Chapter Text
“How sweet of you to ignore my call.”
The Doctor barely acknowledged Regrator with a half turn of his head– before returning to his work. He intended to get these papers out the way as quickly as possible– they barely concerned his interests. “I had an agent bring you to me, no?”
“You know what I mean. I’ve been waiting a while and you never came. Just had to barge in myself– your poor pyro twerp had no choice but to escort me.” Beside Pantalone, the Fatui Pyro Skirmisher sweated– he didn’t want to end up as The Doctor’s next guinea pig.
“He’ll be in a future concoction anyway.”
So much for that.
Dottore finally turned to face Pantalone with his unnerving toothy smile. “And you waited and came anyway. You’ve finally got to grace me with your presence. What concerns me?”
Pantalone toyed with a Sweet Flower in one hand before lending it to Dottore.
“What's this? A sweet sentiment? A confession? A symbol of our delightful transactions over the years? I think funds for my next project would warm this man’s heart more, no?”
Pantalone clicked his tongue. “A Sweet Flower enlarged to around 140% more of their usual size. 54% sweeter. Its sugar contents are of great quality– plucked from Mondstadt soil. They're a leading nation in the sugar trade for a reason.”
“I don't recall expressing interest in baking. Get to the point, Regrator.”
Pantalone huffed and dropped a folder on Dottore’s desk. “I found her, Doctor. She made this flower. Sucrose, assisting Mondstadt in the sugar industry. Funny, isn't it?”
“I presume she wasn't taken away just so you could crack some sugar joke?”
“I don't have any information on that, yet. Everything we know is in those files. She's not hidden, just doesn't go outside much. The timid, introverted type– huddled away in her labs, just like you. Too shy to flaunt her creations, which have been a great help to Mondstadt– as previously proven. She's been raised by adoptive parents and works under the Knights of Favonius as an assistant bio-alchemist. And look– a shining anemo vision on her collar. Your girl appears to be favored by the gods.” Pantalone’s eyes darkened.
Dottore tapped his fingers on the desk, ignoring Pantalone's last comment. “And she's there right now?”
“She actually left to study for a couple years at the Akademiya in Sumeru. Following in daddy's steps, how cute.”
Dottore grunted. “She could do better with me. I'm heading to Sumeru soon anyway– very convenient. Perhaps it's finally time for a visit.”
Pantalone snorted. “What are you gonna do? Make up for lost years with a heartfelt hug and a gift? She may not take kindly to your occupation– or even believe you. Maybe you could sprout little fox ears from your head– now that'd be quite the sight.”
Dottore opened the folder and looked at pictures, taken from Mondstadt festivals and spies. Here she was in the Akademiya uniform– a uniform he rather despised. Part of her hair was purple in the Akademiya pictures. He observed those familiar ears, his streak of blue on her hair, the honey eyes, the tail–
“Where's her tail? You're sure this is her?”
“Positive. Same features, same strive for knowledge. Evidence suggests she's not fond of her ears and tries to obscure them– perhaps it's the same with her tail. Some say kitsune can do that. You'd be dense not to think it's her. Conduct a DNA test and you'll see.”
“Very well, then. I'll see you soon… Sucrose.”
Pantalone had turned. “Don't get sidetracked, you have important matters in Sumeru.” He began walking away.
“Of course. I intend to visit her once my work is done.”
Pantalone stopped. “If you look through more of the Sumeru pictures you might notice Sucrose getting cozy with a certain girl that's possessed a certain disease you studied. Evidence also suggests you've once been… in correspondence. The two seem very close. I'd tread lightly.”
“Thanks for your concern, Regrator. You really don't have to stay and advise me any longer.” Dottore was beginning to grind his teeth.
Pantalone turned his head and smiled. “You have all you need for Sumeru’s affairs. See it done and maybe I’ll warm this man's heart up, yes?”
Pantalone left and Dottore returned to his paperwork, his eyes darting over the words– not fully processing anything. He was itching for the lab– but it was patience that had gotten him as far as he did. He picked up the Sweet Flower again and carefully placed it in a jar. He'd add some water and a longevity dissolvent once he was finished with these pesky papers.
Dottore scanned over the files on Sucrose once more, soaking everything in. Her adoptive parents, her friends, her various experiments and achievements. These things were elementary– but impressive nonetheless. She had perseverance and ambition. Why had she decided to pursue bio-alchemy? He supposed he'd find out.
