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“I’d have to ruin the surprise, but we’ve been walking for quite some time now.” Kazuha ducked under a low-hanging branch. He sighed as his companion continued walking, not even bothering to match his pace. “May I at least know what destination you have in mind?”
Wanderer had been leading him through the rainforest for hours now. Despite Kazuha’s extensive experience as a wanderer himself, he had no idea where in Sumeru they were. This far out, there were hardly any roads to follow– the remaining ones had long-since been reclaimed by nature.
Despite this, Wanderer seemed to know exactly where he was going. His movements were relaxed, yet precise. Practiced even, as though he’d gone this route hundreds of times before. The more Kazuha thought about it, the more his curiosity grew. So he continued following, vaguely wondering if Wanderer ever planned on stopping.
Their journey was mostly silent, as Wanderer preferred. He hardly spared Kazuha a glance, even when he struggled to keep up with the puppet’s inhuman constitution. Only when Kazuha finally spoke up did Wanderer stop walking, allowing Kazuha to stumble on overgrown roots and finally catch up.
Once they were side-by-side, Wanderer gave him an incredulous look. “Who told you this was a surprise?” He rolled his eyes and idly flung a wind blade toward a group of fungi blocking the path.
“Am I mistaken?” Kazuha chose not to acknowledge Wanderer’s sardonic tone. “You said I wasn’t allowed to know why we’re coming out here.”
“Uh, yeah? You aren’t. That doesn’t mean you’ll get to know later.” Wanderer adjusted his hat and continued walking. His pace became even quicker than before. Kazuha struggled to keep up; Wanderer was practically running at this rate.
“Look,” Wanderer offered, “I don’t know why you decided to interpret it as a surprise, but it’s not. It’s a secret. One you don’t need to worry your pretty little head about.”
Kazuha huffed, wishing Wanderer would look back to see his pouting expression. Luckily for him, he had Kazuha’s absolute trust. Whatever he had planned, Kazuha would go along with it. Combine that with Kazuha’s overwhelming curiosity, and he was pretty sure he could manage being left in the dark.
For now, at least. After all, it wasn’t every day Wanderer demanded his presence. Especially when he’d only just arrived in Sumeru.
Especially not for a secret hike through uninhabited forests.
At last, Wanderer’s hurried footsteps slowed in front of a large lake surrounded by dense rainforest. The pristine water was beautiful, clearly untouched by man and populated with a diverse array of aquatic creatures. Kazuha was delighted; he nearly couldn’t take his eyes off it, but he couldn’t help but notice Wanderer’s gaze lingering elsewhere. His deep indigo eyes were darting around, looking everywhere except the lake.
Wanderer was clearly expecting to find something hidden amongst the flora. Given his posture, he didn’t seem to be searching for a threat. Rather… he seemed irritated.
“Are you alright?” Kazuha asked gently.
“The little shits didn’t even show up…” Wanderer muttered. He clenched and unclenched his fists, giving no indication he heard Kazuha’s question. Instead, he motioned for Kazuha to stay put and stomped over to a nearby bush.
Kazuha had seen Wanderer do some pretty strange things, but this may take the cake. He remained in the bushes for a solid five minutes, grumbling and whisper-yelling at… someone? Something? Kazuha had no idea what he could possibly be angry at. Then again, this was Wanderer. There was always something with him.
Kazuha stayed put for the entire duration of Wanderer’s seemingly one-sided argument. Eventually, Wanderer sighed and made his way back covered in small leaves. Kazuha held back a giggle.
“Hey.” Wanderer said. He tugged lightly on his bangs, a nervous habit that, combined with that pouty face of his, was adorably distracting. “How much do you know about Sumerian folklore? Like, children’s tales and shit.”
“Do you mean the Aranara?” Kazuha tilted his head. He reached up and pulled Wanderer’s hand away from his bangs, instead giving it a comforting squeeze. “From what I recall… they’re said to travel between dream and reality. Supposedly only children can see them, hence why adults cease to believe in their existence.”
Wanderer listened with a grim expression. “That’s it?”
“I’m afraid so. Are you trying to ask if I believe in them?” Kazuha was beginning to see where he was going with this. “Considering the Akasha Terminals’ interference with dreams—and Nahida’s powers—I could easily believe the Aranara exist somewhere out there.”
“Yeah—” Wanderer returned Kazuha’s affection with a tighter squeeze “—Nahida is good friends with them.”
So it is true. Kazuha smiled. “What about you, have you met them? What are they like?”
“Annoying,” Wanderer spat. A scowl crossed his face. “They never leave me alone. Do you remember the last time you visited, when you did that leaf trick?”
Kazuha’s brows knit together. “Yes…?”
