Chapter Text
“Acting Grandmaster, the citizens are concerned for their safety. What do we say to the people?” A guard, bowing all graceful, confronted the fierce lioness of Mondstadt.
The blonde lioness remained quiet, her gaze fixated on the letter she had recently received. Mika ensured it kept it’s quality shining perfection — though this piece of crap letter still has no ounce of sense to it! It’s a flower, and it wasn’t even coloured ink. She would have to check with Lisa in the library to identify what kind of flower is shown, though the flower wasn’t the only strange thing. A Mondstadt vision, belonging to the element of Hydro, with the outer feather on the left wing cracked, a symbol of one losing their freedom, though it was rare. After all, Mondstadt is the freest nation among the Seven.
“Acting grandmaster…” the guard urged again. Jean took too long to reply. She faced the guard’s direction, catching her drained breath. She needed a rest after all of this, and she couldn’t lose more of her friends. “More vision holders within Mondstadt have gone missing, and all witness reports are here. Though the people need comfort, they need to hear your voice!” The terrified guard urged again. It’s the same story each day. The papers show they got Dahlia and Rosaria now, too; she needed to hurry.
“Thank you…I will make an announcement…I just need more time. Rest assured, the Knights of Favonous have been doing our best to ensure the people are safe. We will save the missing holders once we catch on to this threat. You can trust our word.” Jean assured, hoping the guard would leave. Her eyes shut, and silence overtook her thoughts.
The creaking of the door was irritating, but a sign. Footsteps exiting and the door shutting closed, the guard should be gone. Opening her eyes once more, she was left alone in her office. She needed to speak to Lisa before it got her too.
*Tick*
*Tok*
Pacing through the library, taking notice to see if Lisa was there, only to be met with both the purple-rosed librarian and the familiar blue-haired child. Jean sighed heavily, “What did we say about Alexander being here, Lisa?”
The purple witch chuckled in a laugh. “Awh, dearie. Did you miss me?” Lisa teased. “What's wrong with Alexander being here? He’s bothering no one.” She carefully ruffled the boy’s messy, bandaged head. It wasn’t the kid’s fault for being here, but this is too confidential.
“Lisa, this is…very…important…Alex can’t be here.” The 5-year-old turned away.
Once Lisa heard Jean’s words, she turned to the kid’s face, noticing an expression as spiteful as he was, and sighed. “I know Alex, how about you…get back to your room! Auntie Lisa will come with more herbs for you! If I don’t find you sleeping soundly in your bed, I will…gobble you up and make you into stew!” Lisa lied, snickering as the boy cried out “NO!!!” and ran out of the room, leaving his stuffed lamb behind. Lisa picked up the bandaged toy, and it’s been through a lot with a bit of Kaeya running around the place. “Alright~! Why didn’t you say so, my dear? What appears to be the problem?”
Jean sighed, walking towards the table where Lisa and Alexander were listing herbs. There was no time to comment. Placing the letter down, the two images remained: the flower and the vision. Lisa was silent, staring at the images, before snickering. “My, my~! Who gave you this?”
“I’m not too sure. They didn’t leave a message. This was given just today.”
Lisa laughed, admiring the sender's boldness. " So, you need a poppy and a broken vision?”
Jean froze. “A…poppy…? It’s a poppy…?”
“It’s….just a poppy, Jean.”
“.................................................fuck.”
The door was open…barely. Both women turned their heads, but nothing was there. They considered ignoring that random incident, as Jean’s wind locked the door shut again. The librarian cleared her throat, yawning slightly to continue their conversation. “Why Jean…the answer was quite simple!” Lisa laughed again. “I’m sure you can find that little poppy easily…but that vision…” she frowned, picking up the paper, in a thoughtful expression. “I have never met a vision holder…much less…one in Mondstadt with a vision like…that…”
Lisa was right, yet again. “Keep hold of this, I’m sure you would find…other mysteries up unravel?”
Holding onto the scroll, Lisa sighed, more work for her. “Alright darling~! I’ll get along with it! You worry your little self on finding those particular items!”
Jean nodded in agreement: “A poppy and a broken Hydro Vision. It should be easy enough to find the poppy…, but the vision is a problem. “Thank you…Lisa.” Jean smiled, calmly exiting the quiet library. Opening the door, her foot tripped on something. Her eyes gazed down on the floor, noting the little lamb Alexander must have left behind; the poor little one couldn’t sleep without that thing all around his arms.
Alexander was the odd one and a quick learner. He’s been residing in the hospital for years, having a weakened body and heart. The boy wouldn’t have survived for long without Albedo’s inventions and his unbelievably strange behaviour towards medical advancement. For some reason, the kid dislikes any action Jean chooses to take, even if she goes near him. He may dislike her, but Alexander would likely die without his lamb. Carefully picking up the bandaged lamb, she went upstairs, past the hallways, to a door in the Hospital Unit.
Barbara tends to minor, less severe wounds, though patients are brought here for dangerous situations. Still, the facility needs serious renovations, which makes Barbara the preferred healer. One day they will fix it up, but for now, it’s still running, just slowly. She entered the crowded hallways, “231”, Alexander’s room. Sliding the door, a slit between the wall, checking if the boy returned to his room already, he didn’t. Great, they have to find him again. She entered, wires decorated the walls and floors, Jean gently laid the lamb on the bed, hoping Alexander would return safely. She informed the nurse who was supposed to be watching Alexander to keep an eye out for him.
With Alexander’s lamb rightfully placed at the centre of the bed, Jean felt comfortable leaving the toy and exiting the unit. The clock ticked again; she was supposed to check with the detectives again, find the poppy and the broken Hydro vision. So many things were happening at once, even Jean gets overwhelmed from time to time — if only Varka were there to help guide her, then she would finally get a sense of rest.
*Tick*
*Tok*
The clock struck again. How long had she spent in the building? She had to pick her sister up before the end of the day, and she didn’t want to risk anything happening to Barbara. Jean left the Headquarters, walking the bountiful stairs to the Cathedral building in front of one of the nuns. “Good day, Edna,” Jean started. Is my sister inside?”
The nun smiled in delight, seeing the Acting Grandmaster. “Sister Barbara? She said she was going to Wolvendom but isn’t here right now.” The nun sang with excitement.
Jean’s expression twisted in fear. “Is she alone?”
“Supposenly, I didn’t see anyone—”
Edna’s breath was caught short when Jean began to dash towards the direction of the gates. “Lady…Jean?” Edna turned to where Jean had gone. ‘Did…I say something wrong?’
The run to Wolvendom was long and exhausting, if only teleporting existed in Teyvat. “Barbara?” Jean bellowed, but no voices responded to her cries. “BARBARA PEGG!” She cried again. She walked deeper through the dense forest, aware of where Boreas resided. Why would her sister go here, of all places? She couldn’t lose her sister again, and she couldn’t lose her.
Jean spent hours walking around blankly, through dense trees and the route closest to Dawn Winery. The forest was too quiet for comfort, and her sister had to be here! That’s what the nun said! Her eyes twitched; she couldn’t lose someone close again. In her sorrow, a soft light illuminated, calling her attention. Jean took to her feet, walking towards the cliff, looking at the light source. The darkening sky taunted her sight; the glowing Hydro sigil faded in the distance. The temple near Wolvendom, the route closest to Liyue, flickered a light. She didn’t recall when the temple first appeared; it just appeared out of nowhere, from what she remembered. “Perhaps…” Jean spoke aloud, “Barbara will be here…”