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I
Among all the basic necessities one needed to live, food was what Mona had considered to be the least important.
She breathed air roughly 10 times per minute so that was undoubtedly important. Water was her life’s work, the medium needed for her research, the element that the gods have blessed her with so it couldn’t be that either. Without shelter, she would’ve long been defeated by nature’s wrath whether it be winter’s freezing winds or summer's scorching rays. As for clothing… Well, one could argue that it wasn’t as necessary as the others but for Mona, she’d rather die than go bare, it was a matter of dignity and pride.
So naturally, food was ruled out as the least important. And this would’ve been reasonable when considering her situation at the time this conclusion was made but unfortunately, it is now outdated.
That was when she had still been a student at her master's residence. A place where rent was the least of her concerns and food plentiful, served on the dot each breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Now, the astrologist chastises herself for that native outlook as her stomach grumbles again in the night. She’s long lost count of how many times it has spoken out.
By instinct, she looks around her surroundings only to find herself surrounded by thick pine trees and the sounds of night critters.
Whew, no one heard that…Good.
Of course, not that anyone could’ve as she was in Whispering Woods and it was nearly 10 PM but the odds of encountering someone here weren’t impossible.
Moving to Mondstadt has certainly been a culture shock but nothing she couldn’t handle. Mona wouldn’t go crawling back to her master like a failure, oh no, she was much too proud for that.
She even found a place to live with a reasonable rent price and made good money writing the column for the Steambird. Though, her budgeting was a disaster and the very reason she was out there currently, in the middle of the woods, with a basket of wild tomatoes, carrots, and lamp grass.
All of the money she earned had gone to rent and astrological equipment needed for her research. She found it to be perfectly valid though surely others would likely lecture her for having failed to account for food in her budget. Thankfully, however, it happened to be summer and food was plentiful. Mushrooms grew on buildings everywhere, sunsettias were ripe for picking, and wild crops flourished throughout the wilderness.
Sighing, she begins the walk back to Mondstadt while tomatoes, carrots, and lamp grass were all edible, she wasn't exactly sure what to make with just these ingredients. But food is food so she would make the most of it, and eating them even if raw and flavorless would still help satiate her hunger.
A rustling sound from the bushes behind her causes her to freeze in place. A surge of hydro energy rushes to her hand as she defensively backs away ready to strike whatever that might attack. Only to find herself easing away when a small figure clad in red jumps out from behind the trees.
“Miss Mona! I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me but you’re here!”
Mona meets the child's eager gaze, and the tension from before flows away. “Hello, Klee. It’s a surprise to see you here. Are you by yourself?”
Her question is answered when Albedo, quickly emerges from the shadows.
“Oh good evening Mona, so that's why Klee rushed off.” The chief alchemist who always presented himself immaculately looked very much unlike his usual self, with twigs sticking out from his uniform and hair disheveled.
Seeing him like this, Mona resisted the urge to laugh out loud. In a way, she found it unusually charming. “I had to chase down Klee after someone reported that she went fish blasting again,” He begins. “Unfortunately it seems to have taken much longer than I thought it would. But what are you doing out here? It’s late and could be rather dangerous out here alone.” He fixes her with a hard look.
“Ah…” Mona chuckled nervously. She didn’t want to say that she was out foraging for food like an animal because she didn’t have the mora to buy anything to eat, but her stomach chooses to make itself known right that moment letting out a loud murmur.
Albedo lifts an eyebrow while Klee blinks at her with wide eyes.
“I uhh… Well, you see… All the shops are closed and I needed a few extra ingredients to make dinner with. So I came out to find some in the wild!”
It wasn’t entirely a lie.
Klee takes a peek into Mona’s basket. “Oooh, tomatoes, carrots, and lamp grass! Miss Mona, would you like to join us for dinner?” The child hopped around her enthusiastically. “Klee caught lots of fishies today and we can use them to cook with the fishies!”
Oh?
“Klee’s right,” Albedo speaks up, this time showing her a net that indeed contained several fish with the misfortune of meeting with Klee’s bombs. “Klee and I have also not yet eaten, why don’t you join us, Mona? We could certainly use the ingredients you have picked out.”