“Well lucky for me, some of the Aranara witnessed your stupid leaf shit and won’t shut up about it.” He groaned and pinched the bridge of his nose with his free hand. “Every time I leave the city, all I hear is ‘Leaf Nara’ this and ‘Leaf Nara’ that. They don’t even know your name, they’re just obsessed with the prospect of hearing your dumb music again.”
Kazuha felt his cheeks heat up. He was at a loss for words. It was one thing to win over a human audience, but to have a group of mythical creatures enamored by his performance… that was quite a high compliment.
“Is that why you brought me here?” Kazuha asked. He rubbed his thumb over Wanderer’s hand in a soothing motion.
“I knew you were going to pester me when the semester ended, anyway. Might as well kill two birds with one stone.” Wanderer shook his head and chuckled in disbelief. “Now these little shits are too shy to show themselves.”
“I see… they’re averse to me as an adult, despite their interest.” Kazuha nodded and hummed quietly to himself. “Don’t worry, I take no offense. They don’t have to reveal themselves if they aren’t comfortable with it.”
“They better reveal themselves!” Wanderer cried out. “I don’t know why they trust my taste in company, but they were over the moon when I told them you’d be in Sumeru this Summer. I brought you all the way out here just to shut them up; if I’d known they were only going to waste my time, I wouldn’t have bothered.”
“We have walked a long way,” Kazuha admitted. “Is there anything I can do to make them feel more comfortable?”
“I don’t know, I guess you can grab a leaf and start playing. Maybe they’ll remember why they wanted this so badly.” Wanderer summoned a gust of wind and directed a loose leaf to flutter into Kazuha’s awaiting hand.
Kazuha waited a few seconds, just to test Wanderer’s patience. Wanderer crossed his arms and responded with a glare, which Kazuha took as his cue to start. He pressed his lips to the leaf and curled it into position. He wasn’ entirely sure what to play on the leaf, so he defaulted to the tune he used last time. Even after closing his eyes, he could feel Wanderer’s piercing gaze as he became one with the music.
A minute or so went by and nothing happened. Kazuha finished his song, let go of the leaf, and watched it flutter away in the wind of his own making. Only then did Kazuha’s keen senses catch the distinct sound of leaves rustling behind him. Both he and Wanderer turned their attention to a small bush nearby. To Kazuha’s surprise, the creature that emerged from the bush was blue.
“Wandernara!” The creature plip-plopped over to Wanderer and hugged his legs, then shuffled to hide behind him. It tilted its head inquisitively at Kazuha, staring at him with an ever-present goofy smile on its face. Kazuha could make out a wide, leaf-like shape around its head, covering one of its eyes. Next to Wanderer’ they practically looked like twins.
Kazuha didn’t want to startle Wanderer’s little friend, so he settled for a light wave as a greeting.
“Ugh, you aren't even going to introduce yourself?” Wanderer glared down at the creature attached to his leg. “Kazuha, this is Ararycan. They’re the most… clingy Aranara. To me, at least.”
Wanderer began to shake his leg of the Aranara. Kazuha gestured for him to stop and knelt down in front of them, hoping to speak face-to face.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ararycan. My name is Kaedehara Kazuha.”
Ararycan waddled closer and lifted their head to get a better look at him. “Leaf Nara… Nara Kazuha! Ararycan has heard so much about you.”
“Have you, now?”
“Don’t look at me,” Wanderer said quickly. “It was probably Buer telling them about… our travels or something.”
“No, no!” Ararycan turned around and waved their arms frantically. “Wandernara speaks of Nara Kazuha fondly! Even his dreams are filled with pleasant memories.”
“You little shit!”
Kazuha snorted, then slapped a hand over his mouth. It was too late– Wanderer flicked Kazuha’s forehead and sat down next to him in a huff.
“So, Ararycan—” Kazuha took a deep breath to compose himself “—are you the only one here?”
“Ararycan was brave.” They shook their head. “Other Aranara are here, watching. They want to hear leaf music, but too nervous to meet grown-ups.”
Just as they suspected. Kazuha nodded. “I hope you don’t mind my asking but… why is Wanderer any different?”
Wanderer stiffened. Ararycan didn’t seem to notice. They happily swayed side-to-side and scurried closer to sit between the two.
“When Nara grow up, they say goodbye to their young selves,” they explained. “Wandernara was never young, but also always young. He is special. Plus, Lord of Verdure believes he is trustworthy Nara.”
Wanderer leaned over and whispered to Kazuha, “I’d guess my previous incarnations wouldn’t have been able to see them.” He paused, then muttered under his breath, “maybe Kabukimono…”
Kazuha took a moment to fit the pieces together. “So adults are untrustworthy because… they let go of their childhood dreams?”
“Most Nara, yes. Wandernara isn’t the only special one! Nara Rana, Nara Yoimiya… they are grown-ups who have not grown up. ” Ararycan stared up at Kazuha with their beady black eyes. “There are also children of dandelions, Golden Nara and Nara Lumine.”
