reinaworks

[reinaworks]

Crystallized [Genshin Fic] - Chapter 1

It had been a week since Kaeya had visited the area that was popular among the now absent boars. Eula’s reconnaissance company and Amber’s tracking skills hadn’t found anything unusual about the area that wasn’t unusual about the rest of the canyon. Kaeya hadn’t found anything either, but “hunting” wasn’t his specialty in the same way it was theirs. Yet maybe a more desperate eye would let him discern something new.

            The air wasn’t as thick as it was at the start of this “curse”, as it was now called in concerned discussions within the city. The Knights neither confirmed or denied this description, which only added fuel to the smoldering fear. Kaeya wanted it to be a curse, something they could heal with a task or object, but the alchemists were sure this event was caused by someone.

            Kaeya kicked a few rocks at the edges of the clearing. Maybe I’ll find another bottle. Acting on the assumption that there’d be another was his only lead in finding a trail. It was a calling sign left by a serial criminal. The pond in Springvale didn’t have a bottle like the original pond in Brightcrown did, but it also took the knights longer to find the new pond. Meaning someone could have easily taken it before he got a chance.

            Only Noelle had been there before him. He had found her alone by the water, to both their surprise, and immediately escorted her away. If someone had followed either of them, then in the period he was gone, they could have found and removed the bottle.

            There was a windless rustle among the leaves behind him, too noisy to be from a left behind animal. Kaeya shifted his weight and rested a hand on his sword. The rustling slowed and moved away from him, but it should have moved faster.

            In a moment, a jagged ice prison was created. Kaeya looked inside the prison and found a very cold witch.

            “Miss Mona Megistus, how can I help you?”

            Mona’s legs were ice, having still been liquid when her trapped her, but she held her arms tight as she shivered. “If I have to answer that, then maybe he is right about the knights being useless,” she retorted through clattering teeth.

            “Melting isn’t my specialty,” Kaeya said. “This area’s been off limits for over a month, so what are you doing here?”

            “My job.” The witch glared at him. Part of Kaeya wanted to interrogate her until she thawed out, but he felt no unreasonable animosity from her. He took a potion from his pouch and poured it over her legs.

            “Two things are going to happen. One: You will tell me everything you know. Two: We’ll go visit your employer together. The order in which those happen is not of much concern, but if they don’t happen,” Kaeya paused, shaking out the last few drops of the potion, “Mondstadt will become a very inhospitable place for you.”

            Since the death in Springvale three days prior, Kaeya had avoided Angel’s Share, but to get the information he needed, the was no way could avoid the winery. Mona walked ahead of him, a surprising show of trust given what happened a short while ago. When they arrived at Dawn Winery, the witch entered the manor with the confidence of someone who had been there dozens of times, swiftly exchanging pleasantries with the staff before opening the door to Diluc’s office.

            There was a glint of warmth in the sitting merchant’s eyes before he noticed Kaeya behind Mona. The smell of burnt paper and wood filled the room as Diluc slammed his hands on his desk. Heat visibly swirled around him.

            “I thought the Knights of Favonius had the situation under control,” Diluc began, “I believed you when you said so.”

            “Now Diluc,” Kaeya said stepping past Mona, “there’s uninvolved people in this room. If you’d like we can go somewhere else where –”

            “I won’t go anywhere with you.” Diluc glanced past Kaeya with a searching look, and when he received it, he shifted his eyes back to the knight. “You only come when you want something.”

            Kaeya used his vision to cool the room. “A few things actually, but I’ll start with cooperation. I’m asking you to share any information you have.”

            “So the knights can do more of nothing? Absolutely not.”

            “It’d actually be helpful,” Mona interjected, “Even though I’m an astrologist of renown, there are still aspects of the abyss that I struggle with. If I were able to combine my findings with the Favonius alchemists, both our groups would make progress.”

            Kaeya’s breath hitched. “You know it’s the abyss? Diluc, that changes things. If you know, they know.”

            Diluc shook his head and began dusting the ashes of his papers into a bin. “Without a Harbinger, most of the Fatui are just powerful idiots. And stop trying to freeze us.”

            “If only someone hadn’t attempted to set the building on fire. . .”

            “Ahem,” Mona cut in again, “Is it possible at some, or even one of the non-idiots could cause this ‘curse’?”

            “It’s not a curse,” Kaeya said, “it’s a type of liquified and condensed abyssal energy. Even without a Harbinger, anyone could follow the simple instruction of ‘pour’.”

            Mona quirked an eyebrow. “Liquified and condensed abyssal energy? That might explain the ‘curse’, but not the hilichurl and animal disappearances. After analyzing the past stars, I can say that those started far before the ponds.”

            “You’re a better scout than I thought if you know about those.”

            “Did you think I’d hire someone incompetent?” Diluc said.

            “Oh, why does everything have to be about you?” Kaeya countered. The two were on the verge of another argument when Mona moved between them, thrusting out her arms. The entire room filled with images of beautiful constellations, though ones poised to attack.

            “Can we please stay on task!” She glared at them like their tutor used to, and Kaeya struggled to keep a corner of his mouth from lifting up. Mona straightened, and the room returned to normal. “I believe the disappearances are connected but not a result of the ‘curse’. The animals remain present in Springvale, yes?”

            Kaeya nodded. “Not as many, but they’re still there. Still, the question is why Brightcrown?”

            “Outside of Knights and Adventurers,” Diluc said, “there’s no people. No villages or hamlets, just animals and monsters. A perfect place to hide.”

            He was a knight once, thought Kaeya. He brought his hand to his chin. “That’s comforting. Now we can adjust our efforts and –”  

            BOOM! Mona jumped, but Kaeya simply cocked his head in Diluc’s direction.  “Comforting? Someone died, Kaeya,”

“I know. I saw the body. I’m the one who’s been investigating since the first day.” Kaeya worked to keep his cool, but it was the knights that were putting their bodies, their minds¸ on the line.”

“Then it’s your failure,” Diluc said unconceding, “Besides, what more can the knights do to stop this? Throw another ball and consort with the enemy? Turned out fine for you last time.”

In three quick steps, before even Kaeya registered what he was doing, his fist connected with Diluc’s face. Diluc fell against a wall, wide eyes quickly angling as he touched his face.

“How low your anger has made you, Diluc,” Kaeya said. His fist still balled, shaking with the need to lash out again. “Even you entertain a drink or two with distasteful sorts if it suits your aims.”

The man on the floor sunk his head, stood for a moment, then returned to his desk. Mona’s eyes darted between the two, obvious unsurety keeping her from speaking. The grating of Diluc’s chair against the hardwood broke the silence.

Mona focused on Kaeya. “Captain Kaeya, if it’s possible I’d like to meet with Sir Albedo and Miss Sucrose.”

“Of course. And if you discover anything else,” Kaeya said, “don’t be afraid to pass it along.” Kaeya didn’t wait to receive a red eyed glare as he left the office. He did his best to say his goodbyes to the staff amicably, but it evident their argument had been well paid attention to. It didn’t matter to him though, after all his brother was right. Former brother. His only family left. Hopefully. Hopefully.

Kaeya touched his eyepatch lightly, like one would a pot on a stove. Of course, if it was hot, it would have already burned his face. A scar for the outside, to match the ones inside. The thought made Kaeya chuckle aloud and alone in the path on the way back to Mondstadt, and before he realized he was on his knees, curled over in an uncontrollable fit of laughter.

Despite needing to return back to headquarters, Kaeya avoided the building. He needed a few moments of calm, but he wanted to avoid the stables. He stalked all the way up to the cathedral courtyard and stood at the railing so he could overlook the city. It didn’t take him long to spot the familiar maid’s dress. Even though she tried to hide, her distinct armored dress always made her stand out. Kaeya would have smiled if he hadn’t seen who she was with.

Noelle stood with the Fatui man a little aways from the door to Goth Grand Hotel. The duo looked deep in a conspiracy from the way they checked over their shoulders.

She’s allowed her friends. He thought. If it were a knight or a citizen, there’d be less of an issue, but he was the one who said to support her decisions. The duo moved closer to another, and Kaeya clenched his jaw. When she smiled at the other man, Kaeya had to stop himself from gliding down and interrupting them. But that action would only make things worse between them.

He was sure Noelle resented him now. Since that day in Springvale, Kaeya hadn’t been able keep his promise to work the stables with her and the few times they’d crossed paths, she avoided him. Occasionally, Kaeya would peek into the infirmary during her shift and as she attended to the patients, hiding just out of sight in the shadows where he belonged.

Bit by bit, he lost those he cared about. One day, maybe I’ll lose myself. The nightmarish image of a blazing Mondstadt overlayed the city before him and he gritted his teeth. “No, I refute that ending.”

“What ending?”

The question was asked by a clear melodic voice, like chimes on wind.

“Venti.”

The traveling bard sat on the stone railing and strummed his lyre. His clear green eyes seemed to bore into Kaeya. “It’d be terrible if this story were to end so soon. It’s sure to be my most popular song yet.”

“What song?” Kaeya crossed his arms, ready to appease his sometimes-drinking buddy’s current whim.

“One of a hard-working knight and a sad princess,” Venti strummed his lyre again and looked towards Noelle. “I’m desperate for it to have a happy ending, ya’know for Windblume next year, but I can make a tragedy work.”

His tone was gentle, but the warning was clear. They both watched Noelle until her conversation finished and she began to walk in the direction of Favonius headquarters. Her Fatui friend watched her until she disappeared behind a building as well.

Then he swiveled his head to where the two observers were perched. Kaeya fought the urge to flinch, and he could sense the other man’s glare from behind his mask. The Fatui slightly bowed to them before going inside the hotel.

Through clenched teeth, Kaeya spoke. “Venti, could you keep your ear to the ground for me?”

The bard dryly chuckled. “You know my price.”

In his office, Kaeya leaned back, closing his eyes in a surface level attempt at rest. He had no intention, nor belief, that he’d get any now that he’d have to thoroughly scour Brightcrown for any evidence. He still hadn’t received news from Lisa’s contacts in Sumeru about the origin of the bottle. The sketch Albedo made was incredibly accurate, so maybe the scholars were as stumped as he was.

On his desk was the response from the perfumier he wrote to in Liyue, but they didn’t recognize the bottle in the sketch either. Always questions, never answers. There was a knocking on his door.

“Come in,” he said arranging himself. He was surprised to see icy blue hair enter with a letter in her hand. “Eula.”

“Kaeya.” Her normal tone never held warmth, but the way she said his name was concerning. “The Fatui have contacted us about the ‘curse’. Apparently, their members have been getting sick about as long as our knights.”

“And why are they asking about it now?”

Eula shook her head and gave him the paper. “They aren’t asking anything, they’re demanding answers we don’t have. Not to mention their members have been disappearing more than usual.”

He finished scanning the letter. It was full of demands and accusations, par the course for Mond’s favorite guests. “I’ll pen a response, but there isn’t anything we can do about this.”

“Then what about Noelle and her ‘friend’? We can do something about that.”

“We said we’d trust her.”

“You said that. Her friendship is a liability.” Eula was rarely calm, but was able to have her worst moods quell by two people, neither of which were here now.

“This conversation has already played out. If there’s nothing else,” Kaeya motioned to the door, which only infuriated Eula more. She slammed her hands on his desk.

“I think you’ve been blinded. Ever since the ball, you’ve been softer on her.”

“First, no need to be rude,” Kaeya said, “Second, Noelle is our trusted maid and friend, so if being softer helps her, then that’s what we should do.”

She glared at him, but then straightened. “Then all your venturing into the Brightcrown has made you sick. There’s one more thing. One of their squad leaders has been missing since the ball.”

Kaeya’s eyebrows shot up. “What happened?”

“Don’t avoid this, Kaeya, we know you had something to do with that night. Chunks of ice were found on the balcony. You’re the type whose disappearance goes noticed,” Eula said.

The Calvary Captain exhaled a heavy breath. “You don’t believe me when I tell the truth, so why should I expect you to do so when I lie.”

“Why did you fight him?”

Noelle’s tearful face surfaced clear in his memory as if she stood in front of him. He clenched and unclenched his fist. “I can’t tell you, so at least accept that I had good reason to harm that man. To my regret, I did leave him alive.”

“To your regret? Ugh,” Eula pushed her hair out of her eyes, “Well, now you’re the person they blame.”

“I went to the bar after I left. Ask the owner.”

Eula sighed. “Even if you didn’t kidnap him, you still fought him and the Fatui want answers. He’s some Snezhnayan heir.”

“Not answers, Eula, they want punishment,” Kaeya said as he curled the fist in his lap. “We don’t have time to deal with this, but if they’d like, I’ll gladly speak to each and every last one of them. One on one or all at once, it doesn’t matter. Maybe then this ordeal will end.”

Eula’s gaze was cold, but not confrontational as it normally was. “Hearing you speak your true feelings is rare and couldn’t have come at a worse time.”

“I couldn’t agree more.”

[reinaworks]

The Hottest Days [Genshin Fic]

WARNINGS: Mature; M/F

Summary: Diluc likes to visit Mona when it's hot out.

On hot days he came to her on his knees and lapped her up, drinking her deep as her legs shook and wrapped around his shoulders. Then, when he was sure she was ready, he thrust into her rapid and wild, caught in his need until he remembered to pull out before his climax. He’d rest his head on her chest, his ear pressed as if to hear her heartbeat, and rest for a few minutes before leaving.

But on the hottest days he moved slow. He’d trace the stretchmarks along her hips until his fingers came to rest on her clit, where he’d rub gentle circles around it as he kissed her breasts, oscillating between sucking her nipples and smiling whenever she couldn’t hold in a moan.

When her breathing became fast, he’d remove his fingers and whisper against her ear.

“Beg, Mona.”

She’d shiver at his hot breath tickling her neck, turning away so that she couldn’t see him. There was no point in being coy because it, he, was what she wanted.

“Diluc, I want you inside me,” she’d whisper, the words foreign no matter how often she said them.

Then Diluc would kiss her neck and face until Mona turned back to him, where he’d capture her lips and slowly, agonizingly enter her.

In and out, he’d move like a man with all the time in the world, occasionally snapping his hips to watch her reaction to the sound. Diluc’s hips would roll against Mona’s, his eyes hungrily roaming her body as if trying to figure out what part of her to next consume. Over and over, he’d consume her until they were both sore and drenched in the other’s sweat. As he neared his climax, he’d speed his thrusts up and reach back down to her clit to work one last orgasm out of her.

On the hottest days, he came in her, pressing deep until her whole body seemed to unravel and evaporate. As they’d catch their breaths, Diluc would gaze at Mona, his red eyes ablaze but vacant. She’d lift her hand towards his face, but he’d pull away as if jolted from a dream.

Still covered in sweat, he’d dress and leave without a look back. But the next day, wine or fruit would always be delivered to her. The small, attached note would read For Mona, From Diluc.

It was a hot day, the hottest day this week, but this time they lay in bed together, breathless and calm. Heads resting on pillows, they watched each other, and when Mona reached out to touch his face, he didn’t pull away, but moved his cheek into her palm. Diluc’s eyes weren’t vacant or distant, nor were they full of the desire from moments before. They were full of something unfamiliar to their relationship, though not unwanted.

[reinaworks]

Crystillized [Genshin Fic] - Chapter 9

“What caused the hunter to die?”

Sucrose nearly dropped the vials full of dark liquid on the worktable, her ears twitching at Noelle’s blunt question. While the maids were taught how to be tactful, Noelle knew a straightforward approach worked best with the alchemist in front of her. She watched as Sucrose’s eyes darted around from behind her large glasses.

“I-it’s not something I should share,” Sucrose finally said. She hesitantly went back to work.

“Oh,” Noelle said, “Then do you mind if I clean?” She pointed to the broom that leaned against a shelf with alchemical tool.

Sucrose peered back at Noelle and nodded. Noelle took up the broom and began to sweep around the room.

Noelle needed to get an answer, but she needed to tread lightly even more so as she didn’t want to get Sucrose in trouble. As she worked to get a particularly large dust bunny from a hidden corner, she sifted through her knights’ training to see if there was any information she could use, but nothing came to mind because what she was doing wasn’t knightly even if it were for the greater good. If I were him. . .

“I’m just worried,” Noelle said, “since the sickness the knights have has spread to Springvale, it’s sure to spread elsewhere.” Some vials suddenly clinked, and Noelle could hear Sucrose work to collect herself. “Like the village where my mother lives. If something happened to her, I’m not sure I’d handle it well.”

Crash! Noelle flipped around to see Sucrose crouched down, trying to quickly put tools back into a box. “I’m sorry, right as you’re trying to clean,” Sucrose spat out, stumbling over her words. Noelle helped Sucrose organize the contents, then set the box on the table. “Noelle,” Sucrose said, and Noelle turned to face her, “I don’t want anyone else to get hurt, but I’m not sure there’s much you could do – much anyone could do. We’re still figuring this out. . .” Sucrose’s eyes began to glass over.

Noelle went to Sucrose and held her hands. “It’s okay. I’m sure –”

“Well I’m not! Why nightmares? Why the abyss?” Catching herself, Sucrose inhaled deeply until her breathing calmed. “I’m sorry,” she said drawing her hands back, “It’s been stressful. P-please forget what I said.”

“About the abyss? A maid of Favonius keeps secrets,” Noelle said touching the rose on her left vambrace, “we also help the Knights in their times of need. So, is there anything I can help you with?”

Despite Jean’s orders, Noelle was in Springvale and her heart was in the pit of her stomach. She had used the rose, a sign of her conviction as important as her vision, for her own needs. I’m doing this for Mondstadt, she reminded herself, but this way of doing things left her uneasy. The knight she wanted to be like was the Acting Grandmaster not –

“Miss Noelle?” an elderly voice called out to her, disrupting her thoughts. She adjusted the box from the alchemy lab in her arms as Old Finch approached her.

“Hello, I’m sorry for the town’s loss.”

The old man was solemn as he looked at the small spring. “Maybe if he had come this way, the fairy would have been able to save him.”

Noelle stayed a moment with Old Finch before continuing her delivery. In the end, Sucrose had asked Noelle to take extra tools to Albedo, an opportunity the maid wouldn’t say no to. As she walked further into the village until she arrived at the house Albedo was using a temporary lab.

The alchemist in question was gone, so Noelle dropped the box inside the house and quickly left to do her own investigation. Since she wasn’t supposed to be in Springvale, looked for signs of where the knights might have investigated.

She knew that Huffman like to snack on hash browns and often the napkin would fall from his pocket onto the ground. The paper lay on the road going right. Albedo’s steps were always light, but Noelle easily made out the shape of the impressions leading off into the forest. Further in, the leaves were wet, despite the lack of rain. It must be Eula, who was usually paired with Amber for reconnaissance.

It was surprising easy for her to find the clues and trace their steps. Were the knights’ efforts slacking? Maybe it was it her training paying off. No, she realized, I know the knights better than anyone else. She was glad the bits of information she picked up were useful, though it bothered her that she was using said info for her own interests. But it wasn’t the only thing she used.

A thick, scent like the tea she drunk hung over the area, increasing with each step forward. Noelle covered her nose with a handkerchief, but the fabric barely blocked out scent. It was dizzying, nearly unbearable, yet she pushed ahead. Noelle needed to find out what was going on, needed to see for herself if her ability was so lacking that she was unneeded.

She leaned her head against a tree, pressing against the bark until the pricks of pain jolted her from the haze. When she came to, she was in an unfamiliar clearing, one that had low tree stumps as if recently chopped. Thorny vines encircled the clearing and moved in closer, pushing her back until she fell over one of the stumps. Noelle tried to stand but was locked in place by thick roots wrapping around her limps, rough bark digging into her flesh.

“Noelle!”

Someone’s fingers dug into her arms.

“Noelle!”

Amber. With heavy lids, Noelle opened her eyes. Amber was frantic in front of her, while another person held her waist. Noelle’s blinked until the blurriness changed into recognition. “Ca-captain Eula.”

Noelle’s legs buckled, and the other two women helped her to the ground.

Amber gave her some water from her drinking pouch. “Thank the Archons! I was worried you weren’t going to wake up.”

Noelle swallowed the cool liquid, surprised at how tight her throat was. “I thought I was awake.”

“You were sleep walking, like in a trance.”

“And nearly walked right into a thorn bush!” Eula huffed as she stood.

Noelle took in her surroundings. She was in a small clearing, though larger than the one in her hallucination. There were knights from Eula’s reconnaissance squad littered about, half risen from positions of rest. She, Eula, and Amber were at the edge of the clearing, in front of a large thorn bush that seemed like an unnatural barrier further into the forest.

“Thank you for stopping me,” she said as she returned the bottle to Amber.

Amber gave a dry laugh. “Well, the other outcome would’ve been more trouble.”

Eula shot up. “We wouldn’t have needed to do anything if you weren’t here.”

“I’m sorry,” Noelle bowed her head. “If you could explain what the situation is, I could be of assistance.”

“Noelle,” Eula said, scrutinizing the maid with her icy glare, “This is not your job.”