At long last, Dottore would reunite with his daughter.
…Samsara…
Commencing preparations for the artificial deity project…
…Electro gnosis…
…Sucrose, later…
Instead of the gentle Mondstadt breeze through an open window and the ring of distant church bells, Sucrose was awoken by the smell of sizzling meat in spices. She groggily sat up and absently reached for her glasses, wiping them with her nightgown before placing them on her face. She let a large yawn escape her, her animalistic ears twitching as she stretched.
“She arises! You were knocked out.”
Sucrose yelped and fell back into a large pile of blankets. She was so unaware of her surroundings she barely registered Collei’s shadow over her. Collei offered her hand and Sucrose took it expecting to be lifted up, only to yelp again as Collei fell forward onto her.
Sucrose cried out as Collei mischievously giggled while holding her down, yet Collei was careful not to harm her glasses. They were stuck like that for a few more minutes, in a snuggle fight.
Tighnari heard the commotion and came in to check on Collei’s abode, peeking past the open door. What he saw made him smile. It still immensely surprised him that Collei could be so free and touchy with someone, but it was a pleasant surprise. She deserved friends she could trust, friends she could affectionately touch without shying away or spiraling into panic. Most hands that weren't Sucrose's were an absolute no– but it was still progress, and great progress at that. Not that Collei owed anyone the right to breach her boundaries– Tighnari was just glad to see her continuing to heal and step out of her shell. One of his ears twitched as he heard a fellow Forest Ranger's distant call for his presence. He turned around and left, leaving the green-haired girls to their own devices.
They finally calmed down, a pile of blankets and fading laughter and tears. Sucrose gently stroked Collei's cheek.
So familiar, so easy.
This was a safe hand, Collei knew. A hand she could trust. A hand that loved her and would never betray her. Sucrose had always seemed to know just where to touch her– how long– and what was too much. She put her own hand up to it and sighed. Sucrose’s ears gave a happy flick in response. Collei loved how expressive they were, and Sucrose rarely noticed it. If anyone pointed out her ears and their movement, she would immediately cover them in embarrassment. It was a shame she tried to hide them in her hair, they were super cute and soft. Collei couldn't help from reaching out and scratching behind her left ear.
“Heeeyy,” whined Sucrose, trying to control them from jerking up. Collei started laughing again which only brought Sucrose back into laughter.
“Your hair is a mess,” Collei giggled, motioning to her mirror. “You get a crazy bed head.” Sucrose turned her head and– Collei was right– it looked like an explosion. A section of her hair was dyed purple.
“Took you forever to wake up. It's almost already noon!”
“Already? I'm so sorry, Collei! I’ll get ready for our trip in a minute! Aghh.”
“Hey, don’t worry! We got plenty of time. You overwork yourself a little too much at the Akademiya. And we stayed up kind of late.”
“What makes you think that?” Sucrose huffed.
“You always have bags under your eyes. Your candies and that overly sweet coffee blend is your lifeline. And I think your determination to your work and tendencies to experiment all night is no secret. I’m just happy you get good sleep here.”
Sucrose was at a loss for words. She wasn’t wrong. But there were just things that needed to get done. The experiments and papers wouldn’t do themselves. Sumeru’s wildlife yielded endless questions to answer! Was her coffee that sweet? Her stomach growled. “Uhm. I guess I wouldn’t have woken up if it weren’t for that smell. What’s cooking?”
Collei jolted up. “Shoot! The bacon– the pita pockets! They’re gonna burn– no– no! Y-you can get dressed! Be right back.” Collei ran out, leaving Sucrose her privacy. She shook her head and smiled before crawling to her bag. She took out her gathering outfit, fit for traversing Sumeru’s rainforest. Every weekend she left Sumeru City and headed for Gandhara Ville, where she would have dinner with Tighnari, Collei, and sometimes Cyno. There was TCG, bad jokes, and laughter. She and Tighnari would discuss botany and their newest research, then Sucrose would help Collei with her reading studies. At the end of the night she would sleep over at Collei’s, where they would chat and cuddle until sleep took them. It was the highlight of every week.
Tighnari, Cyno, and especially Collei had become like a Sumeru family for her. Though it definitely took a little while for them to get to that point. Sucrose clearly remembered her awkward arrival in Sumeru a couple years ago.