“And Paimon,” Wanderer added.
“Mhm-mhm, and Paimon! They have all befriended Aranara.”
“I assume the Aranara consider me to have grown up?” Kazuha asked.
Despite the ever-present smile on their face, Ararycan deflated for a moment. “Yes, Nara Kazuha has grown up.” They patted Kazuha’s hand. “Don’t worry. Ararycan sees past that. Nara Kazuha is always traveling. Even far, far away, you are close to Wandernara’s heart. Your heart, Nara Kazuha, hmm…. it is warm like the sun. Cool like the breeze.”
Kazuha smiled. The Aranara’s speech was reminiscent of unique poetry. He distantly wondered if they’d ever allow him to make poetry together.
“I’m flattered,” Kazuha said, reaching out to pat Ararycan on the head.
They nodded proudly. “I believe in Wandernara’s judgment. You are trustworthy Nara.”
Not a moment later, the nearby bush rustled to life once more. Two brightly-colored heads poked out from the leaves.
Ararycan hopped to their feet and spun around happily. “Arapurva,” they called out, “Aramani! Don’t be shy!”
One of the new Aranara, an orange one with a plumper figure than Ararycan, waddled out and plopped itself next to Wanderer.
“We heard leaf music,” it said, “very beautiful.”
The third one, a green one of similar stature, followed behind carrying an assortment of fruits and flowers in its tiny arms. It wailed and said, “Aramani was frightened! You did not tell me leaf music came from the Nara’s mouth.”
“Nara Kazuha would not eat the leaf!” Ararycan scolded. “You are silly.”
Kazuha hummed in agreement. “The sound comes from the vibrations of the leaf between my lips. I can control the pitch with my upper lip. Here, let me show you.” He summoned a gentle gust of wind to blow a new leaf in his direction. He held it out for all three Aranara to see and demonstrated how to fold it properly. Then, he placed it in his mouth and produced a series of notes.
The Aranara all bounced around happily and began muttering to each other in awe.
“Nara Kazuha, try this leaf!” Armani dropped its pile and grabbed a Harra Fruit. It shoved the fruit in Kazuha’s hands, pointing at a leaf on the stem.
Kazuha grimaced. “I don’t think this leaf is the right size, I’m sorry.”
“What! My leaf is not music leaf?” Armani grabbed the fruit back and stared in disbelief. “How else can I mark up price?”
“Leaf music is special,” Arapurva told him. “Aranara have no lips. No music from us. Your prices should not change.”
The two Aranara began to bicker while Ararycan futilely attempted to stop them. Wanderer groaned and leaned back in the grass. “They’ll stop eventually,” he said, pulling his hat over his face. “...probably.”
“I don’t mind. I don’t have any pressing matters to attend to, anyway,” Kazuha assured. “Besides I’m in Sumeru to see you, remember?”
“Oh yes!” Arapurva exclaimed, argument already forgotten. “Will Nara Kazuha visit again?”
“I’d love to! I’ll be here for about a month; that’ll be plenty of time.”
The Aranara tilted their heads at him. Kazuha blinked. Right, they wouldn’t keep track of time the same way. How else could he describe the passage of time…
“I’ll be here for… one moon cycle?”
“Oh!” Arapurva blinked.
“Nara Kazuha must visit then. Visit and buy Aramani’s ‘specialties’ for ‘bargain prices.’” Aramani dug through its pile and showed off a Kalpalata Lotus.
Ararycan pushed the lotus out of the way and tugged on Kazuha’s sleeve. “When you leave, will Wandernara come with?”
“Hah?” Wanderer tilted his hat up. “Why the hell would I do that?”
“You explained ‘summer break’ to Ararycan. More time to wander, yes?” They picked up the hat and began to inspect it. “Silly Wandernara. Can’t be Wandernara with no wandering.”
“Don’t touch that,” Wanderer snapped, yet made no effort to take it back. He flopped his arms over his eyes in defeat. “Why would I be bound by a nickname you gave me?”
Kazuha shrugged. “The Akademiya knows you as Hat Guy because you wear a hat. The Aranara call you Wandernara because they see you wandering. It makes perfect sense to me.”
“That doesn’t mean I’d waste my precious time following you around aimlessly.” Wanderer scoffed, then locked eyes with Kazuha and caught his tone. He cleared his throat and tried a different excuse. “I’m sure Buer has a bunch of meaningless tasks for me anyway, even if she claims she doesn’t need help.”
“While I can’t speak for her, I will say that I do have a destination in mind,” Kazuha corrected. “I’m heading to Mondstadt next month to catch their Ludi Harpastum celebrations.”
“Why would I care about some carnival shit?”
