Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

I. Wind, Courage, and Wings

“Hey, you! Traveler!”

The high-pitched voice catches you off guard. So far, you’ve experienced a rather peaceful journey across this land, which you believe to be Mondstadt, the city of freedom. From the specific port you left in, you were sure to land somewhere in the north, but the smooth, empty beach you landed in was the last thing you might have expected.

You recognize some of the land formations and vegetation from old books and paintings you’ve seen around, but nothing overtly identifying. The water is clear, and the sky is bright, brighter than you’ve ever seen before. It’s warmer here than you’re used to, the sun uncovered and blaring onto your skin. It’s not an unwelcome feeling, and you actually find it quite beautiful.

Right now, you walk across a lake, admiring the way it moves and flows freely, seeming undisturbed and untouched by human hands. You watch as the water swirls and foams against the sandy shore, swaying up and falling back, seemingly dancing with the rocks and wind.

You watch as a girl emerges from behind the cliff, gliding from a hill with what seems to be something similar to wings. They are a light, brownish-grey with gold patterns that glitter in the sunlight, making them appear almost angelic.

She can’t be more than a couple of years younger than you, as well as a few inches shorter. She wears something similar to an aviator uniform, with a red jacket and white boots that couldn’t possibly get any brighter. She has a bandana tied around her head, making it look like a pair of rabbit ears sprang from her hair. You watch as she lands and pulls the brown googles she wore onto her forehead, sweeping her dark brown hair out of her face for a second before her bangs settle back onto her nose again.

“What are you doing out on Starsnach Cliff?” she asks, giving you a strange, yet oddly friendly look.

You expected her to be somewhat upset at your sudden appearance, an unfamiliar person wandering in what she might see as her territory, but instead, she seemed curious and maybe slightly worried about what you might be doing out here alone. You decide to trust her intentions if not only for now.

“Where?”

“Starsnatch Cliff! That’s where we are right now. Well, not so much on the cliff as right beside it.”

You look up at the extensive cliff. It must be at least 1,000 tall, smooth rock collecting to a point-like tip. You had admired a few of the white flowers at the base of it, delicate and beautiful plants that had immediately intrigued you. You even managed to pick a few and stuff them in your bag, even though you knew they would wither and die by the time you got to properly inspect them. It was worth a try, at least.

“I don’t mean to be ‘way out here’ as you say,” you respond. “I’m just not sure where to go.”

“You’re not from around these parts, huh?”

You shake your head.

“Well, you don’t look like a citizen of Mondstadt, so that would make sense.”

“So I am in Mondstadt,” you think aloud. “I had my suspicions, but I wasn’t so sure what part of Teyvat I was in.”

“I can lead you back to the city! I was just patrolling Hilichurl camps before I stumbled into you. I may need to clear one out on the way, but that is surely just to be a small detour.” She lets out an awkward laugh. “By the way, I’m Amber! Outrider for the Knights of Favonius.” She salutes, moving her arm from her shoulder down to her hip in a quick motion. You’re not quite sure who she’s saluting to, or whether it’s simply an act of duty or habit, but you find the gesture cute and endearing.

“It’s nice to meet you, Amber,” you say. “You can call me (Y/N).”

“Okay, (Y/N)!” She puts her hands on her hips and smiles. “Just follow me and we should be back to the city in no time! I’m sure everybody would love to meet you.”

---

As the two of you walk through the forest and through the fields and hills, Amber stops now and again to introduce you to important aspects of Mondstadt. It felt slightly as if you were on a paid tour across the wilderness, but you enjoyed it nonetheless. It was truly fascinating, learning about an entirely new place that you knew nothing about, and the amount Mondstadt had to offer was impressive, to say the least.

In the distance, you can see a tall wall with the tips of buildings and houses stretching over the horizon. As you walk closer and the clouds clear, you admire how detailed the city is. Windmills spin lazily, seemingly blowing wind and leaves left and right, flying them in all directions. The red-orange rooftops and castle-like walls make the city have an almost light and warm look.

