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Future was never meant to be known.
Time is a dimension not to be grasped by the human mind. The brain was just so tiny to comprehend what the vast spaces of vacuum and deceitful stars had in hold.
That’s why fate was calculated, assumed, hoped for, wished for.
Not granted, nor seen.
Despite the laws of nature, even those who were shackled by the grounds of Teyvat and roots of Irminsul would still dare to stick out their heads and dare to defy the sheer magnitude this authority had over them.
There was only a slight breeze rustling the grass strands covering the earthly realm, barely swaying any tree leaf away. It was an ideal time for both to take a break from work and have a vacation to one of those nice outskirts in Sumeru.
“It’s like an entire set of stars laid down to me-!” Mona would describe this “sublime” advancement she had made while they were slowing their steps. The wanderer beside her wore an expression that couldn’t be quite told whether he had the same impression she did.
But the stars had always amazed her, they’d always draw her near bodies of water and rays of faint light poking holes through the pure darkness. That’s how fate was held into her masters, and now, her own palms.
The vibrant flora on the other side would lead them to Liyue. Mona would enjoy the scent it emanated, letting her skin warm to the strengthening rays of sun.
“I could only dream of how far I have gotten now…” she fluttered her eyelashes, the edges of her lips had pulled into a slight smirk. Mona kept no weight but that of clothes and her pointy hat on her.Every bag was willingly on her lover's shoulders. “I don’t want to be arrogant…or anything, but-“ she paused, leaving an air of wonder, which frankly, was circling only to herself. “I may even be as good as my master!” She then covered her face in guilt, leaving a muffled whimper. Her boyfriend could only close his eyes and leave out a sigh as they were approaching a slightly rougher terrain, a clear sign that they were already passing the nation of Geo. “ I hope she won't hear of it… Or else she’s going to get my head from what I said…maybe she won’t notice.” Mona had this habit of refuting back and forth everyone’s point, including herselves. She’d never find peace on a single agreement.
“Besides, that old hag didn’t even remember me!”
In the entire rambling, they both laughed at the final note,even if Mona was more so annoyed last time.
“It wasn’t just you, stop mulling over it, age is getting to her.” He patted her shoulder.All of his focus was not necessarily there up until then.
“I’m glad it's not getting to you…could I even imagine how much worse you would be?”
He snickered, rolling his eyes afterwards.
If exhaustion got to her, he’d either get her on his back and fly all over a distance, or take a cab. Mona could only worry about her master's disapproval at the moment.
Eventually, they arrived at a large house.The cab they took to the entry, despite his fake annoyances, was on him indefinitely.Before them, was the inn they had planned to stay at. The owner who welcomed the couple, led ahead to a cosy room with a comfortable double bed. Mona was exhausted and after eating, went to rest immediately. She couldn’t stand the ashy trail that Fujin would leave smoking his cigarette, that’s why he stood a little longer in the balcony. Mona couldn’t expect that he took a moment to stare at the starry sky she has always tried to drag him to. They sparkled more than usual, twinkling and disappearing from the sky with an inaudible chime.
“Fujin! Have you seen the-“ she scrambled around the room, trying to find something she barely muttered the name for.
“The…telescope! The-the big one!” She announced as if she made a grand revelation.
“No?” His eyes dug nowhere beneath the surface. He supposedly believed she would be able to find it at first. “Have you forgotten it?”
She turned her head, looking cluelessly around the room. Her eyes already welled with tears of panic.
“I don’t know-“Her hands trembled and her cheeks were red in embarrassment. “Maybe-“ she muttered. Her fingers were scratching the wooden floor she was crawling on.
“I needed it…”
The search was pointless, Mona was nearly crying on the floor. Fujin was bothered as well, mainly because of her reaction. She also didn’t like crumbling herself like this in front of others, him included. So this wasn’t ideal at all.
He lowered his posture.
“We are in Sumeru,obviously there’s a place we can buy what you need- “ he assured her in a voice which Mona had gotten used to not receiving it as a cold scolding.
“We will have to go to the city.”
Mona was trying to wipe her tears, until they reached the shop. There was a sudden enthusiasm as she entered.
“You-“ before he’d say anything, she was off to the shop. With such a start for the day, Fujin did need a cup of coffee to himself. He felt guilty for not accompanying her, but at least hed be of help when she checked out.
“Mona? Mona, where are you?”
She couldn’t have gone one hour looking for a single telescope. Fujin had finished his second cup , and had gotten very worried.
He quickly entered the shop. There was no sight of her, but he went to the checkout anyway.
“Have you seen a girl this tall-“ despite his concern, he knew she wouldn’t have wandered far. Still, it was unusual for her not to announce any step she took.The clerk listened carefully to his description.
“I saw her going out half an hour ago, she didn’t buy anything.”
By the time she had said it, he had gotten out. Flying had to be limited to enemies in the outskirts of Sumerus bustle, as a consequence he had grabbed quite the attention. People who pointed and looked in awe at such a proficient vision user were unnoticeable to him. That, until he found a crowded place. Between all the people with different silk and wool on their bodies, their voices all united in awe, stood the lone star. Their eyes were nailed on her, as she started talking about fates and futures. She had no repercussions of her sightings anymore, she was sewing words, with nonexistent stars under the noons burning sunlight.
“Mona! Mona!” A hand had grabbed her upwards.
“Ah Fujin! I was just going to tell that woman about her great granddaughter's death! She isn’t born yet!” Moja replied in a jolly laughter as she greeted the saddened crowd away.
“Didn’t you have a telescope to buy?” Amidst the crowd shouting and booing at him, he had to raise his voice.
“Huh-“ she turned her head upwards, giving him a confused stare. “The telescope!” She gasped. “I forgot!”
Needless to say, he had to accompany Mona all the way to her paying.
Yes…yes she had forgotten. When she was looking through a very intricately made device, a person had poked her shoulder, asking for an autograph. Upon hearing her name, somebody else asked her for a divination, which she did do. Their request was heartfelt…she didn't get paid for it. But it was entertaining to her. That's how it led to this mess. The atmosphere was sour, but he tried not to make it clear.
She got out of the store with a sudden wave of sadness. She held his arm tight, her cheek resting just above his shoulder.
“I don’t get it…what even happened…” The words came out of her mouth, which made him turn his head in disbelief.
Usually, Mona wasn’t short of her troubles, neither was he. They kept themselves even on that field, which is one of the many reasons why they end up in the same bed.
This time, they went to the same table Fujin drank his coffee. He was rubbing her shoulder while she was still stuck to his arm.
“Maybe, you need to cut some slack from yourself. Give that visionary thing a break Mona, you don’t have to help anyone you see on the streets. Has this happened before?”
“No…“she moved her head side to side slowly, as if her neck had rusted.
For the remainder of the day, strange things like this didn’t happen. Mona stopped tapping into the future. it was second nature to look through everything, but she was trying her best to prevent herself from the deep craving her mind felt.
“I’d never thought that I'd be looking into prophecies that concern the world…” Monas eyes dilated as she dreamily lulled herself to sleep.