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“My, my, you really do remind me of my dear little wolf cub,” Lisa says with a chuckle. She adjusts the wide brim of her hat, allowing the sunlight to sparkle in the brilliant emerald green of her eyes. “I suppose I just have a soft spot for obedient puppies, don't I?”
Gorou chokes on his tea. He doubles over coughing, face going redder than the valberries in their garden plot, as Lisa helpfully pats him on the back.
“M, Miss Guardian Mage,” he splutters, ears falling back meekly. “Are there...”
“Please, General Gorou, call me Lisa.”
“Miss Lisa,” Gorou amends, sinking even lower into a bow. “Are there any more supply crates you need me to move for you, while I'm here...? Or decorations to put up around the shop front? I'd like to be useful to you. I mean, since I'm just standing around waiting for my potions order and all...”
Lisa rewards him by ruffling his ears, causing Gorou's tail to thud loudly against the underside of the tea table. His cheeks flush even darker at the humiliating noise, but he can't exactly stop his tail from wagging, can he?
(It's an involuntary instinct! It's not his fault!)
“What a good boy,” Lisa coos, the corners of her eyes crinkling in amusement. She stifles a luxuriant yawn with one hand as she reclines back in her chair. “The sun is certainly intent on lulling me to nap outdoors today. I wouldn't mind if someone else harvested the sweet flowers while I rested my eyes...”
“Yes, ma'am!” Gorou snaps to attention, throwing her a brisk military salute. He scrambles off the patio to the herb patch, where the potioneers diligently sowed seeds for a wide variety of plants. Fluffy dandelions, swaying horsetails, dignified qingxin... “Sweet flowers, sweet flowers... ah!”
“Leave them on the alchemy bench to dry out,” Lisa calls helpfully, in between sips of tea. “The mints are probably ready to be picked as well.”
The clashing perfumes make Gorou crinkle his sensitive nose to hold back a sneeze, but he's all too eager to complete his orders, tail still waving like a flag in the breeze. Once the requisite ingredients are harvested, he scurries back to Lisa's side with a hopeful, obsequious smile.
“I'm not particularly skilled at gardening – did I do okay? Can I get you anything else?”
Lisa indulges him by scratching behind his ears. Her painted nails are long and manicured to neat, perfect points, dragging tingling lines against his scalp. Gorou can't even be ashamed of the way his leg twitches in response, thumping against the wooden platform.
How could he have ever compared this wonderful, kind, beautiful lady to the likes of Guuji Yae? Miss Lisa isn't anything like that manipulative, teasing vixen. He would do anything for Miss Lisa.
“You know, I've always wanted a dog, the affectionate kind that will roll over and let me rub their belly whenever I want,” Lisa muses to herself. “I don't think I'm really suited to have a pet, though. It sounds very tiring, having to take care of them.”
“M-Miss Lisa?” Gorou stammers, sinking to one knee.
“Oh, don't mind me, General, simply thinking out loud,” Lisa laughs, her lilting tone as musical as the finest of wind chimes. “Be a dear and carry my tea set back to my office, would you? It's such a long walk to the library from here, and I fear I won't have the energy left to make the return trip...”
“Leave it to me!”
Gorou packs the dishes into the picnic basket Lisa indicated, and takes off at a flat run. He may not be the most familiar with the layout of Mondstadt's terrain, but it's easy enough to see the church steeples and windmills of the walled city rising above Cider Lake. The tea set and silverware jangle violently as his boots pound the cobblestones, vaulting over stairs and dodging passersby to take the most direct path to the Knights headquarters.
Once his cargo is successfully delivered, Gorou jogs back across the bridge and up the road to the potions outpost, barely panting. He's a swift sprinter, even with the midday warmth causing sweat to trickle down the bare skin of his exposed back, but he pushes himself to go as quickly as he can. He doesn't want to take too long.
What if she's disappointed in him? He doesn't think he could bear it.
Thankfully, Gorou finds Lisa dozing at the table with her mage's hat pulled over her eyes for shade. His heart bangs against his ribs in excitement, though he does his best to compose himself.
“You're still here, Miss Lisa!” Gorou calls in triumph, dropping into a crouch before her. He places a hand gently on her knee to get her attention, though he quickly withdraws his touch. “I dropped off your things. I hope I didn't keep you waiting for long. Is there anything else I can do for you?”
Lisa makes a drowsy noise as she stirs in her chair, blinking in brief confusion. Then clarity returns to her sharp gaze, and that lovely face lights up with a welcoming smile – the kind of smile that Her Excellency Sangonomiya Kokomi reserves for Gorou's safe homecoming after a dangerous mission – and the kind of smile that sends pleasant shivers zipping up and down Gorou's spine.
He's beginning to realize he's in over his head, but at this point it's far too late for him. Hopefully his troops will remember him fondly.
“Oh, thank you, cutie,” Lisa croons, sliding a palm down Gorou's cheek to cup the point of his chin. “You're such a good little helper! There's one more thing on the agenda, I suppose, but I've asked so much of you already...”
“Your wish is my command,” Gorou reassures, ears perked forward in earnest anticipation. “Tell me what to do!”
“In that case...” Lisa hums, guiding his chin forward until he's forced to plant his palms on the deck for balance. “I need to reach the potions on the top shelf of the shop, and I haven't a stepping stool. Would you be so kind...?”
Gorou can't stop his tail furiously wagging in big, sloppy circles as he braces himself on his hands and knees.
Lisa hikes up her dress and settles one foot on Gorou's back, the point of her heel digging into his skin. As she gradually places more weight onto him, Gorou grunts softly at the bruising pressure of her shoe, scrunching his eyes shut. Lisa clucks her tongue, and Gorou's tail tucks between his legs. Did he disappoint her after all?
“Can I still count on you to support me, my brave, strong General?” Lisa asks, sympathy oversaturating her saccharine tone. “Or have I asked too much of you?”
“No, don't stop, I'm fine to continue,” Gorou blurts, stumbling over his words in his haste to please her. “Step on me, Miss Lisa!”
The sound of a throat being cleared causes them both to jump.
Behind them, a scandalized Sucrose exchanges a flustered glance with Jean. Lumine, deadpan as usual, reaches out to cover Paimon's eyes.
“Welcome back, my cuties!” Lisa waves at their audience, unperturbed by the interruption. Gorou's cheeks burn hot with humiliation, though Lisa merely chuckles, leaving her foot planted squarely on his back. “General Gorou here kindly volunteered his assistance in your absence. I hope you're ready for another round of potion crafting?”
“You sure have a type, Gorou,” Paimon remarks. “At least Lisa didn't make you wear a dress.”