Mona was taken aback by the sudden developments. One minute she’d been resigned to eating raw tomatoes, carrots, and lamp grass for dinner the next, she’d been invited for a warm, prepared meal with the very foods she had foraged.
She had contemplated turning down the offer, not wanting to impose on them especially this late at night but the grumbling of her stomach was getting a bit unbearable.
“If you insist…”
And they did, and so she found herself at their residence sitting at the counter watching Klee draw while Albedo prepared their dinner.
He had taken her ingredients, chopped them up, and placed them into a bowl. With the fish, he removed their scales, cleaned them up, and placed them on the hot pan. The sizzling sound of them being cooked filled the room.
“You know how to cook Albedo?” She questioned. Though it has only been a short time since she’s known Albedo, him knowing how to cook wasn’t something that she would’ve guessed he could do.
“Hmm?” The alchemist looks up at her briefly, nodding before continuing to prepare the meal. “Ever since I’ve been with Klee, I’ve found myself cooking more often. I find that I quite enjoy cooking actually, it’s similar to alchemy in a way. In alchemy, you mix various solutions and materials for a reaction, whereas, in cooking, you combine different ingredients to create a dish.”
Seeing that the fish was fully cooked, Albedo removes it from the pan and places it on a dish. Cutting it into four pieces and drizzling a sweet brown sauce over the top. Then taking the tomatoes and lamp grass he chopped up from earlier, he decorates the sides of the plate.
“There we go. Dinner is ready.” He places the dishes in front of both Mona and Klee.
“Yay! This is Klee’s favorite!” The young knight exclaims before happily digging in.
Mona stares at the dish in front of her. The aroma emanating from the dish smelled amazing. As she takes a bite, the sudden realization hits her; the fact that it’s been ages since she had a proper meal.
“It’s an altered Sunshine Sprat, I call it the Woodland Dream,” Albedo speaks suddenly and begins to ramble. “I know you’re not from around here so it might not be to your tastes but I hope it isn’t too bad--”
“It’s delicious!” She cuts him off. I haven’t had food this good since I left my teacher’s place. But that was too embarrassing to say.
“Really?”
She nods. “It’s also amazing how you managed to take four ingredients and turn them into something so flavorful.”
Albedo smiles. “I’m glad you think so. Though I would be lying if I said I only used those four items. Had to use some butter and salt as well.”
That night, as Mona returned to her house with a full stomach she wondered if perhaps she should take food a little more seriously than she currently did.
II
Hot, humid days slowly turned into warm, pleasant ones as the seasons changed. Trees that had previously been decorated with green leaves now sported shades of red, orange, and yellow signaling the arrival of autumn.
Autumn was an enjoyable season for Mona. While yes, summer provided the clear skies needed for stargazing the perpetual heat affected her which in turn affected her hydromancy. Autumn had clear skies without the heat that came with summer, so Mona much preferred this particular season.
But rather than stargazing and looking through her vast and ever-expanding collection of astrology books, she found herself reluctantly participating in the festival events.
Darn that Fischl. Though I couldn’t exactly say no to her request to attend the festival together. But now I’m stuck here alone.
Her eccentric friend who begged her to come happened to “accidentally” forget that her parents had a business that requested her from noon onwards leaving Mona to wander the event grounds herself.
Ludi Harpastum was one of Mondsatdt's most famous festivals. People came from all over to celebrate. Being a foreigner to Mondsatdt herself, Mona had to admit that she was a little curious about it. But that curiosity turned into annoyance when it started to interfere with just about every part of her life.
She couldn’t go grab a quick meal at Good Hunter without waiting at least an hour due to the influx of tourists to the city. She couldn’t go to the library because it was always at full capacity thanks to tourists, again. And she couldn’t even get a night’s worth of decent sleep as people partied throughout the night setting off fireworks and cheers.
Not to mention the fact that she would have to deal with this for a total of 15 days.
On the bright side, there was plenty of food to be had. On the downside, she had spent all the mora she had already on a new Celestial Globe and the remainder on this month's rent.
