chapter 5 - good old days

When I woke up, I noticed that I was wrapped in a thick blanket. The cave was empty, Albedo probably left to somewhere.

I rubbed my eyes and looked at my pocketwatch. It was 6 in the morning.

I decided to go back to the city, early waking could mean a very productive day.

I arrived back at about seven, I had a bath and made some breakfast. Somehow I felt... relieved. That's why I liked talking to Albedo.

My notes were still on the table, waiting for me. I had a thick notebook next to it, with profiles of vision holders who agreed to be my subject. All they had to do is talk as much about themselves as they were willing to share so I could get a picture of their qualities and personality, and the story of them receiving their visions. I talked to so many people so far, but there were still some holes in my research. An archon to talk to would be nice, but the only one I know personally always shakes me off when I ask my questions.

And honestly, who would belive me if I stated that I actually talked to an archon. Even if it is true. But that's only thanks to my mother, who surprisingly is friends with one. Perks of being a well-known immortal adventurer I guess.

Back in Sumeru, I received some recommendations about a researcher who also studied visions, but his interests were different from mine. He was the one who gave me titles of books about visions, and some of them were only found in the Knights of Favonius Library. So I decided to spend my day at the library, going through those books.

The city was already full of people while I walked to the Favonius Headquarters. I ran into a very busy-looking Jean followed by Kaeya, his hands full of papers.

"Good morning, Tessa" waved Jean.

"Good morning, you two" I greeted them. "Is Lisa already here?"

"She sneaked out for tea" smirked Kaeya. "But she will be back in any minute"

"Thanks" I was about to leave to the library, but Kaeya stopped me.

"Tessa, some of us are going to have a few drinks at Angel's Share tonight. It's Friday after all. I even convinced Master Jean to come" he knocked his head in her direction. I saw in Jean's face that her smile is not so honest. Kaeya probably had a little helper called Lisa in convincing.

"Sure, why not" I said eventually. I was still anxious because of last time, but... maybe in the presence of Jean, no one will make a scene.

I waited by the library until Lisa came back.

"Oh my dear Tessa, have you been waiting for a long time? I'm sorry" she apologized as she struggled to open the door with her hands full of tea blend and a bag of biscuits.

"I just arrived" I said as I took the stuffs away from her. "Let me hold these"

"Thank you" she said, and now opening the door was a lot easier.

We made some small talk while she helped me finding some of the books I needed then I found myself a quiet place, and started working.

I was so lost in those books, that I haven't noticed how much time had passed.

"You haven't had lunch, sweetie" I heard Lisa's soft voice as she approached me.

I shook my head to return to the real world and checked my pocketwatch.

"Oh, is it 2 pm already? Maybe I should take a break" I sighed.

"Yes, you do" giggled Lisa. "Come, I'll treat you to some tea and sandwiches."

"Thank you" I said gratefully. No wonder why I am like a stick - I tend to forget about meals when I am deep in my research.

The tea was a wonderful lavender - lemon blend, it really refreshed me. Also, talking to Lisa was a good distraction and a rest to my brain. In Sumeru, a lot of scholars talk greatly about her, I can't help but adore her. It's a waste she chose to be a mere librarian.

After the tea I only spent two more hours in the library, organizing my notes then I went home.

I was chilling on my couch, I even took a nap. When I woke up, it was almost seven pm.

"Oh shit, I have to go to Angel's share tonight" I said loudly. I changed from my at-home clothes to my usual skirt and blouse, rearranged my curly, messy hair and quickly ate a bite then I was ready to go.

I thought I would be the last one to arrive, but to my surprise, the tavern was almost empty, with Diluc behind the bar.

"Hey" I waved at him.

"Hello, Tessa. What do you fancy tonight?"

"Uhm.. that new sunsettia cocktail please, I heard it's very good"

"It is, indeed" he said and started to mix my drink. He really knew what he was doing. I didn't even notice that I was staring at him in awe.

"What?" he asked me, I shook my head, my face turned red immediately.

"N-nothing, I just find your mixing techniques... quite spectacular" I smiled.

"Thank you, I guess..." he turned his head down as he gave me my drink.

Great, I can be so awkward sometimes.

Before it could turn to worse, Jean, Lisa and that Lawrence girl - Eula, I recalled entered the tavern and joined us. Not long after, Kaeya also arrived, without Rosaria this time.

We drank drink after drink, even Jean got a little tipsy. It was a really funny sight.

"Tessa, and do you remember when we stole the keys to the cellar?" asked Kaeya laughing. "That old man Wade was soooo desperate!"

