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Gold Upon The First Gaze

Summary:

𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘮𝘦𝘵 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘢 𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘸𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘨𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘯. 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘈𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘨𝘢𝘻𝘦𝘥 𝘶𝘱𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘎𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘒𝘩𝘢𝘦𝘯𝘳𝘪'𝘢𝘩

Work Text:

       Simply put, gold has always represented a supreme purity by the concept and unsullied gold is always up there in the hierarchy of valuable metals and gemstones.  It, too, could be found on the surface of Teyvat but is extremely rare. However, the major problem in seeking pure gold above ground is that they are too soft—those unsullied gold couldn’t hold itself together unless mixed with other metals. 

       There is one place in which acquiring pure gold jewelry is possible; Khaenri’ah. The nation of the upside-down stars has mastered converting a soft metal into a usable and solid form without tainting its priceless purity. All that was being said has nothing to do with the subject of interests that Alice is having in mind. Gold Rhinedottir; the ever-radiant untainted gold.  Yeah, that is her title alright, sounds really fancy but the adventure witch has no idea why she was labeled as such. Rhinedottir is…a human and thus cannot be pure like the real elemental gold. But titles are titles, sometimes it was going to be abstract rather than factual. And that got Alice to finally think: ‘Maybe this is how Khaenri’ah feels about Gold’. Soon, Alice would realize why.

       Khaenri’ahns, too, love having a social life and public entertainment; so every approximately beginning of the Spring, there will be many festivals and other outdoor gatherings. Upper-class Khaenri’ahns have their own separate banquet altogether; not every of this party can be participated by the commons except for one. The scientific discovery bouquet; is an extravagant gala filled with newfound and fascinating scientific discoveries or inventions.  It is today, right now, at this very moment that Alice spends gleefully observing many of the wonders Khaenri’ah has to offer. Alice is not disappointed; even the Fill Tillers, which are considered by many Khaenri’ahns to be rather typical and uninnovative, manage to grab the audiences with a new variant dubbed as ‘the hunter model’. 

       Then, there is this compass that could accurately record a fragment of the past and then play it back like a voice recorder, except it uses projection to change the world around the users to represent the record. A fantastical compass--that’s what it was called, despite not being anything close to a compass. Alice then finds a booth that promotes and demonstrates seeds products that can grow into any plant and only need an injection of the desired plant’s essence into the seed. All of those are interesting but…the adventure witch is particularly here on the quest of looking for a…certain alchemist who is scheduled to make her appearance here.  

       “Did you know that the seeds of wonder were created based on the principle of Khemia?” just right behind Alice, there is another presence a woman. She wears pure white Khaenri’ahn chlamys, the fabric edge is in gold. Khaenri’ahn chlamys is long and often fully covered the person from the neck to the toes they also came with a large enough hood that covers half of the person wearing’s face. She-in-white has a faded smell of spiced Inteyvats; hm, like a bit of Inteyvats and… eucalyptus? Cool medicinal smell but saving by the sweetness of Intervats…must have been a custom perfume. 

       “I have my guess! But it seems like an expert has already come to confirm my suspicion,” Alice says as she turns around to face the woman who is now having her hand resting on her chin in a contemplating manner. ‘ Is she observing me?’  Alice thinks in her head. 

       “You must be Alice? Am I making a correct assumption?” the woman in white finally speaks more.

       “Bulleyes, but…may I ask? How did you know it was me?” Alice answers, she is surprised but is rather unbothered. It really doesn't matter if she is being tracked down, she can and always get herself out of a dangerous situation anyway.  

       “The rumor that there is strange-someone looking for me has made it out of the downtown alley of the city and made its way into my bed-chamber, that is how,” Oh. Alice thought. With this, she knows immediately realizes who the woman in front of her is. This is Gold Rhinedottir. But before Alice could say anything, Rhinedottir continues: “Words of advice, if you are looking for someone don’t ask first but build trust with the one you which to gather information. Second, do your research and understand which names cannot be spoken to which group of people unless you wish to create suspicion unknowingly,”

       “Ahaha, really now? It isn’t really that deep, Rhine. I just wanted to talk to you that’s all,” Alice replies. In what feels like several minutes have passed, they only shared a conversation for about 40 seconds. Though Rhinedottir’s face is obscured, the strain of her hair is visible; faded blonde or maybe even grey has to determine how old she is. 

       “Really? What sort of talk, it still must have been important enough to sort me out. Heed my words, strange wayfarer, I am very occupied if you wish to commune to me a vital matter, you may–”

       “No, it isn’t like that. I just…want to get to know you,” Alice speaks, somehow she manages to make herself sound shy and timid. Rhinedottir, too, seems to be caught off guard.

       “T–Truly? That was…certainly unusual,” Rhinedottir replies. The voice that is usually composed and demanding absolute respect now sounds like a teen girl whose crush has just confessed to her. Rhinedottir makes a mental note of the change in her own voice and silently hisses under her breaths.   The voice of thoughts echoed inside of the Khaenri’ahn with a blonde lock: What is going on with this woman?

       “If you wish to speak to me in a… personal manner, I suggest inviting me to join you the next time to meet me. Currently, I am rather occupied,” Rhinedottir replies and gestures with her hand toward the large and very dignified stage at the front and center of the gala; suggesting that she will soon take the stage. Alice, now, could see a portion of her upper arm as the fabric that acted as a sleeve covering up her arm has slides off a bit as she raises her arm. Her hand and her arm were decorated with curious scars all over; small cuts, larger cuts, and burn marks, each of them in various states of recovery creating a strange effect of light and dark pattern. 

       “Alright then, Miss Gold. Can’t wait to get you on a date. Good luck with your show! I will watch, I won’t miss it,”

 

Rhinedottir storms off right after that comment from the woman named ‘Alice’ and wonders what is up with her but also the strange feeling inside of her chest. 



Alice now understands why the people of Khaenri’ah referred to her as such. The unsullied and brilliant, Rhinedottir is unattainable but that knowledge means nothing to the adventure witch. Alice is now more determined than ever to get close to Rhinedottir, the grand alchemist. 




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