Chapter Text
“Oh my stars.”
It was a lovely sunny morning in Mondstadt when Mona had exclaimed these three words in a near whisper and shot out of her seat in astonishment while writing her current astrological report and rereading those she had written before.
She thought today would just like be any other day: scrying the sky, documenting her research reports, drafting her column for the Steambird, among other things, but her notes have revealed — albeit implicitly — recent changes in the sky, and she simply could not let this new discovery waste away and left unexamined. Though this was only a minor shift, it still changes a lot of the current facts that could affect the field of astrology, so she felt the need to write about it and its foundations in great detail.
Mona initially thought of writing an extensive report about this phenomenon solely for herself, but despite their rarity, other astrological practitioners — professional or otherwise — are still out there somewhere in Teyvat who may or may not have observed this change, but needed a deeper insight to fully understand it in its full picture, and Mona’s boundless knowledge could help with that were she to share it.
Perfect, she thought, I could just write about it in my All Things Astrological column; that should be enough of a public platform to reach my target audience. Mona went stiff when she remembered she did not have the newspaper all to herself, and the number of words she could put in her column was limited. It could perhaps contain at least one chapter, but she knows for a fact that the sections in this document would be lengthy, and she also thinks it doesn’t feel right to have all this information be revealed in a serialized manner.
She needed the insights of others on what she could do with these soon-to-be-written reports, so she quickly grabbed a few of her things and teleported to Fontaine, right on the pathway that directly leads to the Steambird. Mona then rushed to catch up with the figure who was about to enter the establishment, recognizing her as Euphrasie, and called out to her.
The chief editor turned around to see who it could be, and the two women shrieked when Mona almost collided with her because of her haste. Euphrasie backed two steps away to put some distance between them and was about to berate her carelessness when the astrologer clasped her hands together in a plea, “I’m sorry! It’s me, Mona Megistus. All Things Astrological. I need your advice.”
Euphrasie pursed her lips and raised a curious brow, wondering what Mona could possibly need help with. The astrologist usually only drops by to submit her drafts and have them polished by her editor for column publication, so this was definitely new. In addition, she looked worried and even desperate. This must be something rather important.
“What is it?”
“I will try to make it as simple as possible. Basically, there have been recent changes that have some effects on astrology, and I’m pretty much set on writing about it publicly. Before I get to that main point, I need to discuss other aspects and foundations relating to it in-depth and would need thorough breakdowns. Maybe even lengthy explanations and visual illustrations. I don’t suppose my column could fit in all of that in one go?”
The other woman crossed her arms and processed Mona’s words, especially considering the last question on what the Steambird could do to have her documents published and distributed. “No, not really. Even if it were regularly serialized, you said it would be pretty long, and I’m assuming some concepts would need those visual aids, so they wouldn’t be suitable. That would most likely take months, and I assume would greatly deviate from the usual stuff people read about in your column.”
Mona sighed dejectedly at Euphrasie’s reply, rubbing her chin and walking back and forth in an effort of trying to think of something as a way for her to share her work. While she was deep in thought and pacing about, Euphrasie let out a surprised ‘oh’ upon thinking of something, then added, “But maybe you could publish it as a book. That would be the most fitting medium, no?”
The astrologist halted in her steps, her head whipping to Euphrasie’s direction with her eyes slightly wide and cheeks noticeably flushing red, perhaps due to the fact that she didn’t think of that sooner, “A book. Right. Of course.” She should have considered that option in the first place; this small mishap made her rethink her (rightful) self-proclamation as a genius. She has purchased tons of books relating to her research that did something similar to what she currently aims to do, so it seemed fitting.
Euphrasie then continued, “Such affairs are outside of the Steambird’s jurisdiction since we only publish newspapers, but I could refer you to the chief editor of a different publication company since they dabble in releasing books. Since the nature of your work would be quite academic, I think it’s hard for them to turn that down. What do you say?” She patiently waited to see how the other woman would respond, and Mona swore she could coil the Steambird chief editor in a constricting hug with how grateful she was for bringing up that proposition.
“That would be wonderful, Euphrasie! Oh, I can’t thank you enough for this opportunity.” Mona grabbed her hand and eagerly shook it, unable to contain her excitement. Well, she would still have to discuss with the publishing company about her work and has yet to start actually writing and drafting the contents, but this progression is off to a good start.
Euphrasie cleared her throat and signaled with her eyes at their still shaking hands, to which Mona swiftly let go with an apologetic smile.
The chief editor reverted to her signature pose of folding her arms. “They would presumably be more considerate with you because of my referral, and you’re already a known columnist, so you just need to clearly discuss the terms with them. They will contact you eventually to discuss those matters, and — didn’t you mention needing visuals in it? They could find an illustrator to hire as well and have you check their portfolios if the style is to your liking, unless you have somebody else in mind?”
