"Albedo and Xingqiu are the creators of her favorite light novel, right? We could get signatures from them," you suggest, "We just need to make a quick trip to Mondstadt and Liyue, and we should have just enough time for one round trip."
"Ohhh, that's a great idea!" Paimon chirps, "While we're there, why don't we also take the scenic route? I remember you wanting to collect some Valberries and Lotus Heads the last time we visited."
"Sounds good! There's about seven hours until the party-should be plenty of time for us to get what we need."
"Hooray! Then what are we waitin' for? Let's go!"
Upon your arrival, the fresh scent of Dandelion greets you, a gentle breeze blowing its greetings in your direction. The wind carries pieces of white blooms leftwards, down the winding dirt paths and rushing rivers, into the faded horizon.
A bountiful marketplace welcomes you when you enter the city, the shouts of various merchants filling your ears as you go further down the stone-paved path. The scent of flora wafts to you from your right, combating the striking fumes of smoke and molten metal from your left, and as confusing as it may be, it undoubtedly has the feeling of home—the familiar chaos mixed with togetherness, in which every piece of the puzzle learned to fit together.
It's been so long since you've last visited, spending all that time in Inazuma, you've nearly forgotten what the capitol felt like.
But it's a pleasant surprise to know that it still feels like home.
You make your way over to the Adventurer's Guild to find Albedo, albeit a bit slowly, admiring the various improvements Mondstadt has made over time, but you reach his office eventually.
Knocking three times on his door, you wait patiently for him, or Sucrose, to answer.
"Who is it?"
You brighten up as you recognize the voice on the other side.
"It's us!" Paimon replies just before you can speak, "Please open the door, Mister Albedo!" The sound of rustling fills the air moments later, the setting aside of research papers, the putting away of important vials, a cleaning up for the purpose of receiving a guest.
The dust eventually settles and the door creaks open to reveal Albedo, in all his glory. A small spot of dust cakes his right cheek and you notice that his gloves are considerably dirtier than before.
"Traveler," he says, smiling, "I didn't expect to see you here."
"It's good to see you Albedo! Been gone for so long I half-forgot what the city looked like in the first place." The scientist chuckles.
"Yes, time can do that to you." He clears his throat to avoid a misplaced pause after. "But uh, diverging from that tangent, to what do I owe the pleasure? It's not very common that friends show up unannounced."
Albedo raises a brow.
"Oh?" he hums, "I can only assume you're referring to 'A Legend of Sword.' But what for? I only illustrated the novel. All the credit is to be given to Zhenyu's Labyrinth of a mind." Paimon scoffs at his humility, hands on her hips.
"What do you even mean by that? You know it probably wouldn't have been as well received if not for your drawings!"
You're sure she means well, but was that an insult to Xingqiu?
"And Paimon would rather read a comic than-"
"What I think," you interrupt, clamping a hand over Paimon's mouth, "She means to say is that you deserve just as much credit as Zhenyu himself.
"The recipient of this gift is someone who's been an avid fan of the work for quite a while now. She often expresses her admiration for your illustrations as well."
Small dimples appear at the corners of Albedo's mouth when he smiles.
"I'm delighted to hear. You truly flatter me, Traveler, thank you. Before I sign the novel, if you can, please indulge me on who this mystery fan is."
"Sangonomiya Kokomi, the divine priestess of Watatsumi Island." The scientist's eyes widen, but he takes your copy of the book gracefully and starts to write, seemingly nonplussed.
"Tell Her Excellency that she has my best birthday wishes," he says after a moment, finishing with a flourish of his pen. You curiously peer at the note and are delighted to find a small drawing of Kokomi next to it.
To Sangonomiya Kokomi: Thank you for loving my work, it means a lot to me.
To Liyue you go, and within a couple hours of traveling on foot, you've arrived at the harbor, the hustle and bustle of merchants immediately hitting you upon your entry. Dodging and weaving through the crowd, you find your way to Xingqiu's place, the Guhua Clan's headquarters.
He's outside reading by the time you reach your destination, nose buried in the latest novella-the tragic tale of two lovers separated by divination.
"Xingqiu!" you call. "Xingqiu!"
You manage to catch his attention by the second shout, the blue-haired boy giving you a small wave when you lock eyes.
"Traveler, fancy seeing you here!" He then turns to Paimon. "You and your little companion."
"Guhua Geek, we meet again!" the said "little companion" exclaims, "Good to see you!"
"Always nice to see you too, Paimon," Xingqiu responds with a grin, "I assume you're both here for something? A favor I can do for you?"
Isn't he a perceptive one?
"Ooh! 'A Legend of Sword!' One of my favorite publications," he muses, procuring a pen from his pocket, "Who should I dedicate this signature to?"
"Sangonomiya Kokomi, the divine priestess of Watatsumi Island." Xingqiu pauses for a moment, something unreadable painting his face.
"Wait, Sangonomiya Kokomi as in... the Sangonomiya Kokomi?"
You exchange looks with Paimon.
"... yes? Is something wrong?" At the question, the boy is quick to shake his head, a sense of urgency enveloping him.
"No, no, not at all! I've just been studying her papers on maritime warfare. She's incredibly eloquent and a really formidable leader, from what I can tell. I didn't realize a woman of her character was a fan of my works."
He's quick to write his note next to Albedo's long strokes of his brush pen detailing his thanks to the priestess:
Lady Sangonomiya Kokomi, it brings me ample joy to know that an inspiration such as you enjoys my works. Have the best birthday.
Best, Zhenyu.
"She'll love it, thank you Xingqiu!"
Soon, you're out of Liyue Harbor and back on the road, snacking on a pair of Grilled Tiger Fish skewers you got from a local vendor. Checking the sun's position, you happily figure that you're right on schedule, due to be at Kokomi's party just a few minutes short of its beginning.
"Remind Paimon again what Xingqiu wrote in his note?" Your companion interrupts you mid-bite. "Paimon remembers feeling excited to give Kokomi the gift!"
Gesturing to the back of your bag, you mumble instructions in between a mouthful of fish, chewing thoroughly before swallowing. "Should be in the front compartment."
Paimon digs for a while (admittedly, your bag isn't the tiniest), searching for a couple minutes, popping out to take a breath, then diving back in. Your friend keeps searching for a couple minutes-more than enough time, and you begin to grow concerned.
"Paimon? You alright?"
She emerges from your satchel with a smile that doesn't reach her eyes.
"Uh... It's... It's not here." You tilt your head, figuring you must've misheard something.
"What do you mean it's not there?"
"It's... not there."
"Paimon?"
"Paimon means that it's not there! Not in your bag!"
"What's not there?"
"The book!"
"The signed book is gone?" you wheeze, quickly stripping yourself of your bag and rummaging through it, "How can it be gone? We literally left it right-"
The feeling of a hard spine hauls you, jarringly, into the present. You're quick to get a grip on it, every last prayer of the world shooting to the tips of your fingers.
Out from your bag, you pull a copy of The World With You, the latest released novella of the renowned "Stratosphere" series.
The very book Xingqiu had been reading when you met him.
"Oh my gods."
"What do we do now?"
You're still on schedule.
You're still on schedule, and you arrive at Kokomi's party on time. Festive streamers hang from the pillars of the Watatsumi palace, food and drinks lay across tables that stretch from one end of a massive pavilion to the next, and a large fountain has found its way to the middle of the square, acting as the centerpiece for the dancefloor.
You watch Kokomi emerge from behind the door, clad in her usual wear, but still as dazzling as ever. A seashell hairpin is stuck into her bowtie, and the rosegold complements her complexion so perfectly.
You're still on schedule, and you should be happy.
But you've come emptyhanded.
After everything.
You think that you should blame the way the game's designed.
Just as you're about to retreat to the punch bowl, you hear someone calling for you.
"Traveler."
It's not Kokomi, nor Gorou, nor one of the guards.
"Traveler."
Albedo?
You turn, brows furrowed, to see none other than Xingqiu and Albedo standing behind you. For a second, you think you're seeing things out of desperation and give your eyes a rub. But when the fuzziness clears and the darkness parts, they're still there.
"I'm glad you left your book in my care, but I don't believe I'm its rightful owner." Xingqiu smiles, extending his arm to you, your gift in hand. "It's also a very special occasion, no?"
"How did you- Why- What-?" you stammer, unable to comprehend the situation at hand. "Why are you guys here?"
"We thought that it would be polite to come." The scientist raises an eyebrow at his companion, and Xingqiu chuckles sheepishly.
"Or... we just wanted an excuse to come to Her Excellency's birthday party. Not every day you see a divine priestess turn a year older."
Your surprise is quick to bloom into relief and laughter as you heave a sigh and accept the novel with two hands, gratefulness swelling in your heart.
"Thank you so much, both of you," you murmur, feeling tears brim your eyes, "Don't know what I'd do without friends like you."
The two figures in front of you share a soft laugh, each setting a gentle hand on your shoulder.
"Go give her your gift, we'll wait for you here."
And so you go, walking up to Kokomi with your gift in hand, ready for her to receive your present.
After seeing the look on her face, you think that everything was worth it.
[End.]