“This is the City of Freedom!” Amber announces once they reach the closer path that leads to the stone bridge over a vast lake. Pigeons gather along the base of it, a small boy leaning on the wall of it, throwing breadcrumbs to the birds in front of him.

“It’s beautiful,” you marvel. “I can see why it’s called a city of wind.”

“It’s more than just looks,” Amber boasts. “Just wait until you get inside!”

---

The sun is setting, the orange and pink of the sky swirling with the dark blue of night. The windows in the square building glow yellow and the red banners glean bright in the candlelight.

“Knights of Favonius headquarters,” Amber explains. “Our home base. This is where Jean works, most of the time. We’re actually here to see her. I bring most new travelers here first.”

“Jean is…?”

“The Acting Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius!” Amber opens the brown doors, revealing a vast room with checkered flooring and doors lining the hall. She turns left and with another set of doors, she opens into an office.

It's simple enough. A gold chandelier bounces light towards the symbol of shields and swords hanging above a bookshelf. Teal curtains hang on the windows, a gold clock ticking against the left wall.

What really grabbed your attention was the woman sitting in the middle. Gold-blonde hair falls softly around her shoulders, tucked gently around her ears revealing two gold cross earrings. A few stray strands of hair frame her face, and her eyes are focused on the paper in front of her, her hand scanning something on the page.

She was undeniably beautiful in a way that you hadn't experienced before and was sure nobody could deny. Though she seemed your age, the way she held herself and went about her work was almost dignified; mature in a different way than imaginable.

She looks up when the door opens, grey-blue eyes looking at Amber first, then straight at you. She puts down her pen and sighs, standing up from her chair.

“Didn’t I tell you to knock before coming in, Amber?” She lets out a chuckle. She seems slightly embarrassed by her current state, but bushes the hair out of her eyes and walks towards you.

“Sorry, Master Jean,” Amber rubs the back of her head. “I guess I got excited.”

“It's alright,” she leans against her desk. “I see you brought a guest?”

“Sure did! I met them while patrolling Hilichurls,” Amber pushes you in front of her. “(Y/N), meet Master Jean. Master Jean, meet (Y/N)!”

Chapter Text

II. The Fox in the Dandelion Sea 

“(Y/N), meet Master Jean. Master Jean, meet (Y/N)!”

“Mondstadt welcomes you, traveler.” She smiles and walks towards you, taking a book from the shelf next to you and flipping through it. “As Amber had said, I am Jean, Acting Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius. You've come during a great time in Mondstadt.”

She puts down the book, grabbing a black ribbon from her desk and using it to pull her hair up into a loose ponytail. She uses her hands to tighten the bow, and then shakes her head, letting some hair near her ears loose. 

“I must ask, where are you from?”

“Inazuma,” you respond. Though she's asking you simple questions, your mind wanders elsewhere, distracted by how simple, yet disturbingly interesting Jean is.

“Inazuma has its own problems regarding the vision hunt decree, I’m sure.” Jean eyes the pendant hanging from your belt loop. A green, glowing charm with a heart-shaped pattern in the center. “Is that the reason you came here?”

“One of them,” you say, shifting a bit. 

“We should get them settled in,” Amber says, noticing the silent awkwardness in the room. “It's getting late.”

“Oh right, of course.” She straightens up, handing a piece of paper to Amber. 

“I always have one ready, just in case,” she explains. “You can stay in one of the spare rooms near Angel’s Share. I’m sure Master Diluc won't mind. Amber, make sure (Y/N) get’s everything they need.”

“Yes ma'am,” Amber nods.

“No need to pay for lodging,” Jean says, watching as went to reach for your Mora pouch. “Besides, you may need it for other things around the city. I will stop by later to make sure you're settled.”

She walks over, whispering something to Amber before she returns to her desk and Amber opens the door again. 

As you walk out of the building, Amber turns to you. 

“Jean doesn't offer free lodging to just anyone,” she says. “I wonder what she sees in you.”

“Yeah,” you think. “I wonder.”

---  

The room was warm and smelled of pancakes.