About a year and a half ago
Back at home, in Mondstadt, was a restless Sucrose, sorting through her carefully arranged notes for the fiftieth time. Cecilia. Windwheel Aster. Sunsettia. Hilichurls. Lawachurls. Anemo Hypostasis, Beth. Electro Hypostasis, Aleph. Cryo Regisvine. Wolfhooks. Dandelions. Snow fox. Stormterror’s Lair. Dragonspine..
Countless lists of flora, fauna, numbers, and names continuously ran through Sucrose’s head. There had to be something. Something she hadn’t studied thoroughly. Surely there was one extra question she had about the Small Lamp Grass’s ability to glow. The content in its stem? The potential edible, medicinal, and beautifying properties? Nope. How about the Valberry? Nope. There was that strange crimson emission from Dragonspine.. No, Mister Albedo had insisted she didn’t investigate it, to her disappointment. With a grudging hesitation, she respected his request. Well, the most she did was sneak out to carve out a chunk of a bone from the large spine, but her experiments didn’t yield too many results. She would need a full survey of the place and to bottle up some of the strange crimson discharge. It still took a lot of willpower to not run back there and sniff around.
Leave nothing uninvestigated. Not one cell undissected and not stretched beyond its limits.
A voice chimed within her. She grunted and mentally waved it away. She let the various voices her head developed direct her in many decisions, but not this one. She was determined not to let her curiosity get to her.
Several hours later, Sucrose was still at her desk, face planted on it. Just her and the distant whispers, blabbering about non-existent dilemmas and random strings of words. They also fueled her constant daydreams of dissections, but dissecting what– she didn't know. Not anymore. Her hair was undone and pulled at, her glasses cast aside. All her papers once again meticulously piled around her. Mondstadt surely had more than this, but when it came to its wildlife, she had hit a wall. Every question on every blade of grass, answered. Every experiment, done. What was she going to send for her report to Mister Albedo? Bitterness and frustration stewed within her, urged on by her insolent mental friends.
Trapped.
Helpless.
Exceptionally bored.
Mondstadt and its newfound limits were a prison.
Perhaps she could join Mister Albedo’s next excursion to Dragonspine and inspect every inch (that wasn't the forbidden area…) It was dangerous though, and she didn’t want to trouble her superior with escorting her. The Fatui stationed on the mountain she sometimes trades with wasn't likely to have anything new since last week. Maybe she’d redo all her experiments, and yield different or new results somewhere. No, she was sure she had thoroughly experimented on all subjects of interest. Sucrose groaned in defeat and let her thoughts drift.
She should probably leave the lab, get some air and something to eat. She didn’t feel she deserved it after such an unproductive day. Her brain would work better on sustenance, though. Maybe a meal was just what she needed to brainstorm experiment ideas.
Did she want to go to Good Hunter, though? She never went on her own unless it was her weekly bone gathering trips. She tapped her fingers against the desk. She’d likely just go to the comfort of her home and cook something. It had been a while since she'd gotten groceries, but there was something to make, she was sure.
Yeah, last night she had plain beans. Heinous. That's it– she was going to Good Hunter for a good meal before she could talk herself out of it and wallow in self-pity over a bowl of beans and nothing to study. No one but Sara– the waitress– would talk to her, she'd be fine.
After stashing her papers away and locking the lab, she walked out the Knights of Favonius headquarters and made her way down to the main plaza, hugging one of her biology books. She carefully avoided people from the evening crowd and edged towards Good Hunter.
Oh. All the tables were occupied. Whatever remnants of a good mood Sucrose had tried to muster up were squashed. What was even worse, Sara had already taken notice of her approach. She could have just walked by and played it off that she never intended to sit down– but it was too late, she had paused and made eye contact with Sara. She took a deep breath and walked over, trying not to let dark spots cloud her vision. Of course Sucrose always managed to get herself in these situations. It shouldn't have been a big deal, and certainly wasn't to most– but it greatly irked her to her core. It was an uncomfortable in-between, a state of suspension. It made her feel stuck. Where would she sit? Would she be forced to eat standing? Could she tell Sara that no– nevermind– she actually wasn't hungry nor interested in eating at Good Hunter? How would that go down?
By the time she was in front of Sara, Sucrose was ready to combust. She tried returning Sara’s smile– assuming she rather looked like she was going to regurgitate. “Ah– Sucrose! My favorite alchemist! Welcome back to Good Hunter. I can’t help but notice you came by to gather bones only a couple days ago. Are you here to dine?”
