wilderness | genshin impact

一

The hot sun in the desert of Sumeru, was simply something travellers and residents could not evade. The sun could be seen from a far distance, and was a nuisance to all those who lived in the desert. You were unfortunately one who was affected by the sun due to your duties of the akademiya, and shade was something that was rarely found in the desert during the day time. 

"Mahamatra Cyno," you spoke up, after searching for tracks of the criminals. The matra turned towards you, as he gave a quiet grunt. "Your ready to leave, I presume?" As much as the matra had wanted to say yes, he shook his head in response. The akademiya had a high expectation of Cyno, and if he returned empty handed without those who had broke the law, he would be looked upon badly. "Is it really important?" You questioned the electro user. Cyno didn't respond. Although he was seen as an important figure in Sumeru, you knew he didn't like the akademiya as a whole. To be exact, he almost had hatred for the grand sage.  

"(y/n), you're free to return home if that is what you wish," the matra responded with, completely ignoring the question. He knew that you were annoyed spending your time out here, when Nilou had invited you to spend the evening in the Grand Bazaar with her. "The desert's a rather large place, and it would be a pity if you weren't able to spend the rest of your day with Nilou. After all, your returning back home to Liyue aren't you? Researching the chasm was it?" 

You nodded in response, Nilou had graciously invited you to walk around the Grand Bazaar with her during the evening, and here you were, in the desert with Cyno just a few hours before you were met to meet with Nilou. You didn't want to arrive late for Nilou, you knew her schedule was almost filled with dancing and you didn't want to ruin her schedule. "You won't feel lonely, Cyno?" You asked the Mahamatra. Cyno shook his head, "Thank you, (y/n), but I'm alright. I'll return to Aaru village shortly after I catch these criminals, you should too, transportation will be available for you to return to the city." 

"I'll take my leave then," you told the white haired male. "Stay safe, Cyno." 

✩‧

"(y/n)!" Nilou came running towards you, pulling you into a firm hug. "You're here! I had the impression that you weren't going to turn up!"  Pulling your friend back into a hug, you gave a laugh. "I was out with Cyno just earlier at the desert, but he allowed me to leave early." 

"Cyno?" said Nilou with shocked expression. You tilted your head, "don't you know him?" 

"I do!"  The hydro user said, "I never knew he would invite someone out on a date with him to catch criminals though!" 

"It wasn't a date!" You said, firmly responding. "I just thought I'd visit him and take a walk around the city with him before I leave, turns out, he planned for us to do an activity more exciting in the desert." 

"Right, right," Nilou gave you a smirk, although she sounded like she was agreeing with what you said, you knew that there was the slight sarcasm in her voice was she rarely showed to others. You gave your red haired friend an annoyed look, as Nilou could only give you her innocent smile and laugh it off. "Come on! I have so many things planned for us to do today, I have to spend as much time as possible with you before you take your leave!" 

Following the hydro dancer, as she pulled your arm and dragged you around the Grand Bazaar, you couldn't help but feel almost sorry for Cyno as you wondered the area inside the Sumeru City. 

"If its not the star of the Zubayr theatre and the matra herself!" Hushang, the toy seller had said after seeing the two vision users standing before him. "Hushang," (y/n) greeted, nodding at the toy seller. "I've heard that you've been doing well recently?" 

Hushang nodded, pleased that you concerned for his business and himself. "Of course, matra (y/n). If anything, I'm more than well." 

"No need for such formalities when I'm not on business," you told the toy seller, shaking away your title in public. "If you say so ..." Hushang said, feeling slightly awkward saying your name without the word matra in front. You gave the toy seller a smile, before continuing your walk around the Grand Bazaar with Nilou. 

The Grand Bazaar to you was simply a magnificent place, you couldn't see the reasons to why the akademiya had wanted this area demolished. It was the place where the happiness of Sumeru and the respect of the Dendro archon had flourished from. As much as the Grand Sage had hated Lesser Lord Kusanali, you had respected the young archon with all your heart, which led you to stumble across the Bazaar and make friends with Nilou. 

After walking through the Bazaar with your beloved friend, Nilou stopped at the exit of the Bazaar, tears welling up in her eyes. "You'll miss us, right (y/n)?"  

Seeing Nilou cry made you surprised, you hadn't seen the red haired dancer cry before, let alone seeing her upset in public. "Of course I will, Nilou," you responded without hesitation pulling her into a hug. "I'll be back before you know it."  

"You better be," said Nilou whilst sniffling. "Who else can I ship with Cyno after you leave?" 

You gave your friend a playful punch before pulling her into a tight hug once again. "You can ship that man with Tighnari, he'll appreciate you for that."  Both you and Nilou couldn't help but start to laugh, as she continued to cry over the fact you'd be gone for perhaps a few months. Maybe a year. 

"I'll be taking my leave now," you told Nilou. "Take care of yourself, and make sure you'll keep this theatre alive in time for my arrival." 

Nilou nodded before allowing you to leave the Grand Bazaar. You wouldn't say it to Nilou's face, but you needed to leave fast. Your arrival at the Chasm was awaiting for you, and you weren't only there are Liyue to revisit family but an informant was waiting for you in the depths of the Chasm. 

A fatui informant to be exact.