It was rather cozy. An open space with a large red rug and sofa in the middle. An armchair lay against the wall closest to the door with a bookshelf next to it. A small kitchen with a stove and fireplace underneath it stood in the opposite corner, a window with teal curtains similar to the ones in Jean’s office. 

You drop your bag on the floor along with the few bags of ingredients you had bought from Mondstadt General Goods. Amber had insisted on stopping there beforehand with the thought of “you'll want to make something in the morning, trust me!” You had figured you'd just buy something, but since you were new to Mondstadt you found some truth in Amber's words. 

You hold the door open for her to walk in, and she drops one more bag of flour and salt onto the hardwood floors.

“This is it!” Amber exclaims. “What do you think?”

“It's nice,” you say, walking towards the center of the room, running your hands across the sofa’s soft cushions. “I like the curtains.”

“I'll leave you to unpack.” Amber rubs the back of her head. “I have some stuff to get done before the day ends. I'm sure Jean will come by later once she ‘finishes’ for the night.” She puts air quotes around the word “finishes”. 

Right before she closes the door, Amber calls back, “If you ever make your way to Good Hunter, go for the Sticky Honey Roast! It's right across from General Goods!”

She leaves, and just like that, you're alone. You open the bags of food, organizing each item into a specific shelf, using a matchbox in the drawer to start the fireplace and turn a couple of the lights on the room. You hadn't realized how fast the day had passed, but through the windows and over the buildings you the sun is almost completely gone, the remaining purple finally succumbing to the navy blue sky.

You empty the contents of your bag onto the rug, sitting down next to it, sinking your hands into the fibers. You relax for the first time since you had left Inazuma, maybe over 3 days ago. So much had happened since then, and you wonder how you found yourself here so soon after escaping what felt inescapable. 

Two sets of clothes. Three books. One pouch of Mora, your savings, along with the white flowers you had picked from Starsnatch Cliff. Other than a couple of food bundles and a canteen of water, this is all that you had brought with you that survived the trip. All that was left of your previous life. You look up at the bookshelves, gazing at the library open to you. The start of your new one. 

Scanning the selection, you pick one novel that has caught your attention, the teal and orange cover standing out among the others. The Fox in the Dandelion Sea . Fitting. 

Sitting down in the armchair, you open to the first page.

---

A few moments later you hear a knock at the door. It scares you at first, making your skin jump. You must've lost track of time, as it was completely dark out by now. You mark your place in the book, walking over to the door. 

As you open the door, you notice a woman setting down what seemed to be bed sheets. Big, blotchy spots of light brown spread along the edges of them, staining the sharp white linen.

“Jean,” you say, patting down your shirt. It had become wrinkled from sitting so long. “What happened there?”

“An all-nighter gone wrong,” she sighs. “I knocked my coffee cup over while signing some papers. I usually do my laundry next door so I figured I’d stop by while I was around.” 

“Oh, right.” You meet her eyes.“Feel free to come in,” you say, stepping out of the doorway and into the apartment.

She takes off her navy coat, hanging it next to yours. You notice it's the color of the night sky. She walks towards the sofa, sitting down on the ottoman in front of it. She notices the contents of your bag on the floor, picking up the pouch of flowers and opening it. 

“I lost myself in a book when I got here,” you say, slightly embarrassed. “I didn't get the chance to put it fully away.”

“You don't need to apologize,” she says. “It happens to the best of us.” She pulls out one of the flowers. It's slightly crushed, the petals towards the ends slightly wilting, but other than that it remained in better shape than what you had anticipated. “I see you've taken a liking to Cecilias?”

“Is that what they're called?” You sit next to her on the sofa, taking another flower from the pouch. “I just picked them because I thought they were nice. I planned on researching it later.”

“You should meet our Alchemist,” she laughs. “You two would enjoy each other’s company.”

She meets your eye again. 

“Can I get you anything?” You stand up again, walking towards the kitchen. “I bought some tea leaves at Mondstadts General Goods earlier.”

“Tea would be lovely,” she says. 

