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"Someone please help!"
Three children burst into the cathedral, looking panicked. One of them was helping a fourth child limp forward, his ankle twisted in an unnatural angle.
Barbara was just finishing patching a friend of hers, a boy named Bennet. He seemed to be in the cathedral nearly everyday, always with some sort of different injury, ranging from a few scratches to something as severe as a broken leg.
Fortunately it wasn't too bad this time, but Barbara still worried about him.
The other sisters ran to help the injured children while she helped Bennet up.
"You should be okay now, but try to avoid putting strain on your wrist. If it starts to hurt too much, come back to me, okay?"
Bennet let her pull him up and grinned at her, "Got it! No more climbing until it's healed. And thanks again, for healing me. And for not, y'know, getting mad at me for making you heal me all the time. I-, really appreciate it." He rubbed the back of his head, something she'd seen him do when guilty.
She sighed and shook her head, "I don't mind healing you Bennet. It's my job. I just don't like seeing hurt so much. Please try to stay out of trouble from now on, okay?"
Bennet nodded.
"I'll try my best!"
And then he ran out of the cathedral, almost tripping on the steps on his way out.
Barbara held back another sigh as she started packing up the bandages she'd been using, half listening to the garbled explanation the children that had run in earlier were giving the other sisters.
"I swear, there was really a ghoul in the woods! It was all pale, and its eyes were all dead! We were trying to run away from it when Jorden tripped. That's how he broke his ankle. I swear I'm telling the truth! Stop looking at me like that, I'm not lying! No! I'm not trying to get out of trouble, I did nothing wrong! Please, there really was a ghoul!"
To the child's credit, all four children had looked terrified when they had run in earlier. Even if it wasn't likely to be true, he probably did think they'd seen a ghoul, and wasn't trying to lie.
She was about to step in and say this when the cathedral doors burst open for the second time today(really, weren't those meant to be heavy?), and two young women strode in, the taller one holding a small child in her arms. They were followed by a strange bird, although neither seemed concerned about it, instead looking around for someone to help them.
Seeing that none of the other sisters were free, Barbara frowned at the children, now getting scolded by sister Victoria for lying, and turned to face the newcomers.
The shorter one, who Barbara recognised as Fischl, spoke first.
“Oh maiden of winds and songs, cast down with the might of vociferous storms long gone in realm of mortals, and grant us your benevolent power to aid in the amelioration of this child hidden from the world of the living, and born from lands even hidden from the Auge der Verurteilung, which can see all truths.”
Barbara really didn’t know how to react to that. She knew Fischl had a strange way of speaking, but to be so cryptic when she was obviously seeking help, it was confounding.
“W-what?”
“What mein Fräulein means to say is, ‘Sister, please can you help this child, who’s place of origin is as of now unknown.’”
The bird behind them spoke up, nearing scaring Barbra to death.
“Oh! Um, of course! What happened?”
The other woman sighed. “That’s what we don’t know, we found her in the woods, looking lost. We tried to ask her why she was there, but she told us she forgot.”
The child seemed to realise she was being talked about then, and she tapped the woman’s arm lightly to get her attention. She looked about 8, and her clothes definitely weren’t from Mondstadt.
“Oh, did you want to tell her what happened yourself? Of course, go ahead.”
The child looked into Barbara’s eyes with dead eyes, and an almost emotionless expression. Her face was worryingly pale. “I am Qiqi. I am a zombie. I… was in the woods. I don’t remember why. Qiqi doesn't have a very good memory”
A zombie? That was a strange fantasy for a child to have. Perhaps she was playing a game when she got lost, and got confused?
The other woman, Mona, if she remembered correctly. “There was also the part where she told us she was a zombie. We tried to question her about it, but she was adamant that it was true. If I remember correctly, she said,‘Qiqi’s usually memory is bad, but she is not wrong about this.’ Still, I assumed she was just playing, but Fischl here-”
“Diviner of the stars, thou hast committed a grave transgression, worthy of the internal retribution of the Immernachtreich and its Prinzessin. To not acknowledge your fellow denizens of this mortal plain as their true uniqueness, given to them by the might of the Immernachtreich, is an offence of the highest degree.”