Amber moved in between them. “Now, now Eula. No need to be standoffish since we’re all here for the same reasons. Isn’t that right, Noelle?” The outrider nudged Noelle with her elbow.

 “I came to assist the knights, as is a maid’s duty, just as the other maids have been doing,” Noelle said with an even, clipped tone.

When she looked up at Eula, the captain took a step back, crossing her arms as if to ward off Noelle. “Then take those back to Albedo,” Eula pointed to a crate full of jugs and small boxes with writing on them, “If you fail, I’ll have my vengeance.”

The captain stalked off towards the treeline. Amber sighed. “Sorry about that, but please return to Mondstadt as soon as possible. There isn’t much we can do right now.”

“But if something does come up, would you let me help you?”

Amber averted her eyes. “I don’t make those decisions. Be sure to rest up for a bit before you head back.” The Outrider beelined for where Eula had disappeared into the forest, leaving Noelle with the resting knights.

She picked up the crate and walked down the cleared path until she felt sure that no one could see her. Then she set the crate down.

Even if she had been in a walking trance, the clearing had to have existed. She was sure of it. The pain compared to her nightmares before made her sure of it. Noelle closed her eyes to picture the woods from that nightmare. The look of the trees, how the light filtered, how the air smelled. That was the key!

She inhaled deeply, slowly turning until the faintest whiff of the tea-like smell hit her nose. Noelle followed the scent through the forest like a hunting dog, except she felt sicker with each step. Her body was weakening again, telling her to turn back, but she pressed on. The weakness in her body reminded her of that night in Kaeya’s room. That night she had attributed it to the sudden pooling of cologne mixed with her own exhaustion, but now Noelle couldn’t help but think it had to do with the “curse”.

“Kaeya has nothing to do with this.” She thought aloud. Despite his penchant for half-truths and lies, Noelle trusted him. Kaeya worked hard to keep his word to her to about managing the stables together and watched over her with the other knights. But no one, let alone she, could read his mind. His intent.

Suddenly ground raced towards Noelle, and she thrust her hands out to catch her fall. Noelle had tripped over a dried broken branch, and into an area devoid of trees. The clearing from my trance.

She dusted off her skirt and entered the clearing but stopped when a glint caught her eyes in the center. The smell hit her, and she doubled over, struggling not to vomit. Noelle covered her mouth with her hands and slowly stood.

This is the place. This was her chance to do her own recon.

Noelle circled the pond, checking the surface eerie water every few steps in case a creature popped out. She reached down to check the grass. It wasn’t discolored and didn’t feel different compared to the grass just outside the cleared area.

Clink.

The soft sound of metal knocking against a glass object diverted her attention to her foot. In front her armored shoes was a noctilucous jade bottle.

The bottle was nearly identical to the one in Kaeya’s bedroom, save for a difference in the engraving. To Noelle’s memory, Kaeya’s was more elegant in design whereas the one she held in her hand had a jagged, etched appearance on the dark blue stone.

CRACK!

Noelle flipped towards the sound of the snapping branch to see Kaeya at the edge of the area. He had his face covered with a kerchief but pulled it off when he saw her. She put her arms behind her back, praying that Kaeya hadn’t seen the noctilucous jade bottle.

On his approach, Kaeya’s shocked face twisted into irritation which recovered into his neutral pleasant smile. “Noelle, put this on,” he said, gently tying the fabric around her lower face. “Why are you here?”

From his initial reaction, Noelle could tell that he knew that Jean had ordered her to stay away from Springvale. “I was just leaving.” Idiot. “I mean, I finished my task here.”

“Which was?” He cocked his head to the side and flicked his eye past Noelle towards the puddle.

“I was delivering some tools to Captain Albedo.” Noelle slipped the bottle into her skirt pocket. I’ll give it to him after – after what? What could she do on her own? She only realized that everyone, even the other maids, were hiding the events from her after talking with Rolan.

“Albedo’s in town.”

“H-he wasn’t when I arrived, so I went looking for him to let him know,” Noelle said. She was doing her best to stay calm as she did with Eula, but it was always so difficult in front of Kaeya. “Since he’s not here, I’ll be on my way back to Mondstadt.”

“Let me guide you then. This forest is treacherous,” Kaeya said as he took hold of her wrist and dragged her away from the puddle.

It seemed they were the only living things in the forest as they returned to Springvale in silence. There were no birds, no animals, not even the distance sound of a Hilichurl encampment. The wind didn’t blow, and the cool early autumn air was crisper than it had been all day. Noelle shivered.

“Noelle,” Kaeya cut through the silence suddenly, “why were you really in the forest?”

Unlike with Eula, there wasn’t accusation in his tone when he asked the question, but something soft like hurt that pulled at Noelle to be honest. “I was investigating the ‘Brightcrown Curse’.”

“Don’t.” Kaeya sped up, causing Noelle to stumble as she worked to match his stride.

“I was concerned! So many are sick –”

“If you were that concerned about what was going on, why not ask the other maids? Why not ask me?” Kaeya asked, tightening his fingers around Noelle’s wrist. It wasn’t painful, but part of her seized up. Noelle dug her heels and yanked her arm back with ease, causing Kaeya to stumble to a stop. He stood with his back to Noelle and breathed heavily.

She held her wrist, forcing herself to remember all the times Kaeya had touched her gently. “I have asked you. This entire time,” she said, “Yet you always avoid answering. Or worse, you speak circles around me until the topic is so changed that I forget to ask again.”

Kaeya balled his hands into fists, then released them. “I don’t,” he began in a low voice, “I don’t want to talk of bad things with you. If the only hour of peace I get in a day is in those stables, I’ll take it.” When he turned around, his gemlike blue eye glistened in the afternoon light and for once he looked like the young man he was.

Noelle reached out to wipe away whatever might fall from his face with her right hand, but he caught it, interlacing their fingers. He then brought the inside of her wrist to his mouth and kissed it.

“Kaeya. . .” Noelle’s heart clenched as she pushed down the urge to feel his lips against her bare skin. He lowered her arm but continued to hold her hand.

“I apologize for hurting you Noelle,” he said, “and for not being as honest as I could have been. But there will always be something I can’t tell you.”

“Won’t. Something you won’t tell me.” Noelle pulled her hand back. “You’ll always keep secrets because it how you protect. It’s part of your conviction, not mine.”

At her words, Kaeya’s posture straightened. “Conviction? Heh, I don’t have one of those. Duty, though, I have enough of that to last several lifetimes. You should return to headquarters.” Kaeya’s tone was biting, leaving no space for Noelle to respond. She did as she was told.

It wasn’t until morning when she was called to the Grandmaster’s Office. Noelle entered the room, to see Jean reading a report with Eula by her, and Kaeya. The latter sat on the office sofa and didn’t look at her as she entered. When Noelle was positioned in front of her desk, Jean addressed her.

“I heard that you went against my orders of going to Springvale,” Jean said

“I was delivering a box of tools to Sir Albedo.” Noelle responded.

“And you didn’t return immediately. I also heard you met with a Fatui twice,” Jean paused her voice softening, “Are you being forced to do anything?”

“No –”

“What did he say to you?” Eula cut in.

“He had questions about Mondstadt, and I did my best to answer them.”

“Don’t meet with him anymore,” Eula continued in her fierce, commanding tone.

“Eula, please calm down,” Jean’s attempt to calm the captain was futile as Eula continued to prattle on.

“A Fatui of all people! In the middle of this disaster!” Eula put a hand to her face and heaved a moment before regaining her cool. “Did you think in the midst of your ‘maid duties’ that even looking in the direction of a Fatui could be dangerous?”

Noelle was tired of doing things wrong. She wanted to be correct in her decisions for once. At this rate, I’ll never become a knight.

Then he was by her left side, resting a hand on her upper back, between her shoulder blades. Kaeya’s fingers tapped a calming rhythm on her. The cool touch of his fingers against her skin blossomed into warmth, melting away her unsurety. “I can’t vouch for that man, but I whole heartedly trust Noelle. Let’s believe in her decisions.”

Jean clenched her jaw, then sighed. “I understand. But you still went against my orders, so until this incident is over you aren’t allowed to leave Mond.”

“But –” Noelle started, only to be cut off by a raise of Jean’s hand.

“I’ll allow you to help in the infirmary, but only if you don’t leave the city. That is my final decision, Noelle.” It was rare that Jean spoke with the true authority of her position, but this was one of those rare times.

The maid nodded, like a schoolchild being reprimanded. “Yes ma’am.”

“Then this meeting is adjourned.” Jean said, taking her quill to write up the meeting. Noelle exited the office with Kaeya on her heels. She turned for the administrative quarters on the lower levels, wanting to disappear.

“Noelle,” Kaeya called before she got too far, “I meant what I said. I trust you.”

“Thank you, Captain Kaeya. Maybe one day, you’ll tell me the truth.” For a moment, Noelle thought to give him the bottle, but that moment passed, and she went to her room.

[reinaworks]

Crystillized [Genshin Fic] - Chapter 8

By torchlight Kaeya watched as the leader of the hunters’ body shook in sorrow over his friend. Despite being friendly with Diona, the calvary captain didn’t know Draff well, so he kept all words and gestures of comfort to himself. Besides, the other hunters were there for him and all niceties would come off false the moment Kaeya separated the two in order to do his job.

A bad investigator would believe the dead man had jumped from the cliff in a drunken gamble, something Kaeya desperately wanted to believe. He wanted to believe that they weren’t too late and that a citizen they were sworn to protect hadn’t lost his life. But that rotten smell filled the air, sweet and heavy as the dark twilight sky began to drizzle.

The ground crunched from behind, and Albedo took position next to Kaeya. The alchemist let out a deep sigh, the hot air barely visible in the light. “I don’t know how we’ll get the body into the city for examination without raising concern.”

It was heartening that Albedo always managed to get to the point without a hint of melancholy. “I was thinking a box. Is Sucrose on her way?”

“I let her sleep,” Albedo said as his brows knitted, “Even as a bio-alchemist, this might be too much for her.”

How easy it is for him to protect someone. “But she is the expert.”

“That she is.”

It was a few quick strides to Draff, and Kaeya placed a hand on his shoulder. “Draff, Sir Albedo is here to examine the body, so could you come and answer a few questions for me while he does so?”

Kaeya was glad he let Draff be during the initial shock. Where he was incomprehensible only moments before, the older man managed a portion of cool leadership as he spoke.

“He woke up from the camp screaming, then ran off before anyone could stop him. I’ve known him since he was a baby, and he never exhibited anything that would lead to –” Draff choked up as he gestured back towards the scene, “but maybe he had. Maybe I wasn’t looking. ”

The calvary captain let a moment pass before he continued his questioning. “Has anything unusual been happening to the wild animals? Any major changes to the herds?”

“Like in Brightcrown?”

Kaeya felt his mask break for a second and hoped the dark of the morning hid it. “That’s– ”

“I’m a hunter. It’s my job to know about the changes to my way of life. What does that have to do with this?” Draff’s voice laced with anger as he spoke.

“Nothing that’s immediately apparent,” Kaeya said, keeping his own voice even. “The Knights will need to take the body to headquarters for further examination. We’ll return it if the results are negative.”

“If?” Draff reached out and grabbed Kaeya’s collar, shaking the young man. “Tell me what’s going on. Right now.”

The hunter was strong, but the knight was strong as well, so Kaeya placed his hand around Draff’s wrist and squeezed hard until he was freed. Knights and hunters carefully watched their leaders, unsure of how to respond. Kaeya broke the silence that had come over the space.

“The Knights have restricted access to Brightcrown Canyon for the protection of Mond. We are taking the body into our care until further notice. More knights will be stationed in Springvale. That is all.” Kaeya heel turned and left the area. As soon as he knew he was alone, he threw up against a tree. He had had a feeling for a while, but his body’s reaction that morning confirmed it. The abyssal energy was affecting him more than everyone else.

From his first encounter with the strange liquid, he’d barely been able to sleep lest a nightmare arrive. His entire body felt tired and heavy even when he managed to a small rest compared to the other knights that recovered after a night. Just a whiff left him feeling hungover and sick for hours. The smell was still thick around him, and he heaved again until there was nothing remaining in his already empty stomach.

But the worst was the ache in his eye. It was a growing, dull throb that persisted for hours on end, threatening to distract him from his investigation.  I should carve it out, he thought with another dry heave.

“Captain Kaeya?”

“Amber.” Kaeya wiped his mouth and stood straight. “Have you found the location yet?”

Amber shook her head. “No. Visibility is low, so I’ll have to check again when it’s brighter,” she said before directing concern towards him. “Are you feeling well?”

“I’m fine, just the drinks from last night coming back up,” he said with a light laugh. “Check in with Albedo, then return to headquarters for some rest. Bring a partner when you come back out. I’ll report it to Jean.” The Outrider saluted and went on her way.

Mondstadt was still dark when he entered the sleeping city. He walked through the gate, then paused, raising his head towards the stars. They twinkled like jeweled ornaments meant to beautify their ugly world.

Rather than go to his room, Kaeya went to the stables to start work. He washed his mouth out with some fresh well water and begun to sweep. He’d hope the repetitive action of sweeping would clear his head, but the image of the body appeared over and over again. The knights had failed to protect a citizen of Mondstadt, like they had been failing against the Fatui. And now the Abyss Order was involved. He squeezed the broomstick until an audible crack disrupted his thoughts.

Kaeya set the broom aside, lest he break it, and sat on one of the benches, resting his head on the wall. It was sunrise now, and the blue dawn gave way to the golden sunrise which gave way to the red flames that licked at his clothes. The screams of strangers melded with those he recognized. Mondstadt was aflame and there was nothing he could do. But was it Mondstadt? The buildings shifted, changing form between the familiar wooden city and grand stone. The fire began to hurt, but his feet wouldn’t listen to him as he commanded himself to run. He finally broke free but tripped to the ground after a few steps. Kaeya looked to his feet and saw his own sword stuck in a green-eyed woman.  No. No! NO!

“NO!” Kaeya jolted awake, toppling into the person in front of him, then falling to the ground. Still half in the nightmare, Kaeya worked to regain his senses and grasped at the person in front of him. Who?

“Kaeya, wake up.” The voice was soft, gentle but strong like the wind. Kaeya blinked a few times until the living Noelle’s eyes replaced the dead ones. They were wide in shock, but full of concern.

Kaeya scrambled away from Noelle, but he was still sluggish and couldn’t outrun the maid’s arms as she reached out an took him. On her knees, she held his head and shoulders, pulling him against her chest like he was a crying, lost child. I can hear her heartbeat.

Slowly, he raised his own arms until they enveloped part of her, twisting into her skirts as he leaned into her. They stayed silent, wrapped warm around one another in the cold morning.

“Noelle, are you her – Oh my!”

The entangled turned towards the voice as they quickly separated and stood, dusting themselves off. It was the maid, Marta, Noelle’s friend but a gossip. Half the information he knew about the staff had passed through her lips at some point. Shit.

There was nothing Noelle could do except follow Kaeya’s lead as he worked to make light of the situation Marta had walked in on. But what had she walked in on?  Noelle thought. Marta was giving Noelle the same look she had given Noelle at the ball when Kaeya approached them. But Noelle was still unsure of what that look meant. It was Kaeya, the Knights of Favonius Calvary Captain. Still, she worked to calm herself.

“Isn’t that right, Noelle?” Kaeya asked, snapping her back to the present.

“Yes.” She answered on instinct, looking between Marta and Kaeya.

Marta squinted at them, scrutinizing the lie with a lean forward. “So, you bumped into each other while running from a rat?” In sync, Noelle and Kaeya nodded. Marta gave a deep sigh, further entering the stables and picking up a broom. “What are you two, a bunch of horses? I’ll find it and get it out.”

“Thank you, Marta,” Kaeya said in his usual lit, “I’ll be on my way then. Won’t be much use in this situation.” Noelle found herself frozen as Kaeya left the stables.

When she had walked in, he was fitfully asleep, deep in a nightmare that she tried to shake him from for several minutes. For a moment he had scared her, violently knocking her to the ground, but the terror on his face made her want to reach out. She had to reach out.

Without paying attention to Marta, Noelle ran out the stables. She made the right towards headquarters and ran right into Kaeya.

“Kae – ”

The knight placed a hand over her mouth, then bent down. “Thank you,” Kaeya whispered into her ear. His breath was cold against her neck that warmed with a creeping flush. He took a deep breath, as if inhaling her and broke away. Again, Noelle stood  alone, frozen, still feeling his presence against her.

The news of death in Springvale ran through Favonius headquarters like lighting, but while it should have been a complete shock to everyone, most of the knights simply held looks of frustration. Noelle wanted to go straight to Springvale to see if there was anything she could do for the bereaved but held back only because of Jean.

“There’s nothing you can do, Noelle,” the Acting Grandmaster said. Jean’s eyes were tired, yet firm as she looked at the maid.

“Then what should I do?” Noelle asked as she set a cup of fresh tea for Jean.

Jean took a sip then said, “Please go into town and make sure Mondstadt’s citizens are taken care of.”

It was an honorable assignment, but Noelle found that the city needed no more caring than usual, not in the way that the maid usually provided. Instead, everyone rushed around the gray day with looks half thrown over their shoulders. By late morning, there was nothing left for Noelle to do.

She went to Good Hunter, but there was no lunch line like usual. Sara leaned on the counter with her hands in her palms, perking up when she saw Noelle.

“No customers today?” Noelle asked with a cursory glance at the menu.

“Barely,” said Sara, “Most people seem to be holing up at home. Afraid of the curse.”

“Curse?”

“That’s what people are calling it. Even if we don’t know exactly what’s going on, it’s difficult for the Knights to hide their sickness.” Sara explained as she placed a hand on Noelle’s forehead, nodding when she was sure there was no temperature. “I don’t believe the curse part, but the sickness. . .”

The infirmary had been full for weeks with knights in various stages of sickness, but Noelle was forbidden by Lisa from entering the room unlike the other maids. While a mystery illness was ripping through Favonius, and now Springvale, Noelle was pushed aside to do menial tasks. Compared to even Sara, she had no idea what was going on.

“Hello Miss Noelle, Miss Sara. Are you talking about the Brightcrown Curse?”

Noelle looked behind her, and there stood Rolan the Fatui. Sara made a slight scowl at Rolan’s appearance, and Noelle herself kept a cool distance. I’m open to friendship. She reminded herself.

But the young women were shocked. “Even you know about it?” Sara exclaimed.

“It has a name?” Noelle asked. A bell rung and Sara went into the kitchen.

“It’s hard to miss when the knights enter through the front gate.”

“It’s. . .concerning,” Noelle said.

“If you’re concerned, you should ask a knight you’re close with,” Rolan said.

Noelle wanted to, but she also knew that she wouldn’t get an answer. Especially if she asked Kaeya. “If there was information I needed to know as a maid, I’d be informed.”

 “Of course you would, after all, us lower rung folk don’t need to know anything except how to understand an order.” There was deep bitterness in his tone as he inclined his head down. “Then again, those who take initiative get promoted.  At least in the Fatui. Though,” Rolan paused as if remembering something then smiled, “depends on who you work for.”

A giggle slipped from Noelle’s lips at the Fatui’s sudden playfulness. She caught herself, regaining her solemnity. “I have work to finish, so if you have no more questions – ”

“Lunch.”

Lunch? “W-what do you mean?”

“I still have questions about Mondstadt’s,” Rolan moved his hands around himself, “well, everything. You all are a different type than Snezhnayans, and even Liyuens.”

“You’ve been to Liyue?” Noelle had yet to visit the region and hoped to at some point in the future.

“For a while. I asked for a transfer as the guy in charge was very eccentric. It was hard to plan a day,” Rolan said with exasperation.

“That sounds a little like Grandmaster Varka. Even his trip was rather sudden,” Noelle said. She hadn’t gotten a chance to truly get to know the man, but from all the stories impulsiveness was the least of the Favonius’s worries when he was around.

The hour bell rung with its melodic clanging, making the duo jump. The two paused and looked at on another before laughing at their shared shock.

Their lunch was fun, to Noelle’s surprise. Rolan asked about all sorts of topics, from Mondstadt’s ancient history to its cuisine. He mentioned he enjoyed walking in the forests, but avoided Dragonspine as he got enough snow in Snezhnaya. Rolan also loved his shifts by the cathedral as the choir practice was beautiful.

“I hate to admit it, but I am a fan of Deaconess Barbara’s,” he said while shyly poking at his food.

Noelle was surprised in her disappoint of the hours end when the bells rung, but they both had work to do, so they separated with a promise to meet again the next day. She wanted to check out some books on Snezhnaya that night to create questions of her own, but the idea gave her pause. In one hourlong lunch meeting, she had gotten to know a Fatui member, rather she had seen him for who he was.

Kaeya’s terrified expression as he scrambled away from her that morning came to her mind. What did she know about Kaeya? For weeks that had made idle conversation that she suddenly realized lacked depth. As a maid she already knew his like and dislikes, his schedule, even his clothing sizes.

