Genshin oneshots~ PART 3

Inner Child [Scaramouche/Wanderer]

Note: Kinda Modern AU at some bits.  

Nahida POV: 

The moist soil sticks to the soles of my feet as I wander through the Avidya Forest, the air is humid... the flowers are blooming. It's that time of year again, spring has arrived. As a matter of fact, it's my favourite time of the year... this is a time where nature finally unveils its true colours and the new generation of the earth's children emerges. I see flowers as the children of nature, they grow from a small bud into something big and beautiful... they may wilt or take damage overtime but they don't just disappear. They regrow into bigger, even more vibrant flowers. It's the same for every other living being, the inner child... something so fragile yet so important and it's being forgotten day by day. According to the Traveller, I have supposedly 'adopted' Wanderer. Mm... I guess that is what it seems. Under my care, he has made noticeable improvement in his overall character, despite still being quite aloof. He's much more calm, collected, and would still at least have the smallest amount of energy to give things a go. However, I still feel like I can't get a grasp on his inner child... the walls and defences he has built up over his life have trapped that sense of innocence and joy. Which is why I decided to act on it, over the past few days I've been looking at the local Sumeru newspaper for any service opportunities... and I think I've found the perfect one for him. I can't wait to deliver the news! 

Scaramouche/Wanderer POV: 

I wonder why I ever let the Traveller pick my name out of all people, if I knew she was another one of those weird simps I would've given that offer a hard pass. Well, I guess I'm stuck being called 'baby girl' and 'Raiden's failure', at the very least... Nahida still calls me Wanderer around other people and Scaramouche when we're alone. I no longer have the strength I had all those years ago, so I kind of gave up on the whole villain era. Nahida has been putting my name all over the service sign up sheets on the notice board as of late.... I've been tree planting, rubbish collecting, running marathons, and raising money for the poor... the list goes on, and it feels so out of place for me. But, I don't dislike it. I feel like I can finally let go of these invisible dumbbells that dragged me down. "Oh there you are... guess what?" the small dendro archon pokes her head around the tree I am leaning against, "what?" I respond bluntly as she hands me the flyer. "I signed you up to be a volunteer preschool teacher!" my eyeballs almost popped out of my head, "WHAT?! A preschool teacher?! Can things get even more ridiculous? I already have to deal with the stupid names I get called and the Traveller constantly nagging at me and now you want me to deal with a bunch of kids?! Do you hate me?!" I sigh and groan loudly as I leaned my forehead against the rough bark of the tree, a feeling of doom prodded at my chest. Nahida looks at me in the most calm expression as if she's seen these 'tantrums' before, she slips a little doll in my hand. "Remember this?" I backed away from the tree as I stared at it, the dirty fabric dress... the little indigo bob hair... the button eyes. "Where did you get this?" I whisper quietly as I held it close to my chest, "I found it in your conscious library" she responds. "You've lost touch with your inner child... think of this as an opportunity to reconnect with the past, it's still a part of you Scara and I want you to remember it... don't do this because I forced you to do this for yourself... this starts on Monday" she gives me a small smile and a hug around my legs before wandering off back into the forest. "..." I look down at the childishly colourful poster with a sigh, "fine... I'll come" I mutter under my breath as I tuck the doll safely into my shorts. The wind picking up my coat, letting it flutter in the breeze. I hope the kids don't hate me. 

That evening, I stared at myself in the mirror. I look way too mean... I squeezed my cheeks in an attempt to smile, yeah no... that's not working. "Hey guysss..." I say shakily in a mock hospitable accent, I physically cringed as I buried my face into my hands. A soft knock came at my door, "how are you doing? I made you some samosas" the tiny archon comes in with a hot meal, "how do you seem nicer?" I ask as I take the plate from her. "Oh! Is this for Monday? Let me be your stylist then! I have a really good idea..." she smiles.