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Day 1
To the Acting Grand Sage Alhaitham,
I hope this letter finds you well. Though sealed like a missive, I figured a seemingly official document from me would find its way faster to you among the mountains of paperwork and other official documents.
Tighnari, Collei, and I arrived at Mondstadt safely. The windmills of Mondstadt are a sight to behold in-person, though, Tighnari thought differently of the joke I made about them. I’ll tell it to you when I’m back. I wish you came along too, since I think you would like this city.
We met up with the Lumine and she seems to be in good spirits. Paimon is as chatty as ever.
We got acquainted with Mondstadt's Chief Alchemist and Captain of the Investigation Team of the Knights of Favonius, Albedo, as well as his assistant Sucrose, who are friends of Lumine. They were pleasant and welcoming.
At Tighnari’s suggestion, we camped on the outskirts of Mondstadt and cooked dinner together. Albedo made a local Mondstadt specialty, Sunshine Sprat, which was delicious. Tighnari got the recipe, so maybe it’s something we could try making.
During dinner, imagine my surprise when we learned the legendary Mr. Calx turned out to be the Chief Alchemist himself. Albedo was honored to take my commission for a Genius Invokation TCG custom-made card back. He even liked my jokes!
Our first day here was quite eventful. I’m writing this as the others retire for the night. We plan to make the most of our trip by splitting off on our own schedules. I’ll be sure to get a souvenir for you too. Take care of yourself. Don’t let me find you sleeping at your desk again.
General Mahamatra Cyno
—--
Day 5
To the Acting Grand Sage Alhaitham,
Our new friend Albedo gave Tighnari and I a tour of Mondstadt. The City of Freedom certainly lives up to its name, more so than the last time I came here. The atmosphere during the Windblume Festival is pleasant and lively, something I hope we can achieve if we hold a proper Sabzeruz Festival once everything stabilizes.
I had some time to myself to explore outside Mondstadt as well. To gather inspiration for the custom card back, I camped out at Dvalin’s lair. The area is breathtaking and the winds are calm. This is the third day here with my Kamera, and I also met Mika, the front-line surveyor of the Knights of Favonius' Reconnaissance Company. Everyone in Mondstadt is friendly.
Collei seems to have become friends with Sucrose. Lumine is helping them out with a prophecy Collei found at an antiques store here. It sounds intriguing, but I wished them the best of luck. Tighnari and I are happy she’s found some new friends here, in addition to Outrider Amber, Cavalry Captain Kaeya, Lisa the Librarian, and Acting Grand Master Jean.
I’ll be meeting up with Tighnari and Albedo tonight at the Angel’s Share. I think you’d like the Chief Alchemist too. He is good company and would find the Akademiya interesting, as a fellow researcher.
I do wish we could experience the sights here together. It would be a nice change of pace from our duties, even if for a bit.
I’ve enclosed a copy of the recipe for the Sunshine Sprat and a pressed Small Lamp Grass. May this letter find you well, and remember to take care of yourself!
General Mahamatra Cyno
—--
Day 7
To the Acting Grand Sage Alhaitham,
I caught up with my friend, Lisa Minci. It has been a while since I last saw her, after helping her with an errand last time. I may have mentioned before, but she is also a Spantamad scholar, just like myself, and she is my senior. After Lisa graduated from the Akademiya, she left, just like Tighnari. I can’t blame either of them, considering the state of things. I’m just glad they are both happy.
I think you would both get along, if the opportunity arises. She expressed interest in meeting you as well, over tea.
Which brings it back to us. The Akademiya is my home and now that we have the opportunity to finally make improvements thanks to Lesser Lord Kusanali’s and your plans, I believe we can do some good. Being on vacation has allowed me to think about more personal matters, such as us. Don’t worry, there’s no bad news. Just that this trip has given me some ideas on things we could do together in the brief pockets of time that we can get. I hope they would be to your liking.
Apologies for the short letter. It’s been busy and even Tighnari is nagging Collei and I to get our rest now. He would do the same to you. May you have pleasant dreams too.
General Mahamatra Cyno
—--
Day 10
To the Acting Grand Sage Alhaitham,
I explored much of Mondstadt over the past week and a half. Watching the Mondstadters has given me a sense of peace, a peace that we can hopefully achieve in Sumeru.
For the past several days, I spent some time at the famed Cat’s Tail tavern, playing Genius Invokation TCG with the locals and travelers and merchants who stopped by for the festival. Some members of the Knights of Favonius, such as their popular Cavalry Captain, Sir Kaeya, Albedo's little sister Klee, and the Captain of the Reconnaissance Team, Eula Lawrence, stopped by too.