Yet, she didn’t know him. She didn’t know how to get past his cool demeanor or past his subtle way of changing the conversation. That morning was the few times she saw a glimpse of what he truly felt. He clung to her with desperation but then easily played it off, giving no time for Noelle to process what had happened until this moment. But Kaeya was a leader of the Knights, and like the others, he hid things from her.

A curse has been going around the knights.

The rumor replayed in her mind until she returned to headquarters. When she walked in, knights asked if she was free to work, but she declined as she walked upstairs. I’ll have to make it up to them later.

The door to the alchemy lab was closed per usual, and Noelle listened for any noise. She heard a shuffling, then rapped lightly on the door before pushing it open. Inside was the green haired alchemist.  “Sucrose? I have a question.”

[reinaworks]

Crystallized [Genshin Fic] - Interlude

It was simple being left. Stationed in a foreign country, surrounded by people who’d surely despise me if even my heritage were discovered, let alone my reasons for living among them.

It was simple to bow low and put on pleasantries. Simple to disregard and use others. Simple to put myself aside in favor of a unceasing nightmare of vengeful survival. A long lost dream of peace.

Is it an inherited arrogance that pushes me forward? Or could it be pride that the destruction will partly be at my hands?

I want to believe it’s both, but I’m sure it’s neither.

For pride is nothing without the strength to support it, but what is human strength against that of the archons?

[reinaworks]

Crystallized [Genshin Fic] - Chapter 7

Seven days of peace passed for Noelle. Seven quiet mornings of gentle conversation, of brushing and brushing past, of the slow transition between seasons floundering between warmth and cold. Despite the lessened distance between her and Kaeya, the knight still kept her at an arm’s length when it came to certain topics.

When they weren’t reprimanded for freezing the Fatui that assaulted her, Noelle questioned Kaeya, who simply said there was nothing to worry about. As always, the maid pushed the subject, but Kaeya continued to feed the horses. “On our side, the matter is taken care of,” he said with his half smile.

“Then why do you still look so stressed?” Noelle asked as she set down fresh bales of hay. “It must have to do with the sickness that’s going around the Knights recently. As a maid, if I can help in resolving this, I will do my best.”

Kaeya’s lips twitched downward for a moment, before settling back in their previous position. He walked to the bales, cut one open, and begun to spread the fresh hay in the clean stalls. “Your assistance is appreciated, but unnecessary this time. Besides, if you got sick, Favonius would be near inoperable.”

“You jest, Kaeya.” Saying his name without title still felt foreign on her tongue, but each time she did, Noelle felt closer to him.

“Maybe so,” Kaeya began turning to face Noelle as his smile widened, “But I know that I at the very least, would miss these mornings.”

Noelle could feel her cheeks become hot and prayed to the archons she wasn’t red. “So would I.”

With the extra time that morning, Noelle decided to mail her mother a letter. Normally, Noelle wrote one weekly, but with what had happened the previous week, Noelle had put it off. She didn’t want to write anything that’d make her mother make the trek from their small village by Starfell Lake all the way to the city. Noelle would have to visit home soon, as it had been months and she missed her mother. She still wanted to be wrapped in her mother’s arms while being told everything was going to be okay.

When Noelle finished paying the courier, she intended to return to headquarters, but wanted to relax a bit more. The mornings were cooling and soon casual walks would require more effort to endure the weather. A light breeze blew as she navigated the streets with the other early risers.

“Miss Noelle?”

The voice wasn’t familiar, but when she saw the owner, her foot slid back unconsciously. It was a Fatui. Her throat was thick but she managed to speak. “How can I be of service?”

“I’ve wanted to talk to you. To apologize.”

“For what reason?” She could tell it wasn’t the man who attacked her. This man was tall with dark blonde hair and awkward mannerisms, but the black holes all the Fatui masks had made her incredibly uneasy.

“The ball. Every time I went to Favonius headquarters, I was turned away. I was going to the courier to send you a letter,” the Fatui shook the envelope in his hand, “but here you are.”

“Yes, here I am. And you are?” The mention of the ball set Noelle on edge, but she kept calm. I won’t run away.

“Rolan, from Snezhnaya. I know most of Mondstadt is. . .wary of us, to put it lightly, but could I treat you to cup of coffee?” His smile wasn’t disarming, just uncomfortable for him. Like his mouth wasn’t used to it. But there were no alarms going off in Noelle’s mind.

Because he’s a Fatui.

Kaeya’s words played in her head as she let the silence between them extend.

But aren’t Fatui human? Noelle’s own thoughts questioned. Mondstadters were wary of Fatui because the group were seclusionist, brusque ambassadors that had taken up residence in their country. Yet here was one making overtures towards Noelle. Yes, the ball had ended disastrously for her, but the time until that moment, she was making connections with knights and Fatui.

“I’ll take tea.” The words slipped out before Noelle could fully comprehend them, but it didn’t feel wrong. Noelle led short distance to the café she had been walking to before the Fatui approached her. They ordered at the counter and quickly sat at a table.

Noelle sat coolly, her hands in her lap. The Fatui that called himself Rolan sat across from her, unrelaxed as well. Neither spoke, even when their drinks were set in front of them. Rolan sipped from his cup, but Noelle was content to let hers turn cold. The Fatui set his glass down and cleared his throat.

“That man is gone from Mondstadt.”

The maid’s eyes widened, but she kept her mouth tight, waiting for Rolan to explain.

“I saw your Captain freeze him. He was searching for you before then and asked me about you. He had a rather frantic look on his face, which had me concerned.”

In shock, Noelle sipped her tea. It was bitter. “Then you saw.”

Rolan’s posture hardened. “Had I known he’d try that, I would have dragged him back inside even if it made a scene. I made sure he didn’t get thawed for an hour, not that the ice was easy to melt. He ended up sick and with frostbite”

Oddly, Rolan’s words comforted Noelle. That that man had suffered made her glad. I shouldn’t be glad at another’s suffering. “And he’s gone now?”

“To explain the ice, I said I saw him cursing the Archons and then get struck,” Rolan said with a soft chuckle. “So, again, I apologize for not noticing.”

“Th-thank you.” They quickly finished their drinks and stood to depart.

“Miss Noelle?” Rolan spoke with his head slightly bowed, “I’d like to talk again. I mean, at the ball, you had many interesting things to say about Mondstadt that I wanted to know more about.”

“I’m always working, but I’ll ask the knights not to turn you away if you call upon me again.” Noelle curtsied, then in a daze, wandered back to the stables.

The conversation with the Fatui, with Rolan, more that he asked to see her again was unusual. That she didn’t outright say no, felt like a betrayal to the Knights more than to herself.

“Marie, I-I don’t know what to do,” Noelle spoke into the mare’s neck, tears falling, “I don’t think all Fatui are bad. I just- ” Like a phantom, she felt that man on her body again. She gripped the spot he kissed on her neck, ready to rip it out, but then she remembered Kaeya’s touches. Far less they had been, but stronger, better. Noelle calmed herself, removing her hold on her neck.

Because he’s a Fatui.

If Noelle had been a child, she would have believed those words spoken in surety without question. She wasn’t a child though. She was nearly 18 and had to make her own conclusions if she was to become a knight and not burden those around her with her faults.

For seven days Kaeya hadn’t had a full night of sleep. Between visiting the poisonous pond and the alchemy lab, the exposure to the liquid was constant. Every night he stayed up until exhaustion took him unawares, then woke up in a sweat so cold even he shivered. The same nightmare came over and over with slight changes to whose throat he had wrapped his hands around, with Mondstadt always burning around him.

But every morning, he had his piece of peace. Quietly working with Noelle as promised was more calming than he had anticipated. It reminded him of one of the reasons he joined the cavalry to begin with: he actually loved horses. Kaeya sighed deeply that he had forgotten such a simple thing, but it made sense that it’d get lost among the more pressing concerns in his life. Still, though he was becoming more coffee than wine, he’d be glad to if it meant being around Noelle.

She had changed a bit the past week. While still attentive and thorough, she had taken on a calmness that was at times worrisome. It was like part of her had collapsed and what was rebuilt had the same shell but different bones. Getting hurt changes people, Kaeya reminded himself. At times, even he didn’t recognize who he had grown to become or who he had intended to be in the first place. Unconsciously, he placed his hand to his eyepatch.

The Favonius alchemy lab was a mess only a genius could make sense of. Despite Kaeya having spent hours here the day before, the chalkboard had new theory and the scattered papers new formulas. Albedo stood at the head of the worktable, pencil in one hand and the other nudging a sleeping Sucrose awake as Kaeya approached. Both alchemists had dark circles under their eyes.

“I hope there’s good news,” Kaeya said as he cleared some books from a chair to sit.

Albedo shook his head. “New news, none of it good.” The head alchemist slid a file to Kaeya, who flipped it open and attempted to understand what it said. When he saw the conclusion, his eye went wide in shock.

Abyssal Energy.

“N-no.” Kaeya was gutted. It had been lurking at the back of his mind, a dark truth he avoided confronting. There was no known poison that caused nightmares, but Kaeya had hope that Favonius’s three strongest minds could find one. It would have been so easy to wall it up, prohibit people from entering the area, and forget it existed. But his life was never easy.

“We’ve run the tests multiple times,” Albedo began, “starting with the blood taken by Sucrose last week and finally ran it against crimson agates from Dragonspine. They were at different levels, but the origin was the same.”

“How’d you even make that jump in the first place?” Kaeya asked.

Sucrose adjusted her glasses and answered. “I kept finding very slight, but inhuman readings in our tests. Natural poisons don’t change a body’s composition. We worked through the night to be sure.”

“Not that we would’ve been able to sleep long given the amount of our exposure.” Albedo finally sat down. “So, with one question answered, more fill it’s place.”

Kaeya returned his darkening gaze to the file. “How exciting.”

“It is, isn’t it?” Sucrose said with a lightness to her voice. Albedo let out a dry laugh, but Kaeya knew he felt the same as Sucrose. They had an interesting experiment, while Kaeya had a dangerous investigation.

Kaeya didn’t want to tell the Acting Grandmaster that someone had somehow liquified abyssal energy to poison Mondstadt when he didn’t know who, but it was only a matter of time before the issue would expand beyond the Knights. So, as he watched Jean’s eyes harden, he knew his time until the issue was resolved would be fully dedicated to resolving the issue.

“I’ll make a written report as an addendum to the alchemical findings to be distributed to the rest of the captains,” Kaeya said, “Are we to tell those without rank?”

Jean sighed deeply as she stared out the window. An unfamiliar person would think she was watching the afternoon sky, but Kaeya knew Jean was watching her weary reflection. “We’ll say it’s a dangerous poison of currently unknown origin and block up the pond the best we can. Keep it from the citizens, and ban the Adventures Guild from the area until this gets settled. We don’t want a panic.”

“I understand.” Kaeya left the office in haste, questions flooding his mind.

Who put the pond there? How’d they synthesize abyssal energy? Why are people affected differently? Are they in the city? When will they poison the wells? The lakes? All the fresh water? Who? Who? Who?

“Noelle was sitting with a Fatui this morning.”

The sentence caught Kaeya off guard, and he stopped his movement upstairs, listening in. It was a group of lower knights.

“It looked like an awkward date,” the knight continued.

“I can’t imagine that,” another cut in. “Even after the ball, she doesn’t seem the type.”

“I’m more concerned that it was a Fatui. What if they take her from us?” said the third. “Think of those extra tasks we’d foisted off, we’d have to suddenly do them.”

The trio laughed, until their throats became cold, dried, then finally constricted.

“It’s funny, that your concern lies not with the welfare of our citizens,” Kaeya said on his approach, “and that you also forgot Section Three of the handbook: Concerning Noelle.” The knights fell to their knees horrified and unable to choke out verbal apologies. “Tell me, was the consequence worth it?”

A sudden flash of his nightmares appeared in his mind and Kaeya stopped. The knights found themselves able to breath again but shivered. He heard a lieutenant calling his name. Kaeya took a few more deep breathes before ordering the knights confined overnight after they recieved medical care. He then went outside.

He walked to the pathway entrance of Favonius headquarters to wait for Noelle. She always returned from her work in the city thirty minutes before sundown. It was a negotiated curfew to make sure she didn’t miss dinner. She was Mondstadt’s Maid. Kind, helpful, hardworking. An icon more than a person.

I was going to kill them.

He wanted to blame the abyssal exposure or his lack of sleep, but Kaeya knew it’d be an excuse. He had a bad personality to begin with and everything else was an add on.

The sound of clacking heels and armor came close.

“Noelle,” Kaeya said, chest rising high in anticipatory breath.

“Captain Kaeya.” She curtsied as she used his rank to address him due to being in front of others.

“I have a request.” Kaeya glanced at the knights standing guard. “It’s about the horses. Come with me to the stables.” He turned without waiting for her. Noelle would follow any request within reason, and Kaeya’s was very reasonable.

The early sunset light streamed through the windows of the stable, creating an eerie glow to what was normally a haven. Kaeya about faced and took in Noelle’s concerned face.

“Is everything alright?” She asked.

“I heard you met with a Fatui today.” Kaeya wanted her to be shocked and say it was a lie with an embarrassed look away, but Noelle stared at him straight on.

“I did.”

“Can I ask why?”

Noelle shifted her feet, but didn’t disconnect eye contact. She is changed.

“It was an apology. And a request.”

Kaeya raised an eyebrow. “What was it?”

“Didn’t you bring me here to talk about the horses?” She gave way and went to one of the pens, petting Adal who had her head sticking out. “Adal should be due in two or three weeks.”

“What was the request Noelle.” Kaeya’s voice was firm.

Noelle stopped petting. “Is that an order to answer?” The expression on her face was cold, as if hiding hurt, and Kaeya took a step back. This wasn’t how he spoke, and certainly not how he spoke to her.

“No, but if you can take a request from a Fatui,” he said evening out his temper, “can you take one from me? A personal request out of friendship?”

“What is your request, Kaeya?” Noelle walked closer, her hands behind her so that her shoulders were rolled back. A major change from her closed demeanor moments before. The maid’s ears had perked up at the word “friendship”. That was what they were forming, Kaeya knew, and he didn’t want to hurt her.

“Don’t see that Fatui again.”

“I’m sorry,” Noelle spoke with a turn away, “but I have to deny that.”

Kaeya followed her steps. “I’m concerned for your safety. As you know, things have been concerning lately.”

“That doesn’t mean that he’s behind it.”

“No, but our relationship with the Fatui isn’t the best.”

“Wasn’t the ball meant to bridge that gap?” Noelle’s eyebrows were pushing together in frustration.

“Yes,” Kaeya lied.

“Then why must you to see the worst in them?”

“I have to.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m a captain of the Knights of Favonius. It’s my job to protect this city.” He placed a hand on her shoulder, stopping her walk. “To protect you. So please, Noelle, don’t meet with any Fatui.”

Her shouldered rose and fell with her breath for a few moments, then she rested her hand on top of his. “I have to deny your request, Kaeya. For my own sake.”

He slid his hand off. The light in the stables was low now, and they were becoming visibly muted in the growing dark. “I see,” Kaeya said as he left her.

“Kaeya!” Noelle called out, worry lacing his name.

The captain looked back at Noelle. “Don’t worry, I’ll see you in the morning. I promised, didn’t I?”

That night, he was restless, not from the nightmares, but his own concerns. It was true that he had formed a surprising friendship with Noelle, but how did she think about him? Was he just her captain? The idea that he might’ve damaged another relationship in his life coiled deep into his thoughts until he woke to banging on his doors.

Kaeya woke and put on his robe, letting his hair cover his right eye. When he opened his door, it was Amber. “What’s happened?”

“Some one has died,” Amber said, “a citizen in Springvale.”

[reinaworks]

Crystallized [Genshin Fic] - Chapter 6

She was the singular point from which all beauty extended in the room. Noelle’s cool colored hair was pulled back, showcasing her soft features and round green eyes that widened in surprise as she took the room in. In another life, her floral dress should have been a wedding gown. Kaeya watched her cheeks flush and eyes close as she remained paused just a few feet from the door. The whole room watched.

Kaeya moved from his spot against a wall, unintendedly ending the conversation he was having with some of the Favonius vice-captains. “Noelle,” he whispered into her ear. She didn’t stir. He inhaled to speak again, catching a light smell of roses, and had to stop himself from inhaling her again. “Noelle.” Her eyes opened slowly, in nervous recognition.

“Captain Kaeya,” she said focusing to him as he gave her space.

One of the maids he wasn’t too familiar with, Marta, made a bad excuse to leave Noelle with him after giving a look that Kaeya knew to be a misinterpretation of him and Noelle. He wanted to clarify, but the other woman was already dancing. Noelle quietly called after, but was left standing without any of the women she arrived with.

“Captain, you look nice,” Noelle finally said, attentively taking him in. His body tensed under her quick scrutiny. I did much of the same only minutes ago. That reminding thought relaxed him.

“Thank you, Noelle. You on the other hand,” Kaeya took in the brightness of her eyes, “you look beautiful.” As she always did with him, she looked away.

“T-thank you.”

Kaeya watched her flush deepen. He knew that she was unused to attending a ball, and so would everyone else if he left her in that spot. Also, Lisa would have more than words to give him after she made him promise to look out for the younger maid at the ball.

“Shall we get something to drink?” Kaeya held out his left arm for Noelle, which she lightly wrapped her hand around. The two strolled to the bar, Noelle’s little exclamations of awe puncturing the delicate silence. Kaeya’s mouth upturned slightly at the sight of her. “The horses missed you in the stables this morning. Marie was particularly inconsolable.”

Noelle blinked several times in surprise. “You were there?”

“I was commanded to do so, among other things. But,” Kaeya stopped himself. What was he to say? That he would have been there regardless? “But, it’s peaceful work, so I didn’t mind.”

“Thank you, Captain Kaeya. I was worried this morning, but your hands are ones I’m glad to leave them in,” Noelle said as her own smile finally reached her eyes. There was only honest gratitude in them. No searching, no desire for something more than what he had given. Kaeya wanted to leave, but they were at the bar.

“What is it that you want?” The small bartender with cat ears asked, “And don’t say wine.”

Kaeya chuckled. “But you already know my tastes, Diona. Especially since Dawn Winery supplied the vintage.”

Diona puffed her cheeks but poured him a glass of wine. “It’s the same as your last glass. Plain. Boring.”

“Your ‘last glass’?” Noelle asked.

“I decided to have a glass or two since you did arrive late,” Kaeya playfully said, taking his glass from Diona.

“I-I did. . . not that I wanted to.” Noelle’s lip stuck out in a pout. Diona quickly put together a drink for Noelle, then thrust out the glass.

“It’s non-alcoholic and far better than a plain glass of wine!”

Noelle, with small hesitation, swirled her glass and took a sip. Her eyes widened as she took a longer draught. “This cocktail is amazing to be without alcohol!” Noelle said as she came up for air, swirling her glass again. “Miss Diona, please teach me sometime!”

The girl’s ears twitched and flattened a little as she worked to hide her prideful smile. “Well, if you insist.”

Kaeya stayed a moment as the two deepened their discussion, and quietly left. Noelle will be fine. He thought looking back at the now relaxed young woman speaking animatedly with the bartender and another knight. As he made his rounds as Calvary Captain, he made sure to sure to be more than cordial to the Fatui members he was compelled to speak out of rank formality. He found himself in a dance, but his partner was incredibly uncoordinated and the captain was thankful when the music ended.

Occasionally, Kaeya would scan the room for Noelle, due to his promise to Lisa, and see her conversing with even Fatui members. At those moments, Kaeya’s pulse quickened until he remembered that Noelle had a good head on her shoulders, then he’d return his full attention back to his own group.

“It’s difficult to tell who’s good looking among the Fatui, due to the masks. But I guess that makes our interactions more honest.” A female diplomat said.

Fatui? Honest? Kaeya worked to ground himself back into the conversation after purposefully blanking out. “In what way?”

“Take for example one of your maids. That helpful one,” The Fatui’s mouth curled upward, “She’s quite beautiful, but just who noticed her before tonight?”

The captain twisted his own mouth. “Miss Noelle is well known among Mondstat for her kindness and honesty. Far more than your people are currently.”

The diplomat sipped her drink. “Is that why you approached her so quickly upon her entrance? For her kindness?”

Kaeya’s eyebrow twitched in annoyance, but the diplomat was right to question why he had approached Noelle before anyone else. It was because Lisa asked me to look out for her. No, it was because of Jean. Kaeya pushed those thoughts aside. “You should try one of Miss Diona’s cocktails. I heard she made a special one from your Snezhnayan fire-water.”

“I think I will.”

They gave the other a curt nod and separated. Free, Kaeya looked around the room. He didn’t see Noelle. She was the beauty of the night and she had been missing for over ten minutes. Normally he wouldn’t be worried, but if anything happened, Noelle would try not to cause a scene for the sake of Favonius. Kaeya walked the room in a casual manner but couldn’t find her amongst the crowd. Jean had put the young woman in his charge long before, but Lisa had commanded he keep his eye on her at the event, and he had failed to do that. One of those women angry at him was enough, but two?

