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“But of course, this is of the finest ingredients. Bestowed by the legendary traveler, herself, picked from the tips of mountains and wrestled—“
Paimon grumbles. “Well, I mean, we’ve just been trading with merchants.” She mumbles and Oz sighs. “What Mein Fraulien means to say is that seeing as the traveler is providing these ingredients she knows that they will be of the best quality.” He clarifies.
“Thanks, Fischl!” Lumine grins rather happily. Mona is hunched over the produce section, eyeing everything carefully. She seems to be mumbling about her choices. Lumine lets her have her way.
”Thinking twice, I don’t think I’m cut out for this.” Mona stresses. “What if I burn something? That’d be practically me throwing my mora into the ocean!” She shakes her head rather worrisomely. Fischl frowns rather evidently at that.
“Nonesense, Mona! We promise you that these are easy to cook and if something does go wrong Lumine will come help you out. At anytime!” Paimon reassures her once more.
“Lady Megistus, you have been bestowed with taste buds lucky enough to have taken a bite of the Prinzessins’ cooking. Your culinary prowess is merely growing by the second, there is no need to hesitate. Move forth!” Fischl says dramatically. Mona sighs, rolling her eyes before dumping a few ingredients into her basket. “I’ll take these, traveler. Thanks again,” She nods enthusiastically.
Fischl presses her lips together nervously. “Is something the matter Mein Fraulein?” Oz asks when they’re out of earshot as Mona transacts with the traveler. “Oz, do you believe Lady Megistus is upset with me for the disturbance I have caused her these past few days?” Fischl’s shoulders slump as she bites her tongue.
Oz stays silent for a moment as if to observe and assess the situation at hand. “Mein Fraulein, I believe it is best for you to understand the situation yourself than for me to explain it by step.” He says, Fischl eyes Oz for a moment before she crosses her arms. “Will you betray my orders then?” She groans.
“Do talk with Lady Megistus, I will stay with the traveler for the time being.” He says rather cheerfully. Fischl furrows her eyebrows. “She doesn’t need another flying companion, y’know!” She glares at Oz clears his throat.
“Relax, Mein Fraulein.” He says and Fischl rolls her eyes at him. “I, Fischl, Prinzessin der Verurteilung will remember this.” She seethes, huffing rather childlishly.
”What are you two arguing about?” Mona approaches and Fischl turns towards her in a panic. “Mein Fraulein has instructed me to stay with the traveler to prevent anymore delays.” Oz says and Fischl tries not to flinch at the statement.
She does glare ever so slightly. “That’s right, the Prinzessin will gift you, Lady Megistus, the greatest honor of providing me with shelter and grace of food.” Fischl strikes a pose and Mona only scoffs.
”Sure, sure, your highness. Keep up, if you do decide to actually follow.” Mona doesn’t seem to be having the greatest day. Fischl bites back her own sigh. “We’ll see you soon, Fischl! Tell us how Mona’s food is like! Let us know if you need extra hands too.” Paimon waves enthusiastically.
Fischl only does a light bow before upping her pace to catch up with Mona. “I’m honestly surprised you asked Oz to stay back.” She comments and Fischl stays silent for just a moment. They cross through the Springvale fields and towards the bridge. Just from the corner of her eye, Fischl can see Timmie feeding the birds.
”Oz has some business to attend to. That was not on purpose,” Fischl doesn’t exactly know how to respond. It wasn’t like she could explain to Mona that Oz had thrown her away for her to go reach some form of enlightenment from this knowledge she doesn’t even understand. She couldn’t dare say it what was worrying her mind.
”I hope you like pasta,” Mona settles for, almost to eat the silence. Fischl clears her throat. “I suppose that will do, even royalty must understand the weight of opulence at times.” She says awkwardly. Mona stifles a snicker.
”Lady Megistus, are you perhaps laughing?” Fischl takes a breath in. Mona smiles in this bright way she hasn’t seen in a long time. It makes her heart pound faster, louder. “Ah, no, your highness. I was simply trying to clear my throat.” The lie is so blatant even Klee could circle it out.
”I’m just not used to this, Fischl.” Mona admits. “Thinking back on it, Oz is always around, isn’t he? I think it’s one of the first times we’ve hung out just the two of us. I kind of gotten used to his snarky remarks!” She shrugs and Fischl’s eyes soften in a way she can’t explain. “Well, Oz and I are servant and master afterall. That is a bond stronger than magic itself.”
“Oh, then how about us?”
