Chapter Text
It all felt the same.
The winds brushed past him as he slowly walked down the long path he had to travel to get back to Monstadt.
This time would be different as he admired the few things he’d normally dismiss at first glance. He’d gently feed some of the foxes that were lying around a freshly picked apple as he watched them munch away, giving him the opportunity to stroke their soft fur. The fish near Windrise were growing well despite the fact that Albedo would bring Klee along when she was down.
It had been a while since he’d seen her. He’d missed her once he departed, Kaeya could take care of her and tell Klee all his amazing stories before bed, Amber would bring her on expedition to explore the world in all of it’s greatest life forms, Jean would take careful cautions just like she always did and Lisa could teach her things Albedo was too busy for.
Those were his best memories in Mondstadt. He slowly approached the front gates as Swan and Lawrence gave a quick salute, he simply saluted back. Approaching the steps toward the fountain, he found Timaeus and Sucrose chattering away. It couldn’t hurt for him to say his farewell. They’ve done so much for him in the past.
Albedo approached the pair as Timaeus noticed him first.
“Albedo! Glad to see you here.” Timeaus waved.
“Oh! Mister Albedo I was just planning about seeing you, and here you are.” Sucrose turned around.“What are you doing here in Mondstadt? You rarely visit so it must be urgent! We can help out with that! That is… If you insist… I’m sure you have something for us.”
Albedo nodded, “Actually this is pretty important. It requires the both of you.”
The pair looked stunned as Albedo never usually offered for assistance. Normally doing things on his own was his specialty, Tucked away in all his work.
He continued. “I’m currently planning my leave temporarily, though I’m unsure how long this trip would cost me.”
”B-but Mister Albedo! All of the Knight’s work has already been caught up, and they’ve announced for a party in the meantime for our successful achievements, the party is tomorrow!”
Timaeus nodded.
Ah so that’s why.
Days ago Albedo had a mysterious letter placed on his table in Dragonspine. Carefully waxed in seal from the Knights of Favonius. He didn’t open the letter and merely forgot about it on his messy shelf.
How could be be so careless of such notice?
Albedo sighed, feeling a wave of guilt of forgetting such a thing.
”I’ll be departing the day after the party. Sucrose, I shall be leaving you in charge of all the alchemy in my stead. Timaeus shall be there to help you if you need assistance, in last case scenario, I’ll be free with postcards from Liyue and Inazuma. Though I trust you two can handle the job well.”
Sucrose fidgeted from the pressure, knowing how extraordinary Albedo was at alchemy, it was hard to compare. Leaving so many tasks with her felt a rush of joy and panic. Timaeus stood there absorbing Albedo’s plans.
“Are you sure about this?” Timaeus asked.
Albedo nodded, “It’s in my best interest. I’ve put away this duty for far too long.”
“…What duty?”
He didn’t speak of it. Turning away was more of a sign. Timaeus and Sucrose felt he didn’t want to elaborate any further. “If that’s what you really insist, then see you tomorrow Mister Albedo.”
They both waved goodbye and watched as Sucrose walked away clutching her books close to her. Albedo walked the other direction up the flight of stairs leading to the headquarters.
Albedo started to think twice about his decision. Was it really worth it to go on a leave for such a selfish reason? To think that Rhinedottir would give him a letter just before she left made him wonder if she was still there. Watching him but no longer available. He knew well that there was nothing that Rhinedottir was proud of other than his own creation, and she left with nothing else. No more lessons and pure alchemy from his own hands. The soil to chalk and the creation of life.
He opened the door to the headquarters and stepped inside. Walking towards the grandmasters office did he stop and rest his hand on the doorknob. There was no turning back after this point.
Slowly turning the doorknob and opening it, he could see Kaeya and Jean discussing something.
They stopped to look at the new visitor.
“Well if it isn’t the genius himself.” Kaeya turned around to rest his weight on Jean’s desk and smiled. “Maybe he can help out with this stubborn acting grandmaster of ours, it’s rare to see his head out of the snow for a while.”
Jean set her papers down and nudged Kaeya’s arm off her desk. “Good afternoon Albedo.”
Albedo walked inside and shut the door as Kaeya snatched the papers on Jean’s desk. “Good afternoon, I’d like to discuss some words with you if you’ve finished with Sir Kaeya.” He’d walk over to the desk.
”It was the usual discussion of pacing. Considering that we’re having a celebration tomorrow it would be quite a shame if our grandmaster didn’t attend.” Kaeya flipped a coin.
”I thought workloads were over?”
”The citizens of Mondstadt are busy piling requests. Amber and Eula went to fulfill most of them which leaves me with the leftover paperwork.” He wavered a small stack of papers in front of Albedo.
Being able to see the top of the desk seemed like a blessing, though compared to his at his camp, it would forever be filled with notes of alchemy. Which he had just realized how much he’d multitask and if Sucrose could handle so much unfinished notes.
Jean coughed to direct attention. “So, Albedo, what is it that you wish to speak of?”
He’d hesitate for a moment before easing himself to answer. “I’d like to request a temporary leave.”
Jean and Kaeya stared at the still and calm alchemist who had dragged a chair to sit down.
”Sucrose and Timaeus have already taken my place, however I’ll be leaving the day after tomorrow if I can make this official.”
“That’s certainly unusual of you, did you hit your head?” Kaeya chuckled, and he realized that Albedo was actually serious. Granting an odd stare from Albedo.
”I understand if you wish to leave, it’s certainly important if you feel the need to rest. However I’d like to know why and how long you’re going for.” Jean tapped her fingers on her desk, resting one hand on her chin.
”I… Can’t specify into much detail. Though it’s a duty I’ve neglected since stepping into Mondstadt. I’m unfortunately unsure how long this trip would take me.” Albedo started to fidget with his strap.
Kaeya lifted his head out of the papers and furrowed his brow, thinking of possible reasons why whilst Jean simply pulled out a sheet of paper and a pen.
It’s happening, and he’d only have a day to figure out his plan. Normally during his work, it’d be as easy as collecting information and interrogations. That didn’t take as much energy as playing with Klee, but Albedo realizes he’s starting to become careless. Careless of not being able to think ahead of time, going into dangers that he’d normally have companions with him, leaving loved ones behind and pressuring others to do workloads for him. All of which he didn’t realize the majority of his role fit into better previously. Albedo kept a mental note.
Jean was busy rummaging through her drawers in which she quickly wrote something up on the document. She passed the paper and pen towards Albedo’s side.
“Here’s the document for your leave. If there’s any misinformation then you may change it accordingly.”
Albedo read it over and picked up the pen, signing it with little hesitation.
Kaeya walked over to lean against the wall near the door. Stirring his mind with Albedo’s words of an unfinished duty nobody was aware of. He couldn’t help but think there’s a bigger secret than the ones he though he hid. Though it never helped as he kept his mouth shut when confronted directly.
The acting grandmaster nodded. She’d never show it in front of her knights, but you could tell there was a sudden change in a sorrow aura.
”The day after tomorrow shall be the day you leave,” Jean took the paper and pen away, “We’ll miss you for the time being, but we hope you return in good conditions. We’ll see you tomorrow Albedo.”
”Thank you.”
Albedo stood up and pushed his chair back to where he found it. As he was leaving, Kaeya tried to reach out to him but retracted. Closing the door behind him, he slumped down to the cold and shiny floor.
Maybe this wasn’t meant to be.
Perhaps his master wanted him to think differently.
Sacrificing long friendships weren’t about to make anything better.
Perhaps he should’ve waited longer.