Chapter Text
The grass is damp.
The trees are rough.
The clouds are fluffy like Lupical.
The grass is green like grass
...
Okay, that didn't sound right...
A sturdy metal quill shook within the trembling of a gloved hand. Its purple feather-tip lead upwards to scratch at a silver scalp. The quill's master, be that as a most literate title, was yet again struggling with his adamant illiteracy.
Razor, the master in question, looked down at the parchment. His crude handwriting was stark against the crumpled parchment, but he was improving . At least the letters were recognizable, and he could very well manage to read them out loud to make sense of them in his mind.
For a month now, Lisa has been incorporating more reading and writing practices into their regular training routine. Lumping in penmanship practice and reading of children's novels after twenty consecutive slashes of lightning against a frighteningly thinning pine trunk confused Razor initially, but Lisa's threat of increasing it to sixty was enough for him not to bite any bullets (or bolts). He could at least empty his mind with quick strikes before pouring his patience into the papers and parchments.
Razor soon found some books to be enjoyable. Children's books had easy sentences, with more pictures to make sense of them. Klee sports a large collection of them, almost all of them gifts from her mysterious and well-travelled mother. She's already read so many of them to Razor, that he could hardly believe there's still so many more books she's yet to relay to him (well, when she's out of confinement, that is. Honestly a sight becoming more and more rare nowadays, as Master Gunhildr has no doubt regretted ever permitting Inazuman firework material imports). Razor often practices off of the already present sentences in some of these books, and per Lisa's advice, puts his own personal spin on them. Unfortunately, even with the might of the pen and the inspiration that lay within the vast stretch of pine forest that served as his view upon a cliff, he still has yet to make it past two sentences that describe easy and readable comparisons.
The day before yesterday, Lisa had given him a new children's book called *"Little Mighty Aranara!"*. She'd mentioned that it was a popular choice among the children while she was studying in Sumeru, and it accurately described real forest habitats and characteristics within the region, so Razor can widen his horizons about more kinds of plant life beyond the regular (and honestly rather repetitive) stretches of pine, birch, and berries.
Naturally, the vibrant pictures and the heartwarming tale of protecting the corporeal human realm while remaining in tune with their connection to the world of dreams hooked Razor immediately. He's sported more than a few pouts that such creatures have yet to make a home in the windy plumes of Mondstast. Lisa would laugh languidly at this, "Maybe it's because Aranara don't take to traveling out of the rainforest very well...Perhaps they need a special Nara partner to guide them along the way!".
Master was usually right, so Razor took such words as truth. He honestly took all of her words as verdant truths, and therefore did not rebuke her. This often leads him to becoming the butt of a few well-meaning jokes at the hands of his purple-hatted teacher, but this he could endure, and he often ended up laughing alongside her anyway.
Razor groaned for the umpteenth time at the crumpled parchment, and at a few quick strokes of what was left churning wheels in his mind--kind of just wrote whatever he was thinking. He thought of the Aranara book, of the curious twigs and flowers the magical spirits liked to pick up. Of the deep, vibrant colors present on the flowers and the vivid descriptions of what they must smell like. He wrinkled his eyes through these feelings as the pen pressed and swirled furtively against the poor, sapped parchment.
Pressing an indent on what he believed to be the sentence's period, he slowly peeked open one eye at his creation.
"The Sumeru rose is purple like Master."
*Perfect*
He tightly capped the lid of the minuscule ink bottle, rolled up the horribly wrinkled parchment, and--
Razor looked at the quill he was about to put in his pocket, its end still leaking a dew of black-purple ink
--decided against staining his terribly worn shorts and ran towards the faint glow of the walled city.
Hat-tip swaying with her every step, Lisa exited the gates of the city, giving a nod to the knight-guard Swan as she made her way across the bridge. The sun was setting, and the rays cast a lovely splash of oranges and peach across the moat waters. Ducks splashed in their games, casting ripples into the bright hues and encapsulating the peace with their flutters and quacks. It was a quiet dusk, and the ever-blessed winds of the region cast waves into the grass as she stepped onto the dirt road on the other side. It was a most perfect moment for tea on a stroll, though Lisa only made a melancholic sigh as she passed the dimly-lit lamps on her way to Wolvendom.
