Chapter Text
“Bear with me, yeah?” You advise, gently, to your adventure partner on this mission. Mariana was fresh to the Adventurers’ Guild and has requested to accompany you for the time being, to just at least get used to the basics of what to expect out in the wilderness. She was doing just fine, actually, until now. You gave in to her relentless begging of attempting to clear out a group of cryo slimes near the outskirts of the renowned Dawn Winery on her own, only to step in the moment she lost control of what she was doing.
You sigh in relief as she seems to regain her strength. Your hands hover over the gash she sustained from the shielded cryo slime, a gentle blue glow radiating from your palms as the power of hydro runs through your arms, water droplets slowly rotating around the area in which you heal. It was relaxing, for both you and the one being healed. Your Vision dims only slightly as you stop using it.
“Alright, I stopped the bleeding and disinfected it. I’ll patch you up now,” you begin, searching your pouch for the first-aid-kit you always carried around with you. Taking out some gauze and a bandage, you apply the wrap effortlessly on the arm of your adventure partner.
You meet her gaze, however, after you finish, and her guilt is clear. She meets your eyes only to quickly look away.
“Really, I’m sorry…” she mumbles, fiddling with the hem of her shirt. “Y’know, I… I really thought that… I don’t even know,” she trails off with a heavy exhale.
Your own gaze narrows and you firmly shake your head. “Mariana, this is your first time doing something like this, I’m not mad. Like, at all.”
“You’re lying to me,” the young woman mumbles under her breath and she lowers her head.
“Mariana,” you slowly inhale and you try to look her in the eyes, but she refuses. “I’m not mad. If there’s anything to be mad about, it’s how long it took to break the big cryo slime’s shield. That was kind of annoying. But even so, that’s just me making up things to try and validate your point.” You sigh and stand, secure your pouch, and place a hand on your hip. “Come on, it’s rest time for you.”
You help Mariana up and pat her shoulder. “Don’t take too much of a break though, I won’t let you miss your training. Even if I’m not there or on a mission, don’t slack off. Come on, smile a little, you landed several hits on those slimes as a newbie! That’s so insane, Mariana.”
Your reassurance seems to lift her spirits somewhat because she tries to suppress a smile.
“You’re smiling, you know I’m right!”
“You’re not…” she mumbles.
“Oh, I am,” you grin, satisfied. “In no time, you’re going to become such a fabulous and skilled adventurer. You have the drive, the determination, and talent to do whatever it is that you wish to do. Of course, you’re going to start out rusty. We all start out rusty. Hell, when I went on my first mission as an adventurer in Dragonspine, a mitachurl knocked me out cold. So actually, you’re already doing better than I am. Keep this up and I’ll be asking you for help on my missions.” You smirk and then you breathe out a laugh at her now-embarrassed face.
“You really think so?” She asks, her voice quiet.
“I know. Have I ever lied to you?”
“Not that I remember…” she brings her pointer finger to her chin. “Yeah, no.”
“Exactly.”
***
You walk your adventure partner back to the Favonius Cathedral and greet Barbara by the front door. You explain to her the entire situation from when you first accepted your mission to taking Mariana with you and then the eventual encounter with the group of cryo slimes.
“I’ve just about healed her, but I hope it’s not too much for you to arrange anything else that she may need?” You request, bowing slightly as a demonstration of respect. “Any costs, please place them on my tab.”
“Of course!” Barbara replies, a huge smile on her face. “You guys both have worked hard enough, so just leave the rest to me! You’ll be up and running in no time, I’m sure.” The young pop idol happily, and gently, takes hold of Mariana’s arm, bringing her inside the cathedral. You stand outside, watching the two interact. Barbara asks a flurry of questions about the mission, peppering Mariana with more than a few ‘are you okays’ until she looks overwhelmed.
“Oh– thank you, by the way, for everything that you do!” Barbara calls from inside, turning around towards you. “All of Mondstadt is incredibly grateful for the Adventurers’ Guild. May the Anemo Archon protect you and your travels.” She waves before taking a turn and then disappearing. The large door before you slowly closes, you are still watching from the outside. You continue to stand and stare for a few moments, your smile fading. You turn around, wiping sweat from your brow. The sun is going to set soon, all you need to do now is report back to Katheryne and go home.
