Chapter Text
Clutching her little story to her chest, Trity made her way to Qahr’s room and knocked softly.
“Who’s there?” The girl on the other side demanded.
“It’s Tribios.” Trity answered, trying to calm her racing heart.
There was a pause before Qahr told her, in a sort of commanding way, “Come in.”
Immediately she was calm again, once she had laid her eyes on her beloved.
“I’ve brought you a story,” Trity held out her bundle of papers. “I thought you might enjoy it.”
Qahr looked it over, contemplating. After a bit, she nodded. “Go on, then.”
“Of course,” Trity untied her bundle and cleared her throat. “It was a day unlike any other…”
It was a day unlike any other, for it was frightfully windy!
“My, isn’t that wind something;” the Wanderer, making sure to keep a firm hand on his beloved hat. “However will we make it to the ball?”
“Oh, I know! I fear I will be blown away at any moment!” Trity cried out in dismay.
“And of course you shall not be able to fly back—the wind will be much too strong! And then—oh, what will I do without you? I may call upon Barbatos yet!”
“Don’t fret, my dear Wanderer, let’s just go on as we were.” Trity slipped her little arm in the Wanderer’s, and the two sighed.
“Hold on,” Qahr interrupted suddenly. “Just what is this nonsensical story meant to be about?”
“You’ll see, soon—when I write the next section.” Said Trity, eagerly.
Qahr paused for a moment. Then in the same commanding and self-important tone she said, “Fine then, continue.”
Trity smiled. She’s in such good spirits, and she likes the story, too!
It wasn’t long before the two companions reached their destination—Snezhnaya. The pair made haste to join the line positioned before the icy castle, awaiting to be granted entry.
When the two were stopped at the door, the Wanderer first presented his invitation; then Trity, whose read Tribios, Holy Maiden of Janusopolis.
Inside, the duo were immediately greeted by a figure known to them as the lovely Columbina Hyposelenia.
“Ah, it’s you two,” said Columbina with a smile. “We were waiting for you”.
“No, you were waiting for them,” huffed the woman next to her. “They’re your friends, not mine.”
A small giggle escaped Columbina, whose hand quickly shot up to cover her mouth. “Excuse me.”
“What’s so funny?” Demanded the woman, to which Columbina replied, “Nothing, dearest.”
Once finished, Trity said breathlessly, “That’s all I have for now.” She waited anxiously for Qahr to comment—but was met with silence for about two and a half minutes.
Qahr nodded, and appraised it coldly, said. “It was very agreeable.”
“Oh, did you really like it so?” Tribbie’s golden wings fluttered.
Qahr noticed this, and said, “Yes.” It was in such a soft, genuine tone that Trity was shocked into silence. However, the snow maiden immediately returned to her commanding way, saying, “I demand you to write more— and read the next part to me everyday.”
Trity laughed. “I was already going to do that! So of course I will.”
Qahr blinked in bewilderment, and then said with a frown, “I do have one qualm with it.”
“What is it?” Trity asked.
Qahr sat up straight again. “You put that queer boy in it, and as your companion too.”
If Trity hadn’t just quarreled with “that queer boy,” she would have immediately defended him, saying, “he isn’t queer at all!”
As they had quarreled, she sniffed and said with contempt, “I wrote this earlier, forgive me.”
Qahr could not understand Trity’s cryptic words. “You wrote about him because you’re always with him.” She said icily.
Trity, who viewed this as an accusation, said, “So I am.”
“Well, I don’t want you around him anymore.” Qahr said decidedly.
Trity looked over in surprise, forgetting all of her negative feelings toward the boy. “What? Surely you don’t mean that.”
“I mean it,” Qahr said soberly. “Don’t speak to him ever again.”
“This is—this is altogether ridiculous!” Trity said, astonished. She may have laughed if she wasn’t so stunned.
Qahr narrowed her eyes. “Do you hate me?” She asked, her tone bitter and contempt.
This question left Trity dumbfounded for a moment.
“What?” She said, wondering if she’d heard right. Hadn’t they been perfectly merry a moment ago?
“That vile puppet—he hates me. In fact, he wants me dead. He is so selfish and disagreeable, I can hardly stand him and I don’t see how you can.”
“What rubbish. He does dislike you, but he does not hate you,” Trity said soberly. “If it’s all the same, he’s very cross with me and I don’t care to speak with him at the moment either.”
Qahr gave a toss of the head in reply, causing her veil to flare out before settling behind her once again.
Trity sighed and shook her head. “Enough of this. Wouldn’t you like to do something else?”
“There is nothing to do.” Said Qahr dryly.
“We could go for a walk.” Trity suggested.
Trity was met with a blank stare. After a bit, Qahr said, taking Trity’s hand reluctantly, “Alright.”
And together, they left the room.
Qahr stepped out into the corridor, keeping a tight hold on Trity’s hand. “It isn’t much different from my room…the same shade of green.” She observed.
Trity frowned. It was true—there was nothing really interesting in walking about the Sanctuary of Surasthana. If only the circumstances were different, for then they could be out in Sumeru City beneath the shining sun.
As they strolled through the halls that were all near identical, Trity’s mind began to wander as she recalled suddenly a familiar melody…
“What song is that?” Qahr asked, interrupting Trity’s thoughts—and making her realize she was humming.
“It’s a…song from my childhood.” She said, because she didn’t exactly recall when or where she’d learnt it.
“How does it go?”
Trity looked up in surprise, because it was unusual for Qahr to be so interested in anything—not that Trity minded.
“♪ Little Tribbie, open the door ♪”
The archon said nothing, and the two continued walking on in silence after a moment of awkwardness. Not once did Qahr let go of Trity’s hand.
♪ Xiao Tibao guaiguai, bamen kaikai…♪
Asinine thoughts began to float around in Trity’s mind (for reasons still unknown), and she suddenly had a need for a certain Amphorean delicacy.
“I want Janusopolis pancakes!”
The sharp, childish voice was so clear in her mind—and to her embarrassment, she’d accidentally said the words aloud.
Qahr stared at her in bewilderment. “What on Teyvat is that?”
“Well, it’s not from Teyvat…” Trity mumbled, abashed.
She paused. Yes, of course it came from Amphoreus…so had she. All of a sudden, a question came that puzzled her.
Why exactly had she left?
She racked her brains trying to remember, but finally decided, “Of course, to stay with Nahida.” It was a sensible conclusion, yet…she felt something in the back of her mind saying there was another reason, one she could not recall.
“Tribios, you look unwell.”
Trity pressed a hand to her forehead. “I don’t—“
Qahr shook her head. “That’s enough—let’s go.”
Trity’s mind had already gone elsewhere by the time Qahr had decided to turn back; so she would never remember Qahr carrying her back, or being placed in the bed with care.
The girl let out a sigh before removing her veil and pulling the covers over the both of them—then she shut off the lights and turned to kiss the Maiden in the dark.