Chapter Text
The sun reflected an orange color and it is indeed another tiring day. After all the negotiations, giving solutions to the problems, and organizing the system of the docks of Mondstadt, Jean found herself sitting in a bench, exhaustion sipping through her body..
It's nothing new, though. She was used to working all day hands on, be it on her office or around the city and she'll continue more paper works at night. Normal people wouldn't want to be in her situation, however, she is not just someone 'normal'. As the Acting Grand Master of the Knights, she vowed to do her duty efficiently.
However, for some reason, she still feels like she's lacking so much.
"Master Jean!" she heard a high-pitched voice somewhere behind her. Amber stopped beside her and catched her breath. The lazy afternoon in Mondstadt felt lively.
"Is there a problem?" Jean immediately stood up and looked around.
"No! No.. Not at all." Amber shook her head and hands. The red girl fixed her composure.
"Its just.. I heard you took care of demolishing the hillichurl's camp, the ones that attacked visitors and merchants that are on their way here."
"Oh..Yes. There were lots of concerns in that area so I came to check it right away." Jean answered in relief.
"I apologize Master Jean." Amber bowed slightly. "That was supposed to be my job, and yet you had to carry extra burden on your shoulder because Im too inefficient."
Jean blinked a few times and slightly smiled. "Nothing is your fault, Amber. Besides, I'm sure there is a reason. May I ask why you weren't there though?"
"Oh yes! I was patrolling the outskirts of Springvale then I saw merchants who needed help near the dawn winery." she sighed. "I had to deal with Samachurls that attacked them. You see, there's so many of them attacking people in different areas. I wonder if the Abyss is moving again." she put her hands on her chin.
Jean's face displayed a grim expression at the thought. She's been planning different actions against the said enemies if they start moving against Mondstadt.
It's still very alarming, she still feels something dreadful inside her when she thinks of them. They did manage to control Dvalin, after all.
"I see. Ill assemble new formations and a group to patrol on those areas. Thank you, Amber." she said and bowed.
She was about to turn around when Amber called her
"Ah..Master Jean! Uhm." she scratched her head. "I saw you a while ago almost dozing off here at the bench. I also heard you did a lot of things in the dock."
"I was just.. a bit tired.. Amber." her head slightly fell, a bit embarrassed that she's seen in that situation, but cannot deny since she did a lot of things
"I doubt. I know you're exhausted." Amber is genuinely worried. She can feel that. It made her heart warm. "You've been working non-stop and well.." she stopped and scratched the back of her head, looking a bit nervous. "Acting Grand Master, would you mind if I treat you a drink at the tavern?" Amber's face was hesitant. It's like she knew that Jean was going to refuse. It was worth a shot though.
"Oh." Jean's lips parted. She then looked down and sighed. "Thank you so much Amber. I appreciate the offer but I'd have to refu--"
"Would it hurt you to loosen up?" a voice came from behind them. Both of the girls turned around to see the Cavalry Captain, leaning at a post. He shook his head like he's disappointed. An amused expression is wavering on his face.
"You refused our offers before.. numerous time, may i say? How about accept even just today, Miss Overworking Master?" Kaeya chuckled.
That is true. She was always busy that she always refused on treats. That's what gave everyone the impression of Jean as strict and very professional.
"You don't need to treat me. I can drink some at hom--"
"Or you would just work again. Which is most likely to happen. Then you'll lack sleep then proceed to another day with toxic workloads." the man chuckled and flipped the coin resting on his hand.
She opened her mouth to speak up but she closed it as she realized that Kaeya was right. She's definitely planning of doing that and just assure them she's fine.
"Master Jean." Amber interfered. "There's no major problems right now in Mondstadt. The Knights are doing their job too because we know how you care for our city. And besides, the Stormterror incident is taken care of, thanks to our traveller. So, how about just a single night of drinking?"
"Well.." she looked down and closed her eyes. She'll just finish her papers tomorrow. It's not urgent so she supposed, she can. Finally deciding, she looked at Amber and nodded. "Alright. I accept."
"Yey!" Amber clasped her hands and turned around to start walking. Her footwear creating sounds as she happily walk.
"Also.. For clarifications.." she stopped and faced the blue haired captain. "Im not treating you, Captain." this made all of them halt.
Kaeya held both of his hands like he's surrendering and made a sad face. "Amber, come on now."
"No." she rolled her eyes and continued walking. Jean subtly laughed at the two and looked around the people doing their businesses.
"Is Lisa not going to drink?" Jean asked, reminded by a book sitting peacefully at a table in Cat's tail.
Kaeya laughed. "She'll just cause trouble in the tavern when she sees the regular drunks that she electrocutes on basis."
"Talking about yourself?" Amber fired. The interaction of the two made Jean laughed again. The man sighed. "Whoa whoa.. Why are you so mad, Miss Outrider?"
"If only I can see you actually working, I wouldn't be like this, don't you think?"