Upon providing her with that preamble prior to the official proceedings in the near future, Mona fell into a deep thought, sifting through her memory about a person she knows who could help her out with the graphics in her work. She does possess the ability to draw, but the images wouldn’t just be simple illustrations (which is her limitation); they would range from charts and perhaps even images of a few astrological instruments, so she would have to find someone who not only has ample familiarity with her field, but also deft hands that could produce beautiful visuals to match its contents.
Mona’s face lit up when she finally remembered a certain remarkable person back in Mondstadt who easily fit the criteria she had in mind and whom she knew quite well due to them occasionally meeting up and dining together. She hopes she wouldn’t be asking too much of him for this favor, and so she steeled herself to try her luck in asking the handsome Chief Alchemist of the Knights of Favonius to draw for her book.
—
“Don’t forget to help us clear the table, Klee.”
Back in Mondstadt city, three figures within their shared home had just finished their breakfast and were cleaning up after themselves on the dining table. After doing so, they readied themselves to head out to do their respective routines. One of the people in this trio is Albedo, captain of the Investigation Team and renowned Chief Alchemist, who opened the front door for his younger siblings, Klee and Durin.
Things have been calm and peaceful in the past few days, so Albedo doesn’t have anything urgent to tend to, and he could just focus on doing his usual stuff of fulfilling his job in the Knights of Favonius and conducting research and experiments relating to them. The Chalk Prince expects that nothing would be out of the ordinary today.
Albedo then followed the two outside of their home, closing and making sure the door is locked before they leave. As he was about to descend down the doorstep, he suddenly heard a hydrous and bubbly sound behind him, followed by two thuds and a small yelp. He immediately turned around to see what all the minor ruckus was about and was surprised to see Mona balancing herself from almost falling on the floor, resulting in her awkwardly standing in front of the main door.
He heard his siblings gasp, with Klee excitedly exclaiming the astrologist’s name. Mona briefly waved at the adorable little girl, and in that short moment that she did, Albedo noticed one of her hands was purposely placed behind her, which was holding the handle of a pastel yellow box. He reserved his inquiry about that object for now and looked back at her, “Mona, I didn’t expect you would be dropping by. We apologize for the rather poor reception. What brings you here, if I may ask?” He said, referring to the fact that they were about to head off.
Mona quickly waved her free hand, “Oh, no, no. It’s alright, Albedo. I should be the one apologizing for teleporting here so suddenly and with no announcement whatsoever,” She nervously chuckled as she tucked a stray hair behind her ear. “I came this early because I wanted to talk to you about something… important to me, if that’s okay with you. Or was my arrival untimely?”
This time, it was Albedo who shook his head no. “No, not at all,” He turned to Durin and Klee, who were patiently waiting for him on the pavement, “You two can go on ahead. If anyone asks where I am, tell them I’m currently speaking with Mona at home. Be careful, you two — especially you, Klee. Remember to behave.”
“See you, Albedo!” The girl in red exclaimed as Durin took her hand, and the two waved goodbye at them. Albedo then fished out his keys from his pockets, the action making Mona step aside so he could unlock the front door. As he inserted the key in the knob, he met her eye to eye and motioned his head to the house, “Let’s talk inside.”
He twisted the knob and opened the door, gesturing Mona to come in first. She replied with a quiet ‘thank you’ and went inside, with Albedo following closely behind her after shutting the door. She sat down on one of the chairs at the dining table located near the window and set down the box she had been holding on the seat next to her. If Albedo were to see it now, he might think that it’s important to their conversation, but it’s far from it. She would take it out later, anyway.
Albedo settled himself on the seat across her on the table and rested his forearms on its edge, “So, Mona, what is it that you wished to speak to me about?” The astrologer momentarily closed her eyes, breathed in, and sighed heavily (which Albedo assumes is a way for her to calm herself down) before opening them again and looked at him, “Long story short, my new findings and its supporting foundations about new astrological-related changes have a high chance to be published as a book, and I was wondering if you could draw for the illustrations that it may need.”
He was pleasantly surprised to hear this favor that she was asking of him. Albedo knew Mona acknowledged and even complimented his talent at drawing from time to time, as he also helped her with sketching different graphs that she had difficulty doing herself, but that was it. He doesn’t hate this development, though, far from it. It was a welcome change from what they usually do together.
“The chief editor of the Steambird told me the publishing company that would help me print my work could hire an illustrator for it, but as you know, you have drawn a few things for me before to aid me in my research, and your art perfectly captured their essence. I’m also more familiar with your process and… I trust you. If you do accept, I would find comfort in the fact that someone talented I know is responsible for the exceptional visuals in my book.
“Don’t worry, I will provide some references for your sketches so you will have a clear idea of what to draw. As for the payment, don’t worry, I will take care of that in due time, and I will make sure you get your Mora. Oh, I’m really sorry about interrupting your work. I knew you were on your way to the Knights of Favonius headquarters. I would understand your hesitance though, since you have only been working on illustrations for ‘A Legend of Sword’ and suddenly I’m offering you this project that came out of nowhere and—“
Mona came to an abrupt halt and covered her mouth with one hand after realizing that she had gone on and rambled endlessly at Albedo, who was just quietly listening to her proposal. She still could not properly decipher most of his facial expressions as they are usually as inscrutable as the climate in Dragonspine, but at least she knows the one on his face right now is out of amusement and not boredom or disinterest. “I am so sorry for rambling on too much. I think I said enough. Uhm, what say you, Albedo?”