They’re crossing the bridge now. The birds fly away and Timmie whines as he always does. “If Oz is your best friend and I’m one of your friends as well, do you consider that a bond stronger than magic too?” Mona grips tighter onto the bag she’s holding filled with her groceries.
"Perhaps so. Afterall, you are a user of divination, are you not? Maybe you can tell me instead." Fischl answers cryptically. Mona seems rather awkward at the topic. "The first rule of divination, you don't check your own fate." Mona clicks her tongue and Fischl hums in acknowledgement, unsure of what to say.
"Interesting, Lady Megistus." Fischl crosses her arms. "Do you have to call me Lady Megistus when it's just the two of us?" Mona turns her gaze back up to Fischl who pauses at the question.
"What are you trying to suggest?" She mumbles flusterdly. Mona rubs the back of her nape as they progress deeper into the city. The winds are soft and the city is quieter seeing as most of the citizens are off at Springvale. "Can't you just . . . stay casual with me? It's not everyday we get to converse like this." Mona requests and it tugs at something in Fischl’s chest.
She blinks for a moment, swallowing away her worries. Her throat goes dry at the request. "I apologize, that was careless of me to say so thoughtlessly."
"No, no! That's . . . That's fine." Fischl panics at her sudden reaction. "This is just a first for me," She takes a sharp breath in.
Mona bites back her smile. "I'm glad," She mumbles and Fischl can't breathe all of sudden. She follows Mona around like a lost puppy, feeling an odd sensation at her fingertips. "I'm not sure how to do this." Fischl squeaks out and Mona turns to smile at her properly.
"You don't have to force yourself, y'know?" She offers and Fischl shakes her head, cheeks reddening. She doesn't know what had overcome her. "I want to try!" She says and Mona raises a light eyebrow.
They finally make it to the door of Mona's home. She unlocks it casually and allows Fischl to enter with ease. "Relax for me," Mona says as she walks over to the rundown kitchen. Fischl clears her throat embarassedly as she shuts the door behind her. She can't find the right words to say. It's been far too long since she opted to use laymen terms for anything at all.
Fischl shuffles around before decisively sitting on the chairs at the dining table. "What can I do to help?" She stutters and fumbles with her words. Mona turns at her and pauses for a moment as if to contemplate.
"You just sit there and look pretty,"
Fischl’s eyes widen. The atmosphere is odd in a way she can't explain. Mona begins cooking, grabbing the items from the brown bag the traveler had given her. "This is going to be better than any stupid salad I've ever made. I am a genius astrologist after all." Mona says confidently.
She takes her hat off, attracting Fischl’s full attention. That's when she can see far too many things she somewhat wishes she didn't. Mona's build is slim and curvy, her figure is amazing and her beauty isn't questionable either. Fischl clenches her fist tightly, confusion filling her veins. Why was she feeling so odd? Let alone about her longtime friend?
"Do you like spicy?"
"Oh, uh, yeah! I, uh," Fischl continues stumbling about. Mona chuckles, "You really are quite the character." She says in such a sisterly way Fischl begins to question herself.
Her eyes continue to drag along her outfit and she takes a deep breath in to calm herself. "Lumine was right, this is really easy." Mona mumbles. Fischl feels like her head is about to burst from all the unfamiliarity. She takes another deep breath before decisively holding her hands together. Barbatos give me strength. Fischl doesn't pray, she isn't exactly religious in any right -- however, archons, she could not get her eyes off of Mona.
"Mona!" She squeaks, voice cracking. "Yes?" Mona seems entertained by her efforts to change the way she speaks.
Fischl sighs, "Have I been disturbing you?" Mona continues frying a few vegetables, mixing a few things around, and finishing off the noodles. "Why would you ever think that?" She tilts her head.
"Lumine said!" Fischl continues to speak in broken tones. "You're stressed. I . . . I keep knocking on your door,"
Mona is silent for a moment as she continues to shuffle around. "What did you say your dream was about again?" She asks instead, redirecting the question. Fischl blushes profusely, sighing. "The church bells wouldn't stop ringing in my dream." She muffles another breath.
Mona nods. She continues to fry and mix together all the ingredients. "You haven't been disturbing me at all, Fischl. I enjoy your company, in fact."
Then why do you seem so upset?
Fischl purses her lips. She doesn't want to press on the issue. Mona walks over with two plates in her hand, excitedly. "I just finished come on!" She smiles brightly as she puts down the dishes. "Try it," She encourages and Fischl clears her throat, nodding.
