[Other Fanfic] Silence is Purple Side Stories

Hello, and welcome to...

Silence is Purple Side Stories.. This is a collection of side stories that occur in between chapters, but don't quite fit in with the main story or main story novels.

Before reading this, it is important to know that these side stories are optional reads, but provide extra context.

Some of these side stories might be weirdly ordered this post will serve as a table of contents.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Side Story 1

Warning before reading this some paragraphs in this chapter are very big blocks of text, and I'm really sorry about that.

Honestly, this side story is a year old, and looking back, I really should have fixed these paragraphs, but it's too late now.

This chapter occurs in between time-skips in Dottore Double Feature, so if you haven't read that, please read that one first.

Side Story 1. Siorc's Day Off In Bishui Plains Feat: Yinlong

"Trying to find what I want to do on a day off is simply not easy,
Especially as a Fatui.
All I am usually supposed to think about is work
Her Majesty, surely, she must be planning something
Obtusely, I suppose, nature is calling out to me.
Undeniably, I wish to see them, those bamboo trees
Suppose I'll take this holiday quietly.
Ease my mind, get some sleep.

Placid, peace and quiet, somewhere far away.
Away from this cold breeze, just for the day.
Normally, I would not venture out,
Desires are not allowed for me
Allocated time off, however, beacons me."

It had been around a year since the horrific incident in Natlan and the aftermath had occurred. Healing from such relapse of Her Majesty's wrathful words of tensity took thirty days for the adolescent to recover from. Bouts of exhaustion from the Cryo Archon's harshness was a stubborn permeance to behold for the chimera. Relapsing symptoms from a unavoidable ordeal were quite the ridiculous beast of burden.

During such month of exhaustion, the return of the routine in delivering supplies to Dragonspine had resumed with a vengeance. The routine being a rather light one, deliveries were of no problem to the young budding soldier, despite the lethargy roaring inside the body. Wondering why there had been a reverse back to his routine in the lesser permafrost north, the adolescent worked with reduced diligence. Knowing questions were not allowed to him as a Fatui Soldier, the chimera continued working with a tired militaristic roar.

Fatigue eventually dissipating to nothing after about a month, the hyena's energy had returned to complete normalcy. Despite lethargy waving goodbye, the routine of delivering supplies to the winter border near the nation of contracts would not cease existing. Four months carried onward with the mundaneness of supply delivery. While the triple digit amount of days of nothing passed, something odd had occurred in a few instances of bringing supplies to his fellow Fatui.

For a few momentary instances in the lesser area of ice, Siorc had run into a penguin chimera. The penguin having been as proud and vain as some of the Cryo Fatui he had to deliver supplies to, the hyena attempted with any effort to avoid such ridiculously narcissistic partial person. Such encounter lead him to wonder one thing, and one thing only. How many chimeras were out there in the world of Teyvat? During his stolen childhood, his parents never alerted him to the existence of other chimeras like himself. Meeting other beings similar to himself in the two years time in his forced upon militaristic life had a small percentage of perks, he supposed.

Training occasionally having been sprinkled in, the young man's usual life persisted onward. Routines, however, slowly died a dishonorable death. Diplomacy possessing the delivery of supplies like a ghost, the soldier proceeded working with a mundane roar. Obedience was key to successful living as a Diplomatic Fatui Soldier. He knew disappointment was never something that could happen if he wished to continue living. Negotiative affairs eventually reaching the nation of Liyue, mundaneness crawled into overdrive.

Such commonplace of nothing would cease being temporarily today.

Upon awakening in the morning, the sound of bitter wind awaited the young soldier. The howling of the chill of the northern land roared like the Boar King throwing a tantrum in the open wilderness. Wind being loud enough to awaken the chimera from his especially deep slumber, the hyena quietly rose from the uncomfortable bed. Rubbing his eyes softly, something of immediate concern washed over the young soldier. No Fatui were groaning in an echo throughout the military barracks. No sound of people could be heard whatsoever. Only silence remained. A thought of horror crawled into the adolescent's mind. Had he woken up late today? The singular sound of wind outside, had everyone already received their orders for the day? Allowing a gulp to release from his partially human throat, Siorc had quickly begun his morning routine of dressing the body. Surely, the Agent had to still have been around to relay his orders to him.

Fear caressing his shoulder, the chimera's uniform glued itself onto his partial person. As the hyena closed the buttons on the brown jacket, a second gulp released from the esophagus. Had it already been too late for the day for the Agent to relay his orders to him? Never having access to a clock, time was hard to measure for the soldier. Whatever a clock was, the chimera did not know of such object. Time was an incredibly difficult unit to see when routines were an absentee.

Never hearing the footsteps of the agent arrive, the chimera clicked his hairpins and earrings into place. Silence continuing to play out endlessly, the click of the accessory echoed throughout the walls of the military barracks. Wind outside continuing to be the only sound, a tertiary gulp released from the esophagus. Absolutely no one was coming. Silence was a deafening, violent weapon.

Hearing the sound of tape peeling off on the door outside, the hyena's ears perked quietly. What was that odd sound? Wishing to know where the sudden noise had come from, Siorc sprinted to the door swiftly. On the door had been a note. Peering to other doors nearby, paper had covered every single door within the soldier barracks. Note having been written in the Snezhnayan language, the chimera breathed quietly before laying his purple eyes on the words presented before him. Opening his eyes, the hyena read the note silently.

"You have the day off," the note in clear Snezhnayan writing said. Or so the young man hoped. His knowledge of the Snezhnayan language was preliminary. Despite such limitation, the adolescent was able to translate the text back to his native tongue with ease. It was almost as if, in a nation outside of Teyvat, such text had already been translated for the entire population base.

Feeling a quick sting of unease, a small thought poked the shark grooves in his brain. Her Majesty, was she planning something? Such thoughts quickly dissipated. Thoughts about having a day to himself reigned supreme almost immediately. Holidays being a rare luxury within the permafrost north, the soldier off duty had one place in mind, and one place in mind only. Knowing exactly what he wished to do, the hyena let out a musical sigh.

Having been in Liyue endlessly as of late, the nature in the area had become an increasingly heightened interest for the hyena. Recalling there had been an area in the highest point of the nation known as Bishui Plains with a copious amount of bamboo trees, an idea of bliss bubbled inside him.

Having a day off to himself, he could sleep peacefully amongst the bamboo trees in the Bishui Plains. Peacefully, no duties to beacon him to the call. Alone.

Such idea cementing into place, Siorc went back inside his room in the military barracks quietly. He knew sooner leaving, the better. Time was not a virtue within the frozen northern land. Any more time wasted would result in a shorter holiday off. Proceeding to put on his footwear, the chimera looked down at his day off shoes lackadaisically.

Placing his rear down on the cold floor, a particular villain greeted his eyes. The zipper on the side, his worst enemy. As the hyena placed the black shoes on the currently human feet, he made eye contact with his arch nemesis begrudgingly. If desires were allowed to him as a Fatui Soldier, requesting such ridiculous contraption to be cut off would certainly come to fruition.

Looking down, the adolescent stared at the slider endlessly. How does one get the slider through the fangs of the shoe? The chimera did not know; he cared not for such contraption. Letting the zippers remain open like the free wilderness in Teyvat, Siorc rose to his feet clumsily. Surely, no Fatui would notice, anyway. It was a Holiday. Readying to exit the military barracks to teleport to the Bishui Plains, the young man exited the room quietly. There was no more time to waste, daylight was not an unlimited phenomenon.

As he exited his forced upon room, a familiar masked figure zeroed in within his field of vision. His practice partner on the training grounds walking towards him, the soldier halted his exit. The training partner, did he wish to practice with him? He supposed seeing what the generic man had to say was worth a shot. Staying glued into place, he waited patiently for the practice partner to be adjacent to him.

Seeing his combatant in arms stop his movement, the practice partner halted his stroll. Figuring no one had told him about the holiday, the sun of a man figured he would alert his partner personally. Seeing him out of the barracks, however, it was evident such information had already been clear. The practice partner lowering his head to the ground, something of immediate concern presented itself within his masked field of vision. His training partner's shoes, the zippers had been down. Knowing such if left opened could lead to an accident, the practice partner knew he had to say something to his partner.

"Ingne, your zippers are undone," the practice partner exclaimed softly. "I'll do them for you." He readied himself to crouch down as such phrase was uttered.

Siorc jumped three steps back. Zipper his shoes for him? What an absolutely ridiculous statement. Wanting to leave the area immediately, he knew he had to tell his practice partner he did not mind the contraptions remaining open, bearing their teeth. He motioned his lips to speak, readying the blow of uncaring.

"It will be fine, sir," he replied autonomously. He cared not about the contraption remaining undone. Such was a trivial matter to the adolescent chimera. "I will walk carefully." He tacked on such for good measure. Surely, this would make the subject die in the snow outside.

The practice partner scoffed at such suggestion of leaving the zippers open. Knowing leaving such apparatus open could lead to tripping and possible injury, if left open, the Fatui Soldier remained resolute. Absolutely not, such object should not remain open. If he were not willing, doing it for him without a choice was the only option.

"Nonsense, Ingne," he replied sternly. If he had not been wearing a mask, there would be a serious look on it. "You could trip. Let me zipper them for you." Kneeling down in place, he readied to zipper the slider up diligently. Refusal or not, he would not let such potential danger go uncorrected.

Knowing the practice partner was not going to give up, the chimera sighed quietly. Placing himself down onto the cold floor again, he sat down defeatedly. Why did such trivial contraption being pulled upward matter? The chimera did not know, but he knew questions were not allowed to escape his throat.

Seeing his combatant in arms lower to the ground, the practice partner kneeled down softly. Grabbing the slider on the shoe, the sun of a man pulled the zipper onto the teeth. As the teeth on the shoe closed with a screech, the soldier moved over to the second shoe quickly. Holding the second slider, the training partner off duty pulled the slider over the grooves with a gentle quiver. Both zippers locked into place, the practice partner rose back to his feet.

"There you go, Ingne," the practice partner said, tone of voice being extremely soft and gentle. "All good to go." Rubbing his gloved hands together, he turned to the hyena. Now, he could allow him to exit.

Feeling the closed teeth press against the flesh of his ankle, Siorc lifted himself back up onto his completely locked feet. Knowing the practice partner did not have to push the ridiculous contraption up, he knew gratitude was in order for his practice partner adjacent to him.

"Thank you, sir," the hyena responded. There was a slight tone of bliss in his voice as thoughts of bamboo entered his partially human brain again.

The practice partner glowed like the absent sun in the sky. As long as he was safe on his journey, everything would hopefully turn out fine for the day off at hand. While such injury had already been awhile ago, small bumps were never a sight the soldier wanted to behold.

"You're welcome, Ingne," the practice partner replied. The glow persisted with every word he spoke. "Have a good holiday." The practice partner moved over to the other side of the hallway. Now, the path was clear.

Path finally being clear, the chimera exited the military barracks swiftly. Readying for the bamboo to grace his eyes, Siorc highlighted the Teleport Waypoint in the southwest of the highest point in Liyue. A tiny smile grew on his face. Soon, the bamboo trees would be near him. Nature would absorb him readily.

As the teleportation began, the chimera closed his eyes. Teleporting was always a blinding event. Blistering light never being something he could look at, the hyena's eyes stayed shut for the duration. While the fast travel continued, two thoughts poked inside his partially human brain.

The zipper versus himself scoreboard had to be increased yet again.

Zippers: fifty-five, Siorc: zero.

***

Despite how blinding teleportation had always been, the destination being reached quickly outweighed the slowness of boat travel. Waypoint placing him within an area of Liyue he had never been before, the chimera observed the area before him diligently. Knowing one's surroundings was always the first step in adventuring. Rarely getting to venture freely on his own, the hyena observed the area quietly.

A small distance away from him was a vast lake. Seeing boats floating off in the distance, the hyena figured fishermen in the area must have traversed the large body of water readily. Never really needing to swim, the soldier off duty turned a blind eye to the large pool of water before him. Jerking his head to the right, a sight of immediate beauty greeted his eyes like a sweet Sunsettia lying in the open. There it was, the green stalks of beauty. The bamboo trees. He was ready. Ready to lay down surrounded by the beauty of Liyue nature.

Wishing to relax by the bamboo immediately, his legs erupting into a sprint. Bamboo trees inching closer with every second, the hyena halted his sprint. Quickly hopping over the brown wooden fence in front of him, the chimera readied his moments of relaxation readily. As he stepped onto the grass near the green stalks of bliss, a voice called out to him. Cancelling the stepping onto the grass, a sigh released itself from the chambers of his throat. Someone else was in the area? A shame to be had, for sure.

"Hey," the voice called out to him. The words were released slow, and in a lulled voice. "Lay with me?"

Allowing another sigh release itself from the chambers of his throat, Siorc turned his head to the river again. Another person had been laying in the grass near the bamboo trees? The voice sounded slow, and tired. What a ridiculously lazy sounding person. Placing his hand into a praying position, the chimera prayed to the Geo Archon he had no loyalty to quietly. Was this the gods ways of keeping him in check? Being alone was a rare creature, indeed.

The owner of the voice lowered their lip into a pout. Turning around, were they? That would simply not do. Noticing a hyena tail had been sticking out when the person had come hither, the voice's owner simply wished to get to know the stranger. Perhaps calling out to the person again would change their mind?

"Hey, don't turn around like that!" the voice cried out again. Slowness of the words still evident throughout, but desperation was evident in their voice. "Come on, lay down with me? You don't seem like you have anywhere to be, fellow chimera." They tacked on such for good measure. Perhaps enlisting something the two had in common would get them to stay? Seeing another person, loneliness bit them on the ear ferociously.

Being called out to a second time, the hyena growled at the fence in front of him. Knowing that resting by himself in the bamboo trees was no longer an option, the chimera turned around to the voice quietly. Person being in front of his eyes, Siorc studied the owner of the voice with an irritated crackle zapping inside him. The person had glittering silver hair that glistened in the sunlight he had rarely ever seen. The silver hair had been pulled back into a ponytail, reaching to about the chest in length. On the left side of the head had been a green moon shaped hairpin. Good taste to be had, for sure. Staring at the hairpin for a good seven seconds, the young man continued his investigation. Situated on the top of the head were round black ears. He recalled hearing that creatures known as pandas could sometimes be spotted in parts of Liyue. Was this person a panda chimera? The soldier off duty did not know. Studying the ears one final time, he moved his head down to study the rest of owner of the voice's body. The possible panda's eyes were light pink, the shade of cherry blossoms he had heard about that existed only in the nation of Inazuma. The outfit the person had been wearing was an oddity to be had for sure. The person had been wearing a silver waitress top with gold colored embroidery. Rather than a dress being underneath, there had been long black pants instead. Puzzled by such a sight, the young man pondered if addressing them as sir or ma'am was correct. White heelless boots complicating the situation further, he closed his eyes quietly. He had hoped the address he was about to utter was not the incorrect one.

"Alright, sir," he replied autonomously, sigh increasing in volume. Why couldn't he have just been alone here to relax in the bamboo? He supposed there was no way around it. The person had arrived there first. He knew asking the person to exit would be an unacceptable action. "I will lay with you." A wave of disgust creeped inside him as such words were uttered. What in the world had he just said? Absolutely ludicrous nonsense. Lazy people killed cells inside the brain just by being around them.

The owner of the voice's ears turned at the sound of being addressed as sir. The chimera had seen them as a boy, did they? If they thought of them as a boy, then they would be a boy in their presence. Gender was a trivial matter for the possible panda. Hearing the dictation of their voice being slightly deep, the person wondered, if they acted like a boy for them, would interacting be easier? Decision being the made, the person readied to introduce themselves.

"Sir? Well, okay, then!" the person chided in a musical tone. Their words were still slow and lulled, regardless of the hum in the voice. "Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Yinlong." They scratched their panda ears with a lazy vigor. "I'm a panda chimera, in case you didn't guess." The panda pumped their fists together. It was time to ask the stranger for their name as well. "Could you tell me your name?" Yinlong closed their eyes and smiled softly. Perhaps, they could have some boy talk together? Another hum broke from their throat.

Siorc jumped five steps back upon being asked for his name. Being a Fatui, he knew he wasn't allowed to give out his name so casually to people anymore. Were there any Fatui Soldiers stationed around here to hear him utter his name to the proclaimed panda boy in front of him? The chimera turned his head to the right. No soldiers were in sight within his purple eyed field of vision. Not seeing any soldiers in that direction, the adolescent turned his head into the opposite direction. No soldiers had been in the other direction, either. He turned his head back to Yinlong. Could he really tell him his actual name? If her majesty were to find out about this, would his life be over? He could feel a chill run down his spine as such thoughts grabbed his back tightly.

Yinlong stared at the hyena's clothes quietly. Seeing a strange insignia imprinted on the brown jacket, the panda closed his eyes somberly for a moment. This person was a Fatui, was he? Yinlong cared not for such title. Business and military were topics of utter boredom for them. Never seeing anyone like his current rest partner of choice around the area, the panda knew they had to tell him such fact.

"Hey, no worries," Yinlong said happily. The words still came out slowly, no matter how few words were spoken. "No Fatui ever come around these parts. Except you, right now, of course!" Yinlong waved his hands around childishly. "So, tell me your name?" Another hum broke from their lips. Maybe softening the mood would help a little.

The hyena blinked rapidly at such remark. Was it really true? Had no other Fatui come around here? If such were true, he supposed giving his name to another fellow chimera would not hurt. It was a holiday, anyway. Maybe actions done so on a holiday would not result in any punishment upon his partial person. Exhaling quickly, the chimera readied to utter the name he had very rarely spoken in almost two years time.

"My name is Siorc," he replied cautiously, voice almost barely audible. Was this really okay? Giving out his name like this? He knew he was supposed to have completely discarded his name, being a Diplomatic Fatui Soldier. But, he did not wish to ever discard the name his parents gave him. If such desires had ever been known, he knew his life would be over for sure. "Nice to meet you, sir." He tacked on such for polite measure. Her Majesty, could she hear him thousands of meters away? Fear made a payment within the cash drawer inside him.

Yinlong's panda tail waddled behind them quietly. Siorc? That was a nice name. A foreign, but pretty sounding one, nonetheless. The panda's eyes formed hearts at the pupils. Teyvat had many different names around the continent. Etymology was a fascinating topic to be had, for sure. Their panda tail was still swishing ever so slightly. What an absolutely lovely name.

"Siorc? That's a pretty name!" Yinlong exclaimed in an amused tone, although, the slowness of the words would not cease. "No need to hide it just because you're a big bad Fatui." Playfulness was present throughout his words. The panda placed his arm around Siorc's. "Now that we're no longer strangers, lay with me here?" They tugged his arm with a gentle push. "Relax with me. It is why you're here, no?" The panda let go of the hyena's arm. He could already feel a nap calling for him.

No longer being strangers, Siorc supposed laying down in the grass with Yinlong wouldn't be a bad idea. As the panda had begun the act of laying down in the grass between the bamboo stalks, the adolescent placed himself in a space adjacent to the fellow chimera. Laying himself down onto the grass, bliss instantly took residence inside him. The green stalks surrounding him, serotonin leaked out from his hyena spots. Intoxicating serotonin radiating throughout, an almost unheard hum broke from the hyena's partially human throat.

Presence of bamboo quickly increasing the levels of dopamine inside him, the soldier off duty closed his eyes whimsically.

A little nap was ready as ordered.

***

Waking up a couple hours later, Siorc rubbed his eyes quietly. Raising from the grass quietly upon awakening, the chimera tilted his head towards the sky. The position of the sun having been towards the west, the hyena let out a somber breath. In a few hours time, he would have to go back. Return to his forced upon homeland in the permafrost north. Serotonin dissipated as such thoughts ruminated. He knew he had no choice, he had to return to the land of ice later tonight. As Yinlong slept a few meters away from him, the adolescent waited patiently for him to wake up. Waking up others while sleeping was an incredibly rude action. Tapping his currently hyena claws onto the uniform of his pants, the young man waited quietly.

Half an hour having passed, a yawn echoed throughout the forest of bamboo. Waking up from their peaceful nap, Yinlong stretched his arms out haphazardly. Rubbing his eyes, the panda could feel a shock pulse throughout their body. The sun was about to set. It was evening. Seeing the position of the sun, they knew they would be late for work for sure.

This was an absolute, terrible, horrible disaster.

Their boss would surely kill them this time. Getting up onto their feet, Yinlong paced around frantically. This was a terrible, horrible, a disaster.

"Oh, no! I have work today!" he cried out frantically, slowness still not removed from his voice. "I'm going to be very late! Boss is going to kill me!" Picking up some bamboo shoots while pacing around the panda's heart beat swiftly. Being so far away from the Harbor, they knew they would be late for sure.

Siorc rolled his eyes to the sky. Lazy people certainly had everything backwards. While he knew he was not supposed to use the one technological item Her Majesty had given him on people who were not Fatui, the chimera knew he had no choice in the matter. Punctuality was key to successful employment. Hooking his arm around Yinlong's elbow, the soldier off duty would not falter.

"I will teleport you to your work," the chimera said quietly, voice slightly more audible. He knew questions were not allowed to him, but he knew he had to ask the panda where his job was located. He readied the forbidden art of asking a question. "Where do you work, sir?" Removing the Waypoint Map Proxy from his pocket, the chimera readied to highlight whichever waypoint necessary to get the panda to work on time. Punctuality was key.

Yinlong stared at the device in Siorc's hand with a puzzled look on their face. Teleport? Was that the action of hopping to those red fork shaped objects? Such objects were never something the panda had ever used before. But, he supposed if it would get him to work immediately, it was worth the trouble.

"I work at the teahouse in Liyue Harbor," he replied, his index fingers were touching. Slowness still persisted throughout every word he spoke, never leaving. "Come with me?" There was a pleading tone in their voice as they accepted the hyena's other human arm hooked around his.

A small gulp released from the chambers of his throat. The teahouse? Would a Fatui see him there if he went? The young soldier recalled some Snezhnayan people lurked around the area. Despite such grievances being aired to dry, he supposed he could not refuse. Maybe going with him to the teahouse would keep Yinlong from getting scolded? The chimera supposed it was worth a shot.

Remembering where the teahouse was, Siorc highlighted the Waypoint to Liyue Harbor quickly. As the teleportation began for the second time today, the two chimeras closed their eyes. The light was still blinding as before. Other Fatui seeing him or not, the hyena knew, such was a trivial matter, at the moment.

Getting Yinlong to work on time had far more urgency.

The panda being late should die a dishonorable death.

***

Teleport Waypoint having been close to the teahouse, Yinlong puffed a sigh of relief. Removing his hooked arm around the panda, Yinlong sprinted to the brown tables up the small staircase quickly. Hopefully, they had not been too late? Teleportation was a fast solution to the problem of being punctual, surely.

As the panda sprinted over to his job, the hyena darted his purple eyes around haphazardly. Would a Liyue stationed Fatui see him near the teahouse today? If a Fatui stationed here had heard of his exploits of saying his name to a non-soldier, he would be whistle blown on, for sure. The walls in Liyue were thin. Sweat pouring down his back, the chimera walked over to the teahouse silently. Blending in was the only option that remained.

At the left corner of the teahouse was an especially well dressed young woman. She had purple hair, many shades darker than his own. On her head was a blue violet headdress with white, teal and pink balls of fuzz on the inside of it. Her red eyes adorned eyeshadow that complimented her eyelashes nicely. Her outfit was an oddity to behold for the chimera. Her dress was dark purple with a red ribbon on the torso. Liyue Fashion was certainly interesting.

The young woman tapped her fan on Yinlong's head sharply. They had been almost late again today. Did she go off exploring far away again? The whip to the head with her fan would do some justice.

"Miss Yinlong!" the young woman cried irritably. She bonked the paper fan on top of the panda's head a second time. "Please don't explore so far away on a workday. You were almost late today."

Yinlong placed their hands into an apologetic pose. Their boss was angry at them. Rightfully so, they supposed. They knew they were not supposed to travel so far away during a work evening, but temptation always outweighed rationality. Perhaps, just maybe, if they mentioned a friend was with them today, their boss's anger would cease? The panda supposed it was worth a shot.

"Ah, boss, I'm sorry!" Yinlong said apologetically. Words still rolling out slowly with every utter. "I was with a friend today." They pointed to Siorc softly. "He was nice enough to teleport me here."

Siorc blinked rapidly at the word miss being uttered. Did he incorrectly address Yinlong as sir the entire time? He could feel his pulse increase rapidly at the realization at hand. He knew he to apologize to the panda immediately. Such crime could not go uncorrected. Before such apology could be uttered, another voice interrupted rudely.

Vertical to him sat a tall brunette man. The man's hair was quite long, and pulled back into a ponytail. He swore if physics did not exist, the man's ponytail would break through the small chair he was sitting on. Recognizing the brown outfit, a knot formed in the chimera's partially human esophagus. This incredibly tall man, he was the same person of which he had recently finished business with the Agent in tow. Remembering such, the tall man would definitely warn Yinlong of him possibly not being trustworthy. Uneasiness pushed itself into the small river nearby as the smiling face of the man permeated into his field of vision. Titles mattered not at the teahouse, at the given moment at time.

"Ah, miss Yinlong," the brunette man spoke quietly. His voice sounded wise and resolute. "You have a friend with you today?" The man took another sip of tea.

Upon hearing even the brunette man address Yinlong as ma'am, Siorc knew a long winded apology was in order. Placing his hands into an apologetic pose, the chimera closed his eyes quietly. Such a crime of referring to Yinlong as sir, could such be forgiven? An apology was in order, like the tea at the teahouse in front of him.

"I apologize, ma'am," Siorc exclaimed to Yinlong, apologetic tone leaking throughout. His hands were shaking as the apology continued. "I did not know you were a girl, my apologies. It will never happen again." He continued to shake as the apology ended. Such crime of gendering a person incorrectly could not go unpunished.

Yinlong chuckled at the apology. Gender was still a trivial matter for the panda. Being called sir was never a problem for them the entire time they had been addressed as such. She knew she had to explain such to the chimera.

"Hey, no problem," they said whimsically. "I'm neither a boy nor girl, really. You can address me as sir, if you wish." A smile broke loose on her lips. "I answer to both ma'am and sir, so don't worry!" The words were spoken slightly faster than previous words uttered. "Since you're here, would you like some tea?" The panda held up a cup lightly. Tea would certainly make the hyena feel better.

Siorc could feel his pulse slow down upon being told such fact. Feeling energy leave him as the pulse inside his partially human muscles slowed, no words could be spoken. Hearing Yinlong ask if he wished for tea, he simply nodded to the question. Rarely drinking tea, he supposed being offered some, it would be rude to refuse such an offer.

Taking the nod as confirmation, the panda poured the tea into the cup diligently. Mixing the bamboo shoot she had grabbed earlier, Yinlong stirred the tea meticulously. After the tea looked settled enough, they placed the cup next to Siorc. Tea having been brewed with the bamboo they had been near, the concoction was nearly perfect for the hyena.

Seeing the tea had been placed in front of him, the hyena reached into his pocket quickly. Services required payment in Mora. Removing a money pouch from one of his uniform pockets, the chimera removed some gold coins from the pouch rapidly. He hoped the amount of Mora he removed from the pouch had been enough. Nothing in this world was free.

Yinlong waved their hands around at the notion of Mora being removed from Siorc's pocket. Absolutely not, today would be her treat. They had to tell the hyena such before more money to be removed from the pouch. As the young man went to take more coins out of the pouch, she motioned her lips to speak.

"Oh, no, don't worry about paying!" they shouted, voice slightly louder than necessary. Words being faster than normal, the panda motioned their hands over to the hyena's money pouch. "This is my treat." Placing their hand onto the adolescent's own, they put the Mora back into the bag. "Just enjoy it. This one's on me."

Siorc blinked at such notion. Treat him to tea? What an oddly nice gesture, it was. Kindness was an uncommon beast for the chimera. Sipping the tea brewed with bamboo, the deliciousness greeted the roots of his mouth instantly. Tea travelling down his throat, the chimera let out a blissful noise. Images of bamboo coming into his head, the soldier off duty smiled.

Bamboo was a wonderful addition to nature, indeed.

Finishing the tea, the chimera looked at Yinlong peacefully. What amazing tea it was. Maybe next rare holiday off, he would come back to the teahouse and order bamboo tea on his own. If rations were to be removed from his life, tea would become a part of his morning routine.

"Thank you, ma'am," he said, emotion oddly being present in his voice. "The tea was wonderful." Seeing the moon in the sky now, he knew, however it was his time to leave. The chimera rose from the wooden chair quietly. "I must take my leave now." His voice returned to autonomy as thoughts of the permafrost bit him like frostbite. "It was very nice meeting you."

Yinlong's beam turned into a somber look as the announcement of Siorc leaving hit their ears. He had to leave? Such a shame, it was. Before he left, the panda figured one last goodbye should be uttered. Could having boy time alone with him happen again in the future? He figured it would not hurt to ask before the hyena were to leave with the contraption he had to teleport away.

"It was nice meeting you too, Siorc," they said, words slowing down with every single one being uttered. "Next time we meet, let's have some boy time alone again!" He waved to the hyena slowly, yawn presenting itself quickly as such action were taken. Another nap was to be in order soon.

Waving back to the panda, the young soldier's smile dissipated. It was time to go back. Back to his forced upon homeland, back to the nation of no sunlight, back to his workdays of diplomacy. As he highlighted the waypoint to the military barracks through the Teleport Waypoint proxy device, one thought, and one thought alone poked through the dormant shark grooves in his brain. The thought persisted violently as the blinding teleportation began.

Chimeras were abundant around Teyvat everywhere. Chimeras were far more abundant in numbers, indeed.

As his room within the military barracks were finally within his sight, another thought echoed in the chambers of his partially human brain. A horrifying, and grisly thought to be had, for sure. Thoughts pushing any bliss that remained into the snow outside, the chimera slumped down into the uncomfortable bed before him.

Her Majesty, if she were to find out about more chimeras, she would turn them into Fatui, for sure. Tea within his bloodstream tiring the young man, Siorc closed his eyes unceremoniously. Sleep taking him almost immediately, one final thought ripped at the seams of his black shirt violently.

Chimeras were far more abundant throughout Teyvat, indeed.

This side story happens in between the events of Collecting War Machines in Sumeru and The Shopping Trip of Doom For Wine in Fontaine.

Side Story 2. Fitness In Yaoguang Shoal Feat: Yinlong

"Something seems rather off today,
There was no alarm bells, or groaning echoing
All this could mean,
Relatively speaking, is that I have a day off, but I know for sure this
Could not be a good thing,
Obviously, Her Majesty is planning something
Never are holidays here a good thing,
Cannot ever see them as a momentary reprieve.
However, I suppose getting away from this cold breeze for the day would bring me to ease."

Dreaming had continued its relentless tormenting reign within the adolescent chimera's subconscious mind. The pattern of torment clung to the hyena's back like unwanted affection from a no longer acquainted person. The torment would continue its path into the night before him, as well.

Before him was a field of Glaze Lilies near a grassy cliffside. The flowers were blue, with a periwinkle bulb in the center. The flowers were beautiful and elegant, just like they had always been in the open wilderness. Seeing such flowers reminded the hyena of a certain red horned overworked Qilin he would occasionally see in Liyue during his various diplomatic affairs. Flowerbed calling out to him, the chimera lazed about into the fictional field of flowers blissfully.

Peace radiating throughout the adolescent's subconscious mind, a happy sigh released from the hyena's dream throat. As the dream minutes marched onward, nothing had been happening within the world of the subconscious. But, he knew such moments of peace would unravel into torment in a matter of dream seconds.

Peace was a fleeting moment never meant to last.

"Hold on a moment, granny," a young calm voice called out. "I see a trespasser." The voice sounded stern, but absolute.

Hearing the voice in the distance, the young soldier rose to his currently human feet. To the side of him had been a building the young man had no knowledge of before a few dream minutes ago. The building was large, and wooden with a red circular symbol underneath the roof. In the distance had been the sound of a waterfall pouring about. Where had such building and noises come from? The chimera did not know, but seeing such sudden changes appear, he knew something of utter torment was about to befall him.

Owner of the voice appearing near the adolescent, the chimera examined person with due diligence. Walking towards him in a few dream seconds before was a short young woman. The young woman had long pink hair that went down to about her upper back. Her scalp had been covered by a pointed red hat with a pink tassel and gold ring on the end. The young lady had strange white ears that looked like antlers. Having seen inhuman ears before within Teyvat, such sight was a commonality to be had, for sure. Such inhumanities had ended there, however. The young woman's eyes were jade, like Hase's. Her outfit was a bright red, torso slightly being visible. Large book to the side of her waist, a gulp released itself from the dream throat. Having seen this person dealing with legal affairs during his trips to Liyue, he knew a battle was about to await him within the plane of his subconscious mind.

Legal advisor inching closing to him, Siorc attempted with all his might to erupt his legs into a sprint. He knew that if the person were to get any closer to him, doom of legal measure would grace his dream person. Running was a carcass in the casket. Feeling a nonexistent adhesive lock his currently human legs into place, the chimera shook relentlessly. Seeing the young woman open the book glued beside her, sweat formed on the soldier's brow. Judgement was about to be cast upon him with a legal hammer.

"Excuse me, sir, I am going to have to ask you to leave the premises," the legal advisor said. Her voice was still calm, but stern. "This is private property. Please keep within the law." A loud slam of a book shutting reverberated in the not reality of the dream area.

Such exit never came into fruition. Adhesive lock continuing to press further, all the hyena could do was stand still. Stand by as judgement were about to be cast upon him. Fatui uniform being on him, he knew no kind judgement was about to served his way.

"You leave me no choice, then," the legal advisor sighed. "I have to use force." Red orb appearing in front of her, judgement awaited.

Red orb floating in midair, an immediate defeat took residence inside him. The legal advisor was getting on the offensive. Knowing defending himself even in a dream could have been seen as attempted assault, the chimera closed his eyes in silence for a brief moment. Attack to arrive at any moment, he kept his heterochromatic subconscious eyes shut tight. Any minute now, a one sided battle awaited the soldier.

"Wrath of the flame!" the legal advisor shouted. Battle cry sounded, red flames surrounded the young woman.

Rows of red Liyuean characters surrounding the legal advisor, dread hugged the chimera from behind. The judgement being cast upon him was a hammer of fire. Orb spinning rapidly in the air, flames were coming faster than his mismatched subconscious eyes could follow. Legs still glued to the ground below him, the young man let out a labored scream. Dodging was an impossible feat. Reflexes being nowhere to be seen, the flames and his uniform met. Flames searing, melting and his uniform became the best of friends.

Flames in the not reality roaring onward, Siorc closed his damaged subconscious eyes silently. Torment continued to hug him from the backside. Safety had left the young man behind. Fire from the legal advisor growing stronger with every second, defeat resounded in the area.

Fire was a terrifying element, indeed.

***

Four months had passed since the first retrieval of war machines in Sumeru had occurred. For sixty of the one-hundred-twenty days, the Dendro nation of knowledge had continued to be his base of operation for awhile. War machines piling up at the hand of the polarizing gazelle chimera within the rainforest, the chimera treaded carefully whenever they were to grace his presence during the collection period. Work being split between diplomatic affairs within the Akademiya and the collection of war machines, the hyena continued his work with due diligence.

On the days of which he had to carry out diplomatic affairs in the Akademiya, ominous information had been presented to him. Learning through various time spent in the academic establishment that knowledge was a resource, a fearful realization about the nation rooted itself within the confines of his mind. Knowledge was a luxury not everyone was allowed within the region of rich nature.

Despite such monotonous routine of nothing, the painful uneven beat of his heart persisted inside him. Being used to such feeling raging within him, the chimera attempted to remember his breathing exercises taught to him with his best effort. Sumeru ordeal having come to an end, training with his practice partner had made its needed return.

