Chapter Text
She couldn’t help but watch the raindrops on the trickle-down, gathering more and more speed as they raced along with the foggy glass. Eula let out a soft, drawn-out sigh, removing her silky gloves and placing them down on the table beside her. She had been sitting in her dreary office for over an hour now, the rain dulling her mood. Being cooped up had never been her style, nor was it something that she would enjoy. Often she could find herself reading a book when there was nothing else to do, but today she couldn’t seem to focus on the blurry words.
The room was empty, aside from a couple of items of furniture, a wall of books, and her desk. She hadn’t decorated much, nor did she ever plan to in the future. After all, if she ever moved offices then it would be much easier to clean up. The candelabra remained unlit and dull, the wax from before held midair in a drip.
Eula pushed herself up from the white velvet chair, closing the curtains to her window and flicking the light switch on in her room. Taking breaks was acceptable, but sitting around and doing nothing made her anxious. She took a minute to study the several books on the shelves, with a slight frown. Nothing worth looking through. It was rather frigid in the room, and Eula shivered slightly, rubbing her hands together to generate some friction. Perhaps she should take a walk around the headquarters. Maybe that would get her blood pumping.
Eula pushed the spruce door open with quite some force, and there was a startled gasp from someone on the other side as it hit them. Eula’s eyes widened.
“Outrider-! I- My apologies, are you hurt?” She asked, quickly rushing to Amber’s side to usher her up. Eula offered her hand, pulling the alarmed girl to her feet.
“Oh, no, I’m alright, just a bit bruised. It was my fault anyway, I should’ve knocked-”
“You were coming to visit me?”
She nodded, an eager smile on her face. She appeared to be beaming even after body-slammed by a door. Eula seemed surprised at her excitement, perhaps even a bit frightened at how she took a hit like that and simply sprung back up.
“I convinced Jean to take a rest and take on some of her duties.”
“And what does this have to do with me?”
“I was wondering if you’d like to come? Master Jean said I should take someone with me, and you were the first one who popped into my mind. Kaeya said you had been cooped up in here all day cause of the rain… Thought maybe you’d like to come with me on a little walk?”
“Kaeya?” Eula hesitated for a moment. Since when did that lazy halfwit pay any attention to what she did? She let out a sigh of annoyance, before turning her attentiveness back to Amber. “I suppose it would be nice to get out for a while. But don’t you want to wait for it to stop raining?”
“We can bring umbrellas. It’s not ideal but… I didn’t want Jean going out and catching a cold.”
“Well, I don’t want you catching a cold either. Bring a coat and meet me in the main hall then,” Eula huffed, going back into her office to grab some items to travel with. For once she felt eager to get out, especially with Amber. That girl always brought a smile to her face, rather unwillingly she might add, supposedly so according to Jean. Although many knights seemed to get on her nerves, Amber was someone she could admire for her courage. The outrider was a sensible person, more so than some of the other knights. She might even go as far as to consider her a friend. She would never admit that out loud, of course. Eula sighed, grabbing an umbrella.
---
Amber was waiting out in the main hall, just as she had instructed, waiting for Eula. She was wearing a red coat, that draped down to her ankles, covering her legs. Eula wondered whatever she thought would make it reasonable to wear shorts on a freezing day. Her hair was tied in a tidy ponytail, wrapped around a crystal core. Even while tied up, it fell down to her waist. Of course, she still had her headband, with the two pieces of fabric sticking up. Eula never understood the choice to wear it like that. Perhaps it was meant to resemble some sort of rabbit, like the plush she always seemed to carry around. Seemed unsensible, but she wasn’t truly in a place to judge with her own odd getup.
Amber waved, lifting a hand in greeting with a soft grin plastered on her face. She seemed excited to have the chance to talk with her, but Eula wasn’t truly interested in really any in-depth chats. Nonetheless, Amber made a good travel companion.
“You ready to go?” She asked, eager to get out, leaning on her red umbrella.
“Of course. Though, might I ask what our task is anyway?”
