Chapter Text
Footsteps pounded against the ground with a thud. Shrill shallow gasps ripping through the air as she struggled to catch her breath. At times she would periodically look over her shoulder. Running for what felt like hours, feet aching with each step. The rough terrain of the Mondstadt woodlands finally taking its toll on her ankles and toes. Despite the pain, she didn't dare stop. Knowing that if she slowed down, for even a second, she would never find the strength to start again.
Her screams found themselves engulfed by the abyss of trees. As sweat dripped down her forehead, finding its way into her eyes further blurring her vision. Combined with the tears trailing down her face. Blood dripped down her fingers as she approached the glint of a river. Just barely staining the stream as she pushed through the current. Though resisting its pull was in vain, a single misstep upon an algae-covered rock sending her plunging face first into the cold. Ending up shakily treading forward, finally allowing herself to collapse down into the dirt along the shoreline. The sound of gagging rang clear through the forest as she violently hacked up swallowed water. The wetness clinging to her clothes began to pool around her, as dirt gave way to mud.
Her face sank into it as she roared out in agony. Fueled by every bit of breath left in her. Holding her arm close, in a futile attempt to soothe the pain as it set in, and the adrenaline wore off. Her chest heaving as she struggled to catch her breath. A cacophony of strained gasps. Comforted only by the blistering heat of the summer sun beating down on her. The mud seeped into the ruffles of her once-white shirt, working its way into the crevices of her black shorts and boots. She waited, listening anxiously for them. As a rustling in the woods grew louder, and her body trembled with fear and exhaustion.
“Are you ok?”
The question took her by surprise. As she managed to sit up and glare in the direction it had come from. Attempting to revive the icy facade she usually wore upon her face. Though it was a poor attempt at doing so, considering her current predicament. Much to her surprise she was met by a young mouse-haired girl.
Her hair was shoulder length, messily styled, presumably from hours of outdoor activities. Most notably she sported a red bandana. Sticking up at the ends, as if they were a rabbit's ears. She must have been only a few years younger than herself. A determined look plastered over her dirt smudged face. As she stood watching the older one struggle to hold back her sobs. Her once-elegant clothes were now stained with a variety of dirt and mud, the most out of place being the crimson stain emanating from the arm she clutched tightly to her chest.
Taking notice of the older girl’s injury, she threw her bow around her shoulder. Sliding down the slope separating these two worlds, as she made her way to the riverbank. Rummaging around her pouch before producing a rolled up wad of cloth.
“I thought I heard you crying.”
…silence, broken only by a strained sniffle.
"Here, let me help," the younger girl said. Cautiously kneeling down beside her, taking care not to cause her any more pain. "I always carry some bandages with me, just in case."
As the older girl reluctantly allowed her arm to be pulled away from her chest. Revealing a mess of bruises covering her arm. Her skin was thin and delicate, almost paper-like. As blood oozed from splits in her arm at an alarming rate. Wincing as the younger girl used the canteen that had been fastened to her waist to gently wash the debris off the surface of the wound. Working quickly, she began wrapping the bandages around the arm in neat, tight circles.
"This should help stop the bleeding" she tried to give her a reassuring smile. “I wish I had brought some ointment with me though. That probably would have helped more. And I guess there's not much I can do about your clothes for now huh.”
“Y-you have my gratitude.” Though the older one’s voice was shaky she maintained an emulation of nobility. A manner of speaking that had been thoroughly embedded into her over the years.
"Hmmm, you talk funny!" Amber giggled, giving Eula a curious look. "I'm Amber, by the way. What's your name?"
"It's...Eula," She replied quietly, her voice still shaking slightly.
"Eula...huh," Amber said, studying Eula's face with interest.
Eula's heart beat in her stomach. Her once sharp eyes now drooped in shame. As the worst of her thoughts flooded her mind. Assuming that Amber must have realized who she was. Who her family was. That all she saw was a pathetic helpless girl; heir to the tyrant family of old Mondstadt. That the girl she had just met her hated her, that she wanted her dead, that—
“That's such a pretty name!” Amber smiled innocently, meeting Eula's gaze. Her face felt hot as those inquisitive eyes locked with hers. “There! All done!” She exclaimed as she finally tied the wrap. “Make sure that stays on tight, it looks pretty bad.”
Eula watched as Amber took the remaining bandages and soaked them with water from her canteen. Bunching them up into a mound and then gently pressing them against Eula's face. Scrubbing away at the dirt and snot that had accumulated. She couldn't help but scrunch her nose at the feeling of the wet cloth against her skin, but she allowed Amber to continue. Sitting there dumbfounded, her eyes fixed on Amber as she worked. Surprised that someone was doting over her, a stranger no less. Unsure of how to respond as Amber cleaned her up with such tenderness.
"Do you need water?"
Eula nodded as Amber handed over the canteen. Reaching for it with shaky hands. Eagerly drinking up the remaining water and finishing it in only a few gulps. As she finished, Amber wrapped her arms tightly around her, pulling her close in a comforting embrace, holding on for a few moments before pulling away.
"You looked like you needed a hug," Amber said, looking a little sheepish. "I hope that was alright..."
“Hug?”
Eula stared at Amber, her head tilted in confusion and her mouth slightly agape. As warmth flooded her body, feeling tears welling up in her eyes once again. Without thinking, she threw herself at Amber, tackling her to the ground and wrapping her arms around her tightly as she sobbed into her stomach.
"Hey! Easy, you're gonna hurt your arm again. It looked really bad, so you gotta be careful," Amber cautioned.
Eula shook her head, unable to speak as she clung to Amber. She couldn't believe the warmth she felt emanating from Amber, the way her stomach rose and fell with each gentle breath. As she realized Amber's hand had come to rest on her shoulder. Slowly running up and down the length of her back. Trying to reassure her as she cried. The words Amber spoke were so soft and gentle, it was strange to Eula. Words were usually sharp, weren't they? But she knew she didn't want to let go of this feeling. When Eula finally pulled away, her eyes red and her face damp with tears, Amber gave her a gentle smile.
"It's okay," she said, her voice soft and soothing. "It'll be okay. I don't know what happened, but I promise I'm here for you."
“AAAAAAMBERRRRRRR!!” A voice called, from out beyond the forest.
Eula jolted back to reality, feeling as if a spell had been broken. She loosened her embrace and looked around, disoriented.
"Grandpa!" Amber exclaimed, wiggling out of Eula's grasp and shifting to a squat beside her.
She took Eula's hand in her own and smiled. "I have to go now, but I promise I can help you more. I'll meet you back here at around noon tomorrow if you want me to check up on you, okay?"
Eula nodded, wiping the tears from her face with the back of her hand. Watching as Amber began to run off. She paused for a moment, turning around and facing Eula with a huge grin on her face.
“It was nice to meet you Eula! You should get back home too! Gotta be careful when you're out here next time!” Amber called out before disappearing back into the woods.
As quickly as she had appeared she was gone. Melting back into the trees. Like that, Eula was alone again. She noticed a small bundle of fibers clutched in her hand, and upon closer inspection, there lay a single dandelion. She picked it up, twirling it between her fingers, studying its delicate petals and stem. as she thought about Amber's words.
"I don't want to go back there..." she whispered weakly, a reply to someone long gone. Clutching the dandelion to her heart. As she looked down at her arm wrapped in bandages, further proof that Amber had actually been there. That someone had cared for her, had shown her kindness and compassion. A feeling that was foreign, and one that she craved more than anything. Letting out a sigh as she rolled onto her back, closing her eyes for what felt like a brief moment.
“Amber...”