She had intended to join Fischl and her family for dinner this evening but alas, that plan went down the river. The entire day had been a disaster, and the only consolation prize was a giant dodoco plushie she won from the swimming competition. It was a sudden decision to participate but Mona figured that she would at least get something from the event.
Supposedly it’s a one-of-a-kind plush, and she thinks she can at least make some mora by selling it.
She hobbled back to her house, unfortunately, the giant plush obscured her vision causing her to bump into something on the way. The sudden impact causes her to release a squeal as she fell back but before she could hit the ground, an arm reached out to grab her.
When she opened her eyes, she was greeted by a pair of clear blue orbs.
“Mona! I’m so glad I was here to catch you. Are you alright?” Albedo’s eyes were wide open and his face showed signs was distress and concern. An unusual sight for the normally stoic alchemist.
As she scrambled to regain her footing she sighed in relief but also internally grimaced. Ever since that day in the forest she had bumped into Albedo (and sometimes together with Klee) repeatedly. But the archons had a twisted fate in store for her as every time she ran into them some misfortunate event had befallen her. This time it was no exception.
“Ahem… Thank you for the help! And yes I am very much unscathed.” Mona replied while dusting off the rocks from her outfit, her cheeks a faint pink. She was thrown off balance and they were so close she could smell his scent. A mix of various herbs and flowers along with the lingering smell of paint.
Albedo looked very much unconvinced but allowed it to slide. If there was anything he’s learned about Mona from the time that he first met her it was the fact that she was sometimes a bit too stubborn for her own good.
“Alright then…” He trails off. “And by the way, I assume this is yours?” In his right hand, he held up the giant dodoco plushie that was nearly the cause of her falling flat on her butt. “I must say you must be quite an excellent swimmer to have won the grand prize. This dodoco plush was available in last year's Ludi Harpisum swimming event as well but no one could swim fast enough to claim it. It’s quite a valuable prize.”
“R-really?” Mona was stupified. Certainly not at all what she was expecting.
“Indeed,” Albedo confirmed then chuckled and smiled sheepishly. “As you have probably learned already, the people of Mondstadt aren’t the best swimmers. Klee… Even made me practice swimming so I could win it for her but… Needless to say, I think we both know the outcome of that already.”
She hums, a smile forming on her face at the amusing thought of the man before her swimming laps around Cider Lake all for the chance at winning the elusive dodoco plushie.
“Wait!” She spoke before she could realize what she was doing. “Klee wanted this dodoco plush?”
“Hmm? Yes, she did… Wait, you don’t mean to--”
“She can have it.” Mona blurted out. She could practically hear her inner self screaming at her actions.
What are you doing? Imagine the mora you could get for selling something that rare!
But… Admittedly, she has grown rather fond of the child and wouldn’t be able to handle the disappointment she would feel if Klee would to learn that she had sold it away without a thought.
Albedo looked at her, brows furrowed. “Are you sure? You don’t have to do that, Klee understands she won’t be able to get everything she wants.”
“Oh, truly, I mean it really! I just don’t particularly care for these types of things and I doubt my small apartment would even have the room for this.” It was true. She had already planned to build a little library in her house and eventually fill it up with books. It would take up most of the already limited space. “I would much rather give this to someone who would actually appreciate it.”
Albedo stayed silent.
But then he sighed and gave her a little smile. “I’m tempted to insist that it’s not necessary but then again, I suppose your mind is already made up. But please allow me to pay you back. Since all the restaurants around here are packed, how about you join me for dinner tonight at the lab?
The Chief Alchemist’s lab within the Knights of Favonious Headquarters quickly became one of Mona’s favorite locations within Mondsdat upon moving here. Many like-minded scientists shared the sentiment, whether it be Sucrose testing out her latest plant hybrid or Timaeus creating a new elixir, many scholars found themselves drawn here.
Mona often dropped by the lab as well, she found that the people here with their variety of viewpoints and history proved to be useful in helping her write and plan her columns for The Steambird.
Today, however, the lab was empty, and instead of the scent of various potions and herbs, a hearty, sweet yet tangy aroma wafted around the room courtesy of Albedo’s cooking.
Although she was still fairly new to Mondsadt’s culture and even less knowledgeable about their ethnic foods, it didn’t take long for her to deduce what the alchemist had decided to make.