He was about to walk into the kitchen to see if she had “wandered” back there to do work, then he saw both knights and Fatui members entering the ballroom from the door to the balcony. He felt idiotic to not have checked there first.

But Noelle wasn’t in that group. Still, he walked towards it, accidently bumping into a Fatui on his way. “I’m sorry,” Kaeya said amicably. He had ten pieces of conversation ready to diffuse the situation.

Surprisingly, the Fatui member didn’t get aggressive like they might have normally. Instead, the man smiled in the manner a drunk does when they’re happy. “Don’t worry, Captain Alberich. This is a happy night.”

Something about the man’s passivity felt off to Kaeya, but the knight chalked it up to a Fatui being nice for once. “Have you seen a young woman with silver-lavender hair?”

The Fatui nodded, pointing towards the balcony, and Kaeya relaxed a moment. “They should still be out there.”

They.

Who would be out there with Noelle? Noelle was the type to get tricked into buying cheap ore if the seller cried in front of her. Kaeya continued to the door and slipped onto the balcony. Then for the first time in a long time, pure rage boiled in his stomach threatening to explode if he lost control for even a second.

A male Fatui held her against him, his face smushed into her neck. Noelle’s face was turned away from the man towards the balcony door, and Kaeya saw her eyes glassed with tears. It became so cold, even Kaeya shivered as he walked towards the man. A blade of ice formed in his hand.

When Noelle was done with her conversation at the bar, she realized Kaeya was gone. He had slinked away while she devoted her attention elsewhere. She was terrified that he had hurt him after he had taken the time to help her calm her nerves, and searched the ballroom for him in order to apologize. But she saw him already in a conversation with other people. Maybe tomorrow morning I’ll be able to. She thought, before realizing that he’d have no reason to be at the stables that morning.

Noelle saw Barbara among a throng of people and went to her. “Barbara!”

“Noelle!” The deaconess managed to separate herself from the fans and nearly tumbled into the maid. Standing straight, she took in Noelle. “You look amazing!”

“So do you!” Noelle responded in truth. Barbara wore her formal church vestments, but on her they were as fine as any gown.

“Are you having a good time?”

“Honestly, I’m at a lost. Normally I’m working, so I don’t know what to do. . .” Noelle glanced around the ballroom and saw Kaeya dancing with a woman, then quickly looked away. “It’s all very confusing.”

“I get it. Sometimes you just don’t know who to talk to. For now,” Barbara put a finger to her lips, “Why don’t we stand here and let people talk to us.”

Noelle’s eyes widened at the thought. “That’s-”

“Exactly what we should do.” Barbara’s eyes flicked behind Noelle. “I think it’d allow them to catch their breath.”

Noelle turned to see a few men, both knights and Fatui, quickly look away then back at them. The maid knew she was blushing. Barbara sat the two of them in chairs and like on queue, the two young women were surrounded. Before long the group mixed in gender and affiliation. Noelle worked to keep up, her broad knowledge base delighting those around. But at times, her eyes and mind would drift to the blue haired man on the other side of the ballroom.

“Of course the stars look better in Mondstadt. We don’t have a blizzard blocking them,” a knight said, bringing Noelle back.

“We can’t help that! But when our stars shine, it beats anything this city could show,” argued a male Fatui.

“Let’s put that statement to the test.” Before anyone could dissent, the group moved onto the hotel balcony. Noelle was glad for the fresh air and breathed deep as she walked to the railing, glad to put some distance between her and the group. She listened as the argument continued, pointing out constellations to herself.

“That’s enough fresh air for me!” One of the knights said to mutual assents, certainly tired from the pointless discussion.

The group went back towards the door, but Noelle wasn’t prepared to reenter the hall and be surrounded by others. She didn’t want to see the calvary captain dance with someone else.  “I’m going to stay outside for a few more minutes.”

“I’ll stay out here with you,” the Fatui who had been part of the star argument said.

“Don’t worry, I won’t be long.”

“It’s no issue, Miss. A beauty shouldn’t be by herself.” He didn’t move to be by her side, but Noelle paid it no mind. Then, as if waiting until the second the door back to the ballroom shut, from behind the Fatui placed one hand on her hip and kissed her neck. Noelle jumped.

“Please let go of me.” Noelle moved away from him, but he put his arm on the other side of the railing, blocking her. She turned to him so that her back was against the railing. There were no eyes to plead to behind the mask. Her pulse rose and her voice was caught in her throat.

“Hey, hey. It’s just a kiss or two.” He reached for her again, but Noelle brushed him aside. There was alcohol on his breath, but that wasn’t an excuse.

“I’d like to go inside.” Her voice quivered as she restrained herself.

“We don’t wanna cause a scene and ruin tonight for the rest of the knights, do we?” His words caught her. She thought back to all the excitement and preparation of the last few days. She’d be to blame if it all amounted to nothing.

Noelle could’ve thrown him off, yet Noelle felt trapped as she held tight to the railing while the man sloppily moved his mouth down her neck. I won’t ruin tonight. I won’t ruin it for everyone. Noelle kept her body rigid, only moving her face as far away as she could from his. She looked at the stars until they became blurry. Then watched as the lamps on the balcony covered in condensation. How long had this moment lasted?

The night was cold for late summer. She let out a breath and watched it mist. “Wha-” Noelle’s eyes focused ahead. A white clad figure stalked towards them.  “Captain Kaeya,” she choked out.

“Who?” The Fatui man looked up at Noelle, then followed her eyes to Kaeya.

“Let’s not make a scene,” Kaeya said through gritted teeth as he held his weapon at the ready, “Step away from the young lady.”

The man pushed away from Noelle and walked towards Kaeya. “Don’t tell me what to do, Knight.”

Noelle watched as the ice sword was lifted up and arced downward with incredible speed. The Fatui assailant didn’t move. It was only by the flicker of the lamp could Noelle see the sparkle of ice over the man.  Kaeya stepped around the human statue as the sword melted in his hand. “You’re lucky it was me who stopped you. Had our maid been the one,” Kaeya moved his eye to where Noelle gripped the balcony. She moved it and part of the stone railing crumbled.

“C-captain,” Noelle began, “I-I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize.” He stood on the balcony railing and held his hand out for her. “For now, let’s leave.” There was a darkness that danced on his face, but it wasn’t directed at her. Noelle took his hand, and was guided onto the railing. They stood together as Kaeya created a slide of sorts as an escape route. Noelle went down first, not wanting to be on the balcony any longer, and the cold forced a yelp out of her that she stifled with her hand.

She shivered in front of the hotel, unsure if the shaking was from her own distress or the ice structure. I’m an idiot. So stupid. Why was I there? Why didn’t I follow them? Why didn’t I leave? Why? Why? Why? Noelle walked away from the hotel, her fond memories of the night now stained with her own idiocy. Always her own idiocy. Every mess up was her fault because she wasn’t good enough. Wasn’t smart enough. She couldn’t move fast enough. A jacket draped over her shoulders, but the shivering didn’t stop even as her feet did in a back street of Mondstadt. With a thin voice, she strained out, “Why?”

“Because he’s a Fatui.” The calvary captained answered from behind her. Noelle rounded on him.

“That can’t be all,” she pleaded, “There has to be something else.”

Kaeya’s face was still darkened, but somber. “What if there isn’t?”

“What about me? Chastise me. Tell me to be better,” Noelle demanded as she grabbed his vest. Kaeya moved with her strength as she shook.

“There’s a lot a want to say. But I’ll start and end with it wasn’t your fault.” His voice wasn’t gentle, but authoritative in the way he used when he was absolutely sure about some task.

Noelle’s lip quivered and she fell against his chest. She wanted her mother, or Barbara and Marta, but Kaeya was the only one there. She twisted her hands into his vest, uncaring if it ripped. A hand placed itself lightly on her head and another over one of her fists, the thumb rubbing circles over it. Then Noelle sobbed. Loud, erratic, despairing and thankful.

A drizzle began, but Noelle didn’t want to move from that spot. Her one piece of comfort in that night. “Noelle,” Kaeya’s voice was soft now, “let’s get out of this rain.”

Reluctantly, she separated from him, but kept her face downcast as they walked. Their arms occasionally glanced each other, and Noelle felt childish for wanting him to grasp her hand again. Soon, they were in front of Angel’s Share. Kaeya paused before opening the door, and Noelle looked up to see what was at issue, only to watch as his entire demeanor changed from hard to his typical nonchalant attitude.

When Kaeya opened the door to the tavern, Diluc’s face at seeing the two wet rats was instantly cataloged in the knight’s top ten annoyed Diluc faces. The bar owner slammed his hands down on the bartop, the noise of which instantly caused all noise to halt. When the confused patrons saw it was Kaeya at the door, they continued their night without concern.

Kaeya gestured for Noelle to enter. She did, but stood by the doorway instead of walking up to the bar with Kaeya. He leaned against the bar. “Do you have any towels?”

“And why are you here?” Diluc asked with a cut of his eyes.

“For towels. And a drink.”

Diluc looked past Kaeya at Noelle. Kaeya knew she still looked shaken. “There’s an extra uniform for her until her clothes dry.”

“Thanks.” Kaeya turned back to Noelle, and gestured for her to come up to the bar. “Noelle, you know Diluc.”

Noelle curtsied. “Yes, made deliveries here before.”

Diluc smiled, to Kaeya’s shock. “You’ve also helped us during a few festivals, Noelle. There’s some dry clothes in the back, if you’d like to get into something warm as your gown dries.” Diluc pointed to a doorway.

“Thank you, Mister Diluc.” Noelle followed the gesture and entered, looking back at Kaeya as she closed the door. In the light, Kaeya saw her hollowed. Her makeup was beyond smudged and her delicately styled hair was a mess. And like a cruel idiot, he had showed it all to the bar. At least it began to rain. Maybe they’ll think nothing of it.  A towel hit Kaeya directly in the face. He took it and dried his hair.

“No change of clothes for me Master Diluc?”

“You asked for towels and a drink.” A cup of wine was set in front of Kaeya.

“So kind.”

Diluc served another customer, and when it was the two of them alone again at the bar, the bartender spoke. “There’s been whispers of a sickness among the knights.”

Kaeya had put a moratorium on discussions about Brightcrown Canyon among Favonius, but the constant shift changes and pallid appearances of the returning knights was bound to lend to gossip. “If there’s anything to say, we’ll say it when it’s appropriate,” Kaeya said with a smile.

“Your expression doesn’t match your tone.”

Kaeya raised an eyebrow, but kept his cordial grin. “It must be because I’m a tad angry.”

“Hmm.”

“I may have caused a diplomatic incident.”

The knight watched as Diluc’s eye twitched. “Again?” he asked through a clenched jaw. Kaeya only raised his cup in a toast. The backroom door opened to reveal Noelle in an oversized servers uniform that she had cuffed at the wrists and ankles. Her face was cleaned of the makeup, but her eyes had red circles around them. Kaeya’s false smile disappeared. In her white knuckled hands was her wet dress. Diluc pointed to the fireplace. “There should be a hook you can hang it on. Are you hungry?”

Noelle shook her head. “Thank you, but I’m not hungry.”

“I’ll make you some coffee.”

The maid nodded and went to hand her dress. She walked past Kaeya, but he kept his mouth shut. Instead he watched her sloped shoulders and her downcast head, which hung nearly as low as when she’d fail the knights exam.

He thought of Jean assigning him to watch over Noelle and Lisa’s forced promise for that night. He thought of his birthfather tasking him with the impossible. His poison fueled nightmares showing the inevitable.

Everyone curses me with some type of duty. Kaeya thought as his empty cup hit the table. He let out a low, dry laugh that caught Diluc’s attention.

“One man drinking his sorrows away is enough for my bar.”

“Is that why you no longer drink?” Kaeya’s smile was devoid of any sentiment.

Diluc scowled before picking up a flagon and wiping it out. “I do drink. Just not like you. Not for your reasons.”

“Pray, tell me of those reasons. I’d want to know how those differ from the Darkkn-”

Diluc slammed a freshly opened wine bottle in front of Kaeya. “It’s on your tab.”

“Much thanks.” Kaeya refilled his cup and returned to watching Noelle. Instead of returning to the bar, she now acted as one of the servers. She had her curses and he had his.

Refilling drinks and serving food kept Noelle’s mind busy. She was thankful that Diluc didn’t say anything when she slid into his servers’ ranks. But in spite of her attempts to clear her mind, her eyes would wander to the drying dress.

I wish it’d fall into the fire.

Noelle came to a sudden stop. The dress had been a gift and she resented her thoughts that want to destroy such good will. But she also didn’t know what to do with it. It was a ballgown, and they’d left the ball. Noelle clenched the empty tray she had in hand until she heard it crack. The line stopped halfway through the tray. Destruction of property. Another regret to the list.

Wine. Beer. Skewer. More wine. Mop a spill. Another skewer. Wipe a table. The night passed and it was nearly sunrise when she remembered her coffee. By then chairs were being stacked on tables and the night servers were on their way home. The fire had raged all night and now burned in low, ash covered embers. Noelle knew her dress was dry without checking.

“Are you ready to leave, Noelle?” Kaeya asked snapping her out of her daze. The exhaustion of the night was nowhere to be seen on him, there was barely a dark circle.

“Leave? I-I suppose even if I wasn’t we’d have to go,” she said to him with a weak smile. “I’ll go change.” Noelle took her dress off the hook and went to the backroom. Diluc was in the back, marking inventory. He looked up from his paper.

“I’ll wait to finish.” He went to the door, then paused. “If things get out of hand, the knights won’t be able to do much. But I’m not a knight.” Diluc then left the room.

Noelle was surprised, but felt comfort in his words. She washed her face in the water basin and examined herself in the mirror as she had that night. When she first changed out of her wet gown, she had scrubbed her neck until it felt raw and clean. Now, she tried to recognize the person in front of her. The maid was tired, but she no longer looked in distress.  Noelle stared, unblinking into her green eyes until they dried. It was painful to put on the gown again, but Noelle didn’t want to put Diluc out more than she had already. She pushed strands of hair around, but nothing looked right.

Her mother’s worst nightmare about her daughter’s honest nature had nearly come true. Or it had come true. Noelle wasn’t sure, but she’d have to take care of herself from now on. No more mess ups. No more burdens. I refuse to be saved when I can save myself.

When the maid exited the backroom, only Diluc was in the bar. He pointed with his head while wiping down a counter. “He’s outside.”

Kaeya leaned against the wall by the door. His wore his white suit jacket, but his vest and the top part of his shirt was unbuttoned. His eye was closed as he took in the bit of peace before twilight ended. Noelle didn’t want to bother him, but slowly, he opened his eye to look at her. “Ready to return?”

No. “Yes, let’s go home.”

Something piqued in the captain’s eye. “Headquarters? Home?” He stood straight and started towards Favonius Headquarters. “I don’t think I’ve ever called it that.”

Noelle fell in easy step beside him. “It’s where we live isn’t it?”

“Home should be more than a place you live.”

Pieces of Mondstadt came alive as Noelle’s questions hung on her tongue before dropping into silence. Side by side they walked the city, unspeaking yet comfortable. Together they strode past the turn for headquarters, as if both knew the other didn’t want to return to their “not home” home just yet. Then, in silent understanding, the duo raced the sunrise, listening to the Cathedral bells chime as they climbed the stairs. Breathless, they went to the edge of the Cathedral plaza, where Mondstadt lay picturesque below them.

“Thank you for last night,” Noelle blurted after she caught her breath.

“You have a habit of saying ‘thank you’ and ‘I’m sorry’ for things you don’t need to.” Kaeya said through his own heaving breaths.

“It’s etiquite.”

“Well,” Kaeya ran a hand through his bangs, “with me, at least in private, you don’t have to be proper.”

“T-that. . .” was what Noelle wanted to do. To bridge the formality between them. “That will be nice, Captain.”

Kaeya playfully sighed. “Not ‘captain’. Just Kaeya.”

Noelle couldn’t help but laugh at her immediate mess up. “Kaeya.”

She turned to Kaeya wanting to express her gratitude again, but was on his right side, unable to look him in the eye. She always seemed to be in a position where she couldn’t fully see him. He was always close yet far away. The time where they’d only meet in passing or when he was assigning her a task felt a time past. The last two days, Kaeya and been a part of Noelle’s life, rather than just in it.

She watched the sunlight change colors on him, then, as if against sense, she reached upward to his face, softly moving her left hand under his bangs. Kaeya turned into her palm and gently touched her wrist. “Is everything alright, Noelle?” the knight said in soft confusion.

“Don’t leave me alone,” Noelle said without thinking.

Kaeya lowered her hand from his face. “I plan to drop you off safely, back at headquarters.”

“That’s not what I mean.” But what did she mean? She bit her lip, not understanding herself. All she knew was that in that moment, she wanted to see him. But he was there in front of her. “Please, continue to come to the stables.”

For one moment the knight became as clear as the sky above them. “I understand. I will,” he said as his fingers moved from her wrist to her hand. “We never danced together last night.”

“No, we didn’t.” There were many things Noelle regretted from that night, and missing a dance was at the bottom of the list, but as Kaeya pulled her into position, Noelle felt a weight lift from her shoulders. It was the first time in his presence that she wasn’t nervous. Then for the first time in a long time, possibly for the first time in her remembered life she emptied her mind of regrets and breathed.

They danced to bells and the music the birds made, their heartbeats keeping time.

[reinaworks]

Crystallized [Genshin Fic] - Chapter 5

The maid stood partnerless among the dancers as they swirled about her, watching the Calvary Captain retreat. Even if she accepted him saying their mess up was his fault, she still hurt him when she stepped on him. Noelle hung her head embarrassed and saw a piece of wrapped candy on the ground.

Did he drop this? Noelle picked the candy up before it was stepped on and moved out of the way of the remaining dancers. She thought to return it to him, but if it turned out to be a random piece of trash, it’d make the day more awkward between them. Noelle pocketed the piece and went to go meet the other maids for their shopping trip.

She only had to wait a few minutes for the other maids to show up. Noelle was glad to see them, fearing that if she were left to her thoughts any longer, she would search for Kaeya to make sure he got his foot treated. It also felt good to do an activity unrelated to work with people she enjoyed being around. Noelle smiled to herself as they made for the main door when someone called after her.

The maids all turned at the frantic voice. It was an out of breath Sucrose half stumbling down the stairs. Noelle ran to help the alchemist regain her footing. “Sucrose, is everything okay?”

Sucrose nodded, then shook her head, then nodded again, then shook her head again. “Noelle, I should have come to your earlier. I’m assisting Ms. Lisa with a series of experiments,” Sucrose looked around and lowered her voice, “she recommended you for participation. H-highly.”

Noelle wasn’t sure how to respond to the nervous alchemist. Part of her was ecstatic to be recommended by Lisa and help in the two’s experiment, but she had made plans. Shopping for a dress is personal, but this is work. . . Noelle looked over her shoulder to see Marta stomping over.

“Miss Sucrose, Noelle is on her way out. Is it possible for your task to be done later?” Marta’s tone was kind, but even Noelle gauged the other maid’s frustration.

“I-It can’t. Ms. Lisa’s orders.” Sucrose’s ears drooped.

Noelle tried to console Sucrose as she moved between her and Marta. “It looks like I can’t go with you all right now,” Noelle said to Marta with a smile.

Marta pouted but assented. “If you say so. We’ll just have to absolutely get ready together. See you at dinner though?” Noelle nodded, and the other maids left to go shopping. Sucrose pulled her ears slightly.

“I’m so sorry. . .” the alchemist said, “If I hadn’t gotten caught up in an experiment, I would have remembered to come get you earlier.”

“It’s fine! If Ms. Lisa needs me, then I’ll do my best to be of assistance.” As Noelle spoke, she pushed her disappointment to the of her mind. She’d just go by herself later. As the two walked to the alchemists’ laboratory, Noelle continued to assure Sucrose that the situation was fine.

The laboratory itself was chaos do to being in the midst of several experiments. “Please take a seat.” Sucrose gestured to the one table that was organized. On it were serval papers and multiple vials of a dark red liquid. Noelle registered the box of needles and her stomach flipped. Slowly, she sat down.

Sucrose naturally performed a doctor’s checkup and asked Noelle questions about her smell and taste. “No, there’s nothing out of the ordinary.”

“Any nightmares?” Sucrose looked at Noelle with clear eyes. A knot formed in Noelle’s throat as she remembered the enclosing cave digging into her. Her thoughts must have been apparent as Sucrose wrote something down before returning her attention up. “Could you share it with me?”

Noelle gripped her skirt. I’m doing this for Ms. Lisa and Sucrose. Noelle shared the nightmare and subsequent events of that night. Sucrose’s mouth turned downwards and quivered, and Noelle looked away. The next moment she felt a cloth against her cheek. She looked back at the alchemist, unused to the contact from her. “Sucrose?”

