chapter 1 - sisters

Jean, Lisa, Klee and Traveler were waiting on the bridge of Mondstadt for Tessa's arrival. The sun only rised at the horizon, shining its golden light to the City of Freedom.

Klee was so excited she was jumping around like crazy.

"And what shall we know about Tessa? Does she have a vision? Why did she leave Mondstadt?" asked Paimon.

Jean wore a sad smile on her face.

"As you know, Alice and her husband are well-known adventurers. When Tessa was big enough they left her at Dawn winery and they continued their travels."

"Dawn winery?" asked Traveler surprised.

"Yes" nodded Jean. "Tessa, Master Diluc and Kaeya practically grew up together"

"And how come we never heard of her?" asked Paimon.

"You probably heard of the story about what happened between Master Diluc and Kaeya. After Crepus Ragnvindr died" added Lisa.

Traveler nodded.

"After that, Alice came home and picked her up. They travelled the seven nations together. Meanwhile, Tessa awakened her Dendro vision and decided to stay at Sumeru to study visions" continued Jean.

"Dendro?! Have we even met any people with dendro visions?" asked Paimon.

"Yes, Paimon" nodded Traveler. "But only Doctor Baizhu"

"Yeah, you're right"

Klee ran to them, she probably heard what they were talking about.

"Yes, I heard that people with dendro vision are super smart! And my sister is the smartest of them all" her eyes sparkled as she talked about her sister. "And she is also beautiful, kind and she always plays with Klee!"

They all smiled at her.

"You two must be really close" said Traveler, patting Klee's head.

"We are, Mr/Miss Honorary Knight. And Klee haven't seen her for a while"

While they were talking, Tessa slowly approached Mondstadt.—————-The sun was almost up when I reached Springvale. I saw the hunters on my way, leaving their village. It was quite nostalgic. I remember when we were kids, we pretended we were hunters and chased boars in the woods. Once Kaeya was hit by a boar so hard, he broke his arm. It was scary back then, but now the memory put a smile on my face.

I collected some fresh berries on my way. I was planning to bake a pie for Klee later. She loves the pie I make.

I missed her so much. I haven't visited Mondstadt since I left, but Albedo took her to Sumeru or Liyue a couple times so we could meet. I would do anything for her - even going fishblasting with her. She was crazy about her bombs just like my mom. I didn't inherit that from her - I was more calm and collected, like my father.

But at least, I could make tasty fish dishes for her, I even taught her how to make Fisherman's toast. The original recipe doesn't contain any fish, but I made special fish paste which makes it taste even more delicious.

I already saw the bridge in the distance. The knot in my stomach got even bigger. There's no turning back.

———-

Traveler saw a silhouette of a small girl appearing at the end of the bridge.

Klee started running towards her. Tessa picked her up and started dancing around with her.

Traveler didn't know how to imagine Tessa. She was small, around the same size as them. She was skinny but visibly strong. She had the same hair color as Klee, light blond but curly and so long, it reached her waist. She had braids to keep her hair away from her face. The two sisters resembled a lot, but Tessa had leaf green eyes.

She wore a white blouse with a long skirt with a slit on the sides. Its color was dark green, almost black, with golden floral print on it. A black corset was on her waist, with gold and green details, and black boots. Her vision simply hang on her corset.

She was pretty indeed.

Tessa put Klee down, but she was still holding her little sister's hand while she approached the others.——I inhaled Klee's familiar scent. I missed her so so much. I couldn't wait to spend the day with her even though I was tired after traveling all night.

I put her down but held her tiny hand. I didn't wan to let go of her as we walked towards the others.

"Jean" I smiled at her and embraced her tightly. I knew her since we were little. She was always kind of serious and determined ever since we were kids, and it was nice to see how much she accomplished since then.

Then I turned to Lisa.

"Oh, hello darling" she greeted me. As she hugged me I smelled her lavender perfume. It fitted her. She was quite famous in Sumeru, a lot of people around me knew her name.

"And you are?" I smiled at the blonde person next to them.

"Oh, I am sorry" said Jean. "It's the Honorary Knight, their name is..."

"(Aether/Lumine" they smiled and gave me their hand. "Nice to meet you, Tessa"

"My pleasure" I answered as I shook their hand. "I heard a lot about you. You're quite famous in Tevyat"

I turned to the floating pixie next to him. I heard about her too, but in the stories she was quite talkative. But now she just stared at me shyly.

"And you must be Paimon"

She looked surprised and floated closer to me.

"You know who I am?" she stared into my face with those big eyes of hers.

"Of course" I nodded. "You are a rare creature in Tevyat, people notice you"

"So you studied in Sumeru?" Paimon changed the subject quite fast. "You know, we want to go there, but we don't know how to start"

I smiled. I knew the question would pop up as soon as I met them. Of course I heard about the Almighty Traveler and all their heroic acts not just in Mondstadt, but in Liyue and Inazuma as well. It was natural, that they intend to visit the other countries as well.

"I will stay for a while" I said eventually. "I'll have plenty of time to talk to you about Sumeru. If you don't mind, I am planning to spend my day with Klee" I looked down on my little sister. She stared at me with her sparkling eyes.

"Of course" said Traveler, with hand on their heart. "We don't want to bother you, right, Paimon?" they looked at her like a parent looks at their badly behaving child.

"Sorry, Tessa" said Paimon.

"No worries" I assured her with a wide smile. Sometimes the words come out of me harsher than I intend to. I need to change that.

"Where is Albedo?" I looked at Jean. I was expecting him to wait here. He was some kind of an adopted brother for us, but I couldn't get as close to him as Klee did. I could talk with him for hours about research, but we never talked about anything... emotional.

"He's at Dragonspine" answered Jean. "He does some sort of research, but he excused himself and messaged you to visit him when you have time"

"That Albedo..." I laughed. "I should've know his nose is deep down in some research" I sighed. Tiredness started to kick in. I wanted to go home and have a quick bath to wake myself up.

I hold Klee's hand all the way to our house. Technically, it was an apartment my mother bought to have a place to stay at when they or I return home. We were never together there as a family, and Klee also lived at the Favonious Headquarters under Jean's vigilant eyes.

The apartment was small, but cosy, more like a warehouse for books and adventure loots, than an actual home.

As one enters the house, they find themselves in a spacious living room with a big couch and shelves around the wall full of books and all kinds of artifacts, small treasures and travel memories. On the left, there is a small kitchen area with counter and stove, next to it, a dining table with four chairs.

On the back, there is a small room. It doesn't have a door, only a folding screen type of thing, but it has no print. The room has a big, double bed, bookshelves behind it, and drawers for some clothes.

Next to the room is the bathroom, with a bathtub, a sink and a mirror.

The whole house was cosy, wearing the aura of my family. Even though we never lived there.

"And what are we going to do today, big sis?" Klee ran around the living room. "Klee was thinking she would show you her special treasures"

"Sounds good, Klee" I patted her had. "First, let her big sister have a quick bath, than I will play with you all day! And I also have a surprise for you, just be patient, okay?"

"Klee will be a good girl and wait for you here" she said with a very serious tone in her voice, and sat on the couch.

I couldn't help but laugh at her.

I missed my little sister so much.