𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙚 𝙙𝙚𝙨𝙘𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧

47 - when ancestry.com gets weird

Y/n stretched her arms, taking a deep breath as she stood on the outskirts of Inazuma City, the majestic gates of Tenshukaku fading into the distance. She turned to Alice, eyes twinkling with mischief. "You have no idea how good it feels to talk without bursting into song. It's like a weight has been lifted off my vocal cords!"

Alice grinned sheepishly. "I must admit, it was a hilarious week, though. Your rendition of 'I Just Want Some Peace and Quiet' will go down in Inazuma's history."

Yae Miko, in her childlike form, pouted. "But I liked your singing. It was funny!"

Alice ruffled Miko's hair. "Maybe next time, I'll enchant you and we can enjoy a week of kitsune karaoke."

Kitsune Saiguu, ever protective of Miko, chimed in, "If you ever try that, Alice, I'll make sure you sprout fox ears for a month."

Alice looked mock horrified. "But imagine the haircare routine! Oh, the horror!"

Makoto laughed heartily at the exchange. "It's been a lively week with you two around. Inazuma hasn't seen such excitement in ages."

Ei nodded in agreement, her typically stoic face softened by a smile. "Your presence has added a unique flavor to our days. It will be missed."

As the group shared laughter and lighthearted banter, a cloud passed over Y/n's face. Knowing the future of Teyvat and the fate that awaited some of them weighed heavily on her heart. She didn't trust herself to speak, afraid her voice would betray her emotions.

Alice, with her keen perception, noticed Y/n's sudden change in demeanor. She subtly steered the conversation away, drawing attention to herself with a humorous anecdote about her latest experiment.

Y/n gazed at Makoto and Kitsune Saiguu, her expression unreadable, the weight of foreknowledge a burden she alone bore. The inevitability of time and its consequences were often too much to bear for someone who had seen as much as she had.

As the group continued their farewells, Alice sidled up to Y/n, raising an eyebrow in silent understanding. She didn't need words; she knew the weight Y/n carried.

With final hugs and promises to visit again, Y/n and Alice made their way away from Inazuma. Behind them, the city continued its timeless dance, blissfully unaware of the sands of time slowly trickling away.

***********

Y/n, leaning against the side of the boat with the wind ruffling her hair, gave Alice a side-eye. "Alright, spill the beans. Which three gossips have been blabbing about me?"

Alice, with her signature mischievous glint in her eyes, twirled a strand of her hair, pretending to think hard. "Hmm, maybe I'll let you stew in curiosity a little longer."

Y/n rolled her eyes dramatically. "Zhongli? Was it him? Oh, don't tell me it was Xiao. He's such a chatterbox," she said sarcastically, knowing well that the adeptus was more of the silent type.

Alice feigned ignorance, her voice dripping with exaggerated innocence. "Zhongli? Xiao? Who are those? Do they like explosions?"

Y/n sighed dramatically. "I can't with you. Fine, was it Venti? Did the wind itself carry tales of my greatness?"

Alice laughed, her voice echoing over the water. "Ding ding ding! You got it! But to be fair, I might have had to ply him with a drink or two to get him talking about you."

Leaning into the gentle sway of the boat, Y/n turned a suspicious gaze towards Alice. "You have that look again," she commented warily, observing Alice's twinkling eyes. "Who else have you been interrogating?"