Where I Belong

Meeting Klee

After breakfast, I paid Sara for letting me stay in her room. She said it wasn't necessary, but I insisted. It was the least I could do after she let me stay with her. Besides, it was a great way to test out Lisa’s pouch. It might as well be bottomless.

After dinner, I walked around town with Paimon and Lumine. 

“Paimon, don't you have something to ask Fabi?” Lumine asked. 

“Ask me what?” I asked.

“Oh, oh, nothing.” Paimon said, “Except… Paimon was wondering if she could join you on your adventure.”

I stopped in my tracks, “Wait, what? Why?”

“The idea of going to so many different worlds is exciting. With all the magic we have, that's something we haven’t figured out yet.”

“You already do that here, don't you? I already explained there's so much to do here.”

“Well, yeah, but all our adventures are in the same world. Paimon wants to see other worlds with different adventures, too.”

I was touched that Paimon wanted to join me on this crazy journey, but it felt wrong to pluck someone out of their world. “But… but doesn't Lumine need you here? You're her guide.”

“Don't worry about me.” Lumine said, “I'll be fine. I have missions to keep me busy. Besides, I don't want to lose any chance to find my brother.”

I looked at Lumine and then at Paimon. She really wants to come with me. Paimon isn't really capable of getting into trouble, so maybe this will be fine. It'd be nice to not be alone during all this. I smiled and hugged Paimon, “Ok, you can come. But I'm gonna keep an eye on you.”

“Thank you so much, Fabi!” Paimon said, “Paimon will do her best to be a great guide.” I almost started squealing. There’s the line.

We overheard the guy in front of the tavern talking to himself, “Shame I only get to listen in from the other side of the window and don’t get to join in the debate. I’d love to give my two cents…”

“Say what?” Paimon said, “What’s up, what’s up? Paimon wants in!” Ok, I guess we're talking to this random NPC now.

“Recently, all the customers at the tavern have been debating the exact same topic: ‘who is the strongest fighter in Mondstat?’” Patton explained. 

“The strongest fighter? Must be someone who can floor a whole gang of hilichurls with just one punch!”

“Pff! I do that for fun.” Lumine said.

“Then Paimon nominates you! But anyway, is there, like, a general agreement in the city on who it is, or…?”

“Hah. expecting people to come to a swift and straightforward consensus in the city of freedom is like expecting Fisherman’s Toast to drop out of the sky.” Patton said, “Everyone’s got their own opinion, backed up by a unique set of cherry-picked information, but let’s be honest, that’s what makes the discussion so impassioned and entertaining. Mainstream opinion is polarized, with most people supporting one of two candidates. One is the Dandelion Knight knight, the other is the Darknignt Hero.”

“Who the heck are those guys?” I asked.

“Paimon, Fabi, who are you voting for?” Lumine asked.

“Ooh! Ooh! Paimon votes for you!” Paimon said.

“Me too.” I said.

“But let’s go into the tavern and talk to the patrons, maybe we’ll pick up some juicy gossip.”