"You stole the key, Kaeya" I corrected him. "And tried to blame it on Diluc"

"Like anyone would have believed him" added Diluc with a light smile on his face. "But I still had to clean up after you two all the time"

"Yeah, I remember too" giggled Jean. "Tessa and Kaeya was always behind every mischief"

The wave of nostalgia washed over me. Yeah, they were truly great times when we were kids.

We continued drinking and talking, but then I felt that the alcohol really kicked in. I was so dizzy, I had to get some fresh air.

I went up to the second floor and entered the balcony. The guests usually avoid it, after some drunk bard fell off. He wasn't really injured though.

I sat down on the ground and inhaled the scent of the night and took in the sounds coming from the tavern. I was feeling sentimental and my thoughts brought me back to my childhood.

I don't even remember how old I was, but I was really, really young. A mere kid.

I remember playing with my wooden knight figures while my parents were talking sitting by the table. They thought I was too busy playing to pay attention to what they said, but I still remember every word of it.

"I received a commission again" sighed my mother. "I couldn't be the only adventurer in this city"

"They just know how capable you are. And you have been living for centuries now, Alice. It is only natural that they want you back" said my father.

They were quiet for a while, I saw from the corner of my eyes, that my mom was fidgeting her fingers, thinking hardly.

"I miss traveling, that's the truth" she said. "But Tessa is still so small... am I a bad mother?"

"You're the best mother in the world, my dear. It's just your nature to be always on the road"

Another silent break. My father continued talking.

"We have friends who can take care of her. And she is big enough now. I don't think we should worry too much about her. She's our daughter after all"

A couple days later I was standing in front of Dawn Winery, holding my mom's hand tightly. In front of me, there was Crepus Ragnvindr. I was always scared of him. A big-big man with crimson red hair and beard and piercing eyes. Next to him, there stood two boys. One, who looked a lot like Crepus: crimson red hair and crimson-brown eyes; and the other one had deep blue hair, icy blue eyes and dark skintone.

They were talking about leaving me there, but I wanted to stay with my mommy. When she let go of my hand, I just held on to her skirt.

She kneeled down to look into my eyes.

"Easy, my dear. From now on, Uncle Crepus will take care of you." she held my face and gave a kiss to my forehead. "I love you, baby, but mommy has to go back to work. I will see you often, don't worry."

Crepus also came closer to me.

"Don't be afraid of me, little Tessa" he smiled and held my tiny hands in his huge ones. "Your parents are amazing adventurers. One day, you can join them too, I'm sure of that"

Then, he introduced me to his sons.

"Tessa, these are my sons. This is Diluc" he pointed at the crimson haired boy. "And this is Kaeya" he said, while pointed at the blue-haired boy "I'm pretty sure you will be good friends with them"

The boys greeted me. After my mother left, they approached me curiously.

"You have funny ears, like Auntie Alice has" said Diluc.

Then Kaeya came closer, grabbed a lock of my hair and smelled it.

"You have nice hair" he claimed, then he pulled the lock. I hit his hand hard.

After that, we really became good friends.

My nostalgia was interrupted by the opening door. Jean came out to the balcony as well.

"Are you alright, Tessa?" she asked. "You have been away for a while"

"Yeah, I just needed some fresh air" I answered.

We were quiet for a while, then she continued talking.

"I am glad you are back, Tessa, really" she said. "After you left, and Diluc left... everything changed"

"Wait" I stopped her. "Diluc left?"

"Oh you didn't know?" she raised an eyebrow at me. "After you left Mondstadt, Master Diluc also disappeared. For 3 years. Only the archon knows where he has been"

He left? I thought. What the heck? I need to ask about this later...

"Anyway" Jean continued. "I... haven't seen them talking like that for ages... Tonight, they look like brothers again. They are talking. They are nostalgic. And I think it's all thanks to you" she smiled.

"You overestimate me, Jean" I said. "I didn't do anything. But I wish to see them close again. Like in the good old days"

We were talking a little more for a while. Honestly... Jean was always strange to me. We played a lot together when we were kids, because Crepus thought I need some female company from my age. And it was fun, but I was always jealous at her. Especially after Crepus started to make jokes about her and Diluc getting married when they grow up.

But that was also the past, and I was childish back then. And to be honest... Jean is simply just amazing. A very valuable friend.

Lisa interrupted our chatting soon.

"What are you doing, ladies?" she asked. "Everyone is worried about you two"

We looked at each other with Jean and giggled.

"We are coming now" I said. "Sorry, we had just some... chat"

Lisa rolled her eyes, then we returned to the others.

The night was better than I expected. A lot better.