“Oh-! We’re just supposed to look for any threats… And report back to her. Jean said she’s been receiving a bunch of accounts of adventures and citizens seeing an increase of ruin guards and hilichurl camps surrounding Mondstat.”
“And we’re not supposed to defeat them?”
“No- Unless they attack us.”
“So inefficient...” Eula murmured with a sigh. “So why do you need my help?”
“Just to be safe-! Plus, it’s raining. Kaeya told me cryo works pretty well outside at times like this.”
“Then can’t you get Kaeya to go with you?”
“Ah- I mean I could. Do you not want to come? I can ask him.”
Eula hesitated for a moment. She didn’t mean to give Amber the impression that she wasn’t willing to tag along. Perhaps she was too harsh. “No, no, it’s quite alright. I’ll accompany you. I’ve been meaning to get out.”
Amber beamed, ecstatic that she agreed. Still, a flicker of disappointment hid behind her eyes, perhaps worried that Eula didn’t want to go. Eula just attempted a smile in return, hoping to reassure her. They both set out, opening the doors. It was freezing out, the wind pelting them with sharp, cold raindrops.
“Are you sure you don’t want for the rain to die down? I’ll be fine but perhaps this is too cold for you.”
Amber shook her head, the fabric on her headband bouncing. “I’ll be alright! Believe me, I’ve been to a lot colder places than this. Have you ever been to Dragonspine?” Amber inquired while they walked, staring at Eula, curious.
“I don’t think so… Perhaps on the outskirts, but never too far into the mountains,” she admitted. “I’d like to go one day. I’ve heard it’s a true test of strength.”
“It really is! It’s freezing out there… And all the monsters were like... Huge-!” she exclaimed, using her free hand that wasn’t holding the umbrella to try and indicate how big they were. “They were twice my height…” Amber shuddered.
“Next time you go, I’ll accompany you. I’d like to see what it’s like out there.”
“I’d love to go with you! I’ve heard Starglow Cavern is beautiful. Kaeya goes there with Albedo from time to time. He says he’s up there to “help out with work,” but I think they just chat. Ugh. He’s always up to something…”
“Are those two together?”
“I wouldn’t doubt it. It’s always Albedo this, Albedo that. He has a photo of him in his office as well.”
Eula snorted. “Of course he does. Relationships get in the way of work. You become blindsided by all their flaws and view them as an idol.”
“Maybe so, but I’ve never thought of it that way… I mean if you really get to know someone first, then you experience a lot more.”
“Vengeance cannot be brought down on someone who you care for too much. So instead, you should keep your head up and be aware of all those out there who seek to trick you.”
“Is that how you think of me, Eula? You sound like vengeance means murdering someone,” Amber snickered.
“I would never murder you. But you’ll have to pay for making people think I’m a softie. I don’t need the help of anyone or anything. And if I do murder you, it won’t be anytime soon.”
Amber let out a soft laugh as Eula smiled, admiring her slightly. Amber had always been there from the beginning and was the one to welcome her to the knights. Perhaps Eula had relied on her a little too much, as people started to see her as someone who needed help.
“That’s good to know. A bit worrying, but thanks for not planning ‘vengeance’ on me.”
“Who said I wasn’t planning anything?” She chuckled.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if you were… Honestly, you’re all bark and no bite. But I’m glad because sometimes you say things that are rather… gruesome.”
“Well, perhaps I don’t act on my word because the knights aren’t all so bad.”
“See? C’mon, you know we’re great,” Amber chuckled, nudging Eula slightly.
“I will in the future. Someday when I get my opportunity. But for now, I can tolerate you,” she teased, laughing quietly.
“Good to know.”
They continued to walk in the rain. It had died down slightly to a light drizzle, but Eula continued to hold up her umbrella. She could feel the damp grass starting to soak into her boots slightly, the smell of the rain fresh and cold. She and Amber walked in silence, content in her presence. It wasn’t awkward or uneasy, simply a mutual understanding between the both of them, like a comforting unsaid conversation. It was easy with Amber, when with the other knights Eula often felt judged or agitated. Being in her presence always felt comfortable. She hoped Amber felt the same with her.