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The rustic smell of burning cuihua lazed around the room, wafting softly from the fire burning upon the large hearth. A large settee was set back from the flames; upon it, a mage dressed in purple sat. In her right hand she grasped a book, it’s cover dazzled in a vast array of blues. Her green eyes flickered across the page, despite the pages only being lit by the flickering of firelight; the mage’s familiarity with reading in all conditions evident. Anyone would have described the scene as the purest form of academia had it not been for one unexpected variable. The mage’s left hand lay at her side, stroking a head of fair hair that lay upon her lap. Her fingers flipping from strand to strand as if the waves of blonde were the pages of a novel.
It was at this moment that the mage eyes left the pages of the book, shifting downwards to study the figure sleeping quietly upon her lap. The thoughtful look in her eyes evolving into that of affection. Her lips curling at the adorable softness of the woman laying upon her. The finest sheets in Sumeru weren’t as soft as this. Her mind running off as her fingers glided though the silky mane.
Lisa Minci had been one of the finest mages in Sumeru only a couple years prior. She had spent years studying all of the knowledge that had been available to her. Weeks on end perfecting the latest variation of her potions. Days without sleep as she flipped and noted her way through the large almanacs that were the pride of the monstruous library. Journeys that spanned multiple months, exploring and noting down every detail that dotted ancient ruins dating back to before the Seven.
However, with as much knowledge as the Academia gave, there came a time for it to take as well. She had lost all semblance of a life outside of the Academia. Resting was only for the minimum amount of time needed to keep you alive, as any extra would no doubt place you behind your peers in your pursuit of knowledge. Relaxation was completely unheard of if you had any dreams of becoming a scholar. Other scholars existed as alternative sources of information at best, or as threats to your own progress at worst. While non-scholars were considered a waste of precious time unless used for trials and testing. As silly as it may sound, Sumeru Academia had been a place entirely devoid of connection, of attachment, of tenderness, of love.
After graduation, an expedition into an unknown domain possessed by an ancient magic had forced Lisa to make a monumental decision. To continue on with her studies, becoming the greatest mage to have walked Teyvat; but with those accomplishments, the loss of herself would follow. An electro-fueled race to the top, only to run out of energy the moment she had won. Another option had been offered, to abandon the rapid competition of knowledge and to become stagnant. Turning the timepiece upon its side to stop the drain, stopping the inflow along with it. After days of deliberation within the dark halls of the domain, the mage had made her choice. She would never again see the soaring spires of the Academia with her own eyes.
Her path led her back to the land of her birth, though she hardly remembered the windswept cliffs and fields of shimmering green. Her first deep breath of the Anemo Archon’s domain had been alien, yet had stirred her spirit anew with a sense of belonging. The tired heart and mind held captive by worry were now free. The hills and grasslands of Mondstadt were at peace. There was no competition, no constant sprint towards the finish line. They ambled along at their own pace, yet were invigorated through their journey by the inspiring winds of freedom. The same spirit of freedom that filled the people of the land, and now filled the soul of Lisa Minci.
She had met a kindred soul in the city, one that sometimes painfully reminded her of herself. Jean was always seeking to improve, not to gain more power or status; but to help fulfil her duty to the people of freedom. Lisa had found the young woman asleep in the library many times, exhausted from long days in service to the people. It had started with her waking the knight and telling her to go home and rest. Before long she had found herself walking home alongside Jean, determined to make sure that the captain got home without any disturbances. After Jean had been named the acting Grandmaster, the knight started staying past Lisa’s departure time; until Lisa found her asleep at her desk in a pile of paperwork the next morning. As such, Lisa lengthened her schedule, making sure she saw Jean home every night. After the change, Lisa noticed the change upon herself. Stretching the limited amount of energy she had per day over a longer day, further increased her stagnancy. Lisa dared not think of what her past-self would have thought of her. Full days spent lounging behind her desk, checking books in and out. Dozing off when the rays of sun shone into the library just right. Now, she would not trade it for the world. Walking home every night, under the last fading rays of sun, arm in arm with the Acting Grandmaster, her Jean, it was everything she could ever want.
The faint stirring on her lap pulled the Librarian from her reminiscing. Green meeting blue as the eyes of her beloved fluttered open.
“How was your nap, dear?” Lisa asking teasingly as the blue eyes slowly adjusted to the lowlight of their living room.
“It was good, what time is it?” Jean’s voice murmured sleepily.
“I’m glad to hear I was comfy, darling.” Lisa chuckled softly. “And it is just around midnight, I hope you’re still tired. We’ll both need plenty of rest before tomorrow.” Jean nodded.
“I could definitely continue,” she paused. “What were you doing while I was napping?” Lisa smiled down at her lover.
“Oh, you know, just studying.” The furrowing of Jean’s brow was almost instantaneous.
“You shouldn’t be studying this late, Lisa. It’s not good for you. You know this.” Lisa couldn’t help but giggle at the concerned look of admonishment. She leaned over, getting as close as she could to Jean’s ear.
“What if it was you, I was studying?” The red blush that filled the blonde’s cheeks was positively adorable.
“I-, I…” Jean tried to retort, but her embarrassment and a finger from Lisa stopped her.
“Enough of that, it’s time for bed. And as cute as you look sleeping on my lap, I would quite like the sleep in our bed tonight.” Jean could only nod, her protest cutoff by a flash of the mage’s green eyes; as Lisa picked her up, carrying her bridal style towards their bedroom. “I will be just fine carrying you to bed, dear. There’s nothing for you to worry about, besides getting your beauty sleep.” Lisa paused for a second, unable to hold back another tease. “Though it’s not like you need it, you’re just about as beautiful as they come.”