Multiple months having passed since his last training session, rust had formed over his evasiveness. Losing knowledge gained from the time away, the chimera had returned to amateur level dodges. Skill set being reversed to the level it had been almost four years ago, regaining the knowledge roared onward. Relearning still being a current endeavor, the hyena would not falter. Sixty days passing by, everything had been dragging about with a militaristic roar.

Such militaristic duties would never arrive today.

Upon waking up from his tormented slumber, a labored scream bounced off and around the steel walls. The dream he had would not leave his head. Uneasiness wrapping vines around him, Siorc rose from the uncomfortable bed. Heart beating unevenly, a horrified thought played on repeat within the chambers of his partially human brain. Did an event of utter torment await him today? Taking a long deep breath, and glasses on, the chimera weakly had begun the routine of dressing the body.

While dressing in his uniform, more thoughts of unease wrapped thicker vines around him. Her Majesty, what did she have planned for him today? Whatever orders the Agent were to relay to him today, he knew he wasn't ready. Dreading the worst possible outcome, the hyena clicked his hairpins and earrings in place. Adorning dark blue stars in hair and ears, a calming effect radiated throughout his body.

The calming effect would die as quickly as it had arrived. Never hearing the footsteps of the Agent arrive, a loud gulp released from the esophagus. Silence raging onward as the seconds turned into minutes, a second gulp echoed throughout the walls of the military barracks. The Agent was not coming. Not a sound had been present within the area. Silence was a terrifying beast to behold.

Silence continuing to play on repeat, the hyena walked around in circles on the icy floor below him. The Doctor, was he supposed to come and collect him today? Such thoughts of horror crawling about on the wood floor beneath, a tertiary gulp bounced off and around the steel walls for the second time of the day. If the Doctor had not come for him today, where had the Agent been? The Chimera did not know, but he knew questions were not allowed to him as a Fatui soldier regardless if duties were ever to be relayed to him for the day, or not.

Hearing the sound of soft footsteps eventually roaring about, the young soldier put on the most diligent face possible. Was a new subordinate giving him orders for the day? Regardless of whether it was new soldier delivering orders to him, or not, the chimera would not falter. He knew he had to be ready for whatever orders were about to be relayed to him. Unusually soft footsteps volume reaching zero, the work switch flipped on in his partially human brain.

Masked Fatui Diplomat appearing by the door, the young budding soldier awaited his orders diligently. Never having been given work by anyone other than the Agent, he knew first impressions were key.

"You are soldier Siorc, correct?" the diplomat said. His voice had a quizzical manner to it. "Sir Tartaglia requested that I deliver this letter to you." Letter in hand, he delivered the paper envelope to the soldier in front of him. "It seems urgent. Best get to it immediately, soldier."

Siorc blinked twice as the envelope entered his currently human hands. The Eleventh Harbinger he had barely any knowledge of had requested a letter be delivered his way? Was it a letter of challenge? He did not know, but the sense of urgency in the diplomat's voice was overpowering. Time was not a virtue in the permafrost north.

"Yes, sir," he replied robotically, no emotion present in his voice. "Right away."

Letter being delivered, a small, but envious smile formed on the diplomat's face. How lucky the young soldier was to receive work while Her Majesty had been away on business for three days. Diplomatic Soldiers were quite the lucky Fatui, for sure.

"Good," the diplomat replied, slight bitterness leaking throughout his singular word spoken. "Lucky you getting work during a three day holiday." Turning his heels to the outside of the door, the diplomat prepared his exit. "Good luck with your job wherever it takes you, soldier."

Diplomat taking his leave, the chimera closed his bespectacled eyes for a moment. Human hand transformed into a hyena paw, the soldier opened his eyes. Slashing his short claws through the envelope, the adhesive on the plain white letter holder ripped open like a metal letter opener. Envelope open, the adolescent placed the letter into his currently transformed hand. Paper in hands, the young man readied to read the note in front of him.

"Hey, Siorc," the letter in clear Snezhnaya writing started.

Seeing his name written in Snezhnaya writing, the chimera jumped seven steps back. Had the Eleventh Harbinger knew his name? He supposed the highest members within the Fatui army would know his name. Telling himself such was the inevitable, the hyena continued reading the letter in his hands.

"Boss wants me to get some exercise, but I know I won't be able to follow through on that on my own. I know you're a big bad busy Fatui, but I wanted to try reaching out to you.

By the time you get this letter, I'll be on a three day holiday from the tea house. If you have any time off, I'll be at Yaoguang Shoal. Let's meet up, and have some nice boy time alone again, if so!

From,
Yinlong."

Finishing the letter, Siorc's tail swished from behind him. Yinlong had written him a letter? Did the panda chimera know Snezhnayan writing? How long had this letter been kept from him? Multiple questions swam around in his head as the seconds rolled into minutes. Being alerted to a three day holiday being given to all the Fatui, the hyena supposed paying the panda a visit could come into fruition.

Closing his eyes for a moment, the adolescent's currently hyena hand retracted back into a human one. Tail being gone, and hand being no longer animal, the young man readied himself to head to the beaches of Liyue. Highlighting the Teleport Waypoint to Yaoguang Shoal, a foreboding thought entered the chambers of the dormant shark grooves in his brain.

Her Majesty had been away on business. What was she planning? A three day holiday, surely, it could not be a good thing. As the teleportation to the beach area began, the chimera closed his eyes. Teleporting was never a pleasing event on his already damaged eyes. As the fast travel continued, another thought poked him. Letter placed into his uniform pocket, the thought poked harder.

How did Yinlong know how to write in Snezhnayan?

Knowledge was a limitless resource available to everyone in all the other nations, indeed.

***

Teleport Waypoint placing him within an area of Liyue he had never been to before, the chimera observed the area before him diligently. In front of him had been a vast sandy area. Ocean stretching from both sides, the hyena breathed in the sea salt air as his examination of the beach continued. Turning his head to the right, two large mossy rocks graced his heterochromatic field of damaged vision. Open space stretching across the sandy area, an epiphany hit the young soldier. The shoal was quite the convenient place to exercise. Ending his examination, the adolescent walked eastward.

Eventually seeing the panda chimera standing idle near an orange leaved tree, the young man tapped Yinlong's shoulder with a gentle poke. Had the tap been enough to register? The hyena had hoped such to be the case. Knowing pandas were slow, the soldier waited for the partial person to turn around. Tap registering after about five minutes, the panda turned around.

Panda turning around, the adolescent studied the partially human person beside him. It having been a year since he saw them last, he knew changes to one's appearance had been possible. Although such changes were small, but evident. The panda's silver hair had been the same as it always was, even in the time he had been away from them. Hair accessory even being the same, the hyena examined the more obvious changes. The outfit Yinlong had been wearing was a jade men's Liyue fashion ensemble. Embedded into the collar had been a teal diamond shaped jewel with wings in the center. Seeing such a jewel, the chimera tilted his head. Had they received a vision while he had been busy with work? The Gods were fickle deities. Outfit being clear to him, the young man wondered if addressing them as sir would be correct this time around. Ending his examination, he waited for the possibly young man adjacent him to speak.

Seeing Siorc next to him, a slow smile creeped upon his face. His letter had been delivered all the way to the far away land of Snezhnaya? Third party sources were a wonderful convenience to be had, indeed. It was almost as if such convenience existed to push a story along. But such thread was unknown to the currently male presented panda.

"Oh, hey, Siorc, you came!" Yinlong exclaimed. The words released slowly and in a lulled voice, like always. "Nice to see you!"

Being called out to, the chimera removed the letter from his uniform pocket. Verbal questions not being allowed to him, even on a day off, he held the letter up. Pointing at the Snezhnayan writing, his heterochromatic eyes met the panda's pink pupils. Would such wordless communication make it through to him? The hyena hoped such to be the case.

Seeing the letter in his hand, Yinlong blinked at a Slime's hopping pace. He wished to know how he was able to write a letter in his language, did he? Perhaps explaining how the letter got to him would put his mind at ease? Realization bubbling within him at a crawl, he readied to explain the letter ordeal to his fellow chimera.

"Are you wondering how I wrote you a letter in Snezhnayan?" he asked, slowness still evident in the panda's voice. "Well, in truth, I asked a regular at the tea house to help me." He touched his index fingers together as his world unraveled. "He's a very knowledgeable person. I told him what I wanted to say, and he scribed it for me!" His cheeks glowed pink as his slow words continued. Would his honesty make him back away and return home? He hoped such had not been the case.

Hearing such confirmation from Yinlong, more questions flooded within the chambers of the chimera's partially human brain. But, he knew none could be asked. Her Majesty being away on business, she could be anywhere within Teyvat, watching him from afar. Returning the letter back into his coat pocket, the hyena placed his hands on top of his scalp in a circular motion. Currently human hands being like a hat, the adolescent again looked into the possibly at the moment boy's eyes.

Watching as his fellow chimera put his hands on his hair, Yinlong placed his hand on his chin. Was Siorc making a hat with hands? He was asking about his boss, was he? Pumping his fists together, he readied to explain what his boss wanted him to do in full detail.

"Oh, are you asking me about my boss?" he asked quizzically. The words still came out slowly. "Well, I told my boss I wanted to join her opera troupe, but she laughed and said, 'methinks you need to be more physically fit before that, Yinlong.' So, I thought I'd try to reach out to you!" Folding his hands together, he placed them behind his back. "So, I take it you don't have Fatui work today?"

Being asked about his work schedule, the chimera simply nodded. Confirmation of his boss telling him to get more active, a thought bubbled inside him. Remembering how low energy Yinlong had been, a low effort exercise would have to suffice for the small vacation at hand. Looking down at a small seashell on the beach floor, the idea boiled into overdrive.

Seeing him nod, Yinlong's eyes lit up to the sky. "Great!" he exclaimed, words speeding up ever so slightly. "How many days off do you have?"

Sounds of the sea reverberating in the background, the hyena jerked his head to the right and left. Her Majesty could be anywhere in Teyvat. The walls throughout the entire continent were thin. Would she be able to hear him telling Yinlong about his holiday? Allowing a sigh to release from the throat, the chimera held up three fingers. Leaving the fingers up for a minute, he stared off into the ocean in front of him. Would relaying such information to a non-Fatui lead to his end? A chill had run down his spine as as such thoughts grabbed his back tightly.

"Three days off?" Yinlong answered immediately, words slowing down again. "Great! That's plenty of time!" Tone of victory leaked through his already slow voice. "In that case, help me start a training regimen?" His eyes had stars in them as he posed the question to his fellow chimera.

Siorc jerked his head to the right and left again. Was this okay? Helping a non-Fatui out? If Her Majesty were to find out about this, would his life be over? Not seeing any soldiers in the area, he supposed starting a training regimen for him to follow would not hurt. Resolute on his decision, the chimera knew the time had come to break the silence.

"Alright, sir," he replied autonomously, voice barely audible. "I will start up a training regimen for you." He again turned his head to the left and right. Her Majesty, could she hear him from wherever she may be?

Yinlong stared at Siorc's head movements quietly. Was he looking around for his subordinates in the area again? Not seeing a single person with the same symbols on their uniforms, he knew he had to tell his fellow chimera such a fact.

"Hey, no worries," he said happily, words still as slow as before. "Barely any Fatui come over to this beach." Yinlong waved his hands around childishly. "So, do you want to get started? What should I do?" A hum broke from his lips, maybe softening the mood a little would help.

The hyena blinked at such remark. If such were true, he supposed starting the training regimen could still happen, at the current point in time. Light blue seashell ten meters away, the chimera walked over to the outer shell. Dropping down to his currently human knees, the hyena scooped the object. Item secured into his hands, he returned to Yinlong. Placing the seashell into his hands, he looked into his pink eyes for a third time.

Yinlong looked down at the seashell placed into his hands. Was he asking him to walk around along the shoal and pick up Starconches washed up on the shore? Another hum broke from his throat.

"You want me to pick up Starconches on the beach?" he asked, words speeding up a slight octave. "Okay, I'll get started now." As he said such, the panda pumped his fists together.

Panda chimera looking ready to begin, the hyena walked forward. Moving over to the side so Yinlong could walk with him, the two sauntered onward. Sounds of waves crashing, not a single enemy was stirring along the shoal. Watching the boy next to him pick up the blue seashells with star shaped centers as instructed, a small smile graced the soldier's face. Perhaps, just maybe, this small amount of exercise would lead to him being far less lazy? The young man hoped such outcome to take place.

Ocean nearing to the other side, Siorc turned to the left. Yinlong still following him in tow, the stroll along the shores continued. Seashells picked up in succession, a small collection formed between the two of them. Eventually having too many between them, the two chimeras returned the items to the sand beneath them.

Shoal's path almost reaching its end, the chimera turned his heelless shoes around in the direction he came. Stroll back being as slow as it was, the sun had begun to sink lower in the sky. Crooked sand paths being more wayward as the tides rose, the hyena sped up his walking speed a smidgeon. Waiting for the panda to catch up to him, the hyena slowed down his footsteps after a few seconds.

Orange tree being within his damaged field of vision, the soldier ended his stroll with the panda alongside him. Sun almost setting, he readied his return to the permafrost north. People with families should return home before dark.

Long stroll ending, Yinlong yawned loudly. "I should probably head home now," he said, words even slower than before. "But you'll come back tomorrow, right?" There was slight desperation in his voice.

The hyena stared at the ocean in front of him. If his holiday were to not be cancelled when he woke up in the morning, then working on Yinlong's stamina and physical prowess could certainly come into fruition. He had no plans on his current holiday, anyway.

"I will try, sir," the chimera replied, voice barely audible. "If it is possible." Another sigh released from the esophagus. Her Majesty, if she had known about what had happened today, would his life be over? Dread nibbled on the cartilage of his ear.

Possibility of exercise happening again tomorrow, hearts formed in the panda chimera's eyes. Another day of exercise being possible, a grin grew from ear to ear. Exercising with another chimera turned on the motivation switch within.

"I hope to see you tomorrow, then!" he cried, would faster than normal. Seeing the strange map device in hand, he waved to the hyena. "Safe travels home!"

Temporary farewell being given, the chimera highlighted the waypoint to the military barracks. As the teleportation back to Snezhnaya began, various thoughts of how to help the panda get more active flooded into the chambers of his brain. One thought persisted as the blinding teleportation began.

Tomorrow, he would get Yinlong to run.

***

"Since I agreed to help him,
Physical training is now upon me
Really, I am approaching this as though I am training another Fatui.
It is not as hard as it seems,
Now that the second day is here,
Today, we will run on the beach."

Upon waking up the next morning, the chimera prepared written instructions for the panda chimera before heading outward. Not being able to write in the Liyuean language, the hyena drew simple pictures upon the piece of paper. Very rarely drawing in his stolen childhood, the picture was not artistic in the slightest. Circular people with triangular lines behind them, the young man folded the paper, placing it into his uniform pocket. Instructions being drawn, the soldier again highlighted the waypoint to the Shoal.

Yinlong being in the same place he had been the day before, Siorc tapped his shoulder as done so previously. Panda turning around at a Slime's hopping pace, the hyena removed the paper of unartistic instructions from his pocket. Unfolding the paper, he placed the regimen of the day in front of his exercise partner.

Eyeing the paper in front of him, the panda tilted his head a bit at the stick figure drawings. The triangular shapes by the stick person, was it conveying a sense of speed? While the drawing had been crude, it seemed simple enough in what his fellow chimera was trying to convey.

"Are you saying you want me to run today?" he asked, voice even slower than ever before. Would he be able to run so soon? Stamina was not something that came to him easily. "Are you sure?"

Realizing his crude drawings had gotten through, the hyena simply nodded. Would a lazy partial person be able to run? The chimera did not know, but he supposed he was about to find out. Pointing to the left, he readied to start running with the currently proclaimed boy.

Taking the nod as confirmation, Yinlong heaved a small sigh. Running was definitely not his speed. But, Siorc was nice enough to help train him to get more active, he knew he had to follow through with the regimen he was creating for him. Pumping his fists together, he steeled himself for the sloppiest beginners run of his life.

"Okay," Yinlong replied, every letter of the word pouring out slowly. "Run with me?" There was a pleading tone in his voice as he positioned his legs to begin his sprint.

Nodding again, the chimera's legs erupted into a sprint. Reaching the destination he had pointed out within thirty seconds, the hyena looked around. The panda had been nowhere near where he had been. Seeing such, it had come to him immediately. Being a Fatui for almost four years now, he had been far more agile than a normal citizen. He supposed his forced removal still had some slight perks here and there. Panda having eventually reached the spot he was in, a small sigh echoed through the sea breeze.

"Hey...Siorc, wait up!" Yinlong screamed weakly, heavy pants evident throughout. "I'm sorry, running just isn't my forte." His panting continued with every word being spoken. "Can we try again? Slowly?"

Bowing his head, the chimera readied to start his run again. His default running speed being far too quick, the hyena slowed down his pace as the second run across the shore sounded its starting gun. Yinlong able to follow him in tow, the two ran across the sand at a Ruin Guard's attacking pace. Run through to the edge by a clover windmill, the soldier ended his sprint. Slow run taking about an hour, the young man turned his heelless shoes in the direction he came in.

As the slow run back to the shore with the orange tree sauntered onward, the hyena wondered. Was any of this helping at all? After this holiday is over, would the panda continue training by himself? The chimera did not know, but he had hoped the fitness training he had started for him would continue even after his holiday were to cease.

Orange tree slowly inching before the two chimeras, the hyena's wonders would not cease. Surely, helping him run would lessen Yinlong's laziness? Being lazy was never a way to proceed in life. Sun setting in the sky as the orange tree and rock grew closer, the soldier off duty ended his slow run. Waiting for his running partner to halt his sprint, he stared down at the sand below him. Teleport Waypoint proxy in his currently human hand, he readied his return to the permafrost north.

Long run ending, Yinlong yawned loudly for the second day in a row. "I'm beat, I should probably head home now," he said, words lulled. "Same time again tomorrow, hopefully?"

The hyena opened the orb into map form as such question were asked of him. If his holiday were still to be around tomorrow, then continuing to build up Yinlong's physical fitness could certainly continue for one more day before his Fatui work were to resume.

"I will try, sir," he said for the second time like a robot. It was almost as if one and zeroes had momentarily taken control of his speech. "If it is possible." His words were barely audible. He knew, at any moment now, Her Majesty could possibly be listening. The walls in Liyue were thin.

Possibility of exercise continuing for the third and final day, his eyes sparkled like the moonlight in the sky. Motivation switch turning on again, a small smile grew upon the panda chimera's face for the second time in a row.

"I hope I'll see you again tomorrow, then," he cried, words still slow and lulled. "Have a safe teleport home!" Map in front of the hyena, Yinlong waved to his fitness partner as he prepared to leave himself.

Goodbyes being given, the chimera highlighted the waypoint to the military barracks. As the teleportation to Snezhnaya began, a thought graced the dormant shark grooves in his brain. The teal orb on his collar, was it an Anemo vision? Seeing some Hilichurls on the other side of the beach, an idea seeded itself into place.

The final day of exercise would be reserved for fighting monsters.

***

Waking up for the final day of his holiday, Siorc would not falter. Requesting his training partner leave a Claymore where his rations would usually go for the day, the hyena was ready. Plain crossed shaped hairpins and earrings clicked into place, the soldier off duty placed the covered Claymore through the hooks of his uniform pants. Weapon being secured, the young man highlighted the waypoint to the beach for the third and final time.

Yinlong being stationed within the same part of the beach as he had been for the past two days, Siorc tapped his shoulder for the final time. Panda turning around at a windmill's rotation speed, the hyena removed the sheath from his greatsword. Currently human feet within a fighting stance, the chimera swung his weapon to the left slightly. Action being shown, the soldier off duty returned the greatsword to its sheath. Dancing like a Hilichurl for a minute, he looked at Yinlong directly in the eyes for the third day in a row.

Watching as Siorc swung a sword around, and dance around like a common enemy in the open wilderness, an oil bulb went off in Yinlong's head. Was Siorc instructing him to fight Hilichurls on the other side of the beach? Having a polearm readily available, the panda pumped his fists together.

"Oh, you want me to fight Hilichurls on the beach?" he asked, word speeding up a little. "That's easy. I fight Hilichurls all the time while collecting bamboo shoots for work." Anemo vision on his collar glowing, confidence leaked through his voice.

Hearing such had been something Yinlong had done before, a happy sigh released from Siorc's throat. Hilichurls quite the distance away from the area the two were situated at, the chimera walked forward. Panda standing beside him, the two sauntered onward.

Other end of the beach eventually having been reached, the cacophony of multiple Hilichurls sounded discordantly through the harsh waves crashing about. Horned creatures dancing about ceremoniously, the chimera unsheathed his claymore with post-haste. Monsters splitting up to both Yinlong and he's sides, the chimera readied for battle.

Barely having any offensive prowess, the hyena swung his claymore around rather sloppily. Hilichurl forming a wooden shield as his slashes continued to do barely any damage, the hyena swung his claymore around harder. The number four constantly bouncing in white above the creature's head, the creature would not budge. Bar not depleting above the Hilichurl's head, there was no sign of defeat to be had. Such numbers and bars were not visible to the hyena, however.

"Panda tornado!" Yinlong screamed at the top of his lungs.

Battle cry being sounded, a large, dark green gust of wind pulled all the horned creatures within the vortex. Hilichurls spinning about within the elemental attack, the creatures fell to the ground within seconds. Polearm in hand, the panda charged at the monsters with grace. Weapon poking the creature's torsos, the monsters disintegrated into dust after the strike ended. Polearm's purpose finished, he dissolved the weapon into thin air.

Hilichurls dissolving into nothingness before him, the chimera's human shaped jaw almost dropped to the seabed beside him. Had Yinlong's weapon been at the maximum level possible? The chimera did not know, but such prowess would not go unnoticed.

"That should do it!" Yinlong said excitably. He clapped his hands together out of pure joy. Would Siorc praise him for his performance? "Did I do good, teacher?"

Jaw still hanging open, the chimera closed his mouth. Did he do well? What an absolutely ludicrous question to be asked. Hilichurls dying in one fell swoop, he knew he had to comment on such astronomically unexpected performance from the lazy panda chimera.

"Yes, sir," Siorc said, flabbergasted. There was an usual high pitched shriek present within his words. "You did excellent." Turning his head to the ocean beside him, a tired sigh released from the chambers of his partially human throat. What a lousy fitness coach, he was. His student had outdone him.

Praise being given, the panda's tail swished from behind him. Grin beaming from ear to ear, he hummed quietly to himself as the minutes passed onward. Motivation switch turning on within him permanently, thoughts of continuing his training solo on days where he did not have to waitress at the tea house flooded his almost formerly lazy brain.

Feeling the training had been enough for the day, another idea graced his slowly changing lazy brain within him. Chimera agreeing to help him, treating him to a meal before retuning should happen. Hooking his elbow around Siorc's, the panda was resolute on his decision.

"That map can teleport you anywhere, right?" Yinlong asked almost completely on cue. "Highlight the one labelled Qingce Village for me?" He pointed to the hyena's brown coat pocket. "Let me treat you to dinner before you go back to Snezhnaya." His words were slow, but absolute.

Siorc jumped three steps back upon hearing Yinlong's suggestion. Treat him to dinner? Would such act be allowed for him as a Fatui? He knew desires were not allowed to be enacted upon as a Diplomatic Fatui Soldier. But refusing such an offer had to have been considered rude. Opening up the Teleport Waypoint proxy, the chimera motioned his hands over the Qingce village waypoint. Waypoint to the village highlighted, the map dissipated into orb form. Snezhnayan technology put away, he hooked his elbow around Yinlgong's for a brief moment.

Waypoint taking the two chimeras near a grassy cliffside next to a large community building, a gulp released from the hyena's esophagus. The area he had been teleported to had looked similar to the dream he had a few nights before. Was an event of fire about to befall him? The chimera's currently human legs shook relentlessly.

Hearing the hyena gulp beside him, Yinlong placed a hand upon his shoulder. Nervous again that Fatui were patrolling about, was he? He knew he had to say something to the cowering fellow chimera almost glued to him through an elbow link.

"Hey, no need to worry," he said, voice soft, but slow. "There's only elderly people out here. No Fatui would dare ever come out this way to cause trouble!" Hand removed from his shoulder, he pointed to the corner. "Ms. Bai is over there, let's get dinner."

Arms linked together, the travel over to a small house with a water mill attached to the side began. Woman of generic stature eventually being adjacent to the two of them, Yinlong unhooked their arms. Mora pouch out in front of him, he readied to pay for the dinner order in full.

"Miss Yinlong, it's good to see you again," the generic woman said. Although, seeing the young girl in men's clothing, the woman quickly corrected herself. "Or should I say Mr. Yinlong today?" She tilted her head backward a bit. "The usual, I take it? Qingce Stir Fry for you and your friend, right?"

Confusion played through the panda's ears, he supposed explaining would not hurt anything. Gender was still a trivial matter to the panda chimera.

"Miss or Mr. are both fine, Ms. Bai," he replied in a soft tone, words still slow and lulled. "I answer to both." A small smile graced his face as his usual order had been stated on cue. "Yes, two Quingce Stir Fries, please!"

Dishes being given, and mora being handed to the merchant, Yinlong guided the hyena inside the community building. Elderly woman allowing the two to sit down and eat, Siorc stared down at the heated vegetable platter in front of him, was it really okay to accept such a gift given to him? Always being given rations back in the military barracks, food of choice was never something the chimera thought about.

Such thoughts were interrupted by a loud stomach rumbling. What an absolutely rude organ the stomach was. Wooden utensil known as chopsticks in hand, the chimera placed the vegetables inside the wooden Liyuean utensil. Devouring the stir fry, a sting of spice hit his throat. While the momentary sting of chili peppers made their roar known, the food was delectable, nonetheless. Meal finished, he knew he had to thank the panda before he left.

"Thank you, sir," he said, emotion oddly present in his voice. "The food was wonderful." Seeing the moon in the sky now, he knew it was time to leave. The chimera rose from the wooden chair silently. "I must take my leave now." His voice returned to one without emotion as thoughts of the permafrost north nibbled on his ear. "It was very nice seeing you again."

Yinlong's smile dissipated into a somber look as the announcement of Siorc leaving hit their panda ears. He had to go back? Such a shame, it was. But, they knew the Fatui had very busy lives ahead of them. Before he were to teleport back home, they figured one last goodbye could be uttered. Maybe more boy time alone could happen again in the future? He figured it would not hurt to ask before he were to leave again for a long time to come.

"It was nice seeing you again too, my friend," they said. Somber tone of farewell evident in his voice. "If you get another vacation again any time soon, let's have some boy time alone again!" He waved to the chimera slowly, remembering one final thing he wished to say before he were to exit. "I'll keep up with the exercise training you provided for me. Next time we meet, maybe I'll be in boss's opera troupe, finally!" A yawn presented itself as they finished speaking. A nice sleep would be in order soon.

Waving back to the panda, the young soldier's face became devoid of emotion within seconds. It was time to go back to the permafrost north. Back to his forced upon homeland, back to his workdays of diplomacy, or training. As he highlighted the Teleport Waypoint to the military barracks, one thought, and one thought alone poked the dormant shark grooves in his brain.

Yinlong said they were friends now. He could feel a slight warmness inside him at such realization.

Such warm feeling transformed into ice within a fraction of a second. Military barracks within his damaged sight, another thought echoed within the chambers of his partially human brain. Was having a friend considered a desire? If any Fatui had been in hiding watching him, would they tell Her Majesty of his platonic relations with someone other than a soldier? Grisly thoughts pushing him down in the snow outside, the young man allowed one final gulp to release from the esophagus.


Room within the military barracks finally being upon him, he sunk onto the uncomfortable bed like a rock. Glasses, jewelry and accessories being removed, Siorc closed his eyes somberly. Sleep almost taking him immediately, one final thought of torment hugged him from behind.

Was he allowed to have friends or connections anymore outside of the Fatui?

Years of militaristic isolation was a powerful beast, indeed.

---

Ps, Featuring Yanfei.

Before reading this I strongly caution you to understand that I wrote this almost a year and a half before Fontaine came out! and I take no responsibility if my speculation is wrong. This chapter was written under heavily speculation and does not reflect real Fontaine.

Skip this one if you don't like that.

This is sort of part of a saga that I haven't written the first side story for in the arc known as "Domain and Delusions" and occurs in between The Shopping Trip of Doom for Wine in Fontaine and the Reaching Adulthood chapter in the main story.

---

Side Story 3. The Justice Hawk of Fontaine

"Just how much knowledge did I lose when I was
Unable to control what my body was doing?
So many adventurers may have been injured by my uncontrollable actions,
To Barbatos, I apologize
I'm sorry for my sins,
Cannot fathom how angry he must have been
Even now, I have to ponder,

Her Majesty, what does she want with me?
All that time in the domain may be a blur to me, but
What does she want with me and my body?
Knowing what happened in passing, asking is forbidden. I must accept it. Silence is key."

Seven months have passed since the wine purchasing ordeal occurred in Fontaine. Banishment from the Fontaine wine merchants making its rounds, obtaining wine in other nations had possessed the original orders like a ghost. For fifteen of the two-hundred-seventeen days, purchasing wine in a Tavern at the capital city had become the chimera's base of operation, for the time being.

Mondstadt wine collecting heist coming to an end, the young man had been tasked to purchase the buzzed fruit drinks in the nations of Liyue, Sumeru and Natlan. Wine purchasing alternating between the three nations, the hyena had quickly come to notice an oddity within the other regions on the continent. Wine had not been as commonplace in the other nations.

Realizing such fact, the soldier had come to wonder. Just what was Her Majesty really planning? Whatever her true intentions were, the chimera knew her true plans were sinister. Regardless of such intentions, no questions would ever leave his lips. Wine purchasing heist coming to an end, the hyena remained diligent.

For the next four months an odd order had been given to his entire jurisdiction in the barracks, as well as the jackal chimera. Having to go to Mondstadt on a daily basis with odd subspace warping crystals, domain creation from the outside and inside had been his entire jurisdiction's orders for ninety of the one-hundred-twenty days.

Domain's completion coming full circle, an ominous order had been given to the young budding soldier during the final month of the four. Adventurers coming to test themselves within the new domain, the Agent had given the young man a dark blue orb with Fatui insignias imprinted inside it. Blue orb glued within his uniform, his mind had been gone. Control of his body had left the building. Everything being black, and body moving on its own, the young man would attack adventurers that would traverse to the final room of the domain he had been instructed to reside in. Dark waters hurling out of the orb, no amount of control had been returned to the chimera. Adventurer after adventurer being defeated, screams had bounced off and around his inhuman eardrums. Never getting a moment of rest, his battles droned onward outside the young man's control.

Such battles would come to an abrupt end. On the final day of the four months, the Anemo Archon had crashed through the domain with a flood of wind. Blue orb being removed from his partially human person, a young man with dark blue hair, and a turquoise jewel on his chest had appeared in his returning field of vision. Being told by the God he was free now, a revelation had played in his head as the situation at hand cemented into his returning mind.

Her Majesty had used him as a vessel to find new potential recruits within the Fatui army.

Hearing the word Delusion used to describe the blue orb, the chimera had begun to ponder. Just what were Her Majesty's Delusions capable of? Never having experience with such weapon of war, a chill had run down his partially human spine. Were Delusions how Her Majesty controlled her soldiers? The young man did not know, but he knew questions were not allowed as a Fatui soldier. Unconscious adventurers escorted out of the domain, a strong gust of wind destroyed the subspace portal into oblivion. It was almost as if, such domain was a temporary addition to the world of Teyvat as dictated by instructions of ones and zeroes.

Domain ordeal coming to a close, Siorc had made his unceremonious return to the permafrost north. Defenses having decayed during the time away, training had made its immediate return. Being away from Snezhnaya too long, getting used to the cold had been a battle. Evasion eventually being relearned, and cold becoming something he had been used to again, the chimera would not falter. Diplomacy of nothing resuming shortly after training had ended, a realization had planted itself into his partially human brain.

Within a matter of weeks, he would reach adulthood.

His stolen childhood was about to end; his adolescence was to be no more. Years of being a Fatui removing his ability to live a life in normalcy, the chimera supposed nothing could be done of it. Adulthood almost being upon him, he had begun to wonder. Her Majesty, just what would she have planned for him once he was an adult Fatui? Would she start making him dirty his hands? The adolescent did not know, but the hourglasses' sand was about to reach the bottom. Time was running out. Diplomacy of nothing continuing onward, time continued to tick towards his adolescent's demise.

Such diplomacy of nothing would not occur today.

Upon waking up in the morning, a thought of unease played inside him. Sound of bitter wind awaited the soldier. Wind slamming the window with a roar, the hyena rose from the uncomfortable bed. Rubbing his eyes for a moment, something of immediate oddity had made itself known to the young soldier. No Fatui were groaning in an echo within the military barracks. Only the bitter wind from outside remained. A thought of confusion rolled around like a stone in the chimera's brain. Had he woken up too early today? Never seeing the sun in the sky while in Snezhnaya, time was a difficult measurement for the soldier. Knowing nothing could be done if woken up early on his own accord, the hyena had begun the morning routine of dressing the body.

While dressing in his uniform, more thoughts played within his mind. Her Majesty, what did she have planned for him today? Morning alarm bells never blaring about, the wanderlust had begun to intoxicate him. Just how early had he woken up? Was it still the middle of the night? The chimera did not know, the nothingness of silence was overpowering.

Confusion playing on repeat, the hyena clicked his hairpins and earrings into place. Adorning matching black hearts in his hair and ears, he focused his attention to the outside of the window. Snow flurrying about, he paid attention to the lighting of the area within his heterochromatic field of damaged vision. Seeing the sky ever so slightly through the small pane, a sigh released from the chambers of his throat. The sky had been white. Coming to the conclusion it had been daytime hours, he focused his attention to the door to the other side of him. Surely, the Agent would be coming soon.

But no footsteps would ever arrive. Was the Agent not coming today? Alarm bells still never arriving, and silence continuing to play out, the hyena put on his heelless shoes. Surely, just maybe, if he looked outside into the barrack hallways, a soldier within his jurisdiction would be around.

As he stepped outside, a sight to behold greeted the adolescent. On his door had been a note. Peering at other doors nearby, paper had covered every single door within the military barracks. Note having been written in Snehnayan writing, the chimera stared in silence at the words presented before him.

"You have three days off," the note in clear Snezhnayan writing had said. Seeing such words on the paper, a small smile graced the chimera's face. Fatui life being unpredictable lately, a small vacation to detox was just what he needed. While a three day holiday meant Her Majesty had been away on business plotting something, the soldier off duty cared not, at the moment in time.

His Fatui life being chaotic as of late, a particular area within Teyvat had entered his partially human brain. Fontaine's nature, he wished to see it. Not getting to experience much of the flowers and nature while collecting wine for Her Majesty, the desire experience the rich plant life of the Hydro Nation of Justice only grew inside him. Resolute on his decision, he highlighted the waypoint to the Fontaine city plaza. Remembering there had been an open trail at the end of the plaza, the hyena was ready.

As the teleportation to the plaza began, the chimera closed his eyes. Teleporting never ceased to be an absolutely blinding ordeal. As the fast travel continued, a singular thought had poked the dormant shark grooves within his brain.

A nice holiday in nature was just the break he needed.

***
"How come this Fatui is here in my territory?
Evil vagrant, stay away from Raven,
Ridiculous those villains of miscreant would dare come back again!
Of course, justice will prevail. For I am Robin."

Teleport Waypoint placing him within the Fontaine city plaza, a gulp resonated in the area. The citizens were glaring daggers at him. Had they remembered him from last time? He could feel a shiver down his spine as the seconds turned into minutes. The stares were cold and unwelcoming. Were Fatui still seen as an injustice within the Hydro Nation? Wishing to exit into the open wilderness immediately, Siorc sauntered onward. Recalling the path to exit the city into the open wilderness had been to the east end, the chimera's legs erupted into a sprint.