---

Over the hot, sweet drinks Jean talks about the knights. How she became Acting Grand Master, as well as the current Grand Master, a man named Varka. He had left on an expedition with the city's elite forces more than half a year ago, leaving Jean in charge of the city. You found it greatly unfair for Jean to be taking on such a large responsibility on such short notice beforehand, but Jean assured you that it was really not a big deal. She enjoyed helping the people of Mondstadt and that's what mattered to her. 

She then asks about your background, and you find yourself telling her about your childhood in Inazuma. Your father who ran an art studio close to the Naganoharas. Your mother who had died of a fever when you were young, but you and your father prospering together nonetheless. His joy when you received your vision. Your close friend who has lost his close to the beginning of the Hunt Decree, seemingly draining him of his will to move on.

The thing that caught you off guard was the fact that Jean had seemed genuinely curious about you, your family, your past. You could’ve assumed that the city of freedom couldn't have seen many people in recent years coming from the land of eternity, but the way she looked at you showed real interest. 

Worry.

Maybe even resonance. 

All of this from someone who was a total stranger merely moments before.

Before you knew it, the light from the moon reaching over the buildings spilled through the windows. Jeanś coffee-stained linens lay abandoned in the hall, hearing only the sounds of talk and tea.

Jean checks her watch. 

“I should get going,” she says at last, setting down her cup. “I didn't realize how fast the time flew by.”

“Neither did I,” you admit, setting yours down in turn, standing up with her as she gets up and grabs her coat.

She looks down at the sheets, then at you, Neither of you had realized the door was open. She smiles.

“I…” She pauses. “I enjoyed the time we spent together here,” she says. “I hope we can continue it soon. Your stories are simply so… infatuating.”

“Same here,”  you laugh. Her blonde hair had loosened into a low ponytail, the black ribbon dropping across her shoulders. “I'll see you tomorrow morning then?”

“I'll always be in my office.”

With one final goodbye, youŕe alone again, but this time with the memories of your past as well as Jeans fresh in your mind along with an empty teapot. You blow out the fireplace, crashing onto the bed face-first. The linens smelled of soap and fresh air. 

As sleep overtakes you, you wonder again what Jean sees in you. Why would she make the time to see you after such a long, obviously tiring day? Why is she so interested in your history, your life? It's all so strange to you.

You drift off to sleep, dreaming of a flower. Different from the white ones you found on the cliff.

This time, you dream of dandelions. 

Chapter Text

III. Ballads of the Squire

You wake to the damp smell or morning air as sunlight streams through the cracks in the curtains. You yawn and rub your eyes, pulling the white linens over your head. It’s some time in the afternoon, and the sun rises high above the buildings and trees. Looking through the small mirror over the bathroom sink, you notice that you’re still in the same clothes as yesterday. You pull on your jacket over a loose-fitting shirt and a spare pair of pants, pinning your vision to the belt you always wear.

Near the sofa, empty cups sit idly on the coffee table. A small bit of leftover tea sits at the bottom of each cup, reminding you of last night. The memory makes you smile. Turning to the bookshelf, you notice a small brown book that, when you flip it open, contains traditional recipes from Mondstadt. A few pages in and you stumble upon a dish called Apfelpfannkuchen . Essentially, it seems to be some sort of apple cake or pie-like food. Coincidentally, you happen to have bought all the needed ingredients for it last night. Inspiration hits you and you realize that Amber was right; the detour was a smart idea.

The recipe requires a lot of mixing and moving but compared to some other things you’ve made, it’s simple enough. You consider yourself a moderately good cook, but nothing compared to what Uyuu Restaurant, specifically Erika, used to whip up in the kitchen. Being good friends with the owner had its benefits. Along with some coffee, the dish was surprisingly good (surprising in the way you correctly prepared it, less in doubt of Mondstadts culinary tastes). It’s very light and not very sweet, making it pair well with jam and milk. It was a foreign yet vaguely comforting and calm morning, especially compared to the past few days. The city of freedoms food will be something you’ll have to explore in the future. 