Kaeya just responded with a laugh. Almost as if he's actually enjoying Amber's annoyance.
"I told you. I am working." he said and stopped. Amber just responded with how many times she noticed Kaeya missing. The Cavalry Captain didn't looked sorry at all.
"We're here."
Amber greeted Patton politely, the one who guards the tavern. Jean and Kaeya greeted him too. Upon entering, they immediately heard laughs and noises of people. Its always been crowded in this place.
It was a surprise for the regular people there to see Jean, she seldom goes at that place and it just felt shocking for them to see the Acting Grand Master loosening up. At the same time, it didn't felt shocking since she's with Kaeya too, with the reputation of his swaying and convincing words.
Kaeya was indeed a crowd boy. He greeted almost everyone at the floor casually as they picked spots in front of the ordering bar. Jean smiled at them too.
"Good Evening, Master Jean!" a member of the Adventurer's guild greeted her enthusiastically. She waved her hand slightly as more people greet her.
"Hey Charl--Oh.. Master Diluc." Amber's voice was laced with shock.
Jean turned around and saw Diluc in front, preparing beverages. He glanced at them and focused his attention on the bottles. She swallowed hard upon the sight of her former Captain again, and her stomach felt like churning. She didn't like it. Why is he the one serving?
"Good Evening." he said without looking at them.
Kaeya was still talking to some guys. It made Amber panic a bit since he doesn't know how Kaeya will act today. She started planning on how to get Kaeya away from Diluc but its too late since he already saw him.
"Well, if it isn't the Dawn Winery's owner. What could you been doing here instead of your.. employee? " That was his first remark. Jean closed her eyes.
"It's not necessary to tell you why." Diluc turned around.
"What would be your orders?" he asked. The tension increased upon ignoring his brother.
"Uh.. Just one wolfhook juice for me." Amber said and Kaeya proceeded to tell his orders, then he changed it, then changed it back again. It was so obvious that the man was plotting another bullshit on his mind.
Jean held Kaeya's arm and glared at him. Kaeya laughed. "Im just kidding! Alright.. Alright.." he said his orders and signalled Amber that he's going up stairs. It was relieving to know that he doesn't plan on provoking his brother any longer. Honestly instead of resting, Kaeya is just causing more problems.
"What would your order be?" Diluc asked her. She blinked a few times and looked at the menu on her side.
"Uh.. Just one dandelion wine.." she said, choosing whatever she saw first.
"Classic." Amber laughed awkwardly and clasped her hands, trying to ease the tension that Kaeya left them.
Diluc served them the beverages not too long after they ordered. Charles was serving upstairs so he was left at the front bar, but Diluc left to assist other customers too.
While they were sipping their drinks, Amber started talking about her day. Everything she said flew out of the Acting Grand Master's head for she was occupied with.. someone else.
"...,Klee was also with me--Are you okay? Acting Grand Master?" amber asked, noticing Jean's expression
"Oh.. Uh. Yes. Im fine. Thank you for asking."
"Are you sure?" Amber was reluctant.
"Yes. Im fine, Amber." Jean said and smiled slightly to not worry Amber. The outrider felt relief and didn't question further.
As for Jean, her mind still lingers around the tavern's owner. Diluc Ragnvindr. Her mind was flooded about everything that happened before.
Shaking her head, she lifted her gaze from her bottle to somewhere else, only to meet the sight of Diluc, looking at her as well. Her heart jumped a little as she quickly looked away.
She swallowed hard and focused her sight on her drink to avoid the gaze of the tavern's owner. Her heart felt like it's tangled in strings and she somehow felt suffocating.
They spent their time drinking and Amber felt enthusiasm all the time since it's a rare chance to get Jean to rest.
".. Thank you for reminding! I almost forgot to give back that book to Lisa tomorrow. I don't want to get punished!" Amber said in horror when a topic about books was brought up. She received a hearty laugh from Jean as response. She finds the other knight's fear of Lisa funny.
"You better." she chuckled. Feeling a little tipsy now, Jean started to loosen up more. Despite her state, she's still composed.
Time passed and yet the tavern slowly became quieter. Though technically, the amount of people chatting are still many. Many started to leave and bards are no longer around. Jean didn't really noticed this for she's hazy and so is Amber because of the drinks. As for Kaeya, no one knows.
"Jean." she heard the voice called her subtly. Her eyes slowly opened and she turned around to see. Her eyes widened when she confirmed who called her. Why is Diluc calling her?
"Master Diluc.." she blinked a few times and held her head.
"Can we talk?" Diluc asked and instantly, Jean's mind was in frenzy.
Jean glanced at Amber who's half asleep at the counter. She looked around to see that the tavern's workers are starting to clean up and there's just few people around.
"Of course." she said, deciding that she'll get Amber after to wake up when she gets back so she can rest.