“-doesn’t agree with me.”
“If the true nobility of this soul is a veracity thou refuses to acknowledge, perhaps the Prizessin der Veruretilung should cast aside her ignoble retinue.”
Mona seemed alarmed by Fischl’s odd speech, rushing in to interject as she jostled the child in her arms, “Now Fischl, see here-”
“Lady Megistus, I advise you to drop this subject, lest mein Fräulein gets even more upset.”
This seemed to silence the conversation, and although she looked disheartened, Mona turned back to Barbara solemnly.
“Anyway, after some discussion, we decided bringing Qiqi to the cathedral was the best solution. We hoped that you might be able to help us find her guardians, or that you might know why she can’t seem to remember how she got here.”
“Qiqi has a bad memory. There is no need to worry.” The child squirmed in Mona’s hold, and she finally put her down on the ground.
“Thank you. I will be going now.”
“W-wait!” Barbara was very alarmed by what was going on. These people had brought in a child who believed she was a zombie, had no memory of how she got here, and was trying to leave as soon as she was put down? She didn’t know what was going on here, but she certainly wasn’t about to leave this child alone. She bent down to Qiqi’s level, and smiled at her.
“How about you stay with us for a little while? It’s dangerous for you to be out on your own. We’ll stay with you until we can find your guardians, okay?”
Qiqi stared at her, blankly. “Qiqi does not have a guardian. She can look after herself. She does not need you to look after her.”
Barbara just blinked at her for a second, shocked by the calm Qiqi was just ignoring the fact that she was a small child, alone and lost without her guardians. No wonder she got lost so badly, it’s like she had no self-preservation at all. Her guardians must be worried sick, and so was Barabra.
She tried to smile reassuringly at the child, but it came out a little strained this time, “I’m sure you don’t need looking after, but it really would be best if you stayed with us. You don’t look like you’re from Mondstadt, so you might get lost again if you’re on your own. Even if you don’t have a guardian, surely you have a home to get back to, right?”
Qiqi paused, her face scrunched up in a (absolutely adorable) thinking face. “Qiqi does not remember if she has a home to get back to. But perhaps she will remember later. I will stay with you for now.”
Barbara heaved a sigh of relief, standing back up. Finally, she was cooperating. Fischl and the other Mona, who had been awkwardly watching their conversation, turned back to Barbara.
Mona spoke first, looking relieved at their conversation, smiling at her as she spoke, “Well, that’s sorted now. I suppose we’ll be staying with her for a while, so why don’t we get something to eat? Who knows when the last time Qiqi ate something was.”
Barbra found herself agreeing, and soon they were in Good Hunter, Qiqi leaning over the counter curiously.
Sara smiled at the child, “Hello there, would you like something to eat?”
Barbra nodded. “Yes please, what would you like, Qiqi?”
Qiqi took a while to think, before saying simply, “Something cold.”
Sara chuckled at that. “We’ve got quite a few cold things, perhaps our cold cut platter would be to your tastes?”
Qiqi nodded, not quite enthusiastically, but close. Sara laughed again.
“Oh course. I’ll have that ready in a few minutes. Would that be for all of you, or just the child?”
Barbra was happy to agree, and was just about to when Mona spoke first.
“Just how much would that cost, exactly? I mean, I’m sure your food is quite delicious, but I’m not sure if the price is in my budget.”
“Lady Megistus, you need not worry about mortal limitations such as the illustrious gold we call money. As one of the Prinzessin der Verurteilung’s loyal retinue, it is the duty of a princess to allow her followers to indulge themselves in mortal delights, and this is no exception. Please, do not allow yourself to fret in the presence of your Prinzessin!”
