Author's Note: I seriously don't know how this fic ended up at 8K...

"Happy Birthday Amber." A child's voice reads the words in front of her aloud, trying her absolute best to pronounce all of it correctly. Around the reader stands her brother, said person she just referred to, and a select few of her friends as well. The Mondstadt sky covers them all, and a nearby table, in a comforting sunshine.

Klee's forehead scrunches up as she continues reading the birthday letter. "We thank you for all of your hard work this past year and will look forward to seeing what you'll do for the next. The people of Mondstadt, be them Knights or otherwise are imm….immen-see-ly lucky to have someone as hardworking, kind, and passionate as you by their side.

Ad astra ab….abyss….abby…..uhhhh…"

Albedo interrupts to try his best to rally her. "Abyssosque, Klee."

It works as the eyes of the girl light up in realization. "Ohhhh, ad astra abby-stra! Thanks Albedo!" Then, without missing a beat, she finishes it up.

"Sincerely,

Katheryne.

The. End."

The "audience" all applauses the kid's effort, not to mention her dedication when it comes to reading the cards for her friend, the one and only Outrider of the Knights of Favonius. So far, it's been mostly this whole card-reading activity with a few actual presents here and there. After all, not everyone has the money to buy a gift (to say nothing of lacking inspiration on what to get), but what the citizens of Mondstadt CAN do is write a letter expressing their gratitude and well-wishes. And when you're as popular as Amber, there is a lot of gratitude to read over.

Speaking of the birthday girl, she looks at the overflowing table- thanks to Klee dumping another letter on it haphazardly- with a smile. Amber had already opened her gift (A specially made bomb shaped like an arrow that caused all the color to drain from Albedo's face), Albedo's and Sucrose's present- a brand new pair of goggles with enhanced night vision capabilities- and Noelle's gift, which was a handmade pouch created by the hopeful future Knight of Favonius herself. Oh right, she corrects her memory with slight embarrassment; she also received a present from Kaeya of all people. He had given her a beautiful hunting knife, with the shape being nothing she'd ever seen before. According to the respective card, it not only specialized in harvesting meat from wild animals, but was also pretty good as a self-defense weapon. Amber didn't think she needed that part, but wrote a note to thank the Calvary Captain when next they met nonetheless.

But that left only two gifts to open, a rectangular package, just like a box with a simple purple card lying across the top. The second present was in another container about as big as Amber, but this one was all lumpy, hinting that the actual 'good' inside was smaller and just surrounded with layers of packaging and paper. There also was no card to go alongside it, but if Amber could guess why, that would be because the person who was responsible for this specific gift was standing directly behind her.

So it was best to save that one for last, she thought with a mischievous grin.

"I'll pick…this one next."

Pointing to the box-shaped present, a squeal of delight comes from the nearby Spark Knight. She tries to reach out and grab the card, intending to continue her streak of reading the sweet birthday messages to Amber, but is halted by a hand on her shoulder.

"I believe Amber should read this one to herself." Albedo says through a bit of a forced smile.

As Klee attempts to protest to this unexpected development, said birthday girl has a feeling that she now knows what's up here- including whose responsible for this particular present. To add further evidence to her feeling, the card's scented with a….scent that's too mature for Amber to know precisely what it is. A moment after opening and reading confirms her suspicions (and also justifies Albedo's reaction).

To my sweet Outrider,

To think another year has come and gone with the two of us. Ever since you joined the Knights of Favonius, you've done a wonderful job helping out everyone in Mondstadt, myself included. For example, I've had more time to sample my tea brews than ever before, and it's all thanks to you~ Ohohoho~

I'll always be looking out for you, dear. No matter how many years go by, never lose your smile.

Your friend,

Lisa

P.S: You can thank me later for the second part of this gift. I recommend you open that when you're alone~

Whatever heartfelt feelings Amber experienced while reading the letter were quickly overtaken by half-curiosity and half-relief at this 'second part'. If Klee had succeeded in reading this, the question of 'What was Miss Lisa talking about' would likely be never ending. And considering the librarian's "mature" sense of humor…the Outrider shivered despite dodging a bullet. Right as she began to wonder just how much Albedo knew, her hands grabbed the box and opened it up.

"What is it? What is it?" Klee's voice rang out. "Is it another Dodoco?"

After a silent couple of seconds, Amber spun around. Showing the present off prompted a couple 'oohs' from the kid, and relaxed smiles from everyone else. The Sumeru edition of the Teyvat Travel Guide, chockfull of all the region's most noticeable landmarks, including the Akademyia, various desert ruins, and the vast rainforest. This alone would have been enough to satisfy the Outrider, tapping into her desire to explore the land beyond and all that, but she also knew what Lisa was secretly saying….

Somewhere in that vast region, one of her best friends is staying. Though they exchange letters constantly, Amber longs for the day she can see her in person once more. And that will happen…she's sure of it!

"Amber?" Coincidentally, it's one of her other best friends that snaps her out of the daydream.

"Whoops!" A hearty laugh gets things back on track, especially after she gives the book to Klee for her light perusal. Looking back to the table reveals an object of similar shape to the guidebook- another book perhaps?- but Amber remembers Lisa's letter. Only when I'm alone huh? Using the jovial atmosphere behind her as cover, her fingers wrap around Lisa's box and send it to the "Baron Bunny dimension". No one remains the wiser (besides Albedo, who was more than happy to go along with the distraction).