Diluc left the tavern and lead Jean beside it's dark alley, where no one was around. Jean fixed her composure and slightly slapped her cheeks to wake her up. Though the presence of the man beside her is more than enough.
"It seems like you're not in your best state." Diluc sighed and held his nose bridge. They stopped near a stack of barrels behind the tavern. "Why did you come to the tavern anyway?" he asked, sighing.
Jean was still sober. A little dizzy, she's drousy, yes, but she can manage. She interpreted that Diluc would prefer that she never goes to the tavern based on his words.
That felt like a pinch on her heart. Most people admire Jean and look up to her, almost everyone in Mondstadt likes her for everything she's done.
This man, however, despises the knights, and she's not excluded. If anything, she thinks that she's his most hated, just in her perspective.
"I'm sorry. I just came for Amber.. nothing else." she responded, not sure if she sounded offended but she definitely didn't want that.
Diluc sighed again and crossed his arms. "Anyway, my motive here is to show you this." the redhead handed her a scroll. It's not delicately carved and is in quite a bad shape.
So that's why Diluc was looking at her a while ago, for some matters. Jean felt disappointed that that was Diluc's reason for.. staring.
She shook the thought off.
She reached for the scroll and opened it. It was dark but the slight light from the post lamps illuminated and it gave her enough light to be able to read.
"I got that from my connections, and frankly speaking, I'd deal with those alone." he said. Jean lifted her gaze from the scroll to Diluc, her heart started to race. It seems important. I mean, Diluc wouldn't involve himself from the Knight's affairs, so why would he approach her? It's definitely important.
"... However, you're mostly the center of that. And I thought you needed to know."
Jean's expression openly showed grim, as she read each one of the words.
Mondstadt's knight,
We *** informing you **** next actions **** be successful. Prepare ****** we have **** forces. Your time to surrender. **** to Thousand Winds. Tomorrow night *****
"The letter is openly a threat towards you. And as you can see, they demand that you go to the temple." Diluc said. Jean firmly grasped the scroll and her fist was tight. Another threat to Mondstadt. She should've known that the Abyss Order is moving again.
"I heard of disturbances and unnatural number of hillichurl attacks this past few days." she said.
"That's correct. The other day, fourth more than their usual fraction attacked the area around the winery's manor."
"I see." she closed her eyes. "Thank you, Sir.. for letting me know about this. I'd like to let you know that I appreciate it so much."
Diluc nodded. "Like I said, I would have deal with it alone. But you're mostly the one involved here and I thought to let you know than turn a blind eye." he stopped. "It's dangerous, Jean."
"I'm aware of that." Jean's mind started to function like a broken circuit. Her mind started to plan things ahead of her. It sucks but she can't stop it's like an impulse whenever Mondstadt's safety is brought up.
With her tipsy condition, and just like Diluc said, she's not in her best state, Jean's dreadful thoughts rushed inside her mind and it made her anxiety double.
"Will you go alone?" he asked.
Jean shook her head, then nodded. "I.. I might. There's a lot of things to process--"
"Don't come alone." Diluc cut her sentence off. She halted and put the scroll on her strap. Thinking that Diluc doesn't believe in her abilities, her brows furrowed. She cleared her throat despite the dizziness in her mind that continuously massaged her head.
"I believe that I have the capabilities, even if Im a Knight of Favonius--"
"It's not about you being a knight." Diluc's voice was laced with annoyance. "It's because of your safety." Diluc put emphasis on the word 'knight'. He sighed once again and crossed his arms.
Jean halted upon realizing that the redhead cares for her well-being, that he's not insulting the knights like she thought. She shifted her gaze with her fist still curled.
"Im.. Im fine. I'll analyze the right course of action thoroughly, I wouldn't let Mondstadt fall in their hands. Ill.. Ill start to.." she stopped and held her head again.
"Ill prepare for it. Ill inform the knights under my supervision immediately, f-first thing in the morning. But.. the letter said their forces are ready. What if they outnumber us? Or they have their own ace? I.."
"Calm down, Jean." he whispered. His voice familiarly soothed her, like before. The thought brought her peace and she breathed in and out, collecting herself.
"Im calm..." she leaned on one of the barrels, her eyes closed as she try to summon tranquillity. She heard another sigh from Diluc.
"Don't shoulder everything on your own." he reminded. It's always her problem. She can't fully depend on someone else, not because they're inefficient, but because she thinks everything would be secured if she were the one to handle all. She was afraid of failure..
Jean felt something pressing her shoulder, seeing Diluc's hand resting on it after opening her eyes, the blonde's insides started to turn upside down, her stomach once again churning with the familiar feeling.
"But what if.. What if I fail and everything is r--"
Diluc squeezed her shoulder lightly, giving her a sense of comfort. She was put into silence, with actual calmness spiralling into her mind.
And in the middle of the Mondstadt night, with the muffled noises coming from the tavern, with only lamp posts as their source of light and just the two of them..Diluc softly spoke.
"Ill be of help. With you.. "