Chapter Text
To all but the most trained eye, the gentle quirk of her lips would appear indistinguishable from any one of Lisa's other smiles, with no indication that the movement held any greater significance; but those who had known her longest (who knew what to look for behind the mask) could see the warmth it truly betrayed towards her newest student.
The glow of Chongyun's excitement mirrored her own fond regards, the exorcist exclaiming in delight as he clutched a catalyst to his chest and turned to seek his teacher's approval. Where a dozen training dummies had once stood there were now only piles of frost coated wood, the scent of condensed cryo dispersing into the atmosphere from their impact. It had scarcely been a week since the young man first sought her out for lessons on catalyst wielding, wishing to expand his mastery of cryo beyond his summoned swords during his stay in Mondstadt, but his rapid progress was a testament to his dedication and there was little to critique about the spell volley he had just demonstrated.
"Very well done dear," Lisa remarked, her smile growing as she noted the proud grin Chongyun gave her in turn. "You've adapted your summoning technique excellently, and the blast radius is much more controlled than before. A touch less elemental energy per shot would help maintain greater stability and extend your effective range, but that will come with more practise."
"Thank you so much for your help Miss Lisa!" The young exorcist beamed, still cradling the borrowed catalyst to his chest as he bowed.
"You don't have to be so formal Chongyun, and I'm more than happy to give some pointers to my wonderful assistant~" Lisa chuckled as her companion flushed, subtly igniting some of the lingering cryo with her own spark of electro to help cool the air. "Truly, you've made my job much easier this past week."
Her student simply shook his head, no longer meeting her gaze "I didn't want to impose any more than I have, and I'm glad I could at least be of some help to you." His smile dimmed them, reminded of the circumstances that had brought him to Mondstadt in the first place; only snapping out of his reverie as a gentle hand ruffled his hair.
"You're hardly imposing if you've been invited dear, and ours is a city that will never turn you away" the witch swore to the exorcist, "you don't have to help me - I'd be more than happy to teach you regardless - but you do, and I want you to know how much I appreciate it."
Silence reigned as Lisa watched the young man digest her words, ever patient for those who regarded her as a teacher. When Chongyun was ready to resume, resolve once again settled in his gaze, he was met with an elegant smile and understanding eyes.
(Teyvat was never kind to those who fell outside the norm - Lisa knew this well, with a storm brewing under her skin and the scars to match, but for the children who came after she would always offer kindness and set aside her weary eyes; they deserved more than to trace the ruthless trail they'd been thrown upon, to know instead the ways they could carve a path free)
(She had time enough for a few more lessons, regardless of what the hourglass had to say)