Chapter Text
It had been a long eventful day for Noelle, as were all her days with the Honorary Knight. Herself, Aether, Mr Razor and Barbara had spent the whole day clearing Leyline Outcroppings around Mondstadt. It was exhausting work, but the Mora they had earned along the way, would contribute greatly to the Knights of Favonius.
The adventuring party had all returned to Mondstadt via the teleporter. It was the height of the Windblume Festival and it was the first the Traveller had witnessed. Noelle and her friends had made sure it was one to remember. Before Noelle could continue her evening errands, Aether and Paimon had seemed insistent that she go to her quarters for a short rest, despite her protests she couldn't convince them otherwise. To strangers, Noelle seemed stubborn, but she liked to think instead that she couldn't convince people of her point of view easily. The Traveller and the Fairy seem to have an easy time with such things, case in point, they convinced her to rest in her room.
In absolutely no time Noelle had already 'walked' to the Favonius HQ. The pace of her gait certainly made the point of her walk home null. Those two intended for Noelle to rest not exercise. But she was a sturdy person, she had shaken off both failures and pyrrhic victories and trudged on anyway. This sprint was nothing for the aspiring Knight of Favonius. The Three Musketeers of the Knights stood guarding the entrance as always, Knight Porthos, Knight Athos and Knight Aramis.
"Good evening!", Noelle called out to all of them.
"Miss Noelle, good evening! Welcome back!", responded Porthos. The Knight seemingly wanted to say more but apparently changed his mind. They all appeared much warmer today than usual. Had something nice happened while she was gone? Noelle gave them a polite curtsy and proceeded inside.
Noelle had found the Headquarters quieter this evening than she was used to. Knight Wood and Knight Wyatt were still guarding their posts, but Noelle couldn't find much of anyone else. She greeted the two in turn, and like the other three, they seemed in a better mood for some reason. Did she wonder why? Those two seemed too tight-lipped to tell her.
Her quarters were only a short dash away from the entrance, situated on the below-ground floor with the other maids. She was given her own room by Head Maid Maleen. Noelle truly appreciated the gesture but could have done without the extra attention. But Mistress Maleen insisted she spoil 'the Chivalric Blossom'. As she finally reached her door, the day's aches came to her all at once. She wanted to make do with the early leave she had been given.
She opened the door and what she found within her room, upon her desk left her wide-eyed.
"Spark Knight Klee?!"
"Surprise Big Sis Noelle!", yelled the young pyromaniac, jumping and stealing the maid's legs in a hug. As Noelle confusingly returned the small hug, the young bomber had a realisation.
"Oh, I was meant to yell 'surprise' before you could say anything."
"Umm Klee? What are you doing?"
"Hehe. Distracting you~.", Klee responded cheekily.
"Distracting me from what?" She was continually growing in suspicion.
"You'll have to catch me!", the hyperactive child leapt from Noelle's reach, running outside the room.
"No, wait! You mustn't! Master Jean may punish us both again!", the maid yelled.
Having suspected Klee of planning to escape, but still being caught unprepared, Noelle made to sprint after her.
As Noelle kept pace behind Klee's retreating figure, she noticed the few Knights present left Noelle to her chase. They allowed her alone to catch Klee. How considerate! They must have trusted Noelle enough to leave the task all to herself. She shook off the silent praise the Knights were giving her to catch up with the little girl. The girl gave no worries, even singing out a 'La la la~'.
For being only half her height, Klee seemed to rush ahead of the young woman. Noelle chased the child past the entrance and even glided after her down through the terraces of the city. They both dizzied passers-by, Noelle embarrassingly making sure to give apologies and Klee simply giving a gleeful 'Wee!'. As they reached the marketplace Noelle finally caught the 'Red Burny Girl' in her arms, as a wild friend would call her.
"Now what was this all about young missy?", Noelle asked, exhausted.
"No! I was so close, Klee just had to bring Noelle to the Cat's Tail!", she harrumphed
"What? Why didn't you just say so?", said Noelle. "Does someone there need my assistance?"
Klee gave the question more thought than Noelle suspected necessary, making her a bit too suspicious. But she simply chalked it up to the Spark Knights childishness.
"Umm... Yeah! I think so. There are people there who super need you there right now!", said Klee, again running off. This time she stopped and turned around for Noelle, the maid following behind her instead of chasing after her. Noelle's suspicions grew as Klee was excitedly waving for her to hurry up.
As Klee lead Noelle in by the hand, a loud chorus of voices made her jump in her boots.
"Happy Birthday!"