“I’ve heard a traveling carnival is scheduled to stop in Mondstadt for the festival this year. It’s supposed to be the biggest Ludi Harpastum in decades.” Kazuha grinned, unable to contain his excitement. “That aside, I’d love to visit Starsnatch Cliff with you as well. I’ve heard it’s a popular location for couples to stargaze.”
“Stargaze?” Wanderer laughed. “I should’ve known you’d be into sappy shit like that.”
“It would be a nice way to unwind after a long trip, don’t you think?”
Ararycan rattled Wanderer’s hat over their head. “Wandernara should join! No more yearning, no more missing Nara Kazuha in your dreams.”
“Will you shut up about that?!” Wanderer sat up and flicked his hat down over Ararycan’s face. Ararycan squeaked and scrambled to uncover their eyes, but Wanderer held it down. “You’d all miss me too much if I left, you know.”
Arapurva picked up the ribbon attached to Wanderer’s hat and tugged on it. Wanderer released his grip, finally allowing Ararycan the freedom of sight.
“It’s true, we will miss you,” Arapurva said, “Wandernara will always be our friend, even when you wander.”
“Mhm-mhm!” Armani agreed from over by its fruit stack. “Aranara always welcome friends back to Varuna. Just like Nara Lumine and Paimon. They are friends. Travel far, but always come back to visit.”
Kazuha watched fondly as Wanderer continued to bicker with the Aranara. Before he knew it, the sun’s warmth traveled across the sky and tucked itself into a colorful painting of dusk. Kazuha nudged Wanderer.
“Oh, shit. Sorry.” Wanderer scrambled to his feet and grabbed his hat, which had been left in the grass.
“Naras leaving now?” Ararycan nodded. “Sweet dreams, both of you. ”
“I’ll visit as often as I can,” Kazuha said, “I promise.”
“Ararycan is brave. I will also visit you.”
Wanderer scoffed. “Be careful doing that.”
“I will, I will! Also promise.”
“You better.” Wanderer turned without another word and began walking, tugging on Kazuha’s hand to follow. The Aranara all waved goodbye as they left, which was absolutely adorable.
Once they were out of sight, Kazuha chuckled. “That wasn’t as bad as you made it out to be.”
“Yeah? Try seeing them on a weekly basis. It gets old.” Wanderer rolled his eyes.
Kazuha noted that he had no trouble keeping up with Wanderer’s pace this time. Wanderer hadn’t even let go of his hand. He must have been in a better mood, now that the leaf issue had been settled.
He ducked down to meet Wanderer’s gaze from under his hat. “You know, I’ve been thinking…”
“Spit it out.”
“The Aranara’s nickname for you, Wandernara–”
“I already know it’s stupid,” Wanderer cut him off, “you don’t have to make fun of it. It took me a month to change their minds after Buer made the worse suggestion of ‘Hat Nara’.”
“You still jump to conclusions so quickly.” Kazuha tutted and shook his head. “I was going to say the nickname was interesting.”
“That’s supposed to not be making fun of me?”
“Of course not. I think it’s very fitting, as well as indicative of how the Aranara feel about you.”
Wanderer’s turned downward into a mildly panicked frown.
Kazuha continued, “haven’t you noticed they just refer to Paimon as Paimon? No ‘Nara Paimon’, just Paimon.”
Wanderer stopped walking.
“I don’t claim to know much about the Traveler’s companion, but all the other names Ararycan listed off were human. Nara Rana, Nara Yoimiya, Nara Lumine… do you understand?” Kazuha cupped Wanderer’s cheek with one hand, keeping a comforting grip on Wanderer’s hand with his other. “They don’t trust you just because of Nahida. Not only do the Aranara recognize your growth from the past, they see you as a human , just like any other Nara friend.”
“That’s…” Wanderer’s eyes watered. He leaned into Kazuha’s hand and allowed him to wipe a stray tear from his cheek. “I never thought about it like that.”
“Thank you for bringing me here. This was truly a remarkable experience. I’m delighted to have met your friends, even if you don’t consider them as such.” Kazuha leaned close and pressed his lips to Wanderer’s flushed cheeks.
“Ugh, gross!” Wanderer squirmed, shutting his eyes tight as his cheeks grew hotter. “You better show me something worthwhile in Mondstadt, since I’m going through all this trouble.”
“You doubt me?” Kazuha teased.
“I’m not going stargazing,” Wanderer insisted. “The sky is nothing more than a big hoax to ease mortal troubles. I can’t think of anything I’d want to admire less.”
Kazuha chuckled. Wanderer wasn’t laughing. His expression was dead-serious.
“You were exaggerating, right?” Kazuha’s hold on him faltered.
Wanderer smirked and shrugged, then just walked ahead of him as if nothing happened.
“Wanderer? What does that mean?!”