Truth be told, she was glad to be leaving the library for a bit. Of all the days she actually chose to go through the increasing stack of mail on her desk, she just had to pick such a beautiful day like this, where she also had to meet with her favorite (albeit only) student. Reading puts peaceful views like this to waste when its all stress and work and more loads to think about, she mulled. Lisa would gladly read, memorize, and recite the entirety of the Favonius Codex for the 70th time than go through her mail from the Sumeru Akademiya's faculty.
But on the occasional good days like this, she let a few catch a gaze her mercy. She reached no more than a few sentences before she caught the stress-filled gist.
To our dearest Ms. Lisa Minci,
With the recent disembodiment of four of the six darshans as a result of our Dendro Archon's return to power, the Sumeru Akademiya's scholastic schedule has been completely reset. In this time of uncertainty, we would like to humbly invite you as a guest speaker to for the distraught body of Spantamad scholars in one week's time--.
Lisa refolded the letter, placed it in the envelope, and even resealed it with wax and everything.
I never read it, Lisa stiffened. Then slowly, as if by only a few degrees of an angle at a time, reclined into her desk chair. The ramrod in her spine did not wane.
Wait a minute...
Disembodiment of darshans? The dendro archon's return to power?
Lisa tore through the expensive envelope and read through the whole letter intensely. After an hour or so of careful scanning, news of her alma matter's turmoil turned over a migraine under that violet conical hat.
She shook off the trails of the news from her mind, now was not the time to be concerned over such things. The traveller has done it yet again, turning regions on their heads and all for the better. Surely with their prowess and irresistible charm, things would've already fallen into place as they should be. Lisa placed such thoughts at the back of her mind and pinned. Now was a time to focus on Razor, and his wellbeing. The Weinleisefest adventure certainly ironed out the more murky trails of his past, and now was a time to help him turn into trailblazer for his most certainly bright future. Now somewhat re-energized, Lisa strolled along the path more lightly, leaving the weight of that letter in the shadow of her back.
Then, upon the road's horizon, a tall, slender figure was making its way across her. Making no hurried movements, Lisa kept her floating pace as the silhouette became more recognizable. Turns out, it was that jagged-edged nun, with sunken eyes and a pale complexion. The metal decals of her outfit clinked against each other more noticeably as she drew near on the road. The soft clicks in a rhythm to her stride, akin to a ticking clock. Still, Lisa kept her pace. As they crossed paths, Lisa only took a step to the side to let the sister pass, aiming to continue on her way. Though she could feel for only a brief moment, that those pale plum eyes jeered at her side.
Suddenly those ticks of metallic clockwork on her apparel slowed as the world turned blurry around the two women. Pale valberries met rich emeralds, and they exchanged most oppressive glances. Two eyes begot a question, the other two posed a sharpened threat.
...
Still, Lisa but tipped her head forward slightly in acknowledgement, her hat's brim slanting to the side. "Wonderful evening, Sister Rosaria". And she glided away, the icy contention broken by stalemate, Lisa now being the one to slowly rescind into the horizon. Rosaria let out a quiet scoff, and continued on her way opposite to the witch, the metal of her apparel clicking along the way.
The two electro-wielders met some ways off of Springvale, by the shore against Cider Lake, its waves slowly lapping against the sand. Though he ran for a while, the wolf boy spared no pant or huff, and he bowed in recognition as the purple witch approached him. "Master, I finished homework!", he eagerly stretched out both hands and unfurled the parchment bearing his four sentences. "Please don't count the green grass sentence. I know it not correct!". Razor's face beamed with ferocity and anticipation for his score.