After finishing breakfast, and not sure what you do, you decide it would be beneficial to explore the city a bit. It would surely be helpful to know where things were for the future. On your way out you make sure to grab your (somewhat) still full pouch of Mora.

While making your way out of the building, you turn around to close the door, bumping into someone and knocking them to the floor. You stumble forwards into the door a few steps before turning back around and glancing at the poor passerby you just knocked down. It was a girl, maybe fourteen or fifteen, which short, almost white, lavender hair. She wore a slightly poofy, knee-length dress that resembled something close to a maid. Besides the greatsword hanging from the side of the belt and the armored plating along the bodice and arms of the dress, she seemed like an ordinary, be it very busy, girl. 

“I’m so sorry,” you apologize, extending your hand out to help her up. “I probably should’ve looked where I turned before doing it.”

“It’s my fault entirely,” she says, looking down while brushing the dirt from the back of her dress. “I was just in a rush.”

“I completely understand,” you say. It seems you aren’t the only one who becomes tunnel-visioned while focused. “If I may ask, where are you heading?”

“Oh,” she adjusts the rose in her hair. “I’m just going to talk with Hertha and check if there are any new requests that came in.” You think for a second, unsure of what to do. This girl seems to be an experienced resident of Mondsatdt, and it would be good to have a guide for what normal life in the town might be, right? As far as you could tell, besides traveling back to Inazuma or making your way west to Liyue, Mondstadt would be the best place in Teyvat to stay without making too much trouble for yourself.

“Would you mind if I joined you?” you finally ask. “I don’t have much to do today, and I could help you with a few of those requests.”

“That would be great, actually,” she perks up. “I haven’t had someone to join me in a while.” You’re surprised with how trusting of strangers she is. Closing the door, this time without hitting other civilians, the two of you start to walk down the street. 

“Are you a part of the Knights of Favonius?” you ask, 

“Not exactly. I’m currently training to be one.” She then shakes her head. “I’m sorry, it was rude of me not to introduce myself first! My name is Noelle, apprentice, and maid to the Knights.”

“You have a very pretty name, Noelle,” you compliment. “You can call me (Y/N).”

“I love yours as well, (Y/N).” She thinks. “You’re not from Mondstadt, right? I had heard that a new traveler came in to see Master Jean.”

“Word spreads fast,” you observe. “I arrived last night. I lived far away from here, so the shift from there to Mondstadt was a rather drastic one.” 

Noelle chuckles. “You’ll become used to it. I might be able to guess where you come from, but I’m sure that Mondstadt will turn out to be a simpler stay.” You walk down a set of small stairs and near a billboard, a woman with light brown hair and a similar styled armored dress waves to you.

“Noelle!” she says, clasping her hand to her heart in relief. “I’m glad to see you. I try to limit one per person a week, but bounties and requests have been coming in at record speed.”

“I suppose that people need help settling in after all that happened.” Noelle sighs. “It was definitely something Mondstadt has never seen before. Thankfully, I brought a friend with me today.” You make a note to ask what “all that happened” was later.

“I was wondering who you were,” she says turning to you. “It’s great to meet you. I’m Hertha. It’s always nice to have another helping hand around.” She takes four papers off the wall and hands them to Noelle. Two of them have what you assumed to be bounties and the other two have requests. “Those are for you and your friend today,” she explains. “The bounties might be a bit challenging, but the requests should be simple enough.”

“These are great Hertha,” Noelle said, sifting through them and passing two of the letters to you. “Thank you. I will see you in a few days?”

“I’ll be right here.”

Walking away, you ask, “What should we start with?”

“Well, maybe the bounties since they’re usually easier and take less time,” she says.

“Didn’t Hertha say they’re more challenging?”

“Well, for some. For me, the requests are harder,” she points out a part of the letter. “Basically, the paper explains where an enemy is reported to be walking around or disturbing people and we go and either chase them out or knock them unconscious.”

“I’ve done things similar to that before,” you say, materializing the bright, crimson spear out of the air. “Sounds like fun!”