"Alright," Fischl says as she takes her fork. She twirls around some pasta before eating it. Her eyes widen in delight. "This is amazing, Mona!" Her genuine excitement brights up the room. Mona seems to be satisfied with her reaction. "Of course it is," Mona rolls her eyes dramatically as she takes a bite as well.
She seems just as delighted of the flavor.
"Amazing," Fischl nods ones more. Mona chuckles, grabbing a paper towel to wipe her mouth. She lightly pats Fischl’s head. That makes her stomach churn. She slowly takes Mona's wrist, "Don't do that." Fischl’s cheeks brighten up almost immediately.
"It makes me nervous."
Mona's eyes soften, expression faltering at once. "I'm sorry?" She seems lost as well. Fischl swallows tightly, still holding onto Mona's wrist.
"As night cracks upon our skylines and the boundaries of our so called night sky develops into bundles of tumultuous sights I begin to be more sure of one thing. I, Fischl, the Prinzessin der Verurteilung, Sovereign of Immernachtreich, omniscient and eminent judge of all the world's iniquity and you, Lady Megistus, genius astrologist acknowledged by the wolrd of Teyvat and those who have seen such heights of the world, have been graced with the luck of the winds. For I begin to feel the thunder of gracious luminescence fall upon the afterglow of our skins."
Mona's eyes widen at the implications of her statement, pausing completely. "I don't understand, I do think Oz should've stuck around." She laughs lightly. "Are you not deeply infatuated with the traveler?"
"What?! What gave you that idea?" Fischl’s eyes widen, bolting up.
Mona seems taken aback. "You've been mentioning how you were quite glad to see her and excited as well, all morning." She comments and Fischl sits back down. "As my fellow traveler it is only right that I look out for her." She mumbles in response.
"So, what did your whole speech mean?" Mona still stays confused. Fischl’s cheeks seem to betray her time and time again. "If you're going to say something, honestly, I'd like if I could just hear what you mean clearly without the whole running around in circles shtick--"
"I like you!"
Mona freezes. "Or . . . Perhaps I've been mistake with these emotions," Fischl mumbles and Mona bolts up.
"You can't take it back." She says, lips parting. "What?" Fischl mumbles. They eye each other for a moment before Mona releases a strained breath. "Wow, I can't believe it's coming to this." She scratches the back of her head.
"I like you, Fischl. I have for quite some time now if I'm being frank and well, I've always thought you liked the traveler so I never even bothered of trying to convey my emotions." Mona explains and Fischl clears her throat. "For how long?" She asks timidly and Mona smiles. "Maybe a little bit before our Archipelago trip?" She chuckles embarassedly.
"Oh my gods, this is awkward." Mona mumbles and Fischl slowly stands up, meeting her eyes properly. "What are you doing?" Mona asks and Fischl awkwardly sticks her arms out. "Trying to hug you?" She says as if it's the most obvious choice here.
Mona slowly engulfs her in an embrace, heart racing. She can't believe this is happening. "Can I kiss you?"
"What?!"
Mona seems absolutely taken aback by the idea entirely. Fischl feels her head heat up at that. "Maybe we're moving a bit fast, I mean we just confessed there's really no rush! We aren't dating yet and you are like a year or two younger than me so maybe we should be more careful and think properly about this entire--"
"I want to kiss you, Mona." Fischl says, eyes meeting hers. Mona takes a sharp breath happening. "Okay," She whispers feeling her head spin at even the thought.
"Just quick, though." She mumbles and Fischl can't keep her lips from trembling. She tip toes to meet Mona's nose, before pressing her lips onto hers in a sweet kiss.
Fischl pulls away. Mona tugs her back in. Expression unreadable. Fischl squeaks at the sudden contact as Mona presses their lips together one more, deepening their shared kiss. Fischl’s eyes shut close in reflex.
When they decide to pull away, Fischl swears she could float.
"Stay for the rest of the night." Mona tugs her hand. "But Oz is . . ."
"The traveler can take care of him for one night." She holds her closer and Fischl feels her heart about to burst. "Please," She whispers and Fischl can't ever deny her voice like that.
"Okay,"
Lumine sighs, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Where's Lisa!" Jean upsettly holds onto the bottle of wine she has. "Go up," Lumine rolls her eyes as she pours herself another cup of wine.
"I'm sick of all these lesbians. I thought Liyue was bad . . ." Lumine groans and Paimon laughs. "Hey, at least they didn't get dumped!"
"Wow, even I think that was a low blow." Oz tsks and Lumine slumps onto her seat. "Ayaka did not dump me. It was mutual." She mumbles.
"Yeah, she definitely dumped you." Kaeya clicks his tongue.
"I hate all of you."