Lisa smiled, and clapped her hands in praise. "Such a good boy you are, Razor! I'm very proud that you managed to finish it in time," ruffling a hand through his hair (to which Razor could not help but grin through), she slowly took the paper from his hands. After scanning through the words thoroughly, she closed her eyes and grinned.
"Oh sweetie, I'm so happy you thought of me for your last sentence! All of your sentences write out your feelings wonderfully. I'm so glad that you realized that the grass sentence that, though factual, is a tad redundant, so I won't count it", Lisa winked. "So I believe that means you can get a perfect score!".
"A perfect score?! Woah, y-yay!" Razor quickly ran circles around a beaming Lisa, her gaze failing to keep up with his form. He then came to an abrupt stop, and hugged her, earning a most deserved oomph in response to his iron grip. She chuckled, and ruffled his hair again under that brown hood. Unbeknownst to herself, Lisa let out a small sigh in relief. With Razor's estranged growth and development away from human society, it truly placed her mind at ease that he was getting more open to friendly physical contact. And though such contacts were mainly limited to herself Klee? It was all the more precious in Lisa's eyes.
But as Razor pulled away, he had a confused expression on his face. His eyebrows furrowed, he sniffed once, twice, then circled around his master again, sniffing at times. "What is it boy? I didn't use the wrong perfume again did I?". Lisa's gotten pretty used to the occasional sniffing from her student, and she personally doesn't mind, but she's made sure to set a hard limit of two sniffs out of Razor should he try this on other folks, most especially women (you can never really be too sure).
"No Master, perfume still good! But...there's something more...sniff sniff I smell Cold Lady! Wough...not friendly time for cold lady but..But also...! sniff damp leaf, and sap of faraway tree!", Razor glanced at his master in surprise. "Same scent as Sumeru book! Does Master...have a new book for me?".
Razor gazed at his master in expectation. Though he'd still have to go through other children's books with Klee, stories about an evil boar princess could wait a bit in exchange for tiny living vegetables dang it!
In spite of his bright gaze, Lisa sighed and turned her head away. "I'm sorry darling, I don't have any new Aranara books for you right now." Razor looked dejected. "It's probably the letter I opened earlier today from the Akademiya." Lisa's gaze went rather sullen as well, in poignant reminder of the news that befell her. Razor turned to look up at her, "Akademiya is Master's old school. So why does Master look so tired now?".
"Oh, it's just that they invited me to go back there for a few days to give a big speech about managing work and how my own work came about. It's awfully drab just thinking about it, and they're really only pulling my string because the Akasha system can't provide them the easy wisdom they need anymore." Lisa pouted at the prospect of the mountain of work that'd need to be done if she agreed. She'd most certainly do more things than just one speech, she'd get invited to after-school dinners, talks and communication with all her old faculty who miss her, answer questions from students who undoubtedly knew her, AND face the predictably obvious schemes of the faculty to rope her into becoming the next sage of Spantamad. To clarify, Lisa would indeed enjoy these things, but she'd enjoy them even more if the effort whittled down to nothing. Indeed, cataloguing books in a library proved far more attractive than wielding academic might capable of revolutionizing Teyvat's understanding of alchemy, Ley Lines, and killer potion-mixing techniques.
"The Akademiya's almost as laid-back as I am, Razor. They like--or well, liked learning with the least amount of effort possible with the Akasha system. Now that it's gone, they've thrown right back into the days of old. And given my reputation back there, if I do go, they'll no doubt try and keep me as an easily accessible living spantamad database forever!" She pooh-poohed. "I get cold just thinking about those late nights, my juniors and seniors staying up into the wee hours just to finish their work, and my harsh faculty sparing nothing for their criticisms and reprimands. No-one could pass through those hallowed halls without losing a bit of themselves."
Razor stared in contemplation at the reflective shores before them.
"Master feels so angry about letter and old school..."
He exchanged a well-meaning glance of concern at her.
"So Master will not go?"