“Please, Lady Megistus, allow us to cover the bill.”
Barbara really should ask them how they have a talking bird.
“Are you sure, Fischl, I can simply not eat with you all, it’s really no trouble.
“Nonsense! No princess should ever allow her retinue to miss out on the simple delights of the mortal plain, simply because of these corporal barriers. Please, allow your Prinzessin to take care of it.”
Sara, who was carefully watching the exchange, took this moment to cut in with her cheerful tone. “So Fischl will be paying for this then? Excellent, I’ll have your food out in a moment.”
“Well,” Mona dabbed the sides of her mouth with a napkin and tried to look dignified, a hard task demolishing her food seconds before, almost if she hadn’t eaten in a long time. “That was quite nice. Fischl, thank you for paying, I’ll promise to make it up to you later. Oh, don’t start, it’s only fair.”
Fischl gave a small huff, looking displeased, but didn’t push it.
“Anyway, I’ve been thinking about how we could get little Qiqi here back home.” She looked over to Qiqi who was still finishing her food, looking satisfied as she took little bites of her food.
“I am an astrologist, as you might know. So I may be able to locate Qiqi’s origins using my astrology. I’ll need some time, but if I go now I should be able to get everything ready before the day is done.”
Fischl nodded, “Then go, my loyal retinue, and use your mastery of the great celestial beings to bring to light the place from which our small charge emerged from. The benevolent sister and I, Fischl, the Prinzessin der Verurteilung, shall take care of Qiqi in your absence.”
“Thank you, Fischl, Barbara. I’ll be going now, Qiqi.”
She smiled at the child, before hurrying off, presumably to her residence.
Qiqi stared after her for a second, and then she started with a small gasp, drawing the attention of her companions.
Barbra turned to her, their food abandoned, as she started rooting around in her bag.
“What’s wrong?”
Qiqi started and looked up, looking distressed. “Qiqi remembers why she came here now. She was told to pick some herbs in Mondstadt.. But Qiqi doesn't remember what kind of herb she was meant to pick. I was trying to look for my notebook, which has the right type of herb in it. Qiqi drew a picture of it.”
Qiqi turned back to her bag, digging through it again and pulling out a small notebook. She put the notebook and started flipping through the pages, which were all filled with child-like writing, and a few pictures, some badly drawn, and others detailed, obviously painstakingly drawn.
“Not this one. Or this one. Or this one. Oh! This is the herb Qiqi is looking for.” She held up the notebook for Barbra to see. It was a picture of a spiked berry. The drawing was really detailed, and around it were notes on how to gather it. “Do you recognise this berry?”
Barbara nodded, “I think so. It looks like wolfhook, a berry native to Wolvendom, which is a little ways away from Mondstadt. But who told you to get wolfhook? Did you get separated from them?”
Qiqi shook her head. “Qiqi came to Mondstadt alone. As I said, she does not need a guardian. And Dr Baizhu was the one who told Qiqi to gather herbs. He needs them to treat his patients.”
“Patients?”
“Dr Baizhu runs a pharmacy, where he treats patients. Qiqi gathers herbs, which he uses to make the patients feel better. Qiqi is very useful.”
“I see. How did you meet this Dr Baizhu? This is all very strange.”
“Qiqi doesn’t remember. But Qiqi never remembers anything, and Dr Baizhu is very good to Qiqi. He gives Qiqi coconut milk sometimes. Coconut milk is very nice. I think.”
Barbra wasn’t very convinced Qiqi’s speech. A man named Dr Baizhu who sent a child who seems to be working for him all the way to Mondstadt to pick herbs?
“I-”
“If the elusive berry of canis lupus is what you seek, we shall aid you in your desire to obtain the wondrous balm to cure all ills! Come, we shall embark to the realm of the moonlit beasts!”
“Fischl-”
“Yes. Please can you take Qiqi to the place where the wolfhook grows. I will gather the wolfhook, and then, sister, I will go home.”
