The Tragedies of Life {A Genshin Impact OC Story}

Chapter 16: The Strange Man

That next day on Sunday, Wanderer and Kinoko had done a tedious commission together that involved trying to find someone's missing sword, which was somewhere around the pretty large mountain in Vanarana. The entire time, Kinoko was secretly hoping she would spot an Aranara, but she sadly had no such luck with that. They ended up finding the sword at the very top of the mountain, its tip ground deep into the soil.

On Monday, Kinoko worked heavily on a project she's been hoping to use to impress her professor, and to maybe turn into an actual piece. The blueprints she designed made up a blue house with wall-sized windows, and a large roof. In her opinion, the designs outside the house were beautiful. Everything was in perfect detail. She decided to make it blue because there are rare occurrences where people ever make their homes blue, and besides, it was her favorite color after all.

For her lunch break, she decided to take a walk while she ate her pita pockets instead of staying in the stuffiness of the Akademiya. As she made her way outside, she enjoyed people-watching those around her. Sumeru had many interesting people, as well as different smells, views, and music. When she thought of music, she decided to go down to the Grand Bazaar to see if it was posted when Nilou would be having her next dance performance.

As she people-watched, one person seemed particularly interesting. He looked like a traveler of some sort–blonde hair, eyes that looked similar to hers, a dark-blue eyepatch, and a dark blue and black attire, along with a cape. Even if the strange man dressed dark, he still stood out in Sumeru City where there are many bright colors around.

She immediately looked away out of embarrassment when the man looked straight at her. She continued walking, but couldn't help but glance over, and the man was still watching her. She supposed it was fair enough, but something was off about that encounter. Before she knew it, she was flinching from surprise when she felt a hand grab her arm. She turned around and took a step back, only to be met with the same stranger from just a moment ago.

"Who are you?" The man spoke. His voice was low and deep, but had some sort of sophisticated tone to it. His gaze was cold, sharp, and maybe a little intimidating.

Kinoko had been through situations before when people stopped her in the streets to try and flirt, or sometimes even take advantage of her. But something told her that wasn't this stranger's intentions, though she also needed to make sure he wasn't in the Fatui. "You tell me first." She said firmly. No way would she give out her identity just like that. Not after everything that's been going on.

The stranger sighed, exasperated. "My name is Dainsleif. I'm an adventurer." He said flatly, before he spoke with the slightest hint of urgency. "Now, tell me, what is your name?"

She found herself taking another step back. "Okay, okay, my name is Kinoko. What do you want from me?" She tilted her head in confusion, considering whether to bolt or not. She was also just ready to punch him in the face as well, but that was only her overthinking.

"Your eyes. You're a pure-blooded Khaenri'ahn, aren't you?" Dainsleif asked seriously.

"What?" Kinoko stared at Dainsleif, her mouth wide open. She's heard about Khaenri'ah before. That was the nation that got destroyed 500 years ago. She assumed all of those from Khaenri'ah died, since she hardly knew the full story.

His expression hardened. "Hm. Come with me." He started walking off into the sea of people during lunch hour. Her curiosity getting the best of her, Kinoko raced after him. She wanted to ask where they were going, but before they knew it, they were behind a building, where the sounds of people were faint. "Khaenri'ah. You're from Khaenri'ah." He repeated.

She only stood there, agape. "And why do you think I'm from Khaenri'ah, pray tell?" If the man in front of her was telling the truth, she would eventually explain how she doesn't remember where she's from, but at the moment, Dainsleif was only another stranger.