---

Completing the bounties was easy enough, just as Noelle said. Noelle had admired your combat techniques, while you also were quite impressed with the way she was able to wield her sword. For such a small girl, how she was able to use such a large blade was something to admire as well. After completing both bounties (one to knock out a Mitachrul, another to chase away a whopperflower) and fulfilling one of the requests, you and Noelle made your way back to the town, where your last request remained. 

“Bring Nimrod ten leaves of mint,” she reads. “He’s inside the tavern right now, but I was hoping you could do this one on your own.” She pulls out a pouch and counts out ten of the strong-scented leaves. 

“Why?” you ask, taking the leaves from her and stuffing them inside an envelope. 

“It’s just… since I’m not of drinking age yet, I always receive weird stares whenever I enter the tavern.” She shifts her weight. “I’d rather stay outside.”

You wondered how a girl who had, not even a few hours ago, had effortlessly wielded a claymore and knocked out a Mitachrul could be bothered by things like a few strange looks, but you agree to do it anyway. 

Entering Angel’s Share, your ears are filled with the sounds of a boy, looking no older than Noelle, playing the lyre in the center of the tavern. He plays a lively tune and sings rather beautifully. Your eyes are then drawn to the man behind the counter cleaning glasses. He is tall and slender, having maybe the brightest red hair you have ever seen, all pulled up into a high ponytail. He has a stern yet unimpressed expression as he places a glass down on the counter. 

“Can I help you?” he asks, not bothering to look up. 

“Yes,” you say, checking the letter. “I’m looking for Nimrod?” He points over to the far corner, where a man with blonde hair and a purple shirt sits, sipping from a glass. You walk over to him and pull out the pouch. “Are you Nimrod?”

“What is it?” He takes another sip and then pauses. “Don’t tell me my wife sent you. Eury is always sending people after me.”

“Um, no.” You show him the pouch. “It’s about the request you put up. Ten leaves of mint?”

“Oh! Well, why didn’t you just say so!” He grabs the pouch and reaches for Mora. “Thank you, my dear friend. I’ve been needing these for a while!” He hands you enough coins to amount to the needed amount and as you walk away, you can hear him call out, “May your glass forever flow with the fine wine of good fortune!”

Walking back outside, you spot Noelle sitting at one of the tables, staring into space. You hand her one of the glasses of apple cider you got before leaving the tavern and sit down next to her.

“Thank you, (Y/N),” she says, popping the lid open with a small fizz. “It’s always fun to do these with someone else.” 

You take a sip of the cider, the sweet drink reminding you of something. You freeze. “Oh no.”

“What is it?”

“I think I was supposed to meet Jean this morning. I didn’t realize how late it was getting. I woke up late too!” The sun is moving towards the west, hovering slightly over the horizon. You turn to Noelle. “Can I ask you for one more thing?” She nods. “Do you know how to get to the  Knights of Favonius Headquarters from here?”

Noelle hands you a map and explains to you where to go, as well as explaining the different stairwells and turns that would make it the easiest. She happens to be a great guide to the city, making you glad you ran into her. She waves you goodbye, and as you make your way through Mondstadt, trying to remember each one of Noelle’s instructions, you wonder what the girl’s motivations are to become a knight. She’s the third one you’ve met within your short stay, and if Jean is any indication, it seems like a lot of work. Mondstadt may be a small town, but managing it appears to be a rather taxing job, and yet, Noelle looks to enjoy all of the work.

You make it to the square-looking building, the glowing chandelier illuminating the checkered floors, and as you turn left, right before opening the intricate wooden doors, you remember to knock.

Chapter Text

IV. Verses of Equilibrium 

"It's open."

You push loose the large wooden doors and step into the warm room. The windows are slightly cracked open and you feel the warm breeze on you once you enter. 

Your jacket brushes against your leg.

Your hair skims against your ear. 

You've come to realize that most rooms in Mondstadt have a warm, comforting feeling that you can't help but feel drawn to. It's something completely strange and different, yet ordinary in the same sense.

That seems to be the case with most things in the town. 