But after the Spark Knight gets more than enough time and gives it back to Amber, there's just one gift left, assuredly given by Eula Lawrence, the Knights' Reconnaissance Captain. To check, Amber attempts a sneaky look backwards at her face, but receives only a smirk. Oh well…the lumpy package has both hard and soft parts to it, but that's about all she's able to tell thanks to the extra material…. No further stalling happens as Amber tears the wrapping.

"Oh wow…!"

"Very impressive, Eula. It came out perfectly." Albedo compliments his fellow captain. Klee is too awed to speak.

"Hmm, well I did receive some assistance. But as long as Amber is happy with it, that's all that matters to me."

The Outrider pulls a brand-new, simply gorgeous bow from the mess. It promptly reflects off the sun's rays, showing off its' glory in full. The body is mostly a mix of light blue and white, the string is a thin but extremely resistant line more than capable of handling the projectiles Amber uses, and the extra design bits serve to give the weapon a feeling of superiority to other bows.

All in all, something indeed worthy of a birthday present.

"Eula…!"

"H-Hey, why are you looking at me like that- oh nooo, no Amber-!"

"This is so sweet!" With those words, she jumps towards her Cryo friend and embraces her in a warm hug. Despite the warning, Eula wasn't expecting that at all, so it's frankly a bit of a miracle that she's able to remain standing, buckling knees aside.

"Geez….you're supposed to be a Knight right? Act like it." Sharp words, but Eula is simply unable to hide a grin that forms…just for a second though, as after Amber releases her, she quickly whirls around to verbally assault Albedo, who's been witnessing all of this with an amused smirk.

"And what is our Chief Alchemist smiling for? Don't be shy; share with the class."

Klee looks back at her brother with attention renewed. "Ah, my apologies. I simply find it… entertaining how the ice-cold Reconnaissance Captain melts when receiving a display of affection."

If looks could kill, Albedo would be chalk right now. But true to form, he's able to shake off glares and change topics. "Regardless, I should say it's only right to mention the others who helped out."

Amber tilts her head. "The others?"

Eula coughs, clearly relieved that she isn't the center of attention. "My primary contribution was monetary. Bennett, Fischl, and Razor made frequent trips to domains, gathering the needed materials. The ore was mined much more effectively thanks to our favorite Ex-Knight. Even that drunk bard assisted, as despite his addiction to alcohol and childish games, he does seem to know a thing or two about proper bow shape. Of course, he also wanted to name the bow something outlandish… 'Elegy of the' something, I believe, but that was overruled." A grin crosses her face at the last bit, recalling her time as judge and jury.

However such an explanation simply won't do for Albedo. "While the story about roles may be true, I'd say you're failing to give yourself proper credit. It was you after all, who spent several sleepless nights working to make the bow's prowess go from 'great' to 'perfect'."

If he wanted to embarrass Eula with that though, the Geo user would be disappointed by her lack of reaction. "Hm, it appears I need to be more careful in the future. Nights in Mondstadt seem to attract individuals who would much rather stand back in the shadows than volunteer to assist."

"Alright guys, no fighting." Amber chuckles to herself, defusing the situation before any sparks can truly fly. She turns to address both Knights. "Thank you so much for the new bow Eula, I'll make sure to use it well! And I'll definitely thank everyone else when I can!" She lightly bows with a humble smile on her face, clearly thinking about how many people care about her.

"Amber." Eula says after a minute. "I do have one final 'gift' for you, from someone who was too busy at this time…or rather, from someones."

Everyone knows who she's referring to, even Klee who positively beams at the Outrider. A letter is handed a moment later.

"To think he would need my help not just one, but two years in a row…" Eula mutters.

"Will you take revenge on him?"

She's about to respond right away, but Amber opens up the letter and smiles once more. "No. He's safe for today."

Dearest Magnificent Amber, Queenly Knight of Favonius

When the sun shines brightest, and the land is engulfed in light, meet us at the place of all origins.

Amber-

Sorry about that. Paimon has been hanging out with Fischl as of late. If you can come, we'll be at the beach beneath Starsnatch Cliff (hopefully by noon).

Sincerely,

The Amazing "Best Traveling Companion Ever" Paimon and Aether

Instantly, the Pyro archer's head cranes upward to the perfect sky above. The sun is nearly at its' peak, but it still has a little to go. If she heads out right away, she'll make it to the specified location with enough time to spare. Although, even Amber knows this is all shaping up a little too perfectly…

"You planned this with him from the start, didn't you?" She doesn't know who is the most responsible, so that ends up being a very audible question.

Taking a moment to see if anyone else will talk, Albedo speaks up. "If we had left Aether to his own devices, there wouldn't be an original gift from anybody else…well, besides Klee's, I would hope." Such a mention makes his sister reflexively smile, even though the full context eludes her.

After that explanation, Amber goes around thanking everybody who showed up to celebrate, saving the biggest thanks for Albedo, Klee, and Eula of course, the organizers. The Spindrift Knight and Kreidelprienz offer to go with her to Aether (though in the latter's case, it's mostly to witness the new bow in action), to which she readily agrees. Klee wants to come as well, but Albedo is able to dissuade the Spark Knight by reminding her of the job Grand Master Jean has for her. So with a quick hug between the two Pyro holders and a "Happy Birthday" shouted across town, the party of three heads out of Mondstadt.

"Hey, doesn't this remind you of that time on Dragonspine?"

"You mean with the avalanche and when a certain someone's doppelgänger attacked us?"

"…Hmm, I'm afraid I have no memory of what you're talking about. Perhaps you weren't feeling so well Eula?"