* COLLEI'S POV *
It was me, Y/N and Madame Faruzan, the three of us were sitting together around a table that Y/N had built in their own private domain, a domain that was like Y/N's own pocket world. It was really amazing in here! There were all these floating islands connected with wooden bridges... and all of that sat on an even larger floating island... It was almost like those places I had read in books before!
After a while of chatting and eating together, eventually Madame Faruzan had come to the decision that it was time for her to head back to the Akademiya, and so Y/N helped her to depart by pulling out a... teapot? Madame Faruzan had placed her hand on the teapot and then she and the teapot disappeared! According to Y/N, this was the way that we could leave and enter this world, through their mostly normal-looking teapot. I still didn't really understand it entirely, but I trusted Y/N, so I didn't ask too many more questions about it.
Now though, that we had finished eating, Y/N asked me if I would like for them to show me around what they had built so far in this world, seeing as how neither of us should really be leaving the teapot just yet— with my Eleazar spiking yesterday like it did, and Y/N seemed really tired too themself, from their creating so many sources of water in here for me...
Y/N: "At the moment, these plants are still growing, but supposedly they'll only take a little while longer before they'll be ready to harvest. Crops apparently grow at a much faster rate in here, but there's a limit to how much I can plant in here unfortunately– else we could have turned this place into a really efficient farm to feed the masses!"
Collei: "Even still... it's really cool! So what are you growing here? Are they things from Liyue, maybe?"
Y/N: "Actually... this plot here is mostly just carrots and radishes. But I do have some Jueyun Chilis growing in this corner here too."
Collei: "Oh? Jueyun Chilis? That sounds familiar... Oh! I think sometimes we get imports of them sometimes! They're really spicy so they're used in some experiments at the Akademiya I think? I'm not really sure... And this plot over here? What's in this...? OH! Wait! These are Zaytun Peaches and Harra Fruits? Really?! But aren't they only really found here in Sumeru? Why would you...?"
Y/N: "Well, when in a new place, you should try the local foods, no? And, well, I want to make sure we've got food available that you're happy with too. Of course, I'll be relying on you to teach me how to prepare these crops and how we can use them!"
Collei: "For me...? Well– uh... thank you! I'll do my best to help! You uhm... You're not growing any mushrooms at the moment, are you?"
Y/N: "I'm not, no. Although I do have some spores available to me I believe, why do you ask?"
Collei: "Oh, no reason! I just wanted to make sure you weren't growing any poisonous mushrooms by accident is all!"
Y/N: "Poisonous mushrooms, huh... the thought didn't even cross my mind! Well, if you don't mind I suppose I'll be relying on your help with that too!"
Collei: "Of course! I'll do all that I can! After all... I said I was going to help you with your mission, and that I'll be the best tour guide you ever saw!"
Y/N: "And I really do appreciate that, Collei. Now, where to next...?"
* * *
Y/N then ended up showing me the small part of Liyue that they brought with them. They admitted that originally this domain had an entirely different structure here, but that Y/N had completely restructured it whilst I rested in that bed under Faruzan's watch. And now this small section of the island we found ourselves on now was all that really remained of the original structure. But even still, it was a very nice place even with how limited it seemed to be now.
With an alchemy bench and a small table for basic blacksmithing, this seemed to be both a productive place for Y/N as well as a place for them to feel more at home. And then, not too far away from this place, there was this really interesting tree that Y/N showed off to me. It was a tree that hung off of the smaller floating islands, but the main feature of this tree was the hanging seat that extended off the trunk of the tree and didn't have any land directly underneath it... well, until the larger floating island that hosted all the smaller floating islands that Y/N had... built?
Y/N said that they made this tree-hung seat specifically for me, so that I could have a quiet place to sit if I should need it, and with it facing towards the second large floating island that Y/N had worked on, the one that was covered with nothing but trees of various types, they hoped that it would be something I might appreciate. And I really did! Even if it wasn't as nice as it was, the fact that they did this with me in mind was really nice! They... Y/N reminded me a lot of the friends I made back in Mondstadt, who despite me being who I was, was incredibly kind to me and accommodated needs I didn't even know I needed...
And that was nothing to say about what Y/N was going to show me next!
Collei: "Oh, I like this little park here, with the fountain here... It's really pretty and peaceful! All it's missing is the sound of birds and maybe some cute critters... like squirrels!"
Y/N: "Well, now that you mention that, I actually was told that I might be able to do that! That wouldn't be for a little while though, but supposedly there is an Inazuman technology that would allow for us to bring wild animals in here in a... somewhat domesticated medium."
Collei: "Oh, well... I wouldn't want to be a bother... I think this place is just great as it is! But... what's that building over there? And what's behind that fence?"