It's almost the same scene as before. It takes you back a bit since, in the past day, nothing has changed. At least, nothing important. Jean still sits behind her desk, sifting through papers, sipping a rather large cup of coffee, and looking as tired as she maybe could ever be. Her hair is up. She's wearing a different coat, this one a light gray-blue. It matches her eyes.

The clock on the side of the library wall still ticks and the teal drapes still cover the sun tipping slightly towards the west, just past its peak in the sky. 

"It's you, (Y/N)," she looks up, stacking the papers on her desk in a neat pile. "I wasn't sure if you would stop by."

"It seems that the time difference still needs adjusting," you say. "I woke late in the day, and then time got the best of me, and well..."

"I understand. I know how fast the day can slip away." She coughs into a handkerchief before wiping her hair from her face. 

"Are you doing alright?" you ask. "Have you been working all day?"

"It's really nothing," Jean says, clearing her throat. "At least, it's nothing you should worry yourself with." 

You walk past her and lean against the railing next to her desk. "Is there anything I can help with?" 

"Well, right now I'm just looking over some paperwork involving Fatui matters in Liyue. Are you familiar with anything like that?"

"I have some background with the Fatui, though I can't say anything to what they do in other parts of Teyvat." You pull an armchair over towards Jean, taking the papers she hands to you and skimming over them. "They could be trying to do something similar to what they're currently succeeding at doing in Inazuma. They have connections that allow them to infiltrate the entire country. They even managed to manipulate the Shogun herself."

Jean bites her nail. "Do they pose a threat to Mondstadt?"

"As it stands now? No. In the future, if they take further actions, possibly, but as I see it they have mostly moved all of their units to Liyue. They actually have seemed to entirely leave Mondstadt."

"That's good. I am worried for the Harbor,  but I'm sure it's nothing the Tianquan can't handle." She coughs again. "For now, I only have time to worry about one nation."

"Are you sure you don't mind me helping out a bit?" you ask, setting down the papers. "I have some experience with paperwork and you seem to have a lot on your plate."

"It..." Jean bites her nail again. "It wouldn't hurt."

She pushes, reluctantly, a small pile of the papers towards you with a pen on top of it all. You can tell that Jean isn't the type of person to so easily let someone else help out with work, especially someone she's barely known for even a day and isn't particularly familiar with Mondstadt matters. You are, though, familiar with matters outside of Mondstadt, so you wonder if that could be a reason for the proposal. The thought creeps into your mind as you work, and you can't help but feel the need to say something about it.

"Why do you trust me so much?" you say, picking up another letter. Trade details from Sumeru. "It hasn't even been a day since we met."

"I'm not sure it's about trust." She signs a paper, flicking the pen off the page. A drop of ink makes it into the desk. "When you meet the right person, you just... know. You know when they can be important or make a difference, whether to your life or others. First, it was the Honorary Knight. Now, well, I think it's you."

"That's a convenient explanation," you laugh. "Do you meet these types of people frequently?"

"I'd say it's most of the Knights." It's Jean's turn to laugh. "It seems the Archons know as well, seeing as most of them hold a vision." She gestures to the green pendant around your belt. 

"If I think about it, both of those things are also part of the reason why I came here, to begin with." You pull your legs to your chest. "Archons, visions. Celestia acts in strange ways."

"She certainly does."

---

Hours pass and night falls. As the evening drags on, the pile of work grows smaller and smaller, as so do the two of you grow more and more tired. As the day comes to an end, you start to notice members of the knights make their way towards Jean's office for a daily report. You're surprised to see that she writes all of them down in a notebook to keep. 

Most of the knights are similar in a sense, though some most definitely stand out a bit more than others (referring to a certain man with blue hair and an eye patch). You are able to understand a bit of what Jean said earlier; they all seem like people you could trust. If anything, Jean must have a talent for judging a person's character, though by saying that you feel a bit boastful. 

For the first time in three days, you think about your family back in Inazuma, the people you left behind. You miss them more than you thought you would, and with everything that's happened, you wish you could've been able to experience it with them. 

