The Tragedies of Life {A Genshin Impact OC Story}

Chapter 14: Sleepover

"Thanks." Kinoko said once she and Wanderer left their hiding place. Lights in windows of buildings were starting to glow brighter as the sun touched the mountains in the distance, slowly falling until it meets the people of Sumeru once again in the morning. Everything seemed brighter for some reason, and Kinoko couldn't really explain it. It was so beautiful and overwhelming all at the same time.

She was also on edge from the almost-encounter she had with Tartaglia. Part of her wanted to ask the harbinger questions, but she knew it was too dangerous. After all, the Fatui puts their missions first before everything. "Did I have more than one friend?" She asked Wanderer, giving he didn't respond yet.

He snapped out of whatever thoughts he was having, as if he had tuned out for a bit. "No." He said. "Not that I know of. Maybe you could've been friends with others, but you were just a quiet and jittery person. Not very social." He walked them over to a corner where not a lot of people were, as to not have people see them talking. Especially people from the Akademiya. "But Tartaglia...he's just overly social in general. He's such a stupid guy anyway. He considers anyone that fights him a friend, and against your own will, you had to fight him."

She bit the inside of her cheek. This was a lot of information in 2 days, not to mention how utterly exhausted she was. "So, did you fight him?" She asked to take the attention off herself.

Wanderer smirked. "I did. But I never considered him a friend. He honestly shouldn't be in the Fatui. It was an easy fight." He said with a shrug.

"Yeah, for you." Kinoko shot back in a mocking tone. "Anyway, I really don't feel like talking about the Fatui right now. Give me some time before telling me anything else about myself." She already felt a headache calming down.

"Pfft. You're the one asking." He said. His hands moved to push his hat lower on his face so it was hard for her to see his eyes.

Kinoko's gaze flickered to the sound of bells when someone left of the tavern, then they widened when she noticed Ataru walking out. Before she could say her goodbyes to Wanderer, he was already walking up to go back to the sanctuary of surasthana. She frowned at his sudden disappearance, but shrugged it off and walked to Ataru. "Ataru!" She said. Seeing her desert friend made her day better after everything that just happened.

"Oh, hey Kinoko! What's up?" Ataru said cheerfully. She still had her usual attire, and her staff rested on her back to not scare off any citizens.

Kinoko glanced back to the direction Wanderer went in confusion, then focused on Ataru. "Nothing, really. Hey-how about we have a sleepover this weekend? I just need to get away for a night." She was silently pleading that Ataru wouldn't ask why.

"Hey, I get it. Come to my place on Friday night?" Ataru suggested.

Kinoko grinned. "Perfect. Anyway, what are you doing in the city?" She gestured to the tavern Ataru walked out of, sounds of drunks and people chatting, or the sounds of heads hitting the counters when someone passes out.

Ataru laughed. "I was doing a commission today, and it was in the city so I decided to stop at Lambad's for dinner and a drink."

"Well, it was perfect to see you. I honestly need a break from everything." Kinoko said, rubbing her eyes.

Ataru placed a hand on Kinoko's shoulder. "Say no less, my friend. We'll have an amazing sleepover." She pulled away. "You're okay to head into the desert by yourself?"

Kinoko hesitated. "I'll be fine."

"See you then!" Ataru waved at Kinoko before walking away.

Kinoko waited as Ataru left. It gave her so much guilt to know that Ataru knew nothing, nobody did, and she would have to spill it at some point. Just the thought of it was terrifying. She glanced back at the tavern. She knew Alhaitham was off doing some sort of travels, as she heard from one of the scholars in the library that he was on an expedition with the Traveler. That also meant Alhaitham wasn't there to drag Kaveh back if Kaveh got drunk that night.