Y/N: "Well, would you like to go and have a look? It'd probably do better for you to see it for yourself than for me to try and explain it to you I think! Especially with what Faruzan said earlier, I'm not so sure I'd do it justice!"
Collei: "Oh? Uhmm... Sure! I don't really understand what you mean, but I'm definitely curious!"
As it turns out, the small wooden hut connected to the cute little garden that Y/N had made was exactly that: just a small wooden hut. There wasn't anything inside except a small empty crate, a wooden chair and some towels. I didn't realise why until Y/N then led me back outside the wooden hut and further through the little area past the garden...
Collei: "Is this... a pond? But why is there so much steam coming off of it?!"
Y/N: "You really don't recognise it? Huh, I guess Sumeru really doesn't have any Hot Springs after all!"
Collei: "Wait, this is what Madame Faruzan was talking about earlier! She sounded quite excited about it too... But what about it is exactly so exciting?"
Y/N: "Well... why don't you try and stick your hand under the water, that'd probably explain it better than I could! "
Not sure exactly what to expect, I listened to Y/N's recommendation, and I walked up to the water's edge, being careful not to slip on the rocks that surround this mysterious pool... I couldn't help but notice that the rocks seemed to from a staircase that led down into the pool, but I didn't want to do that– just my arm will do for now...
Collei: "WOAH! It's really warm!! I guess that's why they call it a hot spring then!"
Y/N: "That's right. In reality, hot springs are a spring that was produced when geothermally heated groundwater emerges from the planet's crust. Some hot springs have waters that are cool enough for bathing, and it is considered quite a treat to do so!"
Collei: "I could imagine... It feels really nice, even with just my arm in it... s–So, does that mean that there is a– uhmm... 'geothamelly' thing here too then? For you to have this hot spring here?"
Y/N: "Not that I know of, no. Rather, I was able to just fake it! But it seems to be just as good as the real ones, at least in my opinion. I'm no connoisseur though! I'd only been to the ones in Liyue a couple of times with Hu Tao."
Collei: "So that's what that hut here is for then? Like a room to change?"
Y/N: "That's right, I thought it was only appropriate that I do so. I also set up some barriers around the edges of the springs so that people can't look in from outside, unless they're coming from this hallway with the changing room that is. So if you ever want to use this place, feel free, and you'll have your privacy to use it and relax alone if you see fit."
Collei: "I can really use this... Really? Oh! That sounds great! I kinda want to try it now! Huh... Now that I think about it, this kinda reminds me of something... something from Mondstadt, but I can't remember what..."
Y/N: "It does? I didn't know that Mondstadt had something similar themselves, I mean... I suppose I was only there for a short while, so I suppose I didn't see all the sights!"
Collei: "Oh, Mondstadt's great, isn't it! I'd love to go there again! But... with my current condition... I can't really... I don't have the strength to go that far anymore..."
Y/N: "Oh... Collei..."
Collei: "i–It's fine! Don't mind me! I'm used to it at this point... I would like to see Amber again though, and— OH! I remember what this hot spring reminds me of now! My friend Amber used to tell me about the cold baths that she would take up in Dragonspine with her Knight Friend, Eula. She used to say that she'd take me up there to try it for myself one day, once I recovered from my sickness, but... I don't think that day will ever come now..."
Y/N: "Collei, come now. You don't really believe that, do you? Even still, after you've made so much progress today?"
Collei: "But that wasn't me! That was all you! You and this... this magical world of yours, a world right out of a children's fairy tale..."
Y/N: "But Collei, you've made it this far, haven't you? You've been very strong. But now you don't need to try so hard all on your own. Allow me to shoulder the burdens for you, having now met you... I refuse to allow any more pain to come to you! I will find a way to cure you, even if that means that we have to keep you safe in here until that day comes! And hey! I can take this teapot with me all the way to Mondstadt with you still inside it, and then I can invite your friend Amber and all of the others there to come meet you in here, where you're safe!"
Collei: "y–you can really do that? You mean I could... I could see Amber again? And Miss Lisa and Jean?"
Y/N: "If you would like me to, I would be honoured to. Collei. But first... I need to figure out what happened to Hu Tao, to get her to wake up again... but after I've found those answers, then of course I'll take you to Mondstadt! We can even have some of your friends from Sumeru join you there too, and it'd be like a big party with all your friends! But if that's the case..."
Collei: "Huh? What's wrong? Is there a problem with that? I... I'll do my best to help with whatever it is!"
Y/N: "Well, I was just thinking... all those people... I'll definitely need to improve the facilities available in here to accommodate them all!"
* * *
After that kind and reassuring moment together, Y/N then took me back out of the hot spring area and back towards the rest of the island. I was definitely interested in trying out this hot spring, really interested! But... I don't have to try it right now, right? I'd much rather finish this tour that Y/N was giving me, so that we could talk more and they could show me all the amazing things that they had made here overnight. They also asked me to give suggestions for improvements to make, but I didn't feel like it was my place to make them... and they'd probably be no good anyways...