“I’m your fa– erm, I suppose but I mean– sorry, yes.”
Bit needy for praise, yeah?
No– what does Sara know anyway? Or you? Sucrose glared in her head.
“Wonderful! But– my apologies, our tables are full out here as well as inside. Do you mind waiting a bit? You can set your order in advance.”
Sucrose blinked. Oh. That wasn’t so bad. Leave it up to her to assume the worst. This certainly happened on a daily basis. Did she really think some full tables would be a source of humiliation? She almost made it one.
Bit pathetic, yeah?
That bastard. Sucrose stopped herself from slapping her head. She took a breath. “Yes– that’s o-”
“Hey– no need! She can sit with us!” Sucrose whipped around, trying not to let her ears droop with dread. Two people in green and white uniforms were together at a table– a man and a woman. Their uniforms were mainly similar, with their green hats each sporting a different colored band and badge. They smiled and waved her over. “Come– come, we have an extra chair.”
Sucrose hid her panic– she was supposed to sit and eat alone with her book, not with other people!
People.
Right– right, she didn't have to like them…. Just at least pretend.
People can be tools, resources.
That was a cold way to put it but yes– she liked getting things out of her carefully considered interactions. What could she get out of this though?
Test subjects!
Sucrose sighed. Her head was a strange place. It did help to think of interactions as experiments, though…
Sara smiled. “Looks like it’s your lucky day, Sucrose. Before you sit down, do you know what you’d like?” Sucrose’s eyes darted over the menu in panic.
“Uhm– uhm, Sticky Honey Roast, uh– please.” She spat out the first thing she saw.
“Ah! A common favorite– perfect. That’ll be coming up soon. Thank you.”
Sucrose nodded and went over to the table, where the pair had already pushed out the empty chair. She tried relaxing her hunched shoulders and sat down with her book. The man began speaking. “So–”
“Thank you! For the– uh, seat.”
They smiled. “Don’t worry about it,” The woman said. “I’m Azmi, and this is Dana. We just arrived in Mondstadt after landing at Dorman Port– we’re from the Sumeru Akademiya.” Sucrose’s ears flicked in interest. She’s heard about the Akademiya– particularly from Lisa– who apparently was once their most highly acclaimed student.
“T-the Akademiya?”
“Yep! And as fellow intellectuals we couldn’t help but notice your book and the waitress referring to you as an alchemist.”
“Ah– my apologies– I’m Sucrose, assistant to the Chief Alchemist of the Knights of Favonius, Mister Albedo. I specifically specialize in bio-alchemy.”
Dana beamed. “Impressive! A bio-alchemist you say? I study under the Akademiya’s Amurta Darshan–” he tapped the green badge on his hat. “--which is focused on biology. I’d love to hear about some of your work.”
Sucrose blushed. “Oh! Uhm– sure. It’s all nothing too extraordinary, but I’ve accomplished a few things and I just highly enjoy the process of alchemy and seeing how far life can be altered. Uh– Azmi, was it? What's your Darshan?”
Azmi lit up. “I’m in Haravatat, which specializes in semiotics, basically things along the lines of linguistics and runes.”
“Oh! That's really interesting! What brings you two to Mondstadt, anyway?” Sucrose inquired, finally placing her book on the table.
“We've excelled a bit in our studies lately, and were able to take on a special assignment of foreign study. Mondstadt seemed an interesting and leisurely place to do so. I heard there's a few temples around here with interesting runes.”
Mondstadt was leisurely, that's for sure. Interesting? Not so much anymore. Sucrose's general curiosity and interest wasn't just within bio-alchemy– she was naturally curious about everything– but she didn't report on or dedicate study to other subjects much. “Ah! I know there's temples for at least three of the Four Winds, and there's the Thousand Winds Temple. I've been there once to observe the potentially symbiotic– either way passive- relationship between a bird and the Ruin Guard that resides there. So I’d advise caution. There's also Stormterror’s Lair and the remains of an ancient city on Dragonspine– both places which are also quite dangerous.”
Azmi looked thoughtful. “Seems I'll have to commission an Adventurer to escort me to one of these places. I've heard of the Four Winds, but I'm not entirely sure what they are yet. Now that I'm in Mondstadt I have some reading to do, don't I?”