“Moon Pie?” She questioned, filling the room with a sound other than the crackling of the fire.
Albedo who has not once removed his eyes from the oven, who has been slowly turning the pan within in precise intervals paused, and turned to regard her.
It was brief but Mona swore to the gods that she saw a mischievous sparkle within his cerulean eyes.
“Why yes, in fact, I am making a Moon Pie.” He chuckles. “I see someone has been doing their homework on Mondsadt culture. Or rather, has Miss. Megistus finally understand the importance of food?”
Mona finds herself tensing, the heat rising to her face at the implication of the comment. Of course, her habits were no secret to Mondsadt residents by now. She was Mona Megistus, the woman who always orders a Satisfying Salad no matter what the occasion. The astrologist who would always use her money on new astrological equipment rather than on food, Mona Megistus.
She huffs in return, her pride rising up in full force to defend herself. “Well, for your information, I’ve been in Mondsadt for some months now, and it doesn’t take a genius to understand that Moon Pies are an important festival food here.”
Albedo continues to look at her curiously.
“And I don’t see the issue with skimping on food, as long as I still eat enough to function normally.” This last statement was made while biting her tongue.
His gaze bore into hers as the room fell silent for a short while. Then he sighs, grabbing the long tongs to pull out the subject of their initial conversation. A Moon Pie fresh out of the oven, with a golden crust baked to perfection.
“Your reasons are valid, for they are your own. However, to counter your statement, I would like to suggest to you that food, for many, isn’t just a means for survival.” He cuts out a piece of the pie and places it on her plate. Mona had to stop herself from salivating. “Like for us at this current moment, food gives us an opportunity to enjoy each other's company.”
His unexpected admission causes Mona to freeze. “You enjoy my company?”
Albedo gives her a warm smile, “I do.”
Blunt and straightforward, as expected from the blonde alchemist but it still brings about a strange fluttering feeling within her.
“Happy Ludi Harpisium Mona.”
The Moon Pie was as delicious as it looked, but Mona had to give him credit. For it was true, the meal wouldn’t have been as delicious and enjoyable as it was if it weren't for his company.
III
The bitter cold ate at her body as she shivered, using her hands she bunched her coat even tighter around her in an attempt to conserve as much body heat as possible.
What was she even doing here again?
For any other person, even the usual temperatures of winter were enough to make one hesitate to step out the doors of their home. Yet here she was. In Dragonspine no less, where temperatures plunged even further with the arrival of winter in Monsdadt.
A tremor shook the ground, snapping her back into the reality of her current predicament. Mona peered out of the bushes she was currently hiding in to spot the cause of her misfortune.
It was just her luck, that the location she decided to stop and rest at happened to be right by the territory of a giant frostarm lawachurl. Its loud, heavy footsteps were the reason she could notice its approach and hide, but not before it could catch a whiff of her scent.
The possibility of a trespasser drove the beast into a fury as it stalked around the makeshift camp Mona had built.
She bites her lip to suppress the surge to groan and lash out at the rampaging giant. But resigned herself to simply staying put in her hiding spot until the ordeal was over. She was a capable fighter in her right, but not so boastful enough to overestimate her abilities. In her current state, she was incapable of taking it on in a fight on her own.
The Lawachurl circles around the little campsite for a little longer before finally being satisfied by its search and stomps off to a new area, allowing Mona to release the breath that she’d been holding all this time.
As she returns to the camp, she cannot help but pitifully look at the remains. On the bright side, the mini telescope she brought was undamaged. She had managed to drop it away from the scene of the crime but everything has been trashed from the campfire she made to the take-out order of a Crab, Ham & Veggie Bake purchased from Good Hunter.
Figures. She releases a defeated sigh. Of course, the one time she decides to use some mora and treat herself to a nice meal it gets ruined before she even had the chance to take a single bite.
And as if the gods sought to make this day her worst possible ever, the winds suddenly pick up their speed while the skies turn dark. A blizzard was approaching.
She needed to find some shelter fast.
Thankfully, Mona didn’t travel too far into the region. Starting from the Adventurer’s Camp base, she was wise enough to stay on the marked paths to prevent herself from getting lost.
