Chapter Text
Act 1: Huffman's Guide to Chasing the Wind
Huffman doesn’t do adventure. He doesn’t do vacations. His supervisor, however, does not understand this. Instead, the man tells him to “actually use your vacation days for Barbatos’ sake, there are work benefits that one must take.” In his defense, Huffman never felt the need to go out. He spends most of his time making small talk with the people in the market district, and get discount on purchases if he helps the store owners with a favor or two. The farthest he’s gone in the past few years is probably Springvale. He doesn’t even like fish.
Still, his supervisor hands him over to Swan and Lawrence who in turn hands him a fishing rod, bucket, and bait and send him off with a pat on the back. “I don’t want to see you for another two weeks, alright?” He says this as a question, but the firm hold he has on Huffman’s shoulder tells otherwise.
“This fishing rod belongs to my sister, so if you break it, I’m ratting you out,” warns Swan.
Huffman receives the fishing rod with reluctance, inspecting the chipping red paint. “When have I ever broken something-”
“Your first sword, your first shield, your first bow, your-”
“-something that I couldn’t pay back,” asserts Huffman, raising an eyebrow.
“Ah, true.”
“Don’t forget to share,” says Lawrence after Swan finishes his mini fishing tutorial. He’s got his shit-eating grin on his face so Huffman just punches his shoulder with a dead look. It’s a good thing he didn’t make that promise, though. He didn’t catch any delicious fish to share.
“Hey! Paimon isn’t a fish!”
Oh, that seems to upset the… floating creature? Person? Whatever it is.
“My apologies,” says Huffman falling back into Knight mode, “May the Anemo god protect you, stranger. My name is Huffman from the Knights of Favonius. How can I be of service to you?”
The fairy (?) stares at him for a bit, stupefied. “Wow, you’re so formal, huh? Paimon doesn’t really talk to people around here, but you seem nice!”
“Thank you… Paimon was it? How long have you been here?”
“Oh, I don’t know… maybe a month? Time flows a little weird for me, hehe~”
Well, that sounds concerning. But, Paimon doesn’t look dangerous. He can’t say much on that topic, though. He doesn’t leave Mondstadt often so maybe he’s out of touch with the current up-and-coming monsters and non-human creatures.
No matter, a person of Mondstadt is a person the Knights of Favonius must protect.
“I see. Well then,” Huffman stands up, patting the sand out of his clothes, “shall I escort you to your home? How did you end up in the ocean?”
Paimon shakes her head, “I’m a traveler! I never stick to one place, I follow where my nose leads me or if there’s treasure around~”
Huffman quietly notes the fact that she didn’t answer the second question. “If that’s the case, shall I show you around? Or is there a place you want to visit?”
“No, no, nothing like that,” says Paimon, waving her little arms. “In fact, Paimon feels like she’s indebted to you for fishing her out! Paimon wouldn’t have drowned if it wasn’t for you Mr. Huffman. So Paimon will just help you out whenever you need it.”
Huffman chuckles, patting Paimon’s head, “If you say so, then.” She sort of reminds him of Mika and he sobers a bit at the thought. It’s been a long six months without him. He’s finally remembered that there’s no need to cook another plate since he’s off, traveling Teyvat. Oh, he does sound like an old man when he says it like that. Still, Paimon startles him away from his thoughts with a “Paimon is not a child!”
Laughing, Huffman continues, “That’s a good thing I suppose, not having a particular place you want to see I mean, Mondstadt isn’t as safe as we wish currently and it’s best for us to get back to the city.”
He moves to pack all his fishing gear up, taking extra care not to break the already old fishing rod. Fishing out this floating being is enough excitement for the day (and enough strain on the fishing rod. When it started creaking, Huffman felt his life flash before his eyes. Swan’s sister not someone you want to mess with). What with Stormterror around. He tells Paimon as such as they trek their way back to Mondstadt. Paimon’s a good listener, she’s like a kid, really, Huffman thinks. So easily amazed and distracted.
“So, he’s like a giant, blue dragon?” asks Paimon, awestruck and eyes wide.
“Yes, and he has been terrorizing the city for quite some time now. That’s really not something to be amazed by, by the way,” he adds when Paimon’s eyes turn a bit too sparkly, “It’s best to be on your guard when outside of the city.”
“A giant, blue dragon, huh,” Paimon repeats before looking up at the sky, “You mean… like that?”
As if on cue, a giant roar rips through the skyline and Huffman turns his head so quickly it gives him whiplash. His eyes widen. Fast. There up in the sky is Stormterror. He’s never seen the dragon up close, truth be told. And while this can’t really be called a ‘close-up view’, this is the first time Huffman can see the dragon in all its shiny glory without tornadoes blocking the view. Stormterror’s jewel-toned wings spread far and wide, his turquoise hide mesmerizing against the clear blue sky. While it strikes awe inside him, Huffman feels panic creeping up his spine.
“We need to go. Now. Mondstadt is in danger!”
But, Paimon is trying to tug him in a different direction.
“Aren’t you a knight?! Shouldn’t you be fighting that thing?”
“While I am flattered, you seem to overestimate my strength. We have to warn the other knights-”
“Stormterror hasn’t done anything though,” interrupts Paimon. “At least not yet…” she relents after a look from Huffman, “Paimon thinks it’ll be smart if we follow where Stormterror went. Maybe we can understand the dragon more!”
“Paimon, while I respect and care about your opinion, that sounds like a terrible idea. Suicidal in fact.”
“But the dragon!”
“But Mondstadt,” stresses Huffman, leaving no room to argue. “We need to find Outrider Amber and inform the knights in the city.”
Finding Amber was easy enough, the red of her outfit contrasts the lush greenery of the forests. She’s perched on a tree, bow, and arrow at the ready. Pity her mission will have to be interrupted.
“Amber!” Huffman calls, “Did you see Stormterror just now?”
“Huffman,” greets Amber, “I didn’t see him around, did you?” There’s a worried expression on her face now but it just confuses Huffman.
“Really? He was just flying above here, his roar isn’t that quiet.” The panic in Amber’s expression intensifies and Huffman hurries to reassure her, “Don’t worry, he didn’t do anything and I don’t think he’s around anymore. We should get back to Mondstadt though-”
“I’m not done with my task!” There’s a furrow in her brows now as she bites her lip in frustration.
“I’m sure you can continue that later. For now, we have to warn-”
“A-hem!!” Paimon interrupts, hands on her hips and cheeks puffed out, “Paimon’s still here, ya know?”
Amber’s eyes widen as she finally registers Paimon’s appearance. “A-ah right! May the Anemo god protect you, stranger!” She straightens her pose, “I am Amber, Outrider for the Knights of Favonius.”
“Paimon, meet Amber. Amber, meet Paimon. We can continue introductions later,” says Huffman quickly, “when we’re back in the city.”
The wind is picking up again, and Huffman feels immense pressure from above him. He hears his heart beating in his ears as they slowly look upwards.
Amber seems frozen in shock while Paimon looks at the dragon in amazement. Sure, the dragon was pretty. But he was still dangerous, Huffman thinks as he quickly pulls both the Outrider and the fairy behind a rock. Enough space to spy on the slowly descending dragon. Stormterror looks as if it's reaching towards something… or someone?
Huffman tries to peer further, while Amber’s tight grip on his armor and Paimon’s equally tight grip on his hair hold him back slightly. Still, despite the setbacks, Huffman catches a glimpse of what’s going on down below.
He double-takes at the sight of Stormterror leaning almost affectionately into someone’s hand. Someone who, at a second closer look from behind the rock, is actually the three-time winning bard of Mondstadt, Venti?!
Perhaps it is a good thing that Huffman is a devout Barbara stan.
“It’s okay, I’m here now,” comes the soft voice of the bard. Huffman strains to hear more, so he takes a small step forward. This, in fact, was a terrible move to make as he unwittingly steps on a rather loud branch.
Hearing the crack of the branch, Stormterror roars from his position, the sound ringing his eardrums as Paimon grips at his hair— hard. Huffman scrambles back to his hiding spot as Stormterror’s wings flap. Once. Twice. The force of his wings staggering. Huffman feels as if he’s lost his footing on the ground. But soon, the dragon is gone and so is the green-clad bard.
“Whew, it’s a good thing that Paimon managed to grab your hair. Else, Paimon would have been blown away!”
Really, Huffman should thank his shampoo and conditioner.
“... I am glad I could be of help.”
Amber peeps out from behind Huffman to scan the area below. “Look, over there!”
The trio make their way down to inspect the object Stormterror left behind.
“What in Teyvat…”
The red teardrop looks ominous and frankly evil.
“Do you think it’s safe to pick up,” asks Amber. Huffman shrugs, so Amber reaches for it and-
“Ouch!”
She drops the stone as if it were a bag of hot coals.
“What’s wrong?” asks Huffman, inspecting Amber’s hands. No sign of redness or any other injury.
“I don’t know, whatever that is, hurts to touch.”
Paimon floats over to the teardrop. “Well, then how are we supposed to carry this thing?”
“Hmmm….” hesitantly, Huffman pokes at the teardrop. It doesn’t hurt, and he says as much to the other two.
Amber’s frown deepens, “Are you sure? Let me try agai- ah!”
Gently, Huffman handles the teardrop while Amber stares at her hands. He stows the stone away in his leather bag. “We can give it to Miss Lisa later, maybe she’ll know what to do.”
“Right! But my work…”
“What work do you do, Amber?” asks Paimon.
Amber’s face brightens, and she says excitedly, “As an Outrider, I am tasked with protecting Mondstadt beyond the walls and act as scouts for possible missions.” She points at the tree she was on when the duo found her, “My task today is to exterminate a close camp of hilichurls.”
Huffman scrunches his nose at that, “Ugh, I hate fighting hilichurls.”
Paimon shoots him a look, confused, “Isn’t fighting hilichurls… your job?”
“My job is to protect Mondstadt, not fighting others unprovoked.”
“But hilichurls are dangerous,” counters Amber, “you know what they’re like. Banging their clubs and scaring everyone.”
“They’re scaring people?” asks Huffman. He thinks back to the last hilichurl he had to fight. They were scratching their asses before the Knights pounced on him. He then asked to be transferred to a Mondstadt position. “Forgive me but I can’t really see it, Amber.”
“Wha- Well-” Amber splutters, “You’ve been a knight for some time, though. Don’t you know what you signed up for? Shouldn't you be used to it?”
“Well, there is a reason why I asked to be stationed in Mondstadt.”
“You’d prefer fighting the dragon instead of a hilichurl?”
“When you put it like that-”
“Well, Paimon thinks we should stop chit-chatting and hurry up so we can get to the city quicker.”
“...Suddenly I am incredibly hungry, Paimon, and you do talk a lot for emergency food.”
“Oh! Paimon’s going to give you an ugly nickname! Just you wait!”
Amber decides to go ahead faster to warn the other knights about the Stormterror sighting so that leaves Paimon and Huffman standing at the gates by themselves.
”You said you follow our nose for your travels, right? You’d be glad to know that Mondstadt’s quite well-known for our food-”
Huffman then continues to show Paimon around Mondtstadt from Angel’s Share to Good Hunter (for some reason Paimon has convinced Huffman to pay for all her meals since she’s ‘his new travel partner’ that sly fairy) and the windmill to the church.
“Why do you guys worship the Anemo Archon?” asks Paimon as Huffman shows her the final destination. The giant statue of Barbatos.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, didn’t he leave you guys behind?” at Huffman’s raised eyebrow, Paimon hurries to explain, “Like, from what I know, Mondstadt’s the only nation without a god that rules over them. But from what Paimon sees, you’re still one of the most loyal nations out there towards their Archon.”
Huffman considers the answer before looking up at the statue himself. “It’s simple really. Barbatos is the God of Freedom. What kind of freedom god rules over their people?”
“Hmm… I suppose that makes sense.”
“Right. You did say that you wanted dinner at Good Hunter’s right? I would definitely recommend-”
Just as he says this, however, the winds blow a chill in the air and the sky darkens. Rapidly.
“Uh oh… Paimon doesn’t have a good feeling about this-”
It was far too dim for a time like this.
“Paimon! Get inside now! Everyone!” Huffman yells at the panicked citizens, “Get inside!”
Huffman rushes each citizen he sees down the long winding stairs and into the market district. Along with the other knights stationed around the city, Huffman escorts the citizenry into their respective homes. The frightened shouts and the incredibly loud roar from an incredibly big dragon circling just above them did nothing to help Huffman’s nerves. Paimon also hasn’t left his side. Instead, she’s clinging hard onto him, this time his shoulder (thankfully).
Paper and posters were flying around caught up in the tornado, and flowers from Flora’s flower shop trampled from the stampede of frenzied footsteps. After escorting Michelle back into the windmill, Huffman sees from the corner of his eye that there were still people near the Barbatos statue.
“Paimon, I’m being serious. You need to get inside. You’ll be blown away otherwise-”
“No! Paimon will stick by your side!” Huffman didn’t think it was possible but Paimon clings tighter onto his shoulder, “Paimon’s your new travel partner, Paimon can’t just leave you behind!”
Huffman can’t help but feel warm inside despite the decidedly not warm nature of the situation. He spares a few seconds to ruffle Paimon’s hair before running up the stairs once again.
“Amber!” Huffman yells when he sees the Outrider. She’s busy escorting people down as well. Probably to take shelter in the Favonius Headquarters in the meantime. Three tornadoes circle the Barbatos statue— the flowers, bushes, and trees being caught up in the windstorm and becoming very, very dangerous aerial projectiles.
Getting stabbed by flying trees was not how Huffman wanted to go out of this world.
Dodging the falling branches and flurry of flowers, he tries to make his way towards the outrider.
“Huffman! Look out!”
“Ahhh!”
The winds of the tornado grab at Huffman till he lost his footing.
“Huffman!”
He couldn’t scream. It’s like the wind took his voice away. All he can do is try to dodge the incoming leaves and scattered posters. The winds were taking up speed and Huffman is so close to just letting the wind lead him when he sees salvation in the form of a stray wind glider. Sure, it hurtled straight toward his stomach but he’s wearing his knight uniform anyway.
Thank god for armor.
Huffman quickly attaches the harnesses of the wind glider to his back. With much difficulty but he manages before facing face first on one of the many flying posters. Stormterror is still flying high above Mondtstadt and it looks like he won’t be going anywhere.
Huffman clenches onto the straps of the wind glider, steeling his resolve. May Barbatos protect him.