“Of course I’ll illustrate for you.” He replied, his answer clear, direct, uncomplicated.
Mona’s mouth was agape, as if she couldn’t comprehend the simple truth that he easily agreed to her offer. “Wait, really? That’s it?” Her dumbfounded expression only served to make the alchemist more amused, and he couldn’t help but chuckle lightly at her bewilderment, “Yes, Mona. Even if you had just told me in a few words that you want me to draw for your book, I still would have said yes without your additional details. And don’t stress yourself too much about the payment, it doesn’t matter much to me.”
“I mean, I thought you needed more convincing, that’s why I unconsciously chattered away, but you agreed easily. And what do you mean, 'the payment doesn’t matter'? Guilt would kill me if I didn’t pay you your dues, especially with your talent. It just doesn’t sit right with me,” She crossed her arms and gave him a persistent look. “Please, Albedo. Let me pay you for your efforts. You deserve that much.”
Albedo slightly tilted his head to the side and stared at her as if he were to insist on the contrary again, but Mona’s eyes and the determination brimming within them didn’t waver, as always. It made him smile a bit, “Alright, then. A deal is a deal. Just let me know when I can start sketching for your project.” Albedo finally conceded, and the final confirmation made her unbelievably happy.
“Thank you so much, Albedo!” Her excitement had her bolting out of her seat once more, and it made her act recklessly to the point that she couldn’t hold herself back from tightly hugging Albedo and thanking him profusely. This action of hers made him even more astounded than the revelation of her asking him to lend his artistic hand for her book, since they had never been this physically close before, but he found himself not minding it.
Mona then realized what she just did to Albedo a few seconds too late when her high of enthusiasm slowly whittled down, and her entire face flushed in embarrassment, immediately pulling herself and her arms away from around him — instead, holding her hands together so as not to cause anymore incidents of the sort, “Oh my stars, I’m sorry about that. I must have gotten too excited.”
The alchemist was not even half as fazed as she was, “It’s fine, and you don’t have to apologize so much, Mona. You have said sorry four times in the last couple of minutes.” He said, which made Mona cough to indicate for him to ignore her accidental temporary mantra, as her thoughts had been all over the place this morning. Albedo initially wanted to tease her more, but thought that their current personal proximity would be a bit of a hindrance. True, they may be friends, but not as close as one might think.
The astrologist then finally remembered what she brought along all the way from the land of Hydro and went to fetch it from the seat next to her, “Ah, by the way, I bought you something from the Court of Fontaine as a thank-you gift. I remembered you particularly like desserts, so I got some Blubber Profiterole. I hope you like them.” She handed the pastel yellow box that caught Albedo’s eye earlier on, which he politely received.
A portion of the center at the top of the box was transparent, so it allowed him to see the appearance of the desserts, and they looked magnificent. Albedo raised his head back to her and gave Mona a small nod, “Thank you, Mona. You didn’t have to, but I appreciate it. I look forward to our collaboration for your first official project.”
His remark made her smile, and she found herself also looking forward to it, overflowing with excitement once more. “Yeah! I’ll see you around, Albedo,” She waved her hand and hopped towards the front door. Before she left, she glanced one last time at the alchemist and beamed, “Thank you again!” She said before exiting the house and closing the door behind her with the wind on her feet, on the way to guide her to a very eventful and fruitful future.
Albedo returned his gaze back on the box he was holding and placed it down on the table. He removed the lid and took one of the profiteroles inside, examining the result of the careful handiwork that went into it. It has been a few minutes since Mona bought it, but it still feels like it just came out of the kitchen.
He was wondering what she would have done with this thank-you dessert if he had turned down her offer, since she went out of her way to buy it and give it to him after she had informed him of her proposal. But the fact that she bought it at all in the first place before seeing him probably meant that she knew he would accept it anyway. Indeed, she’s the Great Astrologist Mona Megistus, who could foresee such simple and trivial decisions. With that in mind, Albedo found it quite funny that she was fretting so much earlier in trying to convince him, when both of them knew all along that this partnership was inevitable.
The thought made his lips twitch up, and even though no one was around to see him looking so amused, he tried to contain it as he drew the dessert to his mouth and took a bite of it. A small portion of cream remained on his lips, and even that could not conceal the lifted corner of his mouth. Now, he’s beside himself with anticipation about them meeting up regularly soon, as he was curious about what she found out to want to write a book regarding it and curious about the things he still doesn’t know about the astrologer.
He may as well take the chance during their collaboration. Albedo knows Mona, but there is no harm in trying to get to know her better.