human connection

growth

"Albedo, look at me."

No response. Rhinedottir sighed.

"Albedo," she said, louder.

This stirred the boy out of his thoughts, causing him to snap his neck up towards his master. He expected her usual look of vexation. Perhaps she would even chastise him for being lost in thought once more; yet, that was not the case this time. She looked curious, even the hint of a small smile threatening to pull on her lips. Albedo squared his shoulders, preparing for whatever was to come.

┄┄ ✦ a few hours earlier . . .

Albedo watched the children play curiously. Throwing snowballs, building snowmen, and making snow angels; he ached to do it all. A strange feeling filled his gut, one that he couldn't name. It wasn't long before one of them came bounding in his direction, smiling so wide that you could see one of their front teeth was missing.

"Hey! Come play with us!" They held out their hand, eyes so bright Albedo almost felt blinded.

The young alchemist yearned to say yes; playfulness and laughter had been practically pouring out of the expectant child. Opening his mouth to form a response, he was suddenly cut short by a firm hand grasping his shoulder. Master.

"I'm sorry, dear." Rhinedottir's tone flowed with natural charisma, yet her face was blank if anything. "I'm afraid he is busy at the current moment."

The child frowned, bottom lip jutting out into a pout. Their shoulders sagged as they nodded their head slowly, mumbling out a soft "okay..."

Rhinedottir did not appear to have any regrets about the situation, although Albedo felt the strange feeling in his gut twisting once more. He wanted to play with the child. He wanted to make a snow angel, build a snowman, have–

"You are delaying in your work, Albedo. We need to move." His master wasted no time as she began to trek up the snowy mountain, leaving the short blond to scamper after her.

┄┄ ✦ present . . .

Rhinedottir kneeled down to match his height, something she had never done before. His master had always made sure to make her sense of superiority clear, towering over him as she demanded orders over and over. Despite this, her tone was as stern as ever.

"You look troubled. What is it?"

Albedo couldn't deny the fact that he was troubled. The image of the child's disappointed face and posture hadn't left his mind. He couldn't remember when he had become so emotional; for a human, nonetheless. However, the image of his master's irked expression and bothered posture filled his mind. So, he lied.

"Nothing, master. I was merely pondering the research you went over earlier."

She wasn't convinced, yet her expression did not change and she stood up straight. Without a word, she continued up the mountain, and Albedo took that as a sign that the topic would be dropped.

┄┄ ✦

Rhinedottir drilled into Albedo's mind that a homunculus was not supposed to feel guilt. Pain. Anger. Sorrow. The alchemists of this world had no intention of being friends with the creations they built, but to have them as a weapon. Rhinedottir was cold, strict, and perhaps even a bit heartless at first glance. Yet, lately, she was fascinated by Albedo's thought process, observing him as if he were a creation gone... wrong?

Highly skilled in alchemy, she created something that nobody ever had before. How could someone made of chalk feel anything a human can? A being without a heart? Or did it . . .?

┄┄ ✦ next scene . . .

Albedo stared at the dead fox underneath his feet as Rhinedottir surveyed carefully from afar. He startled at the sudden wetness upon his cheeks before realizing it was his own tears. Had that ever happened before? Had his master ever allowed it to?

The sight caused dread to pool in his stomach, and before he knew it, he was picking up the pitiful animal. His tears painted the carcass, and before he knew it, he was standing in front of his master, eyes red and puffy.

"I would like to bury it, Master."

He was met with a soft hum, and soon the fox was carefully buried in the snow; a fresh Cecilia rested on top.

┄┄ ✦ later . . .

"Albedo."

Instead of the stern and demanding tone Rhinedottir usually took when regarding Albedo, curiosity filled it instead.

"Yes, Master?" Albedo replied robotically. He looked up from where he was kneeling on the floor, waiting for another order.

The alchemist hummed thoughtfully and stood from where she had been making notes. "Out of all the human foods I've given you, you've taken quite a liking to the sweeter kinds."

Albedo didn't know what to say to this, so he stayed silent. Rhinedottir took this as a sign to continue.

Reaching into her bag, she pulled out a small box. It was a bland, white box with a red bow on top. Rhinedottir handed it to Albedo. When he didn't take it, she huffed out a chuckle, yet it held no humor in it.

"Take it, Albedo."

The boy blinked a few times before carefully taking the box, handling it as if it would shatter any second. He slowly undid the bow with precision, hands shaking as he opened the box delicately.

Rhinedottir watched as tears filled her son's eyes for the second time that day. A cupcake, specially made from Mondstadt, was inside the box.

"Happy Birthday, Albedo."

┄┄ ✦ years later . . .

Albedo stared down at the note that day. 'Find the truth and meaning of this world,' the letter said. Rhinedottir's potential was now left in his hands.

He was terrified.

┄┄ ✦

Klee was thrilled when Albedo had moved in with her and Alice. He would read books to her, cook her meals; he'd even play as the prince in her games! She wouldn't deny the fact that Albedo was like an older brother.

. . . Sometimes, he grew quiet. Was he sad? Klee didn't like that. That night, when he came into her room to read her a story, she made sure to hug him extra tight! She was thrilled to see the soft smile that displayed on his features soon after.

With a soft kiss upon her forehead, Albedo departed from Klee's room.

┄┄ ✦

Albedo sat at the edge of Alice's plush bed, furiously rubbing at his eyes as tears threatened to spill. Alice was rubbing slow circles upon his back, murmuring encouraging words into his ear. The crumpled letter, written by Rhinedottir, was forgotten on the floor beneath them.

"Was I not good enough for her?" Albedo's voice was shaky. "Was I not... able to keep up?"

Alice silently hushed him. "No, dear," she cooed. In all of her years of knowing Rhinedottir, Alice knew she was cold and strict. Nevertheless, she knew that Albedo was different. She had no doubt that Rhinedottir cared for Albedo in ways that she ultimately failed to show.

Later, Klee found her way into Alice's room after hearing the soft mumbling. They all fell asleep in her cramped bed.

Albedo felt safe in their embrace.

┄┄ ✦