As his sprint continued, the young man could hear the people jeer at him from left to right. Multiple disgusted voices echoing profanities at him, the chimera accelerated his sprint. The citizens of Fontaine unwelcome attitude had made its roar known to him. As his accelerated sprint continued, he could hear an especially familiar voice echo through the cacophony of disapproval.

"Here to buy wine again, lad?" the generic merchant asked sarcastically. "I thought I told you to never come back here! We don't serve wine to the Fatui!" A bitter laugh entered the cacophony of disapproval.

Halting his sprint for a moment, the hyena rolled his eyes to the sky. Absolutely ludicrous nonsense. Did the merchant think he could mess with him again? He was not about to let the wine merchant win. Not dignifying the man with a response, the chimera continued his sprint. Open wilderness almost being upon him, he shifted his feet as fast as his currently human legs could carry him. Grassy area nearing, his accelerated sprint continued. Not looking back to the plaza behind him, the chimera was ready.

Astronomically fast sprint ending, a pant broke loose from the young man's throat. Running was quite the tiring exercise. Energy leaving him, the young man slowed down into a stroll. As his stroll within the open wilderness area started, he examined the area with due diligence.

Before him had been empty plains of grass, trees and hills. To the distance had been a waterfall raging about. Area being empty, intoxicating serotonin leaked through him. Not a single person or monster had been around to judge him. Continuing his walk, a pleasing sight was about to behold him.

A small distance away had been a bed of blue flowers. Buds being closed, a small smile graced his face. Soon, the flowers would surround him. His holiday amongst the flowers could finally begin. Flowerbed almost being upon him, he was ready for his true holiday to begin.

Such moment of bliss would never come into fruition.

Flowerbed nearing, his holiday was interrupted before it could begin. Person stepping in front of him, the hyena let an exasperated sigh leave his throat. Just who was interrupting him this time? As he attempted to step around him, he could hear a a loud shriek echo through the wilderness. Flowerbed being blocked, the chimera turned to the person shouting through the damp wind.

"What's a Fatui doing in my territory?!" the owner of the voice screamed, heroism present throughout his tone. "Get out of my territory! I won't let you villains take Raven away from me!" Closing the eyes for a moment, yellow talons had appeared in place of the owner of voice's hands. Talons out, the person slashed forward towards the vagrant's arms.

Hostilities lunged towards him, Siorc jumped seven backs. Attack dodged, he examined the person lunging at him. In front of him had been a rather tall man towering over him. Looking into his eyes was impossible. Rising to the tip of his feet, he attempted to the best of his ability to look at the man's eyes. His eyes were gold, like his talons that had been out at the moment in time. His hair was jet black in a left swept ponytail that reached to about his waist. His hair was like a raven that belonged to a certain blonde eyepatched girl he had sometimes seen walking around the capital city of Mondstadt during diplomatic affairs. Feeling his hostility grow, he hastened his examination. The man's face looked permanently angry. It was almost as if, in a world outside Teyvat, such facial structure had a name to it, but such fact was unknown to the chimera. Plain hunters outfit on his person, the young man lowered himself back to the ground and backed seven steps away. Ending his examination, the hyena continued to step back.

Man with bird talons continuing to slash at him, he jumped to the left and right. Just what was this person's issue? Every citizen in Fontaine was intoxicated by justice. Being a Fatui, such hostility was deserved, he supposed. As the man's talon attacks continued, the sound of a second person dropping onto the grass reverberated in the area.

"Robin, he doesn't even look like he could hurt a Hilichurl," the second person said, his voice was heavily accented. "Lower your claws, hon."

Second person coming into the area, the soldier off duty studied the second person blocking the hostile bird talon man. Diagonal to him had been another tall man towering over him. Raising to the tips of his feet, he continued his study of the person. The man had long brown hair pulled back into a ponytail. Ponytail swept to the right side, the hair reached down to about his shoulders. Eye color matching his hair, he titled his head at the top of the man's head. On the top of his head had been a long piece of hair sticking up into an antenna shape. Just what was this person? Was he some kind of highly intelligent insect chimera? He shook his head at such thought. What an absolutely ludicrous opinion to jump to. Lowering his currently human feet back to the ground, he studied the outfit the man had been wearing. The man's outfit was fancy. Generic Fontaine suit and tie upon him, a gulp released from his throat. Everyone in Fontaine was well groomed, well dressed; well bred. He was a Cicin in the open wilderness, being a Fatui. Ending his examination, the young man backed six steps further away.

The man proclaimed as Robin closed his eyes for a moment. Talons disappearing, he looked to the second man next to him. Face becoming instantly crimson, it had come to the hyena immediately. Had the two of these Fontaine citizens been a couple? He could feel his face turn slightly jade at such thought. Love being something mostly absent from his life for almost five years, envy had begun to feast inside him. Such emotion never being something he normally felt, he took a deep breath. Emotion dead inside him, he continued to stare at the alleged by his mind couple as they conversed about. Attention eventually returned back to him, the hyena backed four steps away.

"He's a Fatui," Robin exclaimed, heroism intoxicating his voice. "He could be here to take you away, like last time!" His currently human hand shook as it pointed at the villainous vagrant continuously stepping backwards.

Siorc rolled his eyes to the sky. Just what was running through this man's head? Did he think he was here to recruit people into Her Majesty's army? What an absolutely ludicrous opinion to be had, for sure. He had no power within the Fatui to recruit others. If such power were allowed to him, such usage of that militaristic perk would never come into fruition. Have another person or chimera suffer the way he did? Absolutely not. Not a single human or chimera deserved the same fate that he did. But, such words would not leave his lips. The bird talon man attacking him did not deserve a second of the hyena's time.

Backing two more steps away, the chimera rose to the tips of his currently human feet. Lowering his heterochromatic bespectacled eyes into a glare, his eyes were daggers. This man was an enemy to his nature walk. He knew as long as this person was here, there was no way he would let him enjoy the flowerbed he wished to lay in.

Ending his glare, he removed the Teleport Waypoint Proxy from his uniform pocket. If this man had claimed the area was his territory, then he would do as he wished. Not wishing to get lunged at again with bird talons, the hyena highlighted the waypoint to the military barracks. Collapsing the map into orb form, he placed it back into his pocket. Eyes closed, the teleportation to the military barracks began.

Steel walled room upon him, he returned to his quarters in silence. Accessories being removed, he slumped onto the bed before him. Staring off into space for hours on end, a thought of indignation took residence inside the chambers of his partially human brain.

His nature walk and flower nap was ruined. That man with the bird talons, surely, there had to be a way to avoid him. Raising from the bed for a moment, he walked back over to his uniform drawers. Teleport Waypoint Proxy Orb being seated by his hairpin and earring box, he opened the orb into map form. Clicking a star on the right side of the map, he highlighted the Fontaine section of the map. Seeing a second Waypoint located in the Fontaine Plaza city, a small smile formed on his face. Returning the map to orb form, the soldier off duty returned to the uncomfortable bed. Glasses finally being removed, one final thought graced his mind as the world of sleep was about to take him.

Tomorrow, he will take the other path into the open wilderness.

***
"Don't know why that chimera is so hostile towards me,
Obviously, I have a plan to avoid him,
Don't think he will spot me if I take the opposite end,
Glasses on, I am ready to start my day. I will get to rest in those beautiful blue flowers,
Even if those bird talons swing at me."

Upon waking up the next morning, the chimera plotted his plan diligently. Today, for sure, he would get to enjoy his nature walk and flower nap uninterrupted. Uniform and glasses being on, as well as rabbit hairpins and earrings being clicked into place, the young man was ready. Plan set into motion, the adolescent highlighted the other Fontaine Plaza waypoint.

Other side of the plaza city within his heterochromatic field of vision, Siorc examined the area at lightning speed. Wine merchant booth being nowhere to be seen, he beamed from ear to ear. This time for sure, the wine merchant couldn't possibly leer at him. Barely any Fontaine citizen being present on the side of the plaza city he had teleported to, the chimera walked straight.

Grassy plain eventually upon him, the young man turned to the left and right of him. He could feel bliss take residence inside him as the trees and grass absorbed themselves into his partially human person. The trees were breathtaking with a multitude of colorful flowers throughout. Having seen nothing but snow and domain walls for the past few months, his levels of dopamine increased at a rapid pace. Continuing to walk forward, another sight of beauty awaited him forty meters away.

Within a distance had been a field of violet looking mints. Seeing such a sight, the chimera's legs erupted into a sprint. The violet mint looking flower field was a beautiful sight to behold. Flower field calling out to him, he laid down into lackadaisically. Intoxicating serotonin leaking throughout, he could feel the world of his imagination calling out to him. Closing his eyes for a moment, he could hear the flowerbed in his mind inviting him to join.

Such slip into the world of imagination was a short lived phenomenon ended on an electric platter.

Hearing the sound of a crackle of electricity coming towards him, the chimera rose to his feet. In the flower field had been an arrow pulsating with electricity. Grass below him acting like an insulator, the weapon had lost its bite. Grin lowering into a grimace, the hyena gazed up at the cloudy sky above him. In the sky had been the bird talon man and his partner. On their backs had been dark brown feathered wings. Wings looking real, the chimera had come to one conclusion, and one conclusion alone.

The men disturbing his nap in nature had been bird chimeras. Having read about birds in books in his stolen childhood, he recalled seeing pictures of hawks and falcons spread across the pages. Had the two obstacles been hawk and falcon chimeras? The hyena did not know, but such question would never be asked. The two birds were not going to hear his voice.

Lowering his head, the chimera's face quickly grew crimson, his arms and legs had been transformed into hyena ones. Had almost slipping into the land of imagination caused him to transform? How embarrassing. If the bird talon man had attempted to attack him in that state, he knew today would be yet another ruined day. Hearing the sound of four feet landing on the grass, the young man lowered his mismatched eyes into a glare.

Finally on the ground, Robin's angered boiled the egg inside his bird brain. Just what was this vagrant doing in his territory yet again? Was he here to take his lover away from him? If that villain were back in his territory for such heinous act, another justice arrow would be hurled at the purple haired animal clawed person of injustice in front of him.

"Stay out of my territory, Fatui!" Robin shouted, human index finger pointed straight at the villain. "This is my hunting ground!" Justice continued to leak throughout his tone of voice.

Bird talon man pointing his hand at him, the adolescent's throat bellowed a growl. Was this area in the open wilderness this man's territory, as well? Just how much of the area was this chimera's territory? Man interrupting his peaceful nap, he continued his glare at the tall partially human man. What an incredibly territorial person. He could feel his blood boil over as the sight of the man blocking the view of the trees before him.

His day in nature had been ruined yet again by this obnoxious bird talon man.

Seeing the short person have hyena claws, Raven had come to the ultimate conclusion. While he had normally been on the same wavelength as his partner was, the hostility was not. Seeing the young man had been one of them, he knew he had to say something to his partner to quell the tension.

"He's a chimera like us, hon," Raven said to Robin. The loose hair on top of his head twitched about as he spoke. "I don't think he means any harm." He hooked his arms around his lover. Would a little bit of touch bring down Robin's tension? Raven had hoped such would be the case.

Despite such fact being presented to him, Robin would not be shaken. Feeling his lover's touch, his face grew pink for a moment. Even if such person were one of them, he would not let such villain anywhere near Raven. Justice brain not turning off inside him, he turned to Raven. Convictions strong, he readied to announce his stance to his lover and vagrant.

"Chimera or not, a Fatui is a Fatui," Robin exclaimed, tone of valor not budging. "He could be here to take you away like the others."

Siorc rolled his eyes to the sky. Was the bird talon man bringing up this argument again? Hyena tail raging behind him, he could feel his blood about to evaporate inside him. Everyone in Fontaine were so justice driven. How incredibly obnoxious, it was. Raising to the tip of his toes, the adolescent glared harder daggers at the nature walk ruining bird talon man. Everything was going around in circles. Knowing there was no way he would get to enjoy a nap in the flowerbed for the day, he supposed it was best to leave.

Ending his scowl, he removed the Teleport Waypoint Proxy from his pocket. If leaving this man's territory would appease him, then he would do as he wished. Not wishing for another arrow to be hurled at him, the chimera highlighted the waypoint to the military barracks. Collapsing the map into orb form, he closed his eyes.

Military barracks upon him, and hyena limbs returning back into human ones, the soldier off duty returned to the soundproof room. Hairpins and earrings removed, he again opened the orb into map form. Touching the star on the right corner of the map for the second time, he highlighted the Fontaine section on the map. Studying the waypoints near the plaza, one particular one caught his damaged eyes. Near the plaza city laid a waypoint near a forest. Seeing such, a barely visible grin graced his face. Collapsing the map into orb form, the adolescent sunk into the uncomfortable bed like a rock. Glasses being removed, his plan echoed throughout the chambers of his brain as the world of sleep were about to take him.

Tomorrow, he would directly warp into the forest. The Hawk chimera was not going to win.

***
"Enough is enough, if that villain comes into my territory again today,
Lightning will be hurled at that vagrant, for sure
Even if Raven claims he means no harm.
Chimera or not, I will not be so kind.
To the Fatui entering my territory. Leave, go, dispense.
Righteousness will prevail, heroism will be my call
Obstruction of justice will be served. Stay from my territory. Stay away from it all!"

Waking up for the final day of his ruined holiday, Siorc would not falter. This time, for sure, he would get to enjoy walking and a nap in nature. Uniform and his favorite matching moon hairpins and earrings being upon him, the young man highlight the Fontaine Forest waypoint in an instant.

Forest being upon him, he could feel bliss leak out from within him. Teleport Waypoint placing him beside a large waterfall, his mismatched bespectacled eyes grew wide at the sight of the waterfall before him. The waterfall was huge. Water crashing down loudly, his eyes grew larger. What an absolutely fascinating body of water, it was. Not having seen a waterfall up so close before, he could feel the intoxicating serotonin return within him. Watching the water flow for a few more minutes, the hyena turned his heelless shoes to the right.

To the side of the waterfall had been more trees with an array of colorful flowers. Seeing a pink flowered tree nearby, the chimera's legs erupted into a sprint. The tree with pink flowers, could it have been one of those cherry blossom trees he had heard resided mostly in Inazuma? The chimera did not know, but he knew one thing for certain, and one thing only. The pink tree, he wished to lay near it.

Pink flowered tree eventually being upon him, he studied the flowers on the branches. As his study continued, he could feel the intoxication of serotonin grow stronger. The pink flowers, they were roses. Seeing such flowers, his currently human hands stretched upward. Would taking one flower back with him back to his forced upon room in the permafrost north be allowed? Shaking his head, he lowered his hand. Desires were not allowed for a Diplomatic Fatui Soldier.

Tree of absolute beauty near him, the chimera attempted to lay down in the grass before him. Such thought was interrupted, however, by the sound of a crackle resonating above him. As the crackle kept increasing in volume, an arrow and his shoulder met. Weapon crackling electricity into him, a labored scream broke from the chambers of his throat. As his scream dragged about, he could hear another crackle of electricity coming towards him. Not knowing where the arrow could possibly be coming from, dodging was an impossible feat.

Second arrow hitting his hip, another scream broke from his throat. Electricity crackling from the weapon, he could feel his energy escape him. Elemental powers ending after some time had passed, the hyena looked up at the sky above him. The bird talon man and his partner had been back again. The hyena's blood boiled over at the sight of the man's bow being in a fighting position.

Anger bubbling into complete overdrive, his eyes were ice. Had the entire open wilderness in Fontaine been the bird talon's man territory? Absolutely ludicrous nonsense. What a ridiculously territorial person, he was. Removing the shot arrows from his uniform, Siorc grit his sharp shark teeth as the two bird men descended to the ground.

"Are you following us around?!" Robin shouted at the top of his bird lungs. "You Fatui are bad news!" There was a sense of heroism in his shout.

Hearing the bird talon man's shout, the hyena's blood had turned into hot lava. He had enough of this man's games. Territorial or not, attacking him with his arrows had been the final straw. Frustration bubbling out of control within his partially human body, it was time to use the weapon he had rarely ever used. The time to use his words had come.

"No," Siorc replied coldly, formalities being dropped from his words. "I am not following you around." His words were ice, seeping with anger. "I'm just here to enjoy my holiday, trying to enjoy nature. Which you keep ruining." His words sounded done, and tired. "So, please mind your bow and leave me in peace." His currently human fist shook about as his unusual amount of words spoken finished their bite.

Fatui's anger hitting home, Raven lowered his head in apology. Knowing Robin would never tell someone how he feels, the bird chimera took the initiative.

"I apologize, my boyfriend is just a little too justice driven sometimes," Raven said. There was a slight hint of a tease in his voice. "You don't seem all that bad, hon. Certainly not bad enough to try and recruit me, anyway."

Second bird chimera talking sense, the hyena nodded his head. Even if he were allowed to recruit anyone into Her Majesty's army, he would never do so. Not a single person, or chimera for that matter, deserved to be subjected to the life he had been forced into.

Hyena nodding as confirmation, Raven rubbed his head onto Robin's chest. "He doesn't mean any harm, Robin," he said, ending his chest rubs. "Leave him be."

Feeling his lover's touch, Robin could feel his face grow hot. He supposed if Raven had said it, perhaps, just maybe, he could let the matter drop for now.

"I will for now," Robin said in a defeated tone. "But, if I see you in my territory again, I won't respond kindly." He pointed his index finger at the vagrant diagonal to him.

Rude finger pointed his way again, a sigh released from his throat. Day in nature being ruined for the third time in a row, staying in the area surrounded by the territorial bird talon man was not worth the trouble. Hostility souring the area, staying any longer would provoke everything further. The defeated tone in the bird talon man's voice; the atmosphere around him was ruined.

Bliss nowhere to be found, and hostility never leaving, Siorc removed the Teleport Waypoint Proxy from his pocket one final time. Resting in nature in such high hostility was no better than Snezhnaya and Her Majesty. Words of future attack if he were to ever step into the bird talon man's territory ever again, the young man highlighted the waypoint to the military barracks.

Military barracks being upon him, he could feel his heart beat at a rapid uneven pace. As the steel room drew closer, and the painful uneven beats of his heart grew stronger, various thoughts swam around in his dizzying mind. Having met multiple chimeras throughout Teyvat since becoming a Fatui against his will, a repressed thought continued to swim laps inside him.

Chimeras were abundant in Teyvat everywhere. Hearing he bird talon man constantly repeat he would not let the Fatui take his partner away, the thought turned around in the water lane inside him as his head spun with every step he took. Her Majesty had planned to recruit other chimeras. If more were to be added to her army, a world of suffering certainly awaited them. As such thoughts continued to swim about, the uneven beat in his chest grew stronger.

Steel room upon him, fuzziness had begun to overtake him. Glasses and accessories being removed, the chimera weakly slumped into the uncomfortable bed. Attack from earlier, and bird talon man's words echoing within his mind, one final thought entered his dimming consciousness as blackness was about to overtake him.

Not all chimeras are meant to get along.

This occurs the day after the Justice Hawk of Fontaine.

However,

The rest of the Hase search parties except for the next one will be in a different thread, I will link those in the next post while these aren't meant to be read in any order, this is technically the second of 8 of these search party chapters.

Side Story 4. Siorc Attempts to Find Hase 2: Day Off Edition

"Maybe this feeling is presumptuous of me,
Ordinarily, so I feel like Her Majesty
Utterly is still up to something sinister lately
No alarm bells, or Agent again today.
To be honest, I am beginning to fear the worst outcome
All I know if she is away on business
I'm certain it is not a good thing,
Now my suspicions are growing,
Today even more so. However,
On this day off granted to me,
Perhaps, just maybe, Hase
She could be in Liyue.

Going to try and find her today,
Really has been awhile,
Almost a year since my last search, I believe. With
Vigor, I suppose I am ready. This
Extended holiday beacons me."

Dreaming had continued its relentless reign within the adolescent chimera's subconscious mind. The pattern of torment tapped the hyena's shoulder like an annoying neighbor that would not leave someone alone. The torment would continue in the night before him, as well.

Before him had been Qingxins near a mysterious god statue holding an orb. The flowers were white, and joined together in a threefold stem. The flowers were beautiful, and pure, just like they had always been in the open wilderness. Seeing such flower reminded the chimera of a certain short zombie that he would occasionally see in Liyue during various diplomatic affairs. Flowerbed calling out to him, the chimera lounged about into the fictional field of flowers blissfully.

Serotonin leaking throughout the young man's subconscious mind, a joyful sigh released from the chimera's dream throat. As the dream seconds turned into minutes, nothing had been happening within the world of the subconscious. But, he knew such moments of peace were never meant to last. An event of torment could unravel in the matter of dream seconds.

Serotonin was about to burn to a crisp.

As the dream minutes continued, a familiar face appeared within the plane of the chimera's subconscious mind. Appearing out of nowhere had been a familiar face. Green hair, and jade eyes he'd recognize anywhere. His younger sister, Hase was standing about like a statue. Such familiar face had not been the only one, however.

As if forced into existence by the dream gods dictating the subconscious world, behind Hase had been a large horned creature with an axe surrounded by short, dark blue horned creature with a spiked staff. Seeing such creatures seethed a familiar, but comforting feeling for the chimera. Creatures in the wilderness were not especially intelligent creatures.

Such comfort was about to die on schedule.

Beside the horned creatures had been a brown barrel with a red fuse. Seeing such barrel, a gulp released from the dream throat. The barrel, if anything were to hit it, an explosion would happen, for sure. Horned creatures dancing about, and Hase lifeless, he knew something of utter torment was about to play out in front of him.

"Hey! It's too dangerous to stand over there!" a feminine medium ranged voice called out. "Let Outrider ----- help out!" A name had been said by the person, but the chimera could not hear it.

Hearing the voice call out to his sister, the hyena rose to his currently human feet. Walking towards her, the chimera examined the person with due diligence. The person offering help had been short young woman slightly taller than the chimera. The young woman had long brown hair that went down to about her back, and red headband poking out at the top of the scalp. Such decoration had not been the only one upon her person. Around the young lady's chest had been dark brown goggles. Having seen such goggles on a young unlucky boy within Mondstadt, the hyena had come to wonder: had the goggles served any purpose? The young man did not know, but he knew the world before him had no room for answers. Goggles solidified within his dream vision, the adolescent continued his examination. The young woman had golden eyes, like that angry hawk chimera he had encountered the day before. But, her eyes held no anger. They were soft, gentle, and helpful. Her outfit was red, white and brown with white stockings complimenting the array of colors. Large gold symbol on the center of her shirt, and red orb upon her waist, a slight feeling of unease had bubbled inside the young budding soldier. It was one of the Knights of Favonius with the terrifying vision of Pyro. An event of flames was to about to begin.

"Hey, you, too," the Outrider called out. "It's dangerous over here, but leave it all to me!"

Hearing such, the hyena backed ten steps away. Had the Outrider within the not reality not seen his uniform? Perhaps, just maybe, the dream before him would not be of the tormenting variety. Although, such thought was fleeting. The Knight's cries could not be heard. Hase could not see, she was unable to answer. She remained a lifeless statue standing about. Large horned creature and its friends surrounding her, a battle cry resounded through the area. Why? Why was Hase just standing there? It was almost as if, in a world outside Teyvat, the person handling the ones and zero commands had been absent, for the moment.

Seeing the outrider place her hand above her head and look around for a moment, Siorc stepped three steps forward. Maybe the knight needed help? Weapons occasionally being in his pockets within the land of dreams, the hyena searched the pocket of nothing. Surely, since the dream had not been like previous ones, a weapon had to have been there this time. Luck and the archons were not on his side.

No weapon being on his partial person, the chimera stepped back again. The hyena supposed leaving it all to the Outrider within the fictional plane of dreams would not hurt matters. Maybe, just once, his sister would not be a pile of ash beneath his feet within the not reality presented before him.

"Hmm, is she sleeping?" the Outrider asked amongst herself. As if by magic, a stuffed animal appeared in her hands. "Guess I'll have to move her." As she said such, the odd stuffed animal had been lunged onto the battlefield. "Get them!"

Small outrider plush on the battlefield, the knight tapped Hase's statue shoulder with a light poke. Two young women walking off into the distance, no one had been present anymore upon the battlefield. Plush and barrel meeting, a loud explosion made its rounds in the dream area. Screams of the monsters reverberating, defeat blared its victory horn.

Monsters fading to ether, a small sigh of relief released from the dream throat. Hase was safe, was his mind giving him a break, for a change? Such relief was about to die within a matter of dream seconds. A faint scent of simulated fire could be whiffed by the adolescent's subconscious nose.

"Ya!" a creature cried from behind the hyena. "Kundala!" Uttering a battle cry in their own language, the scent of simulated flames only got stronger.

Hearing the battle cry, the chimera turned his head to the left. Just when had a Hilichurl snuck up from behind him? Flaming club in hand, the hyena closed his eyes in defeat. Flames and uniform making their acquaintance, a labored scream broke from the young man's throat. Flames intensifying as the not reality continued its reign, another labored scream broke from the dream throat.

Uniform burning to cinders, the hyena sunk to his currently human knees. No matter the situation, the event of flames would never leave him be. Peace was fleeting. Torment hugged him from behind; safety had exited the building.

At least Hase was safe this time.

***

Upon waking up from his tormented slumber, a labored scream bounced off and around the steel walls. The dream he had would not exit his mind. Unease making a meal out of him, the hyena rose from the uncomfortable bed. Rubbing his eyes for a moment, something of immediate oddity had made itself known to the young soldier. No Fatui were groaning in echo within the military barracks. Had he woken up too early today? Three day holiday having come to a close, the hyena supposed nothing could be done if he woke up early. Glasses on, and time not being a virtue, the chimera had begun the morning routine of dressing the body.

While dressing in his uniform, more thoughts of unease played in his partially human mind. Her Majesty, just what did she have planned for him today? Holiday being over, he knew the Agent could arrive at any moment to relay his orders to him. Early or not, he knew the footsteps were to arrive soon, surely.

No alarm bells ever blaring, the chimera tilted his head. Just what was going on? Sky outside the barricaded window being white, it had come to the adolescent immediately. It had indeed been daytime. If he had not awoken too early, the Agent had to have been coming, surely.

But no footsteps would ever arrive. Silence playing out on an endless loop, the chimera clicked his hairpins and earrings in place. Adorning matching red roses in his hair and ears, perhaps, just maybe, the Agent would arrive. Such convenience would never happen. Wind outside being the only sound, silence continued to be a deafening, violent weapon.

Hearing the sound of tape peeling off on the door outside, the chimera's shark eardrums perked in silence. Had another note been left on his door again? Knowing time would soon slip away, the chimera's legs had broke out into a sprint. On the door had been another note. Peering at the other doors nearby, paper had covered every single door within the military barracks. Note having been written in Snezhnaya writing as usual, the chimera stared in silence at the words written.

"Your holiday has been extended by two days," the note in clear Snezhnaya writing had said. Seeing such words on the paper, a wave of anxiety crashed within the dormant shark grooves in his brain. Her Majesty, had she still been away on business? She had to have been planning something; something sinister. Holiday extension echoing through his mind, a sea of thoughts flooded through him.

Returning to the soundproof room for a moment, the dream from earlier flashed through the soldier off duty's mind. Hase, could she still be somewhere in Teyvat? Fontaine's nature the day prior being in full bloom, the young man had recalled something from his stolen childhood. During the warmer periods, his father would research the Adeptus and Yaksha of Liyue. Recalling his father had once visited a grave in Mt. Tianheng, the chimera had one idea, and one idea only.

He would seek out the mountain demon.

Recalling from his father's research that if you wish to seek out Liyue's adepti one needed to offer them food, the chimera knew what had to be done before seeking the the adeptus out. Remembering there had been a general store in the Harbor, the chimera was ready. Resolute on the decision, he highlighted the waypoint to Liyue Harbor.

As the teleportation to the harbor began, the chimera closed his eyes. Teleporting had never ceased to be a blinding ordeal. If Her Majesty hadn't been away on business, perhaps inquiring about such light could come into fruition. But, no such question would ever leave his lips. As the fast travel continued, the thought played on repeat within the chambers of his brain.

He would seek out the mountain demon and inquire about Hase.

The one member search party was about to resume.

***

"As I recall from my father's notes,
Liyue's Adeptus only answer to you if you treat them to a
Meal, so I must wonder:
Ordinarily, what do the Adeptus eat?
Now that I think of it, his notes were incomplete.
Don't know what I should offer, don't know what I should give.

To be honest, I recall him saying some were picky,
Obviously, I need to be careful, that much remains to be seen.
For certain, I need to ask to the regulars, but questions are forbidden to me. But,
Unless I wish to meet the Adeptus, I need to get this right.

Right on the first try.
Even so, Her Majesty, she could be listening. She might be able to hear me.
Cannot let her know what I am up to, she could be anywhere, surely.
I'm going to have to go about this silently.
Perhaps, the merchants in Liyue will understand me.
Even through wordless communication. I know it's a must-be"

Teleport Waypoint placing him near the teahouse, a sigh of relief released from his partially human throat. Having been within the area before multiple times during diplomatic affairs, knowing where to go would be an easy feat. Seeing a grocer within his heterochromatic field of damaged vision, the chimera walked straight. Generic merchant in front of him, the hyena made eye contact.

"Welcome," the generic merchant said. His voice sounded robotic. "Welcome to Second Life. What would you like to buy?" It was almost as if, ones and zeroes had determined such lines of speech to be the only one he could say.

Knowing Her Majesty could be listening, the chimera readied his right hand to wordlessly communicate with the merchant behind the produce boxes. Right hand out in front of him, the chimera closed his index, middle and ring finger into a partial fist. Thumb and pinky sticking out, he left the symbol up for a moment. Moving on to the next letter, the hyena placed his pinky into the fist. Thumb sticking upward, he moved to the next letter after four seconds. Next letter requiring more fingers, he placed his index and middle finger into a scissor shape. Thumb in the middle, he moved onto the fourth letter. Fourth letter requiring a closed hand again, the soldier off duty closed his hand into a fist. Turning the fist to the left side, his thumb had been across the three nearest fingers. Fifth letter being more challenging, the young man opened the fist partially. Index and middle finger touching, and thumb touching the ring finger, his fingers pointed to the left. Final letter being the same as the second, the chimera's hands returned to a fist again one final time. Would this work? Having had failures with signing before, he knew anything was possible.

Seeing the generic merchant tilt his head, a sigh released from the esophagus. Had his wordless language not gotten through? He supposed it could not be helped. He knew wordless language was not something everyone in Teyvat was willing to learn or comprehend.

"I'm sorry, I don't understand what you're trying to say," the generic merchant said. Stepping back for a moment, a small piece of paper and quill had been in hand. "Write it down." Ones and zeroes were momentarily dead.

Paper and quill in front of him, the chimera simply nodded. Pen in hand, the young man wrote down the word yaksha on the paper with due diligence. Recalling his father once said the name of another Yaksha being uttered, the hyena wrote down as much information as he could recall. Figuring there had been enough, he returned the paper to the owner.

Watching as the merchant eyed the paper, sweat formed on the hyena's brow. Would the man understand what he had written down? Written languages varying throughout Teyvat, he had hoped his writing would get through. Seeing the man step back again, a gulp echoed throughout the food district. Three bottles of milk, a bottle of sugar, and a napkin of almonds, the young man stared in silence. Man stepping over to the shop next door for a moment, the items had been laid out on the table.

"That'll be 1,160 Mora," the generic merchant said. He pointed to a portable stove off to the side. "Feel free to use the stove free of charge."

Removing a Mora pouch from his back uniform pocket, the young man placed the coins into the generic merchant's hand. Bowing a thank you, Siorc walked six steps to the left. Placing the milk, sugar and almonds into the pot, a meter appeared underneath it. Hitting an orange zone, a ding pinged throughout the food district. The Almond Tofu had come out perfectly. It was almost as if, in the world of Teyvat, cooking was a game. Returning to the merchant, a box had been placed in front of him. Placing the food into the styrofoam, he made eye contact with the merchant one final time.

"Alright," the generic merchant said. The robotic tone had returned in his voice. "Do come again, dear guest." Ones and zeroes had made their unceremonious return.

Food being packed away, the chimera removed the Teleport Waypoint Map Proxy from his pocket. Highlighting a Waypoint in the southwest area, he returned the map into orb form. Eyes closed, the teleportation to the lower area of Mt. Tianheng began. Repeating what he wished to do, the thought echoed on repeat.

He wished to seek out the mountain demon.

***

Teleport Waypoint placing him above a disheveled building, the chimera walked downward. Ledge being upon him, the chimera jumped into the flow of the air. Wind glider deployed within an instant, the hyena descended downward until a stone entrance way had been below. Making his landing, the young man examined the area within his damaged field of vision with due diligence.

In front of him had been an unfinished building. Wood boxes and screens littering the area, he turned his head to the right and left. Absolutely no person had been in the area. Such was a relief to be had, for sure. Turning back around, the hyena focused his attention on the center of the unfinished area. In the center of wood screens had been a bird statue. Had the bird statue been a grave? Memory of his father's notes saying only a singular Yaksha had been left, the hyena supposed such was the case. Walking over to the alleged by his mind grave, the soldier off duty studied the bird statue with due diligence.

The statue, which Yaksha did the possible grave belong to? Name escaping him, he supposed placing down the food offering would have to do. Opening the styrene box, the hyena removed the fish skewer from the carton. Placing the small plate of cooked fish beside the statue, the soldier off duty placed his hand into a praying position. The Yaksha and Adeptus were highly respected beings within Liyue, paying respect was mandatory.

Respects being paid, the chimera removed the second set of food from the styrene box. Plate of tofu in his currently human hands, he placed the soy dish onto the ground. Food offering being given, the chimera sat down on the messy ground. Would offering food bring the mountain demon to him? The young man hoped for such to be the case.

As if willed into existence, the sound of odd energy made its wrath known. Person appearing out of nowhere, Siorc rose to his feet. Standing near the plate of tofu had been someone the young man had never seen before within anywhere around Teyvat. Realizing such, the chimera quickly examined the new person.

Near the plate of Almond Tofu had been a short possibly human person. The person looked male, but he knew appearances and identities did not always align. The possible man had short, messy black hair with teal highlights on the edges. On the center of his head had been a small diamond shape. Did the small symbol mean anything? Never reading anything about such in any of the books in his stolen childhood, the hyena was none the wiser. Shaking his head, he continued his studies of the possible human person next to him. The man had yellow, brooding eyes, similar to the justice hawk chimera he had the unfortunate encounter with the day before. Looking downward, the person's outfit was absolutely puzzling. Around the person's neck had been an intricate looking necklace. Outfit not doing him any favors, he titled his head upward. The possible man's outfit had been white, and practically see through. Pink banner with blue flames on it covering his blue heavily obscured pants, the adolescent focused his attention on the man's arm. On the man's right arm had been a large green tattoo covering the man's entirely visible skin. Puzzle pieces falling on the floor, he ended his examination of the person near him.

"You called?" the possible person called out. His voice had an edge to it. "Hmph. What's a mere mortal doing calling out to me?" There was a tone of disgust in his voice.

Siorc sighed in tedium. Was this Liyue's highly esteemed Yaksha? He supposed his judgement was fair. But, he knew, if he wished to get his point across, the truth had to be shown to the possible mountain demon adjacent to him. Coming to such conclusion, the chimera closed his eyes for a moment. Human limbs turning into hyena paws, and tail behind him, he opened his eyes. Turning his head to the yaksha, the hyena put on the most diligent face possible.

Mortal transforming in front of him, the yaksha let out an exasperated sigh. Was the person who summoned him a chimera? Whatever. He supposed it did not matter.

"You're a chimera?" the yaksha stated in a questioning tone, edge in his voice not ceasing. "Fine. What do you want? Make it quick." His arms had been crossed around his chest.

Hearing the inquiry, Siorc's ears perked. Could the yaksha have possibly seen Hase? The area around the unfinished building being a high up place, perhaps, just maybe, he had seen her. Being a Fatui Soldier, he knew questions were not allowed to him, but the chimera cared not at the moment in time. He had to know if the yaksha had seen his sister or not. Taking a quick breath, the hyena readied the forbidden art of asking a question.

"Have you seen my sister?" he asked forbiddingly. "She has short green hair, and earrings." A tone of desperation had been in his voice. Hase, could the yaksha have seen her, at any point? Many questions were brewing inside him, but no more forbidden questions would leave his throat.

The Yaksha dragged out a sigh. Had this what he had been summoned for, an inquiry about a missing person? Boring. How absurd. Yaksha had no time for such trivial matters that did not have anything to do with conquering demons or evil.

"No I have never seen her," the yaksha replied, edge in his voice increasing. "Don't call me unless you need someone to conquer evil." His arms had still been crossed around his chest.

Rejection hitting like a Wind-Blessed Harpastum on a summer day, the hyena could feel his eyes about to water. Were the Yaksha only supposed to answer calls when demons had been around? He supposed an apology was in order for the irritable mountain demon.

"I'm sorry, sir," the chimera replied, voice barely audible. "It won't happen again." His face grew dark with every word spoken.

Chimera apologizing to him, another sigh had been heaved. "Thank you for the Almond Tofu," he grunted. "Farewell." Dark energy surrounding the yaksha, the mountain demon had been gone in an instant.

Yaksha being gone, tears had begun to stream down the soldier off duty's face. The yaksha, had he disturbed him with his forbidden question? Having no leads, he supposed it was time to return to the permafrost north for the day. Closing his eyes for a moment, the adolescent quickly retracted his hyena paws and tail. As his paws returned to being human hands, he shuffled through the coat of his uniform pocket.

Opening the orb in map form, the chimera highlighted the waypoint to the military barracks. Collapsing the map back into orb form, he closed his eyes for the second time. Military barracks upon him, the soldier off duty returned to the soundproof room. Sky being pitch black upon his return, an instant wave of tiredness roared within his partially human body. Hairpins, earrings and glasses removed, he slumped onto the uncomfortable bed.

As he laid on the rock hard bed, a thought ruminated within the chambers of his partially human brain. The Harbor was an incredibly vast area. If the yaksha had not seen Hase, perhaps the humans in the area could have. Eyes closing, the thought echoed on repeat as the world of sleep were about to take him.

Tomorrow, the one member search party would resume around the Harbor instead.

***

"Why do I feel like Hase doesn't want me to find her?
All the people in Liyue, and Mondstadt
None of them seem to know,
Why do I feel this sense of unease?
Even if barely anyone knows,
No matter what, I wish to find her. I won't falter"

Waking up on the final day of his extended holiday, Siorc would not falter. This time, for sure, he would get answers. Hundreds of people entered and exited the Harbor on a daily basis. Someone, surely, had to have come across Hase. Uniform, and his favorite matching moon hairpins and earrings being upon him, the young man highlighted the Liyue Harbor waypoint in an instant.

Food and shopping district being upon him, the chimera walked down the left path. Countless generic looking Liyue citizens walking about, multiple repeat questions had been fired. No generic person within the food district having an answer, the hyena shifted towards the port area.

Eventually coming across a small area with a woman by a bulletin board, more repeat questions of his sister's whereabouts had been fired. Her Majesty, if she had heard him somewhere far away in Teyvat, would his larynx be removed as punishment? His vocal chords, perhaps he had been using them too much today. Ministry of Civil Affairs Secretary also not having an answer, the chimera moved onward to the next area.

Recalling he had not searched through the shopping district yet, the chimera sprinted through the food district at a breakneck pace. Other path being taken, multiple generic looking shop merchants graced his damaged field of vision. No longer wishing for people to hear his voice, the hyena would sign sister with due diligence. Still not getting an answer pointing towards a yes, the soldier off duty kept walking. Small bridge in front of him, he moved eastward.

Funeral Parlor to his left, a familiar young woman with flower shaped pupils stood by a wooden board. Dark brown Wangshen Funeral Parlor work clothes upon her, and black hat with flowers covering her walnut colored hair, the hyena made eye contact with the director.

Still not wishing to use his voice, the young man placed his hands in front of him. Left hand formed into an l shape, he placed it beside him. Right hand matching the same finger movement, he moved his right hand by his jaw. Jaw being pointed at, he moved his right hand downward. Right hand tapping down onto the left still in an l shape, he looked back to the Funeral Parlor director.

"Aiya? Your sister?" the Funeral Parlor owner asked. "Nope, haven't seen her, sorry!"

Another negative answer being given, the chimera sprinted to the right. Other side of the shopping district within his reach, more repeats of the wordless question had been fired around the area. Still not getting a singular lead from any of the generic merchants doing business, the hyena kept running.

Eventually reaching a pharmacy after ascending a large marble staircase, the chimera walked to the counter. Short lavender haired zombie girl standing at the counter, the hyena wordlessly communicated the word sister to her. Would the zombie understand his signs? He had hoped such to be the case.

"Sister?" the zombie asked. Her words were slower than the panda chimera's. "Don't remember. Sorry."

Realizing such answer would never come from the small zombie, the adolescent descended the staircase. Other locals also not having an answer, the young man kept walking. Not a single person having an answer, and evening almost breaking through the Harbor, the hyena had one final place in mind. On the other side of the Harbor had been a book booth. Other end of the harbor being reached, the soldier off duty ascended the red staircase.

Book booth within his reach, two particular young men had stood out to him amongst the sea of generic nobodies. Standing by the scrolls had been two teenage boys either slightly younger than him or near his current age. Such estimate was all that he could muster. It was almost as if such ages were left out purposely by a word of a God. Turning his head to the left, he examined the icy haired boy first.

The young man was slightly taller than him by a few centimeters. His hair was short, and icy blue in a bob cut. Eyes matching the hair color, the chimera turned his attention to the outfit. The teenager had been wearing a white outfit with blue ribbons knotting the shirt closed. Beneath the shirt had been a white robe. Popsicle in his right hand, the hyena focused his attention to the boy next to him.

Next to the icy haired adolescent had been another young man slightly taller than him. His hair was short, and dark blue, like the colors of water. His hair had been in a bowl cut. Eyes being golden, he rolled his eyes to the sky for a moment. Just how many people in Liyue had golden eyes? The hawk chimera would serve unfair justice if he had saw such. On the adolescent's right ear had been a golden earring. Good taste to be had, for sure. Dark blue robe matching his hair color, the young man ended his examination.

Seeing such people, Siorc had come to immediately wonder: had these two boys been friends? He supposed it wasn't his business. Young men looking engrossed in what they had been doing, he knew interrupting would be rude. But, the hourglasses' sand had reached the bottom. Time was slowly running out. Only a few hours remained before he had to return to the frozen northern land. Resolute on his decision, the chimera tapped the dark blue haired boy's shoulder.

Tap eventually registering, the dark haired boy turned to him. Hand upon his chin he looked as though he had something to say to him. Coming to such realization, he made eye contact with the young man. Politeness way key.

"Ah!" the dark haired boy exclaimed. "You look quite similar to a young lady I trained recently." His words had a smart flair to them.

Popsicle boy hearing his friend, he turned to Siorc in tandem. Turning back to his friend, his hand had also appeared below his chin for a brief second. Popsicle being finished, the icy haired boy motioned his lips to speak.

"Yes, he most certainly does," the icy haired boy responded to his friend. "He looks like that girl I was hunting evil spirits with."

Hearing the two boys mention a girl, the chimera's ears perked. Had the two of them seen Hase? While Her Majesty could have been listening, he cared not, at the moment at time. Finally having a lead, he knew he had to ask the friends if they meant his sister. Taking a deep breath, the chimera had readied the forbidden art of asking a question again.

"You two have seen Hase?" he asked. "Did she tell you where she was going?!" A tone of desperation had been in his voice. Hase, had she still been close by? Many questions were brewing inside him, but he knew if he asked anymore, Her Majesty could possibly hear him.

Two boys turning to one another for a moment, a dejected look graced his face. Duo shaking their heads to one another, he knew what answer was about to grace his shark eardrums. Having already heard no at least fifty times today, such was a predictable outcome to be had, for sure.

"Alas, no," the dark blue haired boy said. His words still gave off an intelligent tone to them. "I am sorry. She did not."

"She did not tell me either, unfortunately," the icy blue hair boy responded immediately. "After we hunted for evil spirits together, she just thanked me and left."

Hearing the predictable answers from the two friends, the hyena's face grew dark. Hase had not told the two boys where she was going. Where could she have gone? It was almost as if she did not wish to be found. Why was she still training with people? Not feeling like he could ask anymore questions, he knew it was time to return to the other side of the Harbor near the food district one more time.

Bowing a thank you to the two boys, the soldier off duty hurried his teleportation. Before going back to the military barracks there had been one final place he had wished to go. Teahouse being across from him as the fast travel ended, he ascended up the staircase. Usual brunette patron sitting at one of the tables, and opera singer to the other side, the chimera sat down adjacent to the tall brunette.

Yinlong eventually walking over, a small almost invisible smile graced his face. With all the failure that had transpired today, ordering tea from the panda chimera could possibly drown out the multitude of unsuccess hugging him from behind.

"Oh, hey Siorc!" Yinlong exclaimed. Their words were as slow and lulled, as always. "Here for some bamboo shoot tea?"

Barely having energy remaining, having the same tea as last time was all his partially human brain could muster. He supposed something, anything, to drown out all the failures for the moment, could come into fruition. Caffeine was a drug of choice for millions.

"Yes, sir," he replied, voice barely audible. "Thank you."

Given confirmation, the panda poured the tea into the cup. Mixing the bamboo shoot, Yinlong stirred the tea meticulously. After the tea looked settled enough, they placed the cup next to Siorc. Tea having been brewed with the stocked bamboo shoots inside the teahouse, the concoction was nearly perfect for the hyena.

Seeing the tea had been placed in front of him, the soldier off duty reached into his back pocket quickly. Removing Mora from the pouch, he placed the gold coins into Yinlong's hands. Panda chimera not rejecting his payment this time, a sigh of relief resonated throughout the area.

Panda chimera stepping away for the moment, a paper and quill had been in their hand. Had Yinlong wanted something from them? The chimera did not know, but he supposed hearing him out for a moment was something that friends did.

"So, what brings you here today?" Yinlong asked, slowness still present in their voice. "Draw it for me?" As they asked such, they pumped their fists together. "Oh, by the way! I've been keeping up with the exercises you taught me. Boss is proud of me!" Their two index fingers then touched. "Still not in her opera troupe, though." Their pink eyes shimmered like the night sky.

Paper and quill in front of him, the adolescent drew simple pictures upon the piece of paper. Still not drawing very often, the picture was not artistic in the slightest. Circular people with scribbles for hair on them, the young man handed the paper back to Yinlong.

Eyeing the paper in front of them, an oil bulb went off in the panda chimera's head. The stick figure with dark squiggles upon the head, was it conveying the image of a girl? While the drawing had been as crude as the last one, it seemed simple enough in what their fellow chimera was trying to say.

"Are you saying you're looking for a girl?" they asked, words still as slow as before. "I hope you found her."

Realizing his crude drawings had gotten through, the chimera shook his head. Taking a sip of the tea in front of him, the deliciousness greeted the roots of his mouth instantly. While consuming the tea, the words of Yinlong continuing his exercise without him lingered within the chambers of his brain. Placing the cup down for a moment, a small smile had been aimed towards the panda.

The panda making progress was the only good news for the day.

Siorc shaking his head, a small frown had graced Yinlong's face. Had he not found the person he was looking for? A shame to be had for sure. Perhaps, next time he had come around to Liyue, they could be of help? Maybe it could give him more boy time alone with him, that way.

"Oh, you didn't? That's too bad," he said, words not speeding up even a bit. "Maybe I can help you look next time?" There was a slight pleading tone in his voice.

Finishing the tea as the panda asked him such question, the chimera blinked twice. Yinlong help him look for Hase? Could such one member search party become two? Knowing the panda chimera had been busy with work most evenings, he knew he couldn't subject him to being late. Would telling him no upset him? He supposed telling him he'd consider the idea could suffice.

"I will think about it, sir," he replied, voice slightly more audible than usual. "Thank you for the tea. It was wonderful." Seeing the moon in the sky, he knew it was time to leave. Raising from the small chair, he looked at Yinlong one final time. "I must take my leave now." His voice returned to a near robotic tone as the thoughts of the permafrost north squeezed him tight. "It was very nice seeing you again."

Yinlong's smile lowered into a neutral look. He was leaving already? Such a shame, it was. But, they knew Fatui always had busy lives ahead of them. Before he were to teleport back home, they figured the usual goodbye could be uttered. Maybe next time they meet could be boy time alone again? He figured saying such would not hurt.

"It was nice seeing you again, too," they said, words speeding up an octave. "Maybe next time, we can have boy time alone again!" He waved to the chimera slowly, he wished to say one final thing to the chimera before he left. "I'll keep up with my exercise. Next time we meet, maybe, I'll finally be in Boss's opera troupe!" A yawn presented itself as they finished speaking. A nice nap would be in order soon.

Waving back to the panda, all emotion exited the hyena within seconds. It was time to go back to Snezhnaya. Back to his forced upon homeland, back to his duties. As he highlighted the Teleport Waypoint to the military barracks, a sea of thoughts raged about within the dormant shark grooves in his brain.

Almost no one had seen Hase within Liyue Harbor. Only two people of hundreds having seen her, the failure of the two days had stung the chimera in the back painfully. Military barracks within his damaged sight, the thoughts continued to ruminate inside him.

His sister could be anywhere in Teyvat at this point. Such a reality stabbed him in the back for the second time in almost a year. Knowing work was coming back for certain tomorrow, the one member search party would have to come to an end, for the moment.

Steel walled room finally upon him, he slumped into the uncomfortable bed. Glasses, jewelry and accessories being removed, Siorc closed his eyes. Sleep almost taking him within an instant, one final thought of torment stabbed daggers into his back.

Why? Why did Hase not want to be found?

Everything around him in the world was falling, collapsing; burning.

"Wait. Where are Siorc Attempts to Find Hase 3-7"? In the Silence is Purple: Momentary Amount of Days Saga thread.

Anyway, this chapter occurs in between time-skips in Vision Training, Minds Changing, and Plans Forming.

Side Story 5. Siorc Attempts to Find Hase 8: Finale Edition

"You know what, Your Majesty? I'm getting tired of this game.
Ultimately, your little war, when the time comes, I will not be participating.
Just because I have a predator center,
In my cranium, a shark brain inside me, does
Not mean you can use me, as a
Game piece. Although, I know I cannot do anything against her wishes, she'll kill me.

Today, no alarm bells struck, I know you're planning something, Your Majesty.
Every time you go away on business, I suspect something.
Really, I get it now, your 'business affairs' are malicious.
Really, I get it now, your 'business affairs' are war driven.
Although, I suppose, despite all that, this holiday off it is
Calling me. Hase, are you in Liyue right now? I have this feeling.
Even if you're planning something, searching for her on my day off beacons me."

Dreaming had continued its never ending cycle of torment within the adult chimera's subconscious brain. The pattern of anguish would not cease, even as his adult life progressed onward with a militaristic roar. The loop would hold the hyena close like an unwanted hug from a distant relative. The agony would continue to play out before him, into the night before him, as well.

Before him had been a row of Sweet Flowers surrounded by odd blue wisps across a strange, paranormal hillside. The flowers were yellow, with a short green stem, and saccharine, just like their name. Seeing such flower reminded the chimera of a certain cook in Liyue who would cook with anything, no matter the ingredient. Flowers being his fate, and punishment incident in the past, the hyena sat beside beside the sugary flowers with caution.

As the early adult sat about in utter silence, a familiar face appeared within the planes of the hyena's subconscious mind. Appearing out of thin dream air had been a face he'd recognize anywhere. Green hair, and jade eyes he could never forget. His younger sister had been standing about like a statue next to a young woman in Funeral Parlor attire he had come across various times during multiple business affairs in Liyue.

"Now, are you sure you want to enter this domain?" the Funeral Parlor Director asked Hase. "It might be too late for your parents to cross over."

The hyena tilted his head at the words that released from the Funeral Parlor Director's throat. Did she just mention his parents crossing over? Having a dream recently with his no longer living parents, the chimera had come to wonder: Hase, could she be experiencing similar dreams? He knew, however, the world before him had no room for answers.

Hase vanishing for a moment, and domain doors glowing blue within a dream second, sweat formed upon the hyena's dream brow. Why did Hase vanish for a moment? Reappearing within another dream second with a polearm in hand, a gulp released from the dream throat. Was a world of violence awaiting her through the domain door? Raising to his subconscious feet, the chimera attempted with any might to say something, anything, to prevent the not reality from progressing further.

But no such words ever came. Feeling a nonexistent zipper close his lips shut, silence sold the chimera on the streets of the underground market. Of all the moments of silence, the not reality before him was not such time he wished for it. Words trapped inside the soldier, torment repeatedly tapped the early adult's shoulder with a fervor.

"Alrighty, then," the Funeral Parlor director said, with an odd cheerful tone. "Off we go!" The young woman hummed an odd song about Hilichurls as the door opened.

Domain doors behind the two women, Hase and the Parlor Director stepped forward into the purple shadows. Shadows engulfing the pair, the two had been gone within seconds. Doors about to close, a nonexistent spring shot the chimera forward. Portal engulfing him as well, the hyena closed the dream eyes.

Opening his eyes, the chimera observed the domain presented in the not reality before him. Within his field of dream vision had been a stone room forming a straight pathway. Seeing the Funeral Parlor Director and Hase stepping forward, the young soldier mirrored their movements like a reflection staring back at him. Sea of branches burning away, the two had moved forward within a heartbeat.

Hearing the sound of a wall crumble from afar, the man stepped forward. Pair getting farther away, the early adult knew he had to pursue onward. Would the dream world allow him to keep going? The chimera hoped such would be the case. Such hope was about to die within a matter of dream seconds. A faint scent of simulated fire could be whiffed by the hyena's subconscious nose.

Gazing downward was a horrifying sight to behold. Beneath his feet had been a bed of Flaming Flowers. Just when did the flowers of elemental contradiction appear? Pair moving farther away as the dream seconds turned into minutes, the hyena stepped forward. If he did not keep moving, the subconscious world would leave him behind, for sure.

Moving was a dead soldier on the battlefield. As the chimera kept walking, the sea of flaming flowers increased to an astronomical level. Flowers bursting into flames like a symphony playing the grand finale, an event of flames was about to engulf the soldier.

Flames and his uniform shaking hands, a muffled scream stayed caught in the dream throat. Zipper still upon his lips, his voice would not carry. Uniform burnt to cinders, the chimera closed his eye in defeat. Fire intensifying as the not reality continued its reign, the soldier sunk to his knees.

Fire consuming him like a pie of Mushroom Pizza, defeat hugged him tight. Walking forward had its health points reduced to zero. Safety had clearly left the man behind. The event of flames had happened many years ago, why was it still playing on repeat inside him?

No matter how many years were to pass, the event of flames would never let him be.

***

Five months had passed since the practice battle with the Eleventh Harbinger made its reign known throughout the military barracks. Nothing of especial note had happened within the soldier's Diplomatic Fatui life. Business affairs roaring about in Liyue throughout the one-hundred-fifty-two days, mundaneness bubbled into overdrive. Scent of blood not whiffed by him whatsoever in the five months, the young soldier remained diligent, silent and obedient. However, an oddity had quickly made itself known.

As the days crept forward ever so slowly, changes within his brain had become impossible to ignore. His hearing had gotten twice as strong as it used to be. Mad malpracticing doctor succeeding in his experiments, the sharpening of his hearing was not a mystery to the hyena. Regardless of sounds around him getting louder, Siorc would not falter.

Upon waking up from his tormented slumber, a labored scream bounced off and around the steel walls. The dream he had, rational brain or not, would not leave his head. Uneasiness making a meal out of him, the chimera rose from the uncomfortable bed. Hearing no Fatui groan in an echo, the hyena tilted his head. Had he woken up early today? Early or not, he knew he had to get ready for the day at his constantly transforming hands. Glasses on, the early adult had begun the morning routine of dressing the body.

Figuring another day of business affairs in Liyue awaited him, the chimera's uniform melted onto his partially human person. Final button snapped into the correct hole, he removed a set of hairpins and earrings from the top of his drawers. Weaponized sunflower set clicked into place, the hyena stared at the steel walls in silence. Was turning his prized accessories and jewelry into weapons truly what he wanted? Rational brain being on within him, regret pooled inside the hyena.

Knowing the Agent were to arrive at any moment, the young soldier hooked the Dendro vision to his uniform pants. Even if he did not need it during business affairs throughout Teyvat, leaving the orb behind was simply not an option.

But no footsteps would ever arrive. Still not hearing any groans in an echo, the chimera put on his heelless shoes. Perhaps, just maybe, if he looked outside his door, a soldier within the military barracks could still be around the corner.

As the chimera stepped outside, a sight to behold greeted the early adult. On his door had been a note. Peering at the other doors nearby, paper had covered every single door within the military barracks. Note having been written in Snezhnayan writing as usual, the chimera read the note in silence.

"You have two days off," the note in clear Snezhnayan writing said. Seeing the words on the paper, fear continued to eat away at him. Her Majesty, just what was she planning this time? Whenever she were to return from her business elsewhere, something sinister would await him, for sure.

Returning to the soundproof room for a moment, an idea had floated around in the soldier off duty's fading human brain. Hase, could she be in Liyue right now? Not having searched for her since his last holiday almost eight months prior, the idea seeded itself further in the active shark grooves in his brain.

The dream he had was in Wuwang Hill. Perhaps, just maybe, if he asked around the areas of Liyue Harbor he had missed, he would run into had been told her whereabouts. Resolute on his decision, he highlighted the waypoint towards the back of Liyue Harbor.

As the teleportation to the Harbor began, the hyena closed his eyes. Teleporting was never easy on the eyes no matter how many years were to pass. Harbor nearly upon him, thoughts about Hase played on repeat inside his fading human brain.

The one member search party was about to resume once more.

***

"Be that as it may, I know Her Majesty is planning something.
Ultimately, time off is never a good thing.
But I know time is ticking.
Unless I act fast, work days of nothing will return swiftly.

Perhaps, just maybe, the people around Yujing Terrace,
Have knowledge about her whereabouts.
After all, it is the only place I have not searched yet.
Really, surely, someone has to know
Maybe someone has seen her within the backend of the Harbor.
All in all, time is running out. Rationality will soon fade.
Cannot fathom what I'll be like when that time comes.
Yes, time truly is ticking."

Teleport Waypoint placing him in the upper area of Liyue Harbor, a gulp had released from the esophagus. The area he had been in was one of the Agent's debt collecting hotspots. The generic citizens in the area, would they remember him from last time and think of him as a monster? He supposed it did not matter. The hourglasses' sand was starting to move. Knowing Fatui could be anywhere around the corner, he would have to proceed with caution, for the time being.

Red staircase to the side of him, Siorc walked straight. Generic citizens by a wooden seat talking amongst themselves, the chimera was ready. Men eventually turning his way, wordless questions had been fired. Signing the word sister, the generic nobodies shook their heads. Claiming to have never seen such person, the chimera continued walking straight.

Waitress standing in front of an expensive restaurant, the hyena ascended the small staircase. Signing the word sister again, the man waited for the predictable rejection. Waitress also claiming to have never seen his sister, the soldier off duty kept walking.

Feiyun Slope Bulletin Board upon him, the chimera shook his head. The area near the bulletin board, the people would recognize him, surely. Not wishing to let the people by the notice board recall bad memories, the soldier off duty kept walking straight.

Another waitress off to the side, the hyena ascended another small staircase. Woman repeating a line on repeat about Yue dishes, the chimera tilted his head. Was food style a war for the Liyue people? He supposed it was no business of his. Woman turning to him, the wordless question had been fired. Waitress of Yue dishes not knowing who he was talking about, the soldier kept going.

Other merchants and passerbys having no leads whatsoever, the early adult turned back around to the direction he came in. Nobodies near the Waypoint also providing no answers, the chimera hopped on top of a wooden crate. Wind glider deployed, the area near the docks had been reached.

No one off to the sides having seen his sister, the chimera continued north. Snezhnaya merchant to the corner of him, the hyena's legs erupted into a sprint. Absolutely no Fatui or Snezhnayan person should see him right now, not a chance. Long staircase before him, the hyena sprinted back into the direction he came in. The southwest area was a dangerous place to behold.

Heading towards the west, a familiar building had graced his heterochromatic field of damaged vision. Pharmacy upon him within seconds, the chimera walked to the counter. As he approached the familiar lavender hair zombie, sassy footsteps echoed throughout the pharmacy with a saucy roar. Volume of footsteps reaching zero within fifteen seconds, the hyena turned his head to the owner of the footsteps.

Entering the pharmacy was a rather tall man that toppled over the chimera. The man had long green hair that went down to about his lower back. Fancy glasses covering his yellow eyes gracefully, the soldier off duty stared at the man's neck. Coiled around the man's scruff and upper chest area had been a white snake. Serpent sticking out its tongue at him, the chimera jumped three steps back. Was the snake mad at him for looking at it? He supposed an apology was in order. Blue shirt with an exposed stomach, and violet pants with a light green orb hooked on a lace belt, the hyena ended his examination.

Tall man crouching down to look at him, Siorc jumped another three steps back. The snake man, was he angry he was looking at his snake companion? Noticing the Dendro vision beside him, sweat formed on the hyena's brow. Did a snake attack await him? Bowing an apology to the man, the chimera awaited his retribution on a venomous platter.

Such retribution never came. Snake man focusing his attention elsewhere for a moment, and zombie girl beside him, the chimera lowered to his knees. Did the zombie have something to say to him? Recalling last time she did not remember who Hase was, he could feel any potential leads drowning in the ocean.

"Oh, it's you," the zombie said. Her words were slower than the panda chimera's. "I remember you." She then turned to the snake man. "------, Coconut milk, ---- wants coconut milk." Two names had been said, but the chimera could not hear either of them.

Snake man turning to the chimera again, the hyena closed his eyes for a moment. The snake around his neck, would it turn him to stone if he kept looking at it? Raising to the tip of his toes, the soldier off duty looked into the man's eyes to the best of his ability.

"I can't get you coconut milk right now, I'm afraid. We have a patient to visit," the snake man said to the zombie. He then turned to the chimera. "Ah, yes, hello there young man." There was a tone of hesitation in his voice, but the hyena cared not. "Do you need my assistance?"

The chimera rose an eyebrow to such question. Didn't the snake man just say he had a patient to visit? Would inquiring about his sister take time away from his job? He supposed he would have to make his inquiry quick. Getting in the way of a doctor who had a patient on the line was absolutely rude of him.

"Have either of you seen my sister?" he asked as quickly as his mouth would allow. "She has short green hair, and wears earrings." He then lowered his head. "I apologize for getting in the way of your work, sir." Raising his head, the snake around the man's neck stuck out its tongue. Was the serpent still cross with him? Snakes were sassy creatures.

Zombie placing her hand on her lip, the hyena waited patiently. Information processed differently for various groups of people. Knowing zombies were even slower in that regard, the soldier off duty did not rush the girl. After a few minutes, the zombie looked ready to speak.

"Sister?" The zombie asked. Her hand had still been near her lips. "Still don't remember. Sorry."

"I have not seen her either, I'm afraid," the snake man replied. He then turned to the zombie. "Now, ---- we must get going." Grabbing the zombie's hand, the two exited the pharmacy.

Watching as the two exited the area, a sigh released from the esophagus. Had he come at the worst possible time? If the patient the zombie and the snake man had to attend to had an emergency, his question could have put a life at risk. Guilt baring its fangs, the hyena exited the pharmacy. If he had another moment tomorrow, a second round of apologies would be given to the snake doctor, for sure.

Spotting another staircase, the hyena's legs erupted into a sprint. Recalling there had been one large area in the Liyue Harbor area he had never traversed through, the hyena climbed up up the second set of stairs. Milelith holding a polearm by the side of the stairs, the chimera accelerated his sprint. If anymore Mileliths were to see him, the military of the area would blow a whistle upon him, for certain.

Walking towards the right, a large spacious area had awaited him. Turning his head to the left and right, Silk Flowers and large trees surrounding him, the man took a deep breath. Despite no longer feeling sour towards flowers and nature, Silk Flowers were a bitter memory that stung like a Cicin in the open wilderness.

Returning his focus to the area in hand, a particular person had stuck out to him. Off to the side near a table with a tea set had been a generic elderly woman conversing with a young long blue haired woman. On her head had been two red horns. Purple eyes having bags under them and bell around her neck, the hyena had remembered the person within an instant. Seeing the young woman around Liyue during his various affairs, he knew he had to proceed with caution.

Seeing the red horns on the young woman's head again, memories of his father's research flooded through the hyena. Recalling the passage in his father's notes about Illuminated Beasts, the chimera tilted his head. Had this young woman been a Qilin? Remembering an entire passage about Qilins had been written, a small inaudible sigh of relief released from the partially human esophagus. Qilins were a peaceful group. Maybe violence would not await him if the young woman were to notice him.

Qilin and elderly woman eventually turning towards him, Siorc made eye contact with the elderly woman first. His parents had always told him that he had to respect his elders. Seeing the elderly woman smile, the hyena had returned one in tandem. Turning to the Qilin afterwards, a second round of eye contact had been completed.

"Oh, hello there, young man," the elderly woman said. "Welcome to Yujing Terrace. You look like the little one Miss ----- took under her wing recently." Yet another name had been said, but the chimera could not hear it. It was almost as if a word of god was still preventing certain names from being heard by an audience.

Qilin smiling a smidgeon, the chimera listened carefully. "Ah, yes, you do resemble her," the Qilin chimed in. "You look quite similar to a girl I trained to use a bow recently."

Hearing the two mention a girl, the chimera's ears perked. The two of them had seen Hase recently? Finally having his first lead of the day, he knew he had to ask Qilin and the nice elderly woman if they meant his sister. Taking a deep breath, the hyena readied the forbidden art of asking a question.

"You two have seen Hase, misses?" the chimera asked. Was misses the correct form of address both of them? The elderly and Qilin deservers the utmost amounts of respect from him. "Did she tell either of you where she may have been headed next?" No desperation had been in his voice. He knew that, no matter what the answer might be, raising his voice to an elderly stranger was an unforgivable sin.

Seeing the Qilin and elderly woman talk amongst themselves again, a dejected look graced his face. Qilin shaking her head, he knew what answer was about to be relayed to him. Having heard no a copious amount of times already today, a negative response was about to head his way, guaranteed.

"Hmm, no, she did not," the Qilin replied. "She asked me to train her to fight monsters, but I told her there were more peaceful solutions than gaining power through violence." Her tone was soft, and sweet, like a Glaze Lily blooming on the mountainside. "After teaching her to shoot barrels in a closed off area, she left without a word."

Seeing the elderly woman give him an apologetic look as well, the chimera's face grew dark. He supposed it was a given, at this point that no one had been told Hase's next whereabouts. Bowing a thank you to the Qilin and the elderly lady, the hyena returned to the pathway. Terrace being large, hopefully, just maybe, someone else had to have seen her recently, as well.

Circular center beneath his currently human feet, the hyena walked towards an expensive looking house. Not wishing for the many generic people about to hear his voice for the moment, signing had made its quick return. Wordlessly communicating sister to the locals, rejection hit his shark eardrums all at once. Milelith beginning their rounds in the area once again, the soldier off duty swiftly bolted into another sprint.

Wall divider adjacent to him, the chimera kept running. The Milelith were surely suspicious of him, by now. If he had a choice in the matter, not wearing his uniform on a day off would certainly come into fruition. But, he knew if Her Majesty were to see him without his uniform on, death would await him back in the permafrost north.

Small dome surrounded by tapestry banners, the hyena ended his sprint. Familiar face standing by a small shrine, the soldier off duty walked forward. Standing in the middle of the platform was a young woman slightly taller than him. Her violet pigtails, and purple work clothes; everything about the young lady screamed familiar to him. Having seen her various times throughout Liyue while the Agent and he had business, the chimera closed his eyes for a moment.

Dream from over a year ago flashing in his mind, the man held back a scream. The dream he had with Hase, the Yuheng and Liyue's sole guitarist in it, why had it returned to his mind all of a sudden? Dreams were nothing more than fabrications created by the subconscious. But, perhaps, just maybe, the Yuheng knew of Hase's whereabouts. Resolute on his decision, the soldier off duty turned to the Yuheng. Dream or not, the early adult would not falter.

Yuheng and he making eye contact, the chimera was ready. "Ma'am, did you train with my sister Hase in the past?" Siorc asked. Saying so many words at once was uncharacteristic of him, but the hyena cared not, at the moment in time. "She has short green hair, and wears earrings."

Seeing a look of suspicion appear on the Yuheng's face, Siorc backed four steps away. Considering Her Majesty's Liyue agenda was a sinister one, any glares he were to get were deserved, for sure. Despite his Fatui life being forced upon him, the world of Teyvat was never judgement free.

"And, just how did you know about that?" The Yueheng asked, suspicion rising in her voice. She then let out a fake cough. "Well, I suppose, you do kind of look like her." Her words had a professional feel to them, but were still slightly prickly, nonetheless. "------ and I took a commission from her a long time ago." Her arms were crossed around her chest.

Hearing the Yuheng mention a commission, a wave of realization had crashed over the hyena. The dream he had about a year ago with the Yuheng in it, could it have been an event that really happened to Hase? Thinking such, the chimera shook his head. Absolutely ridiculous, there was no way that could have been possible. Dreams were not reality.

Another lead being provided, the soldier off duty took a quick deep breath. The Yuheng, could Hase have told her where she was headed next? Even if the commission had been a long time ago, surely, the Yuheng and she had to have met one another at some point. Qilin saying she had been with Hase recently, perhaps, just maybe, she had seen her again in recent times.

"Have you seen her recently, ma'am?" the chimera asked. More questions had pooled through him, but no more would leave his throat. Perhaps he had said too much today already.

Seeing the look on the Yuheng's face, the soldier off duty frowned. Had he annoyed the young woman? Why did she look so irritated with him? He supposed being a Fatui, everyone in the Harbor would have their suspicions of him, no matter what.

"No," the Yuheng said bluntly. "I haven't."

Edges of her words cutting into his throat deep, the hyena exited the dome. Yuheng on full guard, justice would be served to him if he pursued any further. Looking forward as the dome was soon behind him, a tall building within the distance graced his damaged field of vision. Building being the farthest place he could go in the Harbor area, the soldier off duty sauntered onward.

Milelith on both sides of the staircases, the hyena allowed a gulp to release from the partially human esophagus. No matter which way he were about to go, it would be met with an instant challenge. Left staircase in front of him, the chimera bolted up the stairs at an Anemo Samachurl's tornado spell speed.

Generic man standing by an unusual rock structure, wordless communication had made its return. Although, the exchange had been short lived. Man calling to the Milelith, the early adult was soon surrounded. Both wrists locked into a tight grip, the escort off the Yuehai Pavilion had begun.

Milelith saying to him one of the Qixing would deal with his unwarranted trespassing, the chimera's heart skipped more than five beats. The backend of the Yujing Terrace, had it been private property? As the Liyue military continued their escort away, fear made a meal out of the hyena. Whichever Qixing were about to deal with him, justice would be served to him upon an elemental platter.

Military delivering him to a tall white haired woman with a graceful gold dress, the hyena flinched. In front of him was the Tianquan of the Liyue Qixing. Was an act of violence about to be blown upon him? Milelith being heavily armed in the area, the young soldier closed his eyes. At any moment now, the Qixing would command the army to do their bidding.

"There's no need for violence," the Tianquan said. Her voice sounded oddly powerful. "I will deal with him personally."

Armed men leaving the area, the chimera opened his eyes. Had his stronger than normal hearing deceived him? He supposed, such could have been the case. Entire army of Liyue gone for the moment, the hyena made eye contact with the Tianquan. Her red eyes, and golden outfit, was this Qixing rich? The soldier off duty shook his head. A stranger's financial status was none of his business under any circumstance. Qixing looking as though she had something to say, his eyes remained on her.

"I have seen you around Liyue quite often," the Tianquan stated. Her voice still sounded powerful. "Business and trade are essential." Taking a look at the young Fatui, a pipe had appeared in her right hand. "I know what you have been up to. If you intend to ask me if I have seen your sister, I have not." Spinning the pipe on the tips of her fingers, her statement had reached its climax.

Being given an answer before even inquiring, the hyena's mouth dropped open. Closing his mouth immediately, a frown had grown on his face. The Tianquan had not seen Hase, either. Defeat blaring its victory horn, the chimera bowed his head in apology to the Qixing. Leaving the area, the chimera dragged his feet. Today had been an utter failure.

Shopping district blurring together, the hyena kept walking. Other side of the food district being reached, the hyena ascended one final staircase. Even if today was a complete failure, maybe getting tea would bring his mind to peace. Usual brunette patron sitting at one of the tables, and opera singer to the other side, the chimera sat adjacent to the tall brunette patron, like always.

Yinlong eventually walking over, no energy remained to allow for a smile to grace his face. Failure weighing heavy, ordering tea from the panda chimera could possibly drown out the multitude of unsuccess that transpired today around the Harbor.

"Oh, hey Siorc!" Yinlong exclaimed. Their words were slow and lulled, like they always were. But worry soon painted their face a new shade of silver, like the meaning in the first character of their name. Here for some tea? You look kind of sad. Let me get you something easier today."

The chimera blinked as the panda chimera stepped away for a moment. Did his face read that easily to him? He always thought no emotion had ever really shown on his face. Did friends have some sort of power to read faces? The hyena did not know; he was none the wiser to such power existing, if it were the case.

Small cup of tea brought to the table, the soldier off duty reached for his back pocket. Mora pouch in hand, he placed the gold coins into Yinlong's palms. Tea having an aromatic scent to it, he tilted his head. Had the tea had some sort of flowers brewed into it? The scent felt familiar.

"Thank you, sir," he replied, voice barely audible. Taking a sip of the tea, the sweetness hit the roots of his mouth. Had the tea been brewed with Sweet Flowers? He supposed he could ask, if questions about the recipe were allowed to him.

Panda chimera sitting down for the moment, they looked into the hyena's eyes. Did they have something important to ask him? Worry continuing to show in the panda's face, he supposed he knew what question was about to grace his shark eardrums.

"Is everything okay?" Yinlong asked, slowness still present in his voice. "You look a little down." Placing a hand on his shoulder, worry continued to paint them a shade of silver. "But, if you don't want to talk about it, that's okay." Removing their hand from his shoulder they continued to watch closely.

Yinlong taking notice of his disposition, the chimera shook his head. He knew, as a Fatui Soldier, voicing a complaint was not something he was allowed. If he told Yinlong what had happened today, someone would tell Her Majesty, for sure. If even one complaint left his lips, his life would be over for sure.

Seeing Siorc shake his head, an oil bulb had went off in the panda chimera's head. If he wasn't going to tell them what was up, maybe spending the day with him would cheer him up, a little? While the Fatui's lives were busy, perhaps, just maybe, their days off would align tomorrow? They hoped such could be the case.

"Oh, by the way," Yinlong said, voice speeding up a little. "I have a day off from the teahouse tomorrow." Their two index fingers were touching as they had said such. "If you're free, would you like to come over to my house?" Their face had become crimson as the seconds unraveled.

Hearing Yinlong's words, the chimera had almost spit out his floral tea. Had the panda chimera just invited him over to his house? Would he even be allowed to go over to someone's home that wasn't a Fatui's quarters? Regardless of whether he was allowed or not, the chimera did not care. Holiday still upon him tomorrow, the early adult would not allow such opportunity go to waste in the Snezhnaya snow.

"I will see if I can make it tomorrow, sir," Siorc replied. Fatui life being unpredictable as it was, he knew his holiday could be revoked at any moment.

Possibility being given, a slow smile creeped on the panda's face. "If you can make it, meet me by the Adventurer's Guild tomorrow," Yinlong replied. Their words were fluttering. Stepping away for a moment, the teahouse had gone quiet for a moment. But, such silence was interrupted by an unusual voice.

"Methinks she likes you," the opera singer said out loud. "She talks about you quite a lot, Mr. Siorc." A deeper voice had soon joined the party.

"Indeed. Miss Yinlong has asked a lot of questions about you," the tall brunette chimed in. "Including how to comprehend wordless languages for you."

Opera singer and tall brunette laying out such facts to dry, hyena's face had become crimson. Yinlong had been asking questions about him to the tall brunette and talking about him? Embarrassment tapping him on the shoulder, the hyena spots upon his face were even more crimson than before. Even if the panda chimera liked him, Her Majesty would never allow for any non Fatui to get close to him. Perhaps, just maybe, the opera singer was reading too much into the situation.

Plate of panda shaped cookies placed in front of him, the chimera removed a cookie from the tray. Biting into the sweet, no amount of excess salt littered his taste buds. Had Yinlong been practicing since the last time he had been tasked to make cookies for the Moonchase Festival about a year ago? Taking another sip of tea, the soldier off duty stared at the wall in silence.

Seeing Siorc stare at the wall, an epiphany had entered their slow mind. Was he embarrassed about something? Boss twirling around a baton of sorts, the biggest suspect had made their presence known upon the playing field of suspicion.

"Are you embarrassed, Siorc?" Yinlong asked, words even faster than before. She then turned to her boss. "Boss, did you say something to him while I was gone?"

Baton twirl coming to an end, the opera singer took a bow. "We just told him you talk about him a lot," the opera singer admitted honestly.

Hearing their boss state the truth for the entire teahouse to hear, Yinlong's face had turned multiple shades of red. She had told Siorc they talked about him a lot, did they? What an embarrassing secret to be unleashed upon the world.

"Ah, boss!" Yinlong exclaimed. Their hands were waving about. "You weren't supposed to tell him that!" Their words were the fastest they had ever been in their entire life.

Teahouse calming down after about half an hour, the soldier off duty finished the tea. Tilting his head towards the sky, the chimera let out a somber sigh. Moon being completely out, the hyena rose from the chair. Day off or not, he knew he had to return to Snezhnaya. The choice was not his. Holidays could be taken away at any moment if Her Majesty were to return early. Turning to the panda chimera, he readied his temporarily farewell.

"Thank you, sir," the chimera said. Voice slightly more audible. "The tea and cookies were wonderful." Knowing night was upon him, and Her Majesty's unpredictability, he knew it was time to return to the barracks, for the time being. "I must take my leave now." As he said such, he removed the Teleport Waypoint Proxy Map from his uniform pocket. "It was very nice seeing you again. I hope to see you tomorrow."

Yinlong's panda ears drooped. He had to leave for Snezhnaya already? Such a shame, it was. But, they knew that the northern nation was his home. Before he were to teleport back home, they figured the usual goodbye could be uttered. Hopefully, boy time alone tomorrow could still be happening? He hoped their days off would align within the same timeframe.

"It was nice seeing you again, too," he replied, words slowing down. "I hope to see you again tomorrow, so we can some boy time alone again, finally!" He waved to the chimera slowly. "If we can't meet up, don't worry, I'll keep up with my exercise, I promise!" A yawn had presented itself as he finished speaking. A nap would be in order soon.

Waving back to the panda, slight fatigue poured into the hyena. It was time to go back to Snezhnaya. As he highlighted the waypoint to the military barracks, the wave of tiredness had only begun to grow stronger as the fast travel ended.

Military barracks upon him, a thought raced through the soldier off duty's mind. Would it really be okay for him to go over to Yinlong's house tomorrow? If Her Majesty were to find out about him having relations with people outside the Fatui, would she end his life? He knew tomorrow he would have to proceed with the utmost caution.

Steel walled room upon him, he slumped into the uncomfortable bed. Everything on him removed, and uniform off, Siorc closed his eyes. One final thought ruminated inside him as the world of tormented sleep were about to take him.

Hase could be anywhere in Teyvat by now. Qilin having been the only one who had seen her recently, it had been clear to him. Hase, why did she not want anyone to find her? The chimera did not know, but he knew one thing for certain. Perhaps, it was time to stop searching on his days off, for a little while. World of sleep finally taking him, the thought repeated one final time.

The one member search party was now on hold.

This happens the next day after Siorc Attempts to Find Hase 8.

I wrote Genius Invocation before it was playable, please keep that in mind when reading this one.

Side Story 6. Liyue Fashion Walk Feat: Yinlong

"You know what, Your Majesty?
I'm tired of playing the role of the good, obedient soldier.
Now, I know I cannot be hasty
Likely, now is a bad time to leave.
Obviously, I need to start planning
Now. Slowly, patiently.
Guess it all starts zero, no?

Just like you're planning that war of yours,
I shall plan a departure of mine
Not yet, however, I need to get stronger. This
Zest for strength, it remains inside me.
It is growing stronger within me.

One day, it will finally be time to leave
Finally be time to be free.

Looks like, for now, I should remain her chess piece.
I'm certain if I move now, she will kill me.
Yes, I need to keep planning.
Ultimately that is key.
Even so, this day off beacons me. Yínlóng is waiting."

Upon waking up the next morning, the chimera was ready for the day at hand. Not hearing any alarm bells, no sudden cancellation of plans could possibly come into fruition. Time slipping away as the seconds marched onward, the hyena rose from the uncomfortable bed. Placing his glasses over his eyes, the early adult had begun the morning routine of dressing the body.

As he sifted through his uniform drawers, a familiar article of clothing glared daggers in his heterochromatic field of damaged vision. Silk white shirt he had acquired some time ago continuing to look at him, the hyena buried the shirt as though it were a body. Would he even be allowed to wear anything that was not his uniform? The hyena supposed he would have to put a pin in the desire.

Black shirts within his hands, the two layers melted onto his partially human person. Uniform glued into place as well, the chimera snapped the buttons into the correct holes. Everything being on, the chimera removed the cover from the hairpin and earring box in seconds. Weaponized sunflower set clicked in place for the second day in a row, the early adult stared at the walls in silence.

His prized jewelry and accessories being turned into weapons, was this truly what he wanted? Rational brain still being on within him, regret wrapped vines around the hyena. Time slipping away faster, the soldier off duty hooked the Dendro vision to his uniform pants. Heelless shoes eventually on, and rations devoured, the chimera had finished the morning routine of dressing the body.

Recalling the panda chimera had told him to meet up with him at the Adventurer's Guild, the chimera opened the orb into map form. Highlighting the waypoint towards the front of Liyue Harbor, the soldier off duty returned the map back into orb form. Fast travel confirmed, the soldier off duty was ready.

As the teleportation to the Harbor began, the hyena closed his eyes. Teleporting was just as blinding as it had always been no matter how many years were to pass. Liyue nearly upon him, a quick thought had played on repeat within the hyena's fading human brain.

What did Yinlong have in store for him today?

***

"There is something that occurred to me, Yinlong,
His parents, are they aware of me?
Even thinking about this, I know there is a possibility they

Just will not approve of me.
I'm a member of the Fatui.
Noting what happened yesterday, the
Zephyr will uncoil into a tornado.
If they do not approve of me, I understand.

Cannot expect to be welcomed with open arms,
Objectively, anger will await me.
Maybe I am overthinking it, surely.
Maybe I will be wrong in the end, surely.
Even so, that is the way of life,
Relatively speaking
Cannot except approval. Cannot
Expect everyone to be accepting.

Generally speaking, it is what it is.
Ultimately, I am used to stares.
I am used to disapproval.
Liyue is the nation of contracts, Fatui are aggressors of war.
Do not blame anyone for judging me, that is for sure."

Upon reaching Liyue Harbor through the Teleport Waypoint, the chimera observed his surroundings, for a moment. Not seeing any Fatui within the area, the hyena allowed a sigh of relief escape the esophagus. No eyes spotting him, the day could begin without any notice.

Recalling the area he had been in was the food district, the soldier off duty stepped forward. Remembering the Adventurer's Guild was towards the side of the teahouse, the early adult kept towards the west side of the path. Wooden staircase upon him within a few minutes, the soldier off duty ascended. Panda chimera waiting by the side of a receptionist constantly repeating error, the hyena readied himself. Although, an obstacle had blocked the way.

Standing in the way of the path had been two faces of slight familiarity to the hyena. Tall white haired person wearing a green adventurers outfit and furred hands, the chimera eyed the person for a moment longer. Blue eyeshadow decorating the taller person's eyelids, cyan lipstick glossing his lips, and pearl necklace glistening on the sun, the early adult could not help but continue looking for a few moments more. The unknown chimera, he was beautiful, but he knew he could not say such. The walls around Liyue were thin.

Shorter chimera not looking any different from eight months prior, the soldier off duty stepped forward. But such step ahead was halted within seconds. Group of two glaring at him with eyes of mischief, the hyena let out a gulp. Had he been in their way? Knowing members of the Adventurer's Guild received commissions in the area, he supposed such had to have been the case. But, he knew he would only be in the area for a moment. The panda chimera had to have something planned already, surely. Taller chimera looking ready to speak, the hyena remained stationary, for the moment.

"So, that's your boyfriend, huh?" Feng teased. His voice had been slightly more flamboyant than last time. "He sure is late!"

Hearing the term boyfriend, Siorc's mouth gaped open. Had Yinlong said he was waiting for his boyfriend? Words ringing in his inhuman eardrums, the hyena's face grew crimson. The panda chimera, surely he had not said he was his boyfriend. Shorter chimera about to join the party, the hyena's cheeks begun to glow an even deeper shade of vermillion as the seconds marched on inexorably.

"Since yer boyfriend is here, ya can share Katheryne with us now," Linggui teased, fanged teeth in a crooked smile. "Yer hoggin' her!"

Shorter chimera mentioning the name Katheryne, the hyena tilted his head. Just what had happened before he arrived in the area? Couldn't the adventurers just step around the panda chimera and do their work as normal? Perhaps, just maybe, the party of two did not like being in the presence of others when receiving information for the day.

Yinlong's eyes soon on him, the chimera kept his attention forward. Panda chimera's face as pink as his eyes, the soldier off duty held back a sigh. Whatever chaos was about to unfold, he knew he had to be prepared for anything. Assumptions were a poisonous evil laying waste to the clean waters of the world.

"Oh, hey, Siorc!" Yinlong said, faster than ever before. "You came!" His words had been flustered, and frantic.

Taking note of how flustered the panda chimera had been, the soldier off duty blinked of bewilderment. Had Yinlong truly said he was his boyfriend to the two members of the Adventurer's Guild? Word still ringing in his inhuman eardrums, the hyena had come to a conclusion. Word said or not, he knew such term did not fit him. But, he supposed he had no energy to correct such. Male or female terms were merely just words. Thoughts put to rest, he returned his attention to the panda chimera.

Seeing Siorc turn red, the panda chimera's cheeks turned an even deeper shade of pink. Feng and Linggui's incessant teasing had gotten him flustered, hadn't it? He knew he had to correct the situation before it had gotten any more out of hand than it already had been at the moment in time.

"Ah, no! I didn't say you were my boyfriend, I promise!" Yinlong exclaimed words even faster than before. Their hands were waving about in a frantic manner. "They were just teasing!" But an interruption would soon flood the area.

"Well, whady'a expect us ta think?" Linggui interjected, laughing. "Yer sittin' here waitin' on a guy!" But another interruption would soon electrify the area, as well.

"Isn't that a date?" Feng interjected, singing. "Come on now, lovebirds. You're blocking the path to Katheryne, and we have commissions to take!" Sound of high heeled shoes stepping forward, the teases electro charged the invisible water.

Panda chimera hooking his elbow around his, the two descended down the wooden staircase. As the escort to the panda chimera's house continued in silence, the soldier off duty had come to wonder. Yinlong, had he seen him as more than just a friend? He knew if such were even the case, he could not return such feelings. Relationships had to have been a forbidden act for Her Majesty's Fatui.

Expensive teahouse passed by, the chimera remained silent. Feiyun slope soon traversed through as well, the hyena tilted his head. Just where in Liyue had Yinlong lived? Millelith glaring daggers at him, he knew his moments were numbered.

Yujing Terrace within his field of vision, the chimera could feel a chill drop down his spine. Milleltih waving at the panda, the soldier off duty rose an eyebrow. The Liyue military, had they all been familiar with Yinlong? Shifty eyes still on him, the hourglasses' sand had begun to drop faster. Would the Millelith escort him away like they did yesterday? Nothing of the sort happening, the walk forward continued.

Large mansion soon in front of him, the hyena's jaw dropped open. The large mansion, had it been Yinlong's house? He knew Liyue was one of the most well off nations in all of Teyvat, but such fact presented before him was a shock beyond comprehension. Brown doors soon opened, the world of the rich was about to make its roar known.

As the panda chimera guided him inside, the hyena looked to the right and left. No matter where he looked, the world of the rich soon engulfed him. Beautiful potted plants in gold vases and various tapestry scrolls saying Jinzi Commerce Guild on them, a wave of inferiority devoured the chimera. Shelves with various scrolls on them as well, the inferiority had begun to swallow the early adult whole.

Tapestry scrolls burning into his fading human brain, wanderlust had begun to intoxicate the chimera. Had Yinlong's family been important business people within the nation of Liyue? Only having heard of commerce guilds in passing, knowledge of the business side of the nation was unknown to him. Guided up the stairs towards a dining room, two new faces had soon been glaring daggers the hyena's way.

Tall woman with long silver hair and panda ears surveying him, the hyena stood still. Figuring the woman was Yinlong's mother, the soldier remained a statue for a moment. Pink eyes giving the most suspicious of looks, the chimera waited for the inevitable rejection to echo within his eardrums. Any minute now, his exile would make rounds in the mansion.

"This is the friend you asked if you could invite over?" asked the mother. Glaring daggers at the purple haired person's uniform, she shifted her eyes. "Yinlong, why are you friends with a member of the Fatui? They're aggressive manipulators!" Her arms had soon been across her chest.

Predictable judgement cast upon him, Siorc lowered his head. He supposed he had the judgement coming, considering his uniform. Would his mother make him vacate the premises? Knowing that, at any moment, he would be forced to leave, an apology had formed on the man's lips. But, such apology was about to drop off a cliff like the Pyro Elf Girl of doom's bombs.

Hearing their mother's words of suspicion, Yinlong readied themselves. Was their mother about to send Siorc away? Would explaining that Siorc was not a bad person make their mother change her mind about him? Knowing if the tension in the room was not cleared, their plans would cease, the panda chimera got on the defensive.

"Ah, mama, he doesn't even want to be part of the Fatui!" Yinlong responded, words slow. "I promise, he's not bad!" His hands had begun to wave out in a frantic fashion.

Taller man with black hair, panda ears and gold eyes soon surveying him as well, the hyena remained a statue. Both mother and father having panda ears, the soldier off duty tilted his head. Had both of Yinlong's parents been chimeras? Being told by his parents once that if he ever were to mate there had been a small possibility his partner would turn into a chimera as well. However, whatever was the situation with other chimeras was no business of his.

Father panda's face soon forming into a smile, a wash of relief soon drenched him. Was the father about to allow him to stay within the mansion? Eyes of gold looking far less suspicious than the mother panda, the hyena made eye contact. Politeness was key to good impressions, Fatui or not.

"What's your name, young man?" the father panda asked.

Siorc jumped five steps back upon hearing the father panda's question. Being a Fatui, he knew he wasn't allowed to give out his name casually to people. If Her Majesty had heard of it, his life would be over, for sure. But, he knew it would be rude to not answer the question.

Father panda still looking at him, the soldier off duty took a quick deep breath. Forbidden introduction on the tip of his tongue, the hyena steeled himself. His parents had always told him that he had to always respect his elders, no matter what the circumstance. Forbidden introduction about to make its rounds, the chimera took one more deep breath.

"My name is Siorc, sir," he replied, voice barely audible. Forbidden introduction echoing through the mansion walls, the soldier off duty turned his head to the right and left. Her Majesty, could she be listening? The walls around Teyvat were thin.

Stranger introducing himself, the father turned to his wife. The name the quiet young man had uttered, he had certainly been the one his daughter had always been talking about. Feeling no malicious aura from the bespectacled individual, the father nodded at his wife.

Husband nodding, the panda mother scratched her black ears, for a moment. The young man had introduced himself as Siorc. Had he been the one whom her daughter had been so smitten over for the past few years? Not sensing any ill intentions from the man, she supposed she could allow him to stay within the mansion, for the day. Providing a nod of approval to her daughter, the tall woman left the dining room. Father being the only one that remained, he again turned to the young man.

"So, you're the illustrious Siorc our daughter is always talking about," Yinlong's father said. "I suppose you don't seem suspicious." Readying to exit into the other room, he looked into his daughter's eyes one last time. "Have a good day, you two." Exiting into another area of the mansion, the dining room had soon been empty.

Parents soon gone, Yinlong's elbow had soon been hooked around his arm once again. Another staircase soon climbed, wanderlust had begun to intoxicate the early adult further. Just how much had Yinlong talked about him? Opera dancer and brunette saying he talked about him a lot, as well, the soldier's cheeks had become a faint shade of pink. Being spoken about all the time was an embarrassment to behold.

Hallways with various paintings of jewels and gold, the hyena had continued to wonder. Yinlong's family, just how high up within Liyue were they? He supposed whatever their social standing had been was no business of his. The wealth of others was an insignificant factor that beared no interest to him. Panda chimera soon taking a sharp turn to the left, the soldier off duty kept walking in tow.

Brown door soon in front of him, the linked elbows had soon come undone. Silver key in Yinlong's left hand, the door had soon creaked open with a silent roar. Guided into the room, the chimera stepped forward. Would a room of high power and class await him? Whatever the room were to look like from the inside, judgement had to exit into the mansion outside.

Room soon within his field of vision, the hyena examined the room with due diligence. Presented before him had been a rather small room with a plain brown wooden floor. Nothing but a bed, an open closet, a small bookshelf, chairs and a small table, the hyena tilted his head to the ceiling. Yinlong's room, why had it been so barren in comparison to the mansion he had just set foot in?

Looking around one more time, bewilderment ate the chimera like Cold Noodles with Mountain Delicacies. If Yinlong's parents had been rich, why had he barely had any belongings to speak of? He supposed family fortune had been divided evenly between family members.

Panda chimera looking for something for a moment, the wanderlust would not cease existing inside him. Would asking about his family be rude of him? Removing his wallet from his back pocket, the hyena waited. He supposed asking without words was the only option. Loud sounds of rustling through a closet making their echo known, the early adult kept his patience.

Box of cards in Yinlong's hands after a few minutes, the soldier looked into the panda chimera's pink eyes with a fervor. Wallet in hand, he pointed to it in silence. Would this work? He knew pointing to a wallet was not the proper sign for money, but visual aid was all the man could muster.

Seeing Siorc point to his wallet, an oil bulb had went off in the panda chimera's head. Was he attempting to ask about the family fortune? He supposed stepping inside a large mansion had to be intimidating for the first time. Would telling him he did not have any of the family fortune calm his nerves a bit? Yinlong hoped for such to be the case.

"Oh, are you asking about my family fortune?" Yinlong ask, words lulled and slow. "I'm not entitled to any of my family's fortune. I have to earn my keep." His two index fingers then touched. "Do you want to play this prototype card game with me?" Showing Siorc the cards, he made sure the name had been on full display. "A Sumeru merchant gave it to my parents at one of their commerce guild dinners."

Card game entitled Genius Invocation on private display, the chimera nodded in silence. Panda chimera teaching him the basics of the game, the two had moved themselves to the small table in the corner. Card battle soon raging onward, a battle of cards had clashed polearms. Closing his eyes as the card attacks raced about, a fictional world paraded around in the early adult's head.

A distraction would soon take the stage.

Taking a small break for a few minutes in between turns, the chimera could not help but peek from behind him. Closet still remaining open, the hyena stared at the hung up clothes for at least twenty seconds. Shaking his head, the early adult regained focus. Staring at other's people's belongings without permission was rude.

Card game battle soon returning, the hyena slammed down a card onto the small table. Card attack taking a hit onto Yinlong's card hit points, the chimera closed his eyes. Icicle's hitting the panda chimera's card creature within the land of imagination, the card battle had quickly continued. Panda chimera about to ponder his next turn, the early adult again turned his head to the closet.

Curiosity continuing to rip him apart, the hyena turned his head once again. Dresses hung up in a line within the brown container, the chimera could not help but continue to stare from behind him. Shaking his head, the early adult again regained his focus. He knew he needed to stop staring at another person's outfits.

Battle resuming once again, the hyena turned a card into a horizontal position. Card attack defended, the chimera once again closed his eyes. Land of imagination playing out the next part of battle, fictional attacks had exchanged blows with one another. Panda chimera's next attack depleting card hit points, the soldier off duty removed a card from the deck.

Next card attack making the game an even match, another long pondering had begun to take shape. Panda chimera taking a few minutes to decide his next turn, the hyena once again turned his attention to the closet before him. Silk blue dress soon meeting his mismatched eyes, a forbidden desire had soon bubbled into overdrive.

He wanted to wear the silk blue dress.

But, he knew he could not say such. Enacting upon desires not being allowed to begin with, the hyena returned his attention to the card battle in front of him. Next turn of the battle taking a major blow to his card hit points, the fight had begun to wind down into a victory for the other party.

Fight about to reach its climax, the soldier off duty soon returned to imagination land. Yinlong soon summoning the final card attack, the hyena's card hit points had soon reached zero. Victory being in the favor of the card owner, the early adult extended his hand. Sportsmanship handshake soon completed, the chimera again turned his head towards the direction of the closet.

Cards soon put away, the profile of the silk blue dress within the closet continued to glare at him from afar. No matter how many times he tried to tell himself to stop looking, he could not turn himself away. Cards soon cleaned up into a box, the hyena returned his focus to the panda chimera. Pink eyes meeting his mismatched ones, the next activity would soon start, surely.

Taking notice Siorc had been peering into his closet, an epiphany had entered Yinlong's slow brain. Did he see something in his closet that he wanted to try on? Feminine clothing he did not wish to wear being within the closet, letting him try on whatever he wanted if he wished to could certainly come into fruition. Would wearing something other than his uniform make him feel at ease? He hoped such could be the case.

"Are you interested in my girl clothes?" Yinlong asked, index finger and middle finger wiggling in the air. "You can try some on, if you'd like."

Permission being granted, the soldier off duty rose to his currently human feet. Yinlong moving some of the clothes within the closet, the hyena gazed quietly. Generic Liyue outfits pushed out of the way over to the side, the hyena sifted through the outfits for a moment. Waitress outfits moved out of the way as well, the final contender of the distraction battle had soon been on private display.

Isolated amongst everything had been a beautiful, silk blue dress. Center of the blue dress having a wave design on repeat with a gold shimmer, the soldier off duty peered at the top side. Top part of the dress having no sleeves, but a gorgeous dark blue collar tied together with a small gold choker, the early adult turned his attention to the long flowing skirt. The train of the dress with long, flowing, and blue, almost shining against the closet. Edges of the long train embroidered with gold, and inside parts dark blue with the same print on the front, the chimera turned to Yinlong.

Witnessing Siorc's fascination with his blue dress, the panda chimera removed the clothing from the hanger as careful as his fingers would allow. Did he like the soft feeling of silk on him? If wearing silk would help bring a smile to his face, he would oblige, without any question.

"You want to wear this one?" Yinlong replied to the wordless confirmation. "I hope it fits you." Handing the dress off to him, they turned their head into the opposite direction. Privacy was absolutely necessary.

Dress handed off to him, the soldier off duty undid the buttons on his uniform. Pants removed as well, the hyena unhooked the Vision from his uniform pants. Small black pants handed to him to borrow, the chimera slipped on the drawers. Possibly human rear covered in blackness, the dress had slowly begun to cover his small body. Silk soon engulfing his entire being, a warm smile had soon graced the early adult's face. The feeling of the silk was like Celestia above him. Hooking the Dendro Vision off onto the side of the skirt, the chimera had completed the art of dressing wearing.

Hyena tail soon swishing from behind him, the chimera did not have a single care in the world. Yinlong soon changing into a men's outfit as well, the soldier off duty turned his head into the opposite direction. Golden Liyue men's fashion taking the place of his usual generic outfit, the hyena could not help but give a soft smile. It was like the panda chimera and he were the king and queen of the fashion world. But, he knew he could not say such overindulgent thought.

Panda chimera looking at the dress for a moment, the soldier off duty closed his eyes. Feeling the panda's hands on the dress's train, the hyena kept quiet. Did he need to make sure the dress fit him properly? He supposed biological male anatomy differed, despite how feminine his body shape appeared. Never truly identifying with the sexual organ biology of his body, such thoughts never crossed his mind, in the slightest. Hands soon off the train of the dress, the chimera opened his eyes.

Dress fitting Siorc like a glove, a slow smiled had creeped on the panda chimera's face. Feeling the sudden urge to get out and walk around, an idea had formed within his slow brain. Would taking a walk around Liyue Harbor be an activity he would want to currently engage in? He supposed asking was worth a shot.

"I'm glad my dress fits you!" Yinlong exclaimed, chipper. He then held his arm out. "Go on a fashion walk around the Harbor with me?"

Arm held out in front of him, the hyena tilted his head. Just what was Yinlong up to? He supposed not going for his usual morning runs on the beach would make anyone antsy. Feeling a small wave of confidence from the silk dress upon him, the urge to walk around anywhere had begun to nibble on his currently human fingers.

Party of two soon linked together, the duo exited the room slowly. Yinlong soon locking the door behind him, the two walked forward. But, as the dining hall soon approached, a motherly obstacle had soon been in the way. Panda mother looking straight at her daughter, the chimera turned his head to the left. Whatever conversation were about to happen between the two was no business of his.

"Yinlong, your friend needs to leave by the evening," The mother panda said sternly. "We have an important dinner meeting at the Xinyue Kiosk tonight." Her hands were on her hips. "Come home later and change into your evening party gown."

Hearing his mother's words, sweat had begun to form on Yinlong's back. Had tonight been another big night to discuss further trading route plans for the commerce guild? Not wanting to wear a dress of any sort, defiance had begun to take shape within him. Why had the family's affairs lined up in tune with his boy time alone? Time was a mysterious phenomenon.

"Ah, sorry, mama! I have plans tonight!" he responded faster than ever before. "Have Shenlong take my place tonight?" Placing his hands underneath his lips, his stance had made rounds within the mansion.

Hearing her daughter's refusal, the mother dragged out a long sigh. Forcing her daughter to go to the commerce guild dinners never did her any favors. Perhaps allowing her daughter to skip yet another one would be for the best, at the moment. Having a happy child outweighed an unhappy one, for sure.

"Alright, Yinlong, you don't have to go this time," his mother replied, stern tone of voice. "But you're not getting out of it next time."

Permission being granted, the party of two descended the mansion staircase. Ground floor upon them after seven minutes, the duo exited the house of many riches. Millelith staring at him every step of the way, the hyena's face had become crimson once again. No matter what layers of clothing were upon him, their suspicions would never die.

Pavilion soon exited, the two arms had been unlinked. Stopping towards the intersection, the panda chimera's pink eyes met his mismatched ones. Where around the Harbor did Yinlong want to walk around? Wherever he wanted to go was fine with him. Idea eventually coming to the panda chimera, the soldier off duty kept his inhuman eardrums open.

"Walk around the docks with me first?" Yinlong asked, words lulled. "It's usually not busy around this time of the day."

Figuring Yinlong was right, the chimera simply nodded. Holding his arm out, the two had once again been linked together. Feiyun slope slowly walked through, more Millelith had their polearms pointed up towards the sky. Liyue military still staring at him, a chill had run down the hyena's spine. Suspicions were a permanent judgement cast upon him that would never go away.

Hearing the sound of the ocean waves off into the distance, the party of two headed towards the southeast area of the docks. Fatui nowhere near the lower grounds, a sigh of relief hit the chimera. Boxes of gems, jewels and food stocks sitting unattended on ground level, the two returned to the top level, for the moment.

Heading towards the westward side, the two walked upon a large open bridge. Multiple citizens turning to look at the silk dress he had been wearing, embarrassment had hit him like the Anemo Archon's wind. The citizens of Liyue, did they find him wearing a silk dress an oddity? He supposed he did not care what other strangers thought of him. Party of two gazing at the golden birds holding red banners connected to a tall building, the early adult admired the view.

People soon coming towards the view, the party of two headed into the opposite direction. Continuing to head east, the two kept walking. Stopping by another area with gold birds holding red banners, the hyena looked off into the distance. Docked in the water had been a small boat with green sails, the soldier off duty breathed in the sea breeze. Liyue's port town was a harbor indeed.

Multiple amounts of scenery filling him with bliss, the party of two headed towards another large bridge. Large crooked tree with orange leaves sticking out a grey rock, the hyena let out a small smile. Liyue's nature was beautiful, as always.

Elderly toy salesman saying she wanted to make people smile on repeat, the two headed towards the shopping district, for a moment. But, another two party obstacle had soon presented itself as the two stepped forward. Feeling Yinlong unlink their arms, the soldier off duty turned his head.

Examining the panda chimera's expression, the hyena tilted his head. Witnessing Yinlong dart his eyes around, bewilderment had begun to nibble on the early adult's ear. Had the panda known the two people that were standing in front of him? Group of two looking straight at him with disappointment in their eyes, the hyena examined the party of two.

Standing to the left with their arms crossed was a young woman about ten centimeters taller than him. The young woman had bright peach hair that went down to about her shoulders. Hair slightly wavy and pulled back into a ponytail, the chimera focused his attention at the young woman's head. Situated at the top of her hair had been two black panda ears. Had the young woman been related to Yinlong in some way? He supposed the resemblance was undeniable. Pink eyes that looked like cherry blossoms, and heart shaped hairpin on the left side of her hair, the early adult looked at the young woman's clothes, for a moment. The young woman's clothes were posh, and fancy. Evening party gown with a Fontaine touch to it, the hyena turned his attention to the second person.

Standing to the right shaking their head was a young man much taller than every one else. The young man had short silver hair, like Yinlong, and pink eyes to match. Small braid on the right side of his face, and panda ears on the top of his head, the soldier off duty quickly looked at the man's outfit. Extremely fancy suit that rivaled even the wise brunette with limitless knowledge, the chimera ended his examination.

Party of two looking straight at Yinlong, the hyena turned his head to the left. If the three of them were about to engage in a private family conversation, it was no business of his. Knowing Yinlong spoke slowly, the chimera remained patient. Patience was a virtue no other Fatui but him had.

"Yinlong, why aren't you in proper attire?" the male panda asked. His voice was deep. "Don't you have that evening gown Qiulong bought for you?" The second voice soon entered the conversation.

"Yeah, Yinlong, Jiaolong is right. Why aren't you ready?" Qiulong asked, major disappointment leaking through her voice. "You know the Commerce Guild dinner is tonight." She then turned her head to the left a smidgeon. Purple haired man in one of Yinlong's blue silk dresses, the dandy panda dragged out an exasperated sigh. Had she dragged someone into her shenanigans? She knew she had to inquire about it. "I know you don't like being ladylike when you don't feel it but," she then pointed to the stranger sharply. "Are you dragging a man into your shenanigans?"

Siorc rolled his eyes to the sky. Shenanigans? What an absolutely ludicrous statement to be had, for sure. Man, woman? Neither labeled mattered to the chimera. The gender of clothes held no significance to the hyena, either. But, he knew he could say anything. Desires were not allowed to him as a Fatui Soldier.

Yinlong remaining calm, the soldier off duty blinked. How had the panda always been able to remain calm in almost any given situation? Being able to a leveled head on his shoulders was a charming characteristic to be had, for sure. Private conversation looking ready to continue, the hyena turned his head to the left. Staying out of other family's affairs was mandatory.

"Ah, sorry, Jiaolong and Qiulong, I'm not coming tonight," Yinlong replied, words slow and lulled. "I have plans tonight!" Placing his hands underneath his lips, the apology echoed on the wind.

Hearing his cousin's rejection, Jiaolong shook his head. Had Yinlong found a way out of attending the family business again? What a disappointing answer, from her. Would convincing her the dinner was not a skippable event convince her to go? Jiaolong surmised attempting would not hurt.

"This dinner is a big deal," Jiaolong responded in an as matter-of-fact tone as possible. "You should not be skipping it." Arms crossed around his chest, he paused for a moment. "Yinlong, our grandfather is going to be discussing expanding our trade route this evening. You really should be there. It is of utmost importance."

Seeing their cousins disapprove of them skipping the family meeting, a tiny frown creeped on his face. The commerce dinners and trading discussions, none of that world interested him. He knew his family would always try to nudge him into taking part in the family business. But joining the commerce guild full time was not on the menu, ever, for any reason. Getting a job at the teahouse many years back, and working towards joining an opera troupe, the path needed to split. Although, saying such would only lead to conflict. Would saying he would go next time appease the situation? Yinlong hoped such would be the case.

"I promise I'll go to the next one!" Yinlong replied, words speeding up a smidgeon. He then turned to Siorc, arm sticking out. "Say, Siorc, do you want to head to Wanwen Bookhouse?" His words had sounded slightly frantic; desperate.

Hearing the desperation in Yinlong's voice, the hyena nodded. Hooking his arm around the panda chimera's, the two walked towards the red staircase. Two panda chimeras shrugging their shoulders and stepping aside, the two headed towards the Pavilion. Obstacles gone within minutes, the two ascended the red stairs. Bookbooth being on the other side of the shopping district, a long chain of changing directions had begun.

Storyteller in between multiple staircases, the party of two walked towards the southeast direction. Staircase descended, they then headed towards the west. Short brown bridge crossed, and wooden staircase leading through a passageway with no doors, the two kept walking, arms linked. Outdoor bookhouse eventually upon them, the two chimeras unlinked their joints.

As the hyena had stepped towards the bookshelves in the corner, a familiar face had soon graced his damaged field of heterochromatic vision. Standing by the bookshelves with a large scroll in hand had been the tall brunette he would often see at the teahouse in the evenings. Tall brunette looking as though he was about to put the scroll away on the bookshelf, the hyena stepped forward a singular step.

Brunette turning his attention to Yinlong, the chimera had come to wonder. The brunette and his father, had they ever met when he was still a member of the living? Tall brunette knowing a lot about Liyue's history, the hyena hoped such encounter could have happened when he was experiencing his lifetime. Tall brunette looking ready to speak to the panda chimera, the soldier off duty opened up a scroll. The conversation about to happen between the two was still no business of his.

"Greetings, miss Yinlong," the tall brunette greeted. "I believe you had a meeting with the Commerce Guild this evening, no?"

Usual teahouse patron even asking about the Commerce Guild ordeals, Yinlong's eye twitched. Even Liyue's most knowledgeable man knew about the important meeting to expand their guild's trade routes. He supposed the Jinzi Commerce Guild was not a guarded secret, or anything. Would telling him he was not going steer the conversation away from his family affairs? He had hoped such would be the case.

"Ah, sorry, Mr. -------, I'm not going tonight!" Yinlong responded, words slow and lulled. A name had been said, but the chatter about drowned the name out. It was almost as if, a word of a god prevented such name from being heard by an audience. "I already have plans!"

"That is quite a shame," the tall brunette replied, slight disappointment in voice. "The Jinzi Commerce Guild has a rich history in successful gemstone trades."

As the conversation between the two carried out, the hyena kept his eyes on the scroll in front of him. Not able to read the scroll in any way, the soldier off duty returned the scroll to the bookshelf. Hearing the word history hit his strengthened hearing, the chimera blinked. The tall brunette knew everything there was to know about Liyue, didn't he? Conversation looking as though it was about to continue, the early adult stared off into silence.

"I promise I'll go next time, Mr. -------," Yinglong responded, promise given. Would asking about if there was any history nearby steer the subject away from the Commerce Guild? He had hoped so. Readying to ask the question, a small smile creeped on his face. "Do you know any area with some nice history to check out? I want to take Siorc to see them!"

Tall brunette pondering for a moment, the chimera turned to Yinlong. The panda chimera's family affairs, he was definitely not interested in pursing such path in life. Panda having the freedom to choose was a gift he would never have bestowed upon him in tandem. Options and choice being removed from his life as a Fatui beyond his days off, such gift should not have been wasted by those who had the freedom of choice.

"Mt. Tiangheng has a few points of interest," the tall brunette responded. He then turned to Siorc. "Ah, greetings, Mr. Siorc. That dress looks lovely on you." A warm smile had appeared on his face for a split second. "Your father was always such a hard working historian when he was alive."

Hearing the tall brunette's compliments, the hyena placed his currently human hands behind his back. Tail still sticking out from behind him, the soldier off duty could feel his cheeks begin to burn. Placing his fingers on his chin for a moment, the hyena placed his hand in the direction of the tall brunette, the early adult gave a tiny smile. Thank you signed on public display, he turned his attention to Yinlong.

Arms soon linked together again, the two exited the bookhouse. Shopping district soon behind them, a bridge with multiple dogs wagging their tails had been present. Stopping for a moment to pet the dogs with his free hand, bliss filled the chimera. Small mountainous area soon within his field of vision, the soldier off duty was ready for some exploration with the panda chimera. However, another obstacle had soon come in the way.

Spotting a young woman sprinting at lightning speed towards the two of them, the two arms had once again been unlinked. Young woman soon within four meters of them, the soldier off duty had begun to examine the person looking towards the panda chimera. Young woman looking angry, he knew he had to make haste with study of her.

Standing about with a feisty look on her face had been a young woman about Yinlong's height. The young woman had long red hair that went down to about her backside. Red locks tied up into two pigtails and pointy bangs swept to the left, the hyena took note of her eyes. Pink eyes matching Yinlong's exactly, and panda ears on top of her head, as well, the early adult looked at the young woman's outfit. Extremely fancy black evening dress flowing on the early evening wind, the chimera ended his examination.

Taking note of the panda ears and pink eyes, the relationship had been of no mystery to the hyena. Knowing another family conversation were about to take place, the soldier off duty stared at the large rock off in the corner. Redhead looking rather feisty, he knew she would hear her fury if he had made any of their conversation his business.

"Yinlong, for Archon's sake! What in the world are you doing?" the redhead panda exclaimed, aggravated tone of voice. "You don't have time to playing these stupid games!" Her left hand had soon been balled into a fist. "Be more ladylike and woman up! You can't always expect me to be your stand in!"

Seeing Yinlong's panda ears begin to twitch, the hyena could feel his blood grow cold. The redheaded panda, she was being quite blunt. But, he knew he could not get involved. Interrupting another person's conversation was a rude act he did not wish to engage in. Panda chimera looking ready to respond, the soldier off duty returned his attention to the rock in the corner.

"Ah, sorry, Shenlong, I promise I'll go next time!" Yinlong said, words slightly frantic in tone. "Please stand in for me tonight?" But, his words were futile, a wicked response was about to hit his panda ears.

"Not this excuse again," Shenlong said, voice booming. "Why did the Archons give such a lazy person like you a Vision? You don't even deserve it!" A smirk had then appeared on her face. "I hope the gods take it back from you in your sleep one day!"

Witnessing Shenlong smirk, the hyena balled his right arm into a fist. What an incredibly rude young woman she was. Who did she think she was, saying something so heartless and cruel to their own family? Feeling his blood boil into hot lava, the young soldier balled up a second fist. He would not let the redheaded panda's cruel words win.

"And why is that your call to say, miss?" Siorc said, voice indignant. "He is working hard, just the like the rest of us are." His words were cold and low, ready to bite. If his brain were to pop a spark now, violent thoughts would enter his brain in an instant. "Watch your words, and think before you speak." Linking his arm around the panda chimera's, the soldier off duty readied to exit the area.

Red haired panda clicking her tongue and walking away as they did, the soldier off duty moved forward fifteen steps. Seeing a path with statues off in the distance, the hyena stepped towards the pathway. But something unexpected had soon took the hyena by surprise. Yinlong wrapping him into a hug from the front, their bodies melted into one another for a brief moment of time.

"Thank you, Siorc," Yinlong said, voice quieter than normal. His hug continued. "It was nice of you to stand up for me." Almost slipping the three word sentence, the panda chimera ended his embrace. Maybe enough had already been said.

Embrace coming to an end, the two walked forward. Multiple tall statues within the area, fascination had hit the hyena within seconds. The two statues, what history did they hold within the Geo Nation of Contracts? He supposed if he had time next day off, he could research the statues.

Small pot of mist flowers towards the other side, the two kept walking for an hour or so, the scenery around Mt. Tiangheng was a beautiful sight to behold. Sun about to set within the sky, and sound of his stomach grumbling vibrating through the air, the hyena let out a sigh. The stomach was quite the rude organ. Yinlong soon turning to him, he supposed he knew what suggestion was about to come his way.

"Are you getting hungry?" Yinlong asked. His words dragged on the evening wind. "Let me treat you to dinner before you head back to my house? There's a restaurant I want to take you to."

Feeling his partially human stomach rumble once again, the hyena simply nodded. A nice meal before having to change back into his uniform could certainly come into fruition. Turning back around in the direction they came in, the two headed back towards the Harbor. Reaching the Liyue food district after about forty five minutes, the panda chimera led the way.

Being guided towards a small restaurant with a green sign towards the roof, the soldier off duty looked towards the counter, for a moment. Standing inside the windowless booth had been a generic man with black hair, but such person had not been alone. Standing by the stove in the corner had been a short teenage girl. The teenager had short dark blue hair that went down to about her ears. Top of her hair pulled up into two braids forming twin ringlets, the hyena took a brief look at her outfit. Yellow eyes being the same as almost everyone in Liyue, he turned his attention to her outfit. Yellow and black outfit with bells clanging about as she walked, and black fingerless gloves matching her boots, the early adult ended his examination. But, the girl had not been alone.

Standing next to the young girl had been a short brown bear looking creature. The brown bear had a black mask like face with white eyes, and a white stomach in the center with an infinity looking symbol towards the top. Bear looking quite pleased with itself, the chimera ended his examination. Young girl stepping towards the counter, the chimera made immediate eye contact.

"Oh, hey, Yinlong!" the young girl said. Her mannerisms felt almost identical to the panda chimera. "What can I get for you?"

"I would like a plate of Jade Parcels, please!" Yinlong responded happily. "I'll order one for Guoba, too."

Watching as Yinlong placed his order, the hyena had begun to ponder. The young chef and the panda chimera, had they picked up each other's mannerisms in speaking? Noticing the teahouse has been a few steps away, he supposed the two could have collaborated in business in some way before. Young chef soon looking at him, he supposed his order was about to come up next.

"Great! Coming right up!" the chef giggled. "And what about your girlfriend?"

Hearing the term girlfriend used on him, the chimera did not bat a singular eyelash. Menu out in front of him, the soldier off duty read the menu carefully. Minty Meat Rolls sticking out to him amongst the many dishes, the hyena pointed to the item with a fervor. Panda chimera giving a slow smile, the chimera smiled in tandem.

"Oh, you want Minty Meat Rolls? Alright," Yinlong asked, words still slow. "Could you make a plate of Minty Meat Rolls as well? Thank you for your service!" Bowing a thank you, the second order had been stated.

Head chef looking into his eyes for a moment, the soldier off duty was ready. Did the young chef have anything else she'd like to ask? He knew that Liyue cuisine had been split into two categories and were in some sort of food war.

"I'll whip that up for you!" The young chef exclaimed, excited. "Do you want any of my special ingredients put in like Slime Secretions?" The young chef let out a tiny giggle.

Siorc could feel sweat hit his brow at the young chef's question. Slime Secretions inside Minty Meat Rolls? The chimera shook his head at such suggestion. The young chef was quite the strange young girl. Dinner cooking on the open stove in the corner for awhile, the soldier off duty stared off in silence. Hearing a loud ding ping through the kitchen after about ten minutes, the time had soon come.

Plate of Minty Meat Rolls handed over to him, and plate of Jade Parcels in the panda chimera's, the two placed the food on the wooden table next door. Second plate of Jade Parcels soon finished cooking, the panda chimera took the second plate. Brown bear standing next to Yinlong, he crouched down for a moment.

"These are for you, Guoba!" Yinlong exclaimed. Handing the bear the food, he then removed his wallet from his golden pocket. Mora being paid, the panda chimera placed himself on the wooden stool.

Bear looking happy, the chef was grinning from ear to ear. "Aww, you're so sweet!" the chef said. "Enjoy your meals!"

As he placed himself on the stool adjacent to Yinlong, the soldier off duty turned his head to the brown bear. Brown bear looking happy to receive food, the chimera removed a Minty Meat Roll from his plate. Small gift given, the brown bear gave a smile brighter than morning sun.

Devouring the meat rolls, the taste of the mint hit the hyena's throat. While the momentary mint had felt cold, the food was delectable, nonetheless. Meat rolls eventually finished, he waited for Yinlong to finish his. Panda chimera eventually finishing his meal, as well, the two headed back towards the mansion.

Jinzi family mansion completely empty when the two of them returned, a quiet slip back into his uniform had made their silent wrath known. Handing the silk dress back to the panda chimera, the soldier off duty could feel a pit of despair form inside him like a cherry. Uniform back on him, he knew he had to return to the permafrost north. The choice was not his. Knowing it was his time to go, a thank you was to be in order.

"Thank you for letting me borrow your dress, sir, it was wonderful," he said, slight emotion in voice. "Thank you for the meal as well, it was delicious." Seeing the lamps go off through the glass of the door, he knew it was his time to leave. Her Majesty would return from business at any moment. "I must take my leave now." Teleport Waypoint Proxy Orb in hand, his voice returned to one without emotion. "It was very nice seeing you again."

Yinlong's face quickly turned into a somber look. Siorc had to go back to Snezhnaya already? Such a shame, it was. They knew Fatui always had busy lives ahead of them. But, getting to spend the entire day with him had been more than enough. Before he were to teleport home, they figured one last goodbye could be uttered. Maybe at some point in the future, they could have another day of boy time alone again? He hoped such could be the case, at some point in the future.

"It was very nice seeing you again, too," they replied, words slower than usual. "If you're free again in the future, let's have some boy time alone again!" He waved to the chimera slowly, readying to say one final thing. "I'll keep up with the exercise. Boss says they're thinking of creating a new Opera Troupe soon! I'll keep working hard" A yawn presented itself as they finished speaking. A nice sleep was soon to be in order.

Waving back to the panda, the chimera highlighted the waypoint to the military barracks. Steel walled room soon upon him, the soldier sat upon the icy ground, for a moment. Realization hitting his fading human brain, the early adult's mismatched eyes opened wide.

His brain had not popped a single spark throughout the entire day. Being around a person that cared about him, would such prevent his rational brain from fading any further? Standing up from the icy cold floor, the soldier removed his uniform. Weaponized hairpins and earrings returned to the jewelry and accessory box, another thought soon hit the hyena. Glasses removed, the chimera slumped into the rock hard bed. Thought continuing to play on repeat, he could feel a spark go off within the shark center in his brain.

Her Majesty, if he were to stay as one of her Fatui for many more years to come, it would turn him into a violent puppet, for sure. Closing his eyes as the world of sleep was about to take him, one final spark had flew within the active shark center of the hyena's brain.

He needed to start planning his departure from the Fatui.

---

As for Feng and Linggui's introduction, that's in Siorc Attempts to Find Hase 6.

This happens in between stuff in Shark Nail and is probably the first of many in the finale saga, but this is the only one I've written so far.

Side Story 7. Ghosts of War, Piosa of Honor.

"Natlan has been my reckoning lately,
All of these heat source collections,
They are looping on repeat.
Looks like I am resuming
Another day of collecting.
Now, only 9 months remain.

Guess my departure is not ready yet. The Doctor,
He hasn't moved to the heart yet.
Only time will tell.
So, for now, I remain obedient. But,
Time is ticking.

Soon, I will no longer be here
Time is ticking. I'll remain
Obedient until the time comes
Really, Her Majesty, she won't suspect a thing.
Yes, obedience and silence are key."

Three months and three weeks had passed since the poison had stopped worked on the early adult's body. Eventual departure inching closer every single day, the hyena continued to work with due diligence, for the time being. Diplomatic affairs of nothing marching onward for sixty of the one-hundred-eleven days, nothing had been out of the ordinary.

Training and business affairs sometimes taking place of diplomatic affairs of nothing, everything had been the same it had always been within the frozen northern land. Generic soldier taking the place of the lynx chimera, thoughts regarding its home nation would not leave his brain. Sparks flying within his fading human brain, a violent thought raged within.

Reckless thought only getting stronger as the days marched onward, the thoughts of violence would not cease. His weaponized hairpins, he wished to use them. The Hilichurl population, it had to dwindle. The hairpins and earrings, they had to end them. Reminding himself he could not enact upon such desires, the chimera put a pin in such thoughts, for the moment.

For the next thirty days, the malpracticing malicious doctor's experiments would increase to an extreme degree. No poison of any kind working anymore, the Harbinger no longer had power over the hyena. Doctor not yet moving to experiment on the heart, an early departure had not come into fruition. Experiments coming to a halt, a familiar order had been relayed to him.

For nineteen days, collecting heat sources in Natlan had returned like a ghost on Wuwang Hill. Jackal chimera helping out for the two-and-a-half weeks, everything had been going as smooth as a nature walk in Liyue. But, an interruption would soon come. Doctor striking with a vengeance, more experiments had made their roar known to the chimera. Toxins still not working, the two days marched onward. Control within the scope of his ability, the soldier would not falter.

A week of ghostly proportions would soon await the hyena.

Upon waking up that morning, the hyena was ready for the day at hand. Knowing returning to Natlan was upon him, the chimera had rose from the uncomfortable bed. Putting his glasses over his heterochromatic eyes, the early adult had begun the morning routine of dressing the body.

As his uniform glued onto his partially human person, the chimera knew another simple day awaited him. Buttons in the correct holes, the hyena clicked the weaponized hairpins and earrings into place. Matching roses in his hair and ears, the chimera hooked the Dendro Vision to his uniform pants. Delusion glaring daggers at him, as well, the hyena shook his head.

Her Majesty's gift, it had not been time to use it yet. He knew, when it was finally time to leave, the time could finally come to use the sinister orb of dark Geo energy. Pushing the orb aside, the delusion had been out of sight, out of mind. Only eight months, and one week remained within his Fatui life. The time would soon come.

Hearing the louder than ever before clacking of the Fatui Agent boots, the hyena put on his heelless shoes. Everything on, the chimera had finished the morning routine of dressing the body. Knowing another day in the terrifying nation of Pyro awaited him, the soldier put on the most diligent face possible. Volume of footsteps eventually reaching zero, the early adult turned his attention to the door. The hourglasses' sand had reached the bottom.

"Diplomatic Soldier Siorc," the Agent called out on cue. "Your mission in Natlan is resuming today." The masked Agent gave unseen eye contact to his subordinate. Another day, another week long separate affair.

Hearing the expected outcome grace his inhuman eardrums, the hyena hid the faintest of smiles. His routine was continuing as normal. Absolutely no curveballs to be had within his Diplomatic Soldier life. Nothing odd happening within Natlan, as of late, an easy job of collecting heat sources awaited him, surely.

"Yes, sir," the soldier responded autonomously. Holding his currently human arm out, he waited for the gripping prison to take him away like it always had.

The Agent smirked from underneath the mask. Excellent, the soldier seemed ready today. "Great, let's get going, soldier," the agent responded. Arm out in front of him, the Agent gripped the limb into a firm lock. "You will be staying this time until the end of the project." Gripping prison as relentless as it always had been, the soldier closed his eyes as the escort to Natlan began.

Perhaps, just maybe, nothing out of the ordinary would happen.

***
"Guess I will be here for the week.
Her Majesty is planning something, surely.
Obviously, I will continue to do as
She commands of me,
Time is ticking. Soon, I can leave.

Only eight months, and one week remain,
For my departure to finally take shape.

While collecting heat sources is easy,
Another day passing is another day closer to leaving
Right, for now, I must remain diligent. Diligence is key.

Here's to another day of collecting heat sources.
After all, I am still a pawn on the chessboard.
Ultimately, the checkmate will
Never come. For it will be me.
The one who will steal all the pieces,
It won't be you, Your Majesty.
Get ready, my checkmate is but two-hundred-fifty days away."

Reaching an unknown city in Natlan through the Teleport Waypoint, the hyena broke out into a sweat. The area had been as sweltering at it usually had been. The terrifying nation of fire had been exactly the same as it had been three days prior. Wiping the sweat off his brow, the hyena walked towards the medical clinic. Door creaking open, the early adult stepped inward. White walls burning like the sweltering heat outside, the chimera took a quick deep breath.

Closing the door behind him, the sight of Loba had appeared within his damaged field of vision. Seeing her with pills in her right hand, the chimera shrugged his shoulders. She was taking her lifeline right now, waiting until she was done was mandatory. Loba turning around after a few minutes, the young soldier put on the most diligent face possible.

Hearing the sound of the door open a few minutes before, Loba had been ready for the call to action. Being told by Her Majesty Siorc would be continuing to work on the project over the next week, she was resolute. Knowing though, he could not work wearing his current uniform, giving him a temporary Natlan uniform had to come into fruition immediately.

"There you are, honey," Loba said. Her voice was as soft as it had always been. "We are resuming Her Majesty's project today." As she said such, she stepped into the back room, for a moment. White uniform in hand, she returned to the outside. "Before we begin, you need to change into your Natlan uniform."

White uniform handed to him, the chimera removed the brown jacket with due diligence. Natlan uniform melting onto his partially human person, the hyena turned his head to the jackal chimera. But, a loud sound of the medical ward door swinging open soon interrupted any form of thoughts within him.

Slamming the door open in a panic had been two Natlan stationed Fatui linked together by the arms. Fatui not wearing masks, their eyes had been oddly visible on private display. But, such had not been the only oddity. Second Fatui's legs burned with lava all over, the soldier let out a gulp. Fire was a terrifying element, indeed. Fatui looking ready to speak, the soldier stayed silent.

"Miss Loba, something pulled my partner into the lava!" the Fatui said frantically. "Please, treat his burns!"

Human Fatui telling their outlandish tall tales again, Loba gave the retched human soldiers a cold look. How ridiculous these stupid humans had to be to come up with such wild lies to explain their incompetence to her. Hydro Delusion soon on her uniform and silver orb in hand, the rapid fire healing session had begun.

Hydro Delusion forcing torrents of water on the ridiculous human Fatui client, the sinister projectiles surrounded the patient. Dark water hitting the wounds, the white walls glowed a dark aura. Burns soon gone after about ten minutes, the session had been completed. Burns gone, the cold look remained.

"Your partner is healed now," Loba said, words bitter. There was no softness to be had for a human. "Now, leave my sight and go back to work." Fatui leaving the premises, she then turned to Siorc. "Sorry about that, honey. We should get going."

Satchel placed on his back as they prepared to exit, Loba placed his hand into her own. Medical door swinging open, the two stepped outside. Being told he would be collecting heat sources from the hot springs over the next two days, the soldier would not falter. Knowing Loba would guide him onto safe paths, fear had temporarily left the building.

Loba removing a bottle from the satchel, the work had been divided into five. He supposed such was a given, for the day at hand. Removing a bottle from the bag, as well, the hyena took a long deep breath. Fear being a corpse in the lava outside, the hyena unscrewed the small bottle. Cap pried off, the soldier dipped the bottle into the searing hot water in front of him. First bottle filled to an adequate amount, the early adult screwed the cap on tight.

Four more times, only four more times.

Dipping the second bottle into the water with a silent roar, the hyena attempted with the best of his ability to not let the growing heat surrounding him win the battle. Second bottle dipped into the scalding water of volcanic creation, the chimera would not falter. Task being easier with five being split between Loba and he, the second bottle had been filled to the brim.

Three more times, only three more times.

Screwing the cap off of the third bottle, the hyena took a deep breath. The heat was beginning to get to him, but he knew he could not let the terrifying nation of Pyro win. Bottle filled up to full, he screwed the cap on as fast as possible. Fourth bottle in his hands, he swore he could hear the heat begin to laugh at him.

Fourth bottle soon filled to full, the hyena unscrewed the cap off the fifth and final bottle. Heat laughing at him again, the chimera had broke out into a sweat. The heat was about to win the battle, surely. Dipping the final bottle into the scalding water, the sweat had scaled a mountain. Spring water filling the small container to full, the hyena screwed the cap on with due diligence.

Loba soon finished with her side of the work, all ten bottles had soon returned to the satchel. Job being done for the day, his hand had once again been intertwined with Loba's. Escort to the medical ward happening faster than his human eyes could follow, the job for the day had been a success.

Medical door creaking open, a sight to behold awaited the two chimeras. Loba's parents within the medical ward, the soldier blinked. Had multiple clients come into the medical ward while the two of them were away? He supposed the heat of Natlan would lead to many Fatui casualties. Loba's parents turning to her, the hyena turned his head in the opposite direction. Family talks needed the utmost of privacy.

"Loba, a lot of clients came in today," her mother informed her. Her father then joined in on the conversation.

"Many of the Fatui who came in today said they were pushed into the lava," her father chimed in.

Loba dragged out a long sigh. Had the stupid human Fatui been continuing their lies? Her Majesty's human Fatui were just making up excuses for their incompetence, for sure. Hearing the same report on repeat for the past three days, the excuse would run out at some point.

Hand let go of, Siorc watched as the Kawu family stepped into Loba's office in the back room. Figuring they had a private meeting, the hyena stayed behind within the medical ward. Conversation going on for about an hour, the soldier recalled what the Fatui had said various hours before.

The claims about something pushing the Fatui into the lava, could it have been true? Knowing Loba did not believe them, for a second, the possibility of them lying was not out of the missing picture. But, he supposed, if there was truth to the claims, he would have to proceed with caution.

Loba's parents soon leaving after about two hours, a meal had been provided to him. Cold Noodles with Mountain Delicacies as cold as ice on his tongue, heat had been shot with a sniper rifle on the battlefield. Feeling a wave of tiredness a few hours later, the chimera crawled into one of the medical beds. Recalling he was told to stay in Natlan until the project reached its end, the early adult closed his eyes as the world of sleep took him away.

Waking up the next morning was a sight to behold. Hearing multiple Fatui complain they had been pushed into lava by a mysterious force, the hyena could feel a smidgeon of unease twist his partially human stomach into a singular knot. Seeing more than six Fatui within the medical ward, the claims had no longer seemed outrageous for the situation at hand.

Hydro Delusion soon equipped onto Loba's partially human person, dark waters had soon surrounded her. Torrents of black waves surrounding the Fatui's wounds, healing of delusional properties had shook the medical ward to its very core. Session done after about twenty minutes, the Fatui exited the medical ward. Although, another person had soon come into the room.

Aega soon entering the medical ward in her usual revealing attire, the hyena stood up from the medical bed. If Aega had been here, it had been time to get ready to collect more spring water, surely. Temporary uniform soon on him, the chimera prepared to stage his exit. Other jackal chimera looking like she had something to say to Loba, the early adult turned his face to the wall. Privacy was mandatory.

"Sorry for not helping out yesterday," Aega apologized, bowing her head. "I was on a date with my partners." Raising her head, she moved towards the medical cabinets. "But, I can help today. And mom and dad should be coming in later."

Hearing her sister apologize, a small smile had formed on Loba's lips. What did her sister have to apologize for? Her spending time with her boyfriend and girlfriend on one of their rare dates together was nothing to be sorry for. Hand on her sister's shoulder, reassurance had soon flocked her way like a bird.

"You don't need to apologize for spending time with your partners," Loba replied. Siorc looking ready to go, she placed a satchel on his back. "Thank you for helping me out. Tell mom and dad I said thank you, as well." Siorc's hand within her own, she readied to stage her exit. "I'll see you later. We have work to get done."

Hot springs soon upon him after about fifteen minutes, a strange feeling had come full circle. Something had felt incredibly off within the air. The air around the volcanic hot springs, had it been much colder than normal? Siorc shook his head. He had to have been imagining it, surely. Natlan was always hot. There was no way the air had been colder than it was yesterday. Shrugging his currently human shoulders, the soldier unscrewed the first cap off the bottle.

As the first bottle hit the scalding water of volcanic activity, the hyena swore he could feel a tap on his shoulder. Did Loba want something from him? Turning his head to the left, a realization had tapped his other shoulder. Loba looking busy with her side of the work, there was no way she could have had time to tap his shoulder in between. Concluding it had merely been his imagination, the early adult screwed off the cap on the second bottle.

Second bottle dipped into the scorching waters, the soldier could feel an even more intense tap on his shoulder. Figuring his mind had been playing tricks on him, the hyena kept working. But, the tricks would not cease, even for a moment. Taps increasing by the multitude as the minutes raged onward, the chimera kept his attention on his work. There was no time; the distractions could not win.

Third bottle dipped into the scorching water of volcanic activity, the air had only begun to get colder as the minutes unfolded. Seeing Loba's Vision placed by her side, the hyena shrugged. Perhaps, just maybe, her vision had been making the air cooler. But, the oddities soon continued.

Taps getting more violent as he finished filling the fourth bottle to full, the hyena let out a sigh. Whatever tricks his mind was playing him, he knew he had no choice but to ignore them. Fifth and final bottle in his hand after about a minute, the taps to his shoulders had reached their most aggressive state.

Final bottle's cap unscrewed, the air had been ice cold, like the permafrost north. But, he knew he had to bear it. The job had almost been done, for the day. However, an obstacle would soon come his way. Feeling the aggressive taps soon become painful pinches, the soldier let out a yelp. Shaking his head, the chimera regained focus.

Scalding water filling the bottle to an adequate amount, the hyena screwed the lid closed with a fervor. Fifth and final bottle finished, the soldier placed the his side of the work into the satchel, but as he was about to close the bag shut, a voice of anger had soon breezed through the oddly cold wind.

"You'll regret this, Fatui!" an unknown voice shouted.

Siorc tiled his head to the sky. Where had that voice come from? He had to have been hearing things, surely. The sudden change in the temperature was playing far too many tricks on him, for sure. He supposed if such were the case, ignoring the tricks was all he could do, for now. Loba placing her five bottles in the satchel, the two chimeras returned to the medical ward.

White walls soon engulfing him, the sight of a tired Aega graced his damaged line of sight. Had it been yet another busy day in the medical ward? The twins parents being nowhere to be seen, could Aega have been dealing with Fatui's burns solo? But, the early adult shook his head. Making assumptions out of nowhere was wrong of him.

"Loba, mom dad and I had a lot of clients again today," Aega said, exhausted. "A lot of the Fatui stationed in Natlan had severe burns again." She could feel her fatigue begin to bottle into a rocket. "I know you scoffed at their report of someone pushing them into lava, but something amiss is going on here."

Hearing the stupid human Fatui's ridiculous claims again, Loba let out another scoff. The outrageous claims from the incompetent humans was never going to come to an end. But, she supposed if the reports were going to keep coming every single day, ignoring their possible excuses would only become harder.

"They're just stupid humans making excuses for why they failed," Loba sighed, words icy. "But, I'll look into it."

Hearing Aega make the same claims her parents had the other day, the soldier rose an eyebrow. Had something been going on within Natlan he did not know about? Knowing Murata had been a war driven ball of anger, perhaps, just maybe, she had been the one pushing the Natlan stationed Fatui into the lava. If such were the case, would Loba be able to do anything? The Pyro Archon was her nation's god. Going against her would lead to the terrifying Archon of Pyro to bring down a flame of retribution, for sure.

Loba stepping into the back to cook, for a moment, a meal had been served. Dish known as Amala served to Aega and he, the culture of food hit his taste buds. Yam dish tasting incredibly sweet, a delectable meal had been devoured. Twins discussing further what to do going forward, the hyena listened in silence.

Twin jackal returning home, and Loba exiting into the backroom, silence had soon filled the medical ward. Placing himself in one of the medical beds, the chimera closed his eyes. As the world of sleep invited him back in, one thought looped on repeat within the chambers of his fading human brain.

Maybe Murata was angry.

***

Dreaming had still been a tormenting ordeal within the adult chimera's subconscious mind. Such cycle was a never ending pattern even within his adult life. The pattern of anguish would grab ahold of him like a bully pushing a child down onto the cold hard ground. Such fight inside him would continue in the night before him, as well.

Before him had been a setting not so different from the land in the mortal, waking world. In front of him had been a large mountain of volcanic activity. Molten lava pouring outward to the ground surrounding him, the hyena gulped deeply. Had the Pyro Archon been angry with him, as well? Seeing such a landmark, a scene of utter torment awaited him.

As the dream minutes continued, an unfamiliar face had soon joined the party. Standing by the lava had been an odd looking partially human person. The person was tall, almost fifteen centimeters taller than him. But something had been odd. The person's feet were practically transparent, as though they were not supposed to be there. Short brown hair that went down to about their ears, and hair parted mostly towards the left in some sort of pixie cut, another oddity had presented itself. The person's eyes had been pitch black with small pupils. Had the person's eyes been inhuman? Lizard tail on their backside, and militaristic looking clothing almost as transparent as their feet, the chimera ended his examination.

Seeing an angry look on the person's face, a wave of unease devoured the chimera. Person not looking anything like anyone from Natlan whatsoever, the feelings of unease continued. He could not help but feel the person that was nearly transparent had been out to get him. Backing seven steps away, the person had begun to float towards him. Continuing to back away, however, was a failure. Dead end soon reached, the transparent partial person had been meters away from him. Lizard tailed individual looking ready to speak, the soldier had no choice but to listen to the possibly not real person.

"I tried to say hello to you today, but you ignored me!" the unknown person shouted, anger growing. "For that, you'll pay!"

Person's feet still transparent, the hyena turned his head in the opposite direction. Not having heard anyone saying hello to him during the day while working, the soldier shook his dream head. There was no way. He had not seen anyone within the nation that even looked like them. Not dignifying the person with a response, the chimera stayed silent, but such was a mistake.

"So, that's how it's going to be," the person said, floating towards him. Their hands were on the chimera's chest. "Here's a warning for you!"

Hands of nothing pushing him forward, his body and the lava had met. Seeing his dream body melt away, a labored scream had broke loose from his throat. His body was boiling, melting; vanishing. Perpetrator soon gone, the hyena closed his dream eyes as his subconscious body became no more.

Fire was a terrifying element, indeed.

***

Waking up in the middle of the night, a heartbeat of intense unevenness had raged within. Terrifying dream flashing in his mind for a brief moment, the painful heartbeat only continued to grow in intensity as the seconds raged onward. Pain not ceasing, even for a moment, a labored scream broke out from the chimera's throat.

Pained screams waking her up, Loba had rushed over to Siorc's bedside in an instant. Seeing him looking as though he had been having an arrhythmia episode, she knew immediate action was necessary. Placing her hand on his chest, she readied herself to steady the patient.

"I'm here now, it's going to be okay," Loba whispered gently. "Take a deep breath with me." Heart beating rapidly beneath her hand, she took a deep breath. Patient following her flow, she continued her breaths. "Keep going, honey, it's going to be alright. Deep breaths, okay?" With every reminder, the heartbeat beneath her hand had begun to dissipate into normalcy. "We're almost there. Keep up the deep breaths, okay?" Heartbeat soon returned to normal, she removed her hand from his chest.

Pained rhythm in his chest exiting, the hyena closed his eyes. Had his scream woken Loba up? He knew, in the morning, he would have to apologize for such action. World of sleep once again taking him away, another tormenting dream awaited him.

Upon waking up for the morning, unease had begun to nibble on the cartilage of his ear. Even more Fatui coming into the medical ward with burns, another family affair of healing had been on private display. But such had not been the only moment of unease. Being told he was to collect molten crystals for the next two days, fear had wrapped vines around him.

Destination reached within fifteen minutes, the feeling of unease would not cease, even for a moment. Dream from the night before flashing in his mind, for a moment, his heart had skipped more than three beats. The person in his dreams, could they have been related to the incidents of the Fatui being pushed into the lava? Knowing he would be right beside a field of lava, he knew he had to be as cautious as possible.

Being told he had to fill up five bottles today with molten crystals, the chimera let out a gulp. Air feeling as cold as ice once again, the soldier kept an eye out for anything unusual that could possibly befall Loba and he. Bottle in his hand, and another in Loba's, the early adult unscrewed the cap.

Dipping the bottle into the molten lava below, the chimera could soon feel a tap on his shoulder. But, he knew he had no time to respond to whatever could have been going on around him. He had no choice; he had to focus on the work at hand. Dark red crystals soon filling the bottle, the soldier shut the bottle tight.

Four more bottles to go, only four remained.

Two more bottles removed from the satchel, the hyena unscrewed the cap. But, as he dipped the bottle into the lava, he could feel a sharp pinch on his shoulder. But, he had to keep going. The choice was not his. Second bottle filled to the brim with molten crystals, he shut the lid tight.

The lava would soon be beneath the chimera's feet.

As the hyena had begun to dip the third bottle into the lava, the soldier could feel something begin to push him. Body near the lava, his shoes had begun to melt. Heat beginning to rise as the lava burned his shoes to nothing, the hyena let out a labored scream. Feeling the heat begin to come for his legs, the scream had only begun to get louder.

Hearing the scream, Loba had turned towards Siorc in an instant. Seeing Siorc towards the lava, Loba had sprinted towards him. Attempting with all her might to bring him to safety, she would not falter. But, her attempts to get him away from the lava were futile. Unseen force pushing him in deeper, panic had grabbed her around the neck tight.

"I said you'd pay for ignoring me!" the unknown voice said on the oddly cold wind. "This is punishment!"

Knowing she had to be quick, Loba's vision glowed beside her. Lava around him freezing, the burning had soon come to a halt. Pulling Siorc out of the molten bed, she placed him in a sitting position. Quickly finishing off the rest of the bottles, the job had been completed. Legs looking as though they had suffered severe burns, immediate action had to be taken.

"We're going back to the medical ward," Loba said firmly. "I need to treat your burns right away." Taking his hand, their palms had been intertwined.

Not registering anything that had just happened, the soldier stared in silence. Escort back to the medical ward as numb as the cold air, his stare off into space continued. Unable to feel Loba treating his burns as well, the world was a bubble ready to pop.

Light meal given to him, everything had been numb. Meal devoured after about an hour, silence had once again engulfed the medical ward. Burns covered up under gauze, numbness roared into overdrive. Slipping into the numb medical bed, the soldier closed his eyes. Another tormenting dream awaited him in the land of the subconscious.

Upon waking up the next morning, Siorc knew he had to snap out of the trance. Loba's parents and Aega shortly arriving after he had awoken for the day, an oddity had made waves in the medial ward. Aega saying she would be helping out, fear had hugged the chimera from behind. Wouldn't Aega be put at risk of being attacked by the invisible person if she came along? But, no such question would leave his lips.

As the group of three headed towards the destination, the division of labor between them had been discussed. Being told Aega and he would only fill up three bottles each, the area had soon been reached. Bag soon opened, the chimera removed a bottle from the satchel. Aega and Loba taking theirs, the hyena proceeded with caution.

Air around him feeling cold, he knew, that at any moment, a sea of lava would soon await him. Dipping the first bottle into the molten lava, red crystals had soon filled the container to the brim. Three bottles between them soon done, the chimera proceeded to fill the second of three, but a strong force had soon been concentrated on his backside.

Force pushing him into the lava, his legs had sunk straight in. Letting out a labored scream, everything had begun to burn. Feeling his legs surrounded with flames, the screams continued. But the twins would soon come to his aid. Lava around him soon frozen, and wind current created, his hands had been grabbed. Current thrusting him forward, he had soon been ordered to sit.

Wind current soon dissipating, Aega turned her attention towards the sky. The force that had pushed every Fatui into the lava, why were they still continuing their rampage? Whatever the force's motives were, causing harm was not the way to go about anything. Putting her foot down, she had begun to call out to the force, whether they could hear her, or not.

"Stop what you're doing!" Aega shouted, but a voice would instantly fire back.

"I'll make you Fatui regret what you did to me during the war!" the voice barked back.

Hearing the response, everything had come to Aega in an instant. The invisible person, they had to have been one of the causalities in one of Murata's many wars. Had they become a ghost seeking revenge on the Fatui? Seeking revenge or not, such could not go on. There had to have been other ways for the spirit to direct their anger than pushing hundreds of Fatui into the depths of lava.

"You know, causing harm to others just because you feel angry isn't the answer," Aega chided. She paused for a moment. "Just because you're dead, doesn't mean we can't talk this out." But, her words were futile. Ghost soon laughing on the wind, rejection had flown in like a bird.

"You can't stop me!" the ghost responded. "I'll make everyone pay!"

Filling up the bottles as the conversation had been going, the work had been done for the day. Siorc's legs having even more burns than the day before, she knew immediate action had to be taken. Looking towards her sister, the two guided Siorc towards the medical ward.

Burns numbing the outside world once again, the world had soon been nothing. Feeling had gone; nothing remained. Legs practically covered with gauze, everything had been gone. Meal tasting like nothing as well, the hours passed by in silence. Aega returning home, and Loba soon exiting into the back room, the soldier climbed into the numb bed of unfeeling. Closing his eyes, a thought played on repeat within the chambers of his fading human brain.

Fire and lava were terrifying, indeed.

***

Waking up the next morning the soldier would not falter. Perhaps, if he did not ignore the unknown force, they would finally leave him be. Would mouthing a simple greeting to them satisfy their growing anger? The chimera supposed it was worth a shot. Although, a terrifying order had come his way after getting ready for the workday at hand.

He would be collecting lava today.

But, the chimera knew he had no choice but to do what was ordered of him. Departure still a long ways away, doing anything to anger Her Majesty before the time had come was absolutely out of the question. Aega, and the twin's parents soon entering the medical ward, the escort to the location had begun.

Volcanic lava soon beside him, the hyena had gulped at the sight playing out as he stepped forward. Multiple Fatui pushed into the bed of lava, a chorus of screams had echoed throughout the area. Being told by Aega the unknown force was a vengeful spirit, extra caution had to be exercised if he wished to live to see the next day.

Seeing an army of Fatui screaming for their lives, Loba's vision had begun to glow. While she had no interest in saving any humans, she knew she would be a failure as a medic if she had not responded to the call of action. Bed of molten activity soon frozen, the army had soon been pulled out. Telling them to teleport to the medical ward right away, the army had been gone within an instant.

Vengeful spirit ready and on the prowl, the soldier prepared himself to wordlessly respond when the time had come. First bottle filled with molten lava within minutes, the soldier could feel the predictable tap on the shoulder. First bottle filled to the brim, the soldier turned his head towards the sky. Mouthing a hello, the hyena prayed to the Anemo Archon he was no longer supposed to worship. He had hoped ghosts could read lips.

Not being pushed towards the lava, the hyena could feel relief begin to hug him tight. Had the ghost actually been able to read his lips? Not being able to see them unless in the dream world, assumptions were all that he could muster. No danger present, the hyena screwed the cap off the second bottle. Lava filling the container within seconds, sweat had mounted on his brow.

Air feeling warmer all of the sudden as he dipped the third bottle in the lava, the hyena had come to wonder. Had the ghost left the area, for the moment? Unable to see spirits whatsoever, knowing for certain was an impossibility to be had, for sure. Air soon sweltering as normal, the sweat had formed a mountain.

Fourth bottle dipped into the lava, the heat had soon been at its peak. But, the soldier would not falter. Only two bottles between Loba and he remained. Trying with all his might to bear with it, the chimera would not falter. Twisting the cap on the fourth container, the early adult reached for the final bottle.

Final bottle soon filled to the brim, the hyena slammed the lid shut with a firm grasp. Loba finishing her side as well, the ten bottles had soon nestled into the bag like a bird's nest, the two returned to the medical ward. Entire family still within the medical ward upon entering, a conversation had occurred between the three of them. Knowing nothing they were discussing between them was his business, the soldier turned his head towards the opposite direction.

Family heading back home, a light meal had been provided for the chimera. Given a dish known as a Pita Pocket, the soldier devoured the new food. Item looking like some sort of sandwich wrap, the hyena devoured the wrap rather fast. The vegetables had a slight spice to them, but they had been delectable, nonetheless.

Night soon reaching the midnight hour, the soldier placed himself in the uncomfortable medical bed. Two days of Her Majesty's project remaining, he knew he would still have to heed with caution if the ghost had not been satisfied with the results of today. Fatigue soon coming his way, the chimera closed his eyes.

Waking up the next morning was a sight to behold. Standing in the medical ward had been an unknown person. Standing up from the bed, the soldier examined the person with due diligence. Standing by Loba had been a person slightly shorter than everyone else in the room. Person looking to be about five centimeters shorter than him, he continued his observation. The young person looked to be no older than sixteen, he supposed they had to have been younger than him, but he knew looks did not mean someone was a certain age. The person had short red hair that went down to about the chin. Some bangs messier than others and two small pigtails on the top of the head, the hyena stepped closer. Red ribbon that looked like a butterfly poking on the top of the head, the early adult kept the observation going. Dark skin typical of those who lived in Natlan, and pitch black eyes with extremely tiny pupils, the man ended his examination.

Seeing the person, the hyena could not help but wonder. Could they have been related to the Frog porcupine chimera he had seen at the last time he had been in the medical ward? But, he knew such question could not leave his lips. Questions were not allowed to him as a Fatui Soldier. Young person looking ready to speak, the chimera backed four steps away. Space was mandatory.

"Are you Aega's sister?" the person asked. "My brother told me to come here."

Siorc tilted his head towards the ceiling. Had something else happened while he was sleeping? But, there had been no time to ponder. Loba looking ready to respond, the soldier turned his head towards her direction. Had something urgent come up? He supposed he was about to find out, if such were the case.

"Yes, that's me, honey," Loba responded. Her words had been soft. "Are you my sister's boyfriend's sister?"

Seeing the possible frog porcupine chimera place their hands behind their back, the hyena kept watching from afar. Young chimera looking to be in some sort of rush, an answer was about to come at the medical ward fast, for sure. Hands soon beside them, a response had bounced off the white walls.

"Yes, I am his sister," she responded, words rushed out the door. "But, there's no time for that." They then turned to the stranger on the other side of the room. "I need you two to follow me." But an interruption had soon come.

Medical ward door opening, Aega had soon joined the battle. Asked to come along, as well, she had soon walked over towards the group of three. Seeing her boyfriend's sister in pure white clothing, she readied herself to greet the young woman. Waving to the other two quickly, she crouched to looked at everyone's eyes one after another.

"Cloch, there you are," Aega said to Cloch. "Is everyone ready to go?"

Loba and Cloch nodding, the chimera nodded in tandem. Cloch soon leading the way, a long path had been traversed. Eventually stopping towards what looked like had been a former warzone, the hyena tilted his head. Seeing an odd looking set of branches across the warzone, wanderlust had continued to eat away at the chimera. Whatever was about to happen, he knew he had no choice but to observe.

Cloch soon stepping back, the branch had soon been touched. Spirit soon appearing in front of everyone, the hyena could feel a sense of familiarity. The person materialized from the branch, they had been the same person within his dream the other night. Had they been the ghost pushing himself and other Fatui in the lava? If they had something important to say, he supposed it was only fair to hear them out. Ghost looking ready to speak, the soldier gave eye contact.

"Hello, I suppose this isn't the first time you have all encountered me," the ghost said, almost too formal for a member of the undead. "I am, or was, rather, Zephyr Piosa."

Hearing the name Zephyr Piosa, no bells had been rung. Just who had this Zephyr Piosa person been? He had never come across such a person before during any of his trips within Natlan. Had they been someone who had died hundreds of years ago? But, the chimera shook his head. If such had been the case, he would have learned about it back in his stolen childhood.

Hearing the name Zephyr, a memory had wedged within Loba's hormonally corrected brain. She had recalled hearing about the legendary warrior Zephyr Piosa in the past. Having died a decade ago in one of Murata's wars, perhaps their spirit had been wandering around Teyvat ever since.

Having heard from her boyfriend and Cloch in the past their adopted siblings had been taken in after their neighbor Zephyr had died in a war, Aega had known exactly who the ghost had been. Despite all that, they had taken everything too far, as of recent. Having only become friends with her boyfriend a year or so after their passing, she had only heard tales, up until now.

"I miss you, Zephyr," Cloch lamented. "Papa adopted your siblings. They're happy and safe from war, I promise!"

The chimera tilted his head at such revelation. If children had been adopted, there was no way the person had died hundreds of years ago. He supposed, if their death had been recently, it would not be something he would have ever become aware of. Aega looking ready to say something as well, the hyena observed in silence.

"My boyfriend misses you, too," Aega responded, but her next words had almost sounded scornful. "But, you need to tell us why you've been causing problems. Many people were severely injured because of your actions!"

Ghost looking ready to tell their story, the chimera focused his attention on them. He knew, no matter what, he had to listen to them. If he were to ignore them once again, another world of pain would come his way, for sure. Spirit looking rather pained, a pity cherry had soon formed in his stomach as the story was about to unfold.

"I died because a Fatui shot me down in the war," Zephyr explained, words dragging on the wind. "And ever since, I've been a wandering spirit. I just wanted to get a little bit of revenge before it was my time to go." They paused for a breath moment, looking as though they wanted to breathe through their gone lungs. "I never wanted this." Ghostly tears had begun to fall on their transparent face. "I never wanted to be a part of the war. I wanted to become a shadow boxer, and provide for my family after mom and dad died." The ghostly tears had begun to hit the ground like rain. "I'm sorry for all the trouble I caused over the past week."

The chimera could feel a sharp pain in his heart from Zephyr's story. Hearing everything, he knew. He had to apologize. Apologize for ignoring them when they had been attempting to engage with him the first time he had encountered them. Despite all the trouble they had caused, an apology was owed in full. The other Fatui that had gotten hurt, maybe if he had not ignored them, their injuries could have been prevented.

"I am sorry for ignoring you," Siorc said, voice barely audible.

Zephyr explaining themselves, regret had begun to hold Loba hostage. Maybe if she had listened to the annoying human Fatui earlier, more injuries could have been prevented. Ghost apologizing, however, the burning incidents would likely come to a crashing halt, soon. Recalling they had said something about their time to go, perhaps, the apology was their last stretch before finally passing on.

"No, I'm sorry for causing you so much harm," Zephyr responded, regretful. "I shouldn't have tried to get revenge. But I could no longer control myself after all this time." There was pain in their voice. "I promise I will stop, but could you light an incense by my grave? I don't have much time left."

Dead deserving respect, the chimera nodded. Zephyr guiding everyone towards their grave, an incense had already been left aside as though it was supposed to be there. Incense soon lit up, the hyena placed his hands into a praying position. Burns caused to him by the spirit or not, disrespecting the afterlife was an unforgivable sin.

"Be well in Celestia," Aega said to Zephyr. Cloch's voice had soon joined the party.

"I'll let everyone at home know you said goodbye," Cloch said, praying. "Be well in the gate beyond the mortal realm!"

Seeing Zephyr cry, the hyena signed take care on private display. Did the ghost understand sign language? The soldier did not know, but he had no energy to speak, at the moment in time. Loba soon saying goodbye, as well, a light had soon engulfed the spirit. Had time run out?

"I don't know if I'll be taken to Celestia, but," Zephyr responded to everyone. "I'll try to be well, in the world beyond." Light about to engulf them, one final set of words had been within their soon to be former ghost throat. "Tell my siblings I'll always be watching over them." Light soon swallowing them whole, the ghost had been no more.

Conversation coming to an end, the hyena and Loba had begun their return to the medical ward. Aega saying she would be heading to her boyfriend's house with Cloch, the group had soon separated. Medical ward returned to after about half an hour of walking, everything had been over within a flash of a light.

Not doing work for the day, everything had been quiet. As the hours went on in silence, the hyena had come to wonder. Zephyr's story returning a thought within the active shark grooves in his brain, the chimera thought back, for a moment. Recalling seeing a lizard tail upon Zephyr in his dreams, the early adult had come to wonder. Just how many chimeras were truly suffering in and beyond Teyvat? Thoughts looping on repeat for hours on end, sleep had eventually taken him, for the evening.

Final day of the project soon upon him, the hyena would not falter. Needing to collect lava one final time, five bottles had been divided between the two of them. Knowing by now where the safe spots were, the soldier quickly dipped the first bottle into the molten bed. One bottle soon becoming two filled containers, the early adult moved onward to the third bottle.

Third and fourth bottles soon filled to the brim, the hyena unscrewed the cap of the fifth and final bottle with due diligence. Loba soon finished with her side of the work, as well, the two placed the ten bottles into the increasingly heavy bag. Job finally done, the two soon returned to the medical ward. But, as soon as they returned, a predictable set of words had bounced on his inhuman eardrums.

"Before you return to Snezhnaya, I would like to examine you," Loba said sternly.

Knowing he could not refuse, the chimera had sat on the uncomfortable medical bed. Every single article of shirted clothing removed, his chest scar had been on private display. The scar on his chest was a hideous sight to behold, but he knew he had to bear it, for a moment. Loba soon returning with medical equipment, the hyena waited for the medical examination to begin.

Medical equipment on, and patient looking ready, Loba leaned inward. Metallic heart instrument upon her partially human person, she placed the chest piece in the center of Siorc's sternum. Metallic object and heart soon linked together through sound, she listened carefully. Heartbeat sounding normal, a small smile graced her face. Medical instrument removed, she sat next to the hyena.

"Your heart rate seems normal," Loba said blissfully. "Everything seems to be alright. But, keep your legs wrapped in gauze for at least a week, alright?" Stepping out for a moment, his Snezhnayan uniform had soon been returned.

Uniform soon returned to him, the hyena put every article of clothing back on. Examination being over, he knew that was his cue to return to the military barracks. Teleport Waypoint proxy map in hand, he turned to Loba one final time before it was time to return for the evening.

"Thank you for the help, ma'am," Siorc replied, voice barely audible. "I will take my leave now."

Seeing Siorc preparing to leave, Loba knew she had to remind him of one more thing before leaving for Snezhnaya. While his heartbeat had been normal for the moment, flare ups were still a possibility in the future. Knowing the burns could also cause some pain as well, she knew she had to remind him about his health one final time.

"You're welcome, honey," she replied, words still soft. "If you experience another flare up at any point, or you're experiencing any pain, please teleport here directly." Her voice was sharp, like a tack. "Take care." Waving goodbye, she did not avert her gaze.

Goodbyes being given, the hyena highlighted the Teleport Waypoint to the military barracks. Fast travel over within a split second, the soldier headed towards the supply closet. Leaving the collected heat sources in the closet as he had been instructed to various times prior, the early adult closed the door behind him. Job finally done, he returned to the soundproof room.

Everything removed and nightfall soon reached, the hyena slumped into the uncomfortable bed. But, a sea of thoughts had soon come his way. Just how many chimeras had been suffering in and beyond Teyvat? The scorpion chimeras in Enkanomiya, and the frog porcupine chimeras, they had not been the only chimeras suffering, surely.

Wave of fatigue soon taking him for the evening, one final thought had begun to play on repeat as the world of sleep were about to take him away. If he were to ever leave the Fatui like he planned, perhaps, just maybe, he could help the chimeras suffering. World of dreams calling him back in, one final thought played on repeat in his fading human brain.

Eight months remained.

You know what I just don't care anymore to keep this unpublished.

So, anyway, I wrote these in 2022, so. Loud disclaimer.

I WROTE THIS WAY BEFORE FONTAINE EVEN CAME OUT SO IT'S NOT AN ACCURATE DEPICTION OF THE AREA WHATSOEVER

I wrote this for 2022 Valentine's day. It's one of three Robin Raven anthologies I wrote. ... Anyway

Robin's Baking Disaster

"To my knowledge, soon it'll be three years,
Has it been that long already?
Raven and I, it feels like we only started dating yesterday.
Even as it is fast approaching, I must do something
Even if money is tight, he is my everything.

Yes, I know what I want to do
Every boyfriend loves a good desert and meal,
All I need to do is just do it myself.
Ready to tackle the villain in my kitchen
So get ready, the heroic hawk will serve his first baking duty."

It was a late spring afternoon in Fontaine. The warming waters of justice flowed unchanging as the deciduous trees had to begun to bloom through the heroic growth of nature. Foliage revived undisturbed as multiple monsters of villainy were defeat with valor leaking throughout. Everything was the same as it ever was for the Hydro nation of Justice.

Such sameness was evident, even for the the two bird chimeras glued to the hip. Hunting prey and bounties like they always had within their territory on a damp afternoon, nothing had been out of the ordinary for the two partially human men. Hydro Axe Mitachurl bounty being taken, the birds of prey were vigilant, as always.

Such vigilance was about to end with an electric fury.

Robin stood in his fighting stance with valor. His black hair blew on the damp warming breeze. Raven's elemental powers through his book not damaging the creature, he was ready to end it. Bow in hand, and purple orb glowing with a ferocity, the heroic hawk of justice was ready.

Arrow being aimed at the monster, the weapon flew through the damp air with a purple crackle. Horned creature hurling torrents of water from the distance, the arrow and creature met with an electric frenzy. Lightning surrounding the monster, a scream resonated through the damp area. Hydro Axe Mitachurl fading into nothingness, a large yellow banner saying, "bounty complete," stretched through the sky. However, such banner was not visible to the two bird chimeras.

Enemy no longer being of the world of Teyvat, he placed the bow and arrow into the basket situated on his back. Justice had been served on an electric platter once again. Battle being over, one thing, and one thing alone dominated the hawk chimera's bird brain. A date was a coming up, a special, significant date between Raven, and he.

It was about to be their three year anniversary of being a couple.

Figuring his lover had already planned something in advance already, Robin had a plan of his own in mind. Mora being tight, but the significance of the day being ever important, an idea plopped an egg into his bird brain. If a restaurant date was not financially possible, then a home made desert with a mother provided side dinner would suffice. He knew, knowing Raven would be fine with anything, the absence of a restaurant date would not disappoint him. Resolute on his decision, Robin attempted to motion his lips to speak. But, as such words were about to form, a realization cracked the egg seated within his bird brain.

The early adult male did not know how bake or cook, not one little bit. In all his eighteen years of living, his mother had always done the cooking and baking. But, just this once, until the skill solidified within him, he wished to take the baking wheel. Cheese being a staple within Fontaine's culture, the cracked egg shattered within the chambers of his brain.

He would make chocolate, and cheesecake for Raven for their three year anniversary. His mother always loving to cook when his partner had been around for an evening, he supposed having her do the dinner could still suffice. Knowing such idea had to remain a surprise, an mere invitation would have to do, for the moment in time. Firm on his plan, Robin again motioned his lips to speak.

"Raven," Robin said, voice resolute. "Come over to my house tomorrow evening." His golden eyes shimmered across the afternoon sky.

Hearing his partner's invitation, Raven's loose hair on top of his head twitched about. Anticipating Robin had a a surprised planned for him, and already having a surprise planned ahead of time for his lover in turn, a wide toothed grin graced his face.

"Have something planned for me, hon?" he asked boldly. His loose hair continued to twitch about on the top of his head.

Raven getting his idea right on his human nose, Robin's face immediately grew crimson. Almost nothing had gotten passed his boyfriend. It was almost as if the two of them were on the same wavelength. Red invisible string tied around his currently human finger, he simply nodded.

Seeing his lover nod, a toothy grin beamed from ear to ear on Raven's face. Bounties not paying as well as they had been lately, an alternative anniversary plan was never out of the question. Regardless of what the alternative plan was, anything Robin planned would be lovely, for sure. Sun beginning to lower in the sky, his falcon wings had been summoned onto his back.

"I'll be looking forward to it, then," Raven responded happily. His words were on top of the clouds. Wings fully on his back, he hooked his arm around Robin's. "Let me fly you home?" His smile grew wider with every word spoken.

Looking up at the darkening sky above him, a nearly inaudible sigh released from his throat. Was it evening already? Time had snuck up on him fast. Partner's wings already being on his back, Robin closed his eyes for a moment. Hawk wings being present on his back, he opened his eyes. Both of their wings being out, he grabbed Raven's hand. Wings flapping, the two had become airborne immediately. Wings being a natural phenomenon for the two, flying from one place to another within minutes was as easy as walking for the two lovebirds.

House being below them within three-hundred seconds, the two descended to the ground. Closing his eyes again, the hawk wings on his back vanished within an instant. Ready to end the evening to prepare for the day to come tomorrow, he turned to Raven one final time for the day.

"See you tomorrow evening, Raven," he said in a soft tone. "Goodnight." He placed his currently human hands on Raven's shoulders and rubbed them softly before placing his hand onto the doorknob.

Feeling the brief touch of of Robin's strong hands on his shoulders, a happy sigh released from Raven's throat. If there had not been a curfew in place by his family, he would return his touch in kind. But time was not a luxury in the evenings.

Robin turning the knob on the door, Raven waved a quick goodbye. "See you tomorrow, hon," he called back. "I'll be here in the evening."

Door shutting slowly behind him, Robin breathed in deeply. Kitchen within his field of vision, he strolled over to the oven. Contraption being before him, an instant sense of heroism entered his bird brain. Justice mode on within him, a thought of valor played within his mind.

Justice will prevail. He will bake the most heroic cake ever.

***

"Can already guess what Robin has planned for me,
And I have a feeling he is going to struggle with this activity,
Knowing of that possibility, I will come by his house early.
Early bird gets the worm, as they say."

When he had woken up for the morning, Robin had rose from his bed immediately. Never having baked before, he knew the ordeal would take the entire day. Explaining to his mother the day before his anniversary surprise, ingredients and instructions had been left out for him on the countertop.

Beside the instructions had been various ingredients. On the countertop had been a heart shaped chocolate molder and a rolled up pastry bag. Did his mother have such objects lying around? It was almost as if such objects were conveniently placed to move a story along. On the other side of the counter had been a circular baking tin with a small boat of cream cheese, unfertilized eggs not laid by his chimera mother, a jar of sugar, odd looking crackers he had never seen before, a lemon wedge, and an odd box labelled vanilla.

Ingredients before him, he looked down at the instruction book laid out before him. As such reading was about to occur, he could see his mother step into the kitchen with him. Reading being interrupted by her presence, he lowered his eyes into a glare momentarily.

Seeing her son readying to start his baking, a wave of motherly aura surrounded her. Being told of his plan to bake his boyfriend a cheesecake, helpful energy leaked through her. Cooking and baking being one of her favorite pastimes, nosing around had become of the mother of separation.

"Do you need any help?" she asked in a motherly tone. "I could help you with the cheesecake." Her voice was leaping with excitement.

Mother's interruption gracing his ears, Robin's eyes twitched about. What absolute injustice it was of her to ask him to help on the cheesecake. He would make his boyfriend the cake all on his own. So help him, Hyrdro Archon, he will do so.

"Absolutely not, mother!" he screamed, face as red as a tomato. "Go hunt for groceries, or something!" He gulped as his accidental rudeness propped out; he corrected his tone of voice. "You can make the dinner. Raven loves your cooking." He turned his head to the side eyes faced away from his kin.

A small sigh released from the mother's throat. How just like Robin to want to do something he was resolute on completely on his own. Such was the nature of her son she had always been used to. Grocery plaza not being too far away, she supposed leaving for awhile to let him being alone could suffice.

"Okay," she said in defeat. "But, if you need my help, feel free to holler for me through the window." As she said such, she walked over to the house door. "I'll see you in a few hours."

Mother having exited, Robin returned his attention to the instructions. Figuring the chocolate would have been easier, he walked over to the chocolate mold in a heroic vigor. Brown pastry bag in his strong hands, he read the instructions quietly. On the paper, it had said, "put a dollop of melted chocolate into the baking tray." Instructions being easy enough, he placed both his hands on the small pastry bag. Melted chocolate squirting out of the tube, the tray filled up nicely. Entire tray covered with the desert, he stared down at the mold. Just how would such liquid become a solid, he wondered? He supposed time in the oven would tell.

Placing the tray into the oven, he stared at the cheesecake instructions in front of him. Reading some of the words on the page in front of him, he tilted his head. What in archon's name was an ounce and a teaspoon? Such words were a foreign language to him. Supposing his mother had already put the amounts he needed upon the table, he wrinkled his nose at such unknown words before him.

Foreign words deleted from his bird brain, he read the baking instructions carefully. Page telling him to place the graham crackers, whatever those were into a machine. Machine of Fontaine creation being in the corner, he did as instructed. Machine eventually dissolving the strange brown cookie bread, he removed the ingredient from the machine. Being instructed to place the crust, whatever that was, into a bowl, he spread it into the bowl heroically.

Hard layer done, he read the next instruction on the page. Page telling him to pour melted butter and sugar into the pan, he twisted off the cap of the sugar with a justice induced valor. Sugar poured in, and butter mixed inside, he motioned his finger onto the third instruction with a gentle poke.

Seeing the words filling on the page, he tilted he head. Filling? What, in all of Teyvat, was filling? Strange Fontaine machine with metal clasps on the bottom, he placed the cream cheese into the mixing bowl. Other ingredients dumped in, the machine roared like a Mitachurl in the open wilderness. Everything being combined, he read the final instruction on the page in the filling section, he cracked the eggs and placed them into the mixture. Battle being done, he read the last words carefully. What in all of Teyvat was aluminum foil? He had never heard of such object before. Opening one of his kitchen cupboards, he removed the object and wrapped the bottom of the glass in the odd paper metal.

Cake being ready to put into the villainous oven, he opened the door to the contraption for the second time. Placing the cake into the contraption and closing the door, he looked at the numbers on the dials carefully. Not reading the first instruction of preheating the oven, he cranked the dial to the highest setting.

Cake and chocolate in the oven, he stared out into space at the wall by the door of his house before him. The cake in the oven, would it turn out alright? Would Raven enjoy the first thing he had ever baked? As such stares to the front door continued for awhile, a strong smell of smoke infiltrated his nostrils.

Cranking his head to the kitchen, a horrifying sight awaited him. The oven was smoking. As the oven smoked about, he could feel his currently human feet scream out to him. Running around in a circle, he screamed about the kitchen in an uproarious manner.

The smoke, surely, the elements could help dissipate the smoke the oven. Smoke was of Pyro creation, was it not? Realizing such, his running circle of panic grew more frantic as the seconds raged onward. Hyrdo? Could Hydro help the situation at hand? Realizing there had been no Hydro neighbors within his area, a yelp broke from his throat.

If Hydro had not been accessible, surely, Anemo, wind, wind could put out the smoke raging about in the oven. Panic boiling inside him, his feet run about into a circle. Anemo, surely Anemo could dispel the villainous smoke in the menacing burning oven before him. Opening the window, he readied to allow the wind to do the heroic job of dispelling the smoke.

As he opened the window to allow the wind to invite itself in, a loud knock perpetuated at the door. Had Raven come already? Had evening already arrived? Robin did not know, time had begun to blend together like the mixer in the kitchen. Figuring the smoking villain could wait, he sprinted to the door in seconds.

Creaking the door open slowly, the sight of Raven in fancier than usual clothes graced his golden eyes. His brown hair had been down, like the day the two of them had met almost eight years ago during various tutoring sessions at a library. Had it really been almost three years ago they had started dating? It felt like yesterday.

Opening the door all the way, he looked up at the cloudless sky of justice above him. The sun had still been out. Had it still been daytime? Had Raven come by the house early? Nothing within his bird brain had been working, at the moment. All that remained within him was the image of his brown hair and outfit.

His boyfriend was so incredibly attractive today.

"Raven, you're here early!" he cried out, eyes twitching as the smoke in the kitchen continued to smell. "I wasn't expecting you this early!" He let out a nervous laugh as the smoke continued to billow.

Crinkling his nose, the smell of smoke entered Raven's nostrils. Deciding to swing by his house early because he suspected something, Raven lowered his eyes into a worried state. Suspecting his partner was attempting to cook for him after the house invitation, he stepped into the house in an instant.

"I smell smoke, hon," he announced, voice absolute. "We need to take care of this." Resolute on his decision, he sprinted into the kitchen as his decision ended.

Oven being in front of him, he could see the smoke flowing through the door wildly. Placing Pyro resistant pads onto his currently human hands, he opened the door to the cooking machine. Removing the objects from oven, he placed the cake of blackness into a Pyro proof bag. Chocolate charcoal and cake in the trash, he turned to his partner.

"Let's remake it together, Robin," he said. "Properly this time. I know how to bake."

As the words had been said, Robin's face grew crimson. Remake the cake and chocolate together? But, the desserts were supposed to be a surprise. Surprise being ruined by the villain of an oven's smoke, he lowered his lip into a pout.

"That's not fair, Raven," he pouted, justice leaking throughout his voice. "I wanted to surprise you." His arms were glued to his hips. The surprise had been ruined, what an absolute injustice.

"Well, my boyfriend is bad at cooking, so I have to save the day," he responded back with immediately. "So let me help you bake this properly."

Hearing his boyfriend stating he would help him rather than ask it as a question, Robin knew there had been no backing away from such. He supposed help from his lover wouldn't be all that bad. Perhaps, just maybe, the cheesecake would come out right with the two of them working together.

"Of course, Raven," he said in a soft tone. "Let's start with the chocolate."

Brown pastry bag still having enough melted fluids to be used, Robin poured the liquids into the mold for a second time. Brown covering the silver tray, he turned to Raven, who had been by the villain of an oven. Oven being off, he titled his head to the left for a moment.

Having seen the temperature dial on the oven at the maximum setting, Raven could feel a tease sit at the tip of his tongue, but he pushed such away, for the moment.

"You set the oven temperature too high," he said sternly. "You need to get it to one-hundred-seventy-six Celsius." Turning the oven back on, he placed the dial into the correct position. Oven eventually being at the right temperature, he motioned his hands to the baking tray. "I'll put it in the oven; take out more ingredients for the cake." His voice was stern, but loving.

Doing as instructed, Robin removed more of the ingredients he had to use for the cake. Removing another base for a cake, he placed the ingredients and base onto the kitchen counter. Chocolate eventually being removed from the oven, he turned to his partner.

"Do we have to preheat the oven again?" he asked, his voice was in a stupor.

"Yes, hon," he responded immediately. "But, I'll do it." Placing the dial into the correct position, he placed himself next to his partner. "Let's start again. I'll measure everything."

Being alerted to the concept of measurement, Robin simply nodded. Would measuring the ingredients correctly make a better dessert? An invisible smile formed on his face. If this foreign concept of measuring the ingredients would making a better cake, then he would make the most heroic cheesecake of justice ever.

Ingredients being correctly measured, and cake eventually being completely redone with the assistance of Raven, the cold tin of decorated bread had been reinserted into the oven. His partner explaining the cake would have to sit in the oven for an hour, the two placed themselves onto the couch in the fireplace room.

Bird chimeras entwined upon the couch, the two nuzzled one another lovingly. Forty-five minutes coming to pass, the nuzzling had reached its end. Returning to the kitchen after fifteen minutes, Raven placed the pyro resistant
pad onto his currently human hands again. Cheesecake baked perfectly this time, he placed the yellow decorated bread desert onto the counter to cool.

Figuring his mother would be home any minute, Robin placed plates upon the kitchen on the counter. Utensils placed upon the table, the two waited. Door creaking open, and dinner ingredients being in hand, the mother had returned within the abode.

"Ms. Truand, welcome home," Raven said in a welcome tone. "I always love your cooking!" A warm smile graced his face.

"Thank you, dear Raven," the mother replied, warmly. "And I enjoy your company."

Ingredients for Fontaine Stir Fry being removed from the bag, the mother placed the meats into the stove one by one. Flame being set, a meter appeared underneath the stove pot. Hitting an orange zone, a ding pinged throughout the room. The dish had come out perfectly. It was almost as if, in the world of Teyvat, cooking was a game. Dividing the stir fry between the three of them, the mother of separation placed the plates onto the table.

Food being devoured, noises of bliss echoed through the home walls. Very rarely having gotten to eat with Robin due to his family's strict curfew rule, the moment at hand was a priceless one to be had, for sure. Dinner coming to its eventual end, Raven placed the cheesecake and chocolate onto the kitchen table.

Dessert being on the table, the mother of separation turned to her son. "Mind if I have a piece?" she ask permissively. "I know it was a surprise for Raven, but it looks scrumptious." Her mouth watered a smidgeon.

Surprise having already been ruined, Robin shrugged his shoulders upward. He supposed it was his fault to begin with for sending her away and not reading instructions properly.

"Yes, mother," he said, justice gone from his voice. "I am sorry for sending you away earlier." But such sentence was interrupted with a small laugh from his mother.

"Well, Raven helped saved the day, didn't he?" she chuckled. "Water under the Hydro Archon's bridge. Let's have the cake and chocolate!" Knife in hand, she sliced the cheesecake into three pieces.

Piece of decorated bread upon his plate, Robin stabbed the fork into the boyfriend assisted dessert. As the fork and cake met his mouth, an invisible smile graced his face as he devoured the confectionary upon his plate. Slice nearly being finished, the invisible smile inside him grew larger.

The cheesecake tasted like love.

---

I wrote this so long ago that I just want this out before August. Please keep in mind this has been sitting left to rot since February, 2022. So.

Again,

I WROTE THIS WAY BEFORE FONTAINE CAME OUT AND IT'S NOT AN ACCURATE DEPICTION OF THE AREA.

This was written for 2022 Lantern Rite.

Lantern Rite's Foreign Lovebirds

"Likely going to tell him today,
About that festival in Liyue, that holiday.
Now, I don't know if he will agree,
To go on vacation with me,
Even so, nonetheless, I want to say,
'Robin, let's go on a weekend vacation'
Never have I asked him this before,

Really wonder what he will say.
I'm a man, with another male.
Truly, I know not everyone will accept us, or me.
Even so, I want to see them with him. Those lanterns that gleam."

It was a winter afternoon in Fontaine. The cold waters of justice flowed unchanging as the sheets of ice melted with every warming day. The waterfalls poured ferociously undisturbed as multiple monsters of villainy were defeated with heroism leaking throughout. Everything was the same as it ever was for the Hydro nation of Justice.

Such sameness was present, even for the two bird chimeras glued to the hip. Hunting prey and bounties like they always had on a bright afternoon, nothing had been out of the ordinary for the two partially human men. Ruin Guard bounty being taken, the two birds of prey were vigilant, as always.

Such vigilance was about to be disturbed by romantic suggestions.

A young adult male bird chimera stood in his fighting stance with valor. His brown well kept hair blew on the damp breeze. Ponytail swept to the right side, the wet air did not touch the dark hair of dandiness. Book of magic spells in hand, and yellow-green orb on his waist, no vagrant monster was about to disrupt the man's natural flow of being. Final Ruin Guard within the bird's bounty work being upon the two of them, the young man was ready.

This readiness, however, was for a different reason. In the evening hours when the glue had come undone, various thoughts of romantic escapades leaked through his lovebird brain. Recently coming across a foreigner visiting from the Geo nation of contracts, an interesting fact had been delivered to him at an eardrop. Stranger requesting a portable device for fireworks for some upcoming festival known as Lantern Rite, an unfertilized egg dropped onto the ground beneath him.

Having been together with his partner for many years, talks of vacation had never yet occurred for the two Fontaine lovebirds. Interest continuing to fertilize inside him, the desire only continued to grow within the chambers of his bird brain. Doing research about the upcoming festival, the chimera man knew one thing, and one thing only.

He wished to take his boyfriend to the festival for a weekend getaway.

Knowing the festival was days away, he knew it was time to crack the egg of silence. Wearing his fanciest outfit to their hunting outing today, the time had come. The egg of his plan had to hatch right this instant. Resolute on the decision, the young adult turned to his lover mid-attack.

"Hey, Robin," the lover said. His loose hair on top of his head twitched about. "Do you want to go on vacation?" The loose hair upon his head continued to move about as the question rolled out. "I have a place in mind I want to take you."

Hearing his lover speak the word vacation, justice mode depleted from within Robin's brain immediately. Ruin Guard still being on the loose, and electric infused arrow being in his currently human hands upon the revelation, the weapon missed the monster gracelessly. Large robot still living another moment, he turned to his partner. Bow placed in a resting position, the adult bird chimera studied his lover for a moment.

Seeing his lover's outfit, his face became a bright shade of vermillion. Feeling his hawk wings ready to pop out at any moment, the word vacation continued to cycle through his mind. His partner, Raven's outfit, it had been far fancier than it had normally been. Why had he been dressed so incredibly dandily today? Seeing him in such incredibly fancy clothes only made the shade of crimson upon his face stretch further.

Questions continued to buzz inside his bird brain as the word vacation continued to echo inside him. Vacation? Where did he want to go, and where did he get such idea from? What would his parents think if he went on vacation alone with him? Would they allow for such? No matter how many question buzzed within him, he knew he had to ask his lover. Crimson on his face continuing its rampage, he readied his round of questions.

"Vacation?" Robin asked, words incredibly flustered. "But what will your parents think?" Knowing his parents had not known about the nature of their relationship, he pondered if the two of them going somewhere alone would raise suspicion. "Won't they ask questions?" More questions flooded inside him, but the image of Raven's fancy clothes removed any rational thought that remained within him. Ending his questions, the man placed his two currently human index fingers together. What would his lover respond with? Time begun to move slow as he waited.

Arrow having missed the mechanical creature, Raven opened his book of magic spells out in front of him. Yellow-green orb glowing on his waist, long vines released themselves from the confines of the tome. Roots hitting the large machine with fervor, defeat resounded in the area within seconds. Ruin Guard fading into nothingness, a large yellow banner saying, "bounty complete" stretched through the sky. But, such banner was not visible to the two bird chimeras.

Enemy no longer being upon them, he closed the book and placed it upon his waist. Yellow-green orb slipping into the hole upon the book like a certain deaconess, the bird turned to his partner. The look on his face was an enamoring one to be had, for sure. His usually angry looking gold eyes looked flustered, just like the crimson shade upon his face. Black left swept ponytail becoming slightly damp from the moist air, the sudden urge to twirl his hands in it were about to take his bird brain over. But, he knew such urges would have to wait.

He knew Robin would ask such question. Having an excuse for his parents in mind, all the questions his partner had had a sufficient answer in return. No enemies being present within the frosty grassland hill the two of them were situated upon, Raven walked over to his lover gently. Excuse egg cracking, he readied his explanation.

"I'll just say I'm going with a friend," he replied softly. He reached for his loose black curls. "My parents won't say no if I say that, hon." Currently human hands laced into Robin's black locks, he twirled his boyfriend's hair like a wooden top. "Do you want to?" Hair between his fingers, a tiny sigh broke through the chambers of his throat.

Feeling Raven's fingers twirling his hair, any amount of justice inside his brain exited the building. Noting he had said he'd tell his parents he would go on vacation with a friend, interest had begun to break the unfertilized egg inside him. If such answer were already thought up, Robin supposed the idea of a vacation was not a bad one. Warming up to the idea like a mother bird sitting on her unborn egg children, the crimson upon his face lowered into a shade of pink.

Being open to the idea did not leave the door closed to concerns. If the two were to go alone somewhere, would those abhorrent Fatui tail behind them and try to take Raven away again? If such were to happen, justice would be served upon an electric platter. Such concern had not been the only one plopping yolks around in his birdbrain. Bounties not being plentiful, and Mora between them being a limited resource, the questions continued to swirl within his occupied brain. Not being told yet where his partner had in mind, the yolk ran through the egg haphazardly. Placing his hands upon Raven's cheek as his hair twirling lessened, the questions had begun to leak out of him.

"So, where do you want to go?" Robin asked. His currently human hands caressed Raven's cheek gently as the other questions poured out. "What about Mora?" He moved his hands to his shoulders, massaging them in a light tap. "And the Fatui? If they disturb us while we're alone again, I'll let them have it." The purple orb on his waist glowed ferociously as such phrase was uttered. Justice rearing its head, the pink on his face dissipated.

Feeling Robin's strong hand on his shoulders, a brief, but happy sigh released from Raven's throat. Knowing all the questions his partner would ask him, the bird had all his answers prepared ahead of time. Falcon talons about to break out from the excitement inside him, he leaned himself onto his hawk's stomach. Such acts would not distract him from the questions at hand, however. Answers prepared, Raven steeled himself.

"I want the two of us to go to Liyue," he responded, his voice was soft, but sharp. His loose hair had once again twitched about. "There's a festival I want to take you to." He rubbed his head upon Robin's chest. "It's called Lantern Rite." His loose hair continued to wiggle about on the top of his head. "We'll have more than enough Mora between the two of us, and they honesty wouldn't let Fatui into this festival." Removing his head from Robin's chest, Raven turned to look at his partner eyes. A toothy grin was present upon his face. "So. What do you say, hon? Do you want to go?" His smile would not cease, even for a moment.

Robin sighed a puff of relief upon hearing Fatui would not be allowed in. If such fact were true, the hawk chimera supposed taking a short vacation in the Geo nation of contracts wouldn't be so bad. Justice and contracts went hand in hand. Removing his hand upon Raven's shoulder's he sat himself down upon the cold deciduous grass.

"Of course, Raven," he said in a blissful tone of voice. "When do you want to go?" He couldn't possibly refuse when he had been in such a fancy outfit, anyway.

Agreement melting inside him, Raven sat down upon the Dendro dominion below him. Comfortably seated, he readied to tell his partner the time window of the vacation plans at hand. Festival being mere days away, the egg of knowledge dropped onto the grass below.

"How about over the weekend?" Raven asked, his tone of voice was soft, but inviting. "I believe the festival starts around then." Resolute on his decision, his words were sharp against his soft voice.

Hearing the word weekend leave his boyfriend's lips, the shade of crimson returned upon the hawk's face. Weekends usually being free from hunting bounties or prey, the man could not help but feel the convenience of the timeframe picked. Preferring such timeframe over a hunting day, he darted his golden eyes over to Raven's brown pupils.

"The weekend is fine," he said, sweat pouring down his back as he looked into his partner's eyes. "We would have been together, anyway." He tacked on with unnecessary flair. Everything had been conveniently laid out, indeed.

Second agreement melting inside him, small hearts formed within Raven's eyes. Plans coming into full fruition, he rose to his currently human feet. Sun beginning to lower in the sky, his falcon wings had been summoned onto his back.

"It's a date, then," Raven responded happily. Bliss had been leaking through every word he spoke. Wings completely on his back, he hooked his arm around Robin's. "Let me fly you home?" He tugged on the sleeve on his hunting clothes with a gentle pull.

Seeing his partner's wings on his back, Robin closed his eyes for a moment. Hawk wings being present on his back, he opened his eyes. Falcon wings already being upon his partner's back, he grabbed Raven's hand. Wings flapping, the two had become airborne within seconds. Wings being a natural occurrence for the two, flying from one place to another within minutes was an easy feat for the two lovebirds.

House eventually being below them, the two descended onto the ground. Closing his eyes again, the hawk wings on the jet black chimera's back vanished within an instant. Readying to adjourn for the evening, he turned to Raven one final time for the day.

"See you tomorrow, Raven," he said in a soft tone. "Goodnight." As he uttered such, the hawk turned the knob on his house door.

Watching as Robin opened the door to his house, a wave graced Raven's currently human hand. "See you tomorrow, hon," he called back. "I'll see you in the morning."

Door shutting slowly, Raven staged his exit to his home, he had once again been airborne. His partner's home becoming smaller as he got farther away, his face became scarlet as thoughts about their vacation plans flooded his tiny bird brain. He had heard that, during Lantern Rite, people often make wishes upon lanterns. Realizing such fact, his face grew redder as the thoughts of their weekend getaway continued to flood through his brain like the Archon of Justice's waters.

He knew what he would wish for.

***

"Just thinking about the weekend coming,
Unleashes feelings of oddity within me,
Sharp hunting skills have been on lost on me, lately.
To be honest, I do not know why this is.
I'm a hawk, I should always be hunting ready.
Could it be all the
Excitement inside me?

How incredibly silly of me,
All these thoughts of our holiday coming are impeding
While I would never admit to my excitement outwardly, it is
Knocking on my door, ever so impatiently."

Multiple days of hunting speeding by, the weekend had rushed by as fast as a Samachurl's rain dance in the open wilderness. Vacation possessing the thoughts of justice within him like a ghost, performing his hunting duties had become a temporary difficulty for the hawk chimera. Raven defeating the bounties while his head rung with vacation nonstop, nothing else had registered within his birdbrain. It was almost as if, an invasive sets of ones and zeroes had reset him back to a beginner's level of fighting prowess. Such had been a trivial matter at hand, for the moment at time.

Today being the day, Robin paced around his bedroom with a nervous quiver. Dressed up in his fanciest purple shirt and Fontaine suit instead of his hunting clothes, his feet marched around in circles. Any moment now, Raven would show up like he had always done. Very rarely wearing dandy clothing, the man's back and forth movement continued onward for minutes on end.

As such frantic exercise motioned into repeat, a small knock could be heard from the other side of the door. Knock being as soft as it usually had been, Robin readjusted his currently human feet. Turning the knob, the door creaked open with a passionate fervor.

On the other side of the door had been a heartstopper to be had, for sure. Before his golden eyes, was Raven in his fanciest outfit he had ever seen him in. His suit was pitch black, with a white silk finish on the top. Teal bowtie in the center of the silky blouse on top, and black stockings covering his smooth legs, Robin's face glowed red like a tomato in the open wilderness. Brown hair being completely down, he swore if he turned any redder, his Electro Vision would become a Pyro one.

Raven was so incredibly extra attractive today.

Seeing his partner as red as an apple, Raven's face became rosy in tandem. Seeing his reaction to his outfit being more than enough of an answer for him on how he felt about his date clothes, a toothy grin graced his face.

"You look smashing today, hon," he said, charm leaking throughout his voice. He linked his silk clothed arm around Robin's. "You ready to go?" With his free hand, the falcon chimera reached into his suit pocket. Object being removed, seated in his unoccupied hand had been a strange orb of unknown origin. "When I told my parents I'm going to Liyue, they let me borrow this." He placed his occupied hand into an open position. "It's some map device, they told me." Device being named, he opened the orb into map form as his conversation ended.

Seeing such an odd device laid out in front of him, a puzzled look graced Robin's face. Recalling having seen strange red fork looking objects littered throughout all of Fontaine, an egg of wonder hatched within his birdbrain. Looking over at the map device in front of the two of them, the hatchling of wanderlust inside him lamented further. On the map had white triangular pins with a blue center. Seeing such pins on the map, a slow, but sure thought ruminated within his mind.

They definitely were not flying to Liyue.

"We're not flying there?" Robin asked, voice in a confound stupor. Map stumping him further, more questions leaked through. "Is that map going to take us there?" Intelligence had left the building. Where had his smarts gone?

Seeing his partner's confusion, Raven knew explaining the map to him to come into an immediate fruition. Highlighting one of the pins towards the southwest area on the map near a harbor looking area, he readied his quick explanation of the ordeal about to go down.

"I guess you could say that, hon," Raven said. His tone of voice was soft, but informative about the situation at hand. "My parents told me I have to highlight this pin over here and press the word 'teleport'." He let out of a quick sigh before continuing. "I believe teleporting is a fast travel? Once I press this button, it will zap us there in an instant, they told me."

Hearing the explanation, another puzzled look grew upon Robin's face. Instant travel from one place to another? Technology was a strange tool to be had, for sure. He could feel his heart flutter at the thought of being zapped from one location to the next. Squeezing his boyfriend's hand tight, slight fear made a meal out of him, but he would never speak of such outright.

Feeling his lover squeeze his hand tight, Raven pet Robin's palm quietly. Perhaps a slight tease would make him feel slightly better about the newness of fast travel? The falcon supposed it was worth a shot.

"You silly birdbrain," he said, teasing tone present throughout his voice. "We're not going to get zapped zapped there." He laughed a smidgeon. "Just moved from one place to another at the speed of light. It won't hurt, hon."

Revelation that bolt of electricity would not transport the two of them to Liyue, relief flooded through the hawk like the Hydro Archon's justice. All information being presented to him, the man simply nodded to the previous question asked about being ready. The time had come for the vacation to begin.

Taking the nod as confirmation, Raven pressed the teleport button below the pin highlighted upon the map. Teleportation being registered, he quickly closed the map into orb form. Map returned into the hole of his suit pocket, he grabbed ahold of his boyfriend's hand within a split second.

"Close your eyes, Robin," spoke Raven swiftly. "Teleportation is very blinding." Hand interlaced with Robin's, he closed his eyes.

Doing as instructed, Robin closed his eyes. Both eyes being closed, the teleportation to Liyue had begun. Teleportation being just as blinding as expected, his eyes stayed firmly shut. Eventually hearing the sound of festivities grace the eardrums, the two opened their eyes as the fast travel had ended.

Their weekend vacation was finally upon them.

***

Odd blue device dropping Raven and he near a bustling area of major activity, Robin examined the area before him like a stakeout mission for a city bounty. Before Raven and he had been multiple restaurants and food vendor booths. Multiple Liyue citizens buying food and placing it in colorful boxes, a thought deposited itself within the two bird chimeras.

Lips salivating, and the constant advertisement of Chop Suey blaring through the air, temptation had begun to devour their very souls. Feeling the need to break the silence, Robin motioned his wet lips to speak to his possibly also salivating partner next to him.

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking, Raven?" Robin asked nonchalantly. He could feel his mouth continue to salivate further.

"Yes, Robin, I'm thinking we should get some 'cheap and tasty chop suey'." Came the immediate response from Raven. Their wavelength had been in synch. "I think the voice came that way." He pointed his currently human hand to a generic looking woman within a bird's eye view.

Seeing the person in question being pointed out to him, Robin interlaced his hand with Raven's. Wavelength being the same, the two walked over to the owner of the deep feminine voice constantly shouting about chop suey at the top of her lungs. Shouts soon being within their eardrums.

The owner of the voice had been a woman of generic stature. Everything about the woman screamed unimportant. Plain appearance presented before the two of them, the appearance did not register for the two lovebirds.

Seeing potential customers in front of her, the woman of generic stature prepared herself. Switch clicking about, her usual spiel kicked into overdrive within a second's time.

"There's nothing better than piping hot Zhongyuan Chop Suey!" the generic woman exclaimed. Her voice sounded automatic, and robotic. "There's only one fool who would ever say otherwise!" It was almost as if ones and zeroes determined such was the only thing she could say when being talked to.

Hearing such a robotic line being said, Raven turned to Robin. Being the one of the two that could better speak to the generic people littered throughout Teyvat, Raven motioned his lips to speak to the robotic food merchant singing praises about her merchandise.

"Verily so, miss," Raven said, dandiness had been present in his voice. "Two Zhongyuan Chop Sueys, please."

Hearing the young man's accent, the woman of generic stature crinkled an eyebrow. Regardless of such, the zeroes and ones were an overpowering phenomenon within the confines of her body. Removing the food from her food cart, the woman of generic statue's next automatic line played into motion.

"That will be 13,200 Mora," the woman said. Deep voice still littered with a robotic tone.

Hearing the amount needed to be delivered, Robin shuffled through his suit pocket. Mora pouch being out, he readied to pay the merchant, but as such action were to be carried out, he could see his lover's hand blocking the opening of his pouch.

"I'll pay for the chop suey, hon," Raven said in a matter-of-fact tone. He then turned to the generic merchant. "Here you go, miss." Mora being handed to the merchant, he two took the plates hungrily. Bench to the other side, the two placed the food onto the wooden table in front of them.

Food finally being in front of the two of them, Robin stared down at the dish for a few seconds. On the plate had been an orange meat gripped onto a stick. Underneath the meat had been rows of light green vegetables. Living in Fontaine with food being heavily reliant on cheese, such sight was a new one to behold, for sure. Despite such unknown dish, quiet excitement boiled inside him like an egg on a stove.

Examination ending, the hawk ate the chop suey slowly, but surely. As the food digested, a slight singe of spice hit his throat. While such feeling was unusual, it had not been an uncomfortable one in the slightest. Meal finished, he waited patiently for his lover to finish his meal in tandem.

Meals being finished, the bird chimera's hand interlaced for the second time. Walking around the harbor, the scenery had been absorbed into their partially human bodies. As their connected stroll sauntered onward, multiple facts had graced the couple's birdbrains. During Lantern Rite, people would often give gifts of foods to others. It had become apparent as their joined stroll kept going: Liyue was a cuisine rich nation. Food had been quite the flourishing resource within the Geo Nation of contracts.

As their stroll continued, something of particular peculiarity graced Raven's brown eyed field of vision. With the scenery of the harbor had been multiple lanterns having been hung up on every street corner. Evening almost being upon them, the lanterns glowed a deep orange. Recalling the man who had asked for a firework device, the falcon remembered what he wished to do. The reason he wished to bring his lover to Liyue.

A lantern, he knew he had to get Robin a lantern.

Remembering there had been a lantern stall nearby, the glue upon the hand and hip had come undone. Resolute on his decision, Raven's legs broke out into a sprint. Lantern merchant being adjacent to him, the falcon readied himself to purchase the lantern.

Feeling the glue come undone on his hand and his lover sprint away, shock radiated throughout Robin's birdbrain. Realizing what he was about to do, his face had become crimson within seconds. Had Raven already beaten him in purchasing a lantern? Absolutely unfair. Timing was a cruel beast of burden.

"That's not fair, Raven," Robin pouted, justice leaking through his voice. "I wanted to get you a lantern first." He then turned to the merchant as the lantern appeared in his lover's hand. "I would like a lantern, too, if you'd please." Handing the Mora to the merchant, an orange lantern graced his currently human hands.

Seeing his boyfriend buy a lantern as well, a gleeful laugh escape Raven's throat. The two of them were thinking of the same thing, were they? Their wavelength had been the same as it had ever been, even within the faraway jade moon nation of Liyue.

"Looks like I beat you to it, hon," he teased, playful tone evident throughout. "Exchange lanterns with me?"

Robin's body became crimson to such a question. Exchange lanterns with him? Was that even a necessary question? Taking his boyfriend's lantern, the hawk chimera placed his lantern into Raven's hands. Lanterns being swapped, he pulled his partner closer. Colorful lights blazing through the sky, their bodies intertwined as the sky lit up with many colorful, booming shapes. Bodies intertwined, Robin moved himself towards his falcon's lips. Raven's lips meeting his own, they melted together happily. Sounding of a loving smack drowned out by the fireworks, his very being tasted like raspberries.

"Seems you did," Robin eventually replied in between the intimate moment. "But this lantern you gave me will be my heroic prize forever." Holding the lantern tight, his face had only become redder as his words tumbled out. Love was a funny emotion sometimes.

Hearing Robin's cheesy hero line, a chuckle echoed throughout the harbor. The lantern would be his heroic prize forever? What a silly, but expected line from his hawk. Pecking a kiss onto Robin's cheek, another toothy grin graced his face.

"You silly birdbrain," Raven replied with serenity. "I'll be your prize tonight." His heart fluttered as the sky lit up. Colorful crackles of fire continuously lighting up the sky, Robin pulled his partner closer once again. Free hands not occupied by a lantern laced together, and bodies intertwined, Robin and Raven's lips made their second meeting. Second sound of a loving smack drowned out by the fireworks, his very being melted within him.

The Fontaine lovebirds were silly birdbrains, indeed.

---

Old.

Again,

I WROTE THIS BACK IN 2021/JANUARY 1, 2022 AND IT IS NOT AN ACCURATE REPRESENTATION OF REAL FONTAINE

Fontaine's Lovebirds

Right, today is the day
Eve of the new year,
So, on this day, this moment, I will finally say
Oval ring in my back pocket, with
Luminescence shining, brightly.
Violet red cheeks, the love bug bit me.
Every day, I've been thinking about my hawk, so I'm ready.

Matrimony, it just sounds so lovely
After all, I just want to make him happy
Relatively, forever, and always
Ravens may be pitch black, and
I'm far from the perfect man but
All I wish is for my hawk to be happy
Gleeful, in matrimony
Even though it's a secret from my family.

For now, my resolve is strong,
Aspirations are high, at their peak
Letter paper on my table, I write.
"Come to the fountain, hon,"
On this day, I will finally be ready.
No justice will be able to stop me.

It was the final day of the year within the nation of Fontaine. The icy wind of justice blew through the air damply as the leftover snow fell off the trees. Performances within the city plaza were bustling as the day continued to march forward for the final time of the year. Such was a grandiose sight to behold on such a winter day. Festivities were as high as ever within the nation of justice.

Festivities would be of a different shade and color for two particular lovebirds today.

A young adult male bird chimera sat on his bedroom desk chair quietly. A feathered pen not plucked from his wings sat on the root of his chin dutifully. Normally, on an afternoon day, the man of justice would be out hunting prey for the family. Such had not been the case, at this particular moment in time. Given a day off by his mother from his usual ordeals, the hunting bird continued about his pondering in silence.

The partially human man had quite the plain appearance to him for a Fontaine born citizen. He had long jet black hair that went down to his waist. Despite such length the hair was feminine to absolute no one who knew him. The hair had been partially pulled back into a left swept ponytail protruding from the back side. His eyes were golden, like finches seen throughout the open wilderness in Teyvat. Plainness continued throughout the outfit he wore. His clothes were loose, and black like his hair. Long white pants complimented the black gracefully. Despite such droll, slight signs of dandiness had been present throughout the outfit. Such was the nature of the Hydro nation of Teyvat.

The young man tapped the feather quilled pen on his chin softly. He had one thing, and one thing on his mind only, on this particular final day of the year. His chimera boyfriend of many years, what would they be doing today? On most days, the man would be perched by his side, the glue on the hip not ceasing for even a moment. Today had not been one of those days. The bird had not heard a word from his partner, not a single one. Not so much a peep. No words whatsoever.

Oddities had not ended there, however. The bird had come to notice erraticism within his partner's behavior lately. The bird had been secretive. Always telling each other everything, seeing his significant other so tight lipped spurred spikes inside him. Had his partner been in trouble he could not tell him? Were the abhorrent Fatui attempting to take him away again? He did not know, but he was prepared to get to the bottom of such, if it were the case.

As such thoughts ruminated inside him, a small knock could be heard from the other side of the door. The knock sounding urgent, the bird chimera rose to his feet. Talons being out rather than his human hands, the young man bolted three meters to the door immediately. Yellow claws on the knob, the partially human person opened the door.

Talons soon became especially unnecessary as the sight of his mother became increasingly visible as the door creaked open further. Sensing she was about to say something to him, the bird huffed silently to himself.

"Woah, Robin, dear, it's just me!" his mother said nervously, left arm waving in the air in a stop position. The wings flapped on her back slightly. "No need to have your hawk talons out." A brown feather dropped to the ground as her announcement ended.

Seeing his mother adjacent to him, a small sigh released from Robin's throat. Seeing his mother during the daylight hours had been a rare occurrence. He supposed, everyone in the house had a day of reprieve today. He surmised, if his mother were here, something did indeed become of his partner. He would get to the bottom of this, right away.

"Oh, it's just you, mother," he replied, tone of valor leaking from his voice. "I thought an enemy may have come to my door." Such words were a slight stretch of the truth, but being ready for an ambush at any time was a must for the hawk. "Has something happened to Raven?" A purple jewel glowed against his waist. He was ready for justice to be served if his mother were to respond with a yes.

A small giggle released itself from the mother's throat. Always the ever suspicious her son was. Such was the nature of living in Fontaine. She knew having not seen his partner today, he would jump to such immediate conclusion. She was ready to end such fallacy on sight. Removing an envelope from her pocket, the mother of separation placed the paper casing in her son's currently human hand.

"Raven has a letter for you," she replied softly. Her gold eyes were practically shining. Letter in hand, the mother's heels turned a few steps back. "It seems like it's for your eyes, only. I'll leave you to it." As such phrase was uttered, her heels got farther away.

Family no longer being within his presence, Robin ripped open the envelope with a heroic fury. His mother not saying anything about the situation, either, justice triumphed inside the chambers of his brain. If the letter before him as an sos, he would defeat the heinous vagrants immediately. Envelope ripped wide open, he opened the folded paper inside with extreme caution.

"Come to the fountain in the plaza, hon." Was all the note said. What an absolutely horrendously vague letter, it was. Note being a singular sentence, thoughts of justice leaked through the man's brain again. Glue being completely undone on his hip, the bird had readied to stage his exit. Wings popping out, Robin exited through the window stage.

The fountain plaza, justice would be served if a vagrant was in the way.

***

Really despise my name my parents gave me
Obviously, I would never admit such fallacy.
Being give a name, I suppose they love me
I'm not going to discard it despite
Not liking it on me

Hawks are hunting birds,
Obtusely, I suppose, my name suits me
Obviously,
Don't say anything.

Arriving at the fountain within minutes time thanks to his wings being easy to summon, Robin was ready. If his boyfriend had been in trouble, his Vision was beside him; his weapon was within a subspace reach. Justice would be served immediately if such one sentence letter delivered to him was a distress letter.

Seeing his partner sitting by the fountain's edge, the young man sat his rear down on the opposite seat of the aquatic dome of beauty. He jerked his head to the left and right. Not a single person besides the festivities were around. Regardless of such, the hawk remained on the lookout for any vagrants who could be hiding in plain sight. Brief stakeout finishing, he readied himself to break the silence.

"Raven," Robin said, tone of heroism overpowering him. He retracted his wings as he spoke his boyfriend's name. "You didn't come see me this morning. Are you in trouble?" His currently left human hand was balled into a fist. "If that hyena, or any other Fatui came back again to try and take you, I'll let them have it." His Electro vision on his waist glowed ferociously. If those soldiers of injustice were around, they would get justice served on an electric platter.

Raven strutted over to his partner on the other side of the fountain immediately. He thought he was in some dire trouble? A small chuckle released from the chambers of his throat. How very like his boyfriend to have justice on his mind. He knew that being slightly quieter lately, he would instantly jump to the heroics. Having a boyfriend so justice driven was attractive. Box situated behind his back, he knew it was time to give it to him. The secret.

Soon, they would be a level higher than boyfriends.

"Hon, I'm not in trouble with the Fatui," he said, cheeks crimson from ear to ear. Perhaps leading into a tease would make this easier. "I suppose I am in trouble, though." His cheeks begun to glow an even deeper shade of scarlet.

Robin turned to his boyfriend immediately. Something of immediate attention graced his eyes. His brown hair wasn't in a ponytail to the right side today. It was down, like the day the two of them had met many years ago. His clothes, they were even more fancy than they normally were. Is someone threatening his lover? His face was completely vermillion, someone had hit him, surely. Justice would come immediately.

"What's the trouble?" he asked heroically. "Did someone hit you?" He balled his currently human hand into a fist. He was ready to unleash justice.

Raven let out a slightly girly giggle. The justice brain was still on, it would seem. Perhaps saying he was in trouble was not the right approach. Wording it differently may have been a better way. Box nearly crumbling in his hand, the bird readied to try again.

"The trouble is," he responded lightly. "That your eyes are open at the moment, hon." There was a mischievous tone in his voice. "I have something for you. Could you close your eyes?"

The hawk chimera blinked. He had something for him? Close his eyes? Almost having forgotten today was the final day of the year, he closed his eyes tightly. Blackness enclosing his field of vision, he could hear the sounds of his partner placing himself down on his knees. Just what was he doing? Why was he getting down on his knee? Should he open his eyes before instructed? Knowing that would ruin the moment, he kept them closed shut. Just what was Raven doing? It was absolutely unfathomable, for certain.

"You can open your eyes now, Robin." The sound of Raven's voice flittered through his eardrums. Why did it sound so flustered? Just what was going on? What would await him when he opened his eyes?

As he opened his eyes, a sight of love graced him. In front of his knee bent boyfriend was a gorgeous box surrounded by pitch blackness. In the center of the box was a ring with a purple jewel in the center. Purple, just like the vision situated by his waist. This ring in front of him; was it? Could it have been? Was he asking him to become more than boyfriends? His cheeks became instantly vermillion, like his partner in front of him on the seat of the fountain.

"Raven?" Robin asked, voice beginning to stutter. "Is this ring?" He could feel his heart begin to flutter with every word he spoke. That ring, was he? Was Raven asking for matrimony? The crimson spread throughout his face as thoughts of matrimony littered his bird brain. "Are you?" But words were not working. Nothing was working inside him. The red begun to consume him further. His falcon, was he? Could it have been? Words were breaking inside him as his thoughts clumped together.

Seeing his partner as crimson as he, Raven removed the violet stoned ring from the box. Placing it on his currently human ring finger, the chimera's brown eyes formed hearts in them. Ring situated tightly onto the finger, he looked into his partner's eyes.

"Yes, you silly birdbrain," Raven said lovingly. There was no fluster in his words. "I'm telling you that you're my hawk forever." A toothy smile graced his face. "Do you accept?" The vermillion shade on his face grew larger with every word spoke.

Robin flinched at the phrase birdbrain. He supposed he deserved it for jumping to conclusions. Seeing the ring situated upon his finger, he placed his hawk talon on his chest. Accept the ring? Was that even a necessary question? He closed his gold eyes tightly for a moment. Hawk wings present on his back, he opened his eyes. Grabbing his partner's hand he looked into his boyfriend's eyes lovingly.

Noticing his hawk wings were present on his back, Raven closed his eyes in kind. Falcon wings spread across his back, he knew what his partner was about to do. Wings flapping, the two become airborne within seconds. Winter sky touching their backs, the falcon looked into his partner's eyes once again.

Sky of justice gracing his body, the hawk pulled his partner closer. Bodies intertwined, Robin moved himself towards his partner's lips. Raven's lips meeting his own, they melted together momentarily. Sound of a loving smack radiating throughout the area, his very being tasted like strawberries.

Taking a deep breath, the icy sky hit his hawk wings gently. Would this be enough to show his acceptance? Removing his lips from his partner's, he held his partner tight.

"Of course, Raven," he said in a blissful tone of voice, body practically a raspberry. "I'm your heroic hawk forever." Saying such words had made him almost forget something; something direly important. He had not prepared a gift for him in tandem. Face becoming redder, he knew he had to tell him such fact. "I apologize for not having a gift in return for you." Such was an embarrassment to be had, for sure.

Feeling the warmth of the kiss grace his entire body, Raven flapped his wings happily. He didn't have a gift for him? What nonsense. His hug, his touch, and his warmth were more than enough of a present for him. Body still intertwined with his, the falcon pecked his cheek.

"You're gift enough, hon," he responded with serenity. "I'll take you as my present tonight." His heart fluttered as the sky became dark. "It's New Year's Eve, let's celebrate." He held his partner slightly tighter as the icy sky became dark blue like the water in the fountain on the ground.

Realizing what his partner meant, the crimson aura radiating throughout his body would not cease. Removing himself from the intertwining of his lover's body, the hawk lead his partner to a place of complete privacy. Such scene however, was obscured by pure blackness. It was almost as if, a word of a god would not allow for such scene to be presented in front of an audience.

Happy New Year's Eve, indeed.

---

I don't have any more of these btw. But this probably won't be the end of random side stories.