Y/N didn't push for me to make these suggestions though, even though they sounded a little upset that I didn't think my opinion would be worth much. But they insisted that I give them ideas of things to do with the other three islands that they can build things on. Y/N told me that they had a total of four islands in here that they could build on, with us currently being on the first one; and the second one was filled with nothing but trees and bushes that they had gotten from the cute little bird spirit thingy. But the other two islands were completely empty still, with nothing on them at all except for grass. And Y/N insisted that I helped them plan exactly what it would be that they would build on them when they had the time and materials to do so.
I kept telling them not to worry, that I was just happy to feel as healthy as I did now, and that I enjoyed exploring this first island and would look forward to exploring the others, but they didn't let it go at all! So eventually, as we walked around the magical pocket world of Y/N's together, I relented and told them some of the things I thought might be nice... things like places that I had seen in Mondstadt, and of things that I had read in books before that... I didn't think would really exist in the real world, but things that Y/N could make real, with their amazing powers!
Now though? The day was at an end, and I ended up not visiting the hot springs today after all, but now back in the treehouse that I had woken up in this morning, I did take a very pleasant bath after Y/N and I had dinner, and then... after a very confusing yet happy day, I got back into the comfy bed that Y/N had prepared me, in the room that they had decorated for me... and I got the best night's sleep I think I've had in years...
* Y/N'S POV *
* THE NEXT MORNING *
*sigh*... Another morning, waking up alone without her by my side, without Hu Tao snuggling into me... without her using her very cold hands to playfully jolt me awake, and the giggling fit she'd fall into afterwards when she got an equally amusing and playful rile out of me for doing so...
It almost felt pointless to get up without these things, but... that's the reason why I'm out here, isn't it? To figure out what it was that caused Hu Tao to fall into that coma, to figure out who it was that sent that cursed headset to her... and to return to the normalcy that was my life prior to such a moment, and to give her the ring that I still had with me, even now.
Stored safely in my room here at the Serenitea Pot, the ring that Lady Ningguang had helped me to source, crafted from the finest of materials, as a thank you from her and all of Liyue for my services to the nation since my revival.
I suppose I can afford to think on these things for a little while longer, seeing as how today is only the second day of the three that I would have to wait for that guy to return to me with whatever clues he can find. That... Dottore guy, or whatever his name was, he looked a little... exotic... but I suppose that might just be a side-effect of such devotion to the studying and research that the Akademiya of Sumeru inspires in its peoples...
I remember him telling me that I should "spend the days getting acquainted with the lay of the land here, and the lore of Sumeru — particularly that about the uselessness of the current Dendro Archon." I still don't know exactly what he meant by that... I suppose that could be what I spend today doing? Learning exactly what is up with this Archon of Sumeru whilst also learning more about the land that I now find myself in, for I'm sure I recall hearing that there was just as much desert land as there is forests and jungles, right...?
I could ask Collei about these things, but from what I understand, there is a lot of which she seems to be unaware of also for some reason... I wouldn't want to pry too much more than I already have, so I suppose I'll instead go to someone else for all these questions so that I don't put her on the spot at all and make it awkward, Nilou perhaps? Hmmm...
*knock knock*
Y/N: "hmm? Oh! Yes, you can come in!"
A moments pause, and the door to my bedroom has opened. I had already prepared myself for the day, so there were no worries there at all. But I guess maybe I had been absent for a while too long? I suppose a Forest Ranger is probably used to waking up early for their patrols, so Collei might have been twiddling her thumbs this whole time until she thought it late enough to come and— Oh? She looks a bit different today.
Collei: "Good morning Y/N! Sorry, I'm not intruding, am I?"
Y/N: "Not at all, not at all! I've just been considering some things, thinking about what to do today, you know?"
Collei: "Oh right! You said that you're waiting for that researcher to get back to you in three days, right? So that'd be tomorrow... So what are we going to do today? Something fun?!"
Y/N: "Well... I'd certainly like to! But before that... How are you feeling today, Collei? Is there much pain at all?"
Collei: "None! I feel really great! That was the best sleep I think I've had in... well, years! I feel like I could run from here all the way back to Gandharva Ville without any problems at all!"
Y/N: "Oh? Well that's excellent news! I'm happy for you, Collei! But... we shouldn't be too hasty. We don't know how well your body will fare once we leave this domain after all. But if you're feeling that great, then we can certainly head out and visit some places out and about in Sumeru. Any places in particular that you'd like to recommend?"
Collei: "Oh? Uhm... I'm not really sure... Maybe Puspa Café? Then you could try some of the yummy treats here in Sumeru maybe? If that doesn't sound too silly...?"
