The Tragedies of Life {A Genshin Impact OC Story}

Chapter 15: Figuring You Out

"Have you ever just stood in the midst of the pouring rain and just let it soak you, as if it was drowning your thoughts?" Kinoko asked. She took a sip of the hot chocolate Ataru had made for her the next morning. They were sitting outside on small pillows they brought to act as cushions. Children, adults, and elders alike busied even the small Tanit Camps around them, and it was entertaining for watch.

Ataru looked at Kinoko strangely. "What's with all these deep hypothetical questions?" She leaned back on her hands, her legs dangling over the short cliff they were over. "And no, I haven't. I live in the dry desert where we're lucky enough to find enough water to drink."

"Fair enough." Kinoko replied. She sighed, taking in the small breeze that partially cooled her down in the heat of the desert. "Y'know, at some point you need to introduce me to Sethos. I need to make sure he's worthy for someone like you."

Ataru nudged her playfully, an embarrassed smile growing on her face. "He doesn't need to be worthy of me since we're only friends." She stated stubbornly. "But yes, considering how friendly he is, I'm sure he wouldn't mind. He's not scary, y'know."

Kinoko rolled her eyes. Her lack of responding well while meeting new people was a hardship she had to face, but she honestly wanted to get over it. It only made her seem weak, and she figured she had her time of learning about the world, and being somewhat like a kid. Now was the time to toughen up. "Yeah, from the stories you've told me about him, he doesn't sound like it."

They both watched as young children threw a ball around. It flew in the air before almost hitting Wanderer, but he caught it and tossed it to the kids unamused. He caught eyes with them and started heading up. Ataru nudged Kinoko in the shoulder teasingly, giving her a look. Kinoko rolled her eyes in return. "You know if you did hypothetically have a crush on him, I don't know how you'd be able to get around the hat." Ataru said with a sly grin.

Kinoko stood up quickly as a small blush formed on her face. "Shut up." She grumbled, receiving a laugh from Ataru. The chief stood up and opened her arms for a hug, and Kinoko gave in, still a bit tense. "Good luck with Sethos." Kinoko shot back before pulling away from the hug.

"What's up with your face?" Wanderer asked flatly once he arrived to their spot.

Kinoko shook her head and made her way past him, one hand covering her face. "It's nothing. Don't worry about it." She walked a few paces to calm down before turning around and waving at Ataru. "Thanks for having me!"

Ataru couldn't contain her laugh when Wanderer glanced back at her in complete confusion. She waved back. "Later, Kinoko!"

As Wanderer and Kinoko walked back, they started talking. "When are we going to get back?" She complained. They finally went behind the desert wall, back to the greens of the forests and cooler winds.

He sighed, seemingly irritated with her complaining. "Soon, if you aren't slow." He snapped. His pace quickened, but Kinoko didn't speed up. His mean attitude was annoying for her.

"Okay, well you don't get tired from walking all the time. You're just-fine." She argued. She was slightly jealous that he was able to go long distances, and do things others couldn't. He didn't need to stop for breaks, get out of breath.

He glared at her. "You don't want to go there." He said with a low voice. He yanked her arm so she would quicken her pace and she started to speed up.

"Hey, but it's true! You're lucky that you get to go all the distance you want to. You're even more lucky that your body is your own." She didn't even mean to say that last part, but it had been in her head for a long time. She couldn't stop thinking about it. She had been feeling so insecure and uncomfortable now that she knew that nothing on and in her body was her own. She wished she could get her old self back, whoever that was.