GUILI ONESHOT semi W.I.P (I feel like posting this part standalone lol)

It was difficult at times for Guizhong when her heart battled her mind.

Rex Lapis often chastised her that her smarts would be no good if her heart was the one making decisions, and yet as she reread the desperate plea for aid from a city fearing invasion, she felt her heart pulled to help them.

As she stared down, she could practically hear Rex Lapis’ voice…

“Its pointless for us to divert now, especially for a city already on dooms door. I say we keep our path onward.” Calloused hands pressed against the map sprawled across the table from her, drawing her attention out of her own mind and towards the amber eyes piercing at her.

Oh yes, that was because he was here.

“Do you agree, Guizhong?”

“In theory.” She said slowly, eyes drifting to the tear splotches left on the parchment. “But in theory as well-” she stood up, one hand keeping balance near his while the other dragged across the map. “It would take a small party only two days to reach them, and than three or four more depending on their number to reach the safety of Dihua outpost. At the outpost the citizens can be safe, and the soldiers can travel back to regroup with us on horseback.”

“Would that even be worth it to lose those men for that many days? Scouts say the Branch God’s path is unpredictable, he could attack at any moment. To weaken our forces by even a small group is a risk I’m not willing to take.”

The small ink dot representing the city seemed so isolated on the large map, a hopeless speck amongst valleys and enemy lines…

“Did you read what was written? They’re near the border and all their abled left to join the effort. They’re as in danger of being attacked as us but much less prepared.” Guizhong stated, lifting her gaze onto Rex Lapis.

“I’m aware.” He replied tersely, running a hand through his hair, untied from it’s usual ponytail so the dark locks hung around his shoulders. “If it was in a more advantageous spot than perhaps I’d consider moving the army there, but it’s position lets itself to be easily surrounded and even I can’t protect all sides. It’s a lost city at this point, best we can do is keep marching on and defeat the Branch God.”

“It’s not a lost city! Stop burying problems so hasty!” Guizhong chastised, light brown hair falling over her left shoulder as she turned her head. God of Dust she may be but her will did not crumble easily, and that will (or perhaps stubbornness) refused to back down before considering every option. She could sense a solution forming just on the outskirts of her mind, and she desperately sifted through trying to find it.

“Burying things is what I do.” Rex Lapis reminded her coldly, long nails scraping against wood as he clenched a fist.

Guizhong clicked her tongue.

“And solving problems is what I do if you would give me five minutes to think.” His response was a low grunt of annoyance as he glowered down at the city.

To him, it was nothing but a splotch on their battle map. He cared not to waste energy trying to envision as she did what life must be like treading each moment with fear, hopeless and without protection, because he could not see what value that would give. And that was perhaps, one of the few areas of contention between Liyue’s partner Gods.

Clearing her mind, Guizhong placed a hand thoughtfully against her temple.

Of course bringing the army was out of the question, she was quite aware of the position they were in since she was the one who had placed them here, and their current stronghold was far too vital to keep the war in their favor to move. No, the army and Rex Lapis had to stay here. Word could be sent to the outpost to retrieve the citizens… but, (Guizhong’s frown deepened, and her hand dropped from her temple to her lips as she bite her thumb) last she heard the outpost was having concerns with rations due to an unexpected landslide blocking trade route. The sudden increase in mouths to feed would only be a setback…

She breathed in deeply in frustration, her internal conflict evident on her face, and Rex shook his head.

“I don’t see why you’re wasting so much time on this.” He spoke up, confusion in his deep voice. “Are you attached to this city? Does it hold something to you such as a fond memory or person?”

Guizhong moved her head from side to side in answer.

“I have never been, but I don’t need too to care - it’s our people Rex,” Her hand on the map sought his, and he let her take it, brows furrowed as she squeezed tight. Silver iris’ pleading into his amber. “I can’t just abandon them.”

They stared into each other’s eyes for a few moments; Guizhong seeking the glint of understanding she knew she would see one day, and him trying to decipher the riddle that was her mind.

“Your motivation is as complicated as your tactics but even more of an enigma.” Rex Lapis dropped her gaze as he closed his eyes, straightening to his full height. “I tire of discussing this, the hour is late. Do as you wish, all I request is no large sum of soldiers spent on this while we are in a war.“

He walked to the door as he spoke, lifting the makeshift cloth door out of the way so he could stoop out, pausing there as he waited for them to be done.

"There will be no need to use soldiers on this.” Guizhong informed him, cementing her plan in her mind as she clasped her hands within her large sleeves. “I will go oversee the city myself.”