A café...? The potentially tasty drinks and food aside, that's probably a pretty good idea actually. It could be a great source of information, and the people there could be an opportunity to ask about the Dendro Archon.
Y/N: "No no, that sounds like a great idea! I'd love to go there, when in a foreign nation, you should always try the local specialties after all! Do they do breakfast there do you know, or should we have it in here and then we can go there for lunch?"
Collei: "Oh! I'm... I'm not really sure... I've only been there once or twice before... b–But I know that they do some really yummy snacks for lunch! So we could just wait until then...?"
Y/N: "Well, alright then! We'll take a trip to this Puspa Café for lunch then! But for now, have you helped yourself to anything in the kitchen yet? Or would you like me to make something for us for breakfast?"
Collei: "Oh no! I couldn't possibly! This is your home after all! It would be really rude of me to just take things, wouldn't it?"
Y/N: "Collei. This isn't my home, not really. Mine is back in Liyue after all. This is just... a home away from home, I suppose? This is as much my own place as it is yours, we're both using it as a safe haven during our journey together. So please, let loose and enjoy yourself whilst you're here, alright? Tighnari told me that he normally gives you homework to do, right? But he told me that you're off the hook for all that for the time being, so you should use this opportunity to enjoy yourself!"
Collei: "I... I don't know... is that really okay?"
Y/N: "Of course it is! But now that you're here, why don't we head on over to the dining room, and I'll make something for both of us? Any preferences?"
Collei: "Oh. Not really, no! I'm fine with pretty much everything! I'm not picky, I... I couldn't afford to be... not back then..."
Sensing that her mood was going to fall melancholy, I decided now would be a good time to bring up what has been piquing my curiosity ever since she stepped into the room...
Y/N: "Hey, Collei? I was just wondering... but did you do something different with your hair today?"
Collei: "m–My hair?! You uh... You noticed then, huh... y–Yeah, I... I hope you don't mind, but I felt a little bit icky from all the running around I did yesterday, and... well, I washed up with that uhmm... shower-thing this morning, the one you showed me yesterday? I guess I got a bit distracted and my hair didn't properly dry yet. Is it a problem? Does it look bad?!"
Y/N: "No, no! Not at all! It just looked different was all, I was wondering if you were just trying something new is all!"
Collei: "Oh? Is that all? w–Well, as long as you don't think it looks too bad... Although it's tickling my neck a lot... so I think I'm going to go back to the room you lent me, and I'll get it fixed up to be like I normally have it."
Y/N: "Sounds like a plan! And whilst you do that, I'll head on over to the kitchen and set us up with something nice for breakfast, so come pay the dining table a visit once you're done, alright? And then after breakfast we can head out and you can show me some more of Sumeru!"
* LATER THAT DAY *
Collei and myself were now out and about, wandering the land of Sumeru– albeit we didn't stray too far from the main city really, just in case something happened. But it seems that after Collei's extended day and a half's rest inside the Serenitea Pot, she was in a far better state than she was before. And now knowing that strenuous activities could lead to Collei being put into quite a dangerous state, I made sure that we didn't do anything that might cause that, and ensured that we regularly took time to sit down and recuperate some— even if Collei would constantly attempt to convince me that she was absolutely fine!
We had explored the entirety of the lower half of the city by this point, excluding the Puspa Café that we planned to visit for lunch. Collei had also shown me some rather pretty spots of nature around the city itself, and we'd spent some time together just watching the fauna of Sumeru living their lives. In fact, we were still out there, watching as the cranes strolled through the shallow rivers in search of a fishy meal.
Y/N: "Hey, Collei? Have you ever gone fishing before?"
Collei: "Huh...?"
Collei: "Gone.. fishing? I mean, I've done a little bit of fishing before, for rations and things like that. But is there a difference between the two?"
Y/N: "Well... sorta...? I mean, there's probably a difference in attitudes I'd imagine. Between needing to just fish for the night's meal and fishing just for fun, don't you think?"
Collei: "Well, I guess that makes sense. But... is that really something that people do? Why?"
Y/N: "Well, mostly just for the fun of it! Me and Yanfei, she's a friend of mine back in Liyue, we'd regularly go out to some of the more secluded fishing spots of Liyue, and we'd just spend a good few hours out there, just fishing away. Most the time we didn't even take the fish that we caught home with us, and we would just let them back into the pond after catching them."
Collei: "You would? Why?"
Y/N: "Because there are only so many fish in a pond, and if you spend as long as we do at the fishing ponds per session, then we'd most definitely exhaust the supply and have nothing left to fish for!"
Collei: "I see... Then no, I've never done that before. Is it really that fun to do?"
Y/N: "Well, that depends on the person I suppose! Yanfei and I got pretty competitive with our sessions together, always competing to see who can catch the most out of the two of us. But I also occasionally would go out there on my own, or with Hu Tao, just to fish for the sake of fishing."