“You were crying.” Sucrose herself looked to be fighting tears.

Noelle put her hand to her cheek, and when she pulled it away, she saw her glove was wet. “Thank you,” Noelle said, taking hold of the cloth to wipe her eyes. She didn’t think it would be what she needed, but she was thankful to talk about the nightmare. Yet, she couldn’t help but wonder why Lisa needed that information. “Can I ask what this is all about?”

Sucrose set her pen down. “I wish I fully knew, but what I do know I can’t say much about. Orders from Ms. Lisa.”

“I understand.” The maid put a hand to one of her roses. Sometimes her own job necessitated secrecy even if she didn’t understand the reasons. The Knights wouldn’t be able to operate against adversity if they didn’t trust in each other. Sucrose smiled now.

“There’s one more thing we need to do before you leave,” Sucrose picked up a needle, “If you could roll up your sleeve.”

Noelle’s stomach flipped again, but she did as she was asked. Apologetically, Sucrose stuck the needle into Noelle’s arm, and the maid bit her lip at the pinching pain. Noelle kept her eyes closed as the vial filled. When it was done, Sucrose wrapped up the small wound, then reached into a small box and handed Noelle a piece of wrapped candy.

It was the same type that Kaeya had. What could he have been doing here? Noelle wondered. She put the piece in her pocket with the other and left Sucrose to her mysterious work. “Eat something and lay down if you feel woozy,” Sucrose called, hunched over her papers.

“I will.” Noelle closed the lab door and went down to the lobby. She didn’t feel bad, and decided it would be best for her to do any work she might miss out on the next day due to it being a day off for the staff. Noelle went to the task board for the maids, then went to work completing whatever wasn’t done. Sweep and mop all corridors. Check. Wash all the office windows. Check. Dust the library. Check. Check. Check.

As she cleaned, her thoughts returned to the dance practice. To Kaeya. Noelle hadn’t practiced formal dance much, but with him, she floated. When she was a barely older than a child, she remembered watching older boys twirl the older girls in the square but never thought much of it. Yet, that day she was drawn to the music and her heart skipped a beat when she watched the dancers.

Then Kaeya swept her into the fray. Thrice in 24 hours his hand had wrapped warmly around hers and helped her. Steadied her when she was unsure. She paused her sweeping, and put her left hand over her right, but the feeling wasn’t the same, even with a twirl. Noelle sighed and patted her apron. She hit two round things, and remembered the candy. She picked one, unwrapped it, and saw that it was split in two. “I’m sure it’s good all the same,” she said aloud as she placed the sweet into her mouth.

It wasn’t until the moon fully replaced the sun that she realized she had missed dinner with the other maids. She ran to the dining hall, but saw that they weren’t there. It was late, Noelle knew, so of course she hadn’t really expected the others to be there. She fixed her clothes and walked in for a late dinner.

Despite her full day, she wasn’t extremely hungry, and settled on a Satisfying Salad and a small piece of chicken. She sat at the table furthest from the other stragglers, not feeling in the mood for polite conversation. Noelle hadn’t expected the other maids to still be there, but she had wanted someone to come find her. Still, it was her fault for prioritizing work over her prior plan with them. She ate her food slowly, making sure that there was nothing wrong with her taste buds.

A chair pulled out in front of her, and Noelle took her attention off of her meal. Lisa sat in front of her with a darkness in her eyes.

“Noelle,” the librarian began as the room seemed to be shrouded in darkness, “It was mentioned to me that you don’t have a dress for tomorrow.”

As much pride she felt, she felt just as much awkwardness walking with Lisa and Jean around Mondstadt. People greeted them all, but for Noelle she felt like an add-on to two legends. She smoothed down her apron, unable to situate herself in the bit of small talk between the two women. It was later in the morning than she was used being up, but Lisa had commanded she meet them in the lobby before breakfast the night before. The Head Librarian also told her to not go to the stables that morning, that someone else would take over for the day.

To have the stables forcibly ripped away from her, even if only for a day, was a blow to her. Who knew the horses’ needs as she did? And what if Adal went into labor? The daytime stable hand only watched the horses and fed them according to the schedule she laid out, they didn’t actually take care of the horses. The worst possibilities ran through her head even as the trio sat down for breakfast at Good Hunter.

“I can’t believe the two of you didn’t get anything to wear,” Lisa said between sips of tea.

A light blush spread on across the Acting Grand Master’s face. “I was planning to wear the knight’s formal wear.”

“Jean, absolutely not.”

Jean wiped her mouth as she finished chewing. “This is an official event, so I believe it’s suitable. What would people think if I came in something overly frivolous.”

Lisa’s voice lowered with a playful smile. “They’d realize you’re as beautiful as you are strong.”

The Dandelion Knight choked on her food and Noelle rushed to refill her cup of tea. Jean drank from it, then cleared her throat. “Thank you, Noelle,” she said with a smile, and Noelle looked back at her own plate with a nod. “And thank you, Lisa.”

“It’s good I double checked when I dragged you from your office last night. But Noelle,” Lisa turned to the maid, “it’s my fault that you weren’t able to go yesterday. Sucrose told me that she pulled you to the lab right as you were about to go out.”

Noelle swallowed a piece of pancake. “It was alright! I was glad to be of help to you.”

Lisa’s smile was gentle, but Noelle saw something different flash through the librarian’s eyes. “As always it makes me happy that you feel that way. This time was different, but if similar events pop up, do prioritize your plans.”

Jean nodded in agreement. “We want you healthy in all aspects, not just physically, Noelle. Don’t be afraid to take time for yourself when needed.”

“Now, if only that advice could be followed by everyone.” Lisa’s voice dripped with frustrated sarcasm as she eyed Jean. Noelle was thankful to have people as important as them care for her, but her heart felt weighted to burden them with such worries.

Done with their food, the trio went on the search for dresses. Lisa found one within the first ten minutes of the first shop. It was a floor length trumpet style gown with a high slit in her signature purple. Jean and Noelle were in awe of it as she tried it on.

“It’s beautiful, Miss Lisa,” Noelle said as she admired the work up close.

“I can’t believe you found something so perfect, so fast,” Jean added.

Lisa hid her face as she tried to stifle a laugh. When she finally burst, Noelle and Jean were left confused. “I’m sorry to both of you, but I ordered this a month ago.”

Jean furrowed her eyebrows. “But that was before the talks for the event were done.”

“I figured if it did happen, I’d have a dress, and if it didn’t, I’d have a dress.” Lisa swished the skirt in the mirror with a smirk. Jean took Noelle’s arm.

“Let’s go Noelle,” the Acting Grand Master said as she tried to drag the maid out of the store. Lisa took Noelle’s free arm and pulled in the opposite way.

“Jean, please forgive me,” Lisa said as her mouth curled around another bout of laughter. Noelle was unsure of how to react, except to think that Lisa probably didn’t care too much about forgiveness in that moment.

The second store was full of surprises, for the Deaconess herself was there. Barbara turned from the counter as the group entered. “Everyone!” she said with a smile as they walked towards her. “What are you doing here this morning?”

Noelle returned the smile. “We’re looking for dresses for the ball tonight. Miss Lisa already has hers, though.” Noelle and Barbara turned to the older two women. Jean wore the a nearly impossible to see pout, while Lisa attempted to console her.

“Barbara, I,” Jean blushed and cleared her throat, “We haven’t seen you recently, is everything okay?”

The deaconess’s smiled softened when turned upon her sister, but was full of earnestness. “I’m fine. I had to go to the adventurer’s camp at the base of Dragonspine for a few days. There was an increase in hilichurls, so there were some casualties among them. Luckily no one died.”

Lisa tsked, and when Noelle looked at her, the librarian was already changing her face back into an amicable one. What was that about? Maybe it has to do with her experiment. Noelle thought without full belief in her conclusion.

“It’s good that you’re back,” Jean said.

“Oh I know,” Lisa exclaimed, “for all your hard work, why don’t you come to the ball?”

Barbara’s eyes lit up, but Jean turned on Lisa. “Lisa! This isn’t an event for us to invite people to.”

“I’m sure the Fatui are fans of the Deaconess, but if you’re that concerned,” Lisa said with a mischievous look, “she can go as someone’s date.”

The other three’s expressions blanked as they blushed. Then Jean caught herself.

“Wwwwwwwww-who would she go with?” the Acting Grandmaster asked.

Noelle perked up. “Barbara can go with me, if she’d like to.”

Lisa shook her head. “I think it’s best a knight invite her, given the struggle it was to get the staff invited.”

“I see.” Noelle lowered her head.

“Don’t worry about me!” Barbara said as she patted Noelle’s shoulder, “I wasn’t expecting to go, seeing as I’m not a part of the Knights of Favonius in any way.”

The librarian shook her head again, her witches hat flopping about. “If only there was a knight who could invite you.” Lisa peeked at Jean, then winked at Noelle.

“Oh, yes. If only.” Noelle shook her head along as well. Jean watched the two of them.

“I’m not sure the Traveler is in town right now,” Jean said.

Lisa put her hand on the counter to keep from falling over. “Jean, aren’t you a knight?”

Jean blinked several times as if realizing that she was a knight, in fact she was The Knight. She looked at Barbara, glad with authority. “Deaconess Barbara, will you come to the ball with me tonight? The knights appreciate all your healing work and –”

“Yes!” Barbara said with glee. “Though I’ll just be wearing the Church’s formal wear.”

“That’s alright.” The two sisters shared a moment before the store clerk cleared their throat.

“I appreciate the knight’s appearance in my shop, but this is a store. . .” the old woman said as her eyes roamed over the group. The four apologized and went to finding dresses for Noelle and Jean.

Noelle wandered the shop as the Acting Grandmaster was used like a dress-up doll by the other two. The maid couldn’t manage to find something she liked. While she did have a small budget, as she still intended to buy Kaeya another bottle of cologne, no dress called out to her. And worse, she could feel the shop keep’s eyes on her. I should at least try on something. Noelle picked up a short, red dress that reminded her of her daily wear.

“If you choose that,” the old woman began, “you might as well go as you are.” She walked up to the young woman and hung the dress back up.

“As long as it’s nice, I don’t mind,” Noelle said picking it up again, but the old woman took it and dropped it on the floor.

“Oh no, it’s dirty! I can’t sell you a dirty garment.”

“I can wash it.”

“It won’t be dry by tonight.”

Respect your elders was one of the first things Noelle’s mother taught her, but never did she think it’d be this hard.

“This way.” The old woman gestured Noelle to follow her to the counter. Noelle did as she was bade and waited as the old woman disappeared to a back room, only to come back with a large, old, foreign looking box.

“How old is this?” Noelle asked as the shop keep lifted the lid to reveal a light lavender dress with silver embroidery.

“Great style is eternal.” The shop keep shook out the dress. “It was a special order from Fontaine years ago, though it was never worn despite being fully paid for. I make sure it’s in good condition every once in a while.”

As the dress was fully pulled from the box, Noelle fell more in love with it. The embroidery was vines and flowers, making the dress look like a bouquet without it being worn due to the full skirt. When she touched the fabric, the material felt similar to one she had felt before. “Liyue silk,” she said in awe before she remembered her budget. Her voice lowered. “I can’t afford this.”

“Adventuring is hard work, they say,” the old woman began, “I say it’s stupid work. You see, back when I was a young woman, we let the mysteries be mysteries. Most of us did.” She looked down at the dress. “But you kids are more reckless. Maybe more hopeful.”

“I’m sorry, but –”

“My grandson is one of those hopeful, reckless youths. Though he’s a bit more of an idiot in my opinion.” The shop keep looked at Noelle with gratitude. “Most would have left him to his idiocy on that mountain, but you didn’t Maid of Favonius.”

An adventurer on a mountain? Noelle sharply inhaled as she remembered the person she saved on Dragonspine two years before. The knights were destressed when she made it down, but knowing that he lived, made risking her life worth it. “Is he alright?”

The old woman shrugged. “Idiots are difficult to kill. But, I want you to have this.”

“WHAT?”

Noelle jumped at the collective shout from behind her, and turned to see the other three.

Lisa stepped forward. “Have as in ‘free’?”

The shop keep nodded. “It doesn’t get much use in a box.”

Noelle, though happy for the appreciation shook her head. “It’s too expensive. And I don’t even know if it’ll fit.”

The old woman huffed. “I haven’t worked here my entire life to start showing people dresses they can’t fit.”

“At least try it on Noelle,” Barbara said as she rested her chin on Noelle’s shoulder to get a better look.

“And if it doesn’t fit,” Jean said as she walked to the counter with her own pick, “you don’t need to get it.”

Noelle touched the dress again, and watched as the color shifted in the light. There were hints of light pink. “Okay, if it doesn’t fit, I won’t get it.”

Noelle set the dress on her bed and stared at it. She had never owned an item so valued, not simply expensive, but valued. Surely an opportunity to sell it had come about, but the shop keep had kept the dress because it meant something to her. The old woman even gave Noelle a pair of gloves and silver heels to match the dress. Noelle worried that she’d ruin the items immediately and decided to get to work to clean her mind.

She gave her all to the simple tasks, paying attention not to over exert herself before the evening. The advice from that morning rung in her mind. Then it was lunchtime.

It had been a full 24 hours since she had seen the other maids after she didn’t go with them. She didn’t even meet Marta for dinner. Noelle hesitantly walked into the lively dining hall. Excitement for the evening was already in full swing. Noelle didn’t see the other maids, so she got her food and sat down by a window. Before she took a bite, she saw the Calvary Captain walking with haste towards headquarters. He paused to speak to another knight, and as if sensing her, glanced up.

She quickly looked away, but when she looked back, Kaeya was still talking with the knight. Their conversation ended, and Noelle prepared to return her attention to her food, but then he glanced up again and saw her. Noelle didn’t know what to do, so she slowly waved at him. Kaeya smiled and waved back.

“Who are you waving at?”

Noelle dropped her hand and looked at Marta, who sat on the opposite side of the table. “Uh, just someone.”

“Just someone? It’s never ‘just someone’,” Marta said between bites.

Why didn’t I just say it was Captain Kaeya? Noelle wondered. The two maids ate in silence for a few minutes. Noelle still felt rude to have ditched their plans the day before.

“Were you able to find a dress?” Marta asked.

Noelle nodded.

“Yay! I can’t to see it when we to get ready.”

“I can still get dressed with you?” Noelle asked. She had prepared to dress by herself.

“Of course we still want you to get dressed with us!” Marta exclaimed.

“But, I also missed dinner with you all. . .”

Marta put her face into her hands. “We stayed out late and didn’t have dinner in the dining hall. I wanted to apologize last night, but you weren’t in your room when we returned. I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay! Well, I did feel bad for a while, but I figured there was a reason,” Noelle said as she took Marta’s hands.

“None of it was your fault. Please, will you forgive me?”

“Of course.” Noelle didn’t understand why people would ask for forgiveness when there was nothing to forgive, but she understood the importance of the words.

The other maids had the same reaction as Noelle’s morning group had, their reactions becoming larger as the she recounted the story.

“How do you plan to wear your hair?”

“What about makeup?”

“It’s sleeveless, does someone have a shawl she can use?”

Noelle had wanted to be the last to get ready, incase someone needed something, but now she was the one being surrounded with help. Someone pinned back her hair while another did her make up. When she finally slipped on the dress, and turned in to face the mirror, Noelle didn’t recognize herself.

Or rather, she knew it was her, but it was a “her” she never thought she’d see. Her bangs were pinned back with the rest of her hair braided on the sides into a bun. Her eyeline was slightly darkened, bringing out the green. Her lips were painted a light, nearly pink, red. But the dress, compared to anything else, was beautiful.

It was a true ballgown with a sweetheart neckline bodice and thin, off the shoulder straps. Noelle could see clearly now that the floral embroidery were roses. The gloves went past her elbows and glowed. She swished back and forth in the mirror, getting used to herself.

Marta stood next to her. “It could be a wedding gown, it’s so beautiful.”

Noelle blushed and moved from in front of the mirror. “I-I’m too young for that.”

“Now don’t be bashful! You have to tell be who that ‘someone’ was.” Marta poked Noelle in the side, causing Noelle to laugh.

“P-please! At least let me make to the hotel without ruining my makeup.”

It was after sunset when they left because they were among some of the maids who had work to finish before getting ready, but Marta said it was fine as they were arriving fashionably late. Just the idea of being late frustrated Noelle, not wanting to be unappreciative to the Goth Grand Hotel staff, but she trusted her friend. Friend. Noelle smiled to herself. She didn’t have many friends beyond what she could count on one hand. Barbara was really her only other female friend. But I’d like to make many more. She thought as the image of Sucrose at the lab flitted through her mind.

Noelle and the maids fixed their dresses before entering the hotel. When the doors opened, it was like another world. Decorations were recognizably Mondstatdian, but where elements of the Fatui homeland could be, there were. The was an iciness to the color scheme, but the bright colors of Mondstat made it into a wintered forest, one melting as spring came.

If only the people were as perfectly mixed. Noelle thought as she looked around the ballroom. People were quiet, only the music played in the background. For a moment, it felt as if everyone was looking at her and she closed her eyes to calm herself. I knew we should have tried to come on time.

“Noelle,” a familiar male voice whispered, but she didn’t open her eyes. “Noelle,” he whispered into her ear. She slowly opened her eyes.

“Captain Kaeya,” she said as she looked at him. The ballroom filled with noise, or maybe the noise had been there the entire time, and it was she who imagined an unbearable silence.

“Noelle,” Marta said with a small elbow to Noelle’s side, “I’m going to go stand on the far side of the room if you need me.” She quickly looked between the knight and the maid, then left.

“Marta,” Noelle called after, but Marta was already swept into a dance. Noelle stood with the captain, unsure of what to do. “Captain, your look nice.” It wasn’t a lie. Kaeya wore a silver white suit with a dark blue vest. He had his shirt buttoned but went tieless. His hair was tied up higher, instead of being draped out his shoulder. When Noelle really took him in, she realized he wore the ornate eyepatch she had stolen.

“Thank you, Noelle. You on the other hand,” he said as he stared into her eyes, “you look beautiful.”

Noelle’s heart skipped and she looked away. “T-thank you.”

“Shall we get something to drink?” He held his arm out for her to take. Noelle nodded, and placed her hand lightly around his arm.

[reinaworks]

Crystallized [Genshin Fic] - Chapter 4

The pond of water was still the same size as the previous day. Kaeya walked its perimeter, his nose and mouth covered by a scarf. At the shift change, he had told the knights guarding it to do the same. Kaeya looked at the two knights currently on shift for any signs for illness, but they appeared unbothered except for the fact that they were near a smelly, stagnant body of water. That was good considering a knight on the previous shift was throwing up when Kaeya arrived. I’ll change them out every three hours instead of four.

He hoped lessening the exposure would help, but without knowing the cause, the Knights of Favonius could only combat the symptoms. Kaeya clenched his jaw and gave the pond another once over, this time sticking a stick into it to see if there was anything underneath the surface. Despite being nearly a foot deep, there was nothing hidden that he could find. He thought to freeze the top, but decided against it not knowing how it would react. Kaeya filled two more containers for Lisa to examine and went back to headquarters.

On his way back, there were still no signs of hilichurls and boars. Even the twittering of birds was gone. It was livelier during the Stormterror incident, he thought with a grim laugh. The air had a heaviness to it uncharacteristic to late Summer that Kaeya couldn’t help but attribute to whatever was happening in Brightcrown Canyon. There further he got from the area, the better he felt, but the lack of new clues frustrated him, more so because this incident happened under the Knights noses.

As he entered the city, he changed his face to his more pleasant mask as it wouldn’t do to worry the citizens with a serious look. Kaeya thought of that morning in the stables. The calm that came from being around the horses, something he knew he hadn’t taken the time to fully appreciate. But it wasn’t only the horses that calmed him. Watching Noelle work on something that she couldn’t rush through even with her abilities, reminded him that Jean had tasked him with watching over her in the first place. Noelle always worked hard, stubbornly so, but had he truly been doing his job if Noelle had taken on the caring for the horses in the first place?

At headquarters. Kaeya went to the library to find Lisa, but was directed by one of the assistant librarians to the alchemist laboratory. He knocked once, then twice in case he wasn’t heard, then opened the door to find no one inside. The noctilucous jade bottle was on a table with some tools and vials full of dark liquid. He set the filled containers on the table and looked at the notes that lay strewn across. Only half he understood, and less than that he could make sense of. He wrote his own report of the morning, then put the papers down but was too anticipatory to continue to sit.

He walked around the room, casually toying with the instruments to pass the time, when music drifted through the windows.  Kaeya walked over and saw that knights and staff were dancing, or rather trying to learn under the tutelage of Eula. The situation was funny to him, knowing that it was probably Amber who instigated the event. The bunny knight herself was smiling as Eula’s partner.

The door to the laboratory opened, and Kaeya turned to see Sucrose stumbling inside, her hands full with a crate. He rushed to help her in mid fall.