Yet at the current rate, going back to the camp would take too long and she would be caught in the blizzard. However, she recalls Albedo mentioning earlier on about a laboratory outpost located a little further ahead from the Entombed City. Its purpose wasn’t just to act as a laboratory in Dragonspine, but it also served as a shelter of sorts, for travelers who were too far to make it back to the base. She makes a quick mental note of its location before gathering up her materials and heading there as fast as she could.
She reaches the laboratory just before the storm hits. It hadn’t been too far from where she was but climbing Dragonspine’s elevated paths even with her Illusory Torrent was tiring.
She allowed herself to melt onto the floor like a puddle the moment the door shut behind her.
Finally. Letting out a sigh, she was exhausted.
The warmth within the little laboratory nested in the corners of Dragonspine was immediately effective in nullifying the sheer cold as she begins to regain feeling in her hands.
It’s warm. Mona thought to herself.
Almost too warm.
As if there was someone other than her that was here. She already had a good idea of who it could be.
“Mona!” Albedo’s familiar voice rang out in concern. “Are you alright?”
It was uncanny really. How often she and the alchemist just so happened to come across one another.
Even here, in the isolation of Dragonspine.
“Here, take this.” Albedo ushers her closer to the fire while wrapping her in layers upon layers of blankets.
A giggle escapes her.
She probably looked so ridiculous right now. Like some mummy.
But she doesn’t mind it. She likes the fact that he fusses over her. It brings about an inexplicable, pleasant feeling.
“What are you doing here?” She asks.
“I’m conducting a bit of research,” he says after a moment. “And what about you? Certainly more surprising to see an astrologist out here in Dragonspine than an alchemist.”
She looks towards her messy bag, containing her telescope among other small equipment.
“I just,” she breaths out exasperated, “I just wanted to look at the stars with my new telescope. They would look so beautiful here. I even bought some warm food too and then… I’m sure you can already guess.”
Mona falls into a silent state. She really was so excited. From residents, Dragonspine sounded like a magical place. It was cold, harsh, and unforgiving, but its untouched wilderness and beautiful views were something she wouldn’t mind risking to see.
Only for it to turn out like this.
“You can still see the stars.”
Her head snaps up and she looks at him with confusion in her eyes.
It was impossible. The cold notwithstanding, the heavy winds alone would prevent her from ever being able to set up her telescope in the first place.
“Look up.” He whispers right into her ears.
She almost jumps. When had he gotten so close?
But she does as she is told, and finds herself in awe.
She didn’t notice as the lab was so warm, but there was an open ceiling. She could see the skies, they were so clear as if there wasn’t a storm happening right outside.
“I choose this place for the location of the lab precisely because of the open ceiling. No matter what was happening, you will always be able to see the sky.”
“That’s… Incredible!” She replied in wonder.
Yes, she would still be able to see the stars. This trip wasn’t as hopeless now as it seemed to be just some moments ago.
Albedo quietly chuckles at the childlike eagerness as Mona begins to set up her equipment.
“That’s not all.” He states as he comes back from the stove with two bowls of Goulash. “While I can’t exactly measure up to Good Hunter, I was in the process of making dinner before you arrived. Care you to join me?”
Goulash was an ancient recipe originating from the mountains of Dragonspine. The hearty dish was beloved among adventurers as it helped stave off the effects of sheer cold.
Albedo’s goulash and his cooking were better than anything she’d gotten from Good Hunter.
She was also warm. So warm to the point where the door could fall right this second and she wouldn’t even be cold as the blizzard entered.
And she knew it wasn’t the Goulash nor the fire that had caused her to warm up like this.
IV
“Come on! Come on! Come on! We’re going to be late!” Klee whines as she tugs her brother in the direction of Windrise.
Albedo resigns as he allows himself to be dragged along by the young spark knight much to the amusement of onlookers.
The Knight’s Chief Alchemist had a reputation for being kind, straightforward, and firm as a leader. But whenever Klee was involved it seemed as if it all came falling apart as he would always succumb to her requests no matter how ridiculous they could be.