Collei: "Well, I guess I wouldn't mind trying it. Master says that I should try as many new things as I can after all! Oh! But does that mean you know of somewhere we can go to do this type of fishing, here in Sumeru?"
Y/N: "Well... not specifically, no. But it'll be fine! We just got to follow the river after all! I don't really know what type of fish you can find here, nor the bait they like. But I've got a decent selection on me and, well... Medaka are pretty widespread, so we should be fine!"
Collei: "Medaka...? What does that mean? I... I don't think I know that word..."
Y/N: "Oh, that's just the name of a fish. It's a really common one, I've seen them in every nation I've been to so far, be that Liyue, Inazuma or Mondstadt. So I'm sure, somewhere as touched by nature as Sumeru will certainly be able to sport a species or two of them! And they're a very beginner–friendly fish too, although it sounds like you've plenty experience as it is!"
Collei: "I suppose so, although... I usually lost the fish most the time... if they pull too hard then it hurts to hold the fishing rod... But I should be fine now, right? I feel way better than normal since yesterday after all!"
Y/N: "Well... we'll see then, I suppose... Medaka's should be fine though, they're quite weak, and if there's anything more boisterous, I'll help you pull on the rod if needed, alright?"
Collei: "Alright! Hehe! I don't know why, but I'm super excited now! Come on, let's go! Let's follow this river and find some fish to catch!"
* * *
I didn't tell her at the time, but I had spoken with Chubby the Teapot Spirit earlier, and there were a couple of cool furnishings that I had available to me, furnishings that could safely hold fish caught in the real world. And I thought that maybe this could be a nice thing that we could do today, to catch a couple of fish, and to find a fish or two that Collei really liked or had a connection of some sort to. And then we could bring it back to the Teapot, so that she'd have something living to interact whilst she's in there.
Fish might not be the most in-depth of pets, being moreso a type of pet that you mostly just observe. But even still, a connection like that is better than nothing. Especially if I have to leave her in the teapot for a time whilst I navigated Sumeru alone, in case her Eleazar starts to flare up again.
So far, we'd managed to find a rather nice spot, just outside of a 'Vimara Village'. There were no threats anywhere nearby to us because of this, and the water was quite densely packed with interesting fish that had definitely seemed to pique Collei's interest. Unfortunately, these more interesting fish didn't seem to have any interest in any of the bait that I had on hand... but rather fortunately at least, the only fish that were interested in the bait I had available were the Medaka that I hoped we would find.
Collei: "Aha! That's another one! That's the fourth one in a row I've managed to get without breaking the line! I'm really getting the hang of this!!"
Y/N: "You really are! You haven't even needed a helping hand at all since those first couple attempts! You've definitely got the makings of a pro fisherwoman! Keep this up and I'll have to invite you to join me and my friend Yanfei in our super competitive fishing tourneys sometime!"
Collei: "Oh? Hehe... thanks, but I don't think I'm THAT good. I'm only getting these little things at the moment anyways, the uh... Medoko's...?"
Y/N: "Close! They're called Medakas. And that's not on you at all, Collei, that's just on the bait we've got on hand. Even I couldn't get these other ones to bite at all, so I think it's just that they're a lot more picky than the fish are elsewhere!"
???: "Oh? Collei! What are you doing all the way out here at Vimara Village?"
It would seem that someone else who knew Collei was now approaching us. I turned to look towards the source of the mysterious voice, and I quickly noted the relatively familiar uniform of the Forest Rangers that I had been introduced to during my visit to Gandharva Ville at the beginning of my journey here in Sumeru.
Collei: "Oh? Rana? It's been a while, hello!"
Rana: "Good morning Collei. It's nice to see you again! But I have to ask... does Tighnari know you're out here?"
Collei: "Well... He doesn't know that I'm right here, not exactly... But he knows that I'm in the company of— Oh! Sorry! Y/N, this is Rana, and Rana, Y/N."
Y/N: "Nice to meet you, Rana."
Rana: "Likewise, but even still... Who is this? And do you mean to say that Tighnari assigned you to them, Collei?"
Collei: "Oh, right! I guess you wouldn't know, would you? What with you taking a break from the Forest Rangers for the time being... Well, Y/N? Do you want to tell her? I don't know how much you want to say about it..."
Y/N: "Oh, sure, I don't mind. Rana seems quite concerned for your safety after all. Simply put, I'm a visitor from Liyue, and Master Tighnari lent me the aid of Collei whilst I navigate the region. I've been made aware of Collei's condition, and as it turns out, I actually have a way to... mitigate these pains somewhat."
Rana: "So Tighnari gave you his blessing to leave with this Y/N then, Collei?"