“T-thank you, Captain Kaeya,” Sucrose said as she regained her footing. Kaeya hoisted the box into his arms.

“It’s no problem, where should I put this?” He glanced at the crate and saw it was full of bones. Ah, was the only response that came to mind. Sucrose pointed to a corner as she caught her breath.

“I’m sorry I’m late. I-it was a busy morning, and I didn’t have a chance to get those last night.” She walked over to the table that held the experiments with the pond water.

“It’s fine, Sucrose,” Kaeya said as he set the crate down, “Is Lisa on her way?”

Sucrose turned around and bowed multiple times. “She won’t be able to make it due to a previous appointment, though I worked with her all morning and know what to do. I know I’m not the best, but please leave yourself to my care.”

The knights seem to have a penchant for attracting unconfident talent. Kaeya thought. “I trust you, but what do you mean by ‘care’?” he asked as he walked over to the experiment table.

The young alchemist straightened, a light entering her eyes as she adjusted her glasses. “Lisa wants to check the effects on the body. It’s going to be like a small doctor’s appointment, except we’re going to draw blood at the end.”

“Blood?” Kaeya wasn’t squeamish about needles, but he was normal enough to not enjoy getting stuck. He looked at the vials lined up. “Those aren’t all from one person, are they?”

Sucrose shook her head. “There’s a list of people. Though if you’re willing to stay for longer –”

Kaeya held a hand up. “Only what’s necessary.” He removed his jacket as he sat down and something fell with a small thump. The captain looked down and saw it was Noelle’s glove. Although he was with her that morning, although he had the glove in his pocket with the express intent of returning it to the maid, Kaeya hadn’t. He picked the glove up and put it back into the inside pocket of his jacket. He saw Sucrose’s mouth open in innocent inquiry, but calmly shut the questioning down. “One of the maids seemed to have dropped it. I plan to take it to the lost and found after.”

“O-okay. Let’s begin then.” Sucrose went to work checking his heartbeat, his eye, his hands as his skin had had direct contact. She asked him questions about his smell and taste, whether he felt queasy or excessively tired.

“Well, I did sleep on a couch last night, but outside of that I’m not more tired than usual.” Kaeya answered, taking notice of the change in song coming from outside. It appeared Eula was focusing on waltzes. Sucrose wrote down his response.

“Then, how about nightmares? Did you have any, or more specifically any that made you. . .” She trailed off trying to find the right words, “any that made you take action once awake?”

She had been working with Lisa, so of course she had heard about Lutz. Kaeya knew that he wouldn’t be able to hide the situation from the rest of the knights for long, but he hoped to make it until after the ball. Sucrose continued to stare at him. It was only in her experiment mode was she forward.

Kaeya sighed. “I had the first nightmare in the early evening, the second when I went to bed at around 1 AM this morning. Neither made me. . . take action.”

Sucrose took her notes. “What were they about?”

“I’d rather not say.”

“Only Lisa and I, oh, and probably Mister Albedo when he returns, will know,” she pushed.

The music outside changed again, this time to something upbeat. It was the opposite of his mood in every way. The last thing he wanted to do was remember either nightmare, and was grateful that the second was a slightly worse repeat of the first. “I’d rather not say.” Kaeya’s voice was cool, revealing just the edge of his feelings. Sucrose understood and took some final notes.

“Now for the blood,” she said as she retrieved the syringe from a box labeled CLEAN. “Please roll up your sleeve and rest your arm on the table.” Kaeya did as he was told and watched as Sucrose tied a cord around his upper arm. After a minute, Sucrose profusely asked his forgiveness and stuck the needle inside as she removed the cord.

The knight watched as his blood filled the glass chamber, but he didn’t have any time for deep thought as the syringe was removed from his arm in as quick a manner as it had been put in. Sucrose cleaned and wrapped the small wound, then reached into a different box and handed him a piece of wrapped candy. He remembered receiving candy in his childhood after injuries and doctor’s visits.

Kaeya raised his eyebrows in surprise with a smile. “It’s been a minute since I’ve felt so youthful, but I thank you for the nostalgia.”

Sucrose realizing that on instinct, she’d handed him a piece of candy Klee’s candy like he was a child. “I-I’m sorry! My mother is a doctor sososososo –” Kaeya laughed as he stood and pat her on the head.

“I’ll be sure to enjoy it, Sucrose.” Kaeya put his jacket back on, making sure not to drop the glove, and left Sucrose to her notes. He’d visit the lab again later, hopefully when Lisa was there so they could all discuss their findings.

After being in the cool lab for so long, Kaeya found himself wandering outside of headquarters into the warm sunlight. He continued to walk and soon enough ended up in the area where the dance lessons were happening. There was a group of around twenty, mixed staff and knights copying Eula’s intensive moves. Kaeya leaned against the building and watched the dancing. He had learned formal dance when he was younger, but it had been years since he had used the skill seriously.

A couple tripped and Amber had to stand in between Eula and her students. Kaeya pitied the 4th company captain given her attempts were making little progress. He went to leave and bumped into Noelle. Noelle.

“Captain Kaeya!” she exclaimed as they spun in their own little dance in an attempt not to injure themselves. The two held onto each other’s arms even after catching their footing. Their increased proximity to one another surprised him less and less. Noelle’s eye’s glittered as she slowly pulled away. “I’m sorry, I should have looked where I was going.”

“The knights are also full of people who unnecessarily apologize,” Kaeya thought aloud. Noelle went to respond but was cut off by a different captain’s voice.

“Captain Kaeya!” Eula yelled as stomped over to them. “That was a terrible spin! You’re not even holding her in the correctly.” The blue haired woman dragged them closer to the group and forcibly adjusted their positions before Kaeya could properly react.

“Eula, I don’t think they were dancing,” Amber said, covering her face to hide her laughter.

Eula huffed and walked back to Amber, taking her by the waist back into their dancing position. “Well, they should. I refuse to let the Fatui be superior to the Knights of Favonius, to Mondstat, in anything. Dance included. Isn’t that right?!” The group of tired dancers loudly rallied in assent.

Kaeya and Noelle looked around as a new wave of energy hit the area. When they looked back at each other Kaeya smiled. “I know the ball is meant to be a peaceful occasion, but for the moment,” he playfully lowered his voice, “could you imagine us going to war?”

The knight watched as the blush moved across the maids face and down her neck, looking back into at her face before the red hit her chest. Her green eyes were averted from his as she spoke. “I’d rather not go to war, but,” Noelle’s eye’s slowly looked back at into his own, as if searching for something deep inside him, “I’ll gladly be by your side.” She looked down again. “If you’ll have me as a partner.”

Kaeya adjusted his hand around hers and pulled her closer as the music began again. “If you’re afraid, trust me,” he whispered.

“Trust shouldn’t be given in fear,” Noelle whispered back, her hand tightening around his as she met his look again. They moved silently to the music, gazing into each other, cyclically inhaling as if giving the other a chance to breathe.

“STOP!” Eula yelled, halting everyone. She went to correct three couples’ postures, then went back to Amber to give an example. Both women were very good at dancing, certainly due to Eula’s persistence. Kaeya returned his attention to Noelle, who continued to stare at the other women while repeating Eula’s instructions under breath. He watched Noelle with a small smile. She really is hard working.

“Noelle,” Kaeya began without thinking, “You’re going to the ball, aren’t you?” Noelle looked back at him, just in time as the music began again, and nodded. Of course she is. What a stupid question, Kaeya thought. “With some one?” The maid’s eyes widened and she missed a step, but Eula didn’t stop the round, so they kept dancing.

“No. No one’s asked me.” The light seemed to catch Noelle’s eyes, but there wasn’t the sign of hope in them that would normally be present in a person’s eyes when asked if they had a date.

“I see.” For some reason, Kaeya found himself unable to look Noelle in the eyes, and so he glanced elsewhere. It was unusual for him to see someone look at him without hope. Not hopelessness, but with a lack of expectation. When he looked back at Noelle, her eyes were focused downward on their feet as they moved. If Eula saw Noelle with her head down, there’d be a rampage. “How did you come over here?”

Noelle looked up as she answered. “I heard the music. And you?”

“So did I.”

They continued in silence again and Kaeya internally lamented that his Archon blessed small talk ability was suddenly taken from him.

“Um, last night, when I, well,” Noelle trailed off, embarrassment obvious, but she regained her composure and continued softly. “I left one of my gloves in your room, have you seen it?”

“I haven’t.” Kaeya wasn’t above lying when it came to accomplishing his goals, but of all things to lie about, why would he choose this? If he were to fall over in that moment, her glove would fall out of his inside jacket pocket. Noelle would surely look hopeless at him then. The bead of sweat that rolled down the back of his spine wasn’t from the late summer heat.

“Oh.” Noelle glanced down at their feet as a confusing dance part came up.

“I’m sure I misplaced it,” he continued to lie, “maybe I accidently tossed it in with my laundry.”

She made a puzzled expression. “I’m sure I would have seen it when I did your laundry.”

Kaeya missed a step and Noelle’s heel slammed into his toes. A strangled noise came from his throat. He bent down to grab his foot, but Noelle bent at the same time, and they bumped heads. The sudden erratic movements must have knocked the glove upwards, as he felt it slipping against his chest. Kaeya put his right hand over his heart to stop it slipping and gave a small bow. “I’m sorry, my mind was elsewhere and caused us to miss a step.”

“It’s fine! I stepped on your foot, so let me carry you to the infirmary,” Noelle said, her eyebrows knitted in worry and guilt. She reached for him, but Kaeya gracefully moved away. He wasn’t sure what would be worse, his lie about the glove being found out or being taken to the infirmary due to a slow waltz. He straightened as Eula reached them

“It’s fine, I can make it there myself,” Kaeya said to Noelle before turning to Eula, who looked ready to blow under her icy exterior, “I’ll be returning to my work now.” As Kaeya walked away, he managed to secretly fix the glove back into his pocket. He went back to his room and dropped onto his chaise. Kaeya draped his arm over his face and sighed.

After a few minutes, he took the glove from his pocket and looked at it. It was smaller than he expected but also heavy. Kaeya knew that Noelle took any chance to train, but a weighted glove felt excessive to him. His foot throbbed as he thought about how much her shoes must weigh. It had been a while since he danced properly, but it terribly easy to slip back into form that day. Muscle memory? No, even for me, that doesn’t sound right. Noelle’s determined eyes flashed before him as he ran his thumb across the glove. “I guess I wanted to do my best too.”

[reinaworks]

Crystallized [Genshin Fic] - Chapter 3

The domain was dark with jagged rocks pointing from all directions in the cavernous hallway. She yelled into the dark, but no one answered. Each step she took the points moved closer, like claws reaching out. She swung her claymore destroying the rocks the nearer they got, but each time they regrew, fierce and fast. They poked and scraped her, ripping cloth then skin, digging deep into her flesh. She screamed for help and tried to swing again, but along the way she had lost her weapon. The points dug and dug and dug-

And Noelle woke screaming in bed.

She looked from side to side and saw she wasn’t in a domain but in her small room. She saw through her window that it was still dark out.  A nightmare, she thought, Just a nightmare. There was a banging on her door, and she jumped out to open it, nearly slipping on the cover as it fell to the ground. Noelle swung open the door to see a worried Marta and the Head Maid in front of her.

“Noelle! Are you okay?” the Head Maid asked gripping a candlestick like a weapon in her bony hands.

“Y-yes. It was only a bad dream.” Noelle looked down, ashamed to have woken the old woman.

“We heard screaming and were about to go find a knight to break the door down. Thank god you opened it,” Marta said as she pushed past Noelle and stepped into the room as if an intruder could be hiding behind the slim space between the door and the wall.

“I’m sorry to have caused you two to worry. It was only a bad dream,” Noelle repeated. But something about the dream felt so real that even after the other maids left, Noelle found herself bundled up and awake until it was time for her to leave for the stables.

As if able to sense her worries, all the horses but Marie were skittish around her, making it difficult for Noelle to clean. Marie was an old horse and used to the moods of humans, so she simply moved around Noelle instead of the other way around. The real difficulties came from Fran and Adal. Adal wouldn’t even make space for Noelle to enter her pen and the maid was ready to give up on checking Fran’s leg after the third attempt to kick her.

Noelle took a deep breath. “Knights don’t give up,” she said ready to go for attempt four.

“Except when it unnecessarily risks lives,” Kaeya said quickly pulling her out of the pen as one of Fran’s good hooves swiped the spot Noelle was in. She was surprised to see him there again, though not so surprised she didn’t notice him. It seemed a special skill of his, hiding his presence except when he wanted to be seen.

“That’s. . .true.” Noelle sighed. She couldn’t help the deepening gloom that, once again, she misunderstood what she needed to do to become a knight. “Thank you for saving me.”

Kaeya gave her arm a quick, gentle squeeze before letting go. It somehow comforted her. “It would have been no issue even if I didn’t.” He paused with a smile. “You’re incredibly durable.”

“Then why?” She thought of her nightmare where she screamed and no one came. Noelle unconsciously moved her hand to the spot his was at as she stared at him. Kaeya rubbed his neck then turned to the still skittish Fran.

“It’s a knight’s job, isn’t it? Saving people.” Kaeya patted Fran’s muzzle, finally getting her to calm down. His shoulders still sagged like the night before even as he silently pointed to Fran’s leg.

“Still, thank you Captain Kaeya,” Noelle said moving to check the splint.

“Don’t.” Despite his calm delivery, there was no softness to the word. “I actually came here to apologize. I was rude to you last night.”

Noelle bit her lip. “I was the one who was there when I shouldn’t have been. I knew how you prefer things, and still. . .”

“It’s not the first time a woman’s gone through my things,” Kaeya mused, “Though usually they’re not so shameless about it.” Noelle knew she was completely red by the heat she felt on it her face. She tried to turn away but turned back to apologize, then away again when she realized how embarrassed she’d be to be seen. Ultimately, she bowed her head low as she mumbled her apologies. Kaeya laughed, loud and heartily. She looked over and saw him bent, clutching his stomach for air.

“Captain?”

Kaeya worked to catch his breath. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry. It’s just,” he looked at Noelle and laughed again, “you look like a tomato.”

“Tomato?”

“Round, red, soft. A tomato,” he looked her up and down, “A cute one.” Kaeya smiled and the light caught his eye like it did the day before. Noelle’s face turned a deeper shade of red and she returned to her work. When she was done, she quickly stood, then nearly tripped on her way out of the pen. Kaeya reached out for her, but she deftly swiveled and walked to Adal’s pen. She stood at the door as the pregnant mare began to kick up a fuss.

“I need to check Adal, could you help me?” Noelle asked.

“Of course.” Kaeya closed Fran’s door, then walked into the pen ahead of the maid. Kaeya eased the mare into position, then Noelle wen to work.

She kept her head down as she checked Adal. The blue diamond-shape of his eye was like a cut gem that called out to her, and every time she felt it on her, she increasingly felt frozen stiff. Outside of his occasional comforting utterances towards Adal, they worked in a stretching silence for before Kaeya spoke.

“Still, I’m sorry about last night. Things have been. . . tense.” The captain’s voice sounded strained to Noelle. She wanted to ask what was wrong, but his tone made her avoid it.

“Aren’t they always?” she asked rhetorically with a side glance upward.

Kaeya slightly opened his mouth in surprise, before changing it to his signature sly smile. “They are, they are. Even so, Noelle, do you forgive me?”

“Of course, Captain Kaeya.” To Noelle there was nothing to forgive. She stood, wiping her hands on a rag. “A few more weeks and the foal will be born.”

“That’s wonderful.” Kaeya said, exiting the pen after her. “I wonder if it’ll be a boy or a girl.”

“Either way, I hope they take after Illian. He has the most beautiful dark mane,” Noelle said putting a broom back in its place.

"I agree,” Kaeya responded as Adal neighed, the obvious dissenter. “Now, now Adal, of course we’d be delighted if the child has any bit of your blonde color.”

Noelle laughed as Kaeya pacified the horse. They put away the remaining supplies and walked to the stable entrance together. “Goodbye, Captain Kaeya,” Noelle said with a curtsy.

“Goodbye, Noelle.” He gave a small bow and turned in the opposite direction. As Noelle returned to HQ, she put her hands into her apron to warm them and realized she had Kaeya’s ornate eyepatch. She turned around to return it, but Kaeya was out of sight and she didn’t know where he would be at that moment. Why was I carrying it here in the first place?

Finished with the stable work early for the second day, Noelle decided to soak in the bath for a bit longer than usual. She breathed the steam in deeply as she relaxed, but was wary of closing her eyes. That nightmare. . . I can still feel it. She gripped her arms until they hurt, hoping that her self-caused pain could overwrite the fictional one.

On her way back to her room she passed a group of other maids talking ecstatically. “What’s happened?” asked Noelle. One of the maids beamed at her.

"We get to go to the ball as well! Not as staff or only as the date of knight,” the woman said. Noelle remembered that Marta had mentioned the possibility.

Noelle rarely went to events as a guest, so while she had hope for the other maids, she herself hadn’t believed it would happen. Such hopelessness is unbecoming of a knight. Noelle thought to herself. “I’m happy for everyone.”

“Be happy for yourself as well!” Marta exclaimed hugging Noelle from behind. “The Head Maid said it’s a half day to give us time to prepare for tomorrow night. Let’s all go dress shopping later.”

The other maids agreed, and plans were made to meet in the lobby after lunch. Noelle returned to her room and dressed, being sure to put the eyepatch in her pocket so that she could return it when she had a chance. When she opened her door, Marta was standing in front of it and Noelle jumped. “Marta? Is everything alright?”

“Yes. I just wanted to make sure you got to breakfast. . .” The other maid scrutinized Noelle’s face with care. She must still be worried about last night. Noelle thought. It made her glad to have someone care for her, but she’d have to work harder to keep people from worrying.

In the dining hall, they sat at the end of a table by the window. The rest of Mondstat was also waking up and Noelle people watched as they ate.

“-asked us to deep clean his room.”

“I’m sorry?” Noelle hadn’t realized Marta was speaking to her.

The older maid wasn’t mad but concerned. “Last night must still be affecting you.”

“I’m sorry,” Noelle said. I can’t let a nightmare get to me. But she had felt off since the night before. Since being in the Calvary Captain’s room.

“It’s fine! Apparently, Captain Kaeya spilled his cologne, and the smell was so bad that he slept in the Grand Master’s office.”

Noelle looked at her food in order to hide her flush. Kaeya made himself out to be momentarily clumsy instead of blaming her for the accident. She felt hesitant to return to the room, but this was her chance to return the eyepatch. “I’d like to do it.”

Marta’s eyebrows rose. “Noelle has a preference? Or maybe. . .” Marta lightly kicked Noelle’s leg from under the table.

“Maybe what?” Noelle asked as she looked up. Marta sighed.

“It’s nothing.”

“Is it alright for me to clean his room? I can do it by myself, so that we can leave on time.” Noelle hoped that she’d be the only one as it’d be awkward to accomplish her task with other people in the space.

Marta ate some oatmeal as she pondered. “If it’s you, it’s possible.” She gave Noelle a thumbs up. “If it’s too much come get someone.”

Noelle returned the thumbs up. “I will, though I doubt I’ll need to.”

The other maid put her face into her hands. “Why is cleaning the thing you’re most confident about. . .” Noelle continued to eat, happy that she’d be able to undo her mistake.

The Calvary Captain’s room was as neat as it was the night before. I guess he really didn’t sleep here, Noelle thought as she entered. The smell of the cologne was lighter than the night before but it still hung in the air, and she covered her nose. The maid went to prop a window open, but found that both large windows Kaeya’s room were already open and further guilt flooded her mind.

Noelle reached into her apron pocket and pulled out Kaeya’s eyepatch, thinking it best to get that task done first, but she found herself tracing the silver embroidered flowers, and a deep desire to feel the silk against her skin again rose up. She began to wonder if Kaeya ever did the same with the beautiful item. If he ever caressed the soft fabric or thought about it as it sat against his face. Noelle imagined the dark colored eyepatch fading behind his long bangs, the silver floral pattern peeking through, mimicking the peeking of the light-colored strands in his own hair. She imagined reaching behind him and untying the laces, his eye, as it always seemed to do, looking deep into her before the fabric was trailed along her collarbone –

A gust of wind blew in and tossed some papers on Kaeya’s desk into the air. Noelle snapped out of her self-induced trance, quickly catching them and placing a paper weight to prevent a repeat. Dutifully went to the dresser to place the eyepatch back among it’s brethren, grateful that she was alone in the room as she felt the heat in her cheeks.

With the eyepatch firmly out of reach, she saw that the towel was still over the spot where the bottle had fallen over, but the bottle itself was gone. “Don’t tell me it all wasted, and he had to throw it out,” Noelle said to further distress. She began to mentally calculate how much it would cost to replace and what extra’s she could do without. If I buy a cheaper sword polish and go to good hunter less often, I’ll still have enough to send to mama. Noelle decided that she would buy Kaeya a replacement no matter how long it took.