Sucrose smiles. “I can help with basic Mondstadt history, but that's about it. However– I think the Knights’ library would be a great help. Miss Lisa– our librarian– is bound to have books on the matter. Oh! And she used to attend the Akademiya as well.”
Azmi and Dana collectively gasped. “Do you mean the Lisa who attended the Akademiya!?”
“Oh– I suppose so,” Sucrose nervously laughed.
“Incredible..” Dana’s eyes twinkled. “Though she studied in a different Darshan, I would still love to meet her.”
“Well– uhm, she appreciates visitors in her library as long as her naps aren't disrupted… and books are returned on time. I-I never asked her– what Darshan was she?”
“Lisa studied under Spantamad, which specializes in elementalism. It also includes the study of Ley Lines and alchemy.”
“Spantamad, huh..” Sucrose mused.
“Sucrose?” Dana tilted his head.
“Oh– sorry. Uhm– what are you planning to research in Mondstadt?” Sucrose asked.
“I've been considering local flowers. Since arriving, the Windwheel Aster has stood out to me.”
Sucrose lit up. “Oh! The Windwheel Aster! I could probably help you with that– I have plenty of notes from my trials. They can't grow in places with an absence of wind or in stronger winds and storms. In my.. ah– two-hundred and fifteenth experiment of the Windwheel Aster Wind-Tolerance Trials, I managed to produce a Windwheel Aster that could grow in an environment without wind. However, it took until version five-hundred and thirty-two to make one that could withstand harsh wind. I was only able to replicate it twice since then. Their petal movement is also extremely fascinating– I produced an enlarged kind that grew more durable petals to make stronger breezes. I basically made a fan, however it's not that useful since you need wind for it to work anyway. Sometimes I just use my vision to play with it…”
She trailed off, realizing she had gone off on one of her tangents. Sara was standing right by, plate of Sticky Honey Roast in hand. “I’m sorry, Miss! I didn't see you there–” Sucrose shuffled her book out the way so Sara could place her meal down.
“All good– here's your Sticky Honey Roast. Enjoy, Sucrose.” Sucrose nodded in thanks as Sara went to tend to other tables.
“That's the most you've talked– especially about your work. I can see you're very passionate, Sucrose!” Dana remarked. “I’d love to hear everything you know about the Windwheel Aster, it seems a fine candidate for my project. I’ll be writing a paper on the conditions required for optimal growth while tying them back to Mondstadt's national identity. I’ll be growing them myself as well.”
Sucrose fidgeted with her hands, realizing she had just offered to help someone. She had complete confidence in her knowledge of the Windwheel Aster, but she was still worried she’d say the wrong thing or screw up his project somehow. “Uh– yeah, happy to help.”
“We'll let you eat now– and how about you take us to the library after–? If you're free of course,” Azmi chipped in.
“Oh– no– that sounds good. I'll get a move on then– it closes in a couple hours.”
The three enjoyed the scenery of Mondstadt's evening in the plaza. Azmi and Dana made small talk about everything they planned to do while in Mondstadt as Sucrose ate her Sticky Honey Roast. She was grateful to her earlier self for forcing her to eat out, she needed a proper meal. Even though she didn't give herself the chance to properly scan the menu, the dish was perfect. She assumed her mysterious animal heritage gave her more carnivorous preferences– while the sweetness of the meat being roasted in a honey glaze suited her personal preference for sugar. Her fellow Knights liked to joke she lived up to her name.
Once Sucrose finished and paid Sara, they made their way up the city. “This is the Knights' headquarters, and where the library is located,” Sucrose explained to the researchers. The guards posted outside saluted as they walked in. She led them to the right as they glanced around– and into the library.
“Well hello there, Sweetie,” greeted a lady in purple from the front desk. She placed her elbows on the desk and rested her chin on her hand.
“G-good evening, Miss Lisa. We’re, uhm– not too late, right?”
Lisa gave her classic sickly-sweet smile. “No worries, darling– library closes in about an hour and a half. What brings our Harmless Sweetie here today?” She giggled and Sucrose turned red. She hated that nickname– and the researchers certainly noticed.
“Uhm– Miss Lisa– Azmi and Dana, students from the Sumeru Akademiya. Azmi and Dana, Miss Lisa– our librarian.”
“I-it's a pleasure to meet such an esteemed former student– Miss Lisa!” Dana sputtered as Azmi nodded.