Collei: "That's right! He's at Pardis Dhyai at the moment, and my condition was flaring up, so he said this would be the best thing for me for the time being. And I actually feel really great today! Just yesterday I was running around all day without any pains at all!"
Rana: "Oh, truly? That's... That's really good news! I'm glad to hear that Collei! But even still, that doesn't explain why you're here, are you just waiting for the village chief or something?"
Collei: "Oh! No, no! We're not here for the village, not really. We've just got to wait for a day for something, so Y/N invited me to try fishing for fun rather than just for food. I've managed to catch lots of... uhm... Medakas!"
Rana: "Oh I see! Only Medakas though? Have you not tried to get any of the Marlines or Anglers?"
Y/N: "Unfortunately, it would seem that those other fish aren't really all that fond of the baits I have on hand. So for now we're just going for the Medakas."
Rana: "Ah yes, I suppose you wouldn't have the right bait if you've never been to Sumeru before. The native fish here aren't fond of anything other than Sugardew Bait. But that stuff will work on most everything you can catch here in Sumeru! As it happens, I actually still have some on me, if you'd like some?"
Y/N: "Oh, we couldn't possibly! But, if you happen to know the core ingredients to craft our own? I've been making my own bait for a while now, so the usual process isn't foreign to me."
Rana: "Please, I insist! I won't need all this, I'm actually thinking of heading out of Sumeru soon so I won't be needing too much of it. It's also really quite easy to make more of, it's just Harra Fruit and Sumeru Roses. Just one of each will be more than enough for about ten pieces of bait."
Y/N: "Oh? Excellent! They're quite common around here, right? So that's great to hear!"
Regardless of my feeble protests, Rana still handed over a rather generous supply of foreign-looking bait. More than enough for Collei to experiment with on these Sumeru fish.
Y/N: "Well, if you're sure... Thanks, I really appreciate the gesture!"
Rana: "Don't mind it, it's really no problem. And anyways... Collei sounds pretty happy, she looks it too. So think of this as a thank you from me, and the rest of the Forest Rangers, for looking out for her!"
Collei: "I...? Uhm..."
Rana: "As for you, Collei. Be sure to make the best of this, okay? I know you normally have to keep quite close to Gandharva Ville, but it sounds like you've got the opportunity for quite an adventure, just like me and my... friend are about to go on soon. So make sure you enjoy it and get as much done as you can! Alright Collei?"
Collei: "Well... I uhm..."
Y/N: "Of course! I'm going to be supporting young Collei here with any and all that she wishes to do! I'm not sure where this journey of ours will take us, but hopefully it'll be fun for the both of us!"
Rana: "That's all I wanted to hear, thanks. I should probably get going now though, good luck you two!"
Collei: "Oh? Ah, bye then Rana! Thank you for the bait!"
Rana: "It's nothing! But promise me this, would you? We'll meet again someday, and when we do, we'll have to catch up and tell each other about our adventures, alright?"
Collei: "It's a deal!"
And with a smile on both their faces, the two said their farewells whilst Rana walked off into the wilderness whilst Collei remained by the riverside with me. And now, with our new bait in hand, we could now finally attempt to fish up some of the more exotic-looking fish.
And then... a couple of minutes later...
Collei: "Wow! I got one! I really did get one! Did you see that Y/N?!!"
Y/N: "I did! Excellently done! And it's a really impressive one at that too. Just look at that lustre, and it's quite the large specimen too!"
Collei: "Yeah... it's a shame that we have to let it go now... but I don't think I'd ever want to eat them, they're just too cute!"
Collei was now in the process of letting her prize go, to return it back to the river whence she retrieved it. But fortunately I had another option available for her on hand. And I quickly retrieved the spacious glass bowl that Chubby had supplied me with earlier and presented it to Collei before she could let her impressive catch go back into the river.
Y/N: "Here, why don't you put it in here for now instead? And then we can take this beauty back to the Serenitea Pot later? We can get them a nice big habitat for them to live in too, how's that sound?"
Collei: "Huh? Really?! We can do that?!"
Y/N: "Definitely! I already checked with Chubby, it's definitely possible. And I'm sure this prize of yours will be safe and happy over there too! Do you have a name for them yet?"
Collei: "A name? Huh, I guess you're right! But... I... I can't think of one yet. It'll be okay for me to think on it, right?"
Y/N: "Of course! In fact, we should probably check whether it's a boy or a girl first anyways! Although, I'm guessing it's likely to be a girl, judging from the larger size and all. For now though, do you want me to keep a hold of it until we head back in?"
Collei: "Oh, would you? Thanks! It's... Well, it's a little bit heavy!"
Collei then handed over the large glass bowl filled with both water and fish. And now full, it was definitely much heavier than it was before. But she didn't seem to struggle with it too much as she handed it over to me— maybe because she was doing her best to not distress the fish within?