Satisfied, she finally began the job she was supposed to do: clean. Noelle covered her face and dusted, then deftly moved the furniture out of the way to sweep and mop, wiping the walls behind them. She scrubbed the bathroom and grabbed hamper that seemed to be full of all of Kaeya’s clothes, then switched out the bedding and made sure to launder the originals alongside the dirty clothing herself. Noelle even wiped down each bottle of wine, occasionally looking at the labels as she did. As could be assumed, most of them were from Dawn Winery, but some were from Liyue and Fontaine. There was even a Snezhnayan bottle with clear liquid that hadn’t be drunk out of much. Noelle appreciated the flavor of wine, having needed to taste some while cooking, but was unsure if she would fully enjoy it when she came of age.

Finished cleaning, she took a deep breath and couldn’t smell the cologne. Proud, Noelle went to leave, then remembered her glove. She looked around the room again, realizing she hadn’t seen it while cleaning, but couldn’t find it. She hoped he hadn’t returned it to the Head Maid, as that would be difficult to explain without receiving some sort of punishment for going against the Maid’s Code of Conduct. Until she found out, she’d have to continue with work as normal, though the worrying thought sat at the back of her mind for the next few hours.

[reinaworks]

Crystallized [Genshin Fic] - Chapter 2

For the first time in a while, Kaeya looked forward to the day. With Varka gone, Kaeya and the remaining captains had to work harder to keep the Fatui presence at bay, a job that seemed to become more difficult as time wore on. Even drinking in taverns was a job as much as it was a pleasure, as if he was a windup toy that was rewound every time it slowed down. But being in the stables, though it was less than an hour, seemed to relax him more than his morning walk could have.

He had passed the stables on accident, in an attempt to avoid the lower ranking knights who’d for sure bombard him with concerns for just a little while longer, but when he got there he genuinely wanted to visit the horses. Kaeya felt a little guilty that he hadn’t been visiting the horses or checking in with their caretaker, but he had been busy and knew that they were being cared for. Still, a Calvary Captain should act like one occasionally.

When he walked in, the place was spotless and he could still hear the movement of a human being in one of the stalls. The captain poked his head into the stall and saw that it was Noelle. Of course it would be, he had thought. Kaeya had only intended to keep quiet and watch for another minute, but then he heard Noelle speak.

“a ‘Calvary Captain without horses’ no more”

On instinct he responded and cause the girl to narrowly miss falling into a bucket of manure. The thought made him smile even now as he made his rounds by the main square. Compared to the waking hustle and bustle of the rest of Mondstat, the stables had been a peaceful blessing as he groomed the horses alongside Noelle.

The maid was a busy body who brought peace to Mondstat in a way the Knights couldn’t. There was always a glow about her, one that made Kaeya stay away at the same time in pulled people in. But that morning, he couldn’t help himself and stayed by her side. The change from dawn to sunrise created a light around her light-colored lavender hair that he almost mistook it for a halo.

The calm of that time stayed with Kaeya until he saw the knights returning from their nighttime patrols. Their faces were perturbed, borderline disturbed. Kaeya casually sped up his pace to catch them before they went to headquarters.

“How was the night’s patrol?” Kaeya asked, not betraying what he already knew something was wrong. He only hoped it was a small issue.

One of the returning knights looked up in surprise to see Kaeya at the gate, but his face become solemn again as he spoke. “Captain Kaeya, sir. It’s nothing we should be overly concerned about, it’s just. . . the hilichurls in Brightcrown Canyon.”

“Are they causing more trouble than usual?”

The returning knight’s face turned in grim confusion. “They’ve disappeared. All of them overnight.”

“Did you see them leave?”

“No, and we didn’t fall asleep either,” a second knight tacked on quickly.

“I wouldn’t assume so,” Kaeya said with a smile. “Get some rest, and I’ll let the other captains know.”

“We will, sir.”

The two knights took two steps past Kaeya before the first paused and turned back to the captain. “This may be unrelated, but the boars in the area also completely disappeared a few days ago. We attributed it to possible over hunting, but. . .”

“It’ll be looked into,” Kaeya said in his most reassuring authoritative voice. The returning knight nodded then continued to walk to headquarters. Kaeya turned away from the city and looked out over the bridge as other knights entered the city. While he normally wouldn’t have worried about the boars, it was concerning that their disappearance coincided with a mass exodus of seemingly all the hilichurls in Brightcrown Canyon.

Maybe the boars were killed for traveling food? No, Kaeya thought as he remembered his hilichurlian studies, they’ve only ever taken what they needed. The new patrol shifts began to pass him at the gate, but he didn’t stop them to check who’d be heading to Brightcrown Canyon. He had decided to do some solo reconnaissance.

Mondstat was a place known for its thick green forests, but Kaeya had no trouble traversing the area as he made his way to the boar habitat. Kaeya was careful in his approach, keeping quiet in case the boars had simply found new grazing for a while. Yet there was no need, as like the knight had said, it was empty. There was no trace of the boars.

The captain begun his search, outward to inward, looking for signs of hunting: arrowheads, a left behind club, even scorch marks from a quick lunch. But after an hour of through searching, there was nothing except overgrown grass.

A twig cracked and he looked up sharply. It was two current of patrolling knights. “Marc, Lutz, how long have you two been assigned to Brightcrown Canyon?” he called to them.

“Captain Kaeya, sir,” Marc said, “I’ve been assigned to the area for six months.”

“And I for two weeks,” answered Lutz.

Good breadth of time. “Have you noticed any major changes in the area?”

“Outside of the boar herd thinning, not at all,” Marc said with a shake of head, “Though we were just told of the hilichurls disappearing.” Lutz looked down and bit his lip.

“Lutz? Is there an issue?” Kaeya asked. Lutz wasn’t just new to patrolling Brightcrown Canyon but one the recent additions to Favonius. He was also young, younger than Noelle. Lutz looked up, his nervousness apparent, but he spoke.

“I think this place smells.”

“Smells?” Marc asked. He sniffed the air. “I don’t smell anything bad.”

The younger knight turned to his senior. “Not in bad way, just a noticeable way. You must have gotten used to it, so I didn’t say anything.” Lutz turned back to Kaeya. “I thought it might just be me overthinking things post Stormterror, but I’m sure there’s an unusual smell.”

“What does it smell like?” Kaeya couldn’t smell anything different, but he also spent significant time in the canyon, so if the smell was gradual, he wouldn’t have noticed.

Lutz visibly struggled to find the words. “Strong. Overwhelming. I-I don’t know beyond that. It goes away the moment we leave the canyon though.”

Kaeya nodded. “Thank you for the information. Come to me if anything else unusual happens.”

“Yes sir!”

The captain left the empty boar habitat to check the surrounding hilichurl settlements, but again, no clues as to what could have happened. It was eerie, even by Kaeya’s standards. Possibly a leftover effect from Stormterror or something to do with the nearby ruins? They were the easy answers, but Kaeya didn’t like those. The boar and the hilichurl disappearance partnered with the smell created a mystery Kaeya was unusually excited to solve. Maybe we should stop giving Traveler all the fun things. He thought with a chuckle. I need more information.

Kaeya was still deep in thought when he entered the library. Questions played with answers, but he came to no conclusion. He looked around the top level and saw that Lisa wasn’t at her desk. He was prepared to search on his own, until he heard the librarian’s voice drift up from the lower level.

Lisa must have ordered people out for some reason, Kaeya thought as he registered the absence of patrons. That was always his preferred state of the library when he had to do research as it let him monopolize the books and Lisa’s mind. Issues resolved quicker that way. He descended the steps and beelined for the librarian.

“Lisa, I need a few books on Brightcrown Canyon,” he said without a break in his stride. There had to be something to connect at least two of the issues coming from there.

Lisa’s eyes glinted. “No please?” she said in her teasing manner, “You didn’t even say hello to Noelle.”

Noelle? Kaeya looked to the side of the librarian, and slightly in her shadow was Favonius’s, rather Mondstat’s, favorite maid. Noelle put her hands up and shook her head, but as she did her silver-lavender hair shook in the light.

“It’s fine, Miss Lisa. Captain Kaeya must have much on his mind,” she said with her usual light blush. Despite what was on his mind, Kaeya couldn’t help but smile softly at her.

“I apologize Noelle.  I hope the day’s been treating you well?” he asked out of courtesy. Noelle gave her maid’s curtsy, but when she looked up the light hit her hair again and she glowed. He looked into her olive-colored eyes and they called to him. He involuntarily inhaled at the moment she did.

“I heard you made her fall this morning,” Lisa cut in, regaining Kaeya’s attention.

“An accident,” both Noelle and Kaeya said at the same time, though the latter’s tone lacked the formers embarrassment.

“Oho?” Lisa chuckled at the synchronization. Kaeya knew she’d bother him about it later and rubbed his temple.

“Lisa. Brightcrown Canyon.”

“I’m busy, but,” she paused and looked to the maid, “Noelle can help you get them. I’d hire her as my assistant if she wanted.” She put a hand on Noelle’s back. Kaeya wanted Lisa’s help so he could discuss possibilities with her. If he had no intention of bringing Brightcrown Canyon’s arising mysteries to greater attention if it just turned out to be migratory patterns or a weather anomaly. But if it were a real issue, Noelle was the last person that should know about it.

Kaeya wanted to push the issue but knew it wouldn’t be in his best interest. He’d have to return later with questions. “Very well. After you,” he said as he put his arm out for Noelle to lead the way. They walked to the corner on Mondstat.

“What are you looking for, specifically?” Noelle asked.

“Anything,” he said as he stopped to read the spines on a shelf. Boar vs Bird – Mondstat’s National Dish the title read. This is going to be a long afternoon. Near soundless, Noelle walked to the other side of the section. Kaeya wondered how she did that, erase her presence in a way that even he couldn’t. He grabbed three books and went to a table.

‘Information overload’ was an incorrect term for what he was experiencing, after all that required him actually gaining something insightful. There were more than four dozen books on the Brightcrown Mountains, but less than half of that was on Brightcrown Canyon, and even less helped his search. He’d have to talk to Lisa about the amount of travel guides the library had. He wrote a few notes on the ruins that seemed helpful and closed his last book.

The captain breathed deeply as he looked out the window. It was a cloudless day, so even for the afternoon, the sun was still bright. His eye gradually wandered away from the brightness and landed in a dark corner. Noelle looked away from him. Why does she always look away? he thought.

Then he remembered his attitude that afternoon compared to the morning. It was calm when they tended to the horses. Peaceful in a way he rarely acknowledged he wanted to feel. Yet that afternoon he rebecame the person he was. Kaeya knew he could be hot and cold, but it was not something he regularly cared about correcting. He pushed away from the table and walked towards Noelle. The top-level door burst open.

“CAPTIAN KAEYA!” Marc yelled in earnest distress.

Kaeya stopped walking. “Dammit,” the captain said under breath, “Don’t tell me somethings already happened.” He turned towards the stairs, attempting to hide the excitement from his face. Then he remembered why he stood in the first place. “Goodbye Noelle,” Kaeya said from over his shoulder, partly hoping that she’d look up from the floor.

He took the staircase towards Lisa’s desk, where Marc stood being reprimanded by the librarian. Lisa’s brow twitched in agitation, and Kaeya stopped short of her.

“Captain Kaeya,” she said drawing out his name, “if you sent someone to retrieve you, make sure they do so quietly.

Kaeya played jovial as he rose his hands in defense. “An honest mistake. I won’t happen again, will it Marc?” Marc was white as a sheet, though Kaeya doubted it was from what was currently happening. “Marc?”

The young knight blinked as if coming too, then nodded. “I-it won’t Miss Lisa.”

Lisa looked him up and down. “Very well.” She returned to her leisurely position at her desk and resumed her work. The two knights left the library and Kaeya followed after Marc, who sped out of headquarters.

“Marc?” Kaeya called, but Marc kept walking. Kaeya called twice more before he reached out and grabbed the other man’s arm to stop him. Marc stopped, his trance breaking. “Marc, tell me what’s wrong.”

Marc looked on the verge of tears. “It’s Lutz. After meeting with you, we continued our patrol, but I was concerned about the smell and. . .” Marc’s breath hitched, but a citizen walked by and he seemed to remember his training. As a knight he couldn’t worry citizens, and so calmed himself. “I asked Lutz to lead us to where it might be coming from. We ended up by the northern ruins near the Shrine of Depth and found a large puddle, nearly the size of a small pond. Only when we got close did I notice the smell. Then we were attacked by a ruin guard.

“We fought with another unit that heard the commotion and won, but Lutz and I landed in the water. We decided, with the other unit posted as guard to return to headquarters and find you, but we passed out along the way. Then,” Marc paused the color redraining from this face, “I had a dream that my sister was killed in front me and woke up in a cold sweat. I looked over and saw Lutz was still asleep, but he was fitful. Then, He woke up screaming and bolted for a cliff. I jumped after and opened my glider once I had him, but we landed roughly, and he broke his leg. Another patrol heard the commotion and are bringing him over.”

“And you came ahead to let me know. Good job.” He squeezed Marc on the shoulder. “I’m going over to the site to give it a look. If you can, write your report before getting some rest. Be thorough.”

“Yes sir,” Marc said. Kaeya watched him walk away and reenter headquarters. Mysterious puddles and terrifying nightmares. That could be why the hilichurl’s left the area. Kaeya hypothesized but still couldn’t be sure.

The puddle was as Marc had said, nearly the size of a pond. It was obviously unnatural and Kaeya wondered how long it had been there without the Knights of Favonius noticing. At least two weeks, but who knows. Being near the water made his body feel heavy and even with his nose covered the smell was horrendous, like a pantry of rotten berries. He stopped himself from gagging as he walked the perimeter of the water. He saw that one of the stationed knights was unbothered by the smell and the other looked about the throw up.

Kaeya bent down to get a closer look at the liquid, but from all angles it looked like water. It could simply be poisoned, but he knew Albedo or Lisa would have to get involved to figure out what it really was. The captain walked into the surrounding grass and looked for possible clues.

If I had to get rid of evidence, where would I throw it? It wasn’t that Kaeya truly thought the culprit was simple enough to leave their tools behind, it was just that assuming all possibilities gave a better chance at solving the mystery.  He walked towards the rock wall and looked along the ground for shards of a broken bottle, that is, if the water was poisoned. Then something caught his eye.

A cologne bottle made out of noctilucous jade. “Now, what could this be doing here. . .” Kaeya couldn’t help but ponder aloud. He uncorked the bottle and it smelled exactly like the puddle. The person who threw the bottle must’ve forgotten how sturdy this jade is. Kaeya returned to the puddle and filled the bottle with the liquid.

Back at headquarters, Kaeya sent fresh knights to guard the puddle. He didn’t want anyone else hurting themselves like Lutz. He went to Albedo’s office first, but was told by Sucrose that the alchemist was away doing experiments. She offered to help Kaeya, but he decided to leave her to her own experiments. He begun to walk towards the library, but the stench from the puddle that hung on his clothes seemed to grow stronger and so he returned to his room.

He ran the bath and as he undressed, Kaeya caught a look of his face in the mirror. Of his missing right eye stolen by his birth father and replaced with something Kaeya himself didn’t understand. He covered it lest he be drawn into what was there.

Kaeya turned off the water and stepped into the hot water. Normally he didn’t take such scalding baths, but something about the mysterious liquid made him feel he couldn’t get clean without it. His thoughts drifted as he sat, replaying the long day until –

Fire. There was so much fire. Buildings turned to rubble, then to ash, then to nothing. There was laughter among the screams. He felt his throat burning, each inhale clogging his lungs with ash. The world was gold and red with flames that licked towards the skyline, like blood dripping down into the darkness. And he reveled in it, even as he was consumed. He reveled in it, even as his body burned. He reveled that their bodies burned.

Kaeya sputtered in the tub, choking on the water that had slipped inside his mouth. He was in the tub in his personal bathroom. Nothing was on fire.

“A nightmare,” he mumbled to himself, feeling half foolish for falling asleep in the bath. Even children knew better. He didn’t think he was as tired as he was, but the mind can betray the body as much as the body can the mind. Kaeya sat forward and dunked his head into the now cold water. After holding his breath to the upmost limit, he came up for air with a deep breath. He pushed the wet hair out of his face, but let his hand rest over his right eye a moment. Only a nightmare.

A shuffling noise came from his bedroom. Must be the maids dropping laundry off. Kaeya stepped out of the tub and grabbed a towel, thankful that he hadn’t left it in his bedroom this time. He took his time drying off, not wanting to scare the maid by coming in half naked, but by the time he was putting on his robe, there was still noise coming from his bedroom. The maids knew he preferred to put up his own things and he didn’t remember being notified of new maids who might make that mistake. It’s not that he had anything to hide, at least not something that could fit inside a drawer, but it was a bit of privacy he preferred to keep.

Kaeya pulled his bangs back over his right side and slowly opened the door to the other space. It wasn’t a new maid inside his bedroom, but the best maid: Noelle. She also happened to be the second to last person he wanted to see right now. The image of burning bodies from his nightmare danced through his mind. Just a nightmare, he reminded himself, Just a nightmare.

Noelle had one of his eyepatches in her hand, the one with silver embroidery and flowers he’d never seen in person. The one Kaeya received from his father when he was accepted into the Knights of Favonius to wear for special occasions. The single one he’d never worn. Kaeya pushed away any memories as Noelle removed her glove.

Her wrist was far more petite than he expected, and paler compared to her face. The light seemed to glow around it, like it had in the stables that morning. Kaeya smiled remembering how he scared Noelle. She brought the fabric to her face and rubbed it on her cheek almost in an absent-minded manner. He stifled a laugh.

“It seems like every time we say goodbye, we say hello again,” Kaeya said raising an eyebrow as she turned in surprise.

“No – I – um,” Noelle struggle to get out before looking away from him. She went to step back into her usual curtsy, but it lacked her normal graceful step and kicked the dresser. It rattled and to his hidden horror, the noctilucous jade bottle fell over and begun to spill the unknown liquid. The room began to fill up with the smell. Noelle was flustered, and as Kaeya walked over he saw her eyes ever so slightly glaze over. She looked unsteady. Kaeya placed his towel over the bottle and puddle as the smell began to affect him too. It’s stronger after being condensed.

He was right behind Noelle but felt too woozy to move. Kaeya kept his right eye closed, but was thankful for his long bang covering it in case he accidently opened it. In any other situation, he might have thought he caught a cold from sleeping in the bath, but he was sure now of at least part of the liquid’s effects. Kaeya tried to think of anything to abate what must be an uncomfortable situation for Noelle.

“I’m sorry for my rudeness earlier in the library.” The unexpected words spilled out of his mouth. He had been curter than he intended, but was he actually apologetic? Kaeya was someone who said and did things he didn’t mean to his benefit, so he chalked up the apology to his instinct. Even so, part of him felt bad to lie in this manner and his expression hardened.

“I-it’s fine,” Noelle said at a near whisper, “You must’ve had important things on your mind.”

“It’s no excuse. For all the hard work,” the lies continued against his will, “you of all people deserve kindness.”

“I don’t think I deserve any more than the next person.” Noelle finally moved out of his way. He finished wiping up the liquid and reset the bottle with its cork.

“You help everyone without question.” Kaeya had to keep casual about the liquid and went to his bookshelf. He picked random book in hopes that the maid would get the cue to leave, but Noelle continued talking.

“It’s a maid’s duty.”

“You go above and beyond.” He sat on his chaise. For some reason Kaeya couldn’t end the conversation at the same time that he couldn’t bring himself to explicitly tell her to leave. He knew wouldn’t make sense for him to apologize for being rude and then be rude again a minute later, but he needed to get the leftover liquid to Lisa. More importantly he needed to get redressed.

“As a maid to the Knights of Favonious –”

“Aren’t you tired?” Kaeya cut her off and his body seemed to sag. The liquid was making him groggy, and though Noelle’s presence always calmed him, now he wished for it to end. Yet she took a step towards him.

“Captain Kaeya, if there’s anything I can do for you, please let me know. I could buy you more cologne. Though it might take me a while. . .” Noelle continued in her admirable, earnest way.

Kaeya tried not to laugh, but it came out in an ugly, halting manner to him. “The only thing you can do for me is rest well. Goodnight Noelle.” Kaeya opened his book in dismissal before she had a chance to say anything else. He heard her walk away and the door to the hallway close. He quickly turned to open the window and let the fresh air in. “Dammit.”

Lisa was still at the library when Kaeya arrived. She closed and set her book to the side by the time Kaeya put the noctilucous jade bottle on her desk with a list of the people who had some into contact with the substance.

“And what am I supposed to do with this?” she casually asked.

“Apparently it’s smell caused one of the new knights to jump from a cliff.” Kaeya leaned against the desk. “I think it causes nightmares. These people should also be checked as a precaution.”

The librarian turned the bottle in her hand. “Is that from firsthand experience?” Lisa asked eyeing him under heavy lashes. Kaeya’s mouth set in a line, and he tapped the table trying not to remember the fires. Lisa looked over the list of names, then back at the bottle. “If you want to talk about it, I’m here.”