Barbara still felt it was strange that Qiqi was sent to go collect herbs all alone like this, especially in a place as far away as Mondstadt, but faced with Qiqi’s pleading, though still strangely emotionless, face, she resigned herself to go along with it. Afterall, this Dr Baizhu was a doctor, so he probably knew what he was doing. Besides, Diona and Klee seemed to be able to look after themselves just fine, and they were the same age as Qiqi. Maybe she was overreacting.
Qiqi wasn’t going to be alone anyway, she’d have Barbara and Fischl. And after this, Barbara was going to take her home personally. Just to make sure she was safe.
“Alright then. Let’s go!”
“Ooh, Qiqi, I think I’ve found another patch of berries! Um, I mean, “Fledgling of little sentiment, I believe I have acquired yet another abundance of this strange and inexplicable undergrowth, as though it could belong even in the Immernachtreicht, realm of internal night. Come, and garner the fruits of our hard earned treasures!”
Qiqi ran over to where Fischl was crouched, a basket nestled in her little arms, and reached for the berries.
“Careful!” Barbara squawked, looking up from Qiqi's notebook. “You need to pick them carefully, making sure to only touch the stalks. Otherwise, you might get pricked!”
Qiqi nodded sagely, and gestured for Fischl to move out the way so she could start carefully plucking the berries and placing them in her basket.
They stayed like that for a while, the other two watching Qiqi at work, nesting and efficiently piling the berries in her basket.
“Done!” Qiqi stood up straight, startling Fischl, and turned back to Barbara. “I think we have enough berries now. I will now take them back to Dr Baizhu.”
Barbara slowly shut the notebook.
“Slow down, Qiqi. You can’t just leave like that, especially not now, the sun’s about to set soon. How about to go back to Mondstadt, and we can take you home tomorrow?”
Fischl nodded, “And, if you recall, we must also consult the astromancer, and enlighten her of the fateful occurrences of this destined afternoon.”
Qiqi nodded, sounding disappointed. “Okay. We will go talk to Mona first, and I will go back tomorrow.”
“Loyal retinue of the Prinzessin der Verurteilung, do not look so disheartened. To those of us who have travelled worlds and seen the birth and death of many stars, a single night is but a small instance in the vast cosmos of the Immernachtreicht. Come, let us entertain you in your moment of need. In the presence of your prinzessin, you shall find that your ills shall disappear, swallowed into the eternal night!”
For once, Oz looked amused by his companion’s antics. “What mein Fräulein means to say is, the night will pass quickly. In the meantime, I believe she is offering to regale you with tales of the Immernchtricht.”
If he were able to, Barbara was pretty Oz would be rolling his eyes by now.
She picked up Qiqi’s notebook, putting it back in her friend’s bag.
“Are you ready to go then?”, she to Fischl, who was still crouching on the floor. She held out a hand to Qiqi, who took it, curling her little fingers around Barbara’s fingers.
Fischl stood up, doing her best to look dignified. “Of course. Let us leave, my friends, your prinzessin demands it!”
Barbara tried her best not to chuckle as Fischl marched ahead, Qiqi releasing her hand to scurry after her, as they headed back home.
Dear Sister Barbara of the Church of Favonius
I would like to thank you for safely bringing Qiqi back to me. I was quite worried when she did not return from Mondstadt, even after many days had passed. I was about to send someone to look for her when you and the astrologist, Mona, turned up in my pharmacy. I can’t thank you enough for making sure little Qiqi was safe.
And as for your concerns for Qiqi’s health, I assure you she is quite fine. As a zombie, it is quite natural for her to have such a pale complexion. And her poor memory is simply another part of her unique species, and cannot be helped.
But still, she is a massive help to me and the pharmacy, and I do not know where I would be without her. I simply can’t thank you enough for bringing her back.
With much gratitude, Dr Baizhu of Bubu Pharmacy