Once in my hands though, I sent the glass bowl ahead into my otherworldly storage where it will be safely out of the way until next we return to my domain. And after I've built the pond or fish tank for it too I guess! But for now...
Y/N: "Well, this has been quite a fun first session of fishing together, don't you think? And it's coming up close to noon too now, what say we head back to the city for that lunch at the café?"
Collei: "Oh! I almost completely forgot about that!! Yeah! Let's go! Let's go!"
* * *
It didn't take us too long to get back to Sumeru City. Especially with the speed at which Collei was trying to go! Although, in respect of her health, I did my best to have her walk a little bit slower so as to not overexert herself again. But now that we found ourselves back in the city, Collei was the one leading me as she showed me the directions to the Puspa Café.
Once inside, we placed an order and went and sat down at one of the tables. It was quite busy inside, with a lot of people who seemed to be students. They all seemed quite excited, and from what I could overhear, it seemed that they had all just finished submitting in work for their professor. So I suppose this trip to the café for them was a way to treat themselves after their hard work?
Although, most all the students in here all seemed to be in groups together, chatting away with one another, all except for the one student who was sat at the table next to Collei and myself...
Collei: "Mmmmm! This Padisarah Pudding is even nicer than it looks! It's sooooo good!"
Y/N: "It definitely looks great! These Tulumba are really quite tasty too! And the coffee isn't half bad either, although... I'd still say a good Liyue Tea comes out on top!"
Y/N: "This was definitely the right call to come in here Collei, this is a great place to rest our feet and enjoy some downtime. The atmosphere is really quite comfy, and they even sell recipes too! So I've bought all the recipes they had available, so I'll be able to make these things back in... in the other place. Although that means I'll likely need to go grocery shopping for supplies after this, if that's okay?"
Collei: "Oh, that's fine! Today has been really fun already, some time to just stroll might be nice! There's no rush really, right? You told me that I should take this opportunity to enjoy myself, right? Especially as I don't have any homework to do for now!"
???: "No homework? *yaaaawn* If only that were me..."
Collei: "This is starting to feel kind of like a holiday actually! Especially with that amazing domain you showed me, I feel like I could get the best rest ever!!"
???: "That sounds nice... *sigh* I could do with a holiday one of these days..."
I could hear the student sitting nearby to us talking to herself in response to the things that Collei was saying to me, but I chose to ignore it for the time being. Whoever she is, she seems really quite exasperated with her workload, so a little vocal venting is of no harm to anyone, especially when she's really not venting all that viciously at all! Although hearing this stranger like this, it just cemented the stereotype I had of this nation, that the Akademiya was a cutthroat institution that, whilst it produced some excellent scholars, it also seemed to come with quite a heavy toll on the majority of those that studied here.
Y/N: "Of course! I don't want you stressing yourself out at all, alright Collei? For you, I want this to just be a chance to explore some things you've never had the time to do before. I'll keep track of the important stuff, so lay back and just go with the flow!"
Collei: "Hehe! You got it! Oooh! I might try writing a list of things I want to try and do! Although... I'm not really the best at writing... Do you think maybe you could help me with that, if we have the time...?"
Y/N: "Of course! Don't even worry about it! We're a team after all, you help me out with understanding Sumeru and I'll help you with what you need a helping hand with! No problem!"
???: "That sounds nice... Having someone like that... *sigh* Someone to look after me... But it's just me, all— *yawn* —all alone..."
At this point I just feel bad for her, it sounds like she's got it really rough here! To be performing at the Akademiya's prestigious standards, and doing it entirely on her own? Sheeesh! She's really made out of some tough stuff! It's really quite admirable!
Collei: "So then! Where to next? Are we going back down to the Grand Bazaar for those groceries you mentioned? Oh! I wonder if we'll see Nilou again!?"
Y/N: "That sounds like an excellent idea, Collei. You wouldn't mind waiting on me by the door, would you? I just want to have a quick word with the shop keep if that's alright with you?"
Collei: "You want to—? Oh, sure! No problem! I'll go and wait outside, there was a nice bench in the shade I saw on the way in. I'll wait there!"
Collei had then got up from her seat with a bright and innocent smile on her face before she then made her way towards the door leaving the café alone. There wasn't really any particular reason why Collei couldn't follow me, but this didn't really seem like something she needed to know, it was just something that I wanted to do... And so I picked up the dishes of mine and Collei's that were left on our table and took them towards the allocated surface for dirty dishes to be left, before then making my way to the counter at the back of the café that was manned by the person who took our order.
Y/N: "Excuse me, miss?"
Staff: "Hmm? Oh, hello again. I see you and your companion have finished your meal, would you like to place an additional order to go?"