“Thanks, but I’m not a child.”

“Neither is Lutz. How did Noelle end up on this?”

“She was dropping off laundry and bumped into the dresser.”

“Hmm. I’m uncorking this.” She set the bottle down and covered her mouth, giving Kaeya a moment to back away before removing the top. When she uncorked it, the smell took over the area, and she quickly corked it. “I’ve never encountered something so strong in smell yet absolutely scentless.”

“Scentless? It smelled like rotten berries to me.”

Lisa’s brow furrowed. “So it smells different to different people. Have you taken this to Albedo?”

“He went to Dragonspine two days ago. The experiment will take the reminder of the week, according to Sucrose.” Kaeya walked behind the desk and cracked the window. He was thankful for the small breeze that hit his face. “No doubt to avoid the ball.”

“Oh, so you’ve heard about it? I’m excited, Jean will look lovely in a gown.” Lisa began writing on a piece of paper. “Was this bottle found there?”

“Yes. You know I love our Fatui friends,” Kaeya said with the enthusiasm of an insect, “but this pushing it.”

“Even so, all the knights and administrative staff are excited. I heard people are going on dates.”

Kaeya raised an eyebrow. “The staff?”

“Yes, Jean made sure of it. Poor Klee will be alone for the night.” Lisa stopped writing and they made eye contact. “Maybe Sucrose can watch her. I don’t think she’s interested in the ball if Albedo isn’t going.”

Kaeya nodded. “Or Noelle? She’s better suited.”

Lisa gave a deep annoyed sigh as she returned to her notes. “If you asked her to babysit, she’d say yes with a smile, but Noelle needs a break as much as anyone. Besides, don’t you wonder what she’d look like in a dress?”

“She’s always in a dress,” Kaeya said as he looked out the window. The image of her wrist flitted through his mind. “Tell me if you find anything,” he said as he left for the door.

Lisa didn’t look up from her paper. “Send the bartender my regards.”

“Will do.”

[reinaworks]

Crystallized [Genshin Fic]

Through a chance meeting, Noelle and Kaeya begin to grow close but when a mysterious nightmare sickness with origins in Brightcrown Canyon begins to wreck havoc on Mondstadt, they'll fight against the evil and their own feelings.

Noelle couldn’t remember when she chose to become a knight. Since childhood she had loved to help people. Some called her a pushover for doing whatever people asked of her to the point that even her mother worried that she’d get hurt due to her nature. But when someone was in need, whether they could ask for assistance or not, Noelle knew she had to be there. Though of course, like any normal person, there were some tasks she’d prefer to avoid. Like cleaning out the stables.

Grand Master Varka didn’t exactly take all the horses from the Knights of Favonious, just the ones that were healthiest to go. The few elderly and lame horses stayed in the stables to be cared for, though now the five horses experienced a special treatment they might not have had the stables been full. Noelle nuzzled the eldest, Marie, and shivered a little. Early mornings were always cool in Mondstat, but since it would warm up as time went on, the maid had opted to leave her jacket in her room.

Mornings were the best time to clean the stables in Noelle’s opinion. There was never anyone there before sunrise, giving her time to herself. Despite loving her job, sometimes she wished for time outside of the bath to rest. Noelle paused as she entered a stable. Not that people would think of this as resting. But for Noelle it was. The repetitive actions she knew by heart, having learned them from the stable master that left with the Grand Master, gave her time to think. Or not think. Or simply look forward to the day. Right now, Noelle was looking forward to the morning bath that’d wash the dirt and horse smell from her.

Once Noelle was done shoveling Marie’s manuere into a bucket, she went to Fran’s stall. Noelle crouched to check the horse’s broken leg. “Oh, it’s healing nicely Fran! Soon you’ll be able to practice holding weight again, and then you’ll be back to work with Captain Kaeya,” Noelle said as she retied the splint. “He’ll be. . .” she scratched Fran’s mane and smiled, “a ‘Calvary Captain without horses’ no more.”

“Is that what they say about me?”

Noelle jumped at the sudden but familiar voice and fell over into the newly laid hay. Thank the Archons I missed the bucket. Gentle laughter approached her, but she was too embarrassed to look up until his hand took hers. Captain Kaeya had an apologetic grin despite his laughter. “I’m sorry for scaring you,” he said as he helped her stand.

“I-it’s fine Captain Kaeya. I wasn’t paying attention to my surroundings,” she began as she lowered her head, “it’s my failure as a maid to the Knights of Favonious, to be so unaware.” With her eyes downcast, she saw that they still held hands and she pulled hers back quickly. His hand stayed in the air a moment before he pulled back as well.

“I don’t believe that, and I’d like for you not to either,” Kaeya said, walking away.

The maid looked up at the captain as he removed his jacket and hung it on the coat hook by the door. “But--”

“Remember Noelle, not every mistake is a failure.” He looked at her, silhouetted against the rising Sun, shadow and light mixing together. His eye seemed a sparkling gem set in his unreadable face. Noelle looked away, lest her blush be seen.

“I understand. I-I’ll strive to do better,” she said low as she walked to the brush bin. She reached for a brush and saw another hand next to hers. Shocked, she looked up to her left. “What are you doing?”

“This is the last task you have to do, correct?” Kaeya said still picking a brush. “I originally planned to take a walk, but as I passed the stables, I saw you.” His hair obscured his face, leaving Noelle wondering what his expression was. He found a brush and walked to the pen of pregnant Adal.

“Thank you,” Noelle said watching him gently stroke the mare. Adal had become antsy the closer her date came, but with Kaeya she was calm. Kaeya moved his hand along the mare’s neck as he brushed her mane and Adal sighed contently. He is the Calvary Captain after all. Noelle thought before realizing she was staring at him. She picked her brush and walked back to Fran’s pen.

“Oh!” Kaeya exclaimed causing Noelle to jump. “For once, I’m helping you.”

Noelle’s eyebrow furrowed. “I-I don’t understand. . .”

“I’m helping you groom the horses,” Kaeya said, then he brought his hand to his chin and closed his eye. “Though I made you fall in the first place, so the events probably cancel one another out.”

Noelle laughed. “My mother says ‘a good deed is a good deed’. Thank you, truly, Captain Kaeya.” She curtsied to him, then entered Fran’s pen.

Freshly bathed and changed, Noelle left her room for the dining hall earlier than usual due to the Calvary Captain’s interference in the stables. No, that’s not the right word. After all, it wasn’t like Noelle minded Kaeya’s being there. It was that they rarely interacted outside of official duties. She knew some people called her his “errand runner”, but in the end it was her job to be of assistance to the knights.

The dining hall was for the knights and those who worked to support them, so Noelle regularly met with all the lower ranks. The higher-ranking knights and administrators missed most of the mealtimes due to meetings or other tasks. Even so, her eyes glanced over the sparsely populated tables before she sat down.

It was also during breakfast that she received the bulk of the duties for that day. Normally before her first bite was finished, she had ten things on her list. To be so useful to everyone brought her joy, so when nobody came to her by the time she finished her plate, she was frustrated. Had she done something wrong?

She went over all the tasks she did yesterday. Then the ones from the day before. Then the ones from the day before that. Surely, she had messed up, made an incongruous mistake that caused her peers to avoid her. DING!

The cathedral’s bell tolled seven times. It was only 7 o’clock. Due to her having finished the stable work earlier, she had arrived at the dining hall earlier. Only the very early risers by choice or force were dining. Noelle took a deep breath then sipped the rest of her tea. Maybe I should wait for more people to arrive? No, maybe I should start cleaning? Or maybe the cooks need help before the rush hits? More unsure thoughts raced. Noelle had realized when training with the Traveler and Paimon that that was her greatest fault. Her unsure thoughts that made her hesitate weren’t just present when she fought. At times they seemed to rule her life.

The clacking of heels brought her out of her stupor. She looked over to see Lisa walking over, so Noelle stood, ready to go to work.

“You’re not yet busy, I hope?” Lisa asked as she brushed a lock of hair out of her face.

“Not at all, though I am ashamed to admit,” Noelle answered.

Lisa chuckled. “You and Jean are the only two I know to be unhappy without work to do.” It made Noelle happy to be compared to the Acting Grand Master, though she knew she was unworthy of such a comparison. “Noelle, I’ll need your help cleaning and reorganizing the library today. With you it shouldn’t take long, but just in case, be sure not to accept anything else.”

“Yes, of course! I’ll start right away.” Noelle began to walk towards the exit, but Lisa held a hand up, causing Noelle to pause.

“I haven’t had my morning tea yet. Why don’t we take a moment to relax?” Lisa had a habit of posing commands as questions to the confusion and later detriment of many at headquarters. Noelle knew better than to take a chance on a suggestion and sat down again. A kettle with cream and a second cup appeared in front of them. Lisa fixed her tea, then sipped slowly with her eyes closed. The two women sat across from each other drinking their tea in silence.

As the dining hall filled, Noelle could sense the people in need around her. A knight tried to approach but was swiftly pulled back by another. The Head Librarian was like a ward against evil. Rather a ward against work. Noelle laughed aloud at the thought.

“Hm? What’s so funny, Noelle?” Lisa asked, genuine interest in her tone. A cold shiver ran down Noelle’s spine.

“Nothing!” She said but Lisa knew better.

“Oh, then why laugh?”

Noelle looked down into her cup. She normally had a million thoughts racing through her mind, but now of all times they decided to take a break. She flipped through her memories, trying to come up with something. Then she remembered the morning. “I fell in the stables this morning.”

“Oh?”

“I was startled and nearly missed the bucket of horse . . .” Noelle trailed off not wanting to put them off from their tea.

“Oh?” Lisa’s eyes were distantly interested.

“Captain Kaeya helped me up after.”

“Hmm.” At this the librarians eyes alighted as she drank from her cup again. “I guess it would be funny if you were there.” Narrowly escaping, the maid finished her second cup. Lisa set hers down as well. “Shall we?”

The library was like a second home to Noelle with all the time she spent studying. First, she helped Lisa put returned books back on the shelves and dust, then she rearranged the shelves. Not the books, but the shelves. Apparently, the strong winds from the Stormterror incident had pushed the shelves on the lower level that weren’t against the walls a few inches out of place.

“While I didn’t mind their original places,” Lisa began, “Now that I see it, some of the shelves would be better outside of direct sunlight.”

“So as not to damage the books?” Noelle asked pushing one of the heavy cases into its new home.

“Precisely. Now when the Sun arcs, the light will only hit the very edge.” The Librarian admired Noelle’s work. Noelle patted her apron and stood next to Lisa. The new layout wasn’t just better for the books, but the library seemed more open somehow. Dust seemed to dance in the noon sunlight and her eyes followed them upwards to the top of the left staircase where Kaeya was walking down.

As he came down the stairs the light seemed to crown him, sitting atop his navy colored hair. Again, his hair obscured his face so that she couldn’t read his expression, but his body language was tense. When he turned to the women, Noelle found herself looking away.

“Lisa, I need a few books on Brightcrown Canyon,” he said on his quick approach. Noelle looked up to see his eye cut in frustration.

“No please? You didn’t even say hello to Noelle,” Lisa teased. Kaeya’s face changed from frustration to confusion as he turned and registered Noelle’s presence. She put her hands up to chest level and shook her head.

“It’s fine, Miss Lisa. Captain Kaeya must have much on his mind,” she said as her cheeks reddened.

Kaeya gave a soft smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes like it had that morning, “I apologize Noelle.  I hope the day’s been treating you well?”

Noelle did a small curtsy. “It has. . . thank you for asking.” The knight and the maid connected eyes and for a moment, their breath synched.

“I heard you made her fall this morning,” Lisa cut in, regaining Kaeya’s attention.

“An accident,” both Noelle and Kaeya said at the same time, though the latter’s tone lacked the formers embarrassment.

“Oho?” Lisa chuckled at the synchronization.

Kaeya rubbed his temple. “Lisa. Brightcrown Canyon.”

“I’m busy, but Noelle can help you get them. I’d hire her as my assistant if she wanted.” She put a hand on Noelle’s back. While Noelle was internally happy to receive more praise from Lisa, she saw Kaeya’s mouth set in a line. It was obvious that Kaeya had wanted Lisa’s help, and part of Noelle was hurt. He probably wanted to discuss things that only those of their rank should know about, but he knew not to challenge Lisa in her domain.

“Very well. Shall we?” he said gesturing for Noelle to lead the way.

They walked to the corner on Mondstat. “What are you looking for, specifically?” Noelle asked.

“Anything,” he said as he stopped to read the spines on a shelf. Noelle waited for more instructions, but when none came, she nodded and went to work.

Watching Kaeya flip through the books she gave him, gaining and connecting pieces of information with ease, after some time reminded Noelle of her lack of knighthood. Could she ever reach his level? No, Noelle thought while quickly smushing her cheeks. Don’t think like that! Traveler wouldn’t want me too. She sighed. I must believe in myself! Even so, she felt an unclosable distance between their abilities. Between the people they are.

Kaeya wrote something down and closed his book. He took a deep breath as he looked out the window, then his eye wandered to where Noelle watched him. She looked away again. His  chair moves and steps began in her direction before a door to the library burst open.

“CAPTIAN KAEYA!” a young knight yelled in earnest distress. Kaeya’s footsteps stopped. He said something inaudible under breath before turning the other way.

“Goodbye Noelle,” she heard Kaeya say though her eyes never left the floor.

The rest of her day was filled with odd tasks around headquarters, mainly the ones that the other maids had yet to complete. She cleaned the offices, scrubbed the foyer, and finally took down the laundry. Laundry was one of Noelle’s favorite tasks as it wasn’t as repetitive as the other jobs, though she could still mentally review information for the Knight’s exam.

“Noelle? Are you listening? We might not have to work the ball!” said Marta, another maid a year older with curly brown hair who folded with her. Noelle had been going over the fastest route through the Whispering Woods and had missed most of the conversation.

“Ball?” Noelle asked with a kickball coming to mind.

“At the Goth Grand Hotel? You really haven’t heard?” Marta asked incredulous to the point of Noelle’s embarrassment. “I guess with all the work you do, it must have slipped your mind.” Marta’s expression sunk at the thought that Noelle didn’t share the same excitement.

“Please tell me about it!” Noelle may not have been excited, but it pained her to see someone feeling down. Marta pepped up again.

“Well, the Fatui are throwing it in honor of the Knights of Favonious! That’s why I thought we might have to work it. Well, we still might have to since we’re not knights ourselves, we might not even be invited to be honest. . . but I heard the Acting Grand Master is asking about it.” Marta clutched a shirt and squealed.

Noelle wasn’t sure she wanted to attend a ball, especially if it meant the hotel’s staff running tight. If it came to that, she’d rather work the event herself. Yet, “It would be nice to go though,” she said her thought aloud. Marta paused her fantasizing and stared at Noelle.

“You. Want. To. Go.” Marta leaned closer with each word.

Noelle nodded. “I just thought it would be nice.”

“That’s it! If we aren’t allowed, we’ll protest until we are. Nothing gets cleaned until Noelle gets a break!” Marta threw the shirt into the air.

“Let’s not go that far.”

Marta looked at Noelle, then to the younger maid’s clenched fist resting on the table. “R-right. We do have our maid’s pride, but even we need to have some fun.”

The two continued folding until stacks of clothes were ready to be returned to their owners. The lower ranking knights and staff came to the laundry room to pick up their items, but the higher ranked had theirs delivered to their rooms.

The older maid picked a stack of clothes then pointed to different stack. “I’ll deliver these to the head maid, and you take those to Sir Kaeya’s room. Last task of the day.”

“Captain Kaeya’s?” Noelle looked at the stack. She had been so busy the remainder of the day that she hadn’t thought about what happened in the library. Or rather, what didn’t happen. Noelle turned to Marta, but the other girl had left the room already. It’s just delivering clothes. She thought without understanding why she was so nervous.

Kaeya’s room was neat. Despite having grown up with the wealthy Ragnvindr family, the maids knew Kaeya preferred to make his own bed and put away his own things. It was something about “keeping himself grounded”, Noelle had overheard the other maids discussing once. Noelle had come into the room to dust and clean the attached bathroom before, but she hadn’t felt any different about this space than all the others. She did her job without deviation and left. So why was it today that she noticed things.

Like how there was a small, overstuffed bookcase next to his desk. Or the much larger wine rack in the corner. A plush chaise was under the window, the color of which seemed to shift in the dim candlelight. She set the clothes on the bed and lit another candle so that she could see better. There was an ornate armoire and a dresser next to it. On top of the dresser were several items Noelle could only understand as memories, like a seashell.

She knew that she shouldn’t stay in the room, but something was drawing her. As her eyes wandered across the top she saw what looked to be a cologne bottle carved from noctilucous jade. Noelle picked up the bottle to admire the fine craftmanship, then popped the cork. The smell was thick and made her feel dizzy. She quickly set it down.

I shouldn’t be messing with his things. Noelle next went to start putting away Kaeya’s clothes. She opened a drawer and it was full of eyepatches of different types, half of which she’d never seen him wear. One stuck out to her. She picked up a piece the color of night with silver embroidery the shape of flowers she didn’t recognize.

The material appeared soft, and Noelle wanted to feel it with her own skin. Absentmindedly, she removed one of her gloves and rubbed the eyepatch between her fingers. It was smooth and soft, silk from Liyue she knew by sight, but to feel it in hand was entrancing. Even the floral embroidery was soft. She brought it to her face and rubbed the fabric against it.

“It seems like every time we say goodbye, we say hello again.” Kaeya’s eyebrow was raised when Noelle turned around. He stood in his bathroom door, wearing only his bathrobe. “I fell asleep and didn’t hear you come in.”

“No – I – um” Noelle averted her eyes and took a clumsy step back to curtsy, but her foot hit the dresser, which caused some of the items to fall over. The smell of the cologne filled the room and Noelle felt dizzy.

She turned to see the gem carved bottle on its side, some the contents puddling about. Noelle quickly moved to clean it up but realized she had nothing to wipe it up with. Her heart sped and she could hear herself breathing heavily. She was prepared to use her apron when Kaeya placed his towel over the mess. She near immediately felt better.

“I’m sorry for my rudeness earlier in the library,” he said over her shoulder. The smell of soap from him wasn’t strong but instead mixed with his natural scent in a captivating manner that alleviated the remaining effects of the cologne. Noelle turned her head up to respond, only to find his face much closer than she realized. His damp hair covered his right side, but his left was visible.

“I-It’s fine,” she said, “You must’ve had important things on your mind.”

“It’s no excuse. For all the hardwork, you of all people deserve kindness.” His expression was unreadable and it frustrated Noelle that even when she could see his face, she couldn’t see him.

“I don’t think I deserve any more than the next person,” Noelle said, moving out of his way as he wiped the liquid.

“You help everyone without question.” He left the towel on the dresser and went to the bookshelf, choosing a book seemingly at random.

“It’s a maid’s duty.”

“You go above and beyond,” Kaeya said as he sat down on his chaise, the v-line of his robe going deeper than his regular attire, but Noelle’s eyes didn’t wander down. It was his face she wanted to learn how to read.

“As a maid to the Knights of Favonious –”

“Aren’t you tired?” Kaeya’s voice was steady as he asked that question. His shoulders sloped downwards, for a moment looking older than his age. Like he carried the weight of the world on his shoulders.

On instinct Noelle took a step forward. “Captain Kaeya, if there’s anything I can do for you, please let me know. I could buy you more cologne. Though it might take me a while. . .”

His laugh came out haltingly, like it ached him to be happy. “The only thing you can do for me is rest well. Goodnight Noelle.” Kaeya dismissed Noelle by opening book before she had a chance to push against his demeanor. Afraid of knocking something else over, she half bowed and left the Calvary Captain’s room.

She walked without stopping to the roof of the headquarters and let the cool air hit her face. The lights from the city let her see the clear streets she didn’t regularly see due to her work. Mondstat was her peaceful, beautiful home, and she was proud to work in any capacity to keep it that way. Noelle took a deep breath as she leaned against the battlement.

Today was different in a way she struggled to understand. She did less than most days, but felt incredibly tired. Aren’t you tired? Maybe she was, but the question entered her mind with an image of Kaeya.  Most days she never saw the captain, yet today she met him three different times, though she felt she met with three different people. He had been comforting in one moment, but cold the next. His job was difficult, but her honed helper instincts knew there was something else in play.

She clenched her hand and felt something inside it. Looking down she realized that the eyepatch was still in her hand, having never dropped it in her confusion. She also realized that she left her glove in his room. Not only did she waste his expensive cologne, but she stole one of his eyepatches. Noelle sunk to her knees.

“I’m a failure as a maid.”

Remember Noelle, not every mistake is a failure. Kaeya’s words calmed her at the same time that he frustrated her.

“I am a maid to the Knights of Favonious, a future knight myself,” she said standing, “It’s my job to help all citizens of Mondstat.” Even those unwilling to ask for it themselves.