Chapter Text
Mondstadt, the city of liberty that worships Barbatos, the Anemo Archon. It may sound like a strange place for someone with Lisa’s reputation to move back into. Being such a smart and talented mage, she could have stayed in Sumeru Academia, constituting an academic career like no other. However, Lisa preferred to have more freedom when doing her research. Deadlines, reports, budgets, they did not quite fit her.
That was also the reason why Lisa preferred to be the librarian of the Knights of Favonius. When she first joined them, the Grand Master wanted to appoint her as Captain of the 8th Company. Although she was honored by the offer, she had to decline. It wasn’t exactly the job she was looking for when she moved in.
Her position on the library allowed her to make an efficient job, even though some people swore she spent half her shift napping, and also gave her time to research subjects that were truly of her interest. They even gave her a room for experiments, under the condition she kept the potions organized for public use.
“A perfect job, indeed” Lisa whispered to herself. Her shift was about to end, and she was organizing her things to leave when she heard the library’s door open.
“Hello, miss librarian. Can you help me?” a childish voice called.
“Hi, sweetie. What’s your name?” Lisa asked, curious. Usually, the only kid who came to the library alone was Ella Musk.
“Klee” the girl answered with a smile. Lisa was sure her new student, Razor, had mentioned this kid before, but the mage hadn’t seen her around yet. Apparently, Klee often spent time with him in the woods.
“Nice to meet you, Klee. I’m Lisa. What are you looking for?” Lisa asked her with a smile. The little girl was probably around seven years old; she was probably looking for a book about animals or maybe…
“I want a science book. I wished it could be about bombs, but Klee is going to confinement room if anyone finds out” Klee requested disappointedly.
“What do you mean, darling?” Lisa asked in shock, trying to keep her composure. No one in history had struggled so hard to not say fuck in front of a kid.
“I wanted a book about bomb making, so I could learn more about it. But Master Jean would be mad with Klee” the kid sniffled “So Klee thought that maybe new miss librarian had a book about other types of science to distract Klee!”
“Well… I have some science books for your age. Want to choose one? I’ll show you where they are” Lisa offered a hand, and the girl took it happily.
She guided Klee to the second floor of the library, and showed her all sorts of books about animals, plants, geology and one about chemistry and alchemy, made specially for young kids. It should serve, Lisa thought. The book was about basic chemistry, it was impossible to learn anything dangerous with it.
“I like this one. Can I take it?” Klee asked excitedly.
“Sure sweetie. And don’t worry, I have other copies of this one, so you can take your time reading and return it to me when you are done” Lisa told her with a smile. At least she found something safe for the young girl to read.
“Miss Lisa, can I make one more request?” Klee asked with irresistible puppy eyes.
“Sure, Klee. What do you need?” Lisa asked, concerned that it might be as weird as the girl’s first solicitation.
“Can you go with me to Master Jean’s office and tell her you approve this book? Tell her it is safe and that she doesn’t have to send Klee to confinement room if she sees Klee reading it? Please?” Klee requested with a smile.
Lisa smiled and nodded. Mondstadt had a lot of beautiful women, but none of them had caught her attention the same way Acting Grand Master Jean did. Whenever she had to report something, or pick up documents at the woman’s office, Lisa would smile in satisfaction.
However, she knew she wasn’t Jean’s type. Usually, girls born in rich and influent families like Jean Gunnhildr ended up marrying men from equally known and wealthy families and having their pedigree kids. Lisa was aware that sooner or later she would have to attend Jean and Diluc’s wedding. Such a shame.
They made their way to Jean’s office and knocked on the door. A stiff voice told them to come in and as soon as Lisa opened the door Klee ran inside the office and started bouncing up and down.
“Hello, Master Jean. Are you busy?” Klee greeted her excitedly.
“Yes” Jean answered in a monotone tone, not looking away from the papers she was signing.
Seeing Klee’s disappointment, Lisa decided to talk with the woman herself.
“Excuse me, Grand Master Jean. Can we take a moment of your time? I promise I’ll be quick” Lisa said with a smile.
“Sorry, Lisa” Jean finally looked up from the documents “And hello, Klee. I apologize. I am indeed busy, but what can I do for you?”
“Klee got herself a book” the girl smiled proudly at Jean “And new miss librarian Lisa is here to tell you is okay for Klee to read it. It’s safe and Klee won’t be able to explode anything with the things she will learn!”
“Okay, Klee. If Lisa says it’s okay for you to read it, I’ll trust her. You can go now if you want to” Jean said softly.
“I’m going to show it to Albedo” Klee said happily before running away through the office’s door.
“Seems like you finally met Klee. I’m sorry she disturbed you at work, but I politely ask you to be patient with her” Jean sighed.
“She didn’t bother me at all. And I think she is adorable. Who’s her mother?” Lisa asked casually.
“An adventurer” the knight answered, avoiding the subject “She has been entrusted to the knights until her parents come back…”
Lisa nodded, knowing it was better not to make further questions. The woman was about to take her leave when Jean called her.
“Lisa, I know your shift is over, but can you do me a favor? Please?”
“Of course, darling. What do you need?” Lisa answered gently, making Jean blush slightly from the nickname.
“Take these papers to the library. You can tag and file them tomorrow, I just need to clear some space here” the woman requested, rubbing her temples with tiredness noticeable on her voice.
“Okay. Will you stay here long?” Lisa asked in concern.
“I think I can do this in one hour. Why?” Jean asked her.
“I was going to offer my help but noticed those are official documents so unfortunately I can’t sign them for you. But I can make you tea or coffee if you want. You seem a bit tired” Lisa offered caringly.
“That’s genuinely nice of you, but you can home. I’m fine” Jean answered softly.
“Alright, I’ll take these” Lisa grabbed the box of papers “Tag and file them, but first I’ll make myself tea. If you want some you know where to find me”
Lisa left the Grand Master’s office, prepared her tea and was about to start working on the papers when she heard the door open once more.
“Tea sounds nice, actually” Jean said with a warm smile.