Y/N: "Not exactly, no. But that student that is sitting on the table just beside ours? I'd like to pay for an additional treat for her."
Staff: "Oho? Feeling quite charitable today, are we? That is might generous of you! Did you have a sweet treat in mind? And perhaps a message to go with it?"
Y/N: "Hmm... Well, can we do this? Here's twenty-thousand Mora. That should cover at least three items from the menu. So she can choose what she'd like to have, and any she doesn't spend now can be saved on her tab for her next visit?"
Staff: "Oh! You know what? I think we can do that for you! I'm sure she'll very much appreciate the gesture, she normally eats quite lightly on the rare times she visits us. And as for the message to give her?"
Y/N: "Well... I guess... Just tell her that she's done really quite well to get as far as she has, and to keep at it, and maybe to try and get a bit more sleep by the sounds of it!"
Staff: "Is that all? I would have almost certainly thought that— No, never mind that. Of course, I'll be sure to give her your well wishes... and your name?"
Y/N: "There's no need for a name. I just wanted to do something nice for someone who seemed to be working themselves to the bone is all. I don't expect anything to come of it for me."
Staff: "Of course, most kind of you. Was that all?"
Y/N: "It is, thank you. I should be going now, to catch up with my friend. I wish you a good afternoon."
Staff: "And to you also. Although I suspect the Gods are already smiling upon you without my prayers!"
And with that done and dealt with, I reciprocated the smile back at the staff that I had been organising this endeavour with. Before I then turned around and made my way back towards the door that Collei had just left through. But not before taking one last glance towards the subject of mine and the staff's dialogue: the young lady who was sat nearby to us, her head was currently bobbing up and down slightly as she seemed to fight an urge to sleep, and on the table in front of her? A small cup of coffee and a tiny plate of treats... I suppose that's her trying to survive on what little money students often have to spend, unfortunately.
I did my best not to stare at the sleep-deprived girl for too long though, and once I found myself in front of the door, I opened it and let myself outside to the bright outdoors with the warm midday sun shining down directly upon me. And, just like she said, I espied Collei sitting nearby, opposite the café on a bench covered by the nearby building's shade.
Collei quickly got up and made her way over to me once she saw me, to which she quickly found herself at my side to question what it was that I had just done. I found a discrete way to bypass this questioning and started going over some of the things that we could do today, for the rest of the time we had to spend.
And then, tomorrow... I will meet with that Dottore guy, and discover whatever results it is that he has garnered from his inspection into that accursed weapon that was pointed at her, at my Hu Tao...
* ???'S POV *
Staff: "Excuse me, miss Layla?"
Layla: "Hmmm... *yawn* Oh, sorry... I guess I need to leave now, right miss Enteka?"
Enteka: "Not at all! Actually, it seems you have an admirer who wishes for you to remain a while longer."
Layla: "I... I don't understand...?"
Enteka: "An anonymous benefactor just came and offered me twenty-thousand Mora to be placed onto your tab with us, and they left a message for us to give you too."
Layla: "A message...?"
Enteka: "They said that you've done really quite well to get as far as you have at the Akademiya, and they wish for you to keep at it, and maybe to try and get a bit more sleep too!"
Layla: "Really...? Someone said that... about me...?"
Even though I didn't really believe that someone could truly think those things, I could still feel the corners of my mouth perk at the thought, and my cheeks warmed up some too. But...
Layla: "o–Oh? Who was it? If you don't mind my asking?"
Eneteka: "They didn't give me their name. They just wanted to do a good deed for someone they thought could do with a little extra support I suppose. And you know what? So do I! Let me go and get you a refill for that coffee of yours, in a larger cup too. Do you know what you'd like to have alongside it?"
Layla: "Oh... you don't have to do that... but uhmm... I guess I wouldn't mind some Tulumba. There was somebody nearby who was having some *yawn* and they smelled wonderful..."
Enteka: "Oh? That's the very same thing that your anonymous benefactor had with us too! Quite fitting I suppose! Ah, but of course, miss, I'll get you your order right away!"
Miss Enteka then left with a smile on her face, perhaps because for once she was actually going to make more than a couple thousand Mora from my visit? I don't normally have the disposable income to spend much here... but somebody paid that much for me in advance?
Wait. And she said that the person also had Tulumba too? Just like the person that was nearby earlier, with that girl who was on holiday from work...? Was it them? Oh, did they hear the things I was saying?! Ah! I hope not! Oh, that's so embarrassing!
But even still... "They said that you've done really quite well to get as far as you have at the Akademiya, and they wish for you to keep at it, and maybe to try and get a bit more sleep too!"
I suppose I should keep pushing on, and keep working on these exams and projects of mine... It's the least I can do, for them, my family, and myself... and maybe I'll be able to sleep a little better now that I can afford some good food and drink for a couple days?
Whoever you were... thank you.
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