Home. You live in a little house to the leftmost side of Mondstadt City, near the windmills. You’re content with your life. You have a stable job that allows you to explore basically all of Teyvat. Sometimes you’re out of Mondstadt for days, even weeks. Other times, you have the privilege to go back home, eat from your own food, wash up in your own shower, and sleep in your own bed. But sometimes, it is a little lonely. Of course, you’re somewhat known in all of Mondstadt and especially well known in the Adventurers’ Guild, but you still live alone. You have friends, a lot of them of course, but it’s not the kind that you seek to hang out with after work. No, your friends are mostly work oriented.
You run your fingers through your hair and massage your scalp. You had a long day. Before Mariana accompanied you on your mission, there was another commission you had taken beforehand. Katheryne had requested you deliver a specific letter to the Liyue Qixing. You complied, not questioning the contents, not even interested in the slightest. The walk from Mondstadt to Liyue was tiring and in any case, you’re now ready to go home.
You walk up to Katheryne’s counter and plop yourself right on top, leaning your back against one of the beams.
“Ad astra abyssosque!” Katheryne greets you happily.
You smile. “The hazard has been eliminated,” you begin, crossing your arms. “Oh, I also dropped Mariana off at the Cathedral. Sustained a few scratches, but she’s up, alive, well, and running, so she’s okay.”
“Thank you for completing the commission, the Adventurers’ Guild always thanks you for your help. Here’s your reward bonus,” Katheryne says, sliding a small bag of Mora in your direction. “The rest of your reward will be delivered to your mailbox. I’m glad you and Mariana are doing well!”
You look at the bag and grin, taking it in the palm of your hand. “I’m glad too.”
Hopping off of the counter, you smooth your clothes. “Alright, I’ll be back tomorrow, yeah?”
Katheryne nods and subtly bows. “Please, get some rest. I will see you soon.”
You wave goodbye and begin making your way home. As you think of the little place that you have to yourself, your mind drifts off to its contents. Your bed, the laundry that awaits you, the food…
Why of course, you forget that you’re out of milk and butter. Completely out, it isn’t something that you can neglect for a day or two. You need it for tonight’s dinner and most likely for tomorrow’s breakfast.
Really… the thought of going anywhere else right now feels draining. Nothing short of exhausting. But of course, that is the small price you pay for your independence.
You shove the bag of Mora that you received from Katheryne in the small pouch on your hip, and you begin your ascent to Good Hunter. It’s just a few steps away, so you’re at least thankful that you needn’t go anyplace else. Upon arriving at Good Hunter, you seemingly get lost in grocery shopping. Might as well, since I’m already here, your mind repeats every time you pick something up that isn’t milk and butter. By the time you depart, you’re carrying bags filled with milk, butter, sugar, jam, flour, cheese, fowl, and eggs.
Well, now, you begin your journey home. It’s only about ten minutes from Good Hunter, thankfully. The sun had set now, the footsteps in the city less frequent now. It seems that everyone has retreated into their own homes. The only people mostly out right now are the knights from the Knights of Favonius that conduct their nightly patrols around Mondstadt City and a few locals who wander about, finishing their chores. Your gaze lingers on them and then to the knights.
The Knights of Favonius, the main organization that consists of knights whose sole job is to protect Mondstadt and its residents. You chuckle to yourself, shaking your head. You internally applaud their dedication and will, the thought of walking around like that for hours on patrol almost forces your already tired eyes shut from sheer exhaustion.
Reaching your home, you tread up the stairs and unlock the door, closing and locking the door behind you.
Home. This is where you reside. Not outside in poorly set up camps in Dragonspine, or in a tent at risk of being jumped by clockwork mekas in Fontaine, or even moving locations every time you spot Fatui in Inazuma. No, you didn’t worry about any of that here. Here, you’re safe. In the city protected by the grace of the Anemo Archon, nothing will ever harm you. At least, here, everything’s the same. Nothing changes. The thought puts you at ease.
You organize the groceries you bought, putting what needs to be in the pantry and the rest in the fridge. Right after, you then go to the bathroom to wash up before collapsing onto your bed, the fresh scent of your clothes and sheets lulling you into a relaxed trance. It’s strange, though. You don’t remember anything after that. It’s almost like sleep completely overtook you the moment you lay your head on the comfortable, cold pillow.