“Oh, right– I suppose that's me,” Lisa chuckled. “Welcome to Mondstadt, and my humble library. I hope our peaceful nation has been treating you two well?”
“Oh– of course! The hospitality is great, a-and the scenery is beautiful,” Azmi wrung her hands.
“Glad to hear, dear. Be sure to try the local wine while you're here, yes? What brings you here, anyway?”
“We both received a special assignment to conduct a study in a different nation, and as you can see we chose to go to Mondstadt together. I was wondering if I could check out any books on Mondstadt's history?”
Ah– of course. That section should just be right down there. How about you, Dana?”
Azmi nodded her head in thanks and went to explore the section Lisa instructed. Dana stepped forward. “Our– Sucrose– has kindly offered to assist me in studying the Windwheel Aster. But for now, do you have any books on Mondstadt's local specialties?”
“I see– my! How sweet of her. The section you're looking for is a few shelves down and on the left,” Lisa pointed.
Dana clasped his hands. “Thank you both. Would you like to come look with me, Sucrose?”
Sucrose looked up. “Oh– I was thinking of– talking with Lisa– if that's okay with you both…”
“Hey, no worries. We'll talk later. I'll be back.” Sucrose watched Dana wandered off and sighed.
“Social juices already drained?” Lisa teased. Sucrose turned around.
“Ah– no– I mean– maybe just a little but… I wasn't lying or anything when I said I wanted to chat…”
“I’m just pulling your ears, Sweetie. Come sit down, I have some tea almost ready.” Lisa pulled out a chair. Sucrose gratefully nodded, trying to dismiss the thought of if pulling her ears off were possible– and what the side effects would be– before it would become her next fixation. She sat down, where Lisa offered her a cup. “Sweet, just how you like it.”
Even though Sucrose could be a subject of teasing for Lisa, Sucrose held her in high regard. She was always willing to listen and somehow always knew what book to read or what advice to give to help her make a breakthrough in her studies. She sipped on her tea, warm and sweet– her ears did their happy wiggle.
Lisa leaned forward. “What's up?”
“Oh– hmm… W-whats Sumeru and the Akademiya like?”
Lisa could sense the idea Sucrose was entertaining. “The nation of Wisdom, huh. Hm. It's… nice. Certainly not as laid-back as Mondstadt– which is more suited to my tastes, personally. But, it's nice. First of all, it's very large, more so than Monsdadt. Half the nation is a desert, and half the nation is a lively rainforest, where most of the population resides. Dangerous in some areas, but what nation isn't? It's very lush, and the climate is more warm and moist. Sumeru City is sprawled across a large, ancient tree. The Akademiya itself is the main governing body, and Teyvat’s most prestigious school, split into six Darshans– each with a sage. There's Amurta, the Darshan of biology. Rtawahist, illuminationism. Spantamad– the school I attended, elementalism. Haravatat, semiotics. Vahumana, etiology. And finally, Kshahrewar, for technology. The Akademiya itself is a beautiful building, the second highest structure on the Divine Tree. The House of Daena– the Akademiya’s library– makes mine look like an office bookshelf,” she laughed, now lost in thought, reminiscing on Sumeru. “And you can't forget the Grand Bazaar, the flavorful cuisine, the hustle and bustle of Port Ormos… Sumeru is a place brimming with life and knowledge.”
“Wow,” Sucrose breathed, her mind fixated on images of a rainforest, packed with countless species of colorful and fantastical flora and fauna. An expansive library, labs full of equipment, like-minded people… A treasure trove of potential, promise, and knowledge.
Lisa twirled a lock of her gray hair. “Why the sudden interest in Sumeru?”
Sucrose's ears drooped a little. “Ah– uhm, I'm not sure. Just… looking for ideas. You see– I’ve run out of Mondstadt specialties to study. I've answered all my questions. Though there's other things of interest– like the ruins, that's not my job or specialty. Don't get me wrong– I love Mondstadt, and my duty as a Knight and assistant to Mister Albedo. I just find myself… wanting more, you know? Teyvat has so much more to offer– I've heard of folktales of fascinating Inazuman creatures, descriptions of flowers as tall as trees in Sumeru, Natlan’s Saurians…. I've traveled to Liyue a few times, but those were business and vacation trips. Sure, we receive imports of materials from other nations, but I like to work with fresh materials in their specific environments. I’ve mastered the Sweet Flower, tamed the Anemo Hypostasis, produced larger and sweeter grapes for the wine industry, and even studied Dragonspine’s boar variant. I'm… bored.” She sighed, hunching her shoulders.