Sir Kaeya is a formidable duelist, but I beat him. He introduced his brother, the owner of the Dawn Winery and Angel's Share, Master Diluc Ragnvindr, who is as formidable as his brother at this game. I bested him too. Interestingly enough, they, along with Klee and Eula, were made into character cards. I must find out if it would be possible to create cards of our friends too, or even the Acting Grand Sage himself, if you’re interested.
Someone must have heard of me outside of Sumeru, as I found a character card of myself here. Maybe the Inazuman novelist, Fukumoto, brought the photo references meant for his novel over to be created. Nevertheless, I’m flattered. I purchased another copy for you, so I can create some new strategies. I’ve enclosed it with this letter.
Looking forward to our next duel with the new cards.
General Mahamatra Cyno
—--
Day 14
Dear Alhaitham,
After the events that transpired back home, this vacation was something we needed. Tighnari and Collei are in better spirits, as am I. Since we have a week left, we will take the time to rest. The three of us plan to camp out and cook together, as our schedules lined up again.
Several days ago, Collei, Sucrose, and Lumine sought out potential candidates for the riddles of the prophecy they were working on, bringing together their friends from the Adventurer’s Guild, the Knights of Favonius, and even Tighnari and I. Today, they solved it. When Collei came back from her adventure, she was in much higher spirits than when we first arrived.
Tighnari spent much of his time exploring the wilderness of Mondstadt and came back to the inn with new plants and mushrooms everyday. His notes are scattered around his inn room’s desk too. I hope he doesn’t expect Collei and I to carry them all.
I received my custom-card back from Albedo and it looks majestic. He captured Dvalin’s likeness well and I look forward to showing it to you.
He also took Tighnari and I to Starsnatch Cliff, where the Cecilia flowers bloomed. It was a spectacular view that I hope to share with you next time. I cut a few fresh flowers to press into bookmarks, one of which is enclosed. As part of the custom of the Windblume Festival, these gifts are given to the people who are most important to us. Happy Windblume Alhaitham.
I miss you. See you soon.
Yours,
Cyno
—--
Day 16
Cyno,
Apologies for not writing back. I’m happy that your vacation in Mondstadt was a pleasant one. I got caught up in work, though Dehya and Candace have been helpful in aiding myself and our Archon. It’s too bad Dehya declined my offer to work for the Akademiya, because she would make an excellent matra.
I read your letters and I’m actually on my way to Mondstadt. Lesser Lord Kusanali granted the trip upon my request. I hope I can make it in time for the last of the festivities.
Yours,
Alhaitham
—---------------------------------------------
Day 19
As the trio walked back towards their inn after bidding farewell to their Mondstadter friends at Good Hunter, Cyno spotted someone with a familiar cloak and a head of grey hair. He was conversing with Katheryne of the Mondstadt branch of the Adventurer’s Guild.
Cyno jumped slightly as Tighnari nudged him on one side and Collei softly giggled on his other side. His ears turned red.
"Go on," Tighnari smiled wryly, his expression knowing. Collei gently pushed him, still giggling. Cyno glared at both of them, scoffing fondly, and nodded.
With a deep breath, he casually walked down the steps toward his beloved. It had been almost three weeks since they last saw each other, but it felt like eons. It seemed Alhaitham was so engaged in the conversation that he didn't notice Cyno's presence. He cleared his throat, willing the blush to subside.
"Acting Grand Sage, with all due respect, what are you doing here?" Cyno asked.
Startled, Alhaitham whipped around, eyes widening slightly before he pulled Cyno into a hug.
"Didn’t you get my letter? I missed you," he whispered into Cyno's ear, as Cyno awkwardly patted him on the back. People were staring.
“Let’s go somewhere more private?” Cyno said. Alhaitham nodded.
He led them outside the gates of Mondstadt, somewhere where there were no tents set up. Dandelions danced in the cool breeze of the incoming evening.
Once they were in a secluded area, Cyno turned around and tugged on Alhaitham’s cloak, pulling him down for a kiss. Alhaitham reciprocated, arms encircling Cyno’s waist and pulling him closer.
“I’ve missed you too,” Cyno sighed when they broke apart. “I got your letter today, but I didn’t have a chance to read it yet.”
“Good, then I managed to surprise you,” Alhaitham smirked, noting a blush creeping up on Cyno’s face.
Cyno tsked. “How was the trip? You seem to be a hurry.” He laughed lightly and smoothed out Alhaitham’s unusually disheveled hair.
“Fine. I hope I got here in time,” Alhaitham said. He pulled out the pressed Cecilia bookmark from the most recent letter. “When I got this, I couldn’t bear to wait any longer.”
“Then you’re just in time. There’s two days left and the Mondstadters enjoy celebrating to the last hour,” Cyno smiled. “There’s still plenty to see and do.”
“Well then, lead the way,” Alhaitham smiled back.
Cyno gently tugged on Alhaitham’s hand and the pair rejoined the festivities.