Today, the two siblings have been invited to a lunch picnic by none other than Mona.
The very same Mona that he had met during summer.
The Mona that never seemed to take of herself whenever food was involved.
It frustrated him. That she treated herself like this and yet, here she was, inviting both Klee and him to a picnic with food she had supposedly made herself according to the letter.
The location was beneath the great oak tree located in the fields on Windrise, known as the Symbol of Monstadt’s Hero.
Truly a perfect place to have a picnic, especially during this time of the year. The gentle, warm breeze of spring brought with it the Anemo Archon’s wishes for another year of peace and prosperity.
“Yay! We’re here!” Klee yelled as the picnic came into view.
His breath got caught in his throat.
It really was a picnic. Lying on top of the blanket were plates, forks, drinks, and food. He could smell the sweet aroma of the sunsettia fruit juice and the ever-familiar smell of freshly baked bread.
“Klee! Albedo!” Mona called out to welcome them as Klee tumbled into her open arms. “I’m so glad you two could make it. Sorry for the short notice, I wanted it to be a bit of a surprise.”
“Not at all. Surely you must know by now we will always make time for you. After all, you are Klee’s favorite person.”
Mona laughed. A light, musical laugh that made his heart start racing then. He wondered if he should’ve included himself in that statement as well.
Together, the three of them shared freshly baked loaves of bread over stories of dodoco on the Golden Apple Archipelago. They shared laughter as Klee blew bubbles into her juice causing it to eventually spill over on her uniform.
And now they shared anticipation as they eagerly awaited for Mona to present the main dish.
"Okay is everyone ready?"
Then with a quick sweep of her hands, Mona took off the towels covering the main dish of the picnic.
Klee blinked.
Albedo tilted his head in confusion.
“Salad?”
Mona giggled, their reactions were expected. “But it’s not just any salad, I call it “Der Weisheit Letzter Schluss”.
“Derr Way Letser what? Klee doesn’t understand.”
Albedo finds his mouth turning upwards at the amusing scene. Truly, it seemed that Fischl has rubbed off on her a little more than Mona may have realized.
“It means supreme wisdom, for I have gained the knowledge that I have been missing all these years.” She says with pride in her voice.
Hm?
Now that was intriguing. Albedo wonders what she meant.
“Now, I know it seems like a regular salad but I’ve added my own twist to the usual dish. All the ingredients have been purchased fresh right from Blanche too.”
The two of them dig into the salad, curious as to its taste.
And he was pleasantly surprised.
It was just a salad and yet, it was so much different than a Satisfying Salad. The apples were sweeter. The potatoes were just the right balance of soft and crispy. The eggs were cooked perfectly according to his preferences with the yolk slightly soft and runny within.
Perhaps it was the different spices that she used. Or maybe the way she carefully cut the lettuce in the shape of little stars. Or maybe… It had to do with his ever-growing feelings for the astrologist, but he digressed. It was the best salad Albedo has ever had.
“Mmm!! It's yummy! Klee loves it!”
Albedo nods in support. “Indeed. I must say, this is the best salad I’ve ever had.”
The praises make Mona flush red and he thinks that he wouldn’t mind seeing that side of her more often.
“By the way…” She starts as the two begin back up the dishes.
Klee had taken off in the direction of some nearby slimes and neither of them found it particularly dangerous so they let her be.
“Thank you for everything.” She whispers and Albedo feels himself tense up at the feel of her breath on his cheek. They were so close.
“It’s not much, especially after all you have done for me but I just wanted to say thanks.”
It was more than enough for the best part of all those meals we shared was to be able to share it together with you. It was what he wanted to say, but his voice caught in his throat and he was only able to give a smile in response.
“So then,” Mona spoke out proudly, “I hope you don’t mind me inviting you both for some more future meals together, I’ve begun to enjoy this cooking thing.”
Albedo laughed, finally regaining the use of his voice. “Of course not. You and I, we can season the seasons together.”
There was a brief silence before the both of them burst into a round of giggles. Their laugher mingling with the cool, sweet breeze around Windrise.
Indeed, food had become very important to Mona. Who knew that it only took a certain Chief Alchemist to change her mind?