Lisa hummed. “That makes sense. You just can't leave any lingering questions, can't you?” She chuckled. “The Knights will support whatever decision you make– however, be sure to consider this carefully. I know leaving your comfort zone is not easy for you. It's not often I see you out and about, and with strangers, no less. This could be really good for you, though– just don't take more than what you can swallow.”
Sucrose nodded. “O-of course. I'll think about it, but I think I'm capable. Getting to study at a place like Sumeru’s Akademiya…” her eyes shined. “Would be fruitful, and make me very happy. All the things I could learn and create…”
“Just let me know after some time thinking about it– and we can work on an application. I'll put in a good word for you.” Lisa winked. “There's no guarantee, it's very competitive, but I think you and your feats have a great chance.”
Sucrose blushed and scratched behind one of her ears. “T-thank you so much, Miss Lisa. Truly.”
Lisa giggled behind her hand. “How could I not help a curious little cutie? What Darshan would you want to study under? Spantamad?”
Sucrose sighed. “Ah– that's something else I need to think about. Spantamad makes sense but– I’m a bio-alchemist. Would Amurta be better…?”
Lisa placed her fingers on her chin thoughtfully. “Quite the predicament. If you were to be in Amurta, your studies and papers would be dedicated more so to the general biology of things rather than how you can alter them. If you're in Spantamad, you'll actually be doing alchemy, with a lot more emphasis on elements and Ley Lines. Either way, you can probably mingle in the other school’s respective subject. Just tell your professors and superiors what you specialize in– the Akademiya is flexible like that. I've met a couple bio-alchemists both from Amurta and Spantamad. You'll have to decide, but there's no rush– if you even decide to apply.”
“I see… Again, thank you so much, Miss Lisa. I can't wait to think about it, the Akademiya seems like a dream… You know– you're claimed to be the Akademiya’s most promising student in the past couple hundred years. Why did you decide to leave? I-if you don't mind me asking…”
“I don't mind, dear. You see, the Sumeru Akademiya is wonderful but… scholars can be thirsty. For knowledge. They're willing to go great lengths, and with that– comes great risks… At some point, I didn't bother with it all anymore. I'm happy where I am, tending to my little library. Much more my pace. The prospect of learning is exciting– just be careful, Sucrose… You're a sweet girl, but very knowledge-hungry. It's not in your nature, but some things are better left unquestioned. As I like to say–” Lisa leaned forward. “Before demanding too many miracles from the gods, first consider if you are willing to pay the price they ask.”
A quiet moment passed. “Oh– uhm– I understand. Miss Lisa.”
Lisa ruffled Sucrose's hair, making her jump. “Very good, cutie.” Sucrose stood up and sighed– why was Lisa like this? Calling her Harmless Sweetie in front of the scholars was already embarrassing enough.
…Looks pleased with herself.
…Understand? Understand what? Not enough…
Underestimated. Overlooked. Pushed into a little box.
Don't deny yourself the oasis of knowledge you seek in this desert.
…What does she know?
Lisa was very wise and experienced– she had only ever helped Sucrose. For that Sucrose would place value in her warnings. There was a chance she'd never even go to Sumeru.
The grumblings went back into their regular hum, a mix of random faint voices.
“...Crose? Sucrose?”
“Hm?”
“There you are, Sweetie. As I was saying, I think it's about time for a nap.” Lisa languidly yawned. “Would you be a good alchemist and escort our guests out of the library so I can close it? You should also bring them to Angels Share– or somewhere. Have them try our local wine– learn more about the Akademiya perhaps?”
Making plans for…
What right does she have?
Sucrose stamped down the buzz– it was a nice suggestion– not an order– and Lisa's suggestions led to fruitful results. To Sucrose's surprise, she did enjoy her new acquaintances’ company and she was interested in their studies. Anyway, she was talking to a person, not conducting her experiments– she didn't need their input. So– Shut up, yeah?
“Sucrose?”
“Y-yeah! Of course– sorry, I'm on it. Thank you so much for your time and advice… It means a lot!”
The Witch of the Purple Rose watched the alchemist and scholars exit the library, smiling to herself. The Harmless Sweetie had a lot circulating in that little green head of hers, didn't she?