Why didn't they follow you? You know they had their own responsibilities, but was forming a rebellion against the Shogun herself truly more important than seeking opportunities elsewhere? Was Inazuma a lost cause? Do they see leaving as just running away?

You tried to block these thoughts out of your head long ago and yet, they keep coming back. It makes you mad since, realistically, you'd probably never see them again. Would you ever try to return, or would you just settle for a new life in Mondstadt? 

A life in Mondstadt. Something you never could have imagined before and yet seems all too real now. Would that be such a bad thing? Maybe Narukami Island is just too far to reach.

---

You don't remember falling asleep. You certainly don't remember the blanket that you wake up to being thrown on you. The thought of falling asleep in Jean's office, especially right beside her, is more embarrassing than you'd like to admit. 

A splotch of ink still lays on your shirt.

The blanket is soft. Maybe wool.

You wake to the warm light leaking from the window on your face. Blinking open your eyes, you push the heavy blanket off your chest and sit up in the chair, smoothing out your shirt. It's wrinkled on the side. Jean is sleeping on her desk. Despite her workload, she looks peaceful when she sleeps. Her eyes flutter open and you look away. 

Jean rubs her eyes. "Is it morning already?"

"Just pass sunrise." You say, slightly embarrassed. "You paid for my rent just for me to sleep in your office." Jean stands up and pushes the curtains open. Light flows into the room, turning it orange.

"I fall asleep in this room more than I'd like to admit," Jean says, gathering the wrinkled letters left behind on her desk. "You'll get used to it." The room is a mess, books opened, unmarked, papers thrown askew, chairs moved about in whichever way they pleased. 

Memories from the previous night are fuzzy at best and as both of you clean and organize, you gain a newfound appreciation for what the headmaster accomplishes as well as how hard she works to do so. If all of Teyvat had the same ideologies as Jean commits herself to, what could they accomplish? 

A knock at the door startles you both. 

"Who would come around this early?" you ask as Jean sits back down at her desk. You open the door to reveal a boy, maybe a few years your younger, with light blonde hair and gold eyes. His hair is tangled in a braid, and the center of his chest glows yellow. Next to him floats a girl with short white hair. Her blouse is light pink, a barrette shaped like a star rests in her hair. She bops up and down and sparkles glitter around her. 

Jean is still coughing. You start to worry.

"Our honorary night!" She says, gesturing for them to come in. 

"Acting Grand Master!" the girl says, waving her hand. "How have you been?"

"Busy," she smiles. "Y/N), I've yet to introduce you to our Honorary Knight."

"You can call me Aether," the boy says, shaking your hand.

"And Paimons name is Paimon!"

"It's nice to meet you two. Jean told me some things about you."

Jean clears her throat. The room is still (half) a mess. "So, how can I assist?"

"Actually, it's not us who need your help," Paimon says. "It's a bunch of other people..."

Together, they fill you both in on the happenings in the town and all the people who need Jean's help. They seem like such trivial tasks, a return on tax forms, a hilichurl camp causing trouble, a lost cat, and you wonder if Mondstadt has become a bit too reliant on their Grand Master. Maybe it's just not what you're used to. 

"I see. Well, thank you for your service to the people of Mondstadt." She coughs. "I've made a note of these commissions in my files and I will make sure to make arrangements... accordingly. ." 

You can tell Jean is overwhelmed with everything people expect from her, especially lately, and you still are in the dark on what caused such chaos to occur. Yet, she still commits herself to her duties. What she sees as her responsibilities. She's still half asleep, and it seems several nights' worth of work has taken their toll on her, but she still tries to lend a hand to anyone who asks for it. You wish she would take a day for herself, if only once.

"Great," Paimon says, turning to Aether. "We didn't miss anyone's commissions, did we? Sara's hilichurls, Charles tax return, Margaret's cat..." Her voice starts to drown out as you notice Jean's dead start to drop. Her eyes glaze over and her breath quickens. You run towards her desk.

"Jean, are you alright? Jean? Jean?!"

---