"Probably not, sweetie." Lisa bent down to pluck at a flat, marbled pebble. "They're at their most vulnerable now, and thanks to the intrepid intervention of our adorable traveler AND the dendro archon Buer, it seems that things are likely to turn out for the better." She skidded the stone on the waters. It skipped three times before sinking. "And now that that old crank Azar is out of the picture, no doubt they've ground zero....
I don't think I want to get on that sort of effort".
But Mondstadt wasn't in a similarly precarious situation . Not all hands were needed on deck (like she'd truly be hands-on anyway), and with the passing of the Stormterror and Dragonspine incident, everything's been turning up rosy for the lake city. She'd already handed most of her tasks to others either way, and all that'd really need *some* work for is the library cataloguing. In all aspects, Lisa had everything AND time.
But if I do go to Sumeru, I'd be able to turn a few tables and make some waves...and if I'm lucky, maybe even catch up with that traveller-fairy duo. I've truly missed them anyways, Lisa picked up another stone. But trade it at the risk the books and--to a lesser extent--Mondstadt's safety? Lisa thought about little klee, her beloved Jean, and her darling Razor.
No.
No...I don't think I will. Lisa cemented her thoughts. I'll just tell Razor and continue as planned--.
"Master." Razor's voice cut through her thoughts. He bent down beside her, took the damp stone from her gloved hand, and turned it in his own.
"I know Master thinks Akademiya is not too fun, and....Razor thinks so too. But to be honest," Razor closed his eyes, and small purple sparks flared around his palm. Electric snares encircled the rock, charging it up along the damp trails of water residue on the surfaces. It hummed into a glow, beating with the soft violet tones of the element.
"Razor very strong now thanks to you! And Razor wants..to try travelling for a bit!"
Lisa widened her eyes at this. "But what about your wolf pack? Won't they need you?"
Razor shook his head. "Mm-mm. Wolves very strong like Razor. And Uncle Brown Cat help villagers avoid hurting them while on hunt. So Razor no need to worry too much nowadays."
Razor stared into the glowing purple rock in his hand. "Razor like this rock. It strong, it tough. But also can't go to other places, unless brought by wind, water, or earth. It see world from one place for a long time. It good, but Master told me to 'broaden my horizons'."
Lisa looked at the wolf-boy. His eyes were furrowing in making these long sentences as he continued.
"Bennet shares adventure stories, of places all around Teyvat. Klee also tells me stories, of her Mommy and the sights she's seen. Klee and Bennet very happy people, Razor happy too! But Razor also...want to try."
He looked at his master with conviction, almost enough for her to abandon a few lazy rock tendencies of her own.
"Razor want to try Sumeru, since Master talks about it sometimes, and Razor wants to go with you!"
Lisa lightly opened her mouth in surprise, but he still continued. The electro-rock's glow burned even brighter as Razor spoke his mind.
"Master doesn't have to go to Akademiya, but we can go to other places! Like A-vidi...Avidya Forest! Like big port, and like arana..aranana...aranar--aranara realm!"
"And maybe...and maybe even see Traveller and Paimon!"
Maybe..
Lisa thought about Mondstadt again, but this time she remembered that jagged-edged nun, Kaeya, and the looming silhouette of the Dawn Winery in the background. Jean's swordsmanship skills hadn't yet dulled, either.
Perhaps...
Images of that beautiful forest, the smiles of the villagers, and the atmosphere of the bazaars and restaurants. Those few moments where she had on-field research duties, though tedious, at least gave her the opportunity to soak up that sky under the vibrant green canopies, and smell those spices, fragrances, and mountains around all her sides. It was those few moments that define the good bits of her sumeru experience. If they could feel all of that without ever needing to set foot on those marbled floors, then it could even be a most perfect vacation.
Lisa sighed, and gazed at her student's most expectant gaze.
Well, could she really say no to that face? She picked up the bright purple pebble from her pupil's hands, and skidded it along the water, a warm smile on her face as it skipped far away.
Not long after, the distinct sound of ducks getting electro-charged broke the sunset's silence.