara-struck knight lunged for her.

March 7th arrived just in time.

"Why are you still squatting there like a radish in a field? Get behind me!"

Still holding the remnants of her lunch, March 7th conjured a barrier for Bailu while launching icy arrows at their attackers. The knights froze mid-motion, frost creeping across their limbs.

Stelle followed closely behind, wielding her bat with precision. One strike, one down—the efficiency of her swings made it look effortless.

Even so, the maddened knights were unnaturally resilient, their vitality stubborn as weeds.

A sudden emerald wind swept upward, carrying frost and dissipating the Mara's corrupted energy. Branch-like growths on the knights' bodies withered, their monstrous forms reverting.

"See? You can always count on the wind to lend a hand," Venti quipped, his lyre shimmering with resonant energy.

The poet's intervention left the crowd speechless. The once-maddened Cloud Knights were now back to normal, their breaths steady.

And for a moment, silence reigned, broken only by a few scattered gasps of awe.

---

Ahem! Gather close, esteemed audience! Do you comprehend the privilege of basking in my radiance? Truly, you're witnessing history in the making—a performance unparalleled in the annals of Fontaine!

Ah, but don't get distracted! Let me be clear: this brilliance isn't conjured from thin air. No, no, no! It requires effort, dedication, and… well, a touch of your generosity. If you fancy being part of something truly extraordinary, do step forward here: [patreon.com/WiseTL].

Oh, but wait! You're probably wondering, "Furina, how can someone as magnificent as you need assistance?" To that, I say: why deny mortals the honor of contributing to such greatness? Supporting me is supporting art, and who doesn't want to say they were instrumental in a legend's rise?

Now, off you go. Make your offerings, and perhaps, perhaps, I'll acknowledge you in my next soliloquy!

— Furina ✨