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You stood there, unwilling to move. The sight before you was an anomaly you couldn't explain. Right before you, Il Dottore, lying on your kitchen floor unconscious.
How could this have happened?
You retraced your steps to last night, all you really did was play Genshin. It was a wacky night, a long work day followed by a power outage. But, how could that have affected you if you were using data to play? Plus, how could a character just suddenly materialize into real life!?
Maybe this was a dream…? It's a possibility…
Your head started to hurt as you thought more. You rubbed your temple, heavily confused by this whole mess. It was early in the morning, and you were just tired from the night before, this ordeal didn't help that feeling of exhaustion.
You stood there thinking for a few extra minutes, until…you heard a groan.
Immediately snapping out of your little think session, you looked towards the way of the groan and saw Dottore getting up. One word…panic.
You started panicking, grabbing whatever was closest to you…that being a clothes hanger. While doing so, more thoughts barraged your mind.
'Wait, why are you grabbing a weapon? Wouldn't that aggravate him?'
'This is barely a weapon!! Plus, what else are you supposed to do?'
'Talk?'
'Talk with the Fatui? You do realize this is Dottore right? Mr. Doctor, that did crazy experiments on people?'
'Run away?? Call the cops??'
'What would the cops do in this situation? Isn't Dottore like, crazy strong or something??'
'Does he even have elemental energy, or whatever in him right now?'
'Wait, but like…haven't you been waiting for this day to happen?'
'Those were just fantasies!!! Who knows what the real Dottore would do in this situation?!!'
'But isn't that still a copy-'
Once again, you had your train of thought broken by Dottore. He let out a fake cough, as to get your attention. Your eyes met his and all you did was stare. Frozen in place, you didn't know what to do. You were just an average human being, and now you were facing a character who had powers that could defeat a god.
As the stare-down commenced, he soon tilted his head, probably signaling he was puzzled, "May I ask why you're holding that clothing hanger?"
You kept standing there, not knowing whether to reply or not. This morning couldn't get any more confusing…
He chuckled, "Didn't your parents teach you it's rude to stare?" Surprisingly, he said that in a playful manner, catching you off guard for a second or two.
He started walking your way, causing you to tighten your grip on the clothes hanger. Catching that action, he couldn't help but snicker a little more, "My, my, my. Is Teyvat's most renowned traveler afraid of little old me?" He took a step back, causing you to go into an even bigger state of confusion.
He sat down on your sofa, easing his expression, "And here I thought this would be more interesting."
He didn't seem like he was intent on doing anything to you. Well, what would he do anyway? "W-why are you not attacking me…? Or something like that…?"
"Hm, what would have caused you to think that I would attack? It would seem illogical to do so. Traveler, I thought you were smarter than this, what a shame."
The comment got you a little flustered, you wouldn't say you're the smartest but being hinted at for being dumb wasn't a nice feeling, "H-Hey! I should be the one asking questions here! Who are you? What are you doing in my house? And why do you look like Il Dottore, from Genshin Impact?"
Looking shocked as you asked that question, he sighed, "Traveler, who else but the person himself?"
"No, how is that even-" You paused for a second, “This has to be a dream…”
“You’re heading in the wrong direction, dear traveler. Though, not a bad claim to start with.” He sneered.
“Wait…Why do you keep calling me traveler? I don't exactly look like Aether…or Lumine!"
"Of course, you don't look like them, but if I'm correct, you are the one pulling behind the strings, no?"
"Wait, what? I guess? But what does that even have to do with this, everyone controls the travelers!!"
"Think about it, in-game, we all have a role to play. Yet, some managed to break free of their role. Though the traveler isn’t one of them. Remember that time you tried to climb onto 'my' boat? It was quite amusing to watch from afar."
"Wait!? You saw that-" You think for a second, "I mean…but..wait you said in-game? Roles? Wouldn't that hint that you're well…sentient…?" You said with a hint of unsureness.
"There it is. You got the answer correct. Though it did take longer than expected." He lightly clapped, seeming to be proud in a way?
Sentient…
You had to sit down to process it, you dug your hands into your face and groaned. "So…let me get this straight. You're sentient, you knew that the traveler was 'playable'. But that doesn't explain how you're here now…why are you here anyways?"
"Well, without any means of research or information, I don't think I'll acquire an answer for that any time soon. Though being here shouldn't be too big of a problem."
"Wouldn't it be a problem though, like, where is the Dottore gonna be in the game?"
He smiled at the question, "Inquisitive, are we? Think of it like this, what do you think we 'characters' do when you aren't online?"
“Since you’re sentient…do you roam around or something?” You blurted out, it was honestly just a wild guess. You didn’t question anything at this point and just went with it.
“You’re getting better the more we speak, good. Tartaglia’s information is living up to its standards.”
Wait.
"Wait, wait, wait? Tartaglia? As in Childe, as in Ajax?”
He looked a little shocked after that question, "What? Did you think that I was the only sentient being?"
“I…no?!” Your brain juice was about to be fully used up, so you stood and headed to your kitchen. “Just, give me a few seconds…” You ran around the kitchen, grabbing a cup and some tea leaves. You boiled some water and while you waited, you placed your head on the counter, resting on your arms.
You groaned and grumbled, "Is this really not a dream…? It just has to be…my mind is probably just playing tricks on me in this lucid dream."
And unfortunately, Dottore was in ear range to hear that, “Traveler, I’ve already said this but I’m not a figment of your imagination."
You sighed, discontent with this encounter, “But, how am I supposed to know that…?” You were so unsure and although a part of you didn’t want it to end, how could you prove this wasn’t a dream?
He held out his hand towards you. You hesitantly took it and well…it felt warm.
“I could go on and on, listing many possible scenarios to prove that I’m corporeal or actually here, but in the end, it truly comes down to whether you believe that I’m here or not.”
He looked you in the eyes, giving you an earnest look, “Do you wish for me to be here?”
You broke your gaze and looked downward, unsure of how to answer the question. Though, you knew you couldn’t just avoid it. With a deep breath in and a deep breath out, you spoke. “Look…I do want you here. I really do! I’ve been dreaming of this for so long. But I’m just scared this is another dream…”
You gripped a little tighter on his hand, “So…let me indulge a little and just hold me for a little while…”
He smiled, complying with your request. He embraced you instantly and you felt a warm and fuzzy tingle. You laid your head on his chest, wanting to fall asleep then and there but…
*fweeet*
You jolted up a little, turning around to see the kettle releasing steam. Nervously giggling, you squirmed your way out of the hug and went to go make your tea. You look back at Dottore.
“So…you want some tea? It’s jasmine green…though I’m not sure if you have that in Teyvat.”
He sat down on the kitchen counter, “Tea sounds lovely.”
Litto Extra :
“You mentioned Childe being sentient as well right…?”
“Oh, yes. He always talks about you, specifically, about you treating him well. He always says, ‘you’re too kind’ when giving him good artifacts, getting his constellations, and leveling talents.”
You let out a little snicker, “It’s true…and I’m glad he likes that.” You finished making the two cups of tea, placing them down and sitting next to him.
He took a sip, “Though, when talking about stats, I’m sure you have more planned for me.”
“H-Huh..?” You choked a little on your drink, “What do you mean…?”
“Don’t think I haven’t seen your stockpile of primogems. Tartaglia has complained about how you seem to be ‘saving up’ for me and not trying for his other constellations.”
“Wait!? He knows that?”
“He’s the head of your party, correct? In making him leader or just any party member, you do realize, he can listen in on your little rants and conversations to yourself.”
Letting out a defeated whine, you laid your head on the counter, “Betrayal…”