Chapter Text
A particularly frightful bump jolted Lisa nearly out of her seat and totally out of her reading. Not that the journey thus far had been especially smooth, but seven archons, had the roads near Liyue always been this bad? As though on cue, the carriage rattled unceremoniously, and Lisa had to bite back a laugh as a bag of flour that had been tied down above careened from its place and exploded in the lap of a passenger on the other side of the cabin. Poor fellow, although based on the pompous feathered cap he was now frantically trying to de-flour, he was likely the insufferable sort of windbag who deserved a mite more than a shower in a bag of baking ingredients. Besides, what can you expect when you hitch a ride cross-county on a trade caravan? There might be nothing cheaper than riding alongside the shipments of grain and commodities, but you get what you pay for in terms of comfort. He should have sprung for a fancier carriage and a less fancy hat.
Lisa turned, drawing open the makeshift curtain and gazing out the tiny carriage window behind to assess the convoy’s progress. Birch, fir… pine, and the scent of… grapes? Yes, just as expected, they must have recently passed through the stone gate and were rattling along the roads south of Dawn Winery. Ah yes, she recognized that tree. That was the same birch tree that meek little Barbara had hidden behind during a round of Windtrace all those years ago. Lisa smiled at the memory. Barbara, of course, had been plainly visible behind the tree. But together with Kaeya, Lisa and Jean had pretended not to see her until the round was officially over, and then lavished her with praise at her superior skill as a rebel. Little Barbara had been puffed up with pride all the rest of the afternoon, even going so far as to ask Jean for a piggyback ride back into town from the crossroads near Windrise. As they crossed through the city gates, she was fast asleep on her sister’s back. Jean had been mentioning Barbara less and less often in her letters. Lisa knew that their parent’s separation had been hard on both of them, and long years had transpired, but she hoped that Barbara was alright. She had always been such a sweet girl.
Ah… why had things turned out this way? As the carriage jumped along its path, Lisa could look out over the rows of grapevines. It was nearly dusk, the workers were heading back up towards the mansion, while crystal flies floated amongst the canopy on gossamer wings. It looked much the same as it ever had, but… why did it look so sad?
The mansion itself, perched upon the hill looking down over them, had once seemed so grand in her eyes. Maybe it looked so different now because she compared it to the towers of the academy, or maybe it was because everything about this place had taken on the color of sorrow.
Diluc, too, had been mentioned with diminishing frequency in the letters she received from Jean. Apparently even after he had returned to Mondstadt, he hadn’t really even been the same. There was still an estrangement between Diluc and the knights, still a rift between Diluc and Kaeya. Kaeya had even taken up Diluc’s old post, apparently, as cavalry captain. But Jean had said that even though she worked with Kaeya more closely than she had ever, he too was only getting more unpredictable and enigmatic.
The carriage began to rattle to the left, and Lisa realized that they would be heading through Drunkard’s gorge. Hopefully there wouldn’t be any trouble, Lisa was not feeling in the mood for electrocuting treasure hoarders. Then again, for all her travel companions knew, she was little more than a flunked-out scholar. If bandits did attack, she could just throw up her hands and pretend to be terrified. Hmm… would it be less work to feign helplessness or to just incapacitate the ne'er do wells? Lisa turned back into the cabin, casting an eye over the belongings she had brought along. The clothes would be annoying to lose, but were more suited to Sumeru’s climate anyway. There was hardly any Mora worth speaking of, but the books were honestly priceless. Well, not that any ordinary treasure hoarder would be able to assess their actual worth. Bandits would be much more likely to take her floury friend’s plumed hat than to spare a glance at her grimoires. Heh, maybe it would be better if treasure hoarders did target their convoy after all. She’d love to see what it would take for this guy to give up that hat.
(Un)fortunately, the trip through Drunkard’s Gorge proved unremarkable, and as the carriage rattled East past Springvale, Lisa gazed North at the walled city. For all her melancholy, and for all the ways in which Sumeru’s towers and minarets might have been grander, Mondstadt still put a smile on Lisa’s face. The sun was just finishing its descent below the Western peaks, and the surface of Cider Lake danced with mottled purples and pinks. Dandelions glowed with curious luminescence at the base of the walls, and windmills traced their lazy circles as the bells of the cathedral sounded the end of day. It really was beautiful, in its way. And although so much about this home of hers had changed over the years, there was at least one thing in this city that was worth living for.
As the convoy stuttered to a stop at the city’s southern gate, Lisa stepped down from the carriage, her bag in one hand, books tucked under her other arm. She could have used a spatial concealment charm to take these things out of her hands, but it would honestly be even more trouble to deal with the surprised murmurs and questions of the nearby merchants and travelers. So she waited patiently in line to pay her fares to the caravan master, and made her way towards the city gate to queue for entry. A very cute child came bounding out of the gate and threw herself into the arms of Lisa’s floury coachmate, and Lisa silently apologized for having internally mocked such an upstanding father before his family reunion. As Lisa progressed closer to the gate, other folks nearby were variously embraced, welcomed, and hailed by their loved ones. Scenes like these always gave Lisa mixed emotions. It was hard not to share in the joy these people showed in their reunions, their smiles wide, their eyes bright or wet with tears of joy. Some of them had not seen their loved ones in years, Lisa overheard that one woman from a cart other than Lisa’s hadn’t had a chance to see her parents in almost a decade. But in all this reunion Lisa felt a little lonely. Lisa already knew that there would be nobody waiting for her on the other side of the gate, she was already fully reconciled to it. But she sure would appreciate it if she could hurry up and get through this entry queue so she could find her way to a tavern.
“ Lisa! ”
Time dilation was a simple enough concept, in theory. Of course, theory does not always equate to practice, and as Lisa turned her head, the world slowed to a crawl.
She was taller than Lisa remembered, though it had been some years. As beautiful as ever, her golden hair drawn up into a ponytail, a few loose strands falling effortlessly across her shoulders. She was wearing a knights uniform, of course. Though it was especially ornamented to commemorate her rank, she had clearly taken every measure not to set herself apart. Which was a near impossible feat, considering her… build. Somehow the uniform was as official as possible, but invited all sorts of imaginings. As she moved through the crowd, she walked with the poise that only a master of the blade possesses. They were in a crowded street, full of people, noise, and activity. And there was nothing else there, just Lisa standing, frozen in time. And Jean, striding toward her, with a smile on her face and her arms outstretched.
“Lisa, it is so good to see you!” Archons above, they were hugging. “It has been much, much too long, dear friend.” Jean had stepped back out of the hug, her hand on Lisa’s shoulder, looking her straight in the face. They were the same height, still, after all.
“Ah Lawrence, please accept the entry of Miss Lisa Minci back into her home under the official sponsorship of Jean Gunnhildr.”
“Yes, of course, Dandelion Knight. Any friend of yours is a true friend to Mondstadt. Welcome home, Miss Minci.”
Lisa nodded, being escorted through the gate, Jean’s hand still on her shoulder.
“Jean, it is truly lovely to see you again. The office of Dandelion Knight certainly agrees with you.” Whoosh, thanks to Barbatos she had practiced something to say.
“Ha, thank you, Lisa. I hope I can live up to the role. But oh, it truly is so good to see you. Lisa, we have so much to talk about, and catch up on, I tried to clear some time so–”
“Excuse me, Dandelion Knight, you are needed in the central square immediately, there is a situation developing” a short, serious fellow had come to snatch Jean away. Jean turned to Lisa, her expression sour.
“Go, Jean.” Lisa smiled, as Jean nodded and turned to the knight.
As she disappeared down the street, she cast her voice back to Lisa.
“Lisa, we will talk again soon, I promise. And welcome home, it is so good to have you back!” And she was gone. And in the early twilight, Lisa felt like the world moved as normal once again. It was warm, and Lisa realized she was frightfully thirsty. As she set off for a tavern, she couldn’t help but smile.