Perfume Making

"Welcome. What are you here for?" Bolai the flower seller asked the duo.

"Silk Flowers. The kind to make perfume please." Aether ordered.

" What kind? There are many types of Silk Flowers to make different kinds of perfume. " He asked.

" I don't know, what kind of Silk Flowers do you have, shopkeeper?" Aether asked Bolai. He sneered at him.

" Ignorant shoppers. You all always don't know what to buy and waste my time. Why don't you think about your order first me what you want! " Bolai muttered loud enough for Aether and Zhongli to hear.

" Erm. Golden House Maiden, Valley Weaver and Fate's Yearning. One of each to start with, if you don't mind. " Zhongli helped Aether. He glanced over at Aether and found him lightly clenching his fists. Bolai smiled.

".... My goodness, this gentleman seems to be a connoisseur. Then you must be his servant. " Bolai commented sneering at him. Aether grinned.

" Hehe.... hehehehehe..... hehehe.... HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! " Aether laughed loudly. So loud that the people passing by him had to look at him.

"Hahahahaha....Ooh that's the most hilarious thing I've heard in Liyue Harbor so far. Do I look like a servant to you? I can destroy your life with a snap of my fingers. " Aether said pointing at Bolai.

" You better shut up or I'll throw you in the sea. It is right in front of you. No one will save you because I imagine this is not the first time you've treated your customers like this. " Aether threatened the mere owner of the store.

" Errrr..... You can have these for free sir. Have a nice day. " Bolai handed the three types of Silk Flowers to Zhongli. Aether was already walking away. Zhongli caught up with him.

"You shouldn't cause a scene like that Aether. That'll make the people uneasy. It's better to stay quiet and forgive but not forget him." Zhongli gave his advice to Aether like a teacher mentoring a student.

" I imagine that man will not learn his lesson. I will teach him to respect other people." Aether summoned a clone that appeared beside him. Zhongli looked on curiously.

" Go to Northland Bank. Tell the receptionist that I want to buy his store. And then disguise yourself and ask the people that frequently shop there if that man causes trouble. If he does, then report him." Aether ordered his look alike The clone nodded.

"Got it boss." The clone disappeared in a blur. Aether looked at Zhongli.

"One less problem on the streets. People of this sort deserve to have their lives ruined. They make fun of other people's lives, the tables will be turned. " Aether smirked in victory.

" Sometimes, revenge is sweet. Follow me, I will show you the art of making perfume. " Zhongli took Aether to an alchemy table.

" I've seen this table before. I've never used it though. " Aether muttered. Zhongli nodded.

" Alchemy has its many uses. Though for a warrior like you, you may have no need to use it. Come, let us make perfume. But let me tell you something. " Zhongli took a deep breath.

" You have to ask what perfume the women use around Liyue Harbor. " Zhongli said smiling a little. Aether put his hand on his forehead and rubbed it.

" Such a pain. And you're going to say next that you don't know how to make perfume. You just wanted to show me the alchemy table. " Aether deadpanned at him. Zhongli nodded.

" Precisely." Zhongli said nodding his head. Aether grumbled.

"I'm taking these flowers. There's only one person I'm asking." Aether muttered and disappeared in front of Zhongli. The retired god sighed.

"Although I may have been a woman in the past, I still don't know the basics of perfume making. Hmmmm, that's the next thing to learn." Zhongli muttered.

With Aether, he found someone he was looking for.

"Hey you! " Aether called out to a woman. The woman looked at him.

"Who, me?" The woman asked. Aether nodded.

"Yes beautiful. You smell good. What perfume do you use?" Aether asked. The woman raised her eyebrows.

"Oooh ~ So direct. I like that kind of man. But you're too young for me, sorry. My name is Ying'er. Hello, Mr Dragon Slayer." Ying'er introduced herself.

"Hello. I heard that you know how to make perfume. Can you teach me how to?" Aether asked. Ying'er giggled cutely.

"Now why does a man like you want to learn how to make perfume? It is for your girlfriend? " Ying'er asked getting closer to him.

" Maybe. Yeah, it's a good skill. " Aether said while smiling.

" Aww, look at you. You look so happy when I mention your girlfriend. Though for a guy like you, you must have a lot of girls by your side. Am I not wrong? ~" Ying'er walked around him and asked.

" Yeah.... Was it so obvious? " Aether asked Ying'er. Ying'er laughed.

" I just guessed. But I did somewhat expect you to answer yes. So, follow me dear. You'll be my assistant for the day. " Ying'er took him to her store. She shut the front door and locked it. Aether got a little bit worried.

" Sit there handsome~ I'm going to teach you everything you need to know about perfume making. Do you have the flowers? " Ying'er asked while looking in his eyes. Aether took out the three types of Silk Flowers from his backpack.

" Oohh.. The triple-Silk-Flower variety. You have great taste. " Ying'er complimented while gently poking his nose.

" Had to buy a store as well." Aether thought. Paimon snickered inside his head.

"Okay. So the first thing in making perfume is that you have to keep your hands still like this." Ying'er went behind him and held both of his hands. She whispered into his ears about the steps in making perfume. Aether could feel her hot breath which made him blush a little.

"Now remember. When making the perfumes, you have to think of me while making it. Got it dear?" Ying'er asked Aether. Aether nodded.

"Yes ma'am." Aether nodded. Ying'er giggled.

"Good boy. Now I will be by your side while you make the perfumes. Remember every step dear! You can do this, for your girlfriends!" Ying'er cheered. Aether started regretting telling her about his romance life.

Some time has passed and Aether has completed making the perfumes.

"Good job dear! You're not bad for a beginner. But there are a lot more combinations in making perfume. Different women like different types of perfume so you must remember that. It is essential in your dating life. " Ying'er explained while looking at the perfumes Aether made.

" Ok. Let me teach you how to differentiate between the types of perfumes. This first one is sweet as candy, straight out of a fairy tale... Younger women will love it. The second one is for those with refined tastes... The first choice for daughters of high society. Finally, the third one has a soft by lingering scent, like a mist that captures the last light of dusk. Mature women adore this one." Ying'er explained the types of perfumes while showing him what they look like.

" All clear? Don't get them mixed up now dear. Your girlfriends won't like that. Now, if you want some dating advice and some advice on loving physical activity, I'm always here. Got it sweetie? " Ying'er asked the golden haired warrior. Aether nodded.

"Yes honey. I have to go now. See you soon!" Aether said goodbye.

"Bye now. Use protection unless they want it raw. Now go on. I have work to do." Ying'er pushed Aether out of her store.

Aether sensed where Zhongli was. He was at his statue. He teleported and arrived beside him. The black haired god turned to him.

"Is it done, Aether?" Zhongli asked Aether.

"The perfumes are done." Aether proceeded to describe the three perfumes he made with Ying'er guiding him.

"Hmmm. The third kind has a gentle but lingering fragrance, like a mist that captures the last light of dusk. Mature women adore this one." Aether explained the third one. The statue beside them glowed.

" Oh? " Aether raised his eyebrows. Zhongli cleared his throat.

"I guess Rex Lapis likes this one." Zhongli muttered.

"I'm not surprised if you disguised yourself as a woman before. Venti did it but he was a boy. "Aether deadpanned at him.

" Y-yes. I do really like the scent when I was disguising as a woman. " Zhongli explained.

" Then we're offering the third one then. The one mature ladies like. " Aether smiled. Zhongli nodded.

" So, we've finished another step in our preparations. What's next?" Aether asked him. Zhongli looked at him.

" Next, I would like the two of you to help me borrow the Cleansing Bell." Zhongli said